of execution.
But you won't need to make-a, long stay _there_,
you'll be back here again very shortly. Let me
take this opportunity of introducing to you one
of our most capable, one of our busiest officials,
with whom you will soon come into closer contact.
A very charming man--(_whispers to him_). You'll
find him sharp though, he has a cutting manner.
...But don't look so cut up, your Royal Highness;
keep your pecker up. Come now, love
hasn't treated you so badly after all; it brings
most men to the altar and then to the halter--
you'll keep your head out of that noose anyhow.
And your flame, your idolized, lovely Turandot,
will perhaps do you the honour of appearing on
the grated balcony. I tell you this in case you
should by any chance desire to cast her one of
your languishing glances, your Royal Highness,
my dear old chappie. You silly fool you...
Forward, march!... Forward, I tell you,
march, and be damned to you! Right about
turn, forward march!

(_Music. Exeunt all, in the same order as
they came, towards the interior of the
city. Enter CALAF, from the left, on
a pony. He dismounts, and looks round
about him in a dazed and dreamy
manner._)

SCENE II

CALAF.

(_Stepping in front of the footlights._) I am
Prince Calaf, 'sh! Nobody must know my name.
Calaf--I don't mind telling _you_. My father is
Timur, once the mighty King of Astrakhan--the
cruel Sultan of Taschkent drove us out of our own
country. O miserable fate! O heavenly gods!
I wandered for months and months with my
parents in the desert. Our foe, the Sultan, sent
riders after us. At the Court of Kaikobad, King
of the Carcasenes, I served as a gardener. His
daughter, the Princess Adelma, fell in love with
me. I had to flee again, and came to Berlas.
There I kept my poor parents by carrying burdens,
and by begging. Then a happy chance gave
me these fine clothes, a horse, and this purse of
gold. I set out in quest of adventure. And
here I am now in Pekin.

(_Noise behind the scenes. Enter BARAK from
the city._)

SCENE III

CALAF, _then_ BARAK.

BARAK.

Whence come you, stranger?

CALAF.

Who asks?

BARAK.

Dare I believe, my eyes?

CALAF.

Do I see right?

BARAK.

It is he!

CALAF.

None else!

BARAK.

My Prince!

CALAF.

My tutor, friend!

BARAK.

Prince Calaf!

CALAF.

Barak!

BARAK.

Yet alive!

CALAF.

You here?

BARAK.

And you, Prince?

CA