  Scene I: A Room in the HaremOn a low bench Zelima is sealed, sewing a gorgeously embroidered garment. About her are other female slaves. At the back stands Chang, the chief Eunuch. ZELIMA [Stops sewing and listens] There! Hark! I hear it again. CHANG I can hear nothing. ZELIMA You’re growing deaf, Chang. Some one is knocking—softly. CHANG [Opening the door, left] No one is here. ZELIMA Below—at the outer door. See who it is. I will see. [He goes out, closing the door. Zelima sews for a moment; then rises, puts away her needle and spreads out the garment, surveying it. From the right Turandot enters, splendidly arrayed. She runs impetuously to Zelima and embraces her] TURANDOT Zelima! Zelima! Little Zelima! ZELIMA [Affectionately] My lady! TURANDOT Dance with me!—Dance! ZELIMA I heard a knocking, my lady. TURANDOT [Pressing her left side] You heard it—here. My lover is knocking, and I have let him in. [Frightened] You’ve let him in, my lady? TURANDOT [Laughing] Into my heart! He came a-begging. Oh, does he love me, Zelima? ZELIMA [Concernedly] He kept your rose. TURANDOT The rose I tossed from my garden In Astrakhan, one year ago to-night— Isn’t he handsome, Zelima? ZELIMA [With conscientious pause] Handsome, my lady? TURANDOT Splendid and fair like a prince! ZELIMA He is a beggar. TURANDOT I spoke of his soul—his eyes. His eyes are sapphires; All other men’s are clay. [Dubiously] His face was dirty. TURANDOT [Slapping Zelima’s arm] Stop it, you dunce! His face was nobly tanned By sun and rugged wind. ZELIMA I thought his beard— TURANDOT His beard—God did his best: I want no better. ZELIMA You—want a beard, my lady? TURANDOT Stupid Zelima! Where’s my new robe? I’ll wear it to-day—for him. ZELIMA [Helping her on with the embroidered garment] You like it? TURANDOT Are not gold and gorgeousness For joy? To-morrow ends my year and a day. I shall be free then—free to search for him Through all the city. ZELIMA Search for a beggar! Why, My lady? TURANDOT Must I scratch your silly eyes out To make them see?—Of all men that love women, I will have none for husband—if he’ll have me— But him, the man to whom I gave my ring. ZELIMA Holy Confucius save you, lady! You, Princess of Pekin, wed a beggar! TURANDOT Hush! Unless I dream so and rejoice to-day Then I must wake and tear my flesh for grief That I was born Princess of Pekin. Oh, Little Zelima, let me dream I am A beggar-maid, or he, my beggar—a prince! ZELIMA I hope your royal father hears no word Of this, my lady. He would kill your lover Sooner than you should wed him. I know it well. So I have kept my secret this long year, And let full many a brave prince lose his head To hide my true love. Do not make me weep Again for pity and despair. For now Fresh hope has come. This Capocomico Has changed my father’s heart to set me free To-morrow. Only one more day is left; You only know my secret; none can guess it; And for this final day there is no suitor To claim my hand. [Chang enters, left, in perturbation. Turandot looks up inquiringly] Well—well? CHANG Another suitor Has come, my lady. TURANDOT Nay, alas! ZELIMA What,—here? Is he at the door? Not him,—the emperor Is at the door. He comes to tell you, lady, And asks admittance. TURANDOT What, my father! CHANG [Fidgetting] Not Your royal father: The new emperor Is here. TURANDOT Sir Capo here! ZELIMA [Appalled] Here, in the harem! CHANG What should I do, your highness? TURANDOT [Staring] What can it mean? CAPO. [Entering, left] The new rÉgime, fair ladies! [To Zelima, who runs with the other slave girls toward the door, right] Do not be timid: All true love romances Are hatched in harems. ’Tis my specialty. [Dressed in robes of royal splendor, Capocomico stands smiling at them] TURANDOT Sir, this intrusion breaks our ancient law. CAPO. To-day—O lovely daughter!—I am the law And legalize intrusion. [To Chang] You may go. [Chang pauses, dubious, but at a gesture from Capo, departs hastily. Zelima goes timorously to Turandot, whose eyes flash] TURANDOT Will you make entrance here against our wills, Or why, then, have you come? CAPO. [Smiling] For a beggar’s sake. [With sudden start] A beggar’s? CAPO. What I bring will fill four ears— No more. TURANDOT [Faintly] Zelima, wait within—close by. [Zelima goes out, right with the slave girls] Well, Sire, what do you bring me? CAPO. Riches, child, In a ragged wallet. [He takes out Calafs wallet, and holds it toward her.] TURANDOT [Starting] This! Why bring me this? CAPO. Hold it, and feel how heavy. TURANDOT [Slowly takes it, peering in] Why, ’tis empty. What is so heavy as an empty heart Hollow with yearning! This has yearned for love Until it cracked. Look there—those sorry gashes TURANDOT What should I do with it? CAPO. Heal its wounds, and fill it With royal favor. TURANDOT [Reticent] Sire, you talk in riddles. CAPO. Daughter, you kill in riddles.