Chapter V: Act THREE

[_Before the curtain rises, shots are heard.
It is nightfall in the Imperial Citadel at
Nanking, half battered-down by the_ TARTARS.
_Behind a huge wall with battlements are
heard the sound of trumpets and the shouts
of soldiers in the distance. At the back, to
the left is a bronze gate, heavily boarded
and surmounted by a black turret with a
three-tiered angular roof. In the middle of
the stage is a funeral pile of scaffolding
and fagots. At the back, to the right, the
crenellated wall continues; terraces are
visible and in the far distance the outline of
the palace stands out in relief against the
sky, yellow in the setting sun. On the top of
the wall, and over the gateway are Chinese
soldiers, who are firing their last shots at
the invisible besiegers._]

SCENE I

THE EMPRESS, _the_ FAITHFUL PRINCE, ARROW-BEARER, _the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING, CHINESE SOLDIERS.

[_Wounded men are lying in their own blood here and there among the ruins. The_ EMPRESS _is in the middle of the stage, accoutred like a warrior, helmeted, holding a weapon in her bleeding hand. The_ FAITHFUL PRINCE _is on the top of the rampart with the_ SOLDIERS. ARROW-BEARER, _mortally wounded, lies in the foreground to the left._]

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_From the height of the ramparts giving orders to cease fire_] Enough, my brave friends!----Stop shooting down the fugitives----Let us keep our powder for the final attack.

[_The soldiers cease firing._]

They have fled, once again we are saved!----

EMPRESS

Ah! Saved, yes!----Saved for a few minutes at least. We have time to meditate before death. [_She sits on a stone. To the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _who flock about her._] Look now to those who are suffering. I need nothing, only my hand is bleeding, that does not matter----See what they need, go to their aid; you have the poison in the tiny flasks, have you not?

LADIES-IN-WAITING

[_Showing her the golden flasks which they carry in the folds of their dress, on to each of which is attached a little cup of jade._] We have them, noble Sovereign.

EMPRESS

That which they most desire, no doubt, is death----Pour out the draught of the Great Deliverance for those who are suffering the most----Be sparing with it, however, for, alas! we have not enough for all. The contents of the little cup of jade chained to the flask is sufficient for one man, it is the proper dose. Go, my devoted maids, bring them sleep. That is your duty in this hour. [_To_ CINNAMON.] And you, Cinnamon, remain near me, you shall pour out my portion----Place your flask on the stone, very near me, with my Imperial cup.

[CINNAMON _obeys. The other_ Ladies-in-Waiting _go among the wounded, leaning over them and offering them the potion in a low voice. In the distance firing is still heard._]

GOLDEN LOTUS

[_Very gently to_ ARROW-BEARER, _whom she approaches at once_]

My lord, do you wish to die? Then I shall empty the cup also soon after you----Do you wish to die?

ARROW-BEARER [_After a silence and as if in a trance_]

No, my fair trembling flower, my fair flower of the lake!----Before you came to me, I wished it----Now I wish it no longer. Let me remain for a little while among the living, to cherish in my heart that word of love which you have just spoken. Help those who are suffering more than I, without a friend----and then you will return and I shall rest my head on your knees before going to the Land of the Shades.

GOLDEN LOTUS

It shall be as you command, dear lord----Be sure I will return to you.

[_She goes to the assistance of the other
wounded, followed by the gaze of the dying_
ARROW-BEARER. _The soldiers in the foreground
add beams, fagots, and branches to the funeral
pile. A tumult is heard to the right, in the
wings, where more soldiers come on._]

EMPRESS

Who is there?

CAPTAIN OF SOLDIERS

It is our envoy Wan-tsi who has succeeded in approaching our walls and will bring us the news from without. We have thrown down the rope-ladder to him, and here he is.

EMPRESS

Ah!----Let him come. [_To the soldiers who stand behind her and are adding to the fire._] Rest awhile my friends! There is more than enough now to consume my body----Why do you make the fire so large?

