Turandot, Princess of China Part 12

TARTAGLIA.

Centre. Centre.

THE EIGHT DOCTORS.

(_In chorus, after unsealing the second leaf._)

Optime. Knowledge and Power! Knowledge and Power! Knowledge and Power!

ALTOUM (_excitedly_).

O joy! O joy!--G.o.ds, help him to the end!

ZELIMA (_aside_).

Would this had been the last!

ADELMA (_excitedly, aside_).

Alas! I lose him!

(_Aside to_ TURANDOT.)

This moment turns your fair renown to shame: He is your better.

TURANDOT (_in a low voice_).

Silence! Ere he win Let the world go to pieces.

(_Aloud to_ CALAF.)

Rash fool! know My hatred step by step grows with thy hope Of victory. Leave the Divan! Go! Flee From my last riddle, and so save thy head!

CALAF.

Your hate weighs heavy, my adored Princess.

So much the lighter weighs this head of mine, Since before you it finds so little grace.

ALTOUM.

Desist, my son. And thou, my child, desist From further riddles. Reach thy hand to him, For he deserves to be thy husband.

TURANDOT (_fiercely_).

He!

My husband! Of my free will? Never!

Never!

Let the law have its course.

CALAF (_to_ ALTOUM).

Free be her will.

Naught I demand but death, or Turandot.

TURANDOT.

So be it, then; take death. Hold still and mark!

(_Rises._)

Now tell me: knowest thou the magic flower By whose bright rays the soul's dark deeps are lit; Which, hiding in its quiet, sacred bower, Waits for the Fairy Prince to gather it; But which, if he find not its shy recess, Withers and dies in forlorn loneliness?

Within the bosom of its petals furled Lies with Life's sense the Riddle of the World; And he that first its chalice openeth Glows with the wine of Life, the scorn of Death.

(_She unveils herself._)

Now look me in the face, now hold thy ground, Die like a dog, or name the flower I mean.

CALAF (_in ecstasy_).

O beauty bright!

ALTOUM (_excitedly_).

Alas! he is wandering!

Compose thyself, my son. Keep clear! Keep clear!

ZELIMA (_aside_).

I am dizzy with excitement.

ADELMA (_aside_).

He is mine!