Part 29 (1/2)

ADELMA (_in pain, aside_).

Oh, torment worse than death....

CALAF (_casts his dagger to the floor_).

Mine! You! Oh, do not kill me, supreme joy!

ALTOUM (_descends from his throne_).

Let me embrace thee, daughter. This one hour Makes good the pain you heaped upon my heart.

PANTALONE.

Wedding! Wedding! Reverend doctors, your presence is no longer required here.

TARTAGLIA.

Have the goodness to withdraw to the posterior apartment.

(_Exeunt doctors back of stage._)

ADELMA (_comes to the front_. _In the greatest excitement to_ CALAF).

Live! Oh, yes, live! Live with my enemy In happiness.

(_To_ TURANDOT.)

To you, Princess, I say: I hate you. All I tried to do last night I did to s.n.a.t.c.h from you the man I love, Whom secretly I loved ere he loved you.

Last night I sought to have him flee with me.

He would not. All my arts could lure from him Were those two names, which I betrayed because I hated you. I planned you should reject him, And that I then should have him. All in vain.

There is one last way open to me now.

I, too, am royal, and I am ashamed.

That so long I have suffered servitude.

Take now the last of all the Carcasenes To crown your triumphing....

(_She picks_ CALAF'S _dagger up from the floor_.)

This steel, which you Have warded from his breast, shall open me The way to freedom....

CALAF (_restrains her_).

Stay!