initial commit of ebook 26730HEADmain

1 files changed, 4886 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/26730.txt b/26730.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5912590
--- /dev/null
+++ b/26730.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4886 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Turandot, Princess of China, by Karl Gustav Vollmoeller
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Turandot, Princess of China
+       A Chinoiserie in Three Acts
+
+Author: Karl Gustav Vollmoeller
+
+Translator: Jethro Bithell
+
+Release Date: September 30, 2008 [EBook #26730]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TURANDOT, PRINCESS OF CHINA ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+PLAYS OF TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW
+
+TURANDOT PRINCESS OF CHINA
+
+A CHINOISERIE IN THREE ACTS
+
+BY
+
+KARL VOLLMOELLER
+
+AUTHORIZED ENGLISH VERSION,
+
+BY
+
+JETHRO BITHELL
+
+LONDON: T. FISHER UNWIN
+
+ADELPHI TERRACE
+
+First Edition, January, 1913
+
+(All rights reserved.)
+
+DRAMATIS PERSONAE
+
+TURANDOT--Princess of China
+
+ALTOUM--Emperor of China, her father
+
+ADELMA--Princess of Tartary, favourite slave of Turandot
+
+ZELIMA--Another slave of Turandot
+
+SKIRINA--Zelima's mother
+
+BARAK--(Under the name of Hassan), Skirina's husband;
+        formerly Major-domo of
+
+CALAF--Prince of Astrakhan
+
+ISHMAEL--Major-domo of the beheaded Prince of Samarkand
+
+PANTALONE--Prime Minister of the Emperor Altoum
+
+TARTAGLIA--Lord High Chancellor of China
+
+BRIGELLA Captain of the Imperial pages
+
+TRUFFALDINO Chief Eunuch of Turandot's harem
+
+PRINCE OF SAMARKAND... (Silent)
+
+Eight Doctors. Female Slaves and Eunuchs of the harem.
+A Headsman. Soldiers of the Palace Guard.
+
+SCENE: Pekin.--All the acting characters wear Chinese costume,
+except Adelma and Calaf, who are in Tartar dress.
+
+Cast of the play as produced at the St. James's
+Theatre, London, on January 18, 1913, under the
+management of Sir George Alexander.
+
+Turandot--EVELYN D'Alroy
+
+Altoum--J. H. BARNES
+
+Adelma--HILDA MOORE
+
+Zelima--MAIRE O'NEILL
+
+Skirina--MARGARET YARDE
+
+Barak--ALFRED HARRIS
+
+Calaf--GODFREY TEARLE
+
+Ishmael JAMES BERRY
+
+Pantalone--EDWARD SASS
+
+Tartaglia--E. VIVIAN REYNOLDS
+
+Brigella--FRED LEWIS
+
+Truffadino--NORMAN FORBES
+
+Prince of Samarkand--AUSTIN FEHRMAN
+
+The action takes place outside the gates of Pekin, and
+inside the Emperor's Palace.
+
+
+TO
+
+MY FRIEND THAT GREAT ARTIST
+
+FERRUCCIO BUSONI
+
+
+
+NOTE
+
+
+The very affecting history of the cruel Princess
+Turandot and the handsome Prince Calaf may be
+read in those Persian tales which are known by the
+name of _The Thousand and One Nights._
+
+Twice already has the story gone over the boards:
+in 1762 in Venice as "Turandotte," one of the _fiabe_ of
+Count Carlo Gozzi; in 1804 in Weimar, as Friedrich
+Schiller's "Turandot." Both versions lived their
+passing hour, and died to the stage.
+
+The present dramatisation of the ancient fable--a
+modest attempt to cast good metal anew--closely
+follows the Italian of the sardonic nobleman whose
+bones have been mouldering by the blue lagoons for
+over a hundred years.
+
+KARL VOLLMOELLER.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRST ACT
+
+
+
+
+SCENE I
+
+_One of the city gates of Pekin. Over the gate,
+planted on iron poles, a row of severed heads
+with shaven crowns and Turkish tufts._
+
+TIME: _Shortly after sunrise._ _When the curtain
+rises the gate is closed._ _From within the
+roll of drums and military commands._
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+(_Behind the scenes._) Halt! Present arms!
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+(_Behind the scenes._) Halt! Slope swords!
+
+Open the gate! At ease! Quick march!
+
+(_The gate is thrown open._ TRUFFALDINO,
+_leading the eunuchs_; _then, between_ PANTALONE
+_and_ TARTAGLIA, _the_ PRINCE OF
+SAMARKAND; _behind them, at the head
+of his pages,_ BRIGELLA. _The whole
+procession halts in front of the gate,
+they all draw up in one line, and gaze
+upwards at the bloody heads._)
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+(_Stepping in front of the footlights._)
+
+My name is Pantalone, and I am a native of Venice. At
+the moment I am the Prime Minister of the
+Chinese Empire. Eh, what d'ye say? What
+I'_m_ doing here in Pekin? H'm. (_Puts his hand
+in front of his mouth._) Venice got too hot for
+me. An ind-indelicate affair. My wife of
+course, you guess my meaning. (_To the_ PRINCE.)
+This, your Royal Highness, is the place you
+have heard so much of. Have a good look at
+it, _please_. Make yourself _quite_ at home. Yes,
+quite right, up there, _please_! (_To_ TARTAGLIA.)
+
+I say, my dear Lord Chancellor. Be so good as
+to show his Royal Highness the elevated position
+he will occupy in the near future. You have the
+information, I presume.
+
+(TARTAGLIA _turns towards the_ PRINCE,
+PANTALONE _pulls his sleeve_.)
+
+Don't forget, my dear Lord Chancellor.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+(_Stepping in front of the footlights._) My name
+is Tat-Tra-Tartaglia (_stammers_). From Naples.
+My mother always maintained that she was the
+daughter of a Spanish grandee, but I fear she
+was a fisherman's daughter from Po-Po-Pozzuoli.
+My father, on the other hand (_stops short and
+looks round_)----
+
+(PANTALONE _makes signs to him_.)
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Better not.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Better not! That old scarecrow there makes
+out that nobody ever knew who my father was.
+He is a... li-li-liar. Excuse me, one moment,
+ladies and gentlemen. (_To the_ PRINCE.) That
+head up there on the right, which I beg your
+Royal Highness graciously to observe, is the head
+of the valiant Prince of Hyrcania. A valiant
+prince, a sweet prince. But silly, silly. There's
+quite a nice open space next to him for you, a
+fine, sunny situation with a pleasant prospect.
+How would that do, eh? Company to your liking?
+All of 'em in the Almanach de Gotha.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+(_To_ BRIGELLA.) Send the executioner up with
+the pole. We'll let this charming young Prince
+select his own point of vantage.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+(_To the headsman._) What are you hanging
+about here for, you hangman, you? Up on the
+wall with you, by Hikey Mo! Up on the wall or
+I'll wallop you.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Halt! 'Sh! Don't forget!
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+(_Stepping in front of the footlights._) I'm
+Brigella, begging your pardon. One of the old
+honest family of the Brigellas. As you can hear
+by the way I talk, I was born in Ferrara. There
+are lying rogues, drat 'em, as say as how you can
+tell any one that comes from Ferrara by his
+knavish face. Concerning my own person, though
+I says it as shouldn't, I've a heart of gold. Not
+half. Talking about gold now, you'll be wondering,
+sure enough, what brought _me_ from Ferrara
+to Pekin. Well, now, it was a purse of gold,
+God bless ye! It was a little matter of two
+hundred florins that belonged to my employer,
+the celebrated Dr. Gratiano...
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+(_Pulls his sleeve._) Better not!
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+And now with this heart of gold of mine blest
+if I ain't got to conduct this broth of a boy,
+bless his honest face! to the block, by command
+of my mistress, the high and mighty Turandot
+...the cru'l Turandot. (_Sobs._)
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO
+
+(_Pushing_ BRIGELLA _aside._) That's enough.
+Get out of that. A regular rogue. Standing
+there and talking about florins.... H'm!
+Regular rogue.
+
+(PANTALONE _pulls his sleeve_.)
+
+Ah! quite so. I am Truffaldino, by your leave.
+Truffaldino from the Giudeccao Quite so.
+(_Turning towards_ BRIGELLA.) Regular rogue.
+It is monstrous that the dirtiest rascals should
+always get on best. I have not myself always
+had the best of luck in these parts... Would you
+believe it, my voice used to be a very fine, deep
+baritone. But now... (_Sings falsetto_):
+
+  I am not young; I am not old;
+    I live, yet have no life!
+  Ask him who hath suffered woes untold
+    From some volcanic strife
+  Of passionate years, if he remember,
+    Tombed in the grave of life's December,
+  Its vanished golden June.
+
+What do you say about my voice? Lady-like?
+Well, yes, you see I've spent so much of my
+time in the society of ladies that I'm afraid my
+voice has assimilated the quality of theirs. (_Sighs
+deeply._) Oh, yes. Not that there is any lack of
+good nourishment. Oh, no. Nor of liquid
+refreshment. Oh, no. Nor of refined and entertaining
+company. Oh, no. Nor could any one
+suggest that I am not in high favour. Oh, no.
+I have been appointed Chief... Inspector...
+Oh, no, no, Chief... Manager... Oh, no, no,
+no... Chief Administrator... Quite so!
+Chief Administrator of the Harem of her Imperial
+Highness the Princess Turandot. A position of
+distinction, a--
+
+(PANTALONE _pulls his sleeve, and drags him away_.)
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Confound you, sir!... (_To the hangman, who
+has appeared on the wall._) Another inch or so
+to the right. Halt! a fine place that.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Too far to the right, my dear colleague. Much
+too far to the right. There's a fine place quite
+near there between the young Maharajah of Timbuctoo
+and the Crown Prince of Beluchistan. (_To
+the headsman._) Just a shade farther--to the
+left, that's it, you've got it--straight up, straight
+up. Halt!
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+That will never do, my dear Lord Chancellor.
+That will never do. Really, we _can't_ have three
+moustaches together. Back to the right--to the
+right. The Prince of Hyrcania is clean-shaven.
+His Royal Highness, the dear fellow, will have
+quite a martial appearance next to him. That's
+it, right in the middle. A little bit more to
+the front. Right you are. Halt! (_To the
+Prince._) I do hope your Royal Highness is
+delighted with the situation we have been at such
+pains to select for you. Commanding position,
+don't you think? Eh? Very well, then, that's
+all right. Drive it in fast. Down with you.
+Quick--march! And now, your Royal Highness,
+my dear old fellow, may we request the honour of
+your company back to town? We shall proceed,
+according to instructions, past the harem of our
+illustrious Princess to the place of execution.
+But you won't need to make-a, long stay _there_,
+you'll be back here again very shortly. Let me
+take this opportunity of introducing to you one
+of our most capable, one of our busiest officials,
+with whom you will soon come into closer contact.
+A very charming man--(_whispers to him_). You'll
+find him sharp though, he has a cutting manner.
+...But don't look so cut up, your Royal Highness;
+keep your pecker up. Come now, love
+hasn't treated you so badly after all; it brings
+most men to the altar and then to the halter--
+you'll keep your head out of that noose anyhow.
+And your flame, your idolized, lovely Turandot,
+will perhaps do you the honour of appearing on
+the grated balcony. I tell you this in case you
+should by any chance desire to cast her one of
+your languishing glances, your Royal Highness,
+my dear old chappie. You silly fool you...
+Forward, march!... Forward, I tell you,
+march, and be damned to you! Right about
+turn, forward march!
+
+(_Music. Exeunt all, in the same order as
+they came, towards the interior of the
+city. Enter CALAF, from the left, on
+a pony. He dismounts, and looks round
+about him in a dazed and dreamy
+manner._)
+
+
+
+
+SCENE II
+
+CALAF.
+
+(_Stepping in front of the footlights._) I am
+Prince Calaf, 'sh! Nobody must know my name.
+Calaf--I don't mind telling _you_. My father is
+Timur, once the mighty King of Astrakhan--the
+cruel Sultan of Taschkent drove us out of our own
+country. O miserable fate! O heavenly gods!
+I wandered for months and months with my
+parents in the desert. Our foe, the Sultan, sent
+riders after us. At the Court of Kaikobad, King
+of the Carcasenes, I served as a gardener. His
+daughter, the Princess Adelma, fell in love with
+me. I had to flee again, and came to Berlas.
+There I kept my poor parents by carrying burdens,
+and by begging. Then a happy chance gave
+me these fine clothes, a horse, and this purse of
+gold. I set out in quest of adventure. And
+here I am now in Pekin.
+
+(_Noise behind the scenes. Enter BARAK from
+the city._)
+
+
+
+
+SCENE III
+
+CALAF, _then_ BARAK.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Whence come you, stranger?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Who asks?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Dare I believe, my eyes?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Do I see right?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+It is he!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+None else!
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+My Prince!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+My tutor, friend!
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Prince Calaf!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Barak!
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Yet alive!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+You here?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+And you, Prince?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Quiet. Betray me not. But whisper low,
+How comes it that in Pekin you are found?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+When your ill-fated army fought and lost
+Before the gates of Astrakhan, and fled
+Close followed by the Sultan of Taschkent,
+Who, barbarous, o'er the battlefield careered,
+I in my helpless rage and wounded sore
+Sought refuge in the city. There I heard
+Timur, your noble father, like yourself,
+Had fallen in the battle. Weeping then,
+I hastened to the Palace, with intent
+To save Elmase, your mother, from the foe.
