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Read Ebook: Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx by Schiller Friedrich Novello Sabilla Translator
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Ebook has 641 lines and 12317 words, and 13 pages
Translator: Sabilla Novello
TURANDOT:
A DRAMATIC ODDITY
FREELY TRANSLATED FROM SCHILLER,
AND CORDIALLY INSCRIBED TO
LADY PERCY FLORENCE SHELLEY
SABILLA NOVELLO.
LONDON: S. FRENCH, 89, STRAND.
Price One Shilling.
Personages.
ALTOUM, Khan of the Celestial Empire.
PANTALOON, his Prime Minister.
TARTAGLIA, Lord Chancellor.
TRUFFALDIN, Keeper of the Hareem.
BRIGHELLA, Captain of the Imperial Black Guards.
KALAF, Prince of Tartary.
BARAK, his former Tutor.
ISHMAEL.
DOCTORS of THE DIVAN.
TURANDOT, Heiress to the Celestial throne: generally known as "The Chinese Sphinx."
SKIRINA, her attendant, wife to Barak.
ADELMA, Princess of Keicobad, slave to Turandot.
SCENE.--Outskirts of Peking. L. View of town gate, above which are reared long poles, bearing turbaned and shorn heads, symmetrically disposed so as to form a kind of architectural ornament. R. Small suburban dwellings, from one of which issues PRINCE KALAF, dressed in a fantastic Tartar warrior's costume.
KALAF.
The Gods be thanked, at last by patient seeking, I've found a lodging in this crowded Peking.
BARAK.
Prince Kalaf? 'tis not possible. He's dead! Yet, sure 'tis he--his eyes--his legs--his head,-- My Lord!
KALAF.
What--Barak! here--alive?
BARAK.
KALAF.
We never thought to meet again, dear Tutor,-- In China too!
BARAK.
For years I've taken root here. But, dearest Prince, how was it, tell me, pray, You 'scaped the perils of that dreadful day?
KALAF.
BARAK.
In that trim cottage lives my wife. 'Tis lucky She proved herself in house-letting so plucky.
KALAF.
I give you joy, old friend; you're married snugly, Your wife is not so ugly, And kind as kind can be, though somewhat droll, Adieu,--I'll through the city take a stroll. And then proceed to visit the great Khan, And beg him to engage me as his man.
BARAK.
Stay, Prince, how rash!--you do not know your danger: 'Tis evident to Peking you're a stranger. To-day a horrid deed will be enacted,-- A cruel death, by Turandot exacted. Have you not heard that Turandot the fair Has filled this land with bloodshed and despair?
KALAF.
BARAK.
Too true is all you've heard through common rumour, The Princess Turandot's ferocious humour Has many princes caused to lose their life In seeking to obtain her as a wife. Her beauty is so wonderful, that all As willing victims to her mandate fall; In vain do various painters daily vie To limn her rosy cheek, her flashing eye, Her perfect form, and noble, easy grace, Her flowing ebon locks and radiant face. Her charms defy all portraiture: no hand Can reproduce her air of sweet command. Yet e'en such counterfeits, from foreign parts Attract fresh suitors,--win all hearts. But she, whose outward semblance thus appears To be Love's temple, such fierce hatred bears To all marital sway, or marriage tie, That rather than submit to man, she'd die. Great kings and princes, all have sued in vain, One glance of love or pity to obtain.
KALAF.
In Keicobad I heard this oft-told tale, But thought it paradoxical--and stale.
BARAK.
KALAF.
Why, what a tigress must this Princess be! I never heard such cruelty--Bless me!
BARAK.
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