Arshin Mal Alan

ASKAR:	It’s not time to sob. We've started the talk and we must complete it.
JAHAN:	May I sacrifice myself for you, marry, hasten!
ASKAR:	But how can I marry? The problem is that marriage is not so easy as you think.
JAHAN:	May I sacrifice myself for you, marriage is as easy as drinking water. There is no problem, especially for such а young man as you. You have money and riches. By God, if you ask for а padishah’s daughter, she will be given to you. So, you needn’t think so much. I’ll put on my chadra just today, and I’ll go to choose а nice girl for you. You only tell me, I’ll go and marry you to any bay's or merchant's daughter if you want.

Askar's aria

Jahan's couplets and dance

Suleyman's song

Suleyman's, Jahan's and Vali's couplets and dances

Gulchohra's aria

Telli's song

Askar's song

Girl's chorus

Askar and
Gulchohra's duet

Gulchohra's aria

Asya and Telli's duet

Askar's song

Sultan bay's couplets

Gulchohra's aria

Asya's song

Vali and Telli's duet

Gulchohra's song

Trio. Asya, Telli and Gulchohra

Gulchohra's weeping

ASKAR:

How on earth do I know which bay's or merchant' daughter is good, then to ask you to go and marry me? I haven’t seen them yet.

JAHAN:

May I sacrifice myself for you, are my eyes blind? By God, I’ll go and find such а girl for you, while looking at her one will be out of his mind.

ASKAR:

(laughs) Oh aunt, if it was so, I’d loose my temper and I’ll be mad... No aunt, it won’t be so; I must see the girl first. If I like her I’ll marry, if not I won't. Now explain to me in detail, how will you marry me?

JAHAN:

(sings and dances)

Music

I’ll put on my best chadra.*
I’ll dye my face and eyes.
I’ll going to find а girl,
Very clever and very nice.

Music

I’ll choose the rich men’s daughters.
I’ll see all beauties.
I’ll pick up lovely flowers
On the green grass, dear Askar.

Music

I’ll bear all your hardship.
May your aunt fall prey for you.
In your wedding ada balam*
I’ll be dancing all the day.

Music

JAHAN:

But you are а man, how will you see the girl? Will anybody show his daughter to you?

ASKAR:

That’s the problem. That’s why I’m asking you, what will be the end of it? I want to marry, but I don’t know whom to marry? Because I haven’t seen any girl and it’s impossible to see her.

JAHAN:

May I sacrifice myself for you, come and marry by our forefather's tradition. It’s not your business, let me go and find а girl for you. If she is bad it will be my fault.

ASKAR:

Oh aunt, what do you say? I don’t buy chintz for the price of two shahis* without seeing it. No, I don’t want to marry this way. Help me, to see the girl if you can.

JAHAN:

May I sacrifice myself for you, how can I show you the way?

ASKAR:

It seems, there is no way out. That’s the reason why I don’t marry!

Vali sighs. А pause. Music plays and Suleyman enters

SULEYMAN:

Aunt Jahan, are you all right? Vali, how are you?

JAHAN:

God bless! Thank you, oh Suleyman!

VALI:

Thank you bay, it’s very kind of you.