Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx Part 19

SCENE.--_High Divan, as in Act II._ ALTOUM _discovered on his throne_; PANT. _and_ TART. _beside it_; _the eight Doctors seated; Guard under arms_. _Behind a curtain, in the background, is an altar, with a Chinese idol: a Chinese priest on each side of it._ KALAF _enters, agitated, and looking suspiciously around him; bows to_ ALTOUM.

KAL. (_aside_.)

Do I still live? Each step, I thought to feel The thrust of an a.s.sa.s.sin's deadly steel.

Adelma's warning was some dream, or now I dream.

ALT.

My son, care sits upon thy brow.

Glad news I have in store for thee. Alone Joys come not. Turandot shall be thine own.

Three times to-night she sent to me to pray I would defer th' encounter of to-day.

'Tis evident her pride is sorely vext, She'd hide her failure by some vain pretext.

Rejoice, all blessings for thy weal combine, To-day full happiness on thee shall s.h.i.+ne.

PANT. (_to_ KALAF, _confidentially_)--

Believe me, if so please your Majesty-- (I mean your Majesty that is to be.) Your future wife's ill-temper there's no bearing; Her tantrums and hysterics are quite wearing.

A hundred times I was called up last night To try and set this knotty question right.

I'd scarcely time my slippers to resume, Much less to dress in proper court costume.

I just popped on my crimson satin breeches,-- I fear I caught a cold; (_sneezes_) must put on leeches, A blister p'raps--take horrid water-gruel.

(_Blows, his nose portentously._)

No breakfast yet I've swallowed 'Tis too cruel!

Who'd be Prime Minister? to starve and toil, And fret and fume in an eternal coil.

But yet, I would not, for a hundred dollar Have missed the sight of her rampagious choler; I was rejoiced my turn had come to grin, Just as folks do at me when Harlequin Before my nose runs off with Columbine, In every stupid Christmas pantomime.

TART.

I-I was c-called up-p _inaspettatamente_, S-she b-begged m-my a-ai-aid qu-quite _disperatamente_.

ALT.

Prepare the altar.

(_A curtain is raised, disclosing an altar with a Chinese deity.

Two priests attending._)

Hither call our daughter; Obedience to the law shall now be taught her.

Set open all the doors! Lo, where she comes.

(_A slow march is heard._ TRUFFALDIN _and slaves enter, in mourning garments, with weepers of c.r.a.pe attached to their pigtails._ _Female slaves in black veils: then_ TURANDOT, ADELMA, _and_ SKIRINA, _all demonstrating extreme dejection_. TURANDOT _ascends her throne with the same ceremonies at in Act II._)

PANT.

Is this a wedding march, with m.u.f.fled drums?

It sounds more like a dead march, dull and dreary-- The one in "Saul," or Verdi's _Miserere_.

Her sulky Highness looks as black as thunder At having thus in public to knock under.

TUR. (_to_ KALAF).

This sad procession, Prince _Incognito_ Profound humiliation is to show.

Your arrogance upon my shame will gloat,-- Your eyes on your defeated slave will doat.

I see the altar--Fo-hi's grand official Prepared to bind the victim sacrificial.

My glory's dead--disgraced is Turandot!

Condemned to wear the chain of Hymen's knot.

KAL.

Oh, couldst thou know how deeply I revere Thy maiden dignity, not thus severe Thoud'st show thyself, nor my fond love resent.

As slave to thee my whole life shall be spent; But deign one gracious sign to give, that thou In time, responsive tenderness mayst know.

ALT.

Prince, condescend no more. Commence the rite!

TUR.

One moment more. (_Sarcastically_.) I am not ready, quite.

(_Rises and addresses_ KALAF)--

I raised your hopes, that they might deeper fall.

Prince Kalaf, Son of Timur, quit this hall And China's realm. Go, seek another bride.

In vain my penetration you defied; No secret's hidden from the Chinese Sphinx.

SKIR. (_aside_).

She never naps--not e'en for forty winks!

KAL.

Ah, woe is me!