Zuleïman and Zaïde (Denis Diderot, Les Bijoux indiscrets, 1748, fig. 9)

The engraving depicts the second scene of chapter LII (or II, 19). Mangogul, in the background, stealthily observes the interview between Zuleïman and Zaïde, the perfect lovers. Zaïde draws Zuleïman to her, taking him by the shoulder. Zuleïman's hands theatrically signify the speech he is making to his mistress. The object of the speech is circumscribed by the two hands on either side of Zaïde's "jewel". But Zuleïman is powerless. The two lovers are seated on a sopha, the center of which is adorned with a scallop shell, the symbol of Venus. Above the sopha, a painting depicts a man seated against a tree and a woman standing and dancing, her left arm raised. In the background, Mangogul is leaning on his right elbow, a sign of jealous melancholy. With his left hand, he points out the window, as if intending to turn away from the scene in the foreground. Above him, on the wall, a gypsery in the shape of a comic mask seems to be looking at the scene, as if to signify its parodic dimension.

"[Mangogul] found Zaïde in the cabinet from the day before. Zuleïman was there with her. He was holding his mistress's hands in his and his eyes were fixed on hers  Zaïde, bent over her knees, was casting Zuleïman glances animated by the most vivid passion. They remained in this position for some time; but at the same moment, yielding to the violence of their desires, they rushed into each other's arms and clasped tightly. The profound silence that had hitherto reigned around them was disturbed by their sighs, the sound of their kisses, and a few inarticulate words that escaped them... " You love me!... - I adore you!... - Will you still love me?... - Ah! the last breath of my life will be for Zaïde!..." Mangogul, overwhelmed with sadness, fell back in an armchair and put his hand over his eyes. He was afraid of seeing things that one imagines, and which were not... After a few moments' silence  "Ah  dear and tender lover, why haven't I always experienced you as you are now !" said Zaïde, "I wouldn't love you any less, and I wouldn't have anything to reproach myself for... But you're crying, dear Zuleïman, Come, dear and tender lover, come, so I can wipe away your tears... Zuleïman, you look down: what's the matter with you? Look at me... Come, dear friend, come, that I may console you  glue your lips to my mouth  inspire me with your soul  receive mine  suspend... Ah ! no... no... " Zaïde finished her speech with a violent sigh, and fell silent. The African author tells us that this scene struck Mangogul  strongly; that he founded some hopes on Zuleïman's inadequacy, and that there were secret proposals brought on his part to Zaïde, who rejected them, and made no merit of them with her lover. " (DPV III 248)