________________________________________________
_ ACT IV
SCENE I.--A magnificent apartment, with divers outlets; in the background an oriental couch. The scene is dark. KALAF discovered pacing up and down, BRIGHELLA holding a torch, observing him, and shaking his head.
BRIG.
Just three o'clock! by Kong's pagoda-chimes.
You've paced this floor just twice three hundred times.
Your Highness had much better go to sleep.
You'll have to rise with dawn's first ruddy peep.
I can't watch any more; my eyelids close.
KALAF.
Thou'rt right, Brighella; go to thy repose.
(BRIG. going, returns cautiously.)
BRIG.
One word, your Highness,--when I've left my post,
Don't be astonished if you see a ghost.
You understand? You needn't be afraid;
I daren't say more; my silence is prepaid.
Forewarned, forearmed, you know. To a blind horse
A nod's as good as twenty winks, of course.
KALAF.
(looking about, uneasily.)
What spectres shall I see? what dreary sprite?
BRIG.
Oh, nothing, (_yawns_.) I'm _so_ sleepy, Prince, good night.
(Going, returns.)
I hope you are not angry with Brighella--
I'm but a poor, ill-paid, hardworking fellah--
The Emperor has ordered that no fly
Shall enter this apartment--you know why;
But tho' he's king, his daughter really rules.
It's hard to keep one's balance 'twixt two stools!
And what a woman wills, for good or evil.
That must be done, or she will play the devil.
(Going, returns.)
Mind, I know nothing. Keyholes may suffice;
If any noise you hear, it's only mice!
(Exit, winking significantly.)
KAL.
Good night, and thanks; your hint I comprehend.
Will treachery be used my life to end?
Nay, Turandot's too noble--I'll not fear.
The fateful hour approaches
(opens a casement.)
Dawn is near,
I'll seek to drown my care in dreamy rest.
(As he sinks on the couch, a secret door opens,
admitting SKIRINA dressed in male attire, a false beard on.)
SKIR.
My lord.
KALAF.
(_starting up_.)
What man is this? Some silly jest.
SKIR.
What, don't you know Skirina?
(takes off the beard.)
I'm so frightened!
Disguised I've passed your guards, in these clothes tightened.
I've got so much to tell. Your poor old tutor
Is put in chains! Yes, nothing less would suit her.
He's anxious for your life--he begs you'll sign
Your name to show you're safe; just write one line
To pacify him; or he'll all declare;
The Princess Turandot's in such a flare.
I tremble for my husband,--he's demented,
Until you've kindly to his wish consented.
I've brought a tablet--just your name indite
To ease his mind.
KAL. (_takes the tablet_.)
To please him, I will write.
(Suddenly recollects himself, and looks at her searchingly.)
Skirina, would'st thou traitress turn? Thy guest I've been.
SKIR. (_aside_.)
I promised I would do my best.
But such reproaches down I cannot gulp,
Not if my mistress beat me to a pulp.
So Miss Adelma may play off her tricks
Herself,
(to KALAF.)
Please don't your eyes thus on me fix.
(_whimpering_.)
I should have thought some slight consideration
You would have felt for my sad situation.
If you suspect me.
KAL.
Nay, I'm sure you acted
All out of kindness.
SKIR.
(_aside_.)
I shall go distracted.
(to KALAF.)
My husband waits your news. My leave I'll take;
(aside.) Adelma's sharp; but he's as wide awake.
(Exit.)
KAL.
Brighella warned me well.
(Enter TRUFFALDIN, covered by a long black mantle.)
Another visit!
Nocturnal ghosts abound. Well, friend, what is it?
TRUF.
Your Excellency, news excellent I bring--
You'll hear a wonderfully wondrous thing.
KAL.
Speak on, good vision; I am all attention.
TRUF.
T'explain in plainest words is my intention.
The keeper of the Hareem stands before you!
But that's not here nor there; so I'll not bore you
With all my titles. The Princess Turandot
Right thro' the heart by Cupid's dart is shot!
I would not flatt'ringly your Highness flatter
With mincing terms, nor will I mince the matter.
My mistress is distracted to--distraction
By your attractive personal--attraction.
If truth I speak not, may the high Fo-hi
Grind all my bones to make his next meat-pie!
KAL.
So far, so good; what hast thou more to say?
TRUF.
Be not impatient, Royal Highness, pray.
My mistress is a tiger-cat--(permit
The term; tho' coarse, 'tis graphically fit.)
She gnashes her white teeth with frantic ire,
And raves against you, "Robbers, murder, fire!"
If truth I speak not, may the high Fo-hi
Make mince-meat of me for his sacred pie.
