Part 22 (2/2)

SCENE X

CALAF.

CALAF.

What is this fellow warning me against?

Who is to visit me? Well, I can fight, Yea, fight the very devil, if he come.

My thoughts are all for her. Short time remains Of fearing and of torment: Dawn is nigh!

And can it be her heart is still so hard And pitiless? Well, let us try to sleep.

SCENE XI

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.

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