Turandot, Princess of China Part 25

Look at this face!

Do you not know it?

CALAF.

Adelma! How! Adelma, Whom I thought dead!

ADELMA.

She is a serving-maid, Who was the daughter of King Kaikobad.

CALAF.

Adelma! A slave!

ADELMA.

A slave! I'll tell you why.

I had a brother, blind with love, as you are, For Turandot. In the Divan he met her.

(_Weeps._)

You saw his head above the city gate With all the others.

CALAF.

It is true, then, true.

ADELMA.

My father Kaikobad, in fury bold, Led his array against Altoum. Fortune, The fickle jade, lured him to his defeat And death. Altoum's general devised At one fell stroke to extirpate our race.

My brothers he a.s.sa.s.sinated. Me, Together with my mother and three sisters, He cast into the river, then in spate.

The gentle Emperor, coming on the scene, Ordered his guards to fish us out again.

I was the only one brought to the sh.o.r.e, And I was led in the triumphal train, And given as a slave to Turandot, To wait on the hard-hearted woman who Was cause of all my griefs. Now, Calaf, speak, Am I not worth compa.s.sion?

(_Weeps._)

CALAF (_moved_).

Indeed you are, Adelma, Princess of the Carcasenes!

But what can so unfortunate a man As I am do for you? If fortune smile On me to-morrow, I will promise help For you, and freedom. And your grieving now Can only heap the measure of my own.

ADELMA.

You know me now, my destiny, my race.

May you the better credit a King's daughter, What pity--I will not say love--constrains her Now to confide to you. False Turandot, Malicious, cunning, cruel Turandot, Soon as the morning dawns, will have you murdered.

All orders are already given. So much From her, who is the mistress of your dreams.

CALAF (_starts up savagely_).

She will have me murdered, do you say?

ADELMA.

(_Rises likewise, with the most solemn emphasis._)

Yes, murdered: While you are on your way to the Divan.

A score of swords await your setting out.

CALAF (_beside himself_).

I will call the guards.

(_Makes for the door._)

ADELMA (_holds him back_).

Bethink yourself, rash man!

The guards? They have been bought by Turandot!

CALAF (_in blind despair_).

Timur, my wretched father, thus it stands.

With Calaf, thy proud son; he that set out To seek good fortune for himself and thee!

(_Covers his face with his hands._)

ADELMA (_aside_).

Haha! Timur... Calaf.... Be thrice blest, lie That lured this forth. Doubly I hold him now.

CALAF.

Can it be possible that Turandot...