  The scene is the same as the second act, scene second, except that the back of the great hall of the emperor’s Divan is now hidden by a decorated curtain. The assembly is gathered as before: Capocomico, Turandot and Altoum seated on their larger and lesser thrones. Before them, Harlequin, Scaramouche, Punchinello and Pantaloon are performing a dance. At its conclusion Capocomico rises, and addresses the Maskers. CAPOCOMICO Enough! Go, bring the nameless prince before us. [Dismissing them with a gesture, he turns toward Altoum] Altoum,—our greater emperor, the Sun, Sits higher even than our august selves, And soon shall set his throne at highest noon. Then must I abdicate my one day’s reign, First having sealed your daughter’s perfect marriage, Ending in joy her doleful year and a day. To consummate these little things, I pray you Deign of your courtesy to take my seat And let me do the honors. ALTOUM [Rising from his lesser place] As you will! Till noon, my thanks for hospitality. CAPO. Oh, not at all! [Pointing to his seat] Pray, make yourself at home. [As they pass each other to change places, Altoum speaks to Capo in lower voice] Have you performed your task, and saved your head? CAPO. My head was never more attached to me. TURANDOT [Bending from her throne] A word, my liege? CAPO. Nay, but a hundred, lady! [He goes to her side. She speaks to him low] Have you kept faith with me? Ah—is he found— My heart’s desire? CAPO. Your heart’s desire is found, And waits for you. TURANDOT [Excitedly] Where is he? CAPO. Lo, he comes! [Pointing toward the entrance, he goes to the lesser throne. With music of their stringed instruments, the four Maskers usher in Calaf, haggard and dishevelled. Turandot starts, with a cry and look of bewilderment at Capo. Capo addresses Altoum and the Divan] Your Majesty and lords, the nameless prince Awaits to learn his name from Turandot. CALAF [Stepping forward fiercely] He waits not, for his name has been betrayed To her—and you, false jester, have betrayed it. [Amid commotion] What’s that? CALAF My liege, why should I play the fool In a Masker’s comedy? Death holds less scorn Than being duped to dance in a puppet-show To tinkling mandolins. ALTOUM Speak out your grievance! CALAF I stand here in your power, and his.—At midnight, By secret sprinkling of a sleeping-charm, This masker sent to rob my dreaming lips Of the answer to my riddle— ALTOUM Gods! to rob? Your proofs of this! CALAF The proofs stand up in me. I who did deem it heaven to love your daughter Have proved it hell. Your daughter knows my secret, And all the ravage hidden in my name, To her, who loves another. ALTOUM [Startled] What—other? Who? CALAF “The noblest in the world.”—O noble world, There aspiration earns its crown of scorn, And baseness wins nobility! In such, I’d liever be a beggar. But enough! My fate indeed is nothing, and my name— My name is— TURANDOT Stop! your riddle goes unanswered. Go you in peace—and friendship. You, Sir Capo, Who keep your faith so strangely, set before me The heart of my desire. CAPO. He stands before you. TURANDOT Trick me not also. Keep your promise still. This man is Calaf, Son of Timur, not My heart’s desire. [Rising, wrathful] How! Calaf, Son of Timur! CALAF Not drowned my liege, in water—but in grief. ALTOUM My darkest enemy.—So, Capo, this Is he whom you would wed within my house To my own daughter—Prince of Astrakhan! Now by my star, the doom upon his head Shall fall on yours—and doubly. I, it seems, I, too, am duped! TURANDOT [Brokenly] He has betrayed us all. CAPO. A single day is short to make all snug. The Lord took six. ALTOUM A single day is all My word allowed. I see! You bungled, fool, Striving to save your neck, but now your time Hangs at the stroke, and you have failed me. Doom Falls on you and your fellows! [Trying unsuccessfully to salaam] Mercy, Sire! CAPO. [Behind his hand chiding them] Where are your manners, my Prime-minister? Venetian bows are still the mode in court, Whilst we are emperor. [Giving a sign to Harlequin, who runs out, he turns to Altoum] O Sire—elect! Before the ominous gong sounds in mine ears That ushers me unto oblivious rags To stroll the world again, let me rejoice That you have turned your wrath from this brave youth Upon my humble head.—Congratulations! And with exchange of courtesies, I pray you Felicitate me and these fellow-players On the happy curtain of our comedy. [At his gesture, Punchinello and Pantaloon run to the curtain at back] ALTOUM Say rather—tragedy. We stand corrected: Or say—romance, where true love laughs through tears: Name it Romance, and grant us your applause. [Punchinello and Pantaloon draw the curtain, revealing an oriental altar, with idol, beside which stand two priests] ALTOUM What’s there? CAPO. The altar for our ceremony: The Wedding of the Princess and the Beggar. [ReËnter Harlequin, bringing in Barak, who rushes to Calaf and embraces him] BARAK My prince! CALAF [Overwhelmed] Barak—old friend! [To Zelima] Look, look, ’tis he! My beggar’s gaffer. ALTOUM [Before whom Harlequin presents three tokens] What are these? CAPO. Our trophies: The secret of your daughter’s malady— [Leading Calaf bewildered before Turandot] Lady, receive them with your heart’s desire: A ring, a rose, a beggar’s wallet. TURANDOT You— Are you my beggar? CALAF [Taking from Barak his old cloak] I am he who won In Astrakhan—this rose, at Pekin gate— This ring, and in this ragged beggar’s cloak You once did smile upon, I now depart. Stay, love—You are my noblest in the world! [Calaf turns in wonder and kneels to her. She bends and embraces him. A great gong resounds] CAPO. [Presenting his crown to Altoum] My liege, I abdicate. And you applaud? ALTOUM Yea, marvel, Capo. Kingdoms will I give To these your fellows. THE MASKERS [Bowing Venetian] Hail! ALTOUM And to yourself yourself— Whate’er you ask for. CAPO. Then, my liege and lady, I beg—this withered rose. CALAF [Giving it to him] Only a flower? Lovers, that lives beyond its little hour In memory.—Adieu!—My players, rule Your kingdoms still in masks.—Now for the world! [Tossing his gorgeous emperor’s cloak to Harlequin, he springs away in his tattered motley] TURANDOT [Calls after him] What seek you there? CAPO. [Kissing to her and Calaf the withered rose] More roses and romance! Curtain END OF PLAY |
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