+I could not find her. And already raged
+The Sultan o'er the unresisting town.
+I turned my back on hope, and fled away.
+And after months of wandering I came hither,
+And took a false name, calling myself Hassan
+The Persian, and as such I came to know
+A widow in distress. By virtue of
+My few remaining jewels which I sold
+For her, and by the good advice I gave,
+I rescued her from utter penury.
+She was not thankless, I disliked her not,
+And in the end I married her. And she
+Even to this very day thinks that I am
+A Persian, and she calls me Hassan, not
+Barak. And so I live with her, and I
+Am poor indeed after my former state,
+But richer than a prince now that I find
+You who are dearer to me than a son,
+Now that I find my Prince Calaf alive.
+
+(_Kneels._)
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+'Sh! Speak no name! On that disastrous day
+I hied me with my father to the Palace.
+We snatched what precious things we could, and fled,
+We and my mother, out of Astrakhan,
+All three in beggars' garb.
+
+
+BARAK (_weeps_).
+
+Prince, say no more!
+My heart is breaking. Timur, my noble King,
+The Queen herself in such sad lowliness.
+But are they yet alive?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+They are alive,
+Barak. They both are living. And after that,
+Wandering still farther, in the end we came
+Unto the city of the Carcasenes.
+
+
+BARAK (_rises_).
+
+O say no more! I have heard enough of grief...
+And yet I see you as a knight attired.
+Tell me how fortune favoured you at last.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Tell you how fortune--_favoured_ me? You jest!
+But I will tell you how I fared. The Khan
+Of Berlas hath a favourite sparrow-hawk,
+That with his jesses to the forest flew.
+By some good chance I caught this hawk, and brought him
+Home to the Khan, who questioned of my name.
+I hid my birth, and painted myself poor,
+A porter of burdens, and my parents ill.
+Straightway he sends them to the hospital... (_Weeps._)
+Barak, thy King, thy Queen, in a hospital!
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Merciful God!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+To me he gives this purse here;
+A horse he gives me, too, and this attire.
+I throw myself into my parents' arms,
+And weeping say: "I will no longer bear
+To see you so. Now I will fare in quest
+Of the jade Fortune, and either I will lose
+My life, or you shall hear from me anon."
+They clung around my, neck, would come with me.
+(God grant they have not followed at my heels
+In their blind love!) Now to Pekin I come
+Where in the Emperor's army I will 'list;
+And if I rise!--The day of vengeance dawns!--
+Why is the city full to overflowing?
+Stay! I will seek thee out again, Barak;
+But now I burn to see what festival
+Swells such a crowd.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+O go not, my dear Prince.
+And spare your eyes the pitiable sight
+Of most ignoble butchery.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Butchery?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+It cannot be but you have heard the fame
+Of Turandot, the Emperor's only daughter,
+Who, beautiful as she is cruel, fills
+Pekin with death and mourning without end?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Something I heard of this kind at the Court
+Of Kaikobad. Indeed, they told me there
+That Kaikobad's own son mysteriously
+In Pekin found his death. And this was why
+King Kaikobad waged war against Altoum.
+But these are tales told for an idle hour.
+Well, what comes next?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+What next? Why, Turandot,
+The mighty Emperor's daughter, unexcelled
+In the mind's keenness, and of beauty such
+That never master's pencil limned her (spite
+Of the innumerable pictures of her
+Which travel round the world), is so conceited,
+And hates all men with such a ruthless hate,
+The greatest princes woo her hand in vain.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+That ancient fable. And what follows next?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+This fable is a fable that is true.
+Her father often sought to have her wed--
+For she is sole heir to his mighty throne--
+But she said "no" to every prince that came,
+And his soft heart would not constrain her "yea."
+Not seldom her refusal led to war,
+And, though his arms were yet victorious,
+He felt the approach of age, and so one day
+He spake to her, deliberately resolved:
+"Make up thy mind to take a husband now,
+Or else show me a means to spare my land
+The throes of war. Age bows my shoulders down,
+And I have made too many kings my foes
+By breaking faith with them for love of thee.
+So once again I charge thee, promptly wed,
+Or show the means I seek, then live and die
+Even as it pleases thee." The proud maid then
+Used every artifice to thwart his will,
+Was sick with fury, yea, was nigh to death!
+And when the Emperor would not bate a jot,
+Hark what this wild she-devil then devised....
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+I know the tale! She craves an edict: this--
+That any prince be free to sue for her.
+With this condition: She will set the suitor
+Three riddles, and before the whole Divan.
+If he can solve them, he shall be her consort,
+And heir of China. If he cannot solve them,
+Altoum by most solemn oath is bound
+To rid the reckless suitor of the head
+Which could not solve the riddles of his daughter.
+Goes not the fable so? Well, you go on with it;
+It bores me.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Fable! Would to Heaven it were!
+The Emperor would not hear of it at first;
+But she with threats and feints and flattering
+Forces the old man's gentle heart to yield,
+Convincing him by saying: "No one ever
+Will risk his head on it; and if he should,
+In any case the Emperor would be blameless,
+Since it were question of an edict sworn,
+And noised abroad." And what she willed was done.
+A fable, is it? Is it a fable, all
+That this inhuman law has brought to pass?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Well, if you say it is so, I will credit
+The edict. But I never will believe
+That any fool has known, and risked his head.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+You won't believe it? Pray you, look up here!
+
+(_Points to the heads on the wall._)
+
+All those are heads of hopeful princes, who
+Have tried their luck and could not solve the riddles,
+And hence... are where they are.
+
+
+CALAF (_horror-struck_).
+
+Most horrible!
+But, tell me, who could ever be so mad,
+So crazy, as to risk his head to win
+A monster of a maiden such as this?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Prince, he who sees her picture is so lost,
+That to possess the living picture he
+Would blindly walk into the arms of death.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+A fool might.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Yes, and a wise man, too.
+Hark to the people pouring out to see
+The wise and handsome Prince of Samarkand
+Beheaded now. The Emperor himself weeps,
+But the she-devil puffs herself with pride.
+
+(_In the distance a beating of muffled drums._)
+
+This muffled rolling is the headsman's sign.
+It was to see it not I left the town.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+These are strange things you tell me, Barak
+How
+Could Nature ever fashion such a thing,
+And call it woman, as this Turandot,
+So harnessed against love, so pitiless?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+My own wife's daughter serves her in the harem,
+And tells such things about her--things, my
+Prince!--
+Worse than a tigress is this Turandot;
+And worst of all her vices is her pride.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+To Hell with such a monster! If _I_ were
+Her father,, I would burn her at the stake....
+
+
+BARAK (_looking towards the city gate._)
+
+See, there comes Ishmael, the friend and guide
+Of the young Prince they slaughtered even now.
+My poor friend!
+
+
+
+
+SCENE IV
+
+ISHMAEL. _The foregoing._
+
+
+ISHMAEL (_Enters weeping from the city_).
+
+Oh, my friend! Now he is dead.
+My Prince is dead! Accursed headsman's axe,
+Why hast thou severed not this neck of mine?
+
+(_Breaks out into despairing weeping._)
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+But why didst thou not hinder him in time,
+My friend?
+
+
+ISHMAEL.
+
+Dost thou on all my misery
+Heap reprimands, Hassan! I have done my duty
+To the uttermost. I might, indeed, have summoned
+His father hither, if there _had_ been time;
+But there was _not_.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Be calm, my friend, be calm.
+
+
+ISHMAEL.
+
+Calm? I be calm? Like arrows stinging sharp
+The last words that he spoke stick in my breast:
+
+"Weep not," he said, "for I am glad to die,
+Since I may not possess her. Bear my greeting
+Unto my father. May he pardon me
+That when I fared I took no leave of him.
+Tell him it was for fear lest his denial
+Should force my disobedience. And show him
+This picture.
+
+(_Draws a picture from the folds of his robe._)
+
+When he sees such loveliness,
+He will forgive, and weep my fate with thee."
+Thus speaking, my dear Prince a hundred times
+Kissed the accursed picture, and then bowed
+His neck to the stroke. Blood spurts on high.
+The trunk
+Quivers, and falls. High in the headsman's hands
+The head I love. Blind, dazed with pain I flee....
+
+(_Hurls the picture to the ground and tramples on it._)
+
+Thou devilish, accursed witchery!
+I tread thee in the dust, thou spawn of Hell!
+And O that I could trample with these feet
+The witch herself! Haha! I was to take thee
+Unto his father, unto Samarkand?
+I fancy
+That Samarkand will never see me more.
+
+(_Exit in desperation._)
+
+
+
+
+SCENE V
+
+BARAK, CALAF.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Well? Did you hear?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+You see me all amazed.
+One thing I understand not: how such power
+Should issue from a picture.
+
+(_Bends down to lift up the picture._)
+
+
+BARAK (_screams_).
+
+Prince, bethink you I
+What are you doing?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+I will lift it up,
+To gaze upon this perilous loveliness....
+
+(_Makes a dash for the picture._ BARAK _holds
+him back with force._)
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+You might as well look on the Gorgon's head!
+I will not let you.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Have you lost your wits?
+Let go of me! If _you_ are weak, _I_ am not!
+
+(_Pushes him aside, and lifts the picture up._)
+
+I tell you: woman's loveliness hath never
+Fettered even for a second's space my eyes,
+Much less my heart: I mean the loveliness
+Of _living_ women. And now a daub or so,
+Cast on a canvas by some colour-grinder,
+Will stagger me, you think! Am I a child?
+
+(_Sighs._)
+
+Mine is no case of love...
+
+(_Is about to look at the picture, when BARAK
+quickly lays his hand upon it and prevents him._)
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Prince, close your eyes,
+For Heaven's sake!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Offend me not. Let go!
+
+(_Looks at the picture, makes a gesture of
+surprise, and is seen to be in a state
+of ecstasy that grows with gazing._)
+
+
+BARAK (_in anguish_).
+
+Disaster, take thy course!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+O Barak, what
+Do I behold? How can it be that this
+Sweet face, these gentle eyes, this soft, white breast,
+Should harbour such a heart as thou hast said,
+A heart cold as the snows of yesteryear?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Unhappy man!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+O worshipped rosy cheeks!
+O magic-breathing lips! O angel eyes!...
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Unhappy man!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+What son of earth shall be
+So brimmed with bliss, so blessed of the gods,
+That he shall hold thee, breathing, animate
+Perfection, in the hollow of his arms?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Unhappy man!
+
+
+CALAF (_looks up for a moment, resolved_).
+
+This is the turn of fate!
+The loveliest lady of the whole round earth,
+Yea, and the richest empire time hath known,
+I by a game of riddles now shall win--
+Or else, thou turbid life of mine, farewell!
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Unhappy man!
+
+
+CALAF (_gazing at the picture again_).
+
+Thou sweetest promise! Thou
+Pledge of my hope! Lo! a new sacrifice
+Is coming to thy riddles and to thee.
+Vouchsafe one smile, sweet lady, lady mine!--
+O Barak, tell me, tell me, shall I once,
+Before they murder me, behold her face?
+
+(_A new roll of drums from the centre of the
+city, sounding nearer than the first._
+CALAF _hearkens, though his eyes are
+still riveted on the picture._ _The executioner
+appears on the city wall, a fearful
+sight, his bare arms bespattered with
+blood._ _He plants the head of the_
+PRINCE Of SAMARKAND _on the vacant
+pole and then disappears_.)
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Stop looking on her face and look on that!
+That head up yonder, smoking yet with blood,
+Is the last lunatic's. And the same headsman
+Who set it there to-morrow will be yours.
+
+(_Bursts into tears._)
+
+
+CALAF (_turning towards the Prince's head_).
+
+Unhappy man! What unknown power decrees
+That I must be thy mate? Up, Barak, up!
+Thou hast already once mourned me for dead,
+And why not once again? I will venture it.
+Tell no one who I am. Perchance the heavens
+Are tired of heaping troubles on my back.
+If fortune crown me in this game of riddles,
+Barak, I shall be grateful! Now, farewell!
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+O Heaven! My son.... My child....
+
+(_Notices his wife coming out of her house._)
+
+Come hither, quick!
+
+Skirina, help thou also! See, this youth,
+Whom I love well, is running from me now
+To woo the Princess and her riddles....
+
+
+
+
+SCENE VI
+
+SKIRINA. _The foregoing._
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+Hold!
+
+What drives thee on, fair youth, to meet thy death?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+My fate, good woman, and this loveliness....
+
+(_Shows the picture._)
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+Who gave him the she-devil's image? (_Weeps._)
+
+
+BARAK (_weeps likewise_).
+
+Chance.
+
+
+CALAF (_frees himself_).
+
+Hassan, farewell! Farewell, thou worthy dame I
+My charger and this purse I give to you.
+
+(_Draws his purse and hands it to_ SKIRINA.)
+
+My poverty has nothing else to show
+Its gratitude. I pray you, if you will,
+Give something of it to the Heavenly Powers
+That they protect me. And something to the poor,
+That they may pray for me. And so farewell!
+
+(_Exit in the direction of the city._)
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Prince, do not go! My son.... My dear, dear son....
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+Confucius be merciful to us!