—Will you kill, Or heal, this beggar’s heart I bring? TURANDOT Ah me! [No longer suppressing her feelings, she kisses the wallet passionately.] How have you guessed my soul? How have you guessed? CAPO. The souls of lovers are my specialty.— When princesses grow pale, and beggars swoon, Then I bring forth my wallet—and prescribe. TURANDOT Alas—he swooned? Where is he? Is he ill? Unnecessary questions, child: Of course He swooned. Where is he? He’s in love, Of course, and so of course is deathly ill. TURANDOT Oh, by the simple truth you’ve torn from me, Do not, I beg, speak sideling, but straight out: That beggar whom I love—how fares he now? Where have you left him? CAPO. By the city gate. There, when he saw your ring, he fell in swoon; And so I left him. TURANDOT [Passionately] Find him! Find him for me, And I will give you kingdoms! CAPO. Kingdoms, child, Are shaky things. Give me your confidence: Then I will find him for you. TURANDOT All my faith, My gratitude and wonder—they are yours!— When will you fetch him? Soft! To achieve for you Joy in a perfect marriage of romance— That is my vow. ’Tis yours, for a single day, To swear me loyalty. TURANDOT I swear it.—Ah, But do not tell my father. He would kill My hopes. CAPO. Your father—I will educate; And for your low-born lover, I’ll despatch The eight proud legs of my prime-minister To stalk the city till they stumble on him. By nightfall, I will give you news what luck They meet. Meantime, you must prepare once more Your riddles for your final suitor. TURANDOT [Appalled] What! CAPO. Keedur, the young khan of Beloochistan, Waits in the hall below, to try his fate To-day. Keedur? Another! Must another Still die on this last day? Oh, misery! And I to run the awful risk once more!— When must this be? CAPO. This hour, in the great hall Of the imperial Divan. Rest you merry, My child, and whet your riddles sharp.—Good-bye! TURANDOT [Detaining him by a swift gesture] Not yet! Stay yet a little: Help me! CAPO. How? TURANDOT To shape my riddles so no man that lives Can answer them. CAPO. [Bows, smiling] Why, that’s my specialty. TURANDOT [Slowly, with desperation.] Capo, those riddles hold his life or mine: If Keedur guesses them—I’ll kill myself. Curtain Scene II: Great Hall of the Emperor’s Divan.On either side is a high tower, with entrance. Down scene on the left stands the Emperor’s throne, opposite the throne of Turandot. As the curtain rises, Scaramouche, Punchinello, Pantaloon, and Harlequin enter, dragging in Barak by four purple ropes attached to his neck. Barak carries a ragged bundle. At the centre he falls, prostrating himself before them. The four Maskers are dressed sumptuously in Chinese garments, worn over their own tattered garbs of motley, which—at times, when they gesticulate or move abruptly,—are fantastically visible. BARAK Mercy and clemency, your highnesses! PUNCHINELLO Your highness, slave! Address thy vermin speech To the Prime-Minister. BARAK To which, O Lord? By the eye of Og and head of Hamongog, To us, thou quaking mongrel! Howl thy prayers Quadrately to thy quadrigeminal master! BARAK [Revolving himself fearfully] Mercy, O Master! PANTALOON First confess thyself! Where is he? PUNCHINELLO Where’s thy fellow beggar? Speak! SCARAMOUCHE Tooth of the Turk!—Disgorge him! [Harlequin thwacks Barak on the head with his flat-stick] BARAK Lord, I know not. I am an old poor man. I have no fellow To beg with me. PANTALOON Thou lousy bag of lies! He swooned beside thee at the city gate. He took the Princess’ ring for alms. Where is he? SCARAMOUCHE [Tightening his rope] By Sardanapalus! Squeeze off his neck And pick the secret from his gullet. BARAK [As Harlequin bangs him again] Spare me! [Enter, left, Capocomico] CAPO. Hah! here’s our beggar’s crony.