The Unexpected Encounter

THE CALENDER.

Dare I ask you, my Lord, what other thing can trouble your heart?

ALI.

With the sorrow by which I am overwhelmed, can you not recognize an unhappy love?

THE CALENDER.

I have the remedy for it; one nail drives out another, as they say, and perhaps a new passion would cure you of the old one.

ALI.

I will cherish until death
The celestial object who engages me;
After having seen such charms,
No beauty would make me fickle:
Venus, in vain, would offer me her attractions,
To triumph over my faithful flame,
O Rezia! My heart, more charmed by your features,
Would always deem you the most beautiful.
I will cherish, etc.

Ali retires toward the back; he walks, moves about, stops, and finally sits on a stone bench, while Osmin and the Calender continue the scene.

OSMIN, to the Calender.

Since you are so curious to know our misfortunes, I am going to recount them to you; it is the function of wandering squires to tell the adventures of their masters. You should know, then, that having taken refuge at the Court of the Sophi A title for the Shah of Persia., Lord Ali became, in less than no time, in love with the Princess Rezia.

THE CALENDER.

Was he liked in return, no doubt?

OSMIN.

Assuredly; one has never been paid back with a more complete return. All our embarrassment was to put our love to good use.

THE CALENDER.

That was not easy, for you were not expecting a bill of exchange from Balsora?

OSMIN.

No, but instead of an income, we had a fine stature, an agreeable figure, and chatter like a parrot; that is worth more than ready cash.