Turandot, Princess of China Part 16

TURANDOT (_beside herself_).

Hold your tongue, Adelma!

Unless I know the names before to-morrow, I shall have nothing save this dagger....

ADELMA.

Do not despair, Princess. By taking thought-- Or, if it must be so, by trickery-- We yet will find the names.

ZELIMA.

Oh, find the names, Dear, wise Adelma....

TURANDOT.

I must know the names, Adelma. His name, and his father's name.

How shall I find them out? Adelma, help me!

ADELMA.

One thing I know: to-day in the Divan Himself betrayed it: in this city lives _One_ man who knows his name and origin.

Now what behoves us is to ferret through The town, and if we make no stint of gold Haply we may discover what we seek.

TURANDOT.

Take anything--gold, gems--do what you will.

ZELIMA.

What can she do with gold or precious stones?

Whom shall she give them to, to purchase help?

And if the plan succeed, what will you do If some one find your mesh of trickery?

ADELMA.

Who would betray the trick--if not Zelima?

ZELIMA (_flaring up_).

Shame on your venomous tongue! Princess, hear _me_: Cast not your gold away. I had indeed Hoped to appease, convince you in the end, Hoped you would give the Prince your hand--the Prince Who loves you, and well is worthy of your love.

Now I will be obedient. My old mother, Skirina, came to visit me just now.

Rejoicing at the fortune of the Prince, And knowing nothing of the imminent Encounter which to-morrow shall decide, She told me she had spoken to the stranger The night before, and said that my step-father, Old Ha.s.san, knows him. There and then I asked What might his name be, but she did not know, Or swore she did not. Ha.s.san, so she said, Would not betray his name for any price.

This notwithstanding, she has promised me To do her best to worm the secret out.

Now, Princess, doubt my zeal, if still you can.

(_Exit in excitement._)

TURANDOT.

Come, to my arms! Why does she run away?

ADELMA.

Let the fool go. Now we have got the scent, And let us with swift cunning track the game.

But come with me straightway and let me tell you The plan I have. Put all your trust in me.

TURANDOT.

Adelma, I put all my trust in you.

But save me from this stranger whom I loathe.

(_Exeunt both._)

SCENE II

Before the Palace.

CALAF, BARAK.

CALAF.

But seeing that in all Pekin no man Knows me, save you, and since my country lies A hundred days of journeying from here, And when you think we have been wanderers O'er the earth's face eight years as unknown men, And when you think we are reported dead: I say, Barak, the wretched have no name.

BARAK.

And yet my mind misgives me: Here you win At one throw of the dice the loveliest Of maidens and a mighty empire too: You stake your head to win, and, having won, You throw the prize away.

CALAF.

You must not measure My actions by the ell: I am in love....

But you have been discreet, Barak, I know?

Even to your wife?