+
+
+
+
+SCENE VII
+
+_The great hall of the imperial Divan: two high
+doors on each side, on the right to_ TURANDOT'S
+_harem, on the left to the_ EMPEROR'S
+_chambers_.
+
+TRUFFALDINO, EUNUCHS.
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+Halt! First scrubbing company, at ease,
+march. Stack muskets. Attention! Present
+besoms. Sweep. Sweep like the devil. Roll
+up, spread, smooth.
+
+(_Eunuchs roll up the carpets._)
+
+There's nothing I like better than watching other
+people work. Quite so. This here is the Great
+Throne. His Majesty the Emperor of China sits
+on that.
+
+(_Two eunuchs carry the throne past._)
+
+We call it the Great Throne because it's a big
+'un. And this is the Little Throne. Quite so,
+the Little Throne.
+
+(_Two eunuchs carry_ TURANDOT 's _throne to
+its place_.)
+
+The Princess's, don't you know. We call this
+the Little Throne because it's a small 'un. Quite
+so. And _these_ are the eight cushions of the
+learned doctors.
+
+(_Eight slaves carry cushions past._)
+
+The sublime Divan will assemble immediately, and
+then they'll all sit on 'em--the Emperor on
+the Great Throne, the Princess on the Little
+Throne, and the Doctors on the eight cushions.
+
+(BRIGELLA _enters from the right_.)
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+I've always got the blues in Pekin. Not half!
+Here's the Emperor just gone and issued a fresh
+Court ceremonial again, and I can't get it into
+my noddle. I keep on practising. I can't do
+anything without practising. Oh, all right, you're
+a laughing at me. What are you laughing about?
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+Business is good, that's what I'm laughing for.
+My business and my adored Princess's. Trade's
+flourishing, praised be the Lord! Huge turnover,
+commissions promptly executed. Greatest
+stock of sheep's heads in the world. The Divan
+will assemble immediately. There's another prince
+arrived, with his head itching.... _Ut veniant
+omnes_--let them all come.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+No, it's getting a bit too hot, all our young
+sparks going off like match-heads. Strike me
+dead, a man _can_ talk without his head--he can
+talk with his belly if he's a ventriloquist--but
+he can't keep his mouth shut when he's lost his
+head. What _are_ you a-laughin' at? It's no joke,
+not half! It's not three hours since the last was
+polished off, and you can find it in your heart to
+laugh!
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+I have good reason to laugh. Every time my
+sweet adored Princess has netted one of these
+sheepish little princes with her riddles she's in
+such an excellent temper she's sure to present me
+with a charming token of her Imperial favour.
+But you have no taste for such charms.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+I've more than you, anyhow! I can't come
+out with such high-flying language about your
+Princess. The hysterical water-wagtail. What
+right has she to turn her nose up at marriage?
+Considering she knows nothing about it. Perhaps
+she might like it. You never can tell.
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+Marriage! Oh, fie!
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+Look here, I can't stand hearing a carved turkey
+like you cackling rot about marriage. Think of
+your own mamma. If she hadn't got married,
+where would you be?
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+That's a lie. My mamma never got married at
+all, and I'm here just the same. You see me, don't
+you?
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+True; I ought to have seen at the first glance
+that you were a bastard.
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+I am not a bastard. I am a child of love. All
+geniuses are children of love.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+But all children of love are not geniuses. You,
+for instance.
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+I? I have risen in the world. I am Chief--
+Chief--Chief--Administrator of the Harem. You
+understand. (Music is heard.) Anyhow, you
+go to the devil now and pay your customary
+assiduous attention to your pages. His Sublime
+Majesty the Emperor approaches....
+
+
+
+
+SCENE VIII
+
+(_To the strains of music enter from the left
+the Imperial Guards, thereupon the
+eight doctors, behind them_ PANTALONE,
+TARTAGLIA, _finally_ ALTOUM, _at whose
+entrance all prostrate themselves, touching
+the floor with their brows_. ALTOUM
+_seats himself on his throne_. PANTALONE
+_and_ TARTAGLIA _stand near him_.
+_The doctors sink on to their cushions.
+The music ceases._)
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+How long, ye faithful, shall this torture last?
+Scarcely have we with seeming reverence
+Mourned the poor Prince of Samarkand, mine eyes
+Have scarcely dried their tears, but a new victim,
+New sorrow comes. O cruel daughter, born
+To be a curse to me! But what avails
+To curse the day when by the highest God
+I swore that edict! For I cannot break
+My oath; I cannot touch my daughter's heart;
+I cannot frighten those who come to woo.
+Which man of you can tell me what to do?
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+My dearest Majesty, some other Counsellor
+must advise you in this case. In my home in
+Venice, Heaven knows, I never heard of such
+laws. In my home there are never any edicts
+of that sort. In my home princes don't fall in
+love with a medallion, and then, out of sheer
+love for the original, go hawking their heads about.
+In my home in Venice there never was a girl
+who refused a man when he offered, like this
+Princess Turandot here. Heaven knows, in my
+home such things don't happen even in dreams!
+Before I had the ill-luck to have to run away
+from Venice, and before I had the unmerited good
+fortune to be appointed your Majesty's Prime
+Minister, I had never heard anything about China,
+except that you had to be careful not to smash
+it; and Heaven knows it kind of knocks me
+on the head that in this part of the world there
+should be such obsolete customs and such obsolete
+oaths and such obsolete males and females as
+there are here in your country, Heaven knows.
+And if I were to tell the story in my home in
+Venice, they would say: "Shut up, you bounder!
+Tell that to the marines!" They'd laugh in
+my face, I tell you, Heaven knows!
+
+(_Goes to his place._)
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+(_To_ TARTAGLIA.) Have you already seen the
+new arrival?
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+I have, your Majesty. We have given him
+the suite reserved for foreign princes. He has
+a remarkably good presence, a nice face, charming
+manners, and a good accent. I never saw a nicer
+prince in all my life. I am positively in love
+with him, and my heart goes pit-a-pat when I
+think that he is at this moment on his way to
+have his head chopped off, just like a silly sheep;
+such a handsome prince, such a charming prince,
+such a boy of a prince....
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+O sorrow!
+
+(_To_ PANTALONE.) Are the sacrifices made
+By which we send up prayers to Providence
+To teach this most unhappy man to solve
+Our cruel daughter's riddles? Though I scarce
+Can hope....
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+As far as the sacrifices are concerned, Heaven
+knows, your Majesty may be quite easy on that
+point. There has been no economy with regard
+to the sacrifices, your Majesty. I have ordered
+sacrifices to be made to High Heaven of one
+hundred dogs, sacrifice of one hundred horses to
+the Sun, and of one hundred cats to the Moon.
+(_Aside._) I, for my own part, Heaven knows,
+expect nothing from this Imperial butchery except
+sausages and meat-pies.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+(_Aside._) It would have been far better to
+slaughter that cat of a Princess. Then everything
+would be in order. That would be the best
+way to end all this spitting and scratching.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Let the new-comer be conducted hither!
+
+(_Exit one of the_ DOCTORS.)
+
+I will endeavour to dissuade him. You,
+My reverend doctors, help in this, and you,
+My faithful ministers and counsellors,
+If, haply, grief should paralyse my tongue.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+We've done our best in that direction often
+enough already, your Majesty, and we're getting
+about sick of it, Heaven knows. We shall talk
+at him till our throats are sore, and then he'll
+go and get his windpipe cut like a turkey.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Listen here, Pantalone. If my observations can
+be relied on, this young Prince has gifts of the
+very highest order, and a degree of ingenuity
+which is positively penetrating. I do not quite
+give up all hope.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Rot, my dear fellow, rot! You think he's going,
+to guess that snake's riddles. Rot! Stuff and
+nonsense! Humbug! Get out! He's done for.
+
+
+
+
+SCENE IX
+
+CALAF. _The foregoing._
+
+(_Enter_ CALAF, _escorted by the_ DOCTOR. _He
+kneels, and rests his hand on his forehead._)
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Arise, thou young and madly daring man!
+
+(CALAF _rises, makes an obeisance, and stands
+with noble bearing between the two
+thrones, facing the spectators._ ALTOUM
+_scans him carefully_. _Aside._)
+
+How handsome the youth is! Compassion moves
+My breast.
+
+(_Aloud._) Unhappy man, what is thy name?
+What King calls himself father unto thee?
+
+
+CALAF (_at first somewhat confused, then with a
+noble bow_).
+
+Sire, let me beg a boon: that for the nonce
+My name be covered up with dark.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+How now!
+
+You woo the Emperor's daughter, and withhold
+Your name?
+
+
+CALAF (_with pride_).
+
+I am of royal blood. If Heaven
+Decree my death, there will be time left then
+To make my name and country known to you.
+
+(_With another bow._)
+
+Vouchsafe me silence for the present, Sire.
+
+
+ALTOUM (_aside_).
+
+What noble speech and port!
+(_Aloud._) But if perchance
+You solve the riddles, and then prove to be
+Of mean extraction, how shall the edict...
+
+
+CALAF (_interrupting him quickly_).
+
+Sire,
+The edict serves not save for sons of Kings.
+If I by help of Heaven should solve the riddles,
+And then were found to be of base extraction,
+Let my head pay for it. My body give
+To dogs and carrion crows upon the fields.
+There is one man in Pekin knows my name,
+And he will bear me witness.
+
+(_With an obeisance to the_ EMPEROR.)
+
+Therefore I
+Entreat you in your mercy once again,
+Still let my name be covered up with dark.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+So be it then! It is your pleasing speech
+And noble bearing make me grant the boon.
+Oh that you now would grant the Emperor
+The boon he begs for from his very throne,
+Beseeching you: Go back, my son, go back!
+Desist from this adventure, and go back!
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+We can't get him any farther, your Majesty.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+The nations are already nursing wrath
+Against me for the reckless oath I swore.
+Do not thou also force me to shed tears
+Over thy corpse. Oh, force me not to hate
+This daughter of my loins more than I do
+Already; force me not to hate myself
+Who brought her into the world, more than I do.
+Proud, vain, and pitiless, and cruel, source
+Is she of torment to me till I die.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Sire, but I cannot think that you have cause
+To fill your heart with torment and unrest.
+If in your daughter there is cruelty,
+It is not from her father that it came.
+If guilt you have, it can be only this:
+That you have given the world such peerless beauty
+As draws all men to her. I thank you, Sire,
+For your great goodness! I have but one thought,
+To win your Turandot or live no more.
+All that I ask is death or Turandot.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+H'm, my dearest Royal Highness, I presume
+you vouchsafed to behold the severed heads on
+the city wall. Eh? Heaven knows what pleasure
+there can be in having oneself stuck like a pig,
+so that afterwards the whole town is full of
+tears and blowing of noses, Heaven knows. I
+can tell you beforehand, the Princess will nail
+you three riddles together that it would take
+Old Moore himself seven years to take to pieces,
+Heaven knows. We two sit here, year in, year
+out, and the learned doctors, too, sit here in
+judgment, judging who guesses well and who
+guesses ill, and we've had a bit of practice and
+we can "read print, Heaven knows--and yet we
+can't make head or tail of our most wise Princess's
+riddles. These are not riddles like those in
+Saturday's _Daily Telegraph_, such as:
+
+  "Puts his head between his feet,
+  And rolls him in a ball complete,"
+
+or:
+
+  "Four already, I'll be bound,
+  This is one when it is found."
+
+No, these are confounded new-fangled puzzles
+with man-traps in 'em and patent springs. And
+if she didn't write the solutions beforehand on
+slips of paper and pop 'em into sealed envelopes
+and hand 'em in to the doctors, why even they
+wouldn't know whether they were standing on their
+head or their feet, Heaven knows. You go back
+home, my dearest Royal Highness. It really
+would be a pity, such a fine young fellow as you
+are. Do as I advise you, Heaven knows. If
+you don't I wouldn't give as much for your head
+as I would for a turnip radish. No use, no use.
+
+(PANTALONE _to his place._)
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+You talk and lose your breath, old gentleman,
+What I demand is death or Turandot.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Turandot.... Turandot.... What a
+damned stupid ass the dear fellow is! You just
+listen to me, my dear boy! This is not a
+question of drawing lots with blades of straw
+for a cup of coffee or an iced chocolate. Get
+that into your head; do be quick and get that
+into your head, please. It is a question here of
+keeping or losing your head. That is the only
+argument I will bring forward to reduce you to
+reason. This one argument _should_ suffice. Your
+head is in danger, do you understand? Your
+head. His beloved Majesty in his own most
+gracious person begs and implores you not, to
+lose your head. His Imperial Majesty has in
+his own most gracious person sacrificed one hundred
+horses to the Sun, one hundred dogs to High
+Heaven, and one hundred cats to the Moon, to
+induce them to restore your lost wits--and you,
+you sweet little sugar-plum you, you actually
+refuse. Why, even if there were no other fish
+in the sea except Princess Turandot, your intentions
+would still amount to capital folly. You
+must give me credit, my dearest Prince, for talking
+so frankly, because I wish you well. Have you,
+may I ask, at any time carefully considered what
+it means to be shortened by a head? I can hardly
+believe you have.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+You talk too much and lose your breath, dear sir.
+Death is what I demand or Turandot.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Death have then, and with death my own despair.
+
+(_To the_ DOCTORS.)
+
+Go, one of you, and bid the Princess come.
