Aldonza
Aldonza
I'm not your lady!
I am not any kind of a lady!
For a lady has modest and maidenly airs,1
And a virtue a blind man could see that I lack.
It's hard to develop these maidenly airs
In a stable laid flat on your back!
Won't you look at me, look at me.
God! Won't you look at me.
Look at the kitchen slut2 reeking of sweat.
Born on a dung heap to die on a dung heap,
A strumpet3 men use and forget!
If you feel that you see me not quite at my virginal best,
Cross my palm with a coin and I'll willingly show you the rest.
Never deny that you are Dulcinea.
Take the clouds from your eyes and see me as I really am!
You have shown me the sky,
But what good is the sky
To a creature who'll never
Do better than crawl?
Of all the cruel bastards
Who've badgered and battered me,
You are the cruelest of all!
Can't you see what your gentle
Insanities do to me?
Rob me of anger and give me despair!
Blows and abuse
I can take and give back again,
Tenderness I cannot bear!
So please torture me now
With your "Sweet Dulcineas" no more!
I am no one! I'm nothing!
I'm only Aldonza the whore!
Now and forever you are my lady, Dulcinea!
1. Since the 1500s, “airs” has referred to having an affected manner. It’s from the French word air, "look, appearance, or bearing." Behaving as if you're better than other people — wealthier, better dressed, or better educated — is to put on airs. https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/put%20on%20airs Compare the line from Fiddler's If I Were A Rich Man, in which Tevya says his wife will be putting on airs and strutting like a peacock.2. slang for promiscuous person3. Strumpet = Prostitute