Chapter 24

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 trespass 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 Noble 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._)

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 assassinated. 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 shore, 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 compassion?

(_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... How _can_ it be that such an angel's face Should hide such devilry?...

(_Contemptuously._)

No. You deceive me, Adelma. Go!

ADELMA.

I will forgive your doubt. An angel's face? Oh, would that you had seen her As I have! In the harem rages she, And like a snapping bitch runs to and fro, Green in the face, and with her bloodshot eyes Shining with hate under distorted brows. Doubt if you will. That you should doubt my words Is not such pain as your approaching death.

(_Weeps._)

CALAF.

What treachery! By the very guards betrayed Appointed to protect me! He spake right, That rascal of a captain: Gold kills duty. Life, fare thee well!

ADELMA.

And yet you may escape Your evil star. Up, I will show the way. By saving you from death, I save myself From slavery. With my jewels I have bought Two of the guards, an escort I have hired, And horses are in readiness. The Khan Of Berlas is my kinsman. Leagued with him Let us invade and seize my kingdom--yours, If so you will. And this my hand be yours, If you will have it. But if you will not, The Tartar Kings are not unblest with daughters, Fair maidens full of love and fit for you. Be you the King, and I will be your subject. Only flee, death. Only deliver me. And I will conquer even my love, which now, Crimson with shame, I have confessed..... Day dawns! Day dawns! My head swims.... Stranger, flee with me!

CALAF.

In vain. I have resolved to stay and die.

ADELMA.

Then I will, too, stay for a little while In slavery yet. And soon it will be seen Which of us two is readier to die.

(_Aside._)

Often persistent love attains at last! Calaf, Timur's son?

(_Aloud._)

Stranger Prince, good-night!

(_Exit._)

CALAF.

Oh, will this night of horrors never end? And this fight of the soul that is consumed In burning love? By Fortune cast away-- Cast into perils, by her hate pursued, I tarry for the dawn and traitorous knives.

(_The scene grows light._)

See, the sun rises. Now the hour is come For her to feed her pleasure on my blood, The hour has come that sees my torment end!