Overview
- Female: 1
- Male: 1
Context
Papa Ubu--at the urging of Mama Ubu--killed the king and took the throne of Poland. He had help from Captain Bordure, and in this scene, Mama Ubu warns Papa Ubu to govern wisely and not betray those who were loyal to him. In the provided video, the translation varies slightly from the provided text, and does contain explicit language.
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PAPA UBU. Now, by my green candle, here am I, king in this country. I’ve already given myself indigestion and someone is fetching my big cape.
MAMA UBU. What’s it made of, Papa Ubu? Being king is all very well, but we have to economize.
PAPA UBU. Madam my female, the cape is made of sheep-skin with a clasp and bridles made of dog-skin.
MAMA UBU. Why, that’s beautiful. But it’s even more beautiful to be royal.
PAPA UBU. Yes, you are right, Mama Ubu.
MAMA UBU. We owe a great deal to the Duke of Lithuania.
PAPA UBU. To who?
AMA UBU. Hey! Captain Bordure.
PAPA UBU. Do me a favour, Mama Ubu: don’t speak to me of that buffoon. Now that I don’t need him any more, he can kiss my arse. He’s not getting that duchy.
MAMA UBU. You’re making a mistake, Papa Ubu. He’ll turn against you.
PAPA UBU. Oh! I pity him a lot, this small man. I worry as much about him as I do about Bougrelas.
MAMA UBU. Hey? Do you think you’re done with Bougrelas?
PAPA UBU. You bet your arse. What do you think he’s going to do to me, that fourteen-year-old monkey?
MAMA UBU. Papa Ubu, pay attention to what I tell you. Try to win over Bougrelas by your kindness.
PAPA UBU. More money to hand out? Ah! No! You’ve already made me waste twenty-two million.
MAMA UBU. Watch your head. Papa Ubu. Or he’ll cook it for you.
PAPA UBU. Hey well, you will be with me in the pot.
MAMA UBU. Listen once again. I am sure that young Bougrelas can beat you because he has justice on his side.
PAPA UBU. Ah, dirt! Isn’t injustice just as worthy as justice? Ah, you abuse me, Mama Ubu. I’m going to cut you into little pieces!
Mama Ubu runs away, pursued by Ubu.
Alfred Jarry, King Ubu (Ubu Roi), Trans. Patrick Wittacker, Smashwords, 2007. https://www.patakosmos.com/database-open-access/king-ubu-alfred-jarry.pdf
Videos
Links
- Full text of Ubu Roi provided by Patrick Whittaker at Smashwords.com
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