Turandot

(Flourish of gongs and cymbals.)

PANT.

I kiss our future Emperor's great toe!

TART.

Th-the S-sp-sphinx is v-van-qui-quished-Vinto è il Demonio!

Sh-she's f-fou-found her m-ma-match. Evviva il matrimonio!

(TURANDOT faints, ADELMA and SKIRINA support her. ALTOUM

leaning on PANT. and TART. descends his throne, and embraces

KALAF. The DOCTORS quit their seats, and retire to the background.)

ALT.

Sweet prince, our son-in-law thou'lt be to-morrow,

A joyful climax to our royal sorrow.

TUR. (recovers her senses, and rashes wildly between ALTOUM and

KALAF)-

Oh, make me not his slave! 'Twill drive me mad,

My mind no time for due reflection had.

Too easily his triumph was obtained.

ALT.

The hard-won victory he fairly gained.

With gratitude become this good youth's wife,

Obey the law, and end this weary strife.

TUR.

Once more call the divan-renew the contest,

If I have time for thought, I'm sure of conquest.

PANT.

Fair Princess Tigerheart, that's rather cool;

Don't make his Majesty act like a fool.

D'you think the royal head of your kind Daddy

Is lined with lead, like a Japan tea-caddy;

What say you, colleague; and ye Doctors wise?

(Doctors join hands in a circle, nodding their chins.)

DOCTORS.

Let bloodshed cease. The chopped-off heads suffice.

ALT.

To great Fo-hi's pagoda we'll repair

And finish off this hymeneal affair.

TUR.

Have mercy-

ALT.

Mercy hast thou shewn to none,

I've kept my oath; do thou as I have done.

Fulfil Fo-hi's decree.

TUR.

Oh, spare me, Sire,

Or at your feet behold your child expire.

(Throws herself at his feet.)

ALT.

Thy marriage is ordained. Proud girl, obey,

Too long I've bowed to thy capricious sway.

Entreat no more. I swear by Fo-hi's sword.

TUR.

Hold, father, do not speak the sacred word.

This overbearing tyrant I'll not wed;

I'd rather make the sullen grave my bed.

KAL. (to TURANDOT.)

Abate your terror; nor so madly grieve;

I'll intercede myself for your reprieve.

Fair cruel one, who may your tears withstand?

(to ALTOUM.) Great monarch, grant her wish; I'd win her hand

By love's sweet power; not by enforced consent.

(to TURANDOT.) I see thou crav'st my head-then be content.

I love thee so intensely, that my life

Is worthless if I may not call thee wife.

Again a solemn test I'll undergo.

ALT.

She's yours by right of law. Fate willed it so.

TUR.

You shall not drag me to the bridal altar;

This hand shall slay me first (draws a dagger.) It will not falter.

KAL.

Stay, hold your hand, and calm your poignant sorrow;

We'll meet again in high divan. To-morrow

The Chinese Sphinx this problem shall unravel:

'Who is that Prince who, after weary travel

Escaped from slavedom's thrall, and reached the goal

And blissful summit of his longing soul;