Chapter 11

ALTOUM, TURANDOT, CALAF, ZELIMA, ADELMA, PANTALONE, TARTAGLIA, DOCTORS, GUARDS.

TURANDOT (_haughtily_).

What man is this again, who fondly hopes To penetrate the darkness of my riddles In spite of warnings manifold and grim? What man comes speeding after dead men's heels, And asks to lose his head?

ALTOUM.

Here stands the man.

(_Points to_ CALAF.)

Look at him well. Does he, at last, not seem Worthy to make you end this cursed game? Take him for consort, and so give me peace!

TURANDOT (_after scanning_ CALAF _for a moment, whispers to_ ZELIMA).

Pity I never felt! I pity him!

ZELIMA (_whispers_).

Then, quick, three easy riddles. Bid pride go!

TURANDOT (_flaring up, whispers_).

What sayest thou, rash girl?

ADELMA (_aside_).

God! dare I trust My eyes? It is the very, man--the same Who served my sire as gardener. Then he is A prince--a prince, indeed. My heart guessed true.

TURANDOT.

Thou errant Prince, desist from this adventure. See, I am nowise cruel, as men say. It is but my deep loathing for all males That forces me to stand as now at guard To keep from me a sex that I abhor. Why should I not be free to fight my foe? What brings you here to harden me again? If prayers can move you, I myself will beg: Desist! Put not my sharp mind to the test. It is my only pride, the only weapon Heaven gave me. And I know that I should die If any man were victor of my mind. Claim not my riddles then. There still is time. Else naught awaits you save a shameful death.

CALAF.

Voice of a goddess, body of an angel, Rare mind, unparalleled intelligence, Are gathered in one woman's being here. Who calls the man a fool that risks his life For treasures such as these? Princess, your own High understanding cannot fail but see That as your gifts in greater glory shine, As your refusal is more violent, So many more the hearts you set on fire. Had I a thousand lives, I would with joy, For your sake, Princess, die a thousand deaths.

ZELIMA.

Be kind! Three easy riddles. He deserves them.

ADELMA (_aside_).

Would he were mine! He is a prince. That I Had known it then, ere I became a slave! Now I do love him with a threefold strength. Oh, why is love for ever weak in courage?

(_Aside to_ TURANDOT.)

Princess, take care! Your honour is at stake!

TURANDOT (_aside_).

So it was fated one should come at last And teach me pity! Heart, be firm and cold!

(_To_ CALAF, _vehemently_.)

Up, thou rash champion, gird thee for the fight!

ALTOUM (_to_ CALAF).

Are you still obstinate!

CALAF.

I said just now, Death give me, or else give me Turandot.

ALTOUM.

Proceed, then, with the public recitation Of that bad edict. Hark, and tremble, you!

(_Music, ceremony._ PANTALONE _takes the Book of the Law from the folds of his raiment, kisses it, holds it first to his breast and then to his forehead, and hands it to_ TARTAGLIA, _who has just cast himself on the floor, whereupon_ TARTAGLIA _recites with a loud voice_.)

TARTAGLIA.

There is no prince of royal lineage But shall be free to woo. But first to him Three riddles of the Princess shall be set Before eight doctors in the full Divan. Let him solve these, and TURANDOT is his; But if he solve them not, he shall straightway Be yielded up into the headsman's hands, Who promptly shall, by severing his head, Do him to death. Immediate execution Of this our solemn edict we affirm And swear by oath, by great Confucius, We, Khan Altoum, Emperor of China.

(_The recital ended_, TARTAGLIA _kisses the Book of the Law, holds it to his breast, then to his forehead, and hands it to_ PANTALONE, _who has cast himself down with his face to the earth, and so receives it_. _He rises, and extends the book to_ ALTOUM, _who lays one hand upon it to swear the oath_.)

ALTOUM (_sighing_).

Oh, bloody edict! To observe thee now I do affirm, and by Confucius swear.

(PANTALONE _replaces the book in the folds of his garment_. _The whole Divan waits in profound silence_. TURANDOT _rises_.)

TURANDOT (_in a didactic tone_).

Come, stranger, name that tender pair of doves, As white as innocence, as frail as roses, Hiding from all men's eyes save his who loves To see how by the other each reposes, Even as a sister by her sister's aide. But he that loves and finds them where they hide Roams restless till he holds them to his breast. They bring him from the Islands of the Blest Heroic fire to make him do and dare, And tidings from the Land of Heart's Desire. Name, cunning stranger, name this tender pair.

(_Sits down again._)

CALAF.

(_Gazes upwards for a moment in meditation, then makes a bow to_ TURANDOT _and lifts his hand to his brow_.)

Two doves, thou sayest, doves so tender-hearted That they are always paired and never parted; Scarce grown enough to bear their weight aloft, And yet already plump, and firm, and soft; Two smooth, white doves to which my yearning wings, To which by night my secret dreaming sings. These two white doves which hold me free from scaith, These doves my fortune--they are: HOPE and FAITH.

