KAL.
My thanks are all I have, and these I give;
But without Turandot I will not live.
My motto is, "Or death, or Turandot."
PANT. (aside.)
He really is a most pig-headed sot!
(aloud) Young man, you cannot know the risk you run.
Th' alternative's in earnest-not in fun.
Dame Turandot will spin you a tough riddle,
That's not to be "got thro' like any fiddle."
Not such as this, which any child might guess-
(Though the Emperor could not, I must confess;)
"What gives a cold, cures a cold, and pays the doctor's bill? "
Not short enigmas lightly disentangled;
Hard nuts you'll have to crack, fresh made, new-fangled;
And if you cannot guess them all instanter,
Your head will be struck off-I do not banter.
You'll have to answer rightly in a twink;
Your head once off, you'll have no time to think.
KAL.
Your warning's vain: "Or death or Turandot."
PANT. (aside.)
For all my sermon he don't care one jot.
TART.
D-d-dear s-sir, l-let m-me p-persuade you. Lasci stare
Th-this d-dr-dread-f-ful st-str-strife, bruttissimo affare.
KAL.
Again I say, "Or death, or Turandot."
TART.
H-he-he's ho-hope-l-l-less-l-ly in l-lo-love. L'è proprio cot.
ALT.
As no persuasion moves this headstrong man,
Go, summon Turandot to this divan.
(Exit guards.)
(KALAF, violently agitated, gazes towards the hareem entrance.)
KAL.
She comes-her beauty will enchant my sight,
Ye Gods, inspire my mind with sapient might!
(March heard.Enter TRUFFALDIN, with his drawn sabre on his
shoulder. Black male and female slaves, beating tantans and
cymbals. ADELMA, in Tartar costume, and SKIRINA, both veiled.
ADELMA carries a salver upon which are sealed papers. TRUFFALDIN
and male slaves prostrate themselves as they pass ALTOUM'S throne;
the female slaves kneel, with their hands to their forehead. Then
appears TURANDOT, veiled, in rich Chinese costume. The courtiers
and doctors prostrate themselves before her. ALTOUM rises; the
Princess makes him a slight inclination, with her hands to her
forehead, then ascends the throne, and seats herself; ADELMA and
SKIRINA on either side, the former nearest the audience. TRUFFALDIN
takes the salver from ADELMA, and with exaggerated ceremony,
distributes the papers to the eight doctors, and resumes his place.
March ceases.)
TUR. (haughtily.)
Once more a vain aspirant for my hand,
Compels me here before you all to stand.
This rash intruder, who thus fondly thinks
To overcome in wit the Chinese Sphinx,
Must little prize his life. His downfall's sore.
ALT.
There stands the man. Now don't be so demure.
He's young and handsome, do have some compassion,
Don't doubly kill him, in your usual fashion.
Accept him as your husband, my sweet daughter,
Don't keep us any longer in hot water.
TUR. (after gazing at KALAF, aside to SKIRINA)-
Skirina, what can ail me? Heigho! surely
This can't be love-I feel so faint-quite poorly.
No man has ever touched my heart-but now
For this sweet youth I feel-I don't know how.
In all my life I never felt so queer.
SKIR.
At last you've fall'n in love; that's very clear.
So much the better! make your riddles plain.
And then he needn't puzzle his poor brain.
TUR.
Nay, peace, Skirina, recollect my glory.
(ADELMA has observed KALAF with emotion.)
ADELMA.
'Tis he! my former slave. I guessed his story.
My heart was right, he's one of noble birth.
TUR.
Young prince, I clearly recognise your worth.
Be wise in time. Relinquish your attempt.
Too arduous is the trial. Do not tempt
The Fates. I am not cruel, as they say,
But shun the yoke of Man's despotic sway.
In virgin freedom would I live and die;
The meanest hind may claim this boon,-shall I,
The daughter of an emperor, not have
That birthright which belongs to all? Be slave
To brutish force, that makes your sex our lord?
Why does my hand such tempting bait afford?
The gods have made me beauteous, rich, and wise,
Presumptuous man considers me his prize.
If nature dowered me with bounteous treasure
You tyrants think 'twas all to serve your pleasure.
Why should my person, throne, and wealth be booty
To one harsh, jealous master? No, all beauty
Is heaven's gift, and like the sun, should shine
To glad earth's children, and their souls refine.
I hate proud man, and like to make him feel
He may not crush free woman 'neath his heel.
KAL.
Such high-souled sentiments, so fine a mind,
Transcendent grace and beauty, all combin'd
Must justify my love and seeming boldness.
I ne'er accused you of disdain or coldness.
I duly honour maidenly reserve.-
Your favour I pretend not to deserve;
But who would not risk all, with blindfold eyes,-
To win a heaven on earth,-a Paradise?
Each day do we not see, for smaller gain,
Great captains brave the dangers of the main?
For glory's empty bubble thousands perish,
Above all treasures your fair hand I cherish;
Your heart and not your throne, is my desire;
Condemn me not if madly I aspire.
SKIR. (aside to Turandot.)
For Fo-hi's sake! three easy riddles give,
Don't let him die, but as your husband live.
ADELMA.
How noble are his words! Ah, had my sire
But known he was a prince. My heart's desire
I'll yet obtain; I'll save him by some plot,
He ne'er shall wed the hateful Turandot.
(to Turandot.) Princess, you're agitated; calm your nerves,
And treat him with contempt as he deserves.
TUR.
You're right, Adelma; thanks for your kind zeal;
He's woman's foe; no pity must I feel.
(to Kalaf.) Prepare then, arrogant young man.-
ALT.
Dear prince,
May not our Royal words your ear convince?
KAL.
I still repeat: "Or death or Turandot!"
PANT. (aside.)
My poor young man, you'll surely go to pot!
ALT.
Then read the awful mandate.
SKIR.
How I tremble.
ADELMA.
My jealousy I scarcely can dissemble.
(PANTALOON receives the Doomsday Book, first prostrating Himself
before it; then reads in a loud voice:)-"By command of his
Celestial Majesty, the Son of the Moon, cousin to the planets,
and near relative to the firmament in general,-oyes! oyes!
oyes!" (Rings crier's bell.) (Aside.) If I said what I liked, I should