+And tell her a fresh sacrifice awaits.
+
+(_Exit_ DOCTOR _behind_ EMPEROR, _front of stage_.)
+
+
+CALAF (_aside_).
+
+Ye heavenly powers, help me, and lend me strength
+And self-possession, lest the sight of her
+Confuse me: for my mind already sways,
+My heart pants, and my lips are quivering.
+
+(_To the assembly._)
+
+Illustrious Divan, most reverend Doctors,
+My answers' judges, judges soon to me
+Over my life and death, oh, pardon now
+My rash adventure, be not pitiless
+To one disquieted and blind with love,
+Who, heedless of the place and of the hour,
+Forces the closed arms of his sullen fate.
+
+
+
+
+SCENE X
+
+(_From the right the sounds of a march with
+kettledrums and tambourines._ _First
+appears_ TRUFFALDINO, _shouldering his
+broadsword, at the head of his eunuchs_.
+_After them a troop of female slaves
+beating tambourines._ _Then, thickly
+veiled, the two favourite slaves of the_
+PRINCESS--_the one_, ADELMA, _in rich
+Tartar costume; the other_, ZELIMA, _in
+more simple Chinese dress_. _The latter
+carries a little dish, which contains
+sealed leaves with the solutions of
+the riddles._ TRUFFALDINO _and the
+eunuchs march past the_ EMPEROR'S
+_throne, cast themselves face downwards
+on the earth, and rise again_. _The
+female slaves kneel, and lift their hands
+to their foreheads._ _Last appears_ TURANDOT
+_in gorgeous Chinese costume,
+veiled, and with a haughty attitude of
+challenge_. _The eight doctors and the
+two ministers cast themselves down
+before her, touching the floor with their
+brows._ ALTOUM _rises_. TURANDOT
+_raises her hand to her forehead and
+greets her father with a solemn bow,
+then ascends her throne and sits down_.
+ZELIMA _stands at her right_, ADELMA _at
+her left_. CALAF, _who had bowed when
+the_ PRINCESS _entered, now stands erect,
+sunk in admiration of her beauty_.
+TRUFFALDINO, _after performing various
+ceremonies in his comic way, takes the
+dish with the sealed leaves out of_
+ZELIMA'S _hand; he distributes these
+among the doctors, and then, with
+various ceremonies and obeisances, withdraws
+to his place_. _Music plays until_
+TRUFFALDINO _leaves the Divan_. _Then
+deep silence ensues._)
+
+
+
+
+SCENE XI
+
+ALTOUM, TURANDOT, CALAF, ZELIMA, ADELMA,
+PANTALONE, TARTAGLIA, DOCTORS, GUARDS.
+
+
+TURANDOT (_haughtily_).
+
+What man is this again, who fondly hopes
+To penetrate the darkness of my riddles
+In spite of warnings manifold and grim?
+What man comes speeding after dead men's heels,
+And asks to lose his head?
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Here stands the man.
+
+(_Points to_ CALAF.)
+
+Look at him well. Does he, at last, not seem
+Worthy to make you end this cursed game?
+Take him for consort, and so give me peace!
+
+
+TURANDOT (_after scanning_ CALAF _for a moment,
+whispers to_ ZELIMA).
+
+Pity I never felt! I pity him!
+
+
+ZELIMA (_whispers_).
+
+Then, quick, three easy riddles. Bid pride go!
+
+
+TURANDOT (_flaring up, whispers_).
+
+What sayest thou, rash girl?
+
+
+ADELMA (_aside_).
+
+God! dare I trust
+My eyes? It is the very, man--the same
+Who served my sire as gardener. Then he is
+A prince--a prince, indeed. My heart guessed true.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Thou errant Prince, desist from this adventure.
+See, I am nowise cruel, as men say.
+It is but my deep loathing for all males
+That forces me to stand as now at guard
+To keep from me a sex that I abhor.
+Why should I not be free to fight my foe?
+What brings you here to harden me again?
+If prayers can move you, I myself will beg:
+Desist! Put not my sharp mind to the test.
+It is my only pride, the only weapon
+Heaven gave me. And I know that I should die
+If any man were victor of my mind.
+Claim not my riddles then. There still is time.
+Else naught awaits you save a shameful death.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Voice of a goddess, body of an angel,
+Rare mind, unparalleled intelligence,
+Are gathered in one woman's being here.
+Who calls the man a fool that risks his life
+For treasures such as these? Princess, your own
+High understanding cannot fail but see
+That as your gifts in greater glory shine,
+As your refusal is more violent,
+So many more the hearts you set on fire.
+Had I a thousand lives, I would with joy,
+For your sake, Princess, die a thousand deaths.
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+Be kind! Three easy riddles. He deserves them.
+
+
+ADELMA (_aside_).
+
+Would he were mine! He is a prince. That I
+Had known it then, ere I became a slave!
+Now I do love him with a threefold strength.
+Oh, why is love for ever weak in courage?
+
+(_Aside to_ TURANDOT.)
+
+Princess, take care! Your honour is at stake!
+
+
+TURANDOT (_aside_).
+
+So it was fated one should come at last
+And teach me pity! Heart, be firm and cold!
+
+(_To_ CALAF, _vehemently_.)
+
+Up, thou rash champion, gird thee for the fight!
+
+
+ALTOUM (_to_ CALAF).
+
+Are you still obstinate!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+I said just now,
+Death give me, or else give me Turandot.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Proceed, then, with the public recitation
+Of that bad edict. Hark, and tremble, you!
+
+(_Music, ceremony._ PANTALONE _takes the
+Book of the Law from the folds of his
+raiment, kisses it, holds it first to his
+breast and then to his forehead, and
+hands it to_ TARTAGLIA, _who has just
+cast himself on the floor, whereupon_
+TARTAGLIA _recites with a loud voice_.)
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+There is no prince of royal lineage
+But shall be free to woo. But first to him
+Three riddles of the Princess shall be set
+Before eight doctors in the full Divan.
+Let him solve these, and TURANDOT is his;
+But if he solve them not, he shall straightway
+Be yielded up into the headsman's hands,
+Who promptly shall, by severing his head,
+Do him to death. Immediate execution
+Of this our solemn edict we affirm
+And swear by oath, by great Confucius,
+We, Khan Altoum, Emperor of China.
+
+(_The recital ended_, TARTAGLIA _kisses the
+Book of the Law, holds it to his breast,
+then to his forehead, and hands it to_
+PANTALONE, _who has cast himself
+down with his face to the earth, and so
+receives it_. _He rises, and extends the
+book to_ ALTOUM, _who lays one hand
+upon it to swear the oath_.)
+
+
+ALTOUM (_sighing_).
+
+Oh, bloody edict! To observe thee now
+I do affirm, and by Confucius swear.
+
+(PANTALONE _replaces the book in the folds
+of his garment_. _The whole Divan waits
+in profound silence_. TURANDOT _rises_.)
+
+
+TURANDOT (_in a didactic tone_).
+
+Come, stranger, name that tender pair of doves,
+As white as innocence, as frail as roses,
+Hiding from all men's eyes save his who loves
+To see how by the other each reposes,
+Even as a sister by her sister's aide.
+But he that loves and finds them where they hide
+Roams restless till he holds them to his breast.
+They bring him from the Islands of the Blest
+Heroic fire to make him do and dare,
+And tidings from the Land of Heart's Desire.
+Name, cunning stranger, name this tender pair.
+
+(_Sits down again._)
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+(_Gazes upwards for a moment in meditation,
+then makes a bow to_ TURANDOT _and
+lifts his hand to his brow_.)
+
+Two doves, thou sayest, doves so tender-hearted
+That they are always paired and never parted;
+Scarce grown enough to bear their weight aloft,
+And yet already plump, and firm, and soft;
+Two smooth, white doves to which my yearning wings,
+To which by night my secret dreaming sings.
+These two white doves which hold me free from scaith,
+These doves my fortune--they are: HOPE and FAITH.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+He's hit the mark, my dear Lord Chancellor!
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Hit the bull's-eye.
+
+
+THE EIGHT DOCTORS.
+
+(_Open the first of the sealed papers._ _All
+together._)
+
+Optime. Hope and Faith! Hope and Faith!
+Hope and Faith!
+
+
+ALTOUM (_joyfully_).
+
+Heaven help thee farther, my beloved son!
+
+
+ZELIMA (_aside_).
+
+Ye gods, protect him!
+
+
+ADELMA (_aside_).
+
+Blind him, O ye gods!
+O give him not to her, or I shall die!
+
+
+TURANDOT (_aside, indignantly_).
+
+Can it be possible that _he_ should win?
+
+(_To_ CALAF, _aloud_.)
+
+Listen, poor fool! And solve this riddle now:
+
+(_She stands up, and continues in her didactic tone._)
+
+Come, stranger, name those slender pillars twain
+Which bear a bristling fortress on their summit,
+A fort which still is in my sire's domain,
+Although thy heart burns high to overcome it;
+Pillars in strength and beauty smooth and rounded,
+On which thy Hope and Faith are firmly founded:
+These pillars holding Heaven upon their height--
+Tell me the names, now, of these pillars white.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+(_After some meditation, and with the same
+bow as before._)
+
+These two white pillars soaring to the skies,
+That bear a kingdom and all Paradise;
+That bear the magic land my dreams divine,
+Which are as slender as a forest pine;
+Of every prince the very noblest aim;
+Thine empire's fairest ornament and fame,
+To which my hope clings like a climbing flower--
+I call these pillars twain: KNOWLEDGE and POWER.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+(_Joyfully_.) Hits the bull right in the eye,
+my dear Lord Chancellor!
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Centre. Centre.
+
+
+THE EIGHT DOCTORS.
+
+(_In chorus, after unsealing the second leaf._)
+
+Optime. Knowledge and Power! Knowledge
+and Power! Knowledge and Power!
+
+
+ALTOUM (_excitedly_).
+
+O joy! O joy!--Gods, help him to the end!
+
+
+ZELIMA (_aside_).
+
+Would this had been the last!
+
+
+ADELMA (_excitedly, aside_).
+
+Alas! I lose him!
+
+(_Aside to_ TURANDOT.)
+
+This moment turns your fair renown to shame:
+He is your better.
+
+
+TURANDOT (_in a low voice_).
+
+Silence! Ere he win
+Let the world go to pieces.
+
+(_Aloud to_ CALAF.)
+
+Rash fool! know
+My hatred step by step grows with thy hope
+Of victory. Leave the Divan! Go! Flee
+From my last riddle, and so save thy head!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Your hate weighs heavy, my adored Princess.
+So much the lighter weighs this head of mine,
+Since before you it finds so little grace.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Desist, my son. And thou, my child, desist
+From further riddles. Reach thy hand to him,
+For he deserves to be thy husband.
+
+
+TURANDOT (_fiercely_).
+
+He!
+My husband! Of my free will? Never!
+
+Never!
+Let the law have its course.
+
+
+CALAF (_to_ ALTOUM).
+
+Free be her will.
+Naught I demand but death, or Turandot.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+So be it, then; take death. Hold still and mark!
+
+(_Rises._)
+
+Now tell me: knowest thou the magic flower
+By whose bright rays the soul's dark deeps are lit;
+Which, hiding in its quiet, sacred bower,
+Waits for the Fairy Prince to gather it;
+But which, if he find not its shy recess,
+Withers and dies in forlorn loneliness?
+Within the bosom of its petals furled
+Lies with Life's sense the Riddle of the World;
+And he that first its chalice openeth
+Glows with the wine of Life, the scorn of
+Death.
+
+(_She unveils herself._)
+
+Now look me in the face, now hold thy ground,
+Die like a dog, or name the flower I mean.
+
+
+CALAF (_in ecstasy_).
+
+O beauty bright!
+
+
+ALTOUM (_excitedly_).
+
+Alas! he is wandering!
+Compose thyself, my son. Keep clear! Keep clear!
+
+
+ZELIMA (_aside_).
+
+I am dizzy with excitement.
+
+
+ADELMA (_aside_).
+
+He is mine!
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+(_Beside himself._) Cheer up, sonny! cheer up!
+Wish I could give him a dig in the ribs, Heaven
+knows! My shanks are quivering with fear he
+shouldn't be able to get his wits together again.
+Oh for a cooling draught of old Three Star!
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+If it weren't contrary to etiquette, I'd like to
+run into the kitchen and fetch the vinegar bottle.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Death thou didst ask for, death thou hast received.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+For one poor moment I was dazzled by
+Your beauty--but I was not overcome.
+
+(_To the public._)
+
+This magic flower by which the soul is lit,
+Which makes the heart tremble with dreaming it;
+This magic rose of all men's fiery dreams,
+Which under soft moss hides its gentle beams;
+Which is with beauty sweet and goodness shy,
+And bears the hope that holds the heavens on high;
+This magic flower of purest ray divine,
+This flower is: LOVE--dearest, your love and mine.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Praised be the Lord! Praised be the Lord!
+Here! I can't stand this any longer....
+
+(_Runs up to_ CALAF _and embraces him_.)
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Victory, your Majesty! Hail! Victory!
+
+
+THE EIGHT DOCTORS.
+
+(_Open the third leaf._) Love! Love! Love!
+
+(_Vociferous hurrahs of the crowd outside and
+noisy music._ TURANDOT _falls all of
+a heap on her throne_, ZELIMA _and_
+ADELMA _busy themselves with her_.
