Chapter 22

ZELIMA, CALAF.

_Enter_ ZELIMA.

ZELIMA.

My Prince, I am a slave of Turandot, And hither come by ways which even to her Are closed. Good news I bring you.

CALAF.

Slave, you lie. The heart of Turandot is pitiless.

ZELIMA.

You speak the truth. And yet: you are the first That ever touched it. You believe me not, And yet it is quite true. She says she hates you, And she already loves you. May the earth Swallow me if it is not true she loves you.

CALAF.

The news _is_ good. I will believe. What next?

ZELIMA.

She bids me tell you, only her ambition Drives her to desperation. Now she sees That what she undertook she cannot do, But thinking of to-morrow and its shame She is consumed.... May the earth swallow me, If here I lie!

CALAF.

Enough, my pretty slave. I will believe. Go! Tell her: it is easy To give the contest up. And she would win Fairer renown by softening her heart, And giving of her own free will the hand He longs for to the man who loves her true. Is this the message, haply, that you bring?

ZELIMA.

No, Prince. My message runs not so. We ask Consideration for our weaknesses. The Princess begs you for a favour. Spare Her vanity. Help her to say those names In the Divan to-morrow. Then she herself Will from her throne descend, and reach to you Her right hand. You it costs so little. Say The names, and in this manner win her heart.

CALAF (_with a smile_).

H'm! Pretty slave, where is the speech's end?

ZELIMA.

What speech's end, your Highness?

CALAF.

"Let the earth Swallow me if I lie in this."

ZELIMA.

You doubt it?

CALAF.

I do a little doubt it--just so much That I refuse to do what you desire. Go, tell your mistress, if I hide the names It is because a lover must be cautious-- I do not hide them with intent to pain her.

ZELIMA (_violently_).

Fool, fool! you little know what this will cost you!

CALAF.

And if it cost my life!

ZELIMA.

You soon will see. Good-night.

(_Aside._)

The fool! He has made a fool of me.

(_Exit in a rage._)

CALAF.

Be steadfast, heart! Only a few hours more The skies will clear, and fear will have an end. That I could sleep.... My tortured spirit yearns For rest. Sink down upon me, gentle sleep!

(_Goes to sleep._)