Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx

Автор

Фридрих Шиллер

Жанр

Зарубежная классика

Год написания книги

2017

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BAR

I for your safety quake.
She's quite as cunning as she's fierce.
Her eyes can even through a millstone pierce.

KAL

Nay, hope the best. My lucky stars preside,
They'll crown me victor of my lovely bride.

BAR

You're just the same dear, sanguine, thoughtless boy
As ever. I can't bear to spoil your joy.

(Enter BRIGHELLA, marching backwards, commanding a fewChinese guards; PANT. and TART.)

BRIG

Halt! Pigtails, right! Attention! Royal Black Guards!
(aside.) How I do hate this dangerous marching backwards!

PANT

Oh, here he is! At last we've caught our bird.
Prince, how d'ye do! Allow me just one word.
But who's this man? (points to BARAK.)
Of what has he been talking?

BAR. (aside.)

I hope they don't suspect – (aloud.) As I was walking,
This man accosted me (I do not know him),
He asked if I his way would kindly show him.

PANT

Great Prince, you're compassed round about with traps.
If we don't keep you in our eye – perhaps
The Sphinx may have you murdered. To prevent
Unpleasant little accidents we're sent
By his celestial Majesty, to take you
In our safe custody. We'll not forsake you.
(to BARAK.) And you're her spy, I do believe; get out!
And mind your own affairs, Sir Pry-about.
(to KALAF.) As Minister, I hope I may make bold
To say "Sweet Prince, take care you are not sold."
Pray whisper not your name to any one
Except to me, your friend. I'll blab to none.
On my discretion you may safe repose,
Confide in me; your name I'll not disclose.
No more than I would jump right o'er the moon.

KAL

No doubt; but yet my name, good Pantaloon,
Like yours, must be quite "inexpressible."

PANT

My wish to please is irrepressible.
Command me, pray. Henceforth I will be dumb.
The watchword is, – I understand you, – "Mum!"

TART

G-go-ood Pr-prince, d-don't m-mi-mind th-that st-stu-pid P-pa-pantaioon,
H-he's n-nothing b-but a g-go-gossipping B-buff-ffoon.
C-co-conf-fi-fide in m-me. Your s-se-secret I won't u-u-ut-ter,
I-in f-f-fact I c-ca-can't, 'c-ca-cause of my d-de-deuced s-st-stutter.

PANT

Your Highness! to the palace, if you please.

(Signs to BRIGHELLA.)

BRIG

Recover, Pigtails! Black Guards, stand at ease!

(Exeunt KALAF, PANT., and TART., Guards and BRIGHELLA.)

BARAK, (who has been watching in the background, comes forward)

Ye Tartar deities, watch o'er his life!
Good gracious, what can hither bring my wife?

(Enter SKIRINA.)

Where art thou going, wife, in such a hurry?

SKIR

Oh, dearest husband, I'm all in a flurry.
Our handsome guest will be Chang's future
Who'd have believed such an astounding thing?
The Princess Turandot is in despair;