when I presented him with a horse. That’s why I valued it so highly. But let’s leave that now. Tell me, has the Prince really invited me over? How did he even know me? What have you told him about me?
Merchant Yes, do tell us how it happened!
Playboy I said what I said. As the proverb puts it, “Send a wise man, but don’t advise him.”
ʿUmdah What was said about me during the conversation? I saw him laughing a lot.
Playboy I told him about the clever way you dealt with the cotton broker. Now he’d like to hear it from you in person.
Merchant Talking of brokers, has His Highness the Prince sold his cotton or is he one of the people holding back?
Playboy (to the ʿUmdah) Let’s go!
When they reached the Prince’s table, the ʿUmdah extended his hand with a bow, then raised it to his head. The Prince smiled at him, gave him a greeting, and gestured to him to sit down. The ʿUmdah declined and remained standing until the Playboy sat him down. With that everyone sat.
Prince (to one of the company) Remind me tomorrow about the picture of that horse. The Duke of Brook has written to me by way of his friend the Counselor asking me for a picture.
One of the Company It would be better to have the picture taken in his presence the day after tomorrow when the Counselor comes with the Irrigation Inspector to the lunch to which you’ve invited them both.
The ʿUmdah moved back a bit, and his chair leg hit the Merchant’s toe. He leapt up angrily, but then sat down again, muttering to himself.
Prince (to the ʿUmdah) What will you have to drink, my dear Shaykh, my dear Bey?
ʿUmdah (standing up) If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness, I won’t have anything.
Playboy In this case conformity takes precedence over good manners.
The Prince ordered a round of drinks, then at the Playboy’s suggestion the ʿUmdah did the same.
٩،٢٩
ويأخذ الخليع علبة السجارات من امام البرنس ويعطي منها للعمدة وللتاجر فيتحاشى العمدة اشعال السيجارة ويبقي في قبضته ثم يأتي أحد الباعة فيهمس في أذن ابرنس بكلام يقهقه منه ويأمر الخادم أن يعطيه كأسًا فيشربه ويضرب العمدة كأسًا بكأس يستدعي الخادم لاشعال سجارته ويطلب دورًا.
البرنس (للعمدة) كيف حال الزراعة عندكم وكم رمى الفدان من القطن.
العمدة رمى الفدان عندي ثمانية بأنفاس دولتكم.
التاجر نعم ان المحصول جيد ولكن الاثمان في هبوط وهل باع دولة البرنس أقطانه أم هي باقية الى الآن؟
البرنس (لاحد الحاضرين) أنا لا أدفع في الخنجر الذي رأيته ليوم أكثر من عشرين جنيهًا.
أحد الحاضرين واذا أصرّ صاحبه على الثلاثين.
البرنس (لآخر) أنا لم أزل متأسفًا على الكلب الذي مات والببغاء الذي طار يا غلام علينا بدور آخر.
The Playboy reached for the cigarette box in front of the Prince and gave one to the ʿUmdah and Merchant. The ʿUmdah avoided lighting it in the Prince’s presence, so he held it in his hand. Then a salesman came over and whispered something in the Prince’s ear which made him guffaw. He told the Waiter to bring a glass for the salesman who drank it and left. The ʿUmdah then clinked two glasses together to bring the waiter over to light his cigarette and ordered another round of drinks.
Prince (to the ʿUmdah) What’s the crop like in your area? How much cotton have you got per feddan?28
ʿUmdah By your Highness’s breath, I’ve been getting eight per feddan.
Merchant That’s an excellent yield, but prices are falling. Has His Highness sold his cotton yet, or is he holding it back?
Prince (to one of the company) I’m not going to pay more than twenty pounds for that dagger I saw today.
Member of the Company What if the owner insists on thirty?
Prince (to another member) I’m still sorry about the dog that died and the parrot that flew away. Waiter, another round!
١٠،٢٩
ولما جاء الدور وتناول كل كأسه أخرج العمدة ذلك الموز من جيبه فمسح واحدة منها بمنديله وقدمها للبرنس وفرق البقية على الحاضرين فيجد أحدهم صوفًا متلبدًا في موزته فيعافيها ويضعها على المائدة.
أحد الحاضرين (للعمدة) هل هذا الموز من عزبتكم ووهل تطعمونه بالصوف عندكم؟
العمدة كلا بل هم من الموز النوبار ولم يمكث في جيبي غير مسافة الطريق.
فيتأفف الخليع ويجمع الموز ويناوله الخادم فيسأله العمدة هل يجب أن نطلب شمبانيا فيصوب له رأيه.
العمدة (للخادم) أحضر لنا شمبانيا انكليزية.
أحد الحاضرين (لصاحبه) يظهر أنه رمى بعشرة.
الصاحب في العقاري.
أحد الحاضرين وما معنى انكليزية.
الصاحب يعني من جنس الجنيه.
When the new round arrived and everyone had grabbed their glass, the ʿUmdah brought out the bananas from his pocket. He wiped one of them with his handkerchief and offered it to the Prince, then distributed the rest among the people present. One of them found some wool sticking to his banana, so he discarded it and left it on the table.
One
