Turandot: The Chinese Sphinx

(Unsheathes a dagger. ADELMA makes a movement of horror. TURANDOT precipitates herself from the throne, and stays his hand).

TUR

Stay, Kalaf, stay!
Or strike thy heart through mine.

(Throws herself across his breast.)

ALT

What does she say?

(TURANDOT and KALAF gaze at each other in silence, for sometime.)

KAL

Wouldst doom me to a life, of love bereft?
My hopes and joys all faded – nothing left.
Such mercy seeks more cruelly to kill;
But my despair is stronger than thy will.

(Attempts to stab himself.)

TUR

For my sake, live; nor ever quit my side;
Prince, take me as your loving, happy bride.

ADELMA (aside)

'Tis agony; I cannot bear this sight. (Retires.)

ALT

What do they say? (to PANT., who endeavours to explain).
Don't speak. I see all's right.

SKIR

Fo-hi be praised! Now, this is what I call
A great success. My pig has done it all.

(Fetches BARAK from behind the crowd) —

Come, dearest husband; much too long you've trembled.

TUR

Let it be known to all those here assembled —
I may not justly claim the victor's crown,
Adelma's shrewdness served me; not my own.
Prince Kalaf vanquished me, and may command
As prize of his achievement, my poor hand.
(To KALAF.) But not in deference to lawful right
I gave myself to thee, but through love's might.
My heart was thine, when first I did behold thee.

KALAF

Excess of bliss, thus to my heart to fold thee!

ALT

What do they say? You all make such a noise,
I can't hear anything – not my own voice.
No doubt it's quite correct, nay, sentimental;
So take my blessing and consent parental.

TART

F-f-friend F-pa-pantaloon, what j-j-joy! Che dolci affetti!
P-prep-p-pare the b-ba-ban-qu-quet. Mangerem confetti!

ALTOUM joins the lover's hands, and places his hands on their heads. The eight Doctors join hands and dance in a circle, nodding their chins. PANT. and TART. dance together. BARAK and SKIRINA ditto. TRUFFALDIN twirls round ADELMA, who snubs him. BRIGHELLA and guards gravely jump up and down. Tableau.

END OF ACT IV

FINIS