+ALTOUM _lifts the PRINCE off his feet
+and kisses him_, PANTALONE _and_ TARTAGLIA
+_helping_. _The doctors retire in
+a row to the background._)
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+And now enough of tyranny and whims--
+Do you hear me, Turandot! And you, dear son,
+Come to my heart.
+
+(_He embraces_ CALAF.)
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+(_Has recovered herself, and rushes in a rage
+at the embracing pair._)
+
+Stay! Do not let this man
+Believe he is my husband. I demand
+Another meeting and three riddles more.
+The time I was allowed was far too short.
+Stay!----
+
+
+ALTOUM (_interrupting her_).
+
+False and cruel child! The game is played.
+Thou shalt not so begin a second time.
+The edict has run out, and is surrendered
+Into the keeping of my ministers.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+I beg a thousand pardons. But we can't do
+with any more of these riddles, Heaven knows!
+We can't do with any more head-chopping,
+Heaven knows, as if they were nothing but
+lettuces. The young man there has guessed
+right. The edict must be executed in its entirety.
+The bridecake has got to go into the oven. (_To_
+TARTAGLIA.) What do you say, my Lord
+Chancellor?
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Must be executed--in its entirety. There is no
+call for any further explanations, interpretations,
+dissertations, appeals, and commentaries. What
+do our learned doctors say?
+
+
+THE EIGHT DOCTORS.
+
+(_All together._) Must be executed! Must be
+executed--in its entirety. Decision final--irrevocable!
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Straight to the altar, then. This stranger prince
+Will now reveal his birth and name, the priests----
+
+
+TURANDOT (_in despair_).
+
+Grant me a respite, father!
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Not one minute.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+(_Casting herself on her knees before him._)
+
+If you would have me living, father, father!
+Grant me another day, another contest.
+I cannot bear the shame of it. I will rather
+Die than be subject to that coxcomb there,
+Die rather than be wife to that proud boy.
+The very word "wife," the mere thought of it,
+Of being his possession, strikes me dead.
+
+
+ALTOUM (_descending from his throne_).
+
+Savage and obstinate and ruthless child!
+Not one word more. Come, gentlemen, let us go!
+
+
+CALAF (_to_ TURANDOT).
+
+Arise, fair, cruel mistress of my heart!
+
+(_To_ ALTOUM.)
+
+I beg you, sire, grant her the respite! How
+Could I be happy if she hated me?
+And what avails my love, breeding but hate?
+If I have not the power to touch her heart,
+Let her be free. I do not claim my right.
+
+(_To_ TURANDOT.)
+
+If you could see into my heart that bleeds,
+Torn as it is, you would be merciful.
+You are determined I shall die. So be it.
+
+(_To_ ALTOUM.)
+
+Grant her another match. My life is cheap.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+No more of that! On to the Temple, on I
+The games are over now.... Imprudent youth!
+
+
+TURANDOT (_determinedly_).
+
+So be it, to the Temple, I say, too!
+But on the altar steps your daughter dies.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Dies? Lord and master, and my Princess you...
+I pray you both to grant me one desire:
+I will myself set my unbending Queen
+One riddle now. And this is my riddle: Who
+Is that King's son and of what stock is he,
+Who was a beggar, porter, menial,
+Yet in good fortune more unfortunate?
+Woman without a heart, guess here to-morrow
+In the Divan his and his father's name.
+If you can _not_, take pity on my pain,
+Appease your heart, refuse your hand no more!
+But if your cunning tell those two names true,
+Your pride may drink its fill out of my blood.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Stranger, I take the bargain. It shall hold.
+
+
+ZELIMA (_aside_).
+
+Alas, new fears!
+
+
+ADELMA (_aside_).
+
+New hope is beckoning!
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+I do _not_ take the bargain. The law alone
+Holds good, and shall be carried out.
+
+
+CALAF (_kneels before him_).
+
+Sublime
+Ruler of nations, star of all the world,
+Let your great heart be softened, and vouchsafe
+To grant what here your daughter begs with me.
+Deny her not the satisfaction I
+Do not withhold. Let her bestir her brains;
+And if her brains can serve her, let her give
+The answer to my riddle here to-morrow.
+
+
+TURANDOT (_aside_).
+
+Rage stifles me, and he is mocking still.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Blind fool, you know not what you ask. But have
+Your wish! Another contest there shall be!
+If she can name the names, we will not force
+Marriage on her; but you--for I forbid
+New carnage--free and scatheless go your way!
+
+(_In a low voice to_ CALAF.)
+
+Now follow me! Blind fool, what have you done?
+
+(_Music strikes up with a march._ ALTOUM
+_turns, followed by the guards, the
+doctors_, PANTALONE, _and_ TARTAGLIA, _to
+left exit_. _Exeunt_ TURANDOT, ZELIMA,
+TRUFFALDINO, _the eunuchs, and female
+slaves, with their tambourines, through
+the door to the right_.)
+
+END OF THE FIRST ACT.
+
+
+
+
+THE SECOND ACT
+
+
+
+
+SCENE I
+
+Chamber in the harem.
+
+TURANDOT, ZELIMA. _Afterwards_ ADELMA.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+I cannot bear to think of it, Zelima;
+I cannot bear the thought of my disgrace.
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+I cannot think you mean it, mistress mine.
+A young prince, noble, handsome, so enamoured,
+And you so full of hatred and disgust?
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Torture me not. That is the very reason...
+I am ashamed to say that it is so....
+But there are other feelings strange to me....
+I seem to shiver both with heat and frost....
+No, no, I hate him, I am sure, Zelima--
+Hate him for making me a laughing-stock
+Before the whole Divan--nay, the whole world!
+How they will laugh at me! Help me, Zelima!
+Come to my help! How did his riddle run:
+"Who is that Prince and of what stock is he,
+Who was a beggar, porter, menial,
+Yet in good fortune more unfortunate?"
+So much is clear that he himself is meant.
+But how in all the world am I to guess
+His and his father's names? Here no one knows him.
+The Emperor himself has granted him
+For the time being still to be unknown.
+Only to save time did I take the odds.
+What shall I do now? I am helpless, helpless!
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+How would it do to ask a fortune-teller?
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+A fortune-teller?
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+No, that would not do.
+But think, how genuine his pain, his sighs!
+And how he cast himself at your father's feet
+To plead for you!
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Enough of this--enough!
+I said, indeed... my heart... believe it not.
+It is not true. I hate him. For I know
+They all are treacherous: pretending love
+Until they have the maiden in their toils;
+But when they have their will, they laugh at us,
+Dallying with now this woman and now that;
+Nor is there any slave too base for them,
+Nor any harlot at too low a price.
+Zelima, speak no more of him. If he
+To-morrow is victorious again,
+Oh, I shall hate him worse than death.
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+Dear mistress,
+So long as you are young and beautiful,
+Rebellion beseems you. But when age
+Comes creeping on, and wooers stay away,
+What will be yours beside too late regret?...
+What would you lose now save a little pride,
+The phantom of your fame?...
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+(_Has slowly come nearer, and now interrupts her._)
+
+They that are base
+In birth may, it is true, so basely think
+As thou, Zelima. How couldst thou conceive
+The feelings of our noble mistress, when
+After so many years with triumph crowned,
+A stranger roving here from who knows where
+Puts her to shame in public? How shouldst thou
+Know anything of pride and pain and shame?
+Thou didst not see the looks of mockery,
+The slanted smile round every mouth. I saw it,
+Saw it and shook with rage and shame for her.
+I love her. And shall I stand and see her now,
+Against the promptings of her heart and will,
+Delivered up into a stranger's hands?
+
+
+TURANDOT (_vehemently_).
+
+Stop! Do not make me mad beyond control!
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+Delivered up? Is it so bad as that?
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Be silent, thou! Thou pretty little slave,
+Thou hast no need to understand these things.
+What matters it to thee if, heedlessly,
+She pledged her word? And what shall come to pass
+In the Divan to-morrow if in shame
+She hold her tongue? I can already see
+The mockery scarcely hid, the open scorn,
+And the base wit, such wit as is the meed
+Of a poor actress.
+
+
+TURANDOT (_beside herself_).
+
+Hold your tongue, Adelma!
+Unless I know the names before to-morrow,
+I shall have nothing save this dagger....
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Do not despair, Princess. By taking thought--
+Or, if it must be so, by trickery--
+We yet will find the names.
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+Oh, find the names,
+Dear, wise Adelma....
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+I must know the names,
+Adelma. His name, and his father's name.
+How shall I find them out? Adelma, help me!
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+One thing I know: to-day in the Divan
+Himself betrayed it: in this city lives
+_One_ man who knows his name and origin.
+Now what behoves us is to ferret through
+The town, and if we make no stint of gold
+Haply we may discover what we seek.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Take anything--gold, gems--do what you will.
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+What can she do with gold or precious stones?
+Whom shall she give them to, to purchase help?
+And if the plan succeed, what will you do
+If some one find your mesh of trickery?
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Who would betray the trick--if not Zelima?
+
+
+ZELIMA (_flaring up_).
+
+Shame on your venomous tongue! Princess, hear _me_:
+Cast not your gold away. I had indeed
+Hoped to appease, convince you in the end,
+Hoped you would give the Prince your hand--the Prince
+Who loves you, and well is worthy of your love.
+Now I will be obedient. My old mother,
+Skirina, came to visit me just now.
+Rejoicing at the fortune of the Prince,
+And knowing nothing of the imminent
+Encounter which to-morrow shall decide,
+She told me she had spoken to the stranger
+The night before, and said that my step-father,
+Old Hassan, knows him. There and then I asked
+What might his name be, but she did not know,
+Or swore she did not. Hassan, so she said,
+Would not betray his name for any price.
+This notwithstanding, she has promised me
+To do her best to worm the secret out.
+Now, Princess, doubt my zeal, if still you can.
+
+(_Exit in excitement._)
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Come, to my arms! Why does she run away?
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Let the fool go. Now we have got the scent,
+And let us with swift cunning track the game.
+But come with me straightway and let me tell you
+The plan I have. Put all your trust in me.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Adelma, I put all my trust in you.
+But save me from this stranger whom I loathe.
+
+(_Exeunt both._)
+
+
+
+SCENE II
+
+Before the Palace.
+
+CALAF, BARAK.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+But seeing that in all Pekin no man
+Knows me, save you, and since my country lies
+A hundred days of journeying from here,
+And when you think we have been wanderers
+O'er the earth's face eight years as unknown men,
+And when you think we are reported dead:
+I say, Barak, the wretched have no name.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+And yet my mind misgives me: Here you win
+At one throw of the dice the loveliest
+Of maidens and a mighty empire too:
+You stake your head to win, and, having won,
+You throw the prize away.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+You must not measure
+My actions by the ell: I am in love....
+But you have been discreet, Barak, I know?
+Even to your wife?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Even to my wife, be sure.
+And yet my heart forebodes much evil hap.
+
+
+
+SCENE III
+
+PANTALONE, TARTAGLIA, BRIGELLA, SOLDIERS.
+_The foregoing._
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Here he is, by the Lord Harry, here he is!
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Who is this man, your Royal Highness?
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Where the dickens have you been to, my dearest
+Prince? What sort of people are you honouring
+with your intercourse, my dearest Prince?
+
+
+BARAK (_aside_).
+
+Great heavens, what threatens now?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+This is some stranger,
+Whom here I met and questioned of the way.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+By your leave, my dearest Royal Highness, I
+had not previously noticed that there was any
+screw loose under your turban. Your conduct
+so far had led me, I trust not misled me, to
+believe that your head was screwed on quite safe.
+But what the deuce are you up to now, if you
+will allow me to say so?
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+'Sh! 'Sh! It's no use crying over spilt milk.
+Heaven knows, my dear Prince, you little suspect
+what hot water you've got into, and if we hadn't
+kept a sharp eye on you, you'd be in a fine
+pickle at this moment. (_To_ BARAK.) Your
+presence here, Mr. Nanny-goat, is no longer
+desired! As for you, my dearest Royal Highness,
+will you have the goodness to withdraw to
+your private apartments? Brigella, you will
+forthwith call two thousand men of the guards to
+arms, and with your corps of pages sentinel the
+entrance to his suite, taking care that no one
+gains admission. Our most Sublime Majesty,
+the Emperor, is so much in love with the Prince
+that he is all the time in a perfect state lest
+anything should happen to him. If he is not his
+son-in-law by to-morrow morning, Heaven knows
+the old gentleman will succumb to this violent
+passion. (_To_ CALAF.) And let me tell you,
+you've been making a fool of yourself. (_Whispering
+to him._) For Heaven's sake, don't let your
+name get between your teeth! But if by any
+chance you would care to whisper it to a venerable,
+discreet old man, I can assure you it would be
+in good keeping. What do you say?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+You serve your Emperor ill, old gentleman!
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Oh, bravo! Oh, bravo! Now then, Mr.
+Brigella, off you go!
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+You stop your parleying first. I'll see to my
+duty in due course.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+I should advise you to. Off you go, or off
+goes your head.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+My head's hard enough to stand _your_ pecking,
+old cock.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+(_Whispering to_ CALAF.) I'm simply bursting
+with curiosity to know your dear, delightful name.
+If you would only have the kindness to confide it
+to me!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Enough! Enough! To-morrow you shall hear it.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Excellent. By George!
