SCENE I: _A Room in the Harem

_On a low bench Zelima is sealed, sewing a gorgeously embroidered garment. About her are other female slaves._

_At the back stands Chang, the chief Eunuch._

ZELIMA

[_Stops sewing and listens_]

There! Hark! I hear it again.

CHANG

I can hear nothing.

ZELIMA

You’re growing deaf, Chang. Some one is knocking—softly.

CHANG

[_Opening the door, left_]

No one is here.

ZELIMA

Below—at the outer door. See who it is.

CHANG

I will see.

[_He goes out, closing the door. Zelima sews for a moment; then rises, puts away her needle and spreads out the garment, surveying it._

_From the right Turandot enters, splendidly arrayed._

_She runs impetuously to Zelima and embraces her_]

TURANDOT

Zelima! Zelima! Little Zelima!

ZELIMA

[_Affectionately_]

My lady!

TURANDOT

Dance with me!—Dance!

ZELIMA

I heard a knocking, my lady.

TURANDOT

[_Pressing her left side_]

You heard it—here. My lover is knocking, and I have let him in.

ZELIMA

[_Frightened_]

You’ve let him in, my lady?

TURANDOT

[_Laughing_]

Into my heart! He came a-begging. Oh, does he love me, Zelima?

ZELIMA

[_Concernedly_]

He kept your rose.

TURANDOT

The rose I tossed from my garden In Astrakhan, one year ago to-night— Isn’t he handsome, Zelima?

ZELIMA

[_With conscientious pause_]

Handsome, my lady?

TURANDOT

Splendid and fair like a prince!

ZELIMA

He is a beggar.

TURANDOT

I spoke of his soul—his eyes. His eyes are sapphires; All other men’s are clay.

ZELIMA

[_Dubiously_]

His face was dirty.

TURANDOT

[_Slapping Zelima’s arm_]

Stop it, you dunce! His face was nobly tanned By sun and rugged wind.

ZELIMA

I thought his beard—

TURANDOT

His beard—God did his best: I want no better.

ZELIMA

_You_—want a beard, my lady?

TURANDOT

Stupid Zelima! Where’s my new robe? I’ll wear it to-day—for him.

ZELIMA

[_Helping her on with the embroidered garment_]

You like it?

TURANDOT

Are not gold and gorgeousness For joy? To-morrow ends my year and a day. Then no more suitors—no more severed heads! I shall be free then—free to search for him Through all the city.

ZELIMA

Search for a beggar! Why, My lady?

TURANDOT

Must I scratch your silly eyes out To make them see?—Of all men that love women, I will have none for husband—if he’ll have me— But _him_, the man to whom I gave my ring.

ZELIMA

Holy Confucius save you, lady! You, Princess of Pekin, wed a beggar!

TURANDOT

Hush! Unless I dream so and rejoice to-day Then I must wake and tear my flesh for grief That I was born Princess of Pekin. Oh, Little Zelima, let me dream I am A beggar-maid, or he, my beggar—a prince!

ZELIMA

I hope your royal father hears no word Of this, my lady. He would kill your lover Sooner than you should wed him.

TURANDOT

I know it well. So I have kept my secret this long year, And let full many a brave prince lose his head To hide my true love. Do not make me weep Again for pity and despair. For now Fresh hope has come. This Capocomico Has changed my father’s heart to set me free To-morrow. Only one more day is left; You only know my secret; none can guess it; And for this final day there is no suitor To claim my hand.

[_Chang enters, left, in perturbation. Turandot looks up inquiringly_]

Well—well?

CHANG

Another suitor Has come, my lady.

TURANDOT

Nay, alas!

ZELIMA

What,—here? Is he at the door?

CHANG

Not him,—the emperor Is at the door. He comes to tell you, lady, And asks admittance.

TURANDOT

What, my father!

CHANG

[_Fidgetting_]

Not Your royal father: The new emperor Is here.

TURANDOT

Sir Capo here!

ZELIMA

[_Appalled_]

Here, in the harem!

CHANG

What should I do, your highness?

TURANDOT

[_Staring_]

What can it mean?

CAPO.

[_Entering, left_]

The new régime, fair ladies!

