ACT FOURTH
The scene is the same as the second act, scene second, except that the back of the great hall of the emperor’s Divan is now hidden by a decorated curtain. The assembly is gathered as before: Capocomico, Turandot and Altoum seated on their larger and lesser thrones.
Before them, Harlequin, Scaramouche, Punchinello and Pantaloon are performing a dance.
At its conclusion Capocomico rises, and addresses the Maskers.
CAPOCOMICO
CAPOCOMICO
CAPOCOMICO
Enough! Go, bring the nameless prince before us.
Enough! Go, bring the nameless prince before us.
Enough! Go, bring the nameless prince before us.
Enough! Go, bring the nameless prince before us.
[Dismissing them with a gesture, he turns toward Altoum]
Altoum,—our greater emperor, the Sun,Sits higher even than our august selves,And soon shall set his throne at highest noon.Then must I abdicate my one day’s reign,First having sealed your daughter’s perfect marriage,Ending in joy her doleful year and a day.Therefore, in those brief minutes which are left meTo consummate these little things, I pray youDeign of your courtesy to take my seatAnd let me do the honors.
Altoum,—our greater emperor, the Sun,Sits higher even than our august selves,And soon shall set his throne at highest noon.Then must I abdicate my one day’s reign,First having sealed your daughter’s perfect marriage,Ending in joy her doleful year and a day.Therefore, in those brief minutes which are left meTo consummate these little things, I pray youDeign of your courtesy to take my seatAnd let me do the honors.
Altoum,—our greater emperor, the Sun,Sits higher even than our august selves,And soon shall set his throne at highest noon.Then must I abdicate my one day’s reign,First having sealed your daughter’s perfect marriage,Ending in joy her doleful year and a day.Therefore, in those brief minutes which are left meTo consummate these little things, I pray youDeign of your courtesy to take my seatAnd let me do the honors.
Altoum,—our greater emperor, the Sun,
Sits higher even than our august selves,
And soon shall set his throne at highest noon.
Then must I abdicate my one day’s reign,
First having sealed your daughter’s perfect marriage,
Ending in joy her doleful year and a day.
Therefore, in those brief minutes which are left me
To consummate these little things, I pray you
Deign of your courtesy to take my seat
And let me do the honors.
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
[Rising from his lesser place]
As you will!Till noon, my thanks for hospitality.
As you will!Till noon, my thanks for hospitality.
As you will!Till noon, my thanks for hospitality.
As you will!
Till noon, my thanks for hospitality.
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
Oh, not at all!
Oh, not at all!
Oh, not at all!
Oh, not at all!
[Pointing to his seat]
Pray, make yourself at home.
Pray, make yourself at home.
Pray, make yourself at home.
Pray, make yourself at home.
[As they pass each other to change places, Altoum speaks to Capo in lower voice]
Have you performed your task, and saved your head?
Have you performed your task, and saved your head?
Have you performed your task, and saved your head?
Have you performed your task, and saved your head?
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
My head was never more attached to me.
My head was never more attached to me.
My head was never more attached to me.
My head was never more attached to me.
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
[Bending from her throne]
A word, my liege?
A word, my liege?
A word, my liege?
A word, my liege?
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
Nay, but a hundred, lady!
Nay, but a hundred, lady!
Nay, but a hundred, lady!
Nay, but a hundred, lady!
[He goes to her side. She speaks to him low]
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
Have you kept faith with me? Ah—is he found—My heart’s desire?
Have you kept faith with me? Ah—is he found—My heart’s desire?
Have you kept faith with me? Ah—is he found—My heart’s desire?
Have you kept faith with me? Ah—is he found—
My heart’s desire?
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
Your heart’s desire is found,And waits for you.
Your heart’s desire is found,And waits for you.
Your heart’s desire is found,And waits for you.
Your heart’s desire is found,
And waits for you.
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
[Excitedly]
Where is he?
Where is he?
Where is he?
