The red rose

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Characters Charles Quint

Holy Roman Emperor

Pride

Soliman

Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

Wrath

Seyda

Sultan's concubine

Sloth

Nour

Sultan's concubine

Gluttony

Ayla

Sultan's concubine

Lust

Zaide

Sultan's concubine

Greed

Zuleika

Sultan's concubine

Envy

Osman

The Chief Eunuch of the Ottoman Imperial Harem

All these defects but without excess

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Suleiman the Magnificent had chosen the palace of Topkapi, situated near the Golden Horn, to exercise his power. He had transformed into an architectural jewel this magnificent residence which ambassadors, emissaries and dignitaries converged in an endless procession in direction of the Sublime Porte. Suleiman could have opted for an idyllic sweet home in Turkish fashion, for everything was favorable to love and pleasure at the court of the Sultan. Yet he had opted for another destiny, conformable to his proud temperament. His hobby consisted of going to war over hill and dale, in all kind of weather. So, he was fighting his favorite enemy Charles V near the town of Buda , city coveted by the two protagonists. As a strong military mind, Suleiman went to the conquest of new territories to ensure his defense. Meanwhile, he left his court in the palace of Topkapi to manage on its own. The Vizier Ibrahim Mustapha Pasha, his minister on the spot, managed the situation better by adopting the principle of selfregulation. Suleiman had sent to him a letter which ordered him to appoint a certain Osman as the new Grand Eunuch of his harem. As soon as Suleiman had written the letter, he handed it to a messenger who left at once. Then he resumed the fight with his troops, perched on his horse. He observed the camp where he could discern the Emperor Charles V sitting on a wobbly seat.

Like Suleiman, this monarch also abandoned the court of Spain to traverse his empire, where the sun never sets. Charles V observed the battlefield and spoke to a man who was at his side. It was Alphonso de Toboso, the official physician of the Emperor, for whom he had developed a fondness. As he used to do it, he took the pulse of his sovereign. He pressed delicately with his finger on the illustrious forearm of his emperor while the arquebuses spit out fire as in a fireworks to celebrate the victory.

“Did you have good news from your son, Camille?” Charles V said. “Unfortunately, not since we had a ransom demand.” “Don’t worry Alphonso, I've collected money for that, we will send Philippo Garza Lopez to negotiate his release.”

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“I don’t know how to thank you, Majesty.”

The letter from Suleiman in his hands, the Grand Vizier Ibrahim Mustapha Pasha summoned Osman to announce the good news. To have the confidence of his sultan for the surveillance of his harem is not given to everybody. Despite his interest in his concubines, Suleiman had officially married Roxelane, a former slave, who had proved herself worthy of such love. Osman made himself indispensable to his protégés, he did not complain about this new opportunity. As a Christian who had become a Muslim, he advised the concubines to live a life of virtue because the danger was without doubt the idleness. For Osman, it was not merely a religious question, but rather a philosophical principle defended by Erasmus himself, who wrote the The Praise of Folly under protest. He had not forgotten that he was born in Spain with the first name Camille in a Catholic family and that he had become Osman, a faithful Muslim. He should have been converted by force but his social position allowed him to make the choice.

At the same time, the Grand Vizier carried a letter to Osman confirming the arrival of an emissary come from Spain and sent by Charles V himself. It was a summer evening, he was by a narrow window and looked at the dark sky illuminated with a thousand and one stars.. He smelled the jasmine of the inner garden rising with the coolness of the evening. The fountains murmured a thousand mischievous lappings which sounded in the silence of the night. Osman's space was reduced to his palace. He never had to leave this place but this had the advantage of favoring meditation. And now he was sure, he would not reverse his position. He’d stay in the Muslim world, represented by the scimitar, rather than going to the Christian world, in which he would use a sword. The ransom was considerable. He had regrets, he wanted to make amends in following the good principles of a mosque. I am only the prisoner of myself, maybe, I accuse myself for all the evils of the world, he grumbled in his heart. He knew that the time had to come to make an important decision. The envoy of Charles the Fifth, Philippo Garca Lopez, was in a position to break Osman out of captivity and this one saw his future near Suleiman, who had honored him with his confidence. He had made his decision and he would not change his mind.

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The next day, the emissary Philippo Garza Lopez was received by the Grand Vizier in the Divan room. Charles V’s envoy was supported by two guards, each holding one of his arms. Oh, Camille, how great to see you again , Philippo said when the guards laid down him on a Persian rug.