PANTALONE.

He's hit the mark, my dear Lord Chancellor!

TARTAGLIA.

Hit the bull's-eye.

THE EIGHT DOCTORS.

(_Open the first of the sealed papers._ _All together._)

Optime. Hope and Faith! Hope and Faith! Hope and Faith!

ALTOUM (_joyfully_).

Heaven help thee farther, my beloved son!

ZELIMA (_aside_).

Ye gods, protect him!

ADELMA (_aside_).

Blind him, O ye gods! O give him not to her, or I shall die!

TURANDOT (_aside, indignantly_).

Can it be possible that _he_ should win?

(_To_ CALAF, _aloud_.)

Listen, poor fool! And solve this riddle now:

(_She stands up, and continues in her didactic tone._)

Come, stranger, name those slender pillars twain Which bear a bristling fortress on their summit, A fort which still is in my sire's domain, Although thy heart burns high to overcome it; Pillars in strength and beauty smooth and rounded, On which thy Hope and Faith are firmly founded: These pillars holding Heaven upon their height-- Tell me the names, now, of these pillars white.

CALAF.

(_After some meditation, and with the same bow as before._)

These two white pillars soaring to the skies, That bear a kingdom and all Paradise; That bear the magic land my dreams divine, Which are as slender as a forest pine; Of every prince the very noblest aim; Thine empire's fairest ornament and fame, To which my hope clings like a climbing flower-- I call these pillars twain: KNOWLEDGE and POWER.

PANTALONE.

(_Joyfully_.) Hits the bull right in the eye, my dear Lord Chancellor!

TARTAGLIA.

Centre. Centre.

THE EIGHT DOCTORS.

(_In chorus, after unsealing the second leaf._)

Optime. Knowledge and Power! Knowledge and Power! Knowledge and Power!

ALTOUM (_excitedly_).

O joy! O joy!--Gods, help him to the end!

ZELIMA (_aside_).

Would this had been the last!

ADELMA (_excitedly, aside_).

Alas! I lose him!

(_Aside to_ TURANDOT.)

This moment turns your fair renown to shame: He is your better.

TURANDOT (_in a low voice_).

Silence! Ere he win Let the world go to pieces.

(_Aloud to_ CALAF.)

Rash fool! know My hatred step by step grows with thy hope Of victory. Leave the Divan! Go! Flee From my last riddle, and so save thy head!

CALAF.

Your hate weighs heavy, my adored Princess. So much the lighter weighs this head of mine, Since before you it finds so little grace.

ALTOUM.

Desist, my son. And thou, my child, desist From further riddles. Reach thy hand to him, For he deserves to be thy husband.

TURANDOT (_fiercely_).

He! My husband! Of my free will? Never!

Never! Let the law have its course.

CALAF (_to_ ALTOUM).

Free be her will. Naught I demand but death, or Turandot.

TURANDOT.

So be it, then; take death. Hold still and mark!

(_Rises._)

Now tell me: knowest thou the magic flower By whose bright rays the soul's dark deeps are lit; Which, hiding in its quiet, sacred bower, Waits for the Fairy Prince to gather it; But which, if he find not its shy recess, Withers and dies in forlorn loneliness? Within the bosom of its petals furled Lies with Life's sense the Riddle of the World; And he that first its chalice openeth Glows with the wine of Life, the scorn of Death.

(_She unveils herself._)

Now look me in the face, now hold thy ground, Die like a dog, or name the flower I mean.

CALAF (_in ecstasy_).

O beauty bright!

ALTOUM (_excitedly_).

Alas! he is wandering! Compose thyself, my son. Keep clear! Keep clear!

ZELIMA (_aside_).

I am dizzy with excitement.

ADELMA (_aside_).

He is mine!

PANTALONE.

(_Beside himself._) Cheer up, sonny! cheer up! Wish I could give him a dig in the ribs, Heaven knows! My shanks are quivering with fear he shouldn't be able to get his wits together again. Oh for a cooling draught of old Three Star!

TARTAGLIA.

If it weren't contrary to etiquette, I'd like to run into the kitchen and fetch the vinegar bottle.

TURANDOT.

Death thou didst ask for, death thou hast received.

CALAF.

For one poor moment I was dazzled by Your beauty--but I was not overcome.

(_To the public._)

This magic flower by which the soul is lit, Which makes the heart tremble with dreaming it; This magic rose of all men's fiery dreams, Which under soft moss hides its gentle beams; Which is with beauty sweet and goodness shy, And bears the hope that holds the heavens on high; This magic flower of purest ray divine, This flower is: LOVE--dearest, your love and mine.

PANTALONE.

Praised be the Lord! Praised be the Lord! Here! I can't stand this any longer....

(_Runs up to_ CALAF _and embraces him_.)

