This sad procession, Prince _Incognito_ Profound humiliation is to show. Your arrogance upon my shame will gloat,-- Your eyes on your defeated slave will doat. I see the altar--Fo-hi's grand official Prepared to bind the victim sacrificial. My glory's dead--disgraced is Turandot! Condemned to wear the chain of Hymen's knot. KAL. Oh, couldst thou know how deeply I revere Thy maiden dignity, not thus severe Thoud'st show thyself, nor my fond love resent. As slave to thee my whole life shall be spent; But deign one gracious sign to give, that thou In time, responsive tenderness mayst know. ALT. Prince, condescend no more. Commence the rite! TUR. One moment more. (_Sarcastically_.) I am not ready, quite. (_Rises and addresses_ KALAF)-- I raised your hopes, that they might deeper fall. Prince Kalaf, Son of Timur, quit this hall And China's realm. Go, seek another bride. In vain my penetration you defied; No secret's hidden from the Chinese Sphinx. SKIR. (_aside_). She never naps--not e'en for forty winks! KAL. Ah, woe is me! ALT. Dear me, what is the matter? I cannot hear thro' all this general chatter. PANT, (_aside_). I shan't attempt just now to make him hear; I'm dazed myself, and his head's _never_ clear. TART. W-what a c-ca-cat-as-ass-astrophe! _Corpo di Bacco!_ H-he m-must r-re-return--_colle pive nel sacco_. KAL. My overloving heart has caused my woe, I gave up all, to please my lovely foe. If yesterday I purposely had failed To win the day, or from the contest quailed, My soul had now found rest. Ah, why Altoum, wert thou too merciful? To die To-day, if conquered, should have been my meed-- Great Emperor, thus shouldst thou 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! _Crême de la crême_--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.