Turandot, Princess of China Part 26

How _can_ it be that such an angel's face Should hide such devilry?...

(_Contemptuously._)

No. You deceive me, Adelma. Go!

ADELMA.

I will forgive your doubt.

An angel's face? Oh, would that you had seen her As I have! In the harem rages she, And like a snapping b.i.t.c.h runs to and fro, Green in the face, and with her bloodshot eyes s.h.i.+ning with hate under distorted brows.

Doubt if you will. That you should doubt my words Is not such pain as your approaching death.

(_Weeps._)

CALAF.

What treachery! By the very guards betrayed Appointed to protect me! He spake right, That rascal of a captain: Gold kills duty.

Life, fare thee well!

ADELMA.

And yet you may escape Your evil star. Up, I will show the way.

By saving you from death, I save myself From slavery. With my jewels I have bought Two of the guards, an escort I have hired, And horses are in readiness. The Khan Of Berlas is my kinsman. Leagued with him Let us invade and seize my kingdom--yours, If so you will. And this my hand be yours, If you will have it. But if you will not, The Tartar Kings are not unblest with daughters, Fair maidens full of love and fit for you.

Be you the King, and I will be your subject.

Only flee, death. Only deliver me.

And I will conquer even my love, which now, Crimson with shame, I have confessed.....

Day dawns!

Day dawns! My head swims.... Stranger, flee with me!

CALAF.

In vain. I have resolved to stay and die.

ADELMA.

Then I will, too, stay for a little while In slavery yet. And soon it will be seen Which of us two is readier to die.

(_Aside._)

Often persistent love attains at last!

Calaf, Timur's son?

(_Aloud._)

Stranger Prince, good-night!

(_Exit._)

CALAF.

Oh, will this night of horrors never end?

And this fight of the soul that is consumed In burning love? By Fortune cast away-- Cast into perils, by her hate pursued, I tarry for the dawn and traitorous knives.

(_The scene grows light._)

See, the sun rises. Now the hour is come For her to feed her pleasure on my blood, The hour has come that sees my torment end!

SCENE XIV

BRIGELLA, GUARDS, CALAF.

BRIGELLA.

Time's up, your Highness. Fun begins in a minute.

CALAF.

Oh, is it you? Well, carry out your orders!

Be quick! It doesn't matter. Get it over.

BRIGELLA (_astonished_).

What orders? Eh? I haven't got any orders.

The only order I've got is to escort you to the Divan. Double quick! The Emperor has already combed his beard and may appear in the Divan any minute.

CALAF (_in a tragedy tone_).

Up, then, to the Divan! What though I do not Reach it alive? What matters it? See here, Am I the man to be afraid of death?

(_Casts his sword away._)

I need no weapon. Let the Princess know That I have offered of my own free will To her a.s.sa.s.sins my defenceless breast

(_Exit._)

BRIGELLA.