ither 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;
She weeps, she wrings her hands, she tears her hair.
She'll kill herself if she can't tell to-morrow
The name of your young friend. To calm her sorrow,
I bade her not torment herself, for you
Knew all about him, and his father too.

BAR.

Unhappy woman, thou hast ruined us!

SKIR.

Why, what harm's done? Why make you such a fuss?

BAR.

My head will have to answer for thy tongue.

SKIR.

Oh, nonsense, dear; I'm sure I've done no wrong.

(_Enter_ TRUFFALDIN _and slaves_.)

BAR.

Behold what thou hast done, thou Chatterbox.

(TRUFFALDIN, _with pompous exaggerated ferocity,
holds his sabre to BARAK's breast_.)

TRUF.

Make no resistance! Yield thee, sly old fox!

SKIR.

Have mercy, Truffaldin,--my husband spare!

TRUF.

Of his bald head I'll not disturb one hair.
Good female, you're of the fem'nine gender,
And therefore towards your weakness my heart's tender.
Your husband shall not come to any harm,
So pray don't needlessly yourself alarm.
The highest honour is in store for him,
Free entrance's offered to our Hareem.

BAR.

The gilded trap of the fair Serpent-Sphinx.
She's found me out; she's eyes like any lynx.
There's no escape.

TRUF. (_flourishing his sabre_).

Lead on, my free-born slaves,
To where the flag of slavedom freely waves.

(_Exeunt_ BARAK, TRUF. _menacing him, and slaves_.)

SKIR.

Forgive me, husband dear. Adieu, adieu!
Oh dear, oh dear, what ever shall I do?
Adelma urged me to my boastful prating--
She always is so very aggravating;
I'd like to drop a lump of deadly _pison_
In her next cup of "best strong-flavoured Hyson."
I do declare my brain's all in a fuddle--
Fo-hi, do help me out of this sad muddle!
I'll sacrifice another guinea-pig,
For mortals, then, I needn't care one fig. (_Exit_.)

SCENE II.--_A vestibule in_ TURANDOT'S _Hareem_. BARAK _is fastened
to one of its pillars, black mutes, with drawn daggers, stand on each
side of him_. _A large porcelain dish, fitted with golden coins is on a
table near him._ TURANDOT _stands before him in a threatening
attitude_. (ADELMA _beside her_.)

TUR.

Yet hast thou time. Obey my royal pleasure,
And thine sh