Where is he?
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
Lo, he comes!
Lo, he comes!
Lo, he comes!
Lo, he comes!
[Pointing toward the entrance, he goes to the lesser throne. With music of their stringed instruments, the four Maskers usher in Calaf, haggard and dishevelled. Turandot starts, with a cry and look of bewilderment at Capo. Capo addresses Altoum and the Divan]
Your Majesty and lords, the nameless princeAwaits to learn his name from Turandot.
Your Majesty and lords, the nameless princeAwaits to learn his name from Turandot.
Your Majesty and lords, the nameless princeAwaits to learn his name from Turandot.
Your Majesty and lords, the nameless prince
Awaits to learn his name from Turandot.
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
[Stepping forward fiercely]
He waits not, for his name has been betrayedTo her—and you, false jester, have betrayed it.
He waits not, for his name has been betrayedTo her—and you, false jester, have betrayed it.
He waits not, for his name has been betrayedTo her—and you, false jester, have betrayed it.
He waits not, for his name has been betrayed
To her—and you, false jester, have betrayed it.
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
[Amid commotion]
What’s that?
What’s that?
What’s that?
What’s that?
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
My liege, why should I play the foolIn a Masker’s comedy? Death holds less scornThan being duped to dance in a puppet-showTo tinkling mandolins.
My liege, why should I play the foolIn a Masker’s comedy? Death holds less scornThan being duped to dance in a puppet-showTo tinkling mandolins.
My liege, why should I play the foolIn a Masker’s comedy? Death holds less scornThan being duped to dance in a puppet-showTo tinkling mandolins.
My liege, why should I play the fool
In a Masker’s comedy? Death holds less scorn
Than being duped to dance in a puppet-show
To tinkling mandolins.
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
Speak out your grievance!
Speak out your grievance!
Speak out your grievance!
Speak out your grievance!
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
I stand here in your power, and his.—At midnight,By secret sprinkling of a sleeping-charm,This masker sent to rob my dreaming lipsOf the answer to my riddle—
I stand here in your power, and his.—At midnight,By secret sprinkling of a sleeping-charm,This masker sent to rob my dreaming lipsOf the answer to my riddle—
I stand here in your power, and his.—At midnight,By secret sprinkling of a sleeping-charm,This masker sent to rob my dreaming lipsOf the answer to my riddle—
I stand here in your power, and his.—At midnight,
By secret sprinkling of a sleeping-charm,
This masker sent to rob my dreaming lips
Of the answer to my riddle—
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
Gods! to rob?Your proofs of this!
Gods! to rob?Your proofs of this!
Gods! to rob?Your proofs of this!
Gods! to rob?
Your proofs of this!
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
The proofs stand up in me.I who did deem it heaven to love your daughterHave proved it hell. Your daughter knows my secret,And all the ravage hidden in my name,Yet am I nothing, my damnation—nothingTo her, who loves another.
The proofs stand up in me.I who did deem it heaven to love your daughterHave proved it hell. Your daughter knows my secret,And all the ravage hidden in my name,Yet am I nothing, my damnation—nothingTo her, who loves another.
The proofs stand up in me.I who did deem it heaven to love your daughterHave proved it hell. Your daughter knows my secret,And all the ravage hidden in my name,Yet am I nothing, my damnation—nothingTo her, who loves another.
The proofs stand up in me.
I who did deem it heaven to love your daughter
Have proved it hell. Your daughter knows my secret,
And all the ravage hidden in my name,
Yet am I nothing, my damnation—nothing
To her, who loves another.
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
[Startled]
What—other? Who?
What—other? Who?
What—other? Who?
What—other? Who?
