The Prisoner of Zenda Mr.

Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 11 Maadi STEM School

Chapter 11
Hunting a Very Big Boar
‫ انت ما صدقت يا‬... ‫ مرة تقول عليه كلب هجين ومرة خنزير‬:‫يا سالم عليك يا راسندل يا فخر القصة‬
‫سيد؟ بصوت عادل إمام ههههههههههههههههههههه‬
• A terrible temptation:
A terrible temptation assailed Rassendyll:
1) Rassendyll could let Michael kill the King. Then, he could get rid of
Michael.
2) Then he could tighten his hand on the crown —not for its own sake,
but because the King of Ruritania was to wed the Princess Flavia.
‫يعنى اإلغراء األقوى لراسندل كان فالفيا مش العرش‬
3) He could also get rid of Sapt and Fritz.
4) However, Rassendyll had enough power to resist such a wicked
temptation. He was a man of honour.
• Visiting the Princess’s house for the second time:
Carrying a bunch of flowers, Rassendyll visited Flavia’s house. He visited
Flavia this time for three reasons:
1) Out of love.
2) Every attention that I paid Flavia bound closer to him the people
of Ruritania, who worshipped her.

He found Countess Helga gathering flowers for Princess Flavia. He asked

her to take his flowers instead. Helga was very happy and called
Princess Flavia, who looked out of a window. Rassendyll bared his head
and bowed. Flavia asked Helga to bring the King up to give him some
coffee. ‫ أخرته بتبقى وحشة هههههههههه‬.. ‫انا خايف من موضوع ال قهوة دا يا جماعة‬

• Alone with Flavia in her morning-room:

- They greeted each other as lovers.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 11 Maadi STEM School

- Flavia showed Rassendyll two letters: One from Black Michael and the
other from an anonymous person, whom Rassendyll knew: Antoinette
de Mauban.
▪ Two letters for Princess Flavia:
1) A letter for Flavia from Michael:
It was a most courteous (polite) request that she would honour him by
spending a day at his Castle of Zenda, as had been her custom once a
year in the summer, when the place and its gardens were in the height
of their great beauty.
Rassendyll threw the letter down in disgust, and Flavia laughed at him.
2) A letter from an anonymous person:
Flavia didn’t know who was the letter from, but Rassendyll knew it was
from Antoinette de Mauban, although there was no signature this time,
as the handwriting was the same as that of the letter he had received
before.
Here is what was in the letter:
I have no cause to love you, but God forbid that you should fall into the
power of the duke. Accept no invitations of his. Go nowhere without a
large guard—a regiment ‫ كتيبة عسكرية‬is not too much to make you safe.
Show this, if you can, to him who reigns ‫ يحكم‬in Strelsau."
‫ فى األول حذرت راسندل منه ودلوقت بتحذر‬.‫كدا انتوانيت فعال مصممة تبوظ لمايكل كل خططه‬
‫ عايزة تبوظ خطط‬:‫ بس أكيد هى يتحذر فالفيا لنفس السبب‬.. ‫ طيبة أوى الست دى‬.‫فالفيا كمان‬
.‫ الدماغات كلها شغالة فى القصة وكل يبكى على لياله‬... ‫مايكل عشان ميتجوزش فالفيا‬
- Flavia asked why it (the letter) didn’t say 'the King' instead of saying
'who reigns in Strelsau'? Flavia asked if it was a hoax (trick)
- Flavia asked her to obey it to the very letter. He told her that she valued
life, and more than life to him.
- He told her that a regiment would camp round your her that day and
asked her not to go out unless well-guarded.
- She asked him if that was an order, an he told her it was really an order
if she loved it.
- She cried happily, and Rassendyll kissed her. ‫هو كل مرة تشرب قهوة مع فالفيا‬
‫تعمل مصيبة؟‬
- She asked him if he knew who had sent it. He told her that he guessed it
was from a good friend, who was an unhappy woman.
- He asked her to pretend to be ill and unable to go to Zenda.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 11 Maadi STEM School

- She asked him if he felt strong enough to anger Michael, and he told her
that he was strong enough for anything, while she was safe.
‫اتحدى العالم كله وانا وياااااااك وباقول للدنيا بحالها ان انا باهواااااااااااااك‬

• A visit to the house of Marshal Strakencz:

