PANT.
I kiss our future Emperor's great toe!
TART.
Th-the S-sp-sphinx is v-van-qui-quished-Vinto è il Demonio!
Sh-she's f-fou-found her m-ma-match. Evviva il matrimonio!
(TURANDOT faints, ADELMA and SKIRINA support her. ALTOUM
leaning on PANT. and TART. descends his throne, and embraces
KALAF. The DOCTORS quit their seats, and retire to the background.)
ALT.
Sweet prince, our son-in-law thou'lt be to-morrow,
A joyful climax to our royal sorrow.
TUR. (recovers her senses, and rashes wildly between ALTOUM and
KALAF)-
Oh, make me not his slave! 'Twill drive me mad,
My mind no time for due reflection had.
Too easily his triumph was obtained.
ALT.
The hard-won victory he fairly gained.
With gratitude become this good youth's wife,
Obey the law, and end this weary strife.
TUR.
Once more call the divan-renew the contest,
If I have time for thought, I'm sure of conquest.
PANT.
Fair Princess Tigerheart, that's rather cool;
Don't make his Majesty act like a fool.
D'you think the royal head of your kind Daddy
Is lined with lead, like a Japan tea-caddy;
What say you, colleague; and ye Doctors wise?
(Doctors join hands in a circle, nodding their chins.)
DOCTORS.
Let bloodshed cease. The chopped-off heads suffice.
ALT.
To great Fo-hi's pagoda we'll repair
And finish off this hymeneal affair.
TUR.
Have mercy-
ALT.
Mercy hast thou shewn to none,
I've kept my oath; do thou as I have done.
Fulfil Fo-hi's decree.
TUR.
Oh, spare me, Sire,
Or at your feet behold your child expire.
(Throws herself at his feet.)
ALT.
Thy marriage is ordained. Proud girl, obey,
Too long I've bowed to thy capricious sway.
Entreat no more. I swear by Fo-hi's sword.
TUR.
Hold, father, do not speak the sacred word.
This overbearing tyrant I'll not wed;
I'd rather make the sullen grave my bed.
KAL. (to TURANDOT.)
Abate your terror; nor so madly grieve;
I'll intercede myself for your reprieve.
Fair cruel one, who may your tears withstand?
(to ALTOUM.) Great monarch, grant her wish; I'd win her hand
By love's sweet power; not by enforced consent.
(to TURANDOT.) I see thou crav'st my head-then be content.
I love thee so intensely, that my life
Is worthless if I may not call thee wife.
Again a solemn test I'll undergo.
ALT.
She's yours by right of law. Fate willed it so.
TUR.
You shall not drag me to the bridal altar;
This hand shall slay me first (draws a dagger.) It will not falter.
KAL.
Stay, hold your hand, and calm your poignant sorrow;
We'll meet again in high divan. To-morrow
The Chinese Sphinx this problem shall unraveclass="underline"
"Who is that Prince who, after weary travel
Escaped from slavedom's thrall, and reached the goal
And blissful summit of his longing soul;
Yet at fulfilment of his heart's desire
Was plunged yet deeper into tortures dire?"
Relentless beauty, if you name aright
The name and lineage of this luckless wight
Then shall you gratify your hate, and take
My life. But if you fail, then shall you make
Me blessed, by giving me your hand. Decide.
TUR.
By this new compact I consent to abide.
ALT.
Imprudent youth, too generously kind,
Thou know'st not her all-penetrating mind.
But, should she conquer thee by female wile,
Thou shalt not fall a victim to her guile.
To-morrow's high divan shall seal her fate;
Her wit may free her; or she'll be thy mate.
Enough of blood's been shed.
TUR. (aside.)
My subtle art
Shall crush his pride. Be firm, fond, wav'ring heart.
(March strikes up. ALTOUM, leaning on KALAF'S shoulder,
followed by PANT., TART., DOCTORS, and Courtiers, exeunt L.
TURANDOT, ADELMA, SKIRINA, TRUFFALDIN, and slaves, exeunt R.)
END OF ACT II.
ACT III.
SCENE.-Street in Peking. (Enter KALAF and BARAK.)
KALAF.
None know my name in Peking's busy town,
Your trusty tongue's as secret as my own;
E'en to your wife I hope you've not revealed-
BARAK.
From her especially the truth's concealed.
KALAF.
For many years, as dead I've been, given o'er.
No mortal here has seen my face before.
Fear not.
BARAK.
Dear Prince, forgive me if I blame you,
I can't help dreading lest the Sphinx may name you.
You were not wise to give her this last chance;
She's so astute! She'll lead you a fine dance.
You had possession-nine points of the law,
Why should you for her meagrims care one straw?
KALAF.
Oh, had you seen her grief.
BARAK.
I needs must smile
To think the tears of this sly crocodile
Should take you in!
KAL.
Perhaps my tender love
Her heart to mutual tenderness may move.
BAR.
No gratitude you'll get from that proud snake.
KAL.
Revile her not!
BAR.
I for your safety quake.
She's quite as cunning as she's fierce.
Her eyes can even through a millstone pierce.
KAL.
Nay, hope the best. My lucky stars preside,
They'll crown me victor of my lovely bride.
BAR.
You're just the same dear, sanguine, thoughtless boy
As ever. I can't bear to spoil your joy.
(Enter BRIGHELLA, marching backwards, commanding a few
Chinese guards; PANT. and TART.)
BRIG.
Halt! Pigtails, right! Attention! Royal Black Guards!
(aside.) How I do hate this dangerous marching backwards!
PANT.
Oh, here he is! At last we've caught our bird.
Prince, how d'ye do! Allow me just one word.
But who's this man? (points to BARAK.)
Of what has he been talking?
BAR. (aside.)
I hope they don't suspect-(aloud.) As I was walking,
This man accosted me (I do not know him),
He asked if I his way would kindly show him.
PANT.
Great Prince, you're compassed round about with traps.
If we don't keep you in our eye-perhaps
The Sphinx may have you murdered. To prevent
Unpleasant little accidents we're sent
By his celestial Majesty, to take you
In our safe custody. We'll not forsake you.
(to BARAK.) And you're her spy, I do believe; get out!