—Where’s thy mate, Old gaffer? BARAK Spare me, lord! I have no mate— I beg alone. CAPO. Where was he found—this fellow? SCARAMOUCHE Godbodikins! We caught him gutter-skulking Behind the palace. CAPO. What’s here in this pack? [Fearfully clutching his bundle] Old rags, your mightiness: poor worthless pickings. CAPO. Conduct him to my quarters. Search him there And look what this contains. [The four begin to drag him out with the ropes] BARAK A—yi! Alas! PUNCHINELLO [Mocking him] A—yi, old pickings! SCARAMOUCHE [Pulling] Sacrasacristan! Heave-ho, my hearts! CAPO. Hold him in custody Till I can question further. BARAK [Crying aloud] Calaf, save me! PANTALOON We’ll save ’ee in salt, old calf! Yank-ho, there! [They drag him out, left] CAPO. [Stands meditating] Calaf! [Hardly have they disappeared, when Calaf enters hastily, looking about him with a startled expression. He is dressed in princely regalia, and his face is shaved. Seeing Capo., he pauses abruptly, and makes obeisance] CAPO. Greetings, Sir Keedur!—You are searching here? CALAF [Embarrassed] Nothing, your majesty. It seemed I heard A voice here cry in terror. CAPO. Cry—on whom? CALAF Nay, Sire, I do not know. CAPO. ’Twas just a beggar That cried at being expelled. Expelled?—Where to? CAPO. [With a flitting smile] You—care to know? CALAF [Turning to leave] Forgive that I disturbed your thoughts. CAPO. My thoughts Were trying to construe the beggar’s cry. “Calaf, save me!” he called. CALAF [Pausing, with a faint start] Ah—Calaf? So! CAPO. An odd coincidence, for ’tis one year To-night since Calaf, prince of Astrakhan, Perished by drowning in the river Yen.— [With slow emphasis] He was the Emperor’s arch-enemy. [Calmly] An odd coincidence! CAPO. And still more odd It might be—might it not?—if Keedur, Khan Of far Beloochistan, had chanced to know Or meet this Calaf. CALAF Still more odd. CAPO. Perchance He never did! CALAF [Fidgetting slightly] I never met him, Sire. CAPO. [With a quick glance] That being so, we must no more delay Your audience with the princess. My ear itches. Methinks by that your suit will prosper; let me Conduct you to your place of waiting. Come, And by the way, I will confide to you— I have a specialty. In what, Sire? CAPO. [Smiling, as they go out] Riddles. [Enter Altoum and Chang. They look after Capo as he departs] ALTOUM In the harem, with my daughter—? CHANG [Obsequiously] Even so, O Majesty. ALTOUM And closeted, you say, An hour with her! CHANG An hour, O Majesty. ALTOUM But you kept watch: The Princess, she was not Alarmed? CHANG Her royal highness seemed Moved in her spirit, O Majesty. Moved? So! Well, Chang, inform me further what you note. To-day this stranger reigns as Emperor. Obey him. [Capo reËnters, right] CHANG [Salaaming to a gesture of dismissal from Altoum] As your Majesty decrees. [Exit] ALTOUM [Greets Capo cordially] Hail, friend! You wear my Empire as you’d worn it Life long. CAPO. [Laughing] I’ll wear it longer if you like. ALTOUM Perchance I’ll let you. As for me, I feel Lighthearted as a schoolboy playing truant. This abdicating gives me appetite For holidays.—And what success so far? So far—perfection. ALTOUM Have you, then, discovered My daughter’s malady? CAPO. I’ve diagnosed Already, and prescribed. ALTOUM [Eagerly] What is the ailment? CAPO. Ah! question the doctor when he makes the cure.— Another twenty hours! ALTOUM To rule is sweet, I see. Good luck attend your reign! If so, I have four kingdoms waiting for your fellows, And for yourself a petty empire—but, Forget not—Sire! For failure I’ve prepared Five torture chambers and a sharpened axe. CAPO. To-morrow, then, four kingdoms shall have kings! As for the petty empire, I’ll return it To have served your Majesty and true Romance. [Kettledrums are sounded within] Now, then, to pass the first ordeal.—Pray follow! ALTOUM [Attending him, left] This suitor Keedur—I like well his looks And bearing. What if he should guess the riddles? CAPO. That lies now with the Fates—and they obey me. [They go out. To the sound of kettledrums, tambourines and music outside, the scene is now for a moment empty. Then from both entrances two processions enter simultaneously. From the right enter Eunuchs and female slaves of the harem; from the left Chinese soldiers and courtiers of the Emperor’s suite. With ceremonial, salaaming and flare of music, the persons in the processions group themselves on either side about the thrones. On the right throne Turandot sits, on the left—Capocomico. All the others prostrate themselves, except Altoum, who stands beside a lesser seat, at the right of Capo’s throne. Having taken their positions, at a signal from Capo, all are served with tea in little