KAL.
No need of oaths. But hast thou not, good keeper,
Some better news to tell a waken'd sleeper?
TRUF.
Of course I have. Without circumlocution
I now proceed to instant elocution:
My charming mistress sent me here to beg
You'll trust her with your secret. Her last leg
She's standing on; and in sheer desperation
She'll marry you; but must before the nation
Appear to vanquish you--in mere appearance.
Be quick, and of your secret make a clearance.
Clear up the matter, and I'll then clear out;
My time is precious. Finish off this bout.
KAL.
One thing thou hast forgotten.
TRUF.
What have I?
KAL.
To imprecate thy bones to Fo-bi's pie.
Return to Turandot. Tell her from me
She'll glorious shine in high divan, if she
Benignant prove herself; more true distinction
She'll gain by this, than by my hope's extinction.
(Signs to TRUF to withdraw.)
TRUF. (_aside_.)
I've only got my trouble for my pain;
I'll never do a kindly act again. (_Exit_.)
KAL.
Come, gentle sleep. Refresh me, balm divine!
Take courage, weary soul, success may yet be mine.
(Retires to the couch, and sinks; into slumber.
Enter ADELMA, veiled, bearing a lighted taper.)
ADEL.
I shall not fail. In vain was their endeavour,
But I will venture all, the knot to sever.
I may not learn his name,--but I'll implore
His flight from Peking. Then my love, once more
May hope to win his heart.
(Unveils, and gazes upon him.)
He gently slumbers:
Reluctantly I rouse him, but time numbers
The hours yet left for action. Prince, arise!
KAL.
Who calls? Another spirit! Do my eyes
Deceive me? Can it be? Adelma here?
Thy royal person in a slave's mean gear!
Such lowly garb is surely some disguise.
ADEL.
No, Prince; Adelma now in slav'ry sighs.
Beneath the galling yoke of her who martyred
My wretched brother, and my father slaughtered.
Not you alone must suffer from the curse
Of Turandot's fell ire; my fate's far worse.
KAL.
Princess, believe me; more your lot I mourn
Than e'en my own. So fair, so nobly born,
So gracious to th' unhappy;--I can ne'er
Forget your kindness to myself. If e'er
In need of faithful service you may stand,
Which I may render in return, command
Me as your slave. My gratitude's eternal.
ADEL.
From Turandot I'd save you. Her infernal
Devices throw a glamour o'er your senses:
But did you know her shallow, false pretences,
Of her great excellence you'd scorn the notion,
Nor waste on her your noble heart's devotion.
For all she sets up as a learned Sphinx,
She's nothing but a sly, conceited minx.
KAL.
Nay, blame not her, but adverse destiny,
Your brother willed his death; the choice was free.
Your father fell in battle--'twas ill-fate
Awarded death, not she. Oh, do not hate
Your mistress; surely she your worth esteems
And treats you as your gentle birth beseems.
To-morrow, if I'm victor as before
I'll freedom give you, and your throne restore.
ADEL.
Can nothing your credulity convince?
Oh, fly this wicked woman, dearest Prince.
Escape with me! Come haste! Our time is short;
I've bribed your guards. We'll sail from the next port
To Keicobad--there all will hail me Queen.
KAL.
Farewell, Princess; magnanimous you've been.
Escape alone. To die I am content,
You cannot turn me from my firm intent.
ADEL.
Ungrateful man! Then learn the horrid truth.
The heart of Turandot can feel no ruth.
You've foiled her cunning. Fear her tiger-spring.
To-morrow as you pass to join the King
In high divan,--her slaves, with stealthy blow,
Will pierce your heart;--your life will be laid low.
KAL.
Oh, hapless Kalaf! must thy life thus end?
In exile perish--far from ev'ry friend!
O Timur, dearest father, couldst thou see
Thine only son in such deep misery,
All Tartary thou'dst gladly give to save
Its royal heir from such untimely grave.
(Covers his face in despair.)
ADEL.
(aside)
Hah, Kalaf, future Khan of Tartarland!
(Most luckily the last-told lie I planned.)
He's in my power. If he escape one net,
He'll fall into another, closer yet.
KAL.
(to himself.)
I've said "Or death or Turandot." Her will
Decrees my death--from her 'tis, welcome still.
Adieu, fond hopes. Delusive joys, farewell!
ADEL.
Once more let me implore you. Do not sell
Your life thus cheap. We still have time for flight.
KAL.
My honour bids me stay and brave the fight.
ADEL.
You're obstinate. Farewell, then, unknown stranger,
(aside.)
My love despised! I burn with jealous anger.
