Powers of our royal Divan and our Harem,
Once more, in token of our sovereign will,
We are assembled. Let the law be read!
[He sits. Harlequin, stepping forward with a flourish, presents the roll of parchment to Punchinello, who, exchanging with him his platter for the script, reads in a shrill voice]
PUNCHINELLO
To high Confucius and our ancestors—
Worship and awe! The edict of Altoum
In re the royal princess Turandot
Perpends: To suitors of her august hand
Who guess her riddles—marriage, riches, joy!