CAPTAIN

Why do we want so large a fire?----Faithful Prince will tell your Majesty, when he presents our last request.

SCENE II

_The same, with the_ ENVOY WAN-TSI, _who approaches the_ EMPRESS. _His shoes and the hem of his robe are blood-stained. He prostrates himself._

EMPRESS

Arise, we have no further need of prostrations. We are all equal here. There is but one rank now, that which is conferred on all alike by the nobility of sacrifice. [WAN-TSI _rises._] Now, speak----spare me nothing----Besides I guess----

WAN-TSI

Ah, yes, all is over, Oh, my Sovereign. Only your Palace still stands.

EMPRESS

But not for long!

WAN-TSI

The approaches to the walls have been abandoned. Perchance they may permit us to live until to-night has ended.

EMPRESS

And the rest of the city, the western citadels?

WAN-TSI

Are in the hands of the Tartars. All alike!----This cast off uniform of some enemy saved me----In the streets they are burning, killing, and murdering. Several thousand women have succeeded in throwing themselves into the river----The others have been outraged, and strangled at the same time. Blood flows along the pavement in streams like the water of Heaven after a storm. Every gutter discharges itself in the river like a great red fan. Down the whole length of the street corpses are to be seen, their bodies still warm, pouring blood through the gashes in their throats---- Noble Sovereign, on my way I climbed over thousands of dead bodies, my feet became entangled in their long hair trailing from the several heads----Oh Majesty, it is the end. [_He kneels again._] And now forgive me for being the messenger of misfortune.

EMPRESS

My brave and faithful messenger, I thank you! Arise, I told you, and take your place among my last remaining soldiers----

[WAN-TSI _rises and takes his place among the
soldiers, who still continue to add fuel to the
fire. To_ CINNAMON, _pointing to the flask and
the golden cup._]

Cinnamon, the hour has come.

CINNAMON

Oh Majesty, not yet. [_The other_ LADIES-IN-WAITING, _scattered among the wounded, have heard the command and silently come and take their places about their Sovereign._]

EMPRESS

Would you wish to have them take me alive? That man who has seen, you have heard what he has just said.

TRANQUIL BEAUTY

But the palace is still standing.

PEARL

The army of the South may come to save us.

EMPRESS

To avenge us perhaps----later. But to save us-----child, who think you could save us? [_To herself._] Ah, that mysterious aid for which I have so foolishly hoped!----"The Star," said the handsome lying spy, "the star which shall watch over me so well when all shall bow before the triumph of the Dragon." Child, who think you could save us?-----We have no more powder, no more men, no water, nothing. We have hurled down the stones of our ramparts; the gates give way, the walls are crumbling----[_To_ CINNAMON] Give it to me, the hour has come.

TRANQUIL BEAUTY

Sometimes when one believes all lost, fortune changes.

PEARL

Beloved sovereign, hasten not the irretrievable.

EMPRESS

The irretrievable would be to wait too long!

[_She makes an imperious sign to_ CINNAMON,
_who pours the poison into the cup. But an
uproar is heard from the summit of the rampart
to which the_ FAITHFUL PRINCE _has just
mounted again above the barricaded gate. Night
continues to fall_]

What is it now?

FAITHFUL PRINCE

A small body of Tartars has boldly come unarmed to the very foot of the walls. One of them, whose manner is calm and noble, says that he has been sent by the Emperor with a last communication to your Majesty. He showed us, under the light of a torch which we lit, the Imperial seal of the Tsings, of a scroll of yellow silk.

EMPRESS

A communication? From the usurper to your Sovereign, a communication? Is not the very idea an insult? Let these bold men go away unharmed, but tell them to go at once.

[CINNAMON _gradually retires with her cup of poison._]

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_Descending again from the ramparts and approaching the_ EMPRESS _with an air of mystery._] The one whose bearing is so dignified, I seem to have seen before.

EMPRESS

To have seen him. Where?

