Turandot, Princess of China Part 28

ALTOUM.

Enough. She is not worth such humble words.

Now teach _her_ to be humble! Music, ho!

Up! To the altar! Let the priests begin!

TURANDOT.

One moment more! What vengeance is so sweet As this: to cradle in security And restfulness an unsuspecting heart, And then from the pinnacle of happiness To dash it down into the blackest h.e.l.l Of torment?

(_She rises._)

Hear me, all of you: Depart From this Divan, _Calaf, son of Timur_!

There is the riddle solved you set me. Wretch, Go! seek another wife, and shake with fear Of Turandot, whom none can overcome.

CALAF (_confounded and stricken_).

Great Heaven! Lost! Lost!

ALTOUM (_taken aback_).

What do I hear? Great Heaven!

PANTALONE.

Holy Madonna, she's gone and done it in his beard, my dear Lord Chancellor, Heaven knows.

TARTAGLIA.

(_Mopping his face._) Holy Gorgonzola! this gets over me and no mistake.

CALAF.

Lost! No one helps me. Who _could_ help me now?

I have-been my own a.s.sa.s.sin, and in the end I lose by too much loving love itself.

Why did I solve the riddles yesterday?

If I had failed to solve them, I were now Cold, dumb, and free from torture worse than death.

Great-hearted Emperor, why do you not Let that grim law hold good another time?

Now she has found the names, give your cold daughter, To be her crowning triumph, this last head.

(_Approaches_ TURANDOT'S _throne_.)

Most cruel Princess, does it not offend you To know the heart still beating that has dared To love you? Look upon your victim here, Calaf, hateful to you, hateful to Heaven, To the world hateful, and to fortune too-- Calaf, who at your feet now dies.

(_He draws a dagger, and makes a thrust at his heart_. TURANDOT _leaps down from her throne and seizes his arm_.)

TURANDOT (_in a tone of tenderness_).

Calaf, What are you doing?

ALTOUM.

Dare I trust my eyes?

CALAF.

Leave me alone, cold woman! Let me die!

(_Points the dagger again at his breast._ TURANDOT _restrains him_.)

TURANDOT.

Stay! You shall live! and you shall live for me!

Listen!

(_To_ ZELIMA.)

Run to the prisoners, Zelima!

Comfort old faithful Barak and your mother!

ZELIMA.

Mistress, I will, and lose no time.

(_Exit._)

ADELMA (_excitedly, aside_).

This moment Spells death for me.

TURANDOT.

Now hear me: I have won By accident. For in a sudden burst Of feeling you betrayed yourself last night To my quick-witted slave Adelma here.

But let the whole world know: I am above Injustice. And know you: your chivalrous Demeanour and fair features have o'ercome This stubborn heart. Live then, live and be proud: I am your prize.