Chapter 4

to one of its pillars, black mutes, with drawn daggers, stand on each side of him_. _A large porcelain dish, fitted with golden coins is on a table near him._ TURANDOT _stands before him in a threatening attitude_. (ADELMA _beside her_.)

TUR.

Yet hast thou time. Obey my royal pleasure, And thine shall be this pile of golden treasure. If not, my slaves shall pierce thy heart. His name Reveal at once; his parentage proclaim.

BAR.

Your threats are vain; your treasures I despise. Repent your obstinate resolve. Be wise And learn, a woman's highest happiness Is, by her love a worthy man to bless.

TUR.

To preach to me befits thee not. Desist. My potent will in vain thou wouldst resist. Seize on him, slaves, and do your work. Forbear Awhile. Reflect, and save thy life. I swear By Fo-hi's face, no harm shall touch thy friend Nor thee, if thou consent to serve my end.

BAR.

Your path's deceitful. Swear by Fo-hi's might My friend shall call you his e'er morrow's night. You hesitate--you dare not swear a lie Before the sacred face of great Fo-hi.

ADELMA.

Presumptuous wretch, dar'st thou our queen defy? Princess, demur no longer; let him die.

(SKIRINA _rushes in._)

SKIR.

Hold, Princess; hold; your father is at hand! (_aside_.) My knees are knocking; I can hardly stand.

ADELMA.

Unlucky chance! To prison with this fellow!

SKIR.

Adelma, hush; you needn't bawl and bellow.

TUR.

In deepest dungeon let him be confin'd.

BAR.

My body you may shackle; not my mind.

SKIR. (_aside to_ BARAK.)

Take courage, husband; do not fear their spite; The pig will save us yet; I tell you it's all right.

(_Mutes hastily conduct_ BARAK _through a secret door; others remove the dish of gold_.)

TUR.

Adelma, thou'rt my only friend. Advise

My mind distraught 'twixt love and hate. Despise Me not, but pity me. Some counsel lend.

ADEL.

As force has failed, by craft we'll gain our end. I have a plan,--I'm sure of its success, If to the stranger's cell we gain access.

TUR.

Take gold--suborn his guards--the highest meed I hold as nought if thy new scheme succeed.

ADEL.

Skirina's help I need to work my plot.

SKIR.

I'd let myself be skinned for Turandot. I wish my service could my husband save.

TUR.

His life be thy reward, thou faithful slave.

(SKIRINA _kisses_ TURANDOT'S _hand_.)

ADEL.

Your royal father comes. In me confide. (_aside_.) Assist me, love, to quell her haughty pride.

(_Exeunt_ ADELMA _and_ SKIRINA.)

TUR.

What will Adelma's fertile brain devise? (_after a pause_.) In vain the truth I'd hide from mine own eyes; My heart is his--irrevocably his. To be his wife--oh rapture, heavenly bliss! Yet I must spurn his love. I will not bear All China's cold contempt; man's scoffing sneer. What glory would be mine could I but tame This bragging conqueror. Pronounce his name In high divan, and chase him from our city, Abashed and in despair. But yet, with pity My heart would surely break. Come, virgin pride And woman's art my shame and grief to hide. To-day, proud man has made me bear disgrace; To-morrow I must triumph o'er his race. But yet--he did not boastfully rejoice-- Rebuke I welcomed from his gentle voice. How humble was his suit--how mild and good, How unresentful towards my scornful mood. Avaunt, ye tender phantasies, avaunt! I dread the world's disdain--its scoffing taunt. My people shall not see Turandot fall, The slave of one means abject slave to all.

(_Enter_ ALTOUM, _perusing a scroll_; PANT, _and_ TART, _following at some distance_.)

ALT. (_to himself_.)

The Bey of Tefflis dead? So ends this tyrant!

PANT. (_aside to_ TART.)

What makes his Majesty indulge in high rant?

ALT. (_as above_.)

Prince Kalaf, heir to Tartary's high throne, Is called to fill the Bey's, besides his own. This scroll informs me Kalaf is the stranger Who overthrew the Sphinx and 'scaped her danger. I'm glad to find the Prince is no bad catch,-- My daughter's will be quite a splendid match.

PANT. (_to_ TART.)

What is he muttering all to himself, Just like a miser counting o'er his pelf? I do believe he's talking in blank verse, Or reasoning in rhyme, which would be worse. He's deaf; if he were blind, 't would suit us better, For then he couldn't read his private letter.

TART. (_to_ PANT.)

A s-sp-special Es-taf-fette! _Ci cova gatto!_ S-such m-my-mystery! _Capisco niente affatto._

(ALT. _places the scroll in his breast, and signs to_ PANT. _and_ TART. _to withdraw, which they do with reluctance_.)

ALT.

My child, the night is far advanced; yet still Thy restless steps pace through thy hareem chill. Quite hopeless is thy task; not all the College Of Doctors could impart the wished-for knowledge. Thou canst not guess thy 'pponent's name, tho' we Have fully learned his family history. He's worthy of thy hand; my wish obey, Avoid to-morrow's public _exposee_. Thou'rt sure to fail. For my sake save thy fame, My soul recoils from witnessing thy shame.

TUR.

I shall not put my father to the blush; My adversary's arrogance I'll crush.

ALT.

Ah, flatter not thyself. Let one defeat Suffice; do not the painful scene 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.