“Hello, Philippo. Do you know that my name is Osman?” he said with some pride. “I have come to pay your ransom, we have succeeded in raising 700,000 guilders.” “Madre mía! I had no idea an Osman would be so expensive.” “Your parents have not forgotten you were ever born. They prayed you could come back home.” Osman plunged in his thoughts. His heart went out to the parents who had nurtured him and welleducated him. Philippo Garza Lopez placed an ivory casket in front of The Grand Vizier. It was decorated with enamels that represented the seven deadly sins that evoked in his memories a return to his native land. Osman wondered about his fate. A sinful Christian cannot be bought like in a bazaar. Why should I regret past mistakes since my prayers have been answered? I will not complain of being the Great Eunuch of the Suleiman harem. My position is not so tragic, I should have said that it was a little pathetic. The ability to adapt is natural even if we forget to talk about life in this light. Everything has already been decided upon. To flee from the seraglio or not to flee. Back in the fold or never think of it again.

After a moment of reflection, Osman said an astonishing thing to Philippo Garza Lopez.

Dear Philippo, I am not sure I can accept this offer. I have much regret to behave in this way, but I cannot change my mind. I have decided to remain loyal to Suleiman.

I will let you think about it, Camille. I will leave you the money so that you can redeem your freedom when you see fit. My galleon is in the harbor. We will leave tomorrow at night to escape the Barbary ships. Make sure you know we won't wait beyond that.

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The deal thus concluded, the Grand Vizier Ibrahim Mustapha Pasha closed the meeting. Osman grabbed the cassette filled with ducats. He returned to the side of the harem's apartments and headed for Zuleika's, the favorite of the favorites. He could have taken her away, but Osman was a homebody, between us, he had good reasons to be. He thought that she, Soliman's former favourite, was deeply jealous of Roxelane. Did she have no choice but to take revenge? Doubt gradually invaded him. He arrived at Zuleika's door. She greeted him with a smile that touched him all the more because he didn't expect it.

“I have a favor to ask.” Zuleika said “What?” replied Osman. “I’m not the Sultan's favorite, I’m bored.” “How can I help you?” “I'd really like to take care of Roxane’s garden.” “Do you know that Suleiman offers her a red rose from this garden for each successful campaign? It will be necessary that its brilliance should satisfy our sovereign.” “I will be very careful.” “Well, you'll be the guard of the red rose.” “Which will be nothing less than a new Eden.” On this fact, Osman went to visit the greediest concubine of the seraglio named Zaide. “I need your help.” Osman told her. “What can I do for you.” answered Zaide who appreciated that she had been consulted. “Zuleika asked me for permission to look after the garden. I would like to know what her intentions are. Since she is no longer the favorite, I fear that her jealousy may cause trouble.”

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“What should I do?” “Look over Zuleika’s behavior.” “It's worth a bit of money.” She said with a hat in hand. Osman took five pieces of gold from his pocket and handed them to Zaide. She recounted them carefully, then hid them in an inside pocket and they parted. She rejoined the divan's room, following the immense corridors of the palace. The room was deserted at this hour of the day, only the parakeet of Zanzibar was agitated in its cage when she was approaching. Zaide opened it to hide the money in the double bottom of the cage. Suddenly, she heard the footsteps of a guard of the Grand Vizier who was making his round, so she closed the door of the cage but inadvertently forgot to snap the latch and disappeared as she had come. Meanwhile, Osman walked around the palace like a self-respecting eunuch. He went to see Seyda, who was the laziest of the concubines. He surprised her in bed as she used to spend long days there. He saw Nour, the greediest of the concubines sitting at the table enjoying a Turkish delight flavored with ginger lemon. The concubines looked worried as she glanced at the back door. He approached her and recognized the slight Ayla's voice whispering these words. Can I enter, Seyda? I can even help you if you want Osman replied in a stern tone to the most shameless concubines. Ayla was greatly surprised to hear Osman who was staring at her severely. She pretended to hide her face under her veil by an excess of prudishness, as she needed to be forgiven. She received the usual ranting from Osman who reproached her for the lightness of her behavior. Nevertheless, he showed mercy toward her so that he didn’t exceed his rights conferred by his new position. As a good Christian, he knew how to forgive, as a fair Muslim, he could show commiseration. A perfect eunuch sort of, the incident was closed, but the door of the secret passage had remained open. The Zanzibar parakeet took the opportunity to escape.

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Meanwhile, Zuleika walked serenely and pleased in the garden of which she was henceforth in charge. She followed the shade of the palm trees by hiding from the sunlight which illuminated the Bosphorus to give the sea its turquoise color. The flowers with multiple scents were aligned like an army where the banners float. Zuleika thought she could remedy the lack of lyricism. She would give her garden the lost harmony after the flood of Bengal fires. Nature has the power to regenerate itself in a mysterious alchemy that man observes to perceive its symbols. The tulip is self-sufficient in its icy corolla, then the lily stands out so as not to be forgotten. The discreet acanthus set in the center of the garden with its white flower had been chosen by Suleiman to the detriment of yellow roses which he suspected to be a consequence of women's infidelity. For another reason, Roxelane preferred red roses. Moreover, did not the poet Saadi give him his letters of nobility? She liked to receive from Suleiman this flower as an authentic symbol of his immutable love. Concerned about her new responsibilities, Zuleika, divided between melancholy and gaiety, let herself go to contrary feelings, then began to sing.

