Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx - LightNovelsOnl.com
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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!