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Your Royal Highness, I take my leave! (_To_
+BARAK.) And you, my worthy Mr. Nanny-goat,
+you will do well to depart this place and smoke
+your pipe on the market square instead of standing
+about here. I urgently recommend you to
+mind your own business. I believe that would
+do you a lot more good.
+
+(_Exit._)
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+(_To_ BARAK.) A lot more good, believe me!
+You have, if I may say so, a rascal's face; and
+I can tell you I don't like it.
+
+(_Exit._)
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+Permit me, your Royal Highness, to execute
+my commission. Have the goodness to follow
+me to your apartments!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+I am coming.
+
+(_To_ BARAK.)
+
+Friend, until we meet again,
+Some better time, farewell.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Your humble servant.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+Come along! Come along! No more fooling.
+
+(_Exit at the head of his guards, who march
+in two lines, with_ CALAF _between them_.)
+
+
+
+SCENE IV
+
+BARAK, then SKIRINA.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+(_Sees_ SKIRINA _coming from the Palace_.)
+
+Who's there? Skirina? What! And in such haste?
+Whence come you? Whither are you going?
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+Why,
+For sheer delight because the unknown Prince
+Had won the game; a little, too, because
+I itched to hear how the proud tigress took it,
+I ran to see Zelima in the harem.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Incautious woman! What is this you say?
+I see. I hear you boasting: "Yes, just fancy,
+The strange Prince spoke to us; my husband knows him...."
+Is it not as I say?
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+Well, if it is,
+What harm is there?
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Confess it! You have told!
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+Well, yes! She asked me straightway for his name,
+And, to be frank, I promised her...
+
+
+BARAK (_angrily_).
+
+Damnation!
+The cat's out of the bag. Insensate woman!
+Come hence! Away out of the town!
+
+(TRUFFALDINO _appears with his eunuchs in
+the background._)
+
+Too late!
+There come the eunuchs.
+
+(_To_ SKIRINA.)
+
+Fool of a woman, go!
+Go home and hide thy folly!
+
+(_To the eunuchs._)
+
+Here I am!
+
+
+
+SCENE V
+
+TRUFFALDINO, EUNUCHS. _The foregoing._
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+(_Aside._) You ass! (_Aloud._) Stop bleating
+and shaking your tags, you old ram you! (_In a
+kindly tone._) You're going to have a fine time
+of it to-day, old boy.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+I'm wanted in the harem. Good! let us go.
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+Ass! you're going to have a fine time of it,
+you old baa-baa. And I'll help you. Against
+all the rules of etiquette and good breeding, I
+condescend to introduce you alive into the harem.
+Can you appreciate the height of your good fortune?
+H'm! A vigorous old chap like you!
+Inside the most holy seraglio? Baa! Baa! All
+those pretty ladies? Baa! Baa! Eh! is that
+nothing to you? Baa! Baa! (_More to the
+public._) As a rule, we are very particular on
+this point--absolutely rigorous. As a rule, not
+even a flea is admitted into the harem before it
+has been carefully examined to see whether it's
+a male or a female. We tickle it, and if it
+laughs it's a she. Females have a silk thread
+tied round their left leg. Males are immediately
+executed. Baa! Baa! And now you have this
+good fortune thrust upon you.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+I know the Princess sends you after _me_.
+What of the woman there? I know her not.
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+Thou knowest her not! Baa! Baa! Thou
+art a liar, old chap. Thou liest in thy throat,
+thou silvery ram. Thou knowest her not! Thou
+paralytic pack of prevarication! This buxom
+smiling lady, with her attractive, plump figure,
+thou knowest her not? Thou thrice-bleached
+hypocrite! And all the time you share all she
+has, year in, year out, as far as you are able to.
+Baa! Baa! I'll help you. Baa! Baa! I'll
+teach you to tell me lies! Baa! Baa! Me,
+the Grand Eunuch of China! (_Beckons to the
+eunuchs to bring_ SKIRINA _closer to_ BARAK.) Well,
+do you know her now? This lady? Your wife,
+you wretch, you wretch! Baa! Baa!
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+I can't make head or tail of it.
+
+
+BARAK.
+
+Remember
+What I have said. And hold your tongue.
+Poor fool,
+You have now what you wanted.
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+Heaven help us!
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+(_To the eunuchs._) Up! Take the pair of
+'em between you. Slope swords! Halt! Attention!
+Eyes front! Quick march!
+
+
+
+SCENE VI.
+
+_In the harem._ _Anteroom with columns._ _In the
+middle a table, on which stands a large basin
+filled with gold coins._ _It is night._
+
+(TRUFFALDINO _and his eunuchs surround_
+BARAK, _who is fettered to a pillar_. _To
+the right stand_ SKIRINA _and_ ZELIMA,
+_weeping; to the left, in an imperious
+attitude_, TURANDOT.)
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+There still is time. I offer you again
+This dish of gold, if you will speak the names.
+If you refuse, I'll have you whipped to death.
+Come hither, slaves!
+
+(_The eunuchs make her a deep bow and grip their sticks._)
+
+
+BARAK (_to_ SKIRINA).
+
+Now see what you have done!
+
+(_To_ TURANDOT.)
+
+Princess, feed on your prey. Strike on, ye slaves!
+I know the son's name and I know the sire's.
+But direst torture shall not make me speak;
+No, nor the pains of death. Your dish of gold
+Is so much dirt to me.
+
+
+SKIRINA _and_ ZELIMA.
+
+(_Cast themselves down before_ TURANDOT.)
+
+Princess, have mercy....
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+I am sick of this obstinacy. Slaves, hither!
+Give this old man a whipping!
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+Frightful! Stay!
+
+
+SKIRINA.
+
+My husband! My poor husband!
+
+
+ADELMA (_enters from behind the scenes_).
+
+Take heed, Princess!
+Hasten away! The Emperor hither comes!
+
+(_Pointing to_ BARAK _and_ SKIRINA.)
+
+Conceal this pair here in the deepest dungeon.
+Give me this dish of gold, and let Zelima
+Come with me. I have bribed the sentinels
+That stand at guard before the stranger's room.
+Zelima, if you love your mother, do
+What now I bid.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+In you I put my trust,
+Adelma. Help me! Do what you think fit!
+
+(_At a sign from_ ADELMA, TRUFFALDINO
+_leads_ BARAK _and_ SKIRINA _out to the
+right_.)
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Zelima, come. (_To the eunuchs._) One of you
+bring this basin.
+
+(_Exit_ ADELMA, _followed by_ ZELIMA _and one
+of the eunuchs, carrying the basin_.)
+
+
+
+SCENE VII
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+What will Adelma do? If I should win,
+Who would be greater then than Turandot?
+Who then would dare to challenge her again?
+Ah! what a joy, to cast the names to-morrow
+Into his face, and drive him from my presence,
+Shamed, disappointed! Not pure joy, perhaps....
+I see him weeping, sad, depressed.... I feel
+Something like pity at the thought of it....
+Stay, Turandot, thou little soul, what thought
+Is this thou harbourest now! Did _he_ show pity,
+When _he_ in the Divan had solved the riddles?
+Did he not make thee red with rage and shame?
+Heaven, help Adelma now, and help me, Heaven,
+To annihilate him utterly! Help me now
+To guard my virgin freedom, succour me
+Against the coarse and domineering sex!
+
+
+SCENE VIII
+
+ALTOUM, PANTALONE, TARTAGLIA, GUARDS, TURANDOT.
+
+
+ALTOUM (_meditatively, aside, reading letter_).
+
+So Fate at last has stricken that bloody robber,
+The Sultan of Tashkent. And the same fate
+Brings, by strange dispensation, Timur's son,
+Calaf, to us, and to a great good-fortune.
+Who dares to penetrate Thy mysteries,
+Just Heaven?
+
+
+PANTALONE (_whispering to_ TARTAGLIA).
+
+What the devil is the old gentleman always
+drivelling about now?
+
+
+TARTAGLIA (_whispering_).
+
+A secret messenger has arrived. Hell's loose somewhere.
+
+
+ALTOUM (_stepping up to_ TURANDOT).
+
+Child, the night is almost gone,
+And, sleepless yet, you wander to and fro,
+Seeking to know-something you cannot know.
+I, who have nowise sought, have found it out:
+You seek, and know it not.
+
+(_Shows her the letter._)
+
+Both names are writ
+Upon this sheet. From countries far away
+A secret rider bore it even now,
+With other tidings, grave and full of joy.
+The messenger I hold in custody
+Until to-morrow night. Your unknown suitor
+Is of a truth a prince, and a King's son.
+You will not, cannot guess the names. My child,
+It is a father's pity brings me here:
+Why will you once again, this day that dawns,
+Have yourself put to shame before a crowd,
+Suffering the cruel malice of their hate?
+
+(_Makes signs to_ PANTALONE _and_ TARTAGLIA
+_to leave him alone_. _Exeunt both with
+the_ GUARDS.)
+
+Leave us alone! I hold it in my hand
+To spare you all.
+
+
+TURANDOT (_wavering_).
+
+To spare me what? I thank you,
+Father. I have no need of any help.
+In my own wits I have my best defence.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+You are now at your wits' end; you know it, too.
+A desperate confusion fills your eyes.
+We are alone with one another now.
+Come, tell your father! Do you know the names?
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+You will know that in the Divan to-morrow.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Listen, my child. You do not know these names.
+But if you do, trust in my love and say.
+Then I will let the poor man know, and see
+That he shall quit my lands without delay,
+And we will have it noised abroad that you
+Have conquered him, and spared him public shame.
+Thus you escape the hatred of the crowd.
+Will you deny your father this light boon?
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+I know the names.... I do not know the names....
+Did _he_ show any pity when _he_ won?
+Now let him bear what I myself have borne.
+If I _do_ know the names, I shall announce them
+To-morrow to the crowd in the Divan.
+
+
+ALTOUM (_makes first a gesture of impatience and
+then forces himself to be calm._)
+
+All that he did was done in love, my daughter,
+And in a game played for his head. Now bid
+Ambition leave your heart, and anger too,
+And let me show you how a father loves.
+I pledge my head you do not know the names.
+I have them here--and I will tell you them.
+To-morrow then you may in the Divan
+Put him to shame and contumely, and see
+His anguish and his torture call for death,
+Because with you he loses all he loved.
+And only one thing do I crave: when you
+Have fed your vengeance on him to the full,
+Reach him your hand and be his willing wife.
+Swear it; we are alone. Then have the names.
+And all shall be a secret, mine and yours.
+
+
+TURANDOT (_uncertain and excited, aside_).
+
+What shall I do? Depend upon Adelma?
+Or shall I let my father tell the names,
+And bow my head to the yoke?... Less is the shame,
+Beyond all doubt, to yield to one's own father.
+But what if wise Adelma had succeeded
+Already, and my oath had been too soon?
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Why will you rack your brains when all is clear?
+Let not irresolution harry you!
+Would you still have me think you know the names?
+Child, be persuaded!
+
+
+TURANDOT (_aside_).
+
+No, I will wait for Adelma.
+My father urges me. This is a sign
+The mystery is not impenetrable.
+He is in league with that strange man, and seeks
+To talk me over.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Hesitate no longer!
+Make up your mind! Rein in your rearing pride!
+Torture yourself no more.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+I _am_ resolved.
+Call the Divan together in good time.
+I have no more to say.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+You are resolved
+Rather to yield to force than to your father!
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+I am resolved to fight.
+
+
+ALTOUM (_in a rage_).
+
+Fool without heart!
+I will indeed call the Divan together
+To be your temple and your altar too.
+And I will summon priests, to celebrate
+Your marriage while a crowd looks on and mocks.
+Yea, have your will, you stupid fool! Good night.
+
+(_Exit._)
+
+
+
+SCENE IX
+
+_Scene shifted._ _A magnificent apartment with
+several doors._ _In the middle of the room an
+Oriental divan, which serves_ CALAF _as a bed_.
+_Deep night._
+
+BRIGELLA, CALAF.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+(_With a candlestick in his hand._) Three hundred
+and seventy-seven, three hundred and
+seventy-eight, three hundred and seventy-nine.
+It's already three o'clock in the morning, your
+Royal Highness, and you've walked now exactly
+three hundred and eighty times from one corner
+of the room to the other. To be quite frank, I'm
+done up, and if you _would_ lie down a little,
+it would do us both good. You're in safety here.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Yes, you are right. But my excited mind
+Gives me no peace. Forgive me! Leave me!
+Go!
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+I should like to give you a piece of advice,
+my dearest Royal Highness: if a ghost pays
+you a visit, be prudent, be prudent; _try_ to be prudent.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Ghosts, do you say? What ghosts? Is the place haunted?
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+Well.... H'm.... We have the most
+stringent orders to admit nobody, under penalty
+of death. H'm.... Poor servants _we_ are, poor
+servants! The Emperor is the Emperor, you
+understand, but the Princess, she is the Empress,
+so to speak. Poor servants... it's hard to have
+to pick your way between two puddles. Not
+half! If you only knew it, we've always got
+our heads between the hammer and the anvil.
+We don't want to get into _anybody's_ bad graces.
+I'm sure you understand me. And a man wants
+to put something aside for his old days. And
+so you see we poor devils are in the hell of a
+hole. Not half!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+What are you driving at? Is my life in danger?