- Without consulting Sapt, Rassendyll visited Marshal Strakencz.
‫ماحنا قولنا قبل كدا من ساعة الجواب بتاع السمر هاوس راسندل هيبقى القائد‬
- Rassendyll liked and trusted Marshal Strakencz.
- Rassendyll thought that Sapt was less enthusiastic about the Marshal
because he (Sapt) was best pleased when he could do everything, and
jealousy played some part in his views. ‫محلل نفساوى كمان يا راسندل‬
❖ The reason for the visit:
Rassendyll had more work than Sapt and Fritz could manage, for
they must come with him to Zenda, and he wanted a man to guard
what he loved most in all the world, Flavia, and make him do his
task of releasing the King with a quiet mind.
- The Marshal received me with most loyal kindness.
- Rassendyll asked him to take care of Princess Flavia and let no one from
her cousin Michael approach her, unless he himself were there and a
dozen of his men with him.
- The Marshal told the King (Rassendyll) that he was right and that he had
known men better than Michael, who did bad things for the sake of love.
- Rassendyll told the Marshal that there was another thing besides love
that Michael wanted: the crown.
▪ The Marshal’s mission:
- Rassendyll told the Marshal that he was leaving Strelsau for a few days.
- Every evening Rassendyll would send a courier (messenger) to the
Marshal.
- If for three days none came, the Marshal would publish an order which
Rassendyll would give him, depriving Duke Michael of the governorship
of Strelsau and appointing the Marshal in his place.
- Then, the Marshal would declare a state of siege.
- Then the Marshal would send word (a message) to Michael that he
demanded an audience (a meeting) of the King.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 11 Maadi STEM School

- In twenty-four hours, if he does not produce (show) the King, then the
King was dead, and the Marshal would proclaim the next heir (ruler).
Here Rassendyll asked the Marshal this question: " You know who that
is?" The Marshal replied: "The Princess Flavia."
‫ هو بيثق فى المارشال بس عشان يضمن والءه مية فى المية‬... ‫هللا على ذكائك ابو الراسادل‬
‫هيصدرله أمر انه فى حالة إن الملك (راسندل) ما رجعش يعزل مايكل من حكم سترلسو وينصب‬
‫ لو‬... ‫ ويبعت أمر لمايكل يقوله انه بيطلب اجتماع مع الملك‬... ‫نفسه دوك على سترلسو بداله‬
‫ بس راسندل‬... ‫الملك مظهرش يبقى كدا الملك مات وبكدا المارشال يعلن الحاكم الجديد للمملكة‬
‫ قال له طبعا انت عارف مين‬... ‫ عشان يتأكد مية مية من اللى فى دماغ المارشال سأله‬... ‫ذكى‬
‫ المارشال طبعا قاله برنسيس فالفيا‬.. ‫هيبقى الحاكم الجديد‬

- Then Rassendyll asked him to swear on his faith and honour and by God
that he would stand by Flavia to the death, and kill that reptile
(Michael), and seat Flavia on the throne of Ruritania.
- The Marshal swore it.
- Then the Marshal asked God to preserve his Majesty, as he thought that
the King was going on an errand of danger.
- Rassendyll told the Marshal that in the days to come, he might hear
starage things about the king (Rassendyll).
- Then he asked the Marshal what he would say about him as a King.
▪ The Marshal’s opinion of the King (Rassendyl:
1. As a King: The Marshal had known many of the Elphbergs, and he had
seen him as a wise King and a brave man.
2. As a lover: The King (Rassendyll) was a courteous (polite) gentleman
and a gallant (elegant/brave) lover.
- Rassendyll said that the Marshal’s words on his behalf would be his
epitaph ‫ رثاء‬when when the time came that another sat on the throne of
Ruritania.
- The Marshal said he hoped he would not see it. ‫الشر برا وبعيد‬
- Rassendyll was moved and sat down and rote the order.
- It was the first time Rassendyll had written more than a signature, and
although he had exerted much effort to learn the King’s handwriting, he
was not yet perfect in it.
- So, he told the Marshal that he could hardly write yet as his finger was
still stiff.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 11 Maadi STEM School

- The Marshal said it differed a little from the King’s ordinary

handwriting. It was unfortunate, for it might lead to a suspicion of
forgery.
- Rassendyll told him that he could use the guns of Strelsau (the army) to
assuage (calm) a little suspicion.
- Rassendyll told the Marshal that Sapt and Fritz were going with him to
Zenda.
- The Marshal asked him if he was going to seek the duke.
- Rassendyll told him that he sought the duke and some other people.
- The Marshal told him that he wished he could go with him as he wanted
to strike a blow for him and his crown.
- But Rassendyll told him that he was leaving him what was more than his
life and more than my crown (Flavia) because he was the man
Rassendyll trust more than all others in Ruritania.
- The Marshal promised that he would deliver her to him safe and sound
and that if he failed (if Rassendyll was killed), he would make her queen.

