Part 24 (1/2)

Oh, you won't, won't you? You really won't?

How nasty of you, my love! Just look at me.

See how pretty I am! (_Trips coquettishly up and down in front of the bed._) Look at my lovely white arms and my lovely plump legs, and my glorious hair hanging all down my back!

...Just look at it, my sweet little chick!

(CALAF _begins to whisper excitedly, raising himself the while_.)

That's right, that's right, quite so: talk, talk, my bonny babe! (_Bends down again, till his mouth almost touches the sleeper's._) Once again, my sweet one! Say it once again, my little white lambkin! It shall have its kiss, it shall, right away.

(CALAF _turns suddenly and violently round on the other side, and deals him a ringing box on the ear_. (_Squeaking noisily_, TRUFFALDINO _runs away_. CALAF _sits up for a moment in astonishment, opens his eyes, shuts them again immediately, and sinks back on his couch_.)

SCENE XIII

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 trespa.s.s 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.