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
“The noblest in the world.”—O noble world,There aspiration earns its crown of scorn,And baseness wins nobility! In such,I’d liever be a beggar. But enough!My fate indeed is nothing, and my name—My name is—
“The noblest in the world.”—O noble world,There aspiration earns its crown of scorn,And baseness wins nobility! In such,I’d liever be a beggar. But enough!My fate indeed is nothing, and my name—My name is—
“The noblest in the world.”—O noble world,There aspiration earns its crown of scorn,And baseness wins nobility! In such,I’d liever be a beggar. But enough!My fate indeed is nothing, and my name—My name is—
“The noblest in the world.”—O noble world,
There aspiration earns its crown of scorn,
And baseness wins nobility! In such,
I’d liever be a beggar. But enough!
My fate indeed is nothing, and my name—
My name is—
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
Stop! your riddle goes unanswered.Go you in peace—and friendship. You, Sir Capo,Who keep your faith so strangely, set before meThe heart of my desire.
Stop! your riddle goes unanswered.Go you in peace—and friendship. You, Sir Capo,Who keep your faith so strangely, set before meThe heart of my desire.
Stop! your riddle goes unanswered.Go you in peace—and friendship. You, Sir Capo,Who keep your faith so strangely, set before meThe heart of my desire.
Stop! your riddle goes unanswered.
Go you in peace—and friendship. You, Sir Capo,
Who keep your faith so strangely, set before me
The heart of my desire.
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
He stands before you.
He stands before you.
He stands before you.
He stands before you.
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
Trick me not also. Keep your promise still.This man is Calaf, Son of Timur, notMy heart’s desire.
Trick me not also. Keep your promise still.This man is Calaf, Son of Timur, notMy heart’s desire.
Trick me not also. Keep your promise still.This man is Calaf, Son of Timur, notMy heart’s desire.
Trick me not also. Keep your promise still.
This man is Calaf, Son of Timur, not
My heart’s desire.
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
[Rising, wrathful]
How! Calaf, Son of Timur!
How! Calaf, Son of Timur!
How! Calaf, Son of Timur!
How! Calaf, Son of Timur!
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
Not drowned my liege, in water—but in grief.
Not drowned my liege, in water—but in grief.
Not drowned my liege, in water—but in grief.
Not drowned my liege, in water—but in grief.
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
My darkest enemy.—So, Capo, thisIs he whom you would wed within my houseTo my own daughter—Prince of Astrakhan!Now by my star, the doom upon his headShall fall on yours—and doubly. I, it seems,I, too, am duped!
My darkest enemy.—So, Capo, thisIs he whom you would wed within my houseTo my own daughter—Prince of Astrakhan!Now by my star, the doom upon his headShall fall on yours—and doubly. I, it seems,I, too, am duped!
My darkest enemy.—So, Capo, thisIs he whom you would wed within my houseTo my own daughter—Prince of Astrakhan!Now by my star, the doom upon his headShall fall on yours—and doubly. I, it seems,I, too, am duped!
My darkest enemy.—So, Capo, this
Is he whom you would wed within my house
To my own daughter—Prince of Astrakhan!
Now by my star, the doom upon his head
Shall fall on yours—and doubly. I, it seems,
I, too, am duped!
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
[Brokenly]
He has betrayed us all.
He has betrayed us all.
He has betrayed us all.
He has betrayed us all.
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
A single day is short to make all snug.The Lord took six.
A single day is short to make all snug.The Lord took six.
A single day is short to make all snug.The Lord took six.
A single day is short to make all snug.
The Lord took six.
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
A single day is allMy word allowed. I see! You bungled, fool,Striving to save your neck, but now your timeHangs at the stroke, and you have failed me. DoomFalls on you and your fellows!
A single day is allMy word allowed. I see! You bungled, fool,Striving to save your neck, but now your timeHangs at the stroke, and you have failed me. DoomFalls on you and your fellows!
A single day is allMy word allowed. I see! You bungled, fool,Striving to save your neck, but now your timeHangs at the stroke, and you have failed me. DoomFalls on you and your fellows!
A single day is all
My word allowed. I see! You bungled, fool,
Striving to save your neck, but now your time
Hangs at the stroke, and you have failed me. Doom
Falls on you and your fellows!