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+I won't say that; but you are aware of the
+blessed interest people about here take in your
+name. By way of example it might possibly
+happen that a hobgoblin or a fairy steps in
+through the keyhole and leads you into temptation.
+Keep a tight rein on your five senses, that's
+all. You see what I mean, don't you? Poor
+servants _we_ people! Poor devils! Not half!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Go. Have no fear. I stand upon my guard.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+(_Slapping him on the back._) That's right, your
+Highness, that's right. I commend myself to
+your most gracious protection. (_Aside._) I _have_
+heard that some people can find it in their hearts
+to refuse a purse of florins. _I_ have done my
+very best, but I can't find it in my heart. So
+help me, God! A man can only do what he can
+do. I can't do it; no, I can't do it.
+
+(_Exit._)
+
+
+
+SCENE X
+
+CALAF.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+What is this fellow warning me against?
+Who is to visit me? Well, I can fight,
+Yea, fight the very devil, if he come.
+My thoughts are all for her. Short time remains
+Of fearing and of torment: Dawn is nigh!
+And can it be her heart is still so hard
+And pitiless? Well, let us try to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+SCENE XI
+
+ZELIMA, CALAF.
+
+_Enter_ ZELIMA.
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+My Prince, I am a slave of Turandot,
+And hither come by ways which even to her
+Are closed. Good news I bring you.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Slave, you lie.
+The heart of Turandot is pitiless.
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+You speak the truth. And yet: you are the first
+That ever touched it. You believe me not,
+And yet it is quite true. She says she hates you,
+And she already loves you. May the earth
+Swallow me if it is not true she loves you.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+The news _is_ good. I will believe. What next?
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+She bids me tell you, only her ambition
+Drives her to desperation. Now she sees
+That what she undertook she cannot do,
+But thinking of to-morrow and its shame
+She is consumed.... May the earth swallow me,
+If here I lie!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Enough, my pretty slave.
+I will believe. Go! Tell her: it is easy
+To give the contest up. And she would win
+Fairer renown by softening her heart,
+And giving of her own free will the hand
+He longs for to the man who loves her true.
+Is this the message, haply, that you bring?
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+No, Prince. My message runs not so. We ask
+Consideration for our weaknesses.
+The Princess begs you for a favour. Spare
+Her vanity. Help her to say those names
+In the Divan to-morrow. Then she herself
+Will from her throne descend, and reach to you
+Her right hand. You it costs so little. Say
+The names, and in this manner win her heart.
+
+
+CALAF (_with a smile_).
+
+H'm! Pretty slave, where is the speech's end?
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+What speech's end, your Highness?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+"Let the earth
+Swallow me if I lie in this."
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+You doubt it?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+I do a little doubt it--just so much
+That I refuse to do what you desire.
+Go, tell your mistress, if I hide the names
+It is because a lover must be cautious--
+I do not hide them with intent to pain her.
+
+
+ZELIMA (_violently_).
+
+Fool, fool! you little know what this will cost you!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+And if it cost my life!
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+You soon will see.
+Good-night.
+
+(_Aside._)
+
+The fool! He has made a fool of me.
+
+(_Exit in a rage._)
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Be steadfast, heart! Only a few hours more
+The skies will clear, and fear will have an end.
+That I could sleep.... My tortured spirit yearns
+For rest. Sink down upon me, gentle sleep!
+
+(_Goes to sleep._)
+
+
+
+
+SCENE XII
+
+CALAF, TRUFFALDINO.
+
+
+TRUFFALDINO.
+
+(_Comes creeping in cautiously from right,
+creeps under the divan._)
+
+Well, thank God! he's gone to sleep at last.
+'Sh! 'Sh! (_In the front of the stage before
+the footlights._) As my poor old mother used to
+say, "A good name is worth a fortune." What
+a good name this idiot of a Prince must have,
+considering how my gracious Princess is throwing
+all her money away on him! Skirina's got some,
+Zelima's got some, Brigella's got some. I've got
+some, and I'm going to get two purses extra if
+I get this young hopeful's name. And I shall
+get it! You watch me. I'm going to! (_With
+much ceremony he pulls a big turnip, wrapped
+in a strip of paper, out of his dress._) Here I
+have the famous magic root mandragora. The
+Universal Doctor and Great Herbalist Pimpernel,
+Market Square, second door to the right, let me
+have it for a tanner. Warranted, of course.
+Warranted to go two years. Printed instructions
+for use attached. (_Unwraps the turnip, reads:_)
+"The root mandragora opens all doors, bursts all
+locks, raises hidden treasure, confers riches and
+wisdom...." (_Looks up._) Aha! just what
+I want. (_Reads on:_) "It has influence over
+the constellations and the planets, makes the blind
+to see and the deaf to hear, is a protection
+against the evil eye, heals all maladies of the
+mind, depression in men and melancholy in
+women...." (_Looks up._) Aha! Depression,
+quite so. Melancholy, quite so. (_Reads on:_) "It
+confers the gift of second sight, reveals hidden
+secrets...." (_Looks up._) Ah! now we have
+it. Hidden secrets.... "Let it be placed under
+the pillow of the person, whether male or female,
+whose secret it is desired to know, when the
+said person is asleep. Then the person aforesaid..."
+Hurrah! (_jumps for joy_) "will,
+by dreaming aloud, communicate what it is desired
+to know." Did you hear that? Isn't that the
+very thing? (_Creeps up to_ CALAF'S _bed, and,
+with excessive caution, places the turnip under
+his pillow_.) 'Sh! 'Sh!
+
+(_Draws back a little, and waits, in the
+greatest excitement, for what is going
+to happen._ CALAF _does not utter a
+sound_. _With a disappointed face_
+TRUFFALDINO _creeps nearer the bed
+again_. CALAF _remains dumb_.)
+
+Do say something, my dear boy! Do say something,
+please! (_Waits a little._) Out with the
+name, my sweet little lambkin.
+
+(_With transfigured face_ CALAF _whispers
+terms of endearment_.)
+
+What's he saying now? Tu... Tu...
+Turandot. Oh, bother! I know that name
+already, the name of my adored Princess. It's
+_your_ name I want to know, my darling boy.
+
+(CALAF _goes on whispering excitedly_. _He
+smiles in his happy dream, and raises
+himself on his elbow during the following
+without opening his eyes_.)
+
+Tu... nothing but Turandot! Well, then, here
+I am, duckie. Here I am, lovey, here I am--my
+own very self, your own little lovey duckie
+Turandot. (_Purses up his lips._ CALAF _smiles
+as though in rapture_.) What wouldst thou
+have of me, my sweetest heart? Eh? Well,
+what? Something like this? (_Smacks his lips._)
+Well, then, you _shall_ have it, and more besides.
+But first of all, darling, you must tell me your
+name, your own delightful, sweet little name, my
+honey!...
+
+(CALAF _sinks back and lies dumb again,
+sulkily_.)
+
+Oh, you won't, won't you? You really won't?
+How nasty of you, my love! Just look at me.
+See how pretty I am! (_Trips coquettishly up
+and down in front of the bed._) Look at my
+lovely white arms and my lovely plump legs,
+and my glorious hair hanging all down my back!
+...Just look at it, my sweet little chick!
+
+(CALAF _begins to whisper excitedly, raising
+himself the while_.)
+
+That's right, that's right, quite so: talk, talk,
+my bonny babe! (_Bends down again, till his
+mouth almost touches the sleeper's._) Once again,
+my sweet one! Say it once again, my little white
+lambkin! It shall have its kiss, it shall, right
+away.
+
+(CALAF _turns suddenly and violently round
+on the other side, and deals him a ringing
+box on the ear_. (_Squeaking noisily_,
+TRUFFALDINO _runs away_. CALAF _sits
+up for a moment in astonishment, opens
+his eyes, shuts them again immediately,
+and sinks back on his couch_.)
+
+
+
+
+SCENE XIII
+
+ADELMA, _veiled, with a lantern in her hand_.
+
+
+CALAF _sleeping_.
+
+
+ADELMA (_aside_).
+
+O moment I have sighed for long! O love,
+That lendest cunning courage unto me!
+And Fortune, thou that through all obstacles
+Hast led me hither: help a lovesick maid!
+Oh, bring me to the goal of my desires!
+Silence this yearning, love! And, Fortune, break
+These galling fetters....
+
+(_She lets the light of her lantern rest on_
+CALAF, _and gazes at him_.)
+
+My beloved sleeps.
+Oh, burst not, heart! Dear eyes, how loth I am
+To trespass on the rest possessing you!
+And yet I must. At once. The short night flees.
+
+(_She puts her lantern down._)
+
+Stranger, awake!
+
+
+CALAF (_starts up in a fright_).
+
+Whose voice awakens me?
+What seekest thou again, thou creeping ghost?
+Why are my eyes denied their sleep?
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Be calm!
+Only a wretched woman stands before you.
+And she does not come, as the other did,
+To lure the names from you by trickery.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Let be! You cannot cheat me.
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+I cheat _you_?
+Has not a slave been here with such intent?
+
+(_Puts her lantern down._)
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Yes, and she went as wise, as when she came,
+And you will go as wise as when you came.
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+You know me ill to be so rude. Sit up
+And listen.
+
+(_Sits down on the divan._)
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Well, then, what is your desire?
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+First look at me, and then.... Prince, tell me now,
+Who do you think I am?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+In shape and bearing
+Noble you seem, but by your dress a slave.
+And as a slave I saw you yesterday
+In the Divan.
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Five years since I saw you,
+And then _you_ were a slave.
+
+(_Raises her veil._)
+
+Look at this face!
+Do you not know it?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Adelma! How! Adelma,
+Whom I thought dead!
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+She is a serving-maid,
+Who was the daughter of King Kaikobad.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Adelma! A slave!
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+A slave! I'll tell you why.
+I had a brother, blind with love, as you are,
+For Turandot. In the Divan he met her.
+
+(_Weeps._)
+
+You saw his head above the city gate
+With all the others.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+It is true, then, true.
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+My father Kaikobad, in fury bold,
+Led his array against Altoum. Fortune,
+The fickle jade, lured him to his defeat
+And death. Altoum's general devised
+At one fell stroke to extirpate our race.
+My brothers he assassinated. Me,
+Together with my mother and three sisters,
+He cast into the river, then in spate.
+The gentle Emperor, coming on the scene,
+Ordered his guards to fish us out again.
+I was the only one brought to the shore,
+And I was led in the triumphal train,
+And given as a slave to Turandot,
+To wait on the hard-hearted woman who
+Was cause of all my griefs. Now, Calaf, speak,
+Am I not worth compassion?
+
+(_Weeps._)
+
+
+CALAF (_moved_).
+
+Indeed you are,
+Adelma, Princess of the Carcasenes!
+But what can so unfortunate a man
+As I am do for you? If fortune smile
+On me to-morrow, I will promise help
+For you, and freedom. And your grieving now
+Can only heap the measure of my own.
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+You know me now, my destiny, my race.
+May you the better credit a King's daughter,
+What pity--I will not say love--constrains her
+Now to confide to you. False Turandot,
+Malicious, cunning, cruel Turandot,
+Soon as the morning dawns, will have you murdered.
+All orders are already given. So much
+From her, who is the mistress of your dreams.
+
+
+CALAF (_starts up savagely_).
+
+She will have me murdered, do you say?
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+(_Rises likewise, with the most solemn emphasis._)
+
+Yes, murdered:
+While you are on your way to the Divan.
+A score of swords await your setting out.
+
+
+CALAF (_beside himself_).
+
+I will call the guards.
+
+(_Makes for the door._)
+
+
+ADELMA (_holds him back_).
+
+Bethink yourself, rash man!
+The guards? They have been bought by Turandot!
+
+
+CALAF (_in blind despair_).
+
+Timur, my wretched father, thus it stands.
+With Calaf, thy proud son; he that set out
+To seek good fortune for himself and thee!
+
+(_Covers his face with his hands._)
+
+
+ADELMA (_aside_).
+
+Haha! Timur... Calaf.... Be thrice blest, lie
+That lured this forth. Doubly I hold him now.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Can it be possible that Turandot...
+How _can_ it be that such an angel's face
+Should hide such devilry?...
+
+(_Contemptuously._)
+
+No. You deceive me,
+Adelma. Go!
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+I will forgive your doubt.
+An angel's face? Oh, would that you had seen her
+As I have! In the harem rages she,
+And like a snapping bitch runs to and fro,
+Green in the face, and with her bloodshot eyes
+Shining with hate under distorted brows.
+Doubt if you will. That you should doubt my words
+Is not such pain as your approaching death.
+
+(_Weeps._)
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+What treachery! By the very guards betrayed
+Appointed to protect me! He spake right,
+That rascal of a captain: Gold kills duty.
+Life, fare thee well!
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+And yet you may escape
+Your evil star. Up, I will show the way.
+By saving you from death, I save myself
+From slavery. With my jewels I have bought
+Two of the guards, an escort I have hired,
+And horses are in readiness. The Khan
+Of Berlas is my kinsman. Leagued with him
+Let us invade and seize my kingdom--yours,
+If so you will. And this my hand be yours,
+If you will have it. But if you will not,
+The Tartar Kings are not unblest with daughters,
+Fair maidens full of love and fit for you.
+Be you the King, and I will be your subject.
+Only flee, death. Only deliver me.
