SCENE II: _Great Hall of the Emperor’s Divan.

_On either side is a high tower, with entrance._

_Down scene on the left stands the Emperor’s throne, opposite the throne of Turandot._

_As the curtain rises, Scaramouche, Punchinello, Pantaloon, and Harlequin enter, dragging in Barak by four purple ropes attached to his neck._

_Barak carries a ragged bundle._

_At the centre he falls, prostrating himself before them._

_The four Maskers are dressed sumptuously in Chinese garments, worn over their own tattered garbs of motley, which—at times, when they gesticulate or move abruptly,—are fantastically visible._

BARAK

Mercy and clemency, your highnesses!

PUNCHINELLO

Your _highness_, slave! Address thy vermin speech To the Prime-Minister.

BARAK

To which, O Lord?

SCARAMOUCHE

By the eye of Og and head of Hamongog, To _us_, thou quaking mongrel! Howl thy prayers Quadrately to thy quadrigeminal master!

BARAK

[_Revolving himself fearfully_]

Mercy, O Master!

PANTALOON

First confess thyself! Where is he?

PUNCHINELLO

Where’s thy fellow beggar? Speak!

SCARAMOUCHE

Tooth of the Turk!—Disgorge him!

[_Harlequin thwacks Barak on the head with his flat-stick_]

BARAK

Lord, I know not. I am an old poor man. I have no fellow To beg with me.

PANTALOON

Thou lousy bag of lies! He swooned beside thee at the city gate.

PUNCHINELLO

He took the Princess’ ring for alms. Where is he?

SCARAMOUCHE

[_Tightening his rope_]

By Sardanapalus! Squeeze off his neck And pick the secret from his gullet.

BARAK

[_As Harlequin bangs him again_]

Spare me!

[_Enter, left, Capocomico_]

CAPO.

Hah! here’s our beggar’s crony.—Where’s thy mate, Old gaffer?

BARAK

Spare me, lord! I have no mate— I beg alone.

CAPO.

Where was he found—this fellow?

SCARAMOUCHE

Godbodikins! We caught him gutter-skulking Behind the palace.

CAPO.

What’s here in this pack?

BARAK

[_Fearfully clutching his bundle_]

Old rags, your mightiness: poor worthless pickings.

CAPO.

Conduct him to my quarters. Search him there And look what this contains.

[_The four begin to drag him out with the ropes_]

BARAK

A—yi! Alas!

PUNCHINELLO

[_Mocking him_]

A—yi, old pickings!

SCARAMOUCHE

[_Pulling_]

Sacrasacristan! Heave-ho, my hearts!

CAPO.

Hold him in custody Till I can question further.

BARAK

[_Crying aloud_]

Calaf, save me!

PANTALOON

We’ll save ’ee in salt, old calf!

SCARAMOUCHE

Yank-ho, there!

[_They drag him out, left_]

CAPO.

[_Stands meditating_]

Calaf!

[_Hardly have they disappeared, when Calaf enters hastily, looking about him with a startled expression. He is dressed in princely regalia, and his face is shaved. Seeing Capo., he pauses abruptly, and makes obeisance_]

CAPO.

Greetings, Sir Keedur!—You are _searching_ here?

CALAF

[_Embarrassed_]

Nothing, your majesty. It seemed I heard A voice here cry in terror.

CAPO.

Cry—on _whom_?

CALAF

Nay, Sire, I do not know.

CAPO.

’Twas just a beggar That cried at being expelled.

CALAF

Expelled?—Where to?

CAPO.

[_With a flitting smile_]

You—care to know?

CALAF

Nay, Sire, why should I care?

CAPO.

Nay, why indeed? You caught me querying.

CALAF

[_Turning to leave_]

Forgive that I disturbed your thoughts.

CAPO.

My thoughts Were trying to construe the beggar’s cry. “Calaf, save me!” he called.

CALAF

[_Pausing, with a faint start_]

Ah—Calaf? So!

CAPO.

An odd coincidence, for ’tis one year To-night since Calaf, prince of Astrakhan, Perished by drowning in the river Yen.—

[_With slow emphasis_]

He was the Emperor’s arch-enemy.

CALAF

[_Calmly_]

An odd coincidence!

CAPO.