TARTAGLIA.

Victory, your Majesty! Hail! Victory!

THE EIGHT DOCTORS.

(_Open the third leaf._) Love! Love! Love!

(_Vociferous hurrahs of the crowd outside and noisy music._ TURANDOT _falls all of a heap on her throne_, ZELIMA _and_ ADELMA _busy themselves with her_. ALTOUM _lifts the PRINCE off his feet and kisses him_, PANTALONE _and_ TARTAGLIA _helping_. _The doctors retire in a row to the background._)

ALTOUM.

And now enough of tyranny and whims-- Do you hear me, Turandot! And you, dear son, Come to my heart.

(_He embraces_ CALAF.)

TURANDOT.

(_Has recovered herself, and rushes in a rage at the embracing pair._)

Stay! Do not let this man Believe he is my husband. I demand Another meeting and three riddles more. The time I was allowed was far too short. Stay!----

ALTOUM (_interrupting her_).

False and cruel child! The game is played. Thou shalt not so begin a second time. The edict has run out, and is surrendered Into the keeping of my ministers.

PANTALONE.

I beg a thousand pardons. But we can't do with any more of these riddles, Heaven knows! We can't do with any more head-chopping, Heaven knows, as if they were nothing but lettuces. The young man there has guessed right. The edict must be executed in its entirety. The bridecake has got to go into the oven. (_To_ TARTAGLIA.) What do you say, my Lord Chancellor?

TARTAGLIA.

Must be executed--in its entirety. There is no call for any further explanations, interpretations, dissertations, appeals, and commentaries. What do our learned doctors say?

THE EIGHT DOCTORS.

(_All together._) Must be executed! Must be executed--in its entirety. Decision final--irrevocable!

ALTOUM.

Straight to the altar, then. This stranger prince Will now reveal his birth and name, the priests----

TURANDOT (_in despair_).

Grant me a respite, father!

ALTOUM.

Not one minute.

TURANDOT.

(_Casting herself on her knees before him._)

If you would have me living, father, father! Grant me another day, another contest. I cannot bear the shame of it. I will rather Die than be subject to that coxcomb there, Die rather than be wife to that proud boy. The very word "wife," the mere thought of it, Of being his possession, strikes me dead.

ALTOUM (_descending from his throne_).

Savage and obstinate and ruthless child! Not one word more. Come, gentlemen, let us go!

CALAF (_to_ TURANDOT).

Arise, fair, cruel mistress of my heart!

(_To_ ALTOUM.)

I beg you, sire, grant her the respite! How Could I be happy if she hated me? And what avails my love, breeding but hate? If I have not the power to touch her heart, Let her be free. I do not claim my right.

(_To_ TURANDOT.)

If you could see into my heart that bleeds, Torn as it is, you would be merciful. You are determined I shall die. So be it.

(_To_ ALTOUM.)

Grant her another match. My life is cheap.

ALTOUM.

No more of that! On to the Temple, on I The games are over now.... Imprudent youth!

TURANDOT (_determinedly_).

So be it, to the Temple, I say, too! But on the altar steps your daughter dies.

CALAF.

Dies? Lord and master, and my Princess you... I pray you both to grant me one desire: I will myself set my unbending Queen One riddle now. And this is my riddle: Who Is that King's son and of what stock is he, Who was a beggar, porter, menial, Yet in good fortune more unfortunate? Woman without a heart, guess here to-morrow In the Divan his and his father's name. If you can _not_, take pity on my pain, Appease your heart, refuse your hand no more! But if your cunning tell those two names true, Your pride may drink its fill out of my blood.

TURANDOT.

Stranger, I take the bargain. It shall hold.

ZELIMA (_aside_).

Alas, new fears!

ADELMA (_aside_).

New hope is beckoning!

ALTOUM.

I do _not_ take the bargain. The law alone Holds good, and shall be carried out.

CALAF (_kneels before him_).

Sublime Ruler of nations, star of all the world, Let your great heart be softened, and vouchsafe To grant what here your daughter begs with me. Deny her not the satisfaction I Do not withhold. Let her bestir her brains; And if her brains can serve her, let her give The answer to my riddle here to-morrow.

TURANDOT (_aside_).

Rage stifles me, and he is mocking still.

ALTOUM.

Blind fool, you know not what you ask. But have Your wish! Another contest there shall be! If she can name the names, we will not force Marriage on her; but you--for I forbid New carnage--free and scatheless go your way!

(_In a low voice to_ CALAF.)

Now follow me! Blind fool, what have you done?

(_Music strikes up with a march._ ALTOUM _turns, followed by the guards, the doctors_, PANTALONE, _and_ TARTAGLIA, _to left exit_. _Exeunt_ TURANDOT, ZELIMA, TRUFFALDINO, _the eunuchs, and female slaves, with their tambourines, through the door to the right_.)

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

THE SECOND ACT