Turandot, Princess of China Part 24

Oh, you won't, won't you? You really won't?

How nasty of you, my love! Just look at me.

See how pretty I am! (_Trips coquettishly up and down in front of the bed._) Look at my lovely white arms and my lovely plump legs, and my glorious hair hanging all down my back!

...Just look at it, my sweet little chick!

(CALAF _begins to whisper excitedly, raising himself the while_.)

That's right, that's right, quite so: talk, talk, my bonny babe! (_Bends down again, till his mouth almost touches the sleeper's._) Once again, my sweet one! Say it once again, my little white lambkin! It shall have its kiss, it shall, right away.

(CALAF _turns suddenly and violently round on the other side, and deals him a ringing box on the ear_. (_Squeaking noisily_, TRUFFALDINO _runs away_. CALAF _sits up for a moment in astonishment, opens his eyes, shuts them again immediately, and sinks back on his couch_.)

SCENE XIII

ADELMA, _veiled, with a lantern in her hand_.

CALAF _sleeping_.

ADELMA (_aside_).

O moment I have sighed for long! O love, That lendest cunning courage unto me!

And Fortune, thou that through all obstacles Hast led me hither: help a lovesick maid!

Oh, bring me to the goal of my desires!

Silence this yearning, love! And, Fortune, break These galling fetters....

(_She lets the light of her lantern rest on_ CALAF, _and gazes at him_.)

My beloved sleeps.

Oh, burst not, heart! Dear eyes, how loth I am To trespa.s.s on the rest possessing you!

And yet I must. At once. The short night flees.

(_She puts her lantern down._)

Stranger, awake!

CALAF (_starts up in a fright_).

Whose voice awakens me?

What seekest thou again, thou creeping ghost?

Why are my eyes denied their sleep?

ADELMA.

Be calm!

Only a wretched woman stands before you.

And she does not come, as the other did, To lure the names from you by trickery.

CALAF.

Let be! You cannot cheat me.

ADELMA.

I cheat _you_?

Has not a slave been here with such intent?

(_Puts her lantern down._)

CALAF.

Yes, and she went as wise, as when she came, And you will go as wise as when you came.

ADELMA.

You know me ill to be so rude. Sit up And listen.

(_Sits down on the divan._)

CALAF.

Well, then, what is your desire?

ADELMA.

First look at me, and then.... Prince, tell me now, Who do you think I am?

CALAF.

In shape and bearing n.o.ble you seem, but by your dress a slave.

And as a slave I saw you yesterday In the Divan.

ADELMA.

Five years since I saw you, And then _you_ were a slave.

(_Raises her veil._)