And still more odd It might be—might it not?—if Keedur, Khan Of far Beloochistan, had chanced to know Or meet this Calaf.

CALAF

Still more odd.

CAPO.

Perchance He never did!

CALAF

[_Fidgetting slightly_]

I never met him, Sire.

CAPO.

[_With a quick glance_]

That being so, we must no more delay Your audience with the princess. My ear itches. Methinks by that your suit will prosper; let me Conduct you to your place of waiting. Come, And by the way, I will confide to you— I have a specialty.

CALAF

In what, Sire?

CAPO.

[_Smiling, as they go out_]

Riddles.

[_Enter Altoum and Chang. They look after Capo as he departs_]

ALTOUM

In the harem, with my daughter—?

CHANG

[_Obsequiously_]

Even so, O Majesty.

ALTOUM

And closeted, you say, An hour with her!

CHANG

An hour, O Majesty.

ALTOUM

But you kept watch: The Princess, she was not Alarmed?

CHANG

Her royal highness seemed Moved in her spirit, O Majesty.

ALTOUM

Moved? So! Well, Chang, inform me further what you note. To-day this stranger reigns as Emperor. Obey him.

[_Capo reënters, right_]

CHANG

[_Salaaming to a gesture of dismissal from Altoum_]

As your Majesty decrees.

[_Exit_]

ALTOUM

[_Greets Capo cordially_]

Hail, friend! You wear my Empire as you’d worn it Life long.

CAPO.

[_Laughing_]

I’ll wear it longer if you like.

ALTOUM

Perchance I’ll let you. As for me, I feel Lighthearted as a schoolboy playing truant. This abdicating gives me appetite For holidays.—And what success so far?

CAPO.

So far—perfection.

ALTOUM

Have you, then, discovered My daughter’s malady?

CAPO.

I’ve diagnosed Already, and prescribed.

ALTOUM

[_Eagerly_]

What is the ailment?

CAPO.

Ah! question the doctor when he makes the cure.— Another twenty hours!

ALTOUM

To rule is sweet, I see. Good luck attend your reign! If so, I have four kingdoms waiting for your fellows, And for yourself a petty empire—_but_, Forget not—Sire! For failure I’ve prepared Five torture chambers and a sharpened axe.

CAPO.

To-morrow, then, four kingdoms shall have kings! As for the petty empire, I’ll return it With compliments, and count myself well quit To have served your Majesty and true Romance.

[_Kettledrums are sounded within_]

Now, then, to pass the first ordeal.—Pray follow!

ALTOUM

[_Attending him, left_]

This suitor Keedur—I like well his looks And bearing. What if he should guess the riddles?

CAPO.

That lies now with the Fates—and they obey me.

[_They go out._

_To the sound of kettledrums, tambourines and music outside, the scene is now for a moment empty. Then from both entrances two processions enter simultaneously._

_From the right enter Eunuchs and female slaves of the harem; from the left Chinese soldiers and courtiers of the Emperor’s suite._

_With ceremonial, salaaming and flare of music, the persons in the processions group themselves on either side about the thrones._

_Entering last in their separate processions come Turandot and Capocomico—the latter accompanied by Altoum, as a subordinate._

_On the right throne Turandot sits, on the left—Capocomico._

_All the others prostrate themselves, except Altoum, who stands beside a lesser seat, at the right of Capo’s throne._

_Having taken their positions, at a signal from Capo, all are served with tea in little cups, which they sip simultaneously thrice, then resume their former obeisances._

_To this gathering now enter three of the Maskers—Scaramouche, Punchinello and Pantaloon—bearing severally three golden platters, on which stand little jeweled boxes, closed._

_Behind them follows Harlequin, who bears a great parchment roll, which—with bows and ballet-dancings—he lays before the throne of Capo; then takes his stand at Capo’s left._

_Lastly Calaf enters, alone._

_Bowing to the throne, he remains in the centre, where he gazes rapt at Turandot._

_Capo now rises, and Altoum seats himself_]

CAPO.

Powers of our royal Divan and our Harem, Once more, in token of our sovereign will, We are assembled. Let the law be read!