[_To Zelima, who runs with the other slave girls toward the door, right_]

I beseech you, Do not be timid: All true love romances Are hatched in harems. ’Tis my specialty.

[_Dressed in robes of royal splendor, Capocomico stands smiling at them_]

TURANDOT

Sir, this intrusion breaks our ancient law.

CAPO.

To-day—O lovely daughter!—_I_ am the law And legalize intrusion.

[_To Chang_]

You may go.

[_Chang pauses, dubious, but at a gesture from Capo, departs hastily. Zelima goes timorously to Turandot, whose eyes flash_]

TURANDOT

Will you make entrance here against our wills, Or why, then, have you come?

CAPO.

[_Smiling_]

For a beggar’s sake.

TURANDOT

[_With sudden start_]

A beggar’s?

CAPO.

What I bring will fill four ears— No more.

TURANDOT

[_Faintly_]

Zelima, wait within—close by.

[_Zelima goes out, right with the slave girls_]

Well, Sire, what do you bring me?

CAPO.

Riches, child, In a ragged wallet.

[_He takes out Calafs wallet, and holds it toward her._]

TURANDOT

[_Starting_]

This! Why bring me this?

CAPO.

Hold it, and feel how heavy.

TURANDOT

[_Slowly takes it, peering in_]

Why, ’tis empty.

CAPO.

What is so heavy as an empty heart Hollow with yearning! This has yearned for love Until it cracked. Look there—those sorry gashes

TURANDOT

What should I do with it?

CAPO.

Heal its wounds, and fill it With royal favor.

TURANDOT

[_Reticent_]

Sire, you talk in riddles.

CAPO.

Daughter, you kill in riddles.—Will you kill, Or heal, this beggar’s heart I bring?

TURANDOT

Ah me!

[_No longer suppressing her feelings, she kisses the wallet passionately._]

How have you guessed my soul? How have you guessed?

CAPO.

The souls of lovers are my specialty.— When princesses grow pale, and beggars swoon, Then I bring forth my wallet—and prescribe.

TURANDOT

Alas—he swooned? Where is he? Is he ill?

CAPO.

Unnecessary questions, child: Of course He swooned. Where is he? He’s in love, Of course, and so of course is deathly ill.

TURANDOT

Oh, by the simple truth you’ve torn from me, Do not, I beg, speak sideling, but straight out: That beggar whom I love—how fares he now? Where have you left him?

CAPO.

By the city gate. There, when he saw your ring, he fell in swoon; And so I left him.

TURANDOT

[_Passionately_]

Find him! Find him for me, And I will give you kingdoms!

CAPO.

Kingdoms, child, Are shaky things. Give me your confidence: Then I will find him for you.

TURANDOT

All my faith, My gratitude and wonder—they are yours!— When will you fetch him?

CAPO.

Soft! To achieve for you Joy in a perfect marriage of romance— That is _my_ vow. ’Tis yours, for a single day, To swear me loyalty.

TURANDOT

I swear it.—Ah, But do not tell my father. He would kill My hopes.

CAPO.

Your father—I will educate; And for your low-born lover, I’ll despatch The eight proud legs of my prime-minister To stalk the city till they stumble on him. By nightfall, I will give you news what luck They meet. Meantime, you must prepare once more Your riddles for your final suitor.

TURANDOT

[_Appalled_]

What!

CAPO.

Keedur, the young khan of Beloochistan, Waits in the hall below, to try his fate To-day.

TURANDOT

Keedur? Another! Must another Still die on this last day? Oh, misery! And I to run the awful risk once more!— When must this be?

CAPO.

This hour, in the great hall Of the imperial Divan. Rest you merry, My child, and whet your riddles sharp.—Good-bye!

TURANDOT

[_Detaining him by a swift gesture_]

Not yet! Stay yet a little: Help me!

CAPO.

How?

TURANDOT

To shape my riddles so no man that lives Can answer them.

CAPO.

[_Bows, smiling_]

Why, that’s my specialty.

TURANDOT

[_Slowly, with desperation._]

Capo, those riddles hold his life or mine: If Keedur guesses them—I’ll kill myself.

_Curtain_