Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx

How can a painted semblance thus have crazed
So sensible a prince? (Stoops to pick it up.)

BARAK

For heaven's sake,
Avoid that picture as you would a snake.

KALAF (smiling).

No harm will happen, dear old tutor, sure
From picking up a picture from the floor.
No woman yet has caused my heart to throb, —
Shall painted lines my soul of freedom rob?

(Barak endeavours to prevent Kalaffrom beholdingthe miniature; Kalaf puts him aside, and gazeson it for some time in silence.)

Ye gods! an angel's face. Oh ecstacy!

BARAK

Now, there; he's caught. I knew how it would be!

KALAF

Beneath this beaming smile, these lustrous eyes,
There cannot lurk a cruel heart of ice.

BARAK

I tell you she's the wickedest of creatures;
Oh, gaze not on the Syren's fatal features,
More baneful than the Gorgon head, Medusa.

KALAF

Hush, hush, I will not hear you thus abuse her,
I never saw a face and form diviner;
Her's is not mortal clay, but porcelain China,
Some magic power, some demon, I know not,
Enchains my soul to beauteous Turandot.

(Gazes enraptured on the miniature.)

These eyes to meet, these rosy lips to kiss,
Who would not hazard all to win such bliss?
My senses reel, my veins are all afire!
Good Barak, help me to my heart's desire.
Her stern ordeal I'll undergo – to solve
Her problems or to die, is my resolve.

BARAK

Desist from your intention, I conjure you,
Let my remonstrance of this madness cure you.

KALAF

You speak in vain. My fortune now or never,
Shall be ensured for aye, or lost for ever.
One stroke will end my life, or I shall gain
The fairest woman e'er beheld, and reign
An Emperor of Chang's celestial state.
O smile upon my hopes, benignant Fate!

(During this speech, a Chinese executioner hasappeared on the city gate, bearing a pole uponwhich is fixed a turbaned head: he places it inthe row, and disappears.)

But tell me, Barak, shall I in divan
Behold the lovely daughter of the Khan?

BARAK

A spectacle more thrilling now behold,
That head just smitten off. My blood runs cold,
To think that yours may be thus closely shaven.

KALAF

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

(Contemplates the head with compassion.)

Poor youth, deserving of a better fate.

BARAK

Sweet prince, renounce th' attempt.

KALAF

Too late, too late!

BARAK

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

KALAF

I'll cut the Gordian knots right down their middles!
I'm not so stupid as some folks suppose;