Rose of Persia
Dialogue Following Song No. 18 — Act II
- Sultan: (to Vizier, who has again prostrated
himself).
- Dear, dear! Please stand up! I do think
that even a Sultan's Court officials might
occasionally be upright.
- Vizier: (rising).
- O King, the light of your countenance
blinds me!
- Sultan:
- Well, I'll turn my face away for a little, and you can get
used to the notion comfortably. Understand, I want you
to treat me as nobody of any consequence — quite your
own equal. Keep repeating that to yourself — you'll
soon grow accustomed to the idea. (Turns his
back.)
- Vizier:
- O King, the idea is painful to me!
- Sultan:
- Nonsense! Shut your eyes and keep repeating
it.
Honey-of-Life appears, looking round entrance.
- Honey: (to Vizier).
- Vizzie-Wizzie!
(Embraces Vizier.)
- Vizier: (embarrassed).
- Ahem! (Indicates
presence of Sultan.)
- Honey: (entering and prostrating herself).
- O Commander
of the Faithful! I did not recognize you, with your back
turned and without your crown.
- Sultan: (turning to her).
- Eh? Get up, girl! (Raising
her.) Dear me — a very pretty face. You are to treat
me exactly as you would treat the Vizier.
- Honey:
- Exactly as I would treat the Vizier?
(Astonished.)
- Sultan:
- Yes. He says the idea is painful to
him.
- Honey:
- I dare say. He is frightfully jealous.
- Sultan:
- I don't see what jealousy has to do with it. All I want
you to do is to treat me exactly as you would him;
that will give him a lesson.
- Honey:
- Do you really mean it, O King?
- Sultan:
- Don't call me "O King." Address me as you
would him.
- Honey:
- Well — if I must, I must. Sit down, Vizzie-
Wizzie!
- Sultan: (sitting on step of throne).
- Eh?
- Honey:
- (sitting beside him). There! (Kisses
him.)
- Sultan:
- Dear me! And what would the Vizier do?
- Vizier: (angrily).
- He would say, "Keep your place,
naughty girl — and I will keep mine."
- Sultan:
- A good idea. (to Honey-of-Life.) Keep your place,
naughty girl — and er — yes — I will keep mine. Would
the Vizier do this? (Kisses her.)
- Vizier:
- Certainly not!
- Sultan:
- Then he can have no objection to my
doing it.
Kisses her as enter Dancing Sunbeam and Blush-
of-Morning [followed by Heart's Desire.]
- Sunbeam:
- That is exactly what I
expected.
- Sultan:
- Indeed, madam? Well — the other Vizier is disengaged.
(Kisses Honey-of-Life.)
- Sunbeam:
- You will both be disengaged very quickly, if you
don't do as I bid you. Lead me to the Sultana's
apartments.
- Sultan:
- Who is this?
- Honey:
- Oh, I came to announce them. They are a
Deputation.
- Blush:
- We are wives of the man called Hassan, who, we learned
last night, is no other than the Sultan.
- Sunbeam:
- And I claim my rights.
- Sultan:
- Do you mean that you wish to be recognized as the
Sultana?
- Sunbeam:
- Precisely. I am the Sultana!
- Vizier:
- She undoubtedly is — if Hassan is Sultan. What will
Rose-in-Bloom say, eh? (Digs Sultan in
ribs — Sultan rather annoyed.)
- Sultan:
- And you consider yourself fitted to take
exalted rank?
- Sunbeam:
- Emphatically!
Page created 4 April 1999