Turandot, Princess of China Part 19

TRUFFALDINO, EUNUCHS. _The foregoing._

TRUFFALDINO.

(_Aside._) You a.s.s! (_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.

a.s.s! 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 att.i.tude_, 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!