[_He sits. Harlequin, stepping forward with a flourish, presents the roll of parchment to Punchinello, who, exchanging with him his platter for the script, reads in a shrill voice_]

PUNCHINELLO

To high Confucius and our ancestors— Worship and awe! The edict of Altoum _In re_ the royal princess Turandot Perpends: To suitors of her august hand Who guess her riddles—marriage, riches, joy! To all who fail—shame, execution, death! None save of royal blood shall qualify.

[_Harlequin receives back the roll from Punchinello, and resumes his place_]

CAPO.

Who seeks the august hand of Turandot?

CALAF

[_Standing forward_]

I, Keedur, Khan of great Beloochistan.

CAPO.

Keedur, full many noble youths before you Have made this trial; all have failed—and died. Have you considered well their doom, O Khan?

CALAF

There is no doom for me but loss of her; If then I fail, death can but ease my doom.

TURANDOT

[_In a low voice_]

His eyes, Zelima! Oh, I would he’d look Another way.

ZELIMA

It is a lovely youth.

CAPO.

Think well, you are young. You may even still withdraw And live these many years.

CALAF

[_His eyes meeting Turandot’s, who looks at him anxiously_]

If I must die, I shall have lived forever in this instant.

CAPO.

Then let the trial proceed.

TURANDOT

Fair stranger, first Hear me, and so relent.

CALAF

My spirit, lady, Stands tiptoe to your words.

TURANDOT

You have not well Considered what you seek; but I, who know, Can better advise you. Turandot you seek, But I, who know this Turandot, can tell you She is a lady of too little worth To cause the noble lineage in your blood To die. She neither wants you, nor your death. Now leave her, Sir, and give her leave to wish you Joy of your twice escape.

CALAF

I hear you, yet I hear like one who dies out on the desert And dreams he hears sweet water tinkling.—Lady, I parch and drink dream-water. Would you dash That boon from my soul’s lips?

TURANDOT

Nay, then, no more! Hear now my riddles.—But, I pray you, look not This way, but elsewhere.

CALAF

I will close my eyes And look upon you, listening.—I am ready.

[_Closing his eyes, he waits with a faint smile_]

TURANDOT

Tell me, O friend: What is that flower Which, dying, steals its lover’s breath, And being dead, still blooms in death, Living beyond its little hour To grow more sweet in fragrance as it grows In memory?

[_Turandot gazes pityingly. Calaf speaks with closed eyes_]

CALAF

A withered rose.

[_Turandot starts suddenly from her throne and sinks back, whispering to Zelima. Capo despatches Harlequin to Turandot, who gives him tremblingly a key, which he carries to Scaramouche_]

CAPO.

Unlock the secret box.

SCARAMOUCHE

[_As Harlequin unlocks the little box on his platter and presents to him a strip of parchment from within it, reads aloud_]

A withered rose.

[_A murmur runs through the assembly_]

ALTOUM

Now by my star, well guessed!

CAPO.

[_With a gesture for silence_]

The second riddle!

TURANDOT

[_With emotion_]

Stranger, you are the first of all my suitors That ever reached the second.—I have spoken To you in pity, but my pity now Is for myself, lest you should guess too well. Cease, then, I beg you. Rest content with passing Your rivals. Go! And I will give you triumph In your departure.

ALTOUM

Shame! Fair play, my daughter!

CAPO.

Silence, my lord Altoum!—What says the Khan?

CALAF

I answer here by law, risking my death. Therefore, O lady, since my love of you Surpasses life, I claim my right of law.

TURANDOT

[_Her eyes flashing_]

By heaven, cold prince, I see I wasted pity Upon a heart of ice. Meet, then, your fate! I will not weep to watch the headsman’s axe.

CALAF

I trust you will not, princess.—I am ready.

TURANDOT

[_To Zelima_]

O fiend! My fingers itch to scratch him.

[_To Calaf_]

Hear, then: Reveal, O youth: What is that fetter Which, chaining, sets its captive free, But broken, makes of liberty A weary bondage, little better Than death, to one whose spirits mount and sing In manacles?

[_Calaf remains silent, pressing his closed eyes in thought. Altoum leans forward. The people mutter low. Turandot gazes disdainfully. Soon, letting his raised hands fall, Calaf speaks with tense calmness._]

CALAF

A lover’s ring.

TURANDOT

[_Cries out_]

What’s that?

[_Clutching Zelima’s arm_]

My God! here is some treachery.

CAPO.

Open the second lock!