+And I will conquer even my love, which now,
+Crimson with shame, I have confessed.....
+Day dawns!
+Day dawns! My head swims.... Stranger, flee with me!
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+In vain. I have resolved to stay and die.
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Then I will, too, stay for a little while
+In slavery yet. And soon it will be seen
+Which of us two is readier to die.
+
+(_Aside._)
+
+Often persistent love attains at last!
+Calaf, Timur's son?
+
+(_Aloud._)
+
+Stranger Prince, good-night!
+
+(_Exit._)
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Oh, will this night of horrors never end?
+And this fight of the soul that is consumed
+In burning love? By Fortune cast away--
+Cast into perils, by her hate pursued,
+I tarry for the dawn and traitorous knives.
+
+(_The scene grows light._)
+
+See, the sun rises. Now the hour is come
+For her to feed her pleasure on my blood,
+The hour has come that sees my torment end!
+
+
+
+
+SCENE XIV
+
+BRIGELLA, GUARDS, CALAF.
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+Time's up, your Highness. Fun begins in a minute.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Oh, is it you? Well, carry out your orders!
+Be quick! It doesn't matter. Get it over.
+
+
+BRIGELLA (_astonished_).
+
+What orders? Eh? I haven't got any orders.
+The only order I've got is to escort you to the
+Divan. Double quick! The Emperor has already
+combed his beard and may appear in the Divan
+any minute.
+
+
+CALAF (_in a tragedy tone_).
+
+Up, then, to the Divan! What though I do not
+Reach it alive? What matters it? See here,
+Am I the man to be afraid of death?
+
+(_Casts his sword away._)
+
+I need no weapon. Let the Princess know
+That I have offered of my own free will
+To her assassins my defenceless breast
+
+(_Exit._)
+
+
+BRIGELLA.
+
+What the devil _is_ the fellow raving about?
+Women, those damned women! They've been at
+him the whole night, not half, and his brain's
+collapsed! Hello, you! Present arms! Dress
+your ranks! March!
+
+(_Exeunt._ _Music of drums and other instruments of war._)
+
+
+END OF THE SECOND ACT.
+
+
+
+
+THE THIRD ACT
+
+
+
+
+SCENE I
+
+_The great hall of the imperial Divan. In the "background,
+covered by a curtain, an altar with
+a Chinese idol; two priests standing beside
+it._ ALTOUM _on his throne, the doctors on
+their cushions_, PANTALONE _and_ TARTAGLIA
+_on each side of the_ EMPEROR.
+ALTOUM, PANTALONE, TARTAGLIA, _the_ DOCTORS,
+_the_ GUARDS. _Later_ CALAF.
+(_Enter_ CALAF _excitedly from right_. _He
+looks round uneasily and suspiciously._
+_When he arrives at the middle of the
+room he bows to_ ALTOUM.)
+
+
+CALAF (_aside_).
+
+How's this? No trace of ambushed murderers?
+Did the slave lie? Can Turandot have found
+The names out, and rescinded her commands?
+Then I lose all. Death had been better far.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+My son, you seem excited and in fear,
+And I were fain had you a merry face.
+Now all is well. Your sorrows are at end.
+Glad tidings that concern you I will save
+A little while. As for my daughter, she
+Is yours. She sent to me thrice in the night
+Petitioning release from this encounter.
+Therefore I charge you, son, be of good cheer!
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Heaven knows, my dearest Royal Highness, I
+myself had to trot off in the night to pay a call
+on her Royal Highness in the Seraglio and receive
+her most illustrious commands. I didn't even
+have the time to tumble into my slippers and
+get dressed properly. And it was so cold,
+Heaven knows (_coughs_), I'm shivering yet. Never
+mind! Never mind!
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+They fetched me out of bed at 5 a.m. It was
+just beginning to get light a bit. She made
+me stand in front of her half an hour while she
+went on whining something or other. For sheer
+cold and vexation I talked the most clotted
+nonsense to her. (_Aside._) It would have suited
+my humour better if I could have given her a
+downright good spanking.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+You see yourself: she is so slow in coming.
+I have already sent explicit orders
+In case of need to bring her here by force.
+Here she shall stand and learn to blush, a pain
+She would not let me spare her. Therefore, son,
+Take good heart at the prospect of near joy.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+I crave your pardon, sire, and give you thanks!
+I am tormented by most fearful doubts,
+And by the thought that for my sake she now
+Is suffering shame and force. Much rather... No
+Not that. If I _do_ lose her, what remains
+To me of life? With time and tenderness
+I will compel her to forget this rage.
+My will shall be her wish, my heart her heart.
+For her sake I will grant what either asks,
+And my love's banner be: Fidelity!
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Let there be no more dallying! This Divan
+Be changed into a temple, so that she,
+Soon as she enters here, may recognize
+That I too have a will. Prepare the marriage.
+Unveil the altar.
+
+(_The curtain in the background opens, and
+the altar with the priests is seen._)
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+She's coming, my dear Lord Chancellor, she's
+coming. I believe I can already hear her whining.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+The accompaniment does at all events sound
+decidedly dismal. That's what I call a genuine
+wedding march, just the same as for a funeral.
+
+
+
+
+SCENE II
+
+TURANDOT, ADELMA, ZELIMA, TRUFFALDINO,
+EUNUCHS, SLAVES. _The foregoing._
+(_To the strains of a gloomy march_ TURANDOT
+_appears_. _Before her proceed eunuchs._
+_Her whole escort wear signs of mourning._
+_With the same ceremonial as in
+First Act_, TURANDOT _ascends the
+throne, and at sight of the altar and
+the priests starts with surprise_. _The
+position of the actors is exactly the same
+as in the First Act._ CALAF _stands
+erect in the centre_.)
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+This mourning of my escort, _Prince unknown_,
+These gloomy faces and these necks bowed down,
+Are (well I know it) sweet to your hard heart;
+And, mourning, I behold the altar ready.
+For all my efforts to avenge the shame
+Put on me yesterday, I still am helpless.
+I have fought my fight. I bow my neck to fate.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Would you could read the heart you say is hard,
+Princess, to see what wormwood your hate blends
+With all its rapture. Let not your heart rue
+Crowning the man with happiness who loves you
+And worships you, and if it is a crime
+To worship you, I beg you here: forgive!
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Enough. She is not worth such humble words.
+Now teach _her_ to be humble! Music, ho!
+Up! To the altar! Let the priests begin!
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+One moment more! What vengeance is so sweet
+As this: to cradle in security
+And restfulness an unsuspecting heart,
+And then from the pinnacle of happiness
+To dash it down into the blackest hell
+Of torment?
+
+(_She rises._)
+
+Hear me, all of you: Depart
+From this Divan, _Calaf, son of Timur_!
+There is the riddle solved you set me. Wretch,
+Go! seek another wife, and shake with fear
+Of Turandot, whom none can overcome.
+
+
+CALAF (_confounded and stricken_).
+
+Great Heaven! Lost! Lost!
+
+
+ALTOUM (_taken aback_).
+
+What do I hear? Great Heaven!
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Holy Madonna, she's gone and done it in his
+beard, my dear Lord Chancellor, Heaven knows.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+(_Mopping his face._) Holy Gorgonzola! this
+gets over me and no mistake.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Lost! No one helps me. Who _could_ help me now?
+I have-been my own assassin, and in the end
+I lose by too much loving love itself.
+Why did I solve the riddles yesterday?
+If I had failed to solve them, I were now
+Cold, dumb, and free from torture worse than death.
+Great-hearted Emperor, why do you not
+Let that grim law hold good another time?
+Now she has found the names, give your cold daughter,
+To be her crowning triumph, this last head.
+
+(_Approaches_ TURANDOT'S _throne_.)
+
+Most cruel Princess, does it not offend you
+To know the heart still beating that has dared
+To love you? Look upon your victim here,
+Calaf, hateful to you, hateful to Heaven,
+To the world hateful, and to fortune too--
+Calaf, who at your feet now dies.
+
+(_He draws a dagger, and makes a thrust at
+his heart_. TURANDOT _leaps down from
+her throne and seizes his arm_.)
+
+
+TURANDOT (_in a tone of tenderness_).
+
+Calaf,
+What are you doing?
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Dare I trust my eyes?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Leave me alone, cold woman! Let me die!
+
+(_Points the dagger again at his breast._
+TURANDOT _restrains him_.)
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Stay! You shall live! and you shall live for me!
+Listen!
+
+(_To_ ZELIMA.)
+
+Run to the prisoners, Zelima!
+Comfort old faithful Barak and your mother!
+
+
+ZELIMA.
+
+Mistress, I will, and lose no time.
+
+(_Exit._)
+
+
+ADELMA (_excitedly, aside_).
+
+This moment
+Spells death for me.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Now hear me: I have won
+By accident. For in a sudden burst
+Of feeling you betrayed yourself last night
+To my quick-witted slave Adelma here.
+But let the whole world know: I am above
+Injustice. And know you: your chivalrous
+Demeanour and fair features have o'ercome
+This stubborn heart. Live then, live and be proud:
+I am your prize.
+
+
+ADELMA (_in pain, aside_).
+
+Oh, torment worse than death....
+
+
+CALAF (_casts his dagger to the floor_).
+
+Mine! You! Oh, do not kill me, supreme joy!
+
+
+ALTOUM (_descends from his throne_).
+
+Let me embrace thee, daughter. This one hour
+Makes good the pain you heaped upon my heart.
+
+
+PANTALONE.
+
+Wedding! Wedding! Reverend doctors, your
+presence is no longer required here.
+
+
+TARTAGLIA.
+
+Have the goodness to withdraw to the posterior apartment.
+
+(_Exeunt doctors back of stage._)
+
+
+ADELMA (_comes to the front_. _In the greatest
+excitement to_ CALAF).
+
+Live! Oh, yes, live! Live with my enemy
+In happiness.
+
+(_To_ TURANDOT.)
+
+To you, Princess, I say:
+I hate you. All I tried to do last night
+I did to snatch from you the man I love,
+Whom secretly I loved ere he loved you.
+Last night I sought to have him flee with me.
+He would not. All my arts could lure from him
+Were those two names, which I betrayed because
+I hated you. I planned you should reject him,
+And that I then should have him. All in vain.
+There is one last way open to me now.
+I, too, am royal, and I am ashamed.
+That so long I have suffered servitude.
+Take now the last of all the Carcasenes
+To crown your triumphing....
+
+(_She picks_ CALAF'S _dagger up from the floor_.)
+
+This steel, which you
+Have warded from his breast, shall open me
+The way to freedom....
+
+
+CALAF (_restrains her_).
+
+Stay!
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+Off! Let me die.
+
+(_In a voice stifled with tears._)
+
+Ungrateful wretch!
+
+
+CALAF (_snatches the dagger from her_).
+
+No, for I owe you all.
+It was your treachery saved me. You shall not
+Call me ungrateful.
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Are you mad, Adelma,
+All of a sudden?
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Generous Emperor,
+If my petition may in aught avail,
+Give her her freedom!
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+I petition, too,
+My noble father. I conceive it well,
+She never can forgive me her distress;
+No, nor believe that I can pardon her.
+Give her her freedom.... And if you could grant
+Some greater favour, do it for our sake!
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+On such a day of gladness be the measure
+Of mercy full. I give her not alone
+Her freedom but her father's kingdom back.
+So let her choose a consort she can love,
+And rule the realm with him....
+
+
+ADELMA.
+
+To all the weight
+Of guilt upon my conscience, to my load
+Of love sent back from where it should have lodged,
+You add the burden of the greatest mercy.
+I cannot yet conceive it. Give me time
+To understand the height of my good fortune.
+But now I have no answer save these tears....
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Oh that I knew now where to find you, father!
+My heart, so full of joy, burns to embrace you.
+
+
+ALTOUM.
+
+Calaf, rejoice exceedingly. This empire
+You have twice won. Your father, too, has won
+His kingdom back. Slain is the Sultan who
+Robbed it from him. Until your sire's return
+A faithful servant wields the sceptre for him,
+And in the meantime sends out messengers
+To seek you in all countries. Read this leaf I
+It signifies the end of all your grief.
+
+
+CALAF.
+
+Ye heavenly gods, you raise and you cast down.
+You cast down and make mighty, heavenly gods.
+
+(_All present sob in their emotion._)
+
+
+TURANDOT.
+
+Now nothing more trouble this wedding-day.
+
+(_Comes meditatively somewhat to the front._)
+
+Calaf here risks his head to win a wife.
+A faithful friend and servant risks his life
+To save his Prince. A man wins back a throne
+For his lost King, and makes it not his own.
+A woman, who made out she loved me, hid
+A false heart's treachery. And could I then,
+After all this, look down in scorn on men?
+No. And may Heaven forgive me all I did
+That made me seem a monster in men's sight!
+
+(_Steps quite up to the footlights._)
+
+Dear gentlemen, I tell you this because
+I love you all; and if you are polite
+Let my conversion have your loud applause.
+
+
+QUICK CURTAIN
+
+
+UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, THE GRESHAM PRESS, WOKING AND LONDON.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Turandot, Princess of China, by
+Karl Gustav Vollmoeller
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TURANDOT, PRINCESS OF CHINA ***
+
+***** This file should be named 26730.txt or 26730.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/7/3/26730/
+
+Produced by Chuck Greif
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.