Turandot, Princess of China

Excerpt: ...Heaven knows, as if they were nothing but lettuces. The young man there has guessed right. The edict must be executed in its entirety. The bridecake has got to go into the oven. (To TARTAGLIA.) What do you say, my Lord Chancellor? TARTAGLIA. Must be executed-in its entirety. There is no call for any further explanations, interpretations, dissertations, appeals, and commentaries. What do our learned doctors say? THE EIGHT DOCTORS. (All together.) Must be executed! Must be executed-in its entirety. Decision final-irrevocable! ALTOUM. Straight to the altar, then. This stranger prince Will now reveal his birth and name, the priests-- TURANDOT (in despair). Grant me a respite, father! ALTOUM. Not one minute. TURANDOT. (Casting herself on her knees before him.) If you would have me living, father, father! Grant me another day, another contest. I cannot bear the shame of it. I will rather Die than be subject to that coxcomb there, Die rather than be wife to that proud boy. The very word wife, the mere thought of it, Of being his possession, strikes me dead. ALTOUM (descending from his throne). Savage and obstinate and ruthless child! Not one word more. Come, gentlemen, let us go! CALAF (to TURANDOT). Arise, fair, cruel mistress of my heart! (To ALTOUM.) I beg you, sire, grant her the respite! How Could I be happy if she hated me? And what avails my love, breeding but hate? If I have not the power to touch her heart, Let her be free. I do not claim my right. (To TURANDOT.) If you could see into my heart that bleeds, Torn as it is, you would be merciful. You are determined I shall die. So be it. (To ALTOUM.) Grant her another match. My life is cheap. ALTOUM. No more of that! On to the Temple, on I The games are over now. Imprudent youth! TURANDOT (determinedly). So be it, to the Temple, I say, too! But on the altar steps your daughter dies. CALAF. Dies? Lord and master, and my Princess you. I pray you both to grant me one...