all be this pile of golden treasure.
If not, my slaves shall pierce thy heart. His name
Reveal at once; his parentage proclaim.

BAR.

Your threats are vain; your treasures I despise.
Repent your obstinate resolve. Be wise
And learn, a woman's highest happiness
Is, by her love a worthy man to bless.

TUR.

To preach to me befits thee not. Desist.
My potent will in vain thou wouldst resist.
Seize on him, slaves, and do your work. Forbear
Awhile. Reflect, and save thy life. I swear
By Fo-hi's face, no harm shaft touch thy friend
Nor thee, if thou consent to serve my end.

BAR.

Your path's deceitful. Swear by Fo-hi's might
My friend shall call you his e'er morrow's night.
You hesitate--you dare not swear a lie
Before the sacred face of great Fo-hi.

ADELMA.

Presumptuous wretch, dar'st thou our queen defy?
Princess, demur no longer; let him die.

(SKIRINA _rushes in._)

SKIR.

Hold, Princess; hold; your father is at hand!
(_aside_.) My knees are knocking; I can hardly stand.

ADELMA.

Unlucky chance! To prison with this fellow!

SKIR.

Adelma, hush; you needn't bawl and bellow.

TUR.

In deepest dungeon let him be confin'd.

BAR.

My body you may shackle; not my mind.

SKIR. (_aside to_ BARAK.)

Take courage, husband; do not fear their spite;
The pig will save us yet; I tell you it's all right.

(_Mutes hastily conduct_ BARAK _through a secret door; others
remove the dish of gold_.)

TUR.

Adelma, thou'rt my only friend. Advise

My mind distraught 'twixt love and hate. Despise
Me not, but pity me. Some counsel lend.

ADEL.

As force has failed, by craft we'll gain our end.
I have a plan,--I'm sure of its success,
If to the stranger's cell we gain access.

TUR.

Take gold--suborn his guards--the highest meed
I hold as nought if thy new scheme succeed.

ADEL.

Skirina's help I need to work my plot.

SKIR.

I'd let myself be skinned for Turandot.
I wish my service could my husband save.

TUR.

His life be thy reward, thou faithful slave.

(SKIRINA _kisses_ TURANDOT'S _hand_.)

ADEL.

Your royal father comes. In me confide.
(_aside_.) Assist me, love, to quell her haughty pride.

(_Exeunt_ ADELMA _and_ SKIRINA.)

TUR.

What will Adelma's fertile brain devise?
(_after a pause_.) In vain the truth I'd hide from mine own eyes;
My heart is his--irrevocably his.
To be his wife--oh rapture, heavenly bliss!
Yet I must spurn hi