Turandot

But who's this man? (points to BARAK.)

Of what has he been talking?

BAR. (aside.)

I hope they don't suspect-(aloud.) As I was walking,

This man accosted me (I do not know him),

He asked if I his way would kindly show him.

PANT.

Great Prince, you're compassed round about with traps.

If we don't keep you in our eye-perhaps

The Sphinx may have you murdered. To prevent

Unpleasant little accidents we're sent

By his celestial Majesty, to take you

In our safe custody. We'll not forsake you.

(to BARAK.) And you're her spy, I do believe; get out!

And mind your own affairs, Sir Pry-about.

(to KALAF.) As Minister, I hope I may make bold

To say 'Sweet Prince, take care you are not sold.'

Pray whisper not your name to any one

Except to me, your friend. I'll blab to none.

On my discretion you may safe repose,

Confide in me; your name I'll not disclose.

No more than I would jump right o'er the moon.

KAL.

No doubt; but yet my name, good Pantaloon,

Like yours, must be quite 'inexpressible.'

PANT.

My wish to please is irrepressible.

Command me, pray. Henceforth I will be dumb.

The watchword is,-I understand you,-'Mum!'

TART.

G-go-ood Pr-prince, d-don't m-mi-mind th-that st-stu-pid P-pa-pantaioon,

H-he's n-nothing b-but a g-go-gossipping B-buff-ffoon.

C-co-conf-fi-fide in m-me. Your s-se-secret I won't u-u-ut-ter,

I-in f-f-fact I c-ca-can't, 'c-ca-cause of my d-de-deuced s-st-stutter.

PANT.

Your Highness! to the palace, if you please.

(Signs to BRIGHELLA.)

BRIG.

Recover, Pigtails! Black Guards, stand at ease!

(Exeunt KALAF, PANT., and TART., Guards and BRIGHELLA.)

BARAK, (who has been watching in the background, comes forward ).

Ye Tartar deities, watch o'er his life!

Good gracious, what can hither bring my wife?

(Enter SKIRINA.)

Where art thou going, wife, in such a hurry?

SKIR.

Oh, dearest husband, I'm all in a flurry.

Our handsome guest will be Chang's future

Who'd have believed such an astounding thing?

The Princess Turandot is in despair;

She weeps, she wrings her hands, she tears her hair.

She'll kill herself if she can't tell to-morrow

The name of your young friend. To calm her sorrow,

I bade her not torment herself, for you

Knew all about him, and his father too.

BAR.

Unhappy woman, thou hast ruined us!

SKIR.

Why, what harm's done? Why make you such a fuss?

BAR.

My head will have to answer for thy tongue.

SKIR.

Oh, nonsense, dear; I'm sure I've done no wrong.

(Enter TRUFFALDIN and slaves.)

BAR.

Behold what thou hast done, thou Chatterbox.

(TRUFFALDIN, with pompous exaggerated ferocity,

holds his sabre to BARAK's breast.)

TRUF.

Make no resistance! Yield thee, sly old fox!

SKIR.

Have mercy, Truffaldin,-my husband spare!

TRUF.

Of his bald head I'll not disturb one hair.

Good female, you're of the fem'nine gender,

And therefore towards your weakness my heart's tender.

Your husband shall not come to any harm,

So pray don't needlessly yourself alarm.

The highest honour is in store for him,

Free entrance's offered to our Hareem.