The Shopkeeper Turned Gentleman

SIX TURKS enter gravely, two and two at the sound of instruments. They carry three carpets which they lift very high as they dance several dances The TURKS pass under the carpets, singing and range themselves on each side of the stage. The MUFTI, accompanied by DERVISHES, closes the march. The TURKS then spread the carpets on the ground, and kneel down upon them. The MUFTI and the DERVISHES stand up in the middle of them; and while the MUFTI invokes Mahomet in dumb contortions and grimaces the TURKS prostrate themselves to the ground, singing Alli, raising their hands to heaven, singing Alla, and continue so alternately to the end of the invocation; after which they all rise up, singing, Alla eckber, and two DERVISHES go and fetch MR. JOURDAIN.

SCENE X.

– THE MUFTI, DERVISH, TURKISH SINGERS and DANCERS. MR. JOURDAIN, dressed like a Turk, his head shaved, without any turban or sword.

THE MUFTI (to MR. JOURDAIN).

[1] Se ti sabir,
Ti respondir;
Se non sabir,
Tazir, tazir.

Mi star muphti,
Ti qui star si?
Non intendir;
Tazir, tazir. [2]

[1]

Lingua franca, jargon composed of Italian, Spanish, &c., and spoken in the Levant.

[2]

If you understand,
Answer;
If you do not understand,
Hold thy peace, hold thy peace.
I am the Mufti

(TWO DERVISHES retire with MR. JOURDAIN.)

SCENE XI.

– THE MUFTI, DERVISHES, TURKS, singing and dancing.

MUF. Dice, Turque, qui star quista? Anabatista? anabatista? [Say, Turk, who is this? Is he Anabaptist? Anabaptist?]

TUR. Ioc. [No.]

MUF. Zuinglista? [A Zwinglian?]

TUR. Ioc. [No.]

MUF. Coffita? [A Capht?]

TUR. Ioc. [No.]

MUF. Hussita? Morista? Fronista? [A Hussite? a Moor? a Phronist?]

TUR. Ioc, ioc; ioc. [No, no, no.]

MUF. Ioc, ioc, ioc. Star pagana? [No, no, no. Is he a pagan?]

TUR. Ioc. [No.]

MUF. Luterana? [A Lutheran?]

TUR. Ioc. [No.]

MUF. Puritana? [A Puritan?]

TUR. Ioc. [No.]

MUF. Bramina? Moffina? Zurina? [A Brahmin? a Moffian? a Zurian?]

TUR. Ioc, ioc, ioc. [No, no, no.]

MUF. Ioc, ioc, ioc. Mahametana? Mahametana? [No, no, no. A Mahometan? a Mahometan?]

TUR. Hi Valla. Hi Valla. [There you have it. There you have it.]

MUF. Como chamara? Como chamara? [How is he called? How is he called?]

TUR. Giourdina, Giourdina. [Jourdain, Jourdain.]

MUF. (jumping). Giourdina, Giourdina. [Jourdain, Jourdain.]

TUR. Giourdina, Giourdina. [Jourdain, Jourdain.]

THE MUFTI. [1]

Mahameta, per Giourdina,
Mi pregar sera e matina.
Voler far un paladina
De Giourdina, de Giourdina;
Dar turbanta, e dar scarrina,
Con galera, e brigantina,
Per deffender Palestina.
Mahameta, per Giourdina,
Mi pregar sera e matina.

(To the TURKS.)

Star bon Turca Giourdina?

[1]

To Mahomet for Jourdain,