Literature Network » Jean Baptiste Poquelin Moliere » The Middle Class Gentleman » Scene IV

Scene IV

(Cléonte, as a Turk, with three Pages carrying his outer clothes, Monsieur Jourdain, Covielle, disguised.)

CLÉONTE
Ambousahim oqui boraf, Iordina, salamalequi.

COVIELLE
That is to say: "Monsieur Jourdain, may your heart be all the year like a flowering rosebush." This is the way of speaking politely in those countries.

MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
I am the most humble servant of His Turkish Highness.

COVIELLE: Carigar camboto oustin moraf .

CLÉONTE
Oustin yoc catamalequi basum base alla moran.

COVIELLE
He says: "Heaven gives you the strength of lions and the wisdom of serpents."

MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
His Turkish Highness honors me too much, and I wish him all sorts of good fortune.

COVIELLE
Ossa binamen sadoc babally oracaf ouram.

CLÉONTE
Bel-men.

COVIELLE
He says that you should go with him quickly to prepare yourself for the ceremony; then you can see your daughter and conclude the marriage.

MONSIEUR JOURDAIN
So many things in two words?

COVIELLE
Yes; the Turkish language is like that, it says much in few words. Go quickly where he wants.

Literature Network » Jean Baptiste Poquelin Moliere » The Middle Class Gentleman » Scene IV