The rose is not prideful She is only really angry Its wonderful beauty Made it ephemeral

Beyond a pomegranate, she saw Nour who had approached the roses while enjoying eating figs. She stepped towards the flower chosen by Suleiman. The one he wanted to offer to Roxelane. . The red rose delicately opened its petals, while spreading a sweet fragrance that stimulated Nour's appetite. A way of seeing the things differently, so all the tastes and colors are found in nature.

“Nour, you'd like to pick that rose,” she said, “touching the red rose with her fine fingers.” “Oh, look, the Zanzibar's parakeet is spying on us. It seeks adventure. “Nour said to divert the conversation. “If I were you, I would go back home, it's getting late.” Zuleika said authoritatively.

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Nour didn't ask for help because a pistachio baklava was waiting for her in her apartments. Meanwhile Zaide was in pursuit of the Zanzibar parakeet. She wanted to grab it and put it back in her golden fold. Nour knew that her money placed in the bottom of the cage of the Zanzibar parakeet, would arouse no suspicion. Yet she could not find it. She searched everywhere. Finally, she arrived at the rosebush. She found it swallowing up the last petal of the rose destined for Roxelane. The taste of sugar had attracted the parakeet that was enjoying itself. Absorbed by this tasting, Zaide could easily capture it. The Great Vizier Ibrahim Mustapha Pasha then summoned all the little people to the couch room following this scandal called the red rose. Officials would be designated and heads would be cut off. Exaggeration has its shortcomings. Other roses could hatch, even more beautiful. Suleiman was angry but not very resentful. Tradition had it that the East was the gateway to paradise that the Great Vizier watched over day and night. He brought Osman, the concubines and the Zanzibar parakeet accused of sacrilege after the red rose was stripped of its leaves. The Great Vizier spoke first as an inquisitor of the opposing camp. “Who left the cage open?” “Just a little.” Zaide replied “Who opened the window?” “Not much, Seyda says.” “Who likes to escape?” “Passionately.” Ayla replied “Who enjoys tasting the fruits of the garden?” “To madness.” Nour replied “Who could be jealous of Roxelane?” “Nobody.” Zuleika replied

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After a revealing silence of the embarrassment, caused by so much sincerity the Great Vizier said : “Zuleika's death sentence seems obvious.” “What does our new Grand Eunuch conclude?” says the Great Vizier “A halfforgiven admitted error is a precept adopted among Christians.” Osman replied. “I have to report to Suleiman.” answered the Great Vizier. “I propose to redeem their fault by the money that is in this cassette on which are represented the seven deadly sins,” says Osman by putting it on the table “Very well, Suleiman could be satisfied with it. From today a letter will leave to inform him.” finished the Grand Vizir.

On the battlefield Charles V saw his sworn enemy Suleiman on his white horse. He was reading a letter that had just been brought to him. Charles V expressed himself thus towards his faithful companion Alphonso de Toboso. “Suleiman seems angry to me, he just broke his rage sword on his general's helmet. It is a sign of weakness.” added Alphonso who hoped to find his beloved son.

“You're right, we'll crush his troops, nothing will stand in our way. When a man loses control of his nerves, defeat is near. Let's throw the cavalry on the flank defended by the janissaries.” Meanwhile, Suleiman had just learned of the fate reserved for the red rose by the Zanzibar parakeet. He knew that money did not bring happiness but that it contributed to military success. He accepted the ransom money with resignation. He was comforted to learn that another red rose would replace the one that had been stripped of its leaves. That money went up in smoke, he could understand this, he saw it during his terrible battles, and moreover it was a sign of the premises of hell. Suleiman became calm again. Things done in anger

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come back to haunt you. Suleiman won victory over his pretentious enemy. While the moon was reflected in the Bosporus, Osman looked out his bedroom window at Philippo Garca Lopez's galley, which was to leave for Spain. He had a mixed feeling of regret that he would never see his loving family again and hope that Zuleika's trust would be restored, yet the most important thing in his eyes was to have saved her from certain death. He was convinced that the gates of the east lead to paradise as he watched the invincible Armada's ship weigh anchor to reach his homeland. The Zanzibar parakeet had returned to the hanging cage in the couch room. Everyone had noticed red feathers newly appearing in his plumage. Osman told visitors who were surprised that it was a rare species that needed protection. Yet the episode of the red rose was no longer mentioned, for fear of opening again a Pandora's box that exacerbates men's weaknesses and their bad inclinations. Zuleika put all her love into taking care of the red rose. Osman took care of his protégée like never before, to make amends, the one he considered as an angel so much it was true that he still did not know the slightest defect.

The end

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