The Middle Class Gentleman: Scene IV
Scene IV
(Cléonte, Covielle, Monsieur Jourdain, etc.)
DORANTE
Sir, we come to bow to Your Highness as friends of the gentleman
who is your father-in-law, and to assure you with respect of our very humble
services.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
Where's the interpreter to tell him who you are and
to make him understand what you say? You will see that he will reply, and
that he speaks Turkish marvelously. Hey there! Where the devil has he gone?
(To Cléonte). Strouf, strif, strof, straf. The gentleman
is a grande Segnore, grande Segnore, grande Segnore. And Madame
is a Dama granda Dama, granda. Ahi! He, Monsieur, he French Mamamauchi,
and Madame also French Mamamouchie. I can't say it more clearly.
Good, here's the interpreter. Where are you going? We won't know how to
say anything without you. Tell him, that Monsieur and Madame are persons
of high rank, who have come to pay their respects to him, as my friends,
and to assure him of their services. You'll see how he will reply.
COVIELLE
Alabala crociam acci boram alabamen.
CLÉONTE
Catalequi tubal ourin soter amalouchan.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
See?
COVIELLE
He says that the rain of prosperity should water the garden
of your family in all seasons.
MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
I told you that he speaks Turkish!
DORANTE
That's wonderful.