Turandot

Farewell, Princess; magnanimous you've been.

Escape alone. To die I am content,

You cannot turn me from my firm intent.

ADEL.

Ungrateful man! Then learn the horrid truth.

The heart of Turandot can feel no ruth.

You've foiled her cunning. Fear her tiger-spring.

To-morrow as you pass to join the King

In high divan,-her slaves, with stealthy blow,

Will pierce your heart;-your life will be laid low.

KAL.

Oh, hapless Kalaf! must thy life thus end?

In exile perish-far from ev'ry friend!

O Timur, dearest father, couldst thou see

Thine only son in such deep misery,

All Tartary thou'dst gladly give to save

Its royal heir from such untimely grave.

(Covers his face in despair.)

ADEL. (aside) Hah, Kalaf, future Khan of Tartarland!

(Most luckily the last-told lie I planned.)

He's in my power. If he escape one net,

He'll fall into another, closer yet.

KAL. (to himself.)

I've said 'Or death or Turandot.' Her will

Decrees my death-from her 'tis, welcome still.

Adieu, fond hopes. Delusive joys, farewell!

ADEL.

Once more let me implore you. Do not sell

Your life thus cheap. We still have time for flight.

KAL.

My honour bids me stay and brave the fight.

ADEL.

You're obstinate. Farewell, then, unknown stranger,

(aside.) My love despised! I burn with jealous anger.

Prince Kalaf, Timur's son! you're in my snare;

I can be fierce as Turandot. Beware! (Exit.)

KALAF.

I'm on the rack! when will this torture cease?

(Enter BRIGHELLA.)

BRIG.

'Tis time to join divan, Prince, if you please.

(KALAF regards him suspiciously.)

KAL.

Art thou her tool? Shall I by thy hand fall?

Stain not thy soul with guiltless blood. Take all

I have, if money be thy greed. But know

Without a struggle I'll not take thy blow.

(Draws his-sword.)

BRIG.

His brain is addled, sure as eggs is eggs!

Lor', how he stands, astraddling out his legs!

KAL. (throws down his sword.)

I'll not defend myself. Tell her who offered

Base gold for life, my breast I freely proffered

To meet th' assassin's knife. There lies my sword.

Fulfil her stern behest.

BRIG.

Upon my word

And honour, my strict orders are, to see

You safely to divan. His Majesty

Is all agog to see the fun.

KAL. (to himself.)

Alive

I ne'er shall reach divan. My death I'll strive

To calmly meet. Perchance my bleeding corse

Will melt her heart to pity and remorse.

(Exit, BRIGHELLA following him; guards receive him outside.

Music strikes up.)

SCENE.-High Divan, as in Act II. ALTOUM discovered on his

throne; PANT. and TART. beside it; the eight Doctors seated; Guard

under arms. Behind a curtain, in the background, is an altar,

with a Chinese idol: a Chinese priest on each side of it. KALAF

enters, agitated, and looking suspiciously around him; bows to

ALTOUM.

KAL. (aside.)

Do I still live? Each step, I thought to feel

The thrust of an assassin's deadly steel.

Adelma's warning was some dream, or now I dream.

ALT.

My son, care sits upon thy brow.