Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx - LightNovelsOnl.com
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ALT.
Dear me, what is the matter?
I cannot hear thro' all this general chatter.
PANT, (_aside_).
I shan't attempt just now to make him hear; I'm dazed myself, and his head's _never_ clear.
TART.
W-what a c-ca-cat-as-a.s.s-astrophe! _Corpo di Bacco!_ H-he m-must r-re-return--_colle pive nel sacco_.
KAL.
My overloving heart has caused my woe, I gave up all, to please my lovely foe.
If yesterday I purposely had failed To win the day, or from the contest quailed, My soul had now found rest. Ah, why Altoum, wert thou too merciful? To die To-day, if conquered, should have been my meed-- Great Emperor, thus shouldst thou have decreed.
ALT.
Poor Kalaf! tears mine aged eyes bedew.
(_wipes. .h.i.t eyes_.)
TUR. (_aside to_ SKIRINA)--
His grief affects me deeply; strangely new Emotions swell my bosom.
SKIR.
Put an end To trifling. Far as Jericho I'd send All s.h.i.+lly-shally. Do, for goodness' sake Speak out and say, "As husband I thee take."
I've married twice, and know how shy one feels--
Plunge in at once, right over head and heels.
A royal Crown Prince, too; my stars and garters!
_Creme de la creme_--the cream of Crimean Tartars!
ADELMA.
My soul by doubt and hate is torn; She loves him, though she shows such bitter scorn.
I'm stung to anguish, yet I'll not repine, My rival's torture is as sharp as mine.
(KALAF _has stood bowed down by grief; he starts suddenly and approaches_ TURANDOT'S _throne_)--
KALAF.
Thy cruel will shall find no more resistance; Why need the headsman end my sad existence?
This dagger shall release....
(_Unsheathes a dagger._ ADELMA _makes a movement of horror._ TURANDOT _precipitates herself from the throne, and stays his hand_).
TUR.
Stay, Kalaf, stay!
Or strike thy heart through mine.
(_Throws herself across his breast._)
ALT.
What does she say?
(TURANDOT _and_ KALAF _gaze at each other in silence, for some time_.)
KAL.
Wouldst doom me to a life, of love bereft?
My hopes and joys all faded--nothing left.
Such mercy seeks more cruelly to kill; But my despair is stronger than thy will.
(_Attempts to stab himself._)
Tur.
For my sake, live; nor ever quit my side; Prince, take me as your loving, happy bride.
ADELMA (_aside_).
'Tis agony; I cannot bear this sight. (_Retires_.)
ALT.
What do they say? (_to_ PANT., _who endeavours to explain_).
Don't speak. I _see_ all's right.
