Comedy plays; French drama -- 17th century -- Translations into English; Molière, 1622-1673 -- Translations into English
SCA. Ah! ah! Conscience in a Turk!
GER. Does he understand what five hundred crowns are?
SCA. Yes, Sir, he knows that five hundred crowns are one thousand
five hundred francs. {Footnote: The _écu_ stands usually for
_petit écu_, which equalled three franks. "Crown," employed in a
general sense, seems the only translation possible.}
GER. Does the scoundrel think that one thousand five hundred francs
are to be found in the gutter?
SCA. Such people will never listen to reason.
GER. But what the deuce did he want to go in that galley for?
SCA. Ah! what a waste of words! Leave the galley alone; remember that
time presses, and that you are running the risk of losing your son
for ever. Alas! my poor master, perhaps I shall never see you again,
and that at this very moment, whilst I am speaking to you, they are
taking you away to make a slave of you in Algiers! But Heaven is my
witness that I did all I could, and that, if you are not brought
back, it is all owing to the want of love of your father.
GER. Wait a minute, Scapin; I will go and fetch that sum of money.
SCA. Be quick, then, for I am afraid of not being in time.
GER. You said four hundred crowns; did you not?
SCA. No, five hundred crowns.
GER. Five hundred crowns!
SCA. Yes.
GER. What the deuce did he want to go in that galley for?
SCA. Quite right, but be quick.
GER. Could he not have chosen another walk?
SCA. It is true; but act promptly.
GER. Cursed galley!
SCA. (_aside_) That galley sticks in his throat.
GER. Here, Scapin; I had forgotten that I have just received this sum
in gold, and I had no idea it would so soon be wrenched from me.
(_Taking his purse out of his pocket, and making as if he were
giving it to_ SCAPIN.) But mind you tell that Turk that he is a
scoundrel.
SCA. (_holding out his hand_). Yes.
GER. (_as above_). An infamous wretch.
SCA. (_still holding out his hand_). Yes.
GER. (_as above_). A man without conscience, a thief.
SCA. Leave that to me.
GER. (_as above_). That....
SCA. All right.
GER. (_as above_). And that, if ever I catch him, he will pay
for it.
SCA. Yes.
GER. (_putting back the purse in his pocket_). Go, go quickly,
and fetch my son.
SCA. (_running after him_). Hallo! Sir.
GER. Well?
SCA. And the money?
GER. Did I not give it to you?
SCA. No, indeed, you put it back in pour pocket.
GER. Ah! it is grief which troubles my mind.
SCA. So I see.
GER. What the deuce did he want to go in that galley for? Ah! cursed
galley! Scoundrel of a Turk! May the devil take you!
SCAPIN (_alone_). He can't get over the five hundred crowns I
wrench from him; but he has not yet done with me, and I will make him
pay in a different money his imposture about me to his son.
SCENE XII.-OCTAVE, LÉANDRE, SCAPIN.
OCT. Well, Scapin, have your plans been successful?
LEA. Have you done anything towards alleviating my sorrow?
SCA. (_to_ OCTAVE). Here are two hundred pistoles I have got
from your father.
OCT. Ah! how happy you make me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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