Turandot, Princess of China Part 8

(_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 n.o.ble bearing between the two thrones, facing the spectators._ ALTOUM _scans him carefully_. _Aside._)

How handsome the youth is! Compa.s.sion 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 n.o.ble 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_).