• Back to the palace:

Rassendyll returned to the palace and told Sapt and Fritz what he had
done. These were the two men’s reactions:
1. Sapt had a few faults (mistake) to find and a few grumbles (complaints)
to utter, as Rassendyll expected. WHY?
Because Sapt liked to be consulted beforehand, not informed
afterwards. But on the whole, he approved of Rassendyll’s plans, and his
spirits rose high as the hour of action drew (were) nearer and nearer.
2. Fritz Fritz, too, was ready; though he, poor fellow, risked more than Sapt
did. WHY?
Because he was a lover, and his happiness with lady he loved was in
danger.
▪ Rassendyll envied Fritz. WHY?
- Because the triumphant moment (the rescue of the King) would:
1. crown him with happiness and unite him to his mistress (Hega).

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 11 Maadi STEM School

2. but deprive Raddendyll of his beloved (Flavia)

So, that moment would mean happiness to Fritz but sorrow to
Rassendyll.
Fritz knew this truth and was sorry for Rassendyll.
Yet, even Fritz could not understand how much Rassendyll love Flavia
as did not dared to lift his eyes to the Princess Flavia, as Rassendyll did.

• Arrangement for a hunting excursion:

- Rassendyll had made all arrangements for being absent; The common
people knew that the King was leaving Strelsau on a hunting excursion.
- There was only one thing left to do—the hardest, the most heart-
breaking (bidding adieu to Princess Flavia)
▪ The third visit to Princess Flavia’s residence:
- Although Rassendyll was depressed and sad, he appeared a happy lover.
- The princess received him with happiness, too.
▪ The Princess reproaching (blaming) the King (Rassendyll):
- Flavia was angry and blamed the King (Rassendyll) for leaving her for
the sake of hunting boars. She thought that boars were more interesting
for the King than her (his lover). She thought that the King found them
more entertaining and amusing than her.
- Rassendyll told her that he was going after a very big boar (Michael).
- She still blamed him because he had told her that every moment away
from her was wasted, and now he was leaving her for the sake of a very
big boar.
- He told her perhaps the boar would hunt him.
- She was touched and her eyes were full of tears.
- Rassendyll thought she was weeping for his danger.
- She then told him that was like what he used to be (before the
coronation); but not like the King—the King she—she had come to love!
- Then he had to tell her that he was not going to heave her for hunting as
she thought. He told her that he was going to hunt Michael.
- He promised her that he would not be away for long, he would send her
all his heart every day, and she would run no danger.
- She told him not to be away for long as she wouldn’t sleep while he was
away.

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 11 Maadi STEM School

- He told her he didn’t know when he would be back.

- He was going to tell her what she should do if he didn’t return when she
pressed her lips on his. ‫طب امشى انا بقى ههههه المرة دى هى اللى عملت المصيبة‬
▪ Flavia promises the King (Rassendyll):
- Rassendyll asked Flavia to take his place and reign (rule) Ruritania if he
didn’t return.
- She promised him that she would reign. she will do her part though
all her life will be empty and her heart dead. ‫جدعة‬
- Then, she asked him to come soon.
- He promised her that he would see her once more before he died.
‫ هى سألته هو يقصد إيه بس هو ما قدرش يرد طبعا‬.. ‫جملة راسندل دى كانت لغز بالنسبة لفالفيا‬
‫ هو كان يقصد إنه أكيد هيشوفها مرة كمان والخر مرة قبل ما يختفى من‬.. ‫حفاظا على سر الملك‬
‫ هاعيط‬... ‫ حبيبى يابو الرسادل‬.‫ وكان بيعتبر إن الخروج من حياة فالفيا موت بالنسبة له‬... ‫حياتها‬
‫اجدع مش كدا‬
- Then he dried her tears and told her that he would come back to the
loveliest lady in all the wide world and that a thousand Michaels would
not keep him from her. ‫معلم ياض‬
- She asked him not to let Michael hurt him or let him, or anyone, keep
him from her.
- He promised her, although he knew there was one—not Michael—who,
if he lived, must keep him from her; and for whose life he was going
forth to stake (risk) his own: the real King.

Questions:
1. Rassendyll was assailed by terrible temptations, but he was a powerful
man. Illustrate.
2. Rassendyll visited Flavia’s house more than once. What were the
reasons for his visits?
3. From whom did Flavia receive two letters? What did Rassendyll advise
her to do?
4. Why did Rassendyll visit Marshal Strakenkz?
5. What was the Marshal’s mission while Rassendyll was away from
Strelsau?
6. What was the Marshal’s opinion of the King (Rassendyll)?

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The Prisoner of Zenda Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh
Chapter 11 Maadi STEM School

7. How did Sapt and Fritz react to Rassendyll’s visit to Marshal

Straknenkz?
8. Why did Rassendyll envy Fritz?
9. What arrangements did Rassendyll make to leave Strelsau for Zenda?
10. Why did Flavia reproach (blame) Rassendyll?
11. What promise did Flavia make to Rassendyll?

Best of Wishes,
Mr. Mohamed El-Sheikh