Galère

(2 syl. ). Que diable all a it-il faire dans cette galère? Scapin wants to get from Géronte (a miserly old hunks) £1500, to help Leandre, the old man’s son, out of a money difficulty. So Scapin vamps up a cock-and-bull story about Leandre being invited by a Turk on board his galley, where he was treated to a most sumptuous repast; but when the young man was about to quit the galley, the Turk told him he was a prisoner, and demanded £1500 for his ransom within two hours’ time. When Géronte Géronte hears this, he exclaims, “Que diable all a it-il faire dans cette galère?” and he swears he will arrest the Turk for extortion. Being shown the impo ibility of so doing, he again exclaims, “Que diable all a it-il faire dans cette galère?” and it flashes into his mind that Scapin should give himself up as surety for the payment of the ransom. This of course Scapin objects to. The old man again exclaims, “Que diable all a it-il faire dans cette galère?” and commands Scapin to go and tell the Turk that £1500 is not to be picked off a hedge. Scapin says the Turk does not care a straw about that, and insists on the ransom. “Mais, que diable all a it-il faire dans cette galère?” cries the old hunks; and tells Scapin to go and pawn certain goods. Scapin replies there is no time, the two hours are nearly exhausted. “Que diable,” cries the old man again, “all a it-il faire dans cette galère?” and when at last he gives the money, he repeats the same words, “Mais, que diable all a it-il faire dans cette galère?” —Molière, Les Fourberies de Scapin . ii. 11 (1671).