Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx

Prepared to bind the victim sacrificial.
My glory's dead – disgraced is Turandot!
Condemned to wear the chain of Hymen's knot.

KAL

Oh, couldst thou know how deeply I revere
Thy maiden dignity, not thus severe
Thoud'st show thyself, nor my fond love resent.
As slave to thee my whole life shall be spent;
But deign one gracious sign to give, that thou
In time, responsive tenderness mayst know.

ALT

Prince, condescend no more. Commence the rite!

TUR

One moment more. (Sarcastically.) I am not ready, quite.

(Rises and addresses KALAF) —

I raised your hopes, that they might deeper fall.
Prince Kalaf, Son of Timur, quit this hall
And China's realm. Go, seek another bride.
In vain my penetration you defied;
No secret's hidden from the Chinese Sphinx.

SKIR. (aside)

She never naps – not e'en for forty winks!

KAL

Ah, woe is me!

ALT

Dear me, what is the matter?
I cannot hear thro' all this general chatter.

PANT, (aside)

I shan't attempt just now to make him hear;
I'm dazed myself, and his head's never clear.

TART

W-what a c-ca-cat-as-ass-astrophe! Corpo di Bacco!
H-he m-must r-re-return —colle pive nel sacco.

KAL

My overloving heart has caused my woe,
I gave up all, to please my lovely foe.
If yesterday I purposely had failed
To win the day, or from the contest quailed,
My soul had now found rest. Ah, why
Altoum, wert thou too merciful? To die
To-day, if conquered, should have been my meed —
Great Emperor, thus shouldst thou have decreed.

ALT

Poor Kalaf! tears mine aged eyes bedew.

(wipes hit eyes.)

TUR. (aside to SKIRINA) —

His grief affects me deeply; strangely new
Emotions swell my bosom.

SKIR

Put an end
To trifling. Far as Jericho I'd send
All shilly-shally. Do, for goodness' sake
Speak out and say, "As husband I thee take."
I've married twice, and know how shy one feels —
Plunge in at once, right over head and heels.
A royal Crown Prince, too; my stars and garters!
Crême de la crême– the cream of Crimean Tartars!

ADELMA

My soul by doubt and hate is torn;
She loves him, though she shows such bitter scorn.
I'm stung to anguish, yet I'll not repine,
My rival's torture is as sharp as mine.

(KALAF has stood bowed down by grief; he starts suddenly andapproaches TURANDOT's throne) —

KALAF

Thy cruel will shall find no more resistance;
Why need the headsman end my sad existence?
This dagger shall release…