THE MASKERS
THE MASKERS
THE MASKERS
[Trying unsuccessfully to salaam]
Mercy, Sire!
Mercy, Sire!
Mercy, Sire!
Mercy, Sire!
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
[Behind his hand chiding them]
Where are your manners, my Prime-minister?Venetian bows are still the mode in court,Whilst we are emperor.
Where are your manners, my Prime-minister?Venetian bows are still the mode in court,Whilst we are emperor.
Where are your manners, my Prime-minister?Venetian bows are still the mode in court,Whilst we are emperor.
Where are your manners, my Prime-minister?
Venetian bows are still the mode in court,
Whilst we are emperor.
[Giving a sign to Harlequin, who runs out, he turns to Altoum]
O Sire—elect!Before the ominous gong sounds in mine earsThat ushers me unto oblivious ragsTo stroll the world again, let me rejoiceThat you have turned your wrath from this brave youthUponmyhumble head.—Congratulations!And with exchange of courtesies, I pray youFelicitate me and these fellow-playersOn the happy curtain of our comedy.
O Sire—elect!Before the ominous gong sounds in mine earsThat ushers me unto oblivious ragsTo stroll the world again, let me rejoiceThat you have turned your wrath from this brave youthUponmyhumble head.—Congratulations!And with exchange of courtesies, I pray youFelicitate me and these fellow-playersOn the happy curtain of our comedy.
O Sire—elect!Before the ominous gong sounds in mine earsThat ushers me unto oblivious ragsTo stroll the world again, let me rejoiceThat you have turned your wrath from this brave youthUponmyhumble head.—Congratulations!And with exchange of courtesies, I pray youFelicitate me and these fellow-playersOn the happy curtain of our comedy.
O Sire—elect!
Before the ominous gong sounds in mine ears
That ushers me unto oblivious rags
To stroll the world again, let me rejoice
That you have turned your wrath from this brave youth
Uponmyhumble head.—Congratulations!
And with exchange of courtesies, I pray you
Felicitate me and these fellow-players
On the happy curtain of our comedy.
[At his gesture, Punchinello and Pantaloon run to the curtain at back]
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
Say rather—tragedy.
Say rather—tragedy.
Say rather—tragedy.
Say rather—tragedy.
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
We stand corrected:Or say—romance, where true love laughs through tears:Name it Romance, and grant us your applause.
We stand corrected:Or say—romance, where true love laughs through tears:Name it Romance, and grant us your applause.
We stand corrected:Or say—romance, where true love laughs through tears:Name it Romance, and grant us your applause.
We stand corrected:
Or say—romance, where true love laughs through tears:
Name it Romance, and grant us your applause.
[Punchinello and Pantaloon draw the curtain, revealing an oriental altar, with idol, beside which stand two priests]
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
What’s there?
What’s there?
What’s there?
What’s there?
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
The altar for our ceremony:The Wedding of the Princess and the Beggar.
The altar for our ceremony:The Wedding of the Princess and the Beggar.
The altar for our ceremony:The Wedding of the Princess and the Beggar.
The altar for our ceremony:
The Wedding of the Princess and the Beggar.
[Reënter Harlequin, bringing in Barak, who rushes to Calaf and embraces him]
BARAK
BARAK
BARAK
My prince!
My prince!
My prince!
My prince!
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
[Overwhelmed]
Barak—old friend!
Barak—old friend!
Barak—old friend!
Barak—old friend!
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
[To Zelima]
Look, look, ’tis he!My beggar’s gaffer.
Look, look, ’tis he!My beggar’s gaffer.
Look, look, ’tis he!My beggar’s gaffer.
Look, look, ’tis he!
My beggar’s gaffer.
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
[Before whom Harlequin presents three tokens]
What are these?
What are these?
What are these?
What are these?
