Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx

Young prince, I clearly recognise your worth.
Be wise in time. Relinquish your attempt.
Too arduous is the trial. Do not tempt
The Fates. I am not cruel, as they say,
But shun the yoke of Man's despotic sway.
In virgin freedom would I live and die;
The meanest hind may claim this boon, – shall I,
The daughter of an emperor, not have
That birthright which belongs to all? Be slave
To brutish force, that makes your sex our lord?
Why does my hand such tempting bait afford?
The gods have made me beauteous, rich, and wise,
Presumptuous man considers me his prize.
If nature dowered me with bounteous treasure
You tyrants think 'twas all to serve your pleasure.
Why should my person, throne, and wealth be booty
To one harsh, jealous master? No, all beauty
Is heaven's gift, and like the sun, should shine
To glad earth's children, and their souls refine.
I hate proud man, and like to make him feel
He may not crush free woman 'neath his heel.

KAL

Such high-souled sentiments, so fine a mind,
Transcendent grace and beauty, all combin'd
Must justify my love and seeming boldness.
I ne'er accused you of disdain or coldness.
I duly honour maidenly reserve. —
Your favour I pretend not to deserve;
But who would not risk all, with blindfold eyes, —
To win a heaven on earth, – a Paradise?
Each day do we not see, for smaller gain,
Great captains brave the dangers of the main?
For glory's empty bubble thousands perish,
Above all treasures your fair hand I cherish;
Your heart and not your throne, is my desire;
Condemn me not if madly I aspire.

SKIR. (aside to Turandot.)

For Fo-hi's sake! three easy riddles give,
Don't let him die, but as your husband live.

ADELMA

How noble are his words! Ah, had my sire
But known he was a prince. My heart's desire
I'll yet obtain; I'll save him by some plot,
He ne'er shall wed the hateful Turandot.
(to Turandot.) Princess, you're agitated; calm your nerves,
And treat him with contempt as he deserves.

TUR

You're right, Adelma; thanks for your kind zeal;
He's woman's foe; no pity must I feel.
(to Kalaf.) Prepare then, arrogant young man. —

ALT

Dear prince,
May not our Royal words your ear convince?

KAL

I still repeat: "Or death or Turandot!"

PANT. (aside.)

My poor young man, you'll surely go to pot!

ALT

Then read the awful mandate.

SKIR

How I tremble.

ADELMA

My jealousy I scarcely can dissemble.

(PANTALOON receives the Doomsday Book, first prostrating Himselfbefore it; then reads in a loud voice:) – "By command of his Celestial Majesty, the Son of the Moon, cousin to the planets, and near relative to the firmament in general, – oyes! oyes! oyes!" (Rings crier's bell.) (Aside.) If I said what I liked, I should say, oh no! oh no! oh no! (Aloud.) "Any person of royal descent may sue for the hand of our daughter, Empress Turandot, on the following conditions: – The Princess shall propound three riddles to any suitor proposing himself as her husband; should he be unable to unravel them, his head shall be struck off with an axe, and exposed on the city-gate of Peking; should he unravel them, the Empress Turandot shall become his lawful bride, and together they shall inherit the throne of the celestial empire. We swear it by our ancestor, the sun."

ALT. (placing his hands on the book) —

This law, tho' it cause tears and blood to flow,
I've sworn to keep, alas! it must be so.

TUR. (rises and declaims) —

A tree on which men grow and fade;
Old as the world, yet ever new;
Its leaves, on one side, live in shade,
On th' other bears the sun's bright show.
Each time it blooms a ring it wears,
It tells the age of each event.
Upon its bark men's names it bears,