, help him to the end!

ZELIMA (_aside_).

Would this had been the last!

ADELMA (_excitedly, aside_).

Alas! I lose him!

(_Aside to_ TURANDOT.)

This moment turns your fair renown to shame:
He is your better.

TURANDOT (_in a low voice_).

Silence! Ere he win
Let the world go to pieces.

(_Aloud to_ CALAF.)

Rash fool! know
My hatred step by step grows with thy hope
Of victory. Leave the Divan! Go! Flee
From my last riddle, and so save thy head!

CALAF.

Your hate weighs heavy, my adored Princess.
So much the lighter weighs this head of mine,
Since before you it finds so little grace.

ALTOUM.

Desist, my son. And thou, my child, desist
From further riddles. Reach thy hand to him,
For he deserves to be thy husband.

TURANDOT (_fiercely_).

He!
My husband! Of my free will? Never!

Never!
Let the law have its course.

CALAF (_to_ ALTOUM).

Free be her will.
Naught I demand but death, or Turandot.

TURANDOT.

So be it, then; take death. Hold still and mark!

(_Rises._)

Now tell me: knowest thou the magic flower
By whose bright rays the soul's dark deeps are lit;
Which, hiding in its quiet, sacred bower,
Waits for the Fairy Prince to gather it;
But which, if he find not its shy recess,
Withers and dies in forlorn loneliness?
Within the bosom of its petals furled
Lies with Life's sense the Riddle of the World;
And he that first its chalice openeth
Glows with the wine of Life, the scorn of
Death.

(_She unveils herself._)

Now look me in the face, now hold thy ground,
Die like a dog, or name the flower I mean.

CALAF (_in ecstasy_).

O beauty bright!

ALTOUM (_excitedly_).

Alas! he is wandering!
Compose thyself, my son. Keep clear! Keep clear!

ZELIMA (_aside_).

I am dizzy with excitement.

ADELMA (_aside_).

He is mine!

PANTALONE.

(_Beside himself._) Cheer up, sonny! cheer up!
Wish I could give him a dig in the ribs, Heaven
knows! My shanks are quivering with fear he
shouldn't be able to get his wits together again.
Oh for a cooling draught of old Three Star!

TARTAGLIA.

If it weren't contrary to etiquette, I'd like to
run into the kitchen and fetch the vinegar bottle.

TURANDOT.

Death thou didst ask for, death thou hast received.

CALAF.

For one poor moment I was dazzled by
Your beauty--but I was not overcome.

(_To the public._)

This magic flower by which the soul is lit,
Which makes the heart tremble