have decreed.

ALT.

Poor Kalaf! tears mine aged eyes bedew.

(_wipes hit eyes_.)

TUR. (_aside to_ SKIRINA)--

His grief affects me deeply; strangely new
Emotions swell my bosom.

SKIR.

Put an end
To trifling. Far as Jericho I'd send
All shilly-shally. Do, for goodness' sake
Speak out and say, "As husband I thee take."
I've married twice, and know how shy one feels--

Plunge in at once, right over head and heels.
A royal Crown Prince, too; my stars and garters!
_Creme de la creme_--the cream of Crimean Tartars!

ADELMA.

My soul by doubt and hate is torn;
She loves him, though she shows such bitter scorn.
I'm stung to anguish, yet I'll not repine,
My rival's torture is as sharp as mine.

(KALAF _has stood bowed down by grief; he starts suddenly and
approaches_ TURANDOT'S _throne_)--

KALAF.

Thy cruel will shall find no more resistance;
Why need the headsman end my sad existence?
This dagger shall release....

(_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 some
time_.)

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