repeat.


TUR.

The high divan shall judge. Firm as a rock
Is my strong will. His easy task I mock.


ALT.

Has thy keen wit discovered—tell me truth—
The secret of this overtrusting youth?
If so, be gen'rous; let him go in peace;
From further strife and public struggle cease.
Deal gently with this boy of noble race,
Nor wantonly expose him to disgrace.
Thus shalt thou earn all Chang's high admiration.
Thy harsh decree has much estranged the nation.
They tell strange tales about the Chinese Sphinx,
Men's skulls she gnaws—hot human blood she drinks.
Oh, show thyself as modest, tender, duteous,—
More homage this commands than being beauteous.


TUR.

Your mercy, Sire, beseems your hoary age;
Your words might well convert a Grecian sage,
But cannot change my purpose. I'll not bow
My neck to any man: so runs my vow.
In public this pert boy my power defeated,—
In public shall my vengeance be completed.


ALT.

Dear child, paternal love shall condescend
To humbly beg obedience. Do but bend
To my desire, and thou shalt from me learn
The whole of what this stranger may concern.
In public thou shalt triumph—name aloud
Thy foe, in face of an applauding crowd.
But swear, if thus I'm traitor for thy sake
Thou wilt this suitor for thy husband take.
Thy deed will bless thine aged father's days—
Reward a loving heart—win all men's praise.


TUR. (who has listened with increasing emotion)—

His words are torture to my wav'ring pride,
How shall I act? How may I best decide?
Adelma shall I trust? Her plot may fail;
Without disgrace a father may prevail.
Down, stubborn soul (advances towards ALT., then
hesitates), and yet, beneath Man's yoke
To crouch? No, no, my vow I'll not revoke.


ALT.

Thou'rt touched. Sweet daughter, grant my fond desire.


TUR.

He fears I may succeed and thwart him. Sire,
I'll meet in high divan. My will is steady.


ALT.

Then, if thou fail, the altar shall be ready;
The rite shall be performed with solemn fitness,
While vulgar crowds shall thy confusion witness.
Their scoffing jeers shall be thy wedding hymn;
Thy father stooped in vain; now stoop to him. (Exit.)


TUR.

Oh, murder not your child! Adelma, friend,—
Forsake me not. My grief some comfort send;
My only hope's in thee. If great Fo-hi
Withhold success, to-morrow sees me die. (Exit.)

END OF ACT III.

ACT IV.

SCENE.—A magnificent apartment, with divers outlets; in the background an oriental couch. The scene is dark. KALAF discovered pacing up and down, BRIGHELLA holding a torch, observing him, and shaking his head.

BRIG.

Just three o'clock! by Kong's pagoda-chimes.
You've paced this floor just twice three hundred times.
Your Highness had much better go to sleep.
You'll have to rise with dawn's first ruddy peep.
I can't watch any more; my eyelids close.

KALAF.

Thou'rt right, Brighella; go to thy repose.

(BRIG. going, returns cautiously.)

BRIG.

One word, your Highness,—when I've left my post,
Don't be astonished if you see a ghost.
You understand? You needn't be afraid;
I daren't say more; my silence is prepaid.
Forewarned, forearmed, you know. To a blind horse
A nod's as good as twenty winks, of course.

KALAF. (looking about, uneasily.)

What spectres shall I see? what dreary sprite?


BRIG.

Oh, nothing, (yawns.) I'm so sleepy, Prince, good night.

(Going, returns.)

I hope you are not angry with Brighella—
I'm but a poor, ill-paid, hardworking fellah—
The Emperor has ordered that no fly
Shall enter this apartment—you know why;
But tho' he's king, his daughter really rules.
It's hard to keep one's balance 'twixt two stools!
And what a woman wills, for good or evil.
That must be done, or she will play the devil.

(Going, returns.)

Mind, I know nothing. Keyholes may suffice;
If any noise you hear, it's only mice!

(Exit, winking significantly.)


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.


ADEL.

Ungrateful man! Then learn the horrid truth.
The heart of Turandot can feel no ruth.
You've foiled her cunning. Fear her tiger-spring.
To-morrow as you pass to join the King
In high divan,—her slaves, with stealthy blow,
Will pierce your heart;—your life will be laid low.


KAL.

Oh, hapless Kalaf! must thy life thus end?
In exile perish—far from ev'ry friend!
O Timur, dearest father, couldst thou see
Thine only son in such deep misery,
All Tartary thou'dst gladly give to save
Its royal heir from such untimely grave.

(Covers his face in despair.)


ADEL. (aside)

Kalaf, future Khan of Tartarland!
(Most luckily the last-told lie I planned.)
He's in my power. If he escape one net,
He'll fall into another, closer yet.


KAL. (to himself.)

I've said "Or death or Turandot." Her will
Decrees my death—from her 'tis, welcome still.
Adieu, fond hopes. Delusive joys, farewell!


ADEL.

Once more let me implore you. Do not sell
Your life thus cheap. We still have time for flight.


KAL.

My honour bids me stay and brave the fight.


ADEL.

You're obstinate. Farewell, then, unknown stranger,
(aside.) My love despised! I burn with jealous anger.
Prince Kalaf, Timur's son! you're in my snare;
I can be fierce as Turandot. Beware! (Exit.)


KALAF.

I'm on the rack! when will this torture cease?

(Enter BRIGHELLA.)


BRIG.

'Tis time to join divan, Prince, if you please.

(KALAF regards him suspiciously.)


KAL.

Art thou her tool? Shall I by thy hand fall?
Stain not thy soul with guiltless blood. Take all
I have, if money be thy greed. But know
Without a struggle I'll not take thy blow.

(Draws his-sword.)


BRIG.

His brain is addled, sure as eggs is eggs!
Lor', how he stands, astraddling out his legs!


KAL. (throws down his sword.)

I'll not defend myself. Tell her who offered
Base gold for