Prince Kalaf, Timur's son! you're in my snare;
I can be fierce as Turandot. Beware!
(Exit.)
KALAF.
I'm on the rack! when will this torture cease?
(Enter BRIGHELLA.)
BRIG.
'Tis time to join divan, Prince, if you please.
(KALAF regards him suspiciously.)
KAL.
Art thou her tool? Shall I by thy hand fall?
Stain not thy soul with guiltless blood. Take all
I have, if money be thy greed. But know
Without a struggle I'll not take thy blow.
(Draws his-sword.)
BRIG.
His brain is addled, sure as eggs is eggs!
Lor', how he stands, astraddling out his legs!
KAL.
(throws down his sword.)
I'll not defend myself. Tell her who offered
Base gold for life, my breast I freely proffered
To meet th' assassin's knife. There lies my sword.
Fulfil her stern behest.
BRIG.
Upon my word
And honour, my strict orders are, to see
You safely to divan. His Majesty
Is all agog to see the fun.
KAL. (to himself.)
Alive
I ne'er shall reach divan. My death I'll strive
To calmly meet. Perchance my bleeding corse
Will melt her heart to pity and remorse.
(Exit, BRIGHELLA following him; guards receive him outside.
Music strikes up.)
SCENE II.--High Divan, as in Act II. ALTOUM discovered on his throne; PANT. and TART. beside it; the eight Doctors seated; Guard under arms. Behind a curtain, in the background, is an altar, with a Chinese idol: a Chinese priest on each side of it. KALAF enters, agitated, and looking suspiciously around him; bows to ALTOUM.
KAL. (aside.)
Do I still live? Each step, I thought to feel
The thrust of an assassin's deadly steel.
Adelma's warning was some dream, or now I dream.
ALT.
My son, care sits upon thy brow.
Glad news I have in store for thee. Alone
Joys come not. Turandot shall be thine own.
Three times to-night she sent to me to pray
I would defer th' encounter of to-day.
'Tis evident her pride is sorely vext,
She'd hide her failure by some vain pretext.
Rejoice, all blessings for thy weal combine,
To-day full happiness on thee shall shine.
PANT.
(to KALAF, confidentially)--
Believe me, if so please your Majesty--
(I mean your Majesty that is to be.)
Your future wife's ill-temper there's no bearing;
Her tantrums and hysterics are quite wearing.
A hundred times I was called up last night
To try and set this knotty question right.
I'd scarcely time my slippers to resume,
Much less to dress in proper court costume.
I just popped on my crimson satin breeches,--
I fear I caught a cold;
(sneezes)
must put on leeches,
A blister p'raps--take horrid water-gruel.
(Blows, his nose portentously.)
No breakfast yet I've swallowed 'Tis too cruel!
Who'd be Prime Minister? to starve and toil,
And fret and fume in an eternal coil.
But yet, I would not, for a hundred dollar
Have missed the sight of her rampagious choler;
I was rejoiced my turn had come to grin,
Just as folks do at me when Harlequin
Before my nose runs off with Columbine,
In every stupid Christmas pantomime.
TART.
I-I was c-called up-p _inaspettatamente_,
S-she b-begged m-my a-ai-aid qu-quite _disperatamente_.
ALT.
Prepare the altar.
(A curtain is raised, disclosing an altar with a
Chinese deity. Two priests attending.)
Hither call our daughter;
Obedience to the law shall now be taught her.
Set open all the doors! Lo, where she comes.
(A slow march is heard. TRUFFALDIN and slaves enter, in mourning garments, with weepers of crape attached to their pigtails. Female slaves in black veils: then TURANDOT, ADELMA, and SKIRINA, all demonstrating extreme dejection. TURANDOT ascends her throne with the same ceremonies at in Act II.)
PANT.
Is this a wedding march, with muffled drums?
It sounds more like a dead march, dull and dreary--
The one in "Saul," or Verdi's _Miserere_.
Her sulky Highness looks as black as thunder
At having thus in public to knock under.
TUR.
(to KALAF).
This sad procession, Prince _Incognito_
Profound humiliation is to show.
Your arrogance upon my shame will gloat,--
Your eyes on your defeated slave will doat.
I see the altar--Fo-hi's grand official
Prepared to bind the victim sacrificial.
My glory's dead--disgraced is Turandot!
Condemned to wear the chain of Hymen's knot.
KAL.
Oh, couldst thou know how deeply I revere
Thy maiden dignity, not thus severe
Thoud'st show thyself, nor my fond love resent.
As slave to thee my whole life shall be spent;
But deign one gracious sign to give, that thou
In time, responsive tenderness mayst know.
