Turandot

Some better news to tell a waken'd sleeper?

Truf.

Of course I have. Without circumlocution

I now proceed to instant elocution:

My charming mistress sent me here to beg

You'll trust her with your secret. Her last leg

She's standing on; and in sheer desperation

She'll marry you; but must before the nation

Appear to vanquish you-in mere appearance.

Be quick, and of your secret make a clearance.

Clear up the matter, and I'll then clear out;

My time is precious. Finish off this bout.

KAL.

One thing thou hast forgotten.

TRUF.

What have I?

KAL.

To imprecate thy bones to Fo-bi's pie.

Return to Turandot. Tell her from me

She'll glorious shine in high divan, if she

Benignant prove herself; more true distinction

She'll gain by this, than by my hope's extinction.

(Signs to TRUF. to withdraw.)

TRUF. (aside.)

I've only got my trouble for my pain;

I'll never do a kindly act again. (Exit.)

KAL.

Come, gentle sleep. Refresh me, balm divine!

Take courage, weary soul, success may yet be mine.

(Retires to the couch, and sinks; into slumber.Enter ADELMA,

veiled, bearing a lighted taper.)

ADEL.

I shall not fail. In vain was their endeavour,

But I will venture all, the knot to sever.

I may not learn his name,-but I'll implore

His flight from Peking. Then my love, once more

May hope to win his heart.

(Unveils, and gazes upon him.)

He gently slumbers:

Reluctantly I rouse him, but time numbers

The hours yet left for action. Prince, arise!

KAL.

Who calls? Another spirit! Do my eyes

Deceive me? Can it be? Adelma here?

Thy royal person in a slave's mean gear!

Such lowly garb is surely some disguise.

ADEL.

No, Prince; Adelma now in slav'ry sighs.

Beneath the galling yoke of her who martyred

My wretched brother, and my father slaughtered.

Not you alone must suffer from the curse

Of Turandot's fell ire; my fate's far worse.

KAL.

Princess, believe me; more your lot I mourn

Than e'en my own. So fair, so nobly born,

So gracious to th' unhappy;-I can ne'er

Forget your kindness to myself. If e'er

In need of faithful service you may stand,

Which I may render in return, command

Me as your slave. My gratitude's eternal.

ADEL.

From Turandot I'd save you. Her infernal

Devices throw a glamour o'er your senses:

But did you know her shallow, false pretences,

Of her great excellence you'd scorn the notion,

Nor waste on her your noble heart's devotion.

For all she sets up as a learned Sphinx,

She's nothing but a sly, conceited minx.

KAL.

Nay, blame not her, but adverse destiny,

Your brother willed his death; the choice was free.

Your father fell in battle-'twas ill-fate

Awarded death, not she. Oh, do not hate

Your mistress; surely she your worth esteems

And treats you as your gentle birth beseems.

To-morrow, if I'm victor as before

I'll freedom give you, and your throne restore.

ADEL.

Can nothing your credulity convince?

Oh, fly this wicked woman, dearest Prince.

Escape with me! Come haste! Our time is short;

I've bribed your guards. We'll sail from the next port

To Keicobad-there all will hail me Queen.

KAL.