Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx

Make mince-meat of me for his sacred pie.

KAL

No need of oaths. But hast thou not, good keeper,
Some better news to tell a waken'd sleeper?

TRUF

Of course I have. Without circumlocution
I now proceed to instant elocution:
My charming mistress sent me here to beg
You'll trust her with your secret. Her last leg
She's standing on; and in sheer desperation
She'll marry you; but must before the nation
Appear to vanquish you – in mere appearance.
Be quick, and of your secret make a clearance.
Clear up the matter, and I'll then clear out;
My time is precious. Finish off this bout.

KAL

One thing thou hast forgotten.

TRUF

What have I?

KAL

To imprecate thy bones to Fo-bi's pie.
Return to Turandot. Tell her from me
She'll glorious shine in high divan, if she
Benignant prove herself; more true distinction
She'll gain by this, than by my hope's extinction.

(Signs to TRUF. to withdraw.)

TRUF. (aside.)

I've only got my trouble for my pain;
I'll never do a kindly act again. (Exit.)

KAL

Come, gentle sleep. Refresh me, balm divine!
Take courage, weary soul, success may yet be mine.

(Retires to the couch, and sinks; into slumber.Enter ADELMA, veiled, bearing a lighted taper.)

ADEL

I shall not fail. In vain was their endeavour,
But I will venture all, the knot to sever.
I may not learn his name, – but I'll implore
His flight from Peking. Then my love, once more
May hope to win his heart.

(Unveils, and gazes upon him.)

He gently slumbers:
Reluctantly I rouse him, but time numbers
The hours yet left for action. Prince, arise!

KAL

Who calls? Another spirit! Do my eyes
Deceive me? Can it be? Adelma here?
Thy royal person in a slave's mean gear!
Such lowly garb is surely some disguise.

ADEL

No, Prince; Adelma now in slav'ry sighs.
Beneath the galling yoke of her who martyred
My wretched brother, and my father slaughtered.
Not you alone must suffer from the curse
Of Turandot's fell ire; my fate's far worse.

KAL

Princess, believe me; more your lot I mourn
Than e'en my own. So fair, so nobly born,
So gracious to th' unhappy; – I can ne'er
Forget your kindness to myself. If e'er
In need of faithful service you may stand,
Which I may render in return, command
Me as your slave. My gratitude's eternal.

ADEL

From Turandot I'd save you. Her infernal
Devices throw a glamour o'er your senses:
But did you know her shallow, false pretences,
Of her great excellence you'd scorn the notion,
Nor waste on her your noble heart's devotion.
For all she sets up as a learned Sphinx,
She's nothing but a sly, conceited minx.

KAL