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
Our trophies:The secret of your daughter’s malady—
Our trophies:The secret of your daughter’s malady—
Our trophies:The secret of your daughter’s malady—
Our trophies:
The secret of your daughter’s malady—
[Leading Calaf bewildered before Turandot]
Lady, receive them with your heart’s desire:A ring, a rose, a beggar’s wallet.
Lady, receive them with your heart’s desire:A ring, a rose, a beggar’s wallet.
Lady, receive them with your heart’s desire:A ring, a rose, a beggar’s wallet.
Lady, receive them with your heart’s desire:
A ring, a rose, a beggar’s wallet.
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
You—Areyoumy beggar?
You—Areyoumy beggar?
You—Areyoumy beggar?
You—
Areyoumy beggar?
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
[Taking from Barak his old cloak]
I am he who wonIn Astrakhan—this rose, at Pekin gate—This ring, and in this ragged beggar’s cloakYou once did smile upon, I now depart.
I am he who wonIn Astrakhan—this rose, at Pekin gate—This ring, and in this ragged beggar’s cloakYou once did smile upon, I now depart.
I am he who wonIn Astrakhan—this rose, at Pekin gate—This ring, and in this ragged beggar’s cloakYou once did smile upon, I now depart.
I am he who won
In Astrakhan—this rose, at Pekin gate—
This ring, and in this ragged beggar’s cloak
You once did smile upon, I now depart.
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
Stay, love—Youare my noblest in the world!
Stay, love—Youare my noblest in the world!
Stay, love—Youare my noblest in the world!
Stay, love—Youare my noblest in the world!
[Calaf turns in wonder and kneels to her. She bends and embraces him. A great gong resounds]
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
[Presenting his crown to Altoum]
My liege, I abdicate. And you applaud?
My liege, I abdicate. And you applaud?
My liege, I abdicate. And you applaud?
My liege, I abdicate. And you applaud?
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
Yea, marvel, Capo. Kingdoms will I giveTo these your fellows.
Yea, marvel, Capo. Kingdoms will I giveTo these your fellows.
Yea, marvel, Capo. Kingdoms will I giveTo these your fellows.
Yea, marvel, Capo. Kingdoms will I give
To these your fellows.
THE MASKERS
THE MASKERS
THE MASKERS
[Bowing Venetian]
Hail!
Hail!
Hail!
Hail!
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
ALTOUM
And to yourself yourself—Whate’er you ask for.
And to yourself yourself—Whate’er you ask for.
And to yourself yourself—Whate’er you ask for.
And to yourself yourself—
Whate’er you ask for.
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
Then, my liege and lady,I beg—this withered rose.
Then, my liege and lady,I beg—this withered rose.
Then, my liege and lady,I beg—this withered rose.
Then, my liege and lady,
I beg—this withered rose.
CALAF
CALAF
CALAF
[Giving it to him]
Only a flower?
Only a flower?
Only a flower?
Only a flower?
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
Lovers, that lives beyond its little hourIn memory.—Adieu!—My players, ruleYour kingdoms still in masks.—Now for the world!
Lovers, that lives beyond its little hourIn memory.—Adieu!—My players, ruleYour kingdoms still in masks.—Now for the world!
Lovers, that lives beyond its little hourIn memory.—Adieu!—My players, ruleYour kingdoms still in masks.—Now for the world!
Lovers, that lives beyond its little hour
In memory.—Adieu!—My players, rule
Your kingdoms still in masks.—Now for the world!
[Tossing his gorgeous emperor’s cloak to Harlequin, he springs away in his tattered motley]
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
TURANDOT
[Calls after him]
What seek you there?
What seek you there?
What seek you there?
What seek you there?
CAPO.
CAPO.
CAPO.
[Kissing to her and Calaf the withered rose]
Moreroses and romance!
Moreroses and romance!
Moreroses and romance!
Moreroses and romance!
CurtainEND OF PLAY
CurtainEND OF PLAY
Curtain
END OF PLAY