[_Harlequin unlocks the little box held by Punchinello, who reads aloud_]

PUNCHINELLO

A lover’s ring.

[_A great murmur goes up from the assembly_]

ALTOUM

Wondrous! The fates are with him.

TURANDOT

[_Rising, fiercely_]

Not the fates fates— The fiends are with him. I cry out upon This answer. Some perfidious hand Has tampered with those locks.

CAPO.

Respect this hall And presence, Princess: _We_ shall judge alone.

TURANDOT

False friend, is this your pay for all my trust, And this the perfect joy you bid me hope for?

[_To Altoum_]

Father, I cry on you to right this wrong!

ALTOUM

The wrong is yours to flout your own decree. But right or wrong, my power is hushed: Not here But yonder sits the Emperor of China.

TURANDOT

Why, this is monstrous. I am sold a slave By an abdicated father and a motley Who apes the emperor in a player’s mask!— I’ll put no further riddle.

CAPO.

[_Smiling_]

As you like, Princess, but let us keep our humors. If There be no final riddle, Keedur wins: The priests are ready to perform your wedding.

TURANDOT

[_Trembling with rage_]

My wedding!—Ah, then, I am duped indeed, And must submit to treachery. But you— O subtle Khan, dream not to shame me so, And win. I will not _live_ to be your wife.— Do you still claim your riddle?

CALAF

[_Who has stood in utter calmness_]

I am ready.

TURANDOT

[_In fury_]

Then may your answer spike your head in death!

[_Clutching her throne, she speaks with voice quivering_]

Reply, O Prince: What may that be Which, light of heart, causes despite, But heavy-laden, renders light

Its bearer, making care so free That kings might give their crowns to call it Their treasure house?

[_A deep hush falls on the assembly. Calaf stands, silent, swaying._

_Slowly he totters and falls on the steps of Capo’s Throne._

_There, as Harlequin raises him, Capo whispers swiftly at his ear. Suddenly then, fixing his eyes on Turandot, who stands pale and rigid, Calaf speaks thrillingly._]

CALAF

A beggar’s wallet.

TURANDOT

[_With a low cry, holding her side_]

Ah!

CAPO.

[_To Harlequin_]

Quickly!—The third key!

[_Swiftly Harlequin unlocks the box held by Pantaloon, who reads aloud_]

A beggar’s wallet.

TURANDOT

[_Turning, desperately_]

Zelima!

ZELIMA

[_Screaming_]

Lady!

[_Snatching from Zelima a little dagger, she lifts it and strikes at her own breast. Leaping to the throne, Calaf intercepts her and turns the dagger against himself_]

CALAF

Not you, my love!

CAPO.

Disarm them!

ALTOUM

Turandot!

[_Amid uproar, the four Maskers rush upon Calaf and wrest from him the dagger_]

TURANDOT

[_With fierce disdain_]

Coward hearts!

CALAF

[_Uplifting his hands to Capo_]

Sire, hear my plea!

CAPO.

Order and silence!—Speak, Sir Keedur.

CALAF

Sire, If I have won this ordeal by the law— Declare it.

CAPO.

You have won.

CALAF

Then I renounce All I have won, and place before this court A counter plea. Shall it be granted?

CAPO.

What Do you petition?

CALAF

Sire, since it would shame me And her, to take this noble princess’ hand Without her heart, I quit my claim, but ask In substitute, a boon:—I, whom you call Sir Keedur, Khan, am royal and a prince, But I am not Khan of Beloochistan. Keedur is not my name.

TURANDOT

So, treachery Once more!

ALTOUM

Peace, daughter!

CAPO.

[_To Calaf_]

Speak. What is your plea?

CALAF

This, Sire: Since I have answered now three riddles Of Turandot, that she—to make fair play— Shall answer one of mine. If she shall guess it, I then depart, but if she fail, I stay— And wed her.

TURANDOT

[_Scornfully to Capo_]

Ha! This jesting, Sire, fits well Your new régime.

CAPO.

[_To Calaf_]

What is your riddle?

CALAF

This: Reveal, O Lady: What is he, His true-born name, His father’s fame, Who, desperate for love of thee, Assumed from far Beloochistan The false name—Keedur, Khan?

TURANDOT

Nay sir, I’d scorn to answer. What you are, Or who, or whence—to me henceforth ’tis nothing.

