'A Comedy of Errors' in Seven Acts

Name: 'A Comedy of Errors' in Seven Acts
Author: Spokeshave

Spokeshave

Philippines -- History -- 1898-1946 -- Drama

FIRST ILUSTRADO:
           Thou hast my thoughts in happy words expressed.
           When once the _tao_ has his A B C
           Well hammered in his stupid mulelike skull
           He ever looks on toil with proud disdain
           And even for _zapatos_ fondly yearns,
           While now that Francos hath the fashion set
           By proclamation as he neared our isles
           These callow youths may covet stove pipe hats.

SECOND ILUSTRADO:
           Alas, I fear these happy days when we
           Can loll in cooling shades while others toil
           For us, on stipends which like widow's mite
           Are small: will in the future disappear.
           These men who prate of slavery in these isles
           Do know full well that witness false they bear.
           We buy not souls and on the record place
           Their names among the chattels which we own,
           But their life's labor for a certain sum
           We purchase, when in times of sorry stress
           They fain prefer it thus, rather than starve;
           But slavery! The Orient knows it not.

THIRD ILUSTRADO:
           And usury! 'Tis an offensive word:
           Our enemies, like arrow from the bow,
           Are aiming it to pierce our very heart
           While 'tis a practice which _costumbre_ shields.
           The slothful servant, so the Good Book says,
           Was he who in a napkin hid his gold;
           But he who shrewdly other talents made
           The Master praised, and to him also gave
           The unused talent which he wisely took
           From him who slothfully no effort made
           To double that which in his care was placed,
           And thus by usury much wealth amass;
           Yet the _Americanos_ from this learn
           No wisdom, but forthwith condemn
           The teachings of the Savior of Mankind
           Which we with thrift and energy apply.

FIRST ILUSTRADO:
           And so again the Bible aptly says
           That he who careth for his family not
           Is worse than he who infidelity
           Doth to his breast with loving arms enfold.

SECOND REPRESENTATIVE:
           Alas, 'tis innovation they enthrone
           Within the halls of science where they steal
           Our trusty dogs to torture in the name
           Of progress, while our hearts indignant burn.

FIRST ILUSTRADO:
           Again, in terms opprobrious they mouth
           Anent our noble elevating sport
           Where our illustrious citizens do meet
           And in the cockpit spend a happy hour.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

'A Comedy of Errors' in Seven Acts

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