Part 25 (1/2)

Look at this face!

Do you not know it?

CALAF.

Adelma! How! Adelma, Whom I thought dead!

ADELMA.

She is a serving-maid, Who was the daughter of King Kaikobad.

CALAF.

Adelma! A slave!

ADELMA.

A slave! I'll tell you why.

I had a brother, blind with love, as you are, For Turandot. In the Divan he met her.

(_Weeps._)

You saw his head above the city gate With all the others.

CALAF.

It is true, then, true.

ADELMA.

My father Kaikobad, in fury bold, Led his array against Altoum. Fortune, The fickle jade, lured him to his defeat And death. Altoum's general devised At one fell stroke to extirpate our race.

My brothers he a.s.sa.s.sinated. Me, Together with my mother and three sisters, He cast into the river, then in spate.

The gentle Emperor, coming on the scene, Ordered his guards to fish us out again.

I was the only one brought to the sh.o.r.e, And I was led in the triumphal train, And given as a slave to Turandot, To wait on the hard-hearted woman who Was cause of all my griefs. Now, Calaf, speak, Am I not worth compa.s.sion?

(_Weeps._)

CALAF (_moved_).

Indeed you are, Adelma, Princess of the Carcasenes!

But what can so unfortunate a man As I am do for you? If fortune smile On me to-morrow, I will promise help For you, and freedom. And your grieving now Can only heap the measure of my own.

ADELMA.