CAPO.

Softly, quick tongue! To us the game seems fair. Sir nameless lover, you shall have your plea. ’Tis granted.

TURANDOT

[_Trembling with rage_]

What!—O miracle of shame! Perfidious Masker!

CAPO.

This your riddle shall Be answered here to-morrow by this lady, Or else you shall be wedded to her here Before high noon.

TURANDOT

[_Descending swiftly from the throne_]

Fools! I defy you—both!

[_Flinging her sceptre at Capo’s feet, she rushes out_]

CAPO.

[_Rising_]

Follow her!

[_At his gesture, the four Maskers follow after. Amid loud murmur and commotion Calaf stands staring at the empty throne_]

_Curtain_

ACT THIRD

[2]SCENE I: _An anteroom in the harem. Night._

_In the centre of the columned room is a table, on which—softly illumined—stands a large crystal bowl, filled with swimming gold fishes._

_Nearby, Turandot sits weeping, Zelima beside her. Outside, the shrill voice of Punchinello is heard singing to the twang of stringed instruments:_

_O Lady, Lady, let fall your tears No more, no more, for foolish fears, But let in your true playfellow; For Sorrow’s a thief Brings Love to grief, But a merry heart makes him mellow, And a merry heart, O, a merry heart Never yet kept fond lovers apart, Nor pinched the shoe of their Punchinello._

TURANDOT

[_Savagely_]

Drive them away, Zelima! Drive them away!

PUNCHINELLO, SCARAMOUCHE, AND PANTALOON

[_Singing together outside_]

And a merry heart, O, a merry heart Never yet kept fond lovers apart!

ZELIMA

[_Going to the door, puts her head out_]

Begone!

[_She returns to Turandot. The twanging outside decreases, but still continues_]

Take courage, Lady.

TURANDOT

Oh, I have lost Courage and faith and kindness. All is dark— Dark and disgrace.

ZELIMA

’Tis no disgrace to win A husband.

TURANDOT

_Win_ him!—To be tricked and sold In slavery to one I love not—lose The one I love, and truckle to the word Of an upstart—a false, masquing popinjay Of an emperor!—Yet, no disgrace! Ah me, Why did your little dagger fail me? Now I have no pluck of soul to try once more.

ZELIMA

The gods forbid! ’Twere very wicked, Lady: And him, that saved you, and gave back your freedom So gentlemanly!

TURANDOT

Ha! and caught me again With his own riddle! Heaven, I hate him. Yet— Zelima, did you see his eyes?

ZELIMA

[_Nodding_]

Most strangelike They were.

TURANDOT

I must not think upon his eyes, Or I might hate him less. No, only one Of all men wears the gazes which I love, And he is lost to me.

ZELIMA

Why lost, my Lady? The emperor promised you to search the city And find your beggar.

TURANDOT

Capo’s promises Are like himself—all lies. Nay, I must answer This false Khan’s riddle, or be doomed to-morrow. But how?—“His true-born name, his father’s fame—” Where shall I find the clue? Ah, heartless fate And stony hearted men!

THE VOICE OF PUNCHINELLO

[_Sings outside to the instruments_]

O Lady, Lady, lift up your moan No more, no more ’gainst hearts of stone, But let in your blithe playfellow!

TURANDOT

[_Wildly_]

Go! Stop them!

THE VOICE OF PUNCHINELLO

For a stubborn will Makes Love to be ill, But a merry heart makes him well, O! And a merry heart—

ZELIMA

[_Opening the door_]

Stop Your noises!

PUNCHINELLO

[_Outside_]

—O, a merry heart Never yet kept fond lovers apart, Nor tweaked the nose of their Punchinello.

ZELIMA

Cease! Her royal highness orders—

PUNCHINELLO, SCARAMOUCHE AND PANTALOON

[_Pushing past Zelima, enter the room bearing bright Chinese lanterns, and singing in chorus_]

A merry heart, O, a merry heart Never yet kept fond lovers apart!

[_Joined by Harlequin, they pause together before Turandot and, pointing simultaneously their left toes, strike sharply their instruments with a sweeping bow_]

TURANDOT

What fresh presumption of your brazen lord Is this?

PUNCHINELLO

This is our homage, Lady, Lady!

