ot
even a flea is admitted into the harem before it
has been carefully examined to see whether it's
a male or a female. We tickle it, and if it
laughs it's a she. Females have a silk thread
tied round their left leg. Males are immediately
executed. Baa! Baa! And now you have this
good fortune thrust upon you.

BARAK.

I know the Princess sends you after _me_.
What of the woman there? I know her not.

TRUFFALDINO.

Thou knowest her not! Baa! Baa! Thou
art a liar, old chap. Thou liest in thy throat,
thou silvery ram. Thou knowest her not! Thou
paralytic pack of prevarication! This buxom
smiling lady, with her attractive, plump figure,
thou knowest her not? Thou thrice-bleached
hypocrite! And all the time you share all she
has, year in, year out, as far as you are able to.
Baa! Baa! I'll help you. Baa! Baa! I'll
teach you to tell me lies! Baa! Baa! Me,
the Grand Eunuch of China! (_Beckons to the
eunuchs to bring_ SKIRINA _closer to_ BARAK.) Well,
do you know her now? This lady? Your wife,
you wretch, you wretch! Baa! Baa!

SKIRINA.

I can't make head or tail of it.

BARAK.

Remember
What I have said. And hold your tongue.
Poor fool,
You have now what you wanted.

SKIRINA.

Heaven help us!

TRUFFALDINO.

(_To the eunuchs._) Up! Take the pair of
'em between you. Slope swords! Halt! Attention!
Eyes front! Quick march!

SCENE VI.

_In the harem._ _Anteroom with columns._ _In the
middle a table, on which stands a large basin
filled with gold coins._ _It is night._

(TRUFFALDINO _and his eunuchs surround_
BARAK, _who is fettered to a pillar_. _To
the right stand_ SKIRINA _and_ ZELIMA,
_weeping; to the left, in an imperious
attitude_, TURANDOT.)

TURANDOT.

There still is time. I offer you again
This dish of gold, if you will speak the names.
If you refuse, I'll have you whipped to death.
Come hither, slaves!

(_The eunuchs make her a deep bow and grip their sticks._)

BARAK (_to_ SKIRINA).

Now see what you have done!

(_To_ TURANDOT.)

Princess, feed on your prey. Strike on, ye slaves!
I know the son's name and I know the sire's.
But direst torture shall not make me speak;
No, nor the pains of death. Your dish of gold
Is so much dirt to me.

SKIRINA _and_ ZELIMA.

(_Cast themselves down before_ TURANDOT.)

Princess, have mercy....

TURANDOT.

I am sick of this obstinacy. Slaves, hither!
Give this old man a whipping!

ZELIMA.

Frightful! Stay!