Turandot

Hush, hush, I will not hear you thus abuse her,

I never saw a face and form diviner;

Her's is not mortal clay, but porcelain China,

Some magic power, some demon, I know not,

Enchains my soul to beauteous Turandot.

(Gazes enraptured on the miniature.)

These eyes to meet, these rosy lips to kiss,

Who would not hazard all to win such bliss?

My senses reel, my veins are all afire!

Good Barak, help me to my heart's desire.

Her stern ordeal I'll undergo-to solve

Her problems or to die, is my resolve.

BARAK.

Desist from your intention, I conjure you,

Let my remonstrance of this madness cure you.

KALAF.

You speak in vain. My fortune now or never,

Shall be ensured for aye, or lost for ever.

One stroke will end my life, or I shall gain

The fairest woman e'er beheld, and reign

An Emperor of Chang's celestial state.

O smile upon my hopes, benignant Fate!

(During this speech, a Chinese executioner has

appeared on the city gate, bearing a pole upon

which is fixed a turbaned head: he places it in

the row, and disappears.)

But tell me, Barak, shall I in divan

Behold the lovely daughter of the Khan?

BARAK.

A spectacle more thrilling now behold,

That head just smitten off. My blood runs cold,

To think that yours may be thus closely shaven.

KALAF.

Nay, fear is not for princes-I'm no craven.

(Contemplates the head with compassion.)

Poor youth, deserving of a better fate.

BARAK.

Sweet prince, renounce th' attempt.

KALAF.

Too late, too late!

BARAK.

I fear you'll fail to guess the Sphinx's riddles.

KALAF.

I'll cut the Gordian knots right down their middles!

I'm not so stupid as some folks suppose;

'Twill not be easy my quick wit to pose.

I fancy I shall come off with éclat;

But if I fail, it does not matter, pshaw!

If in this enterprise I lose my life,

Present my compliments to your good wife;

My horse be hers, in payment of her trouble.

Heigho! this world's a dream, and life's a bubble!

(Going. Enter SKIRINA from the cottage.)

Reveal my name to none. Nay, do not cry,

You've wept me once before as dead. Goodbye.

SKIR.

Why, what's the matter? You are melancholy.

BARAK.

Oh, help me, wife, restrain this youth's mad folly;

He's off to Peking-means to dare the Sphinx!

SKIR.

He's sure to die-my heart within me sinks!

What put such silly nonsense in your head?

You've got brain fever; bless you, go to bed.

KALAF.

Pray save your breath. My fever needs no nurse

But Turandot's fair hand. Here, take my purse,

I have no farther need of money; for

I either die, or shall become an Emperor.

(Exit hastily into the city gate.)

BARAK (following him).

Dear master, hear me; stay; all, all in vain;

I ne'er shall see his blessèd face again!

SKIR.

You know my stranger-guest? how very funny,

Let's try to catch him, and return his money.

BARAK.

Wife, be not curious; no questions ask,

He's gifted with such mental powers, the task

Of coping with the Sphinx he may achieve-

His doom unto the gods we now must leave.

SKIR.

We'll sacrifice a pig to great Fo-hi,