have decreed.
ALT.
Poor Kalaf! tears mine aged eyes bedew.
(_wipes hit 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 shilly-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.
SKIR.
Fo-hi be praised! Now, this is what I call
A great success. My pig has done it all.
(_Fetches_ BARAK _from behind the crowd_)--
Come, dearest husband; much too long you've trembled.
TUR.
Let it be known to all those here assembled--
I may not justly claim the victor's crown,
Adelma's shrewdness served me; not my own.
Prince Kalaf vanquished me, and may command
As prize of his achievement, my poor hand.
(_To_ KALAF.) But not in deference to lawful right
I gave myself to thee, but through love's might.
My heart was thine, when first I did behold thee.
KALAF.
Excess of bliss, thus to my heart to fold thee!
ALT.
What
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