KAL.
Good night, and thanks; your hint I comprehend.
Will treachery be used my life to end?
Nay, Turandot's too noble-I'll not fear.
The fateful hour approaches (opens a casement.)
Dawn is near,
I'll seek to drown my care in dreamy rest.
(As he sinks on the couch, a secret door opens, admitting SKIRINA
dressed in male attire, a false beard on.)
SKIR.
My lord.
KALAF. (starting up.) What man is this? Some silly jest.
SKIR.
What, don't you know Skirina? (takes off the beard.)
I'm so frightened!
Disguised I've passed your guards, in these clothes tightened.
I've got so much to tell. Your poor old tutor
Is put in chains! Yes, nothing less would suit her.
He's anxious for your life-he begs you'll sign
Your name to show you're safe; just write one line
To pacify him; or he'll all declare;
The Princess Turandot's in such a flare.
I tremble for my husband,-he's demented,
Until you've kindly to his wish consented.
I've brought a tablet-just your name indite
To ease his mind.
KAL. (takes the tablet.)
To please him, I will write.
(Suddenly recollects himself, and looks at her searchingly.)
Skirina, would'st thou traitress turn? Thy guest I've been.
SKIR. (aside.)
I promised I would do my best.
But such reproaches down I cannot gulp,
Not if my mistress beat me to a pulp.
So Miss Adelma may play off her tricks
Herself, (to KALAF.) Please don't your eyes thus on me fix.
(whimpering.) I should have thought some slight consideration
You would have felt for my sad situation.
If you suspect me.
KAL.
Nay, I'm sure you acted
All out of kindness.
SKIR. (aside.)
I shall go distracted.
(to KALAF.) My husband waits your news. My leave I'll take;
(aside.) Adelma's sharp; but he's as wide awake. (Exit.)
KAL.
Brighella warned me well.
(Enter TRUFFALDIN, covered by a long black mantle.)
Another visit!
Nocturnal ghosts abound. Well, friend, what is it?
TRUF.
Your Excellency, news excellent I bring-
You'll hear a wonderfully wondrous thing.
KAL.
Speak on, good vision; I am all attention.
TRUF.
T'explain in plainest words is my intention.
The keeper of the Hareem stands before you!
But that's not here nor there; so I'll not bore you
With all my titles. The Princess Turandot
Right thro' the heart by Cupid's dart is shot!
I would not flatt'ringly your Highness flatter
With mincing terms, nor will I mince the matter.
My mistress is distracted to-distraction
By your attractive personal-attraction.
If truth I speak not, may the high Fo-hi
Grind all my bones to make his next meat-pie!
KAL.
So far, so good; what hast thou more to say?
TRUF.
Be not impatient, Royal Highness, pray.
My mistress is a tiger-cat-(permit
The term; tho' coarse, 'tis graphically fit.)
She gnashes her white teeth with frantic ire,
And raves against you, "Robbers, murder, fire!"
If truth I speak not, may the high Fo-hi
Make mince-meat of me for his sacred pie.
KAL.
No need of oaths. But hast thou not, good keeper,
Some better news to tell a waken'd sleeper?
Truf.
Of course I have. Without circumlocution
I now proceed to instant elocution:
My charming mistress sent me here to beg
You'll trust her with your secret. Her last leg
She's standing on; and in sheer desperation
She'll marry you; but must before the nation
Appear to vanquish you-in mere appearance.
Be quick, and of your secret make a clearance.
Clear up the matter, and I'll then clear out;
My time is precious. Finish off this bout.
KAL.
One thing thou hast forgotten.
TRUF.
What have I?
KAL.
To imprecate thy bones to Fo-bi's pie.
Return to Turandot. Tell her from me
She'll glorious shine in high divan, if she
Benignant prove herself; more true distinction
She'll gain by this, than by my hope's extinction.
(Signs to TRUF. to withdraw.)
TRUF. (aside.)
I've only got my trouble for my pain;
I'll never do a kindly act again. (Exit.)
KAL.
Come, gentle sleep. Refresh me, balm divine!
Take courage, weary soul, success may yet be mine.
(Retires to the couch, and sinks; into slumber.Enter ADELMA,
veiled, bearing a lighted taper.)
ADEL.
I shall not fail. In vain was their endeavour,
But I will venture all, the knot to sever.
I may not learn his name,-but I'll implore
His flight from Peking. Then my love, once more
May hope to win his heart.
(Unveils, and gazes upon him.)
He gently slumbers:
Reluctantly I rouse him, but time numbers
The hours yet left for action. Prince, arise!
KAL.
Who calls? Another spirit! Do my eyes
Deceive me? Can it be? Adelma here?
Thy royal person in a slave's mean gear!
Such lowly garb is surely some disguise.
ADEL.
No, Prince; Adelma now in slav'ry sighs.
Beneath the galling yoke of her who martyred
My wretched brother, and my father slaughtered.
Not you alone must suffer from the curse
Of Turandot's fell ire; my fate's far worse.
KAL.
Princess, believe me; more your lot I mourn
Than e'en my own. So fair, so nobly born,
So gracious to th' unhappy;-I can ne'er
Forget your kindness to myself. If e'er
In need of faithful service you may stand,
Which I may render in return, command
Me as your slave. My gratitude's eternal.
ADEL.
From Turandot I'd save you. Her infernal
Devices throw a glamour o'er your senses:
But did you know her shallow, false pretences,
Of her great excellence you'd scorn the notion,
Nor waste on her your noble heart's devotion.
For all she sets up as a learned Sphinx,
She's nothing but a sly, conceited minx.
KAL.
Nay, blame not her, but adverse destiny,
Your brother willed his death; the choice was free.
Your father fell in battle-'twas ill-fate
Awarded death, not she. Oh, do not hate
Your mistress; surely she your worth esteems
And treats you as your gentle birth beseems.
To-morrow, if I'm victor as before
I'll freedom give you, and your throne restore.
ADEL.
Can nothing your credulity convince?
Oh, fly this wicked woman, dearest Prince.
Escape with me! Come haste! Our time is short;
I've bribed your guards. We'll sail from the next port
To Keicobad-there all will hail me Queen.
KAL.
Farewell, Princess; magnanimous you've been.
Escape alone. To die I am content,
You cannot turn me from my firm intent.