ALT.
Prince, condescend no more. Commence the rite!
TUR.
One moment more.
(Sarcastically.)
I am not ready, quite.
(Rises and addresses KALAF)--
I raised your hopes, that they might deeper fall.
Prince Kalaf, Son of Timur, quit this hall
And China's realm. Go, seek another bride.
In vain my penetration you defied;
No secret's hidden from the Chinese Sphinx.
SKIR.
(aside).
She never naps--not e'en for forty winks!
KAL.
Ah, woe is me!
ALT.
Dear me, what is the matter?
I cannot hear thro' all this general chatter.
PANT.
(aside).
I shan't attempt just now to make him hear;
I'm dazed myself, and his head's _never_ clear.
TART.
W-what a c-ca-cat-as-ass-astrophe! _Corpo di Bacco!_
H-he m-must r-re-return--_colle pive nel sacco_.
KAL.
My overloving heart has caused my woe,
I gave up all, to please my lovely foe.
If yesterday I purposely had failed
To win the day, or from the contest quailed,
My soul had now found rest. Ah, why
Altoum, wert thou too merciful? To die
To-day, if conquered, should have been my meed--
Great Emperor, thus shouldst thou have decreed.
ALT.
Poor Kalaf! tears mine aged eyes bedew.
(wipes hit eyes.)
TUR.
(aside to SKIRINA)--
His grief affects me deeply; strangely new
Emotions swell my bosom.
SKIR.
Put an end to trifling. Far as Jericho I'd send
All shilly-shally. Do, for goodness' sake
Speak out and say, "As husband I thee take."
I've married twice, and know how shy one feels--
Plunge in at once, right over head and heels.
A royal Crown Prince, too; my stars and garters!
_Creme de la creme_--the cream of Crimean Tartars!
ADELMA.
My soul by doubt and hate is torn;
She loves him, though she shows such bitter scorn.
I'm stung to anguish, yet I'll not repine,
My rival's torture is as sharp as mine.
(KALAF _has stood bowed down by grief; he starts
suddenly and approaches TURANDOT'S throne)--
KALAF.
Thy cruel will shall find no more resistance;
Why need the headsman end my sad existence?
This dagger shall release....
(Unsheathes a dagger. ADELMA makes a movement of horror.
TURANDOT precipitates herself from the throne, and stays his hand_).
TUR.
Stay, Kalaf, stay!
Or strike thy heart through mine.
(Throws herself across his breast.)
ALT.
What does she say?
(TURANDOT and KALAF gaze at each other in silence, for some time.)
KAL.
Wouldst doom me to a life, of love bereft?
My hopes and joys all faded--nothing left.
Such mercy seeks more cruelly to kill;
But my despair is stronger than thy will.
(Attempts to stab himself.)
TUR.
For my sake, live; nor ever quit my side;
Prince, take me as your loving, happy bride.
ADELMA (_aside_).
'Tis agony; I cannot bear this sight.
(Retires.)
ALT.
What do they say? (to PANT., who endeavours to explain).
Don't speak. I _see_ all's right.
SKIR.
Fo-hi be praised! Now, this is what I call
A great success. My pig has done it all.
(Fetches BARAK from behind the crowd)--
Come, dearest husband; much too long you've trembled.
TUR.
Let it be known to all those here assembled--
I may not justly claim the victor's crown,
Adelma's shrewdness served me; not my own.
Prince Kalaf vanquished me, and may command
As prize of his achievement, my poor hand.
(To KALAF.) But not in deference to lawful right
I gave myself to thee, but through love's might.
My heart was thine, when first I did behold thee.
KALAF.
Excess of bliss, thus to my heart to fold thee!
ALT.
What do they say? You all make such a noise,
I can't hear anything--not my own voice.
No doubt it's quite correct, nay, sentimental;
So take my blessing and consent parental.
TART.
F-f-friend F-pa-pantaloon, what j-j-joy! Che dolci affetti!
P-prep-p-pare the b-ba-ban-qu-quet. Mangerem confetti!
[ALTOUM joins the lover's hands, and places his hands on their heads. The eight Doctors join hands and dance in a circle, nodding their chins. PANT. and TART. dance together. BARAK and SKIRINA ditto. TRUFFALDIN twirls round ADELMA, who snubs him. BRIGHELLA and guards gravely jump up and down.
Tableau.]
[THE END]
[Friedrich Schiller's Play: Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx, A Dramatic Oddity] _
Read previous: Act 3
Table of content of Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx, A Dramatic Oddity
GO TO TOP OF SCREEN
Post your review
Your review will be placed after the table of content of this book
