The Rose of Persia Web Opera

No. 11: Song (Abdallah with Hassan & Chorus)

MIDI File [16KB, 2' 24 "]

As the whole stage is filled with dancers, Abdallah enters.

Abdallah.
	Peace be upon this house!

Chorus.
	And on you Peace!

Abdallah.
	To stop your wild carouse
		I bring Police! (Two Police enter.)

Chorus.
	He brings Police!

Abdallah.
	From Mahmoud, Ruler of the Nation, I bring a Royal Proclamation;
		So realize the proverb olden That speech is silver, Silence golden!

Chorus.
	Speech is silver Silence golden!

Abdallah.
	Then hold your peace —

Hassan. (aside).
	Behold, Police!

Abdallah.
	A golden peace —

Hassan. (aside).
	A golden piece! (He gives a coin to each of Police.)

Abdallah.
	And while I read my manuscript, O, Attend on Expectation's tip-toe!

Hassan. (aside).
	Now while he reads his manuscript, O! Let every one creep out on tip-toe!

Abdallah.
	We have come to invade
			And raid
		Your domicile;
	If you object, I answer "Pooh!"
	Say that it's cool,
			Poor fool,
		I promise I'll
	Make it sufficiently warm for you!

Hassan.
	Warm for me?

Abdallah.
		Warm for you!
	I'll make it sufficiently warm for you!

When I make my report
		At Court
	His Majesty
Wouldn't believe my news was true —
If a beggar you meet
		In the street,
	He cadges tea,
Dinner and supper, and breakfast too!

Hassan.
	Supper —

Abdallah.
		Tea —

Hassan.
	Breakfast —

Abdallah.
		Too!

These cripples you claim
		Are lame
	Of leg, are men
Who I believe impose on you;
By command of the King
		I'll bring
	Those beggarmen
Now to the palace for him to view!

Hassan.
	Him to see?

Abdallah.
		Him to view!
	I'll bring them all for him to view!

To prove that I don't
		And won't
	Exaggerate,
This is the course I now pursue —
As a type of a guest
		Arrest
	A cadger, eight
Ten, or a dozen, or all the crew!

Hassan.
	All there be?

Abdallah.
		All the crew!

By this time all the beggars have made their exit unseen by Abdallah.
The Wives have disappeared into the house.

Page modified 18 May 2008