Armenian Literature: Comprising Poetry, Drama, Folk-lore and Classic Traditions; Translated into English for the First Time

CHACHO [_seating herself_]. When one thinks how the times have changed, one grows dizzy! When I was engaged, my love, I dared not open my mouth; it was as if they had put a lock...

CHACHO. That I know a hundred times better than you. And only a blockhead takes a dispute between man and wife seriously. That is true; but that you two have already had time to...

CHACHO. It only needed this--that you should say such a thing! As many years as you have lived together you have never harmed a hair of her head; then all of a sudden you begin...

KHALI [_entering from the left_]. Such a bold creature I never saw before in my life! [_Calling through the window_:] Come in! come in! I pray! Do you hear, Salome? I am calling...

BARSSEGH. I want neither "good-morning" nor any other wish from you. You have, I suppose, come to help your wife. Give me a blow, too, so the measure will be full. This is surel...

BARSSEGH [_alone_]. And you shall see what I will do! Only wait, my dear Ossep! I am getting a day of joy ready for you and you will shed tears as thick as my thumb. I have been...

NATO [_stands before the mirror elegantly dressed, and, while she prinks, hums a European melody. Then she draws out of her pocket a little photograph and speaks to herself whil...

CHACHO [_covered by a tschadra[38] enters from the right of the ante-chamber_]. Good-morning! [_Taking off the tschadra._] Why did you send for me in such haste? [_Gives one end...

OSSEP. I am sorry to confess that at the present moment I have no money at hand. You must wait a little. If you wish to marry without money, that is your affair.

ALEXANDER [_alone._] At last my burning wish is fulfilled! Now I have both a pretty wife and money. Without money a man is not of the least importance. Let him give himself what...

KHALI. Do you think I am lying? They promised him 10,000 rubles dowry. I always said you should have saved something. Now you have it! They have snatched him away from you. And...

NATO. And you are going to make a shopkeeper's wife of me, so that everyone will laugh at me [_ready to cry_]; so that I shall be an object of scorn for all. And why have you ha...

OSSEP [_pointing to Barssegh_]. He has stripped me of my honor. Now you will honor and esteem him. He will arrange for your parties. Yes, he, the man who takes the shirt from my...

SALOME [_alone_]. No, there is no other way out. Cost what it will, I shall accomplish what I want. Yes, I must, if I am ruined by it. Mother of God, plead for my Nato!

OSSEP [_still more angrily_]. Tell me one thing--is this to be endured? If she could play properly at least, but she only drums two or three pieces and says she can play. I cann...

OSSEP [_alone, buckling his belt and holding his cap in his hand, comes in through the right-hand door, stands awhile in deep thought while he wrings his hands several times_]....

SALOME [_coming in from the left_]. May I lose my sight if he is not coming already. He is already on the walk. [_Looking out of the window and then walking toward the entry_.]...

BARSSEGH [_angry; taking measure and calico_]. You say there are not seven here? Wait, I will show you [_measuring._] One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and a quarter left...

BARSSEGH [_standing up and giving Micho a rap on the nose_]. You have what is lacking there. Measure again. Now you've got what is lacking. I will tear your soul out of your bod...

BARSSEGH [_angrily_]. Why do you fasten yourself on to me like a gadfly? Have I not trouble enough already? [_Beating his hands together_.] How could you let him escape? You are...

[_All the guests sit down at the table, Nato and her friends sit on the other side of the stage. Salome, standing, deals the cards which the guests hand one to the other. Then t...

SALOME. If her father has been troubling her, then I will make her happy again. Nato, dear, I have betrothed you. [_Nato looks at her in wonderment._] Yes, my love, be happy--wh...

OSSEP [_much excited_]. What do I hear? Has she spoken the truth? Do you hear? Why do you not answer me? Why are you silent? [_Still more excited_.] It is true, then! Yes, yes,...

NATO. What are you saying, dear aunt? I will come back again immediately. I am only going to make a few purchases at the bazaar. [_Turning to Salome_] Dear mamma---- [_They begi...

SALOME [_whispering_]. He will not kill me for it, and let him talk as much as he will. It could not go through otherwise. Get up and let us go into that room where Ossep will n...

_Well-furnished room with open door in centre and ante-room behind. To the left in foreground a window looking out upon a garden. To the right a sofa, in front of which is a tab...