cups, which they sip simultaneously thrice, then resume their former obeisances. To this gathering now enter three of the Maskers—Scaramouche, Punchinello and Pantaloon—bearing severally three golden platters, on which stand little jeweled boxes, closed. Behind them follows Harlequin, who bears a great parchment roll, which—with bows and ballet-dancings—he lays before the throne of Capo; then takes his stand at Capo’s left. Lastly Calaf enters, alone. Capo now rises, and Altoum seats himself] CAPO. Powers of our royal Divan and our Harem, Once more, in token of our sovereign will, We are assembled. Let the law be read! [He sits. Harlequin, stepping forward with a flourish, presents the roll of parchment to Punchinello, who, exchanging with him his platter for the script, reads in a shrill voice] PUNCHINELLO To high Confucius and our ancestors— Worship and awe! The edict of Altoum In re the royal princess Turandot Perpends: To suitors of her august hand Who guess her riddles—marriage, riches, joy! To all who fail—shame, execution, death! None save of royal blood shall qualify. [Harlequin receives back the roll from Punchinello, and resumes his place] Who seeks the august hand of Turandot? CALAF [Standing forward] I, Keedur, Khan of great Beloochistan. CAPO. Keedur, full many noble youths before you Have made this trial; all have failed—and died. Have you considered well their doom, O Khan? CALAF There is no doom for me but loss of her; If then I fail, death can but ease my doom. TURANDOT [In a low voice] His eyes, Zelima! Oh, I would he’d look Another way. ZELIMA It is a lovely youth. CAPO. Think well, you are young. You may even still withdraw And live these many years. [His eyes meeting Turandot’s, who looks at him anxiously] If I must die, I shall have lived forever in this instant. CAPO. Then let the trial proceed. TURANDOT Fair stranger, first Hear me, and so relent. CALAF My spirit, lady, Stands tiptoe to your words. TURANDOT You have not well Considered what you seek; but I, who know, Can better advise you. Turandot you seek, But I, who know this Turandot, can tell you She is a lady of too little worth To cause the noble lineage in your blood To die. She neither wants you, nor your death. Now leave her, Sir, and give her leave to wish you Joy of your twice escape. I hear you, yet I hear like one who dies out on the desert And dreams he hears sweet water tinkling.—Lady, I parch and drink dream-water. Would you dash That boon from my soul’s lips? TURANDOT Nay, then, no more! Hear now my riddles.—But, I pray you, look not This way, but elsewhere. CALAF I will close my eyes And look upon you, listening.—I am ready. [Closing his eyes, he waits with a faint smile] TURANDOT Tell me, O friend: What is that flower Which, dying, steals its lover’s breath, And being dead, still blooms in death, Living beyond its little hour To grow more sweet in fragrance as it grows In memory? [Turandot gazes pityingly. Calaf speaks with closed eyes] A withered rose. [Turandot starts suddenly from her throne and sinks back, whispering to Zelima. Capo despatches Harlequin to Turandot, who gives him tremblingly a key, which he carries to Scaramouche] CAPO. Unlock the secret box. SCARAMOUCHE [As Harlequin unlocks the little box on his platter and presents to him a strip of parchment from within it, reads aloud] A withered rose. [A murmur runs through the assembly] ALTOUM Now by my star, well guessed! CAPO. [With a gesture for silence] The second riddle! TURANDOT [With emotion] Stranger, you are the first of all my suitors To you in pity, but my pity now Is for myself, lest you should guess too well. Cease, then, I beg you. Rest content with passing Your rivals. Go! And I will give you triumph In your departure. ALTOUM Shame! Fair play, my daughter! CAPO. Silence, my lord Altoum!—What says the Khan? CALAF I answer here by law, risking my death. Therefore, O lady, since my love of you Surpasses life, I claim my right of law. TURANDOT [Her eyes flashing] By heaven, cold prince, I see I wasted pity Upon a heart of ice. Meet, then, your fate! I will not weep to watch the headsman’s axe. CALAF I trust you will not, princess.