I do not
Reach it alive? What matters it? See here,
Am I the man to be afraid of death?

(_Casts his sword away._)

I need no weapon. Let the Princess know
That I have offered of my own free will
To her assassins my defenceless breast

(_Exit._)

BRIGELLA.

What the devil _is_ the fellow raving about?
Women, those damned women! They've been at
him the whole night, not half, and his brain's
collapsed! Hello, you! Present arms! Dress
your ranks! March!

(_Exeunt._ _Music of drums and other instruments of war._)

END OF THE SECOND ACT.

THE THIRD ACT

SCENE I

_The great hall of the imperial Divan. In the "background,
covered by a curtain, an altar with
a Chinese idol; two priests standing beside
it._ ALTOUM _on his throne, the doctors on
their cushions_, PANTALONE _and_ TARTAGLIA
_on each side of the_ EMPEROR.
ALTOUM, PANTALONE, TARTAGLIA, _the_ DOCTORS,
_the_ GUARDS. _Later_ CALAF.
(_Enter_ CALAF _excitedly from right_. _He
looks round uneasily and suspiciously._
_When he arrives at the middle of the
room he bows to_ ALTOUM.)

CALAF (_aside_).

How's this? No trace of ambushed murderers?
Did the slave lie? Can Turandot have found
The names out, and rescinded her commands?
Then I lose all. Death had been better far.

ALTOUM.

My son, you seem excited and in fear,
And I were fain had you a merry face.
Now all is well. Your sorrows are at end.
Glad tidings that concern you I will save
A little while. As for my daughter, she
Is yours. She sent to me thrice in the night
Petitioning release from this encounter.
Therefore I charge you, son, be of good cheer!

PANTALONE.

Heaven knows, my dearest Royal Highness, I
myself had to trot off in the night to pay a call
on her Royal Highness in the Seraglio and receive
her most illustrious commands. I didn't even
have the time to tumble into my slippers and
get dressed properly. And it was so cold,
Heaven knows (_coughs_), I'm shivering yet. Never
mind! Never mind!

TARTAGLIA.

They fetched me out of bed at 5 a.m. It was
just beginning to get light a bit. She made
me stand in front of her half an hour while she
went on whining something or other. For sheer
cold and vexation I talked the most clotted
nonsense to her. (_Aside._) It would have suited
my humour better if I could have given her a
downright good spanking.

ALTOUM.

You see yourself: she is so slow in coming.
I have already sent explicit orders
In case