[_Thrumming their instruments again, they accompany a dance of Harlequin, who by his pantomime indicates to Turandot the bowl of gold fishes, while Punchinello lilts shrilly_:]

And thus our Harlequin: He’s showing How all our hearts be overflowing With little, lovely, golden wishes For your delight—as fine as fishes!

TURANDOT

Go—go!

[_Harlequin draws back_]

Why have you come?

PUNCHINELLO

To celebrate Our lord Sir Capo’s great discovery.

PANTALOON

[_Mysteriously_]

He’s found.

TURANDOT

Who’s found?

SCARAMOUCHE

[_Darkly_]

By the yawn of Jonah’s whale, We have disbellied him from Pekin’s maw And blackest hollowness.

PUNCHINELLO

He’s trapped, my Lady!

TURANDOT

[_Chafing_]

Will you tell _who_?

PUNCHINELLO

[_In a loud whisper_]

The beggar.

SCARAMOUCHE AND PANTALOON

[_Sepulchrally_]

Hush!

TURANDOT

[_Faintly_]

A beggar!

SCARAMOUCHE

[_Speaks at her ear_]

The louse-gray mongrel with the chalkish beard— We’ve got him kennelled, ha!

TURANDOT

An _old_ man?

PANTALOON

[_Nodding_]

Pickled!

TURANDOT

Alas! What are these tidings? Have you searched Only to find an old poor man?

CAPO.

[_Who has entered behind them_]

They found Your beggar’s gaffer, Lady.—Barak he Is called, and lies imprisoned now below, Where I will learn from him about your lover.

TURANDOT

[_Bitterly_]

So _you_ come too. Have you, then, come to break Once more the vow you made?

CAPO.

[_Quietly_]

A single day, Lady, you swore me faith and loyalty; Yet in one little hour you cast away Your faith, to call me traitor.

TURANDOT

Had I cause, Or no?

CAPO.

Is there good cause to break an oath?

TURANDOT

You broke your own. You vowed to achieve for me Joy—joy, and perfect marriage with my love.— Am I, then, joyful? Am I with my love?

CAPO.

A single day; a single day, I said!

TURANDOT

So by to-morrow I must wed this Khan, This nameless prince—unless I guess his name.

CAPO.

Why not, then, guess it?

TURANDOT

[_Glancing quickly_]

How?

CAPO.

[_Indulgently_]

Will you renew Your broken allegiance?

TURANDOT

I am desperate. I will do anything to free myself.— What shall I do?

CAPO.

First swear me faith again.

TURANDOT

I swear it. Now tell!

CAPO.

How easily ladies swear When they are in love!—Prime-Minister, retire!

[_The four Maskers, bowing, withdraw to the background, where they are entertained by Zelima, whom they instruct to play upon their instruments with a low strumming_]

In the general practice of my specialties, Lady, I often recommend for love A sleeping-charm—like this.

[_Capo takes from his sleeve a small vial and hands it to Turandot_]

TURANDOT

What should I do With this?

CAPO.

This, if ’tis poured upon the sleeping lips Of man by a maid, or maiden by a man, Will make the sleeper murmur in his dream Whatever secret thing his soul conceals When it is asked of him.

TURANDOT

[_After a pause, gives a sudden cry of joy_]

Ah, now I see!— But how can I find access to this Khan When he is sleeping?

CAPO.

I am emperor, And by my new régime, at midnight, all The guards retire, and in the men’s hall, men May pass unnoticed by the others.

TURANDOT

[_Searchingly_]

Men?

CAPO.

[_Calls, beckoning_]

Here, Harlequin!—I pray you, princess, stand Back to back with this boy.

[_Turandot looks puzzled, and then turns and stands back to back with Harlequin. Capo measures their heights with his flattened hand. They separate and Capo indicates Harlequin_]

A hair’s breadth higher.

[_With a questioning glance at Turandot_]

A hair’s breadth! Will you risk it—by a hair?

TURANDOT

[_Growing suddenly radiant_]

O wonderful!—At midnight, did you say?

CAPO.

[_Smiling_]

_Now_ are we friends—and may I kiss your hand?

TURANDOT

[_Ardently_]

No, I will kiss yours!

[_She seizes Capo’s hand and kisses it. He laughs softly_]

_Curtain_