—I am ready. TURANDOT [To Zelima] O fiend! My fingers itch to scratch him. Hear, then: Reveal, O youth: What is that fetter Which, chaining, sets its captive free, But broken, makes of liberty A weary bondage, little better Than death, to one whose spirits mount and sing In manacles? [Calaf remains silent, pressing his closed eyes in thought. Altoum leans forward. The people mutter low. Turandot gazes disdainfully. Soon, letting his raised hands fall, Calaf speaks with tense calmness.] CALAF A lover’s ring. TURANDOT [Cries out] What’s that? [Clutching Zelima’s arm] My God! here is some treachery. CAPO. Open the second lock! [Harlequin unlocks the little box held by Punchinello, who reads aloud] A lover’s ring. [A great murmur goes up from the assembly] ALTOUM Wondrous! The fates are with him. TURANDOT [Rising, fiercely] Not the fates fates— The fiends are with him. I cry out upon This answer. Some perfidious hand Has tampered with those locks. CAPO. Respect this hall And presence, Princess: We shall judge alone. TURANDOT False friend, is this your pay for all my trust, And this the perfect joy you bid me hope for? [To Altoum] Father, I cry on you to right this wrong! ALTOUM The wrong is yours to flout your own decree. But right or wrong, my power is hushed: Not here But yonder sits the Emperor of China. Why, this is monstrous. I am sold a slave By an abdicated father and a motley Who apes the emperor in a player’s mask!— I’ll put no further riddle. CAPO. [Smiling] As you like, Princess, but let us keep our humors. If There be no final riddle, Keedur wins: The priests are ready to perform your wedding. TURANDOT [Trembling with rage] My wedding!—Ah, then, I am duped indeed, And must submit to treachery. But you— O subtle Khan, dream not to shame me so, And win. I will not live to be your wife.— Do you still claim your riddle? CALAF [Who has stood in utter calmness] I am ready. TURANDOT [In fury] Then may your answer spike your head in death! Reply, O Prince: What may that be Which, light of heart, causes despite, But heavy-laden, renders light Its bearer, making care so free That kings might give their crowns to call it Their treasure house? [A deep hush falls on the assembly. Calaf stands, silent, swaying. Slowly he totters and falls on the steps of Capo’s Throne. There, as Harlequin raises him, Capo whispers swiftly at his ear. Suddenly then, fixing his eyes on Turandot, who stands pale and rigid, Calaf speaks thrillingly.] CALAF A beggar’s wallet. TURANDOT [With a low cry, holding her side] Ah! [To Harlequin] Quickly!—The third key! [Swiftly Harlequin unlocks the box held by Pantaloon, who reads aloud] A beggar’s wallet. TURANDOT [Turning, desperately] Zelima! ZELIMA [Screaming] Lady! [Snatching from Zelima a little dagger, she lifts it and strikes at her own breast. Leaping to the throne, Calaf intercepts her and turns the dagger against himself] CALAF Not you, my love! CAPO. Disarm them! ALTOUM Turandot! [Amid uproar, the four Maskers rush upon Calaf and wrest from him the dagger] [With fierce disdain] Coward hearts! CALAF [Uplifting his hands to Capo] Sire, hear my plea! CAPO. Order and silence!—Speak, Sir Keedur. CALAF Sire, If I have won this ordeal by the law— Declare it. CAPO. You have won. CALAF Then I renounce All I have won, and place before this court A counter plea. Shall it be granted? CAPO. What Do you petition? CALAF Sire, since it would shame me And her, to take this noble princess’ hand In substitute, a boon:—I, whom you call Sir Keedur, Khan, am royal and a prince, But I am not Khan of Beloochistan. Keedur is not my name. TURANDOT So, treachery Once more! ALTOUM Peace, daughter! CAPO. [To Calaf] Speak. What is your plea? CALAF This, Sire: Since I have answered now three riddles Of Turandot, that she—to make fair play— Shall answer one of mine. If she shall guess it, I then depart, but if she fail, I stay— And wed her. TURANDOT [Scornfully to Capo] Ha! This jesting, Sire, fits well Your new rÉgime. [To Calaf] What is your riddle? CALAF This: Reveal, O Lady: What is he, His true-born name, His father’s fame, Who, desperate for love of thee, Assumed from far Beloochistan The false name—Keedur, Khan? TURANDOT Nay sir, I’d scorn to answer. What you are, Or who, or whence—to me henceforth ’tis nothing. CAPO. [Trembling with rage] What!—O miracle of shame! Perfidious Masker! CAPO. This your riddle shall Be answered here to-morrow by this lady, Before high noon. TURANDOT [Descending swiftly from the throne] Fools! I defy you—both! [Flinging her sceptre at Capo’s feet, she rushes out] CAPO. [Rising] Follow her! [At his gesture, the four Maskers follow after. Amid loud murmur and commotion Calaf stands staring at the empty throne] Curtain |
|