FAITHFUL PRINCE

[_Coming nearer and lowering his voice_] My sovereign, I think----that unknown, who came the day of the investiture----I am sure of it--It is he!

EMPRESS

[_Arising bewildered_] Why do you whisper?-----Prince, you almost insult me with that tone of confidence, when it concerns that man. You mean him who presented himself fraudulently as our Viceroy of the South?

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Yes.

EMPRESS

Very well then, have him brought here. Throw the rope-ladder to him that he may appear before me. [_The ladder is thrown from the top of the wall._]

Hide the poison, Cinnamon, and the golden flask as well. He who is coming need not know.... Has the fire darkened my face?

[_The newcomers appear at the top of the
rampart, the_ TARTAR EMPEROR _first, followed
by_ FOUNT-IN-THE-FOREST _and three other
persons in Tartar soldiers' uniform, but
unarmed._]

SCENE III

_The_ TARTAR EMPEROR _and The_ EMPRESS

[_The_ EMPEROR _advances while the four men of his suite remain in the rear. At a signal from the_ EMPRESS, _the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _and all others on the stage retire to the back._]

EMPEROR

[_Bending the knee before her, as on the Coronation day_] Oh, Sovereign, oh, brave warrior, may the day dawn which will brighten your dark destiny! [_He rises._]

EMPRESS [_Trembling_]

Oh, dispense with all vain formalities. The minutes left to us are sparingly numbered----Drop the mask and speak quickly. Who are you? A Tartar, alas! are you not? Otherwise you would have been unable to break through their ring of steel----A Tartar, say?

EMPEROR

Yes.

EMPRESS

A spy, then, when you came on my Coronation day? Nothing but a spy, alas!

EMPEROR

No! One who risked his life that day, as he does again, to save yours.

EMPRESS

My life is no longer of any importance, and the right to save it belongs to none. At the Court of the Usurper who reigns at Peking what position is I yours?----Secret agent for venturesome missions? No, a great dignitary, then? Tell me.

EMPEROR

Yes.

EMPRESS

And a Prince?

EMPEROR

What matters it what I am? Your Majesty is the chief concern. Deign to listen to what the Emperor----

EMPRESS [_Interrupting_]

Where is your Emperor? At the head of his troops?

EMPEROR [_Embarrassed_]

Well----No, in his place over yonder. The rites, I need scarcely tell you, do not permit him to leave it.

[_Throughout this dialogue the cannon is heard
incessantly in distant parts of the city._]

EMPRESS

The rites, ah, the rites! You see what attention I have paid to the rites, I, the daughter of the Mings, the daughter of Heaven and the Invisible----I am here in the midst of my soldiers. I am fighting like them!----And it is he, your phantom Emperor, who dares to send me a message?

EMPEROR

With a message of pardon one always dares----

EMPRESS

Say rather that a message of pardon is the last message which may be sent when it is from him and concerns me!----So the Tartars dare to offer pardon!----You have just passed through my city of Nanking and you have seen? It is glorious, is it not, their work?----

EMPEROR

Alas! yes, I have seen with horror,----but I can swear to you by my life that such were not the orders which were given by my Sovereign.

EMPRESS

Ah! a Sovereign then, who has not the force wherewith to command obedience!----So others have told me that before----I still hate him with that ineradicable race-hatred which you know, to which now contempt is added. Oh, that Emperor who smokes opium in his mummy's palace, while his hordes of soldiers at their own free will go through the provinces, leaving red tracks behind and charnel-houses for the vultures!

And if the impossible were to happen and I were to humiliate myself sufficiently to accept his pardon, who would warrant me after all--since he is not obeyed? Amid that army of wild beasts which was here awhile ago and will return soon to shout for our death, who could enforce the order of pardon of your phantom Emperor?----Who, I ask?

EMPEROR

I!

EMPRESS

You! [_More gently and in some agitation._] You! Perhaps in very truth you might, for you seem to be one of those whom one dare not disobey. Moreover you have the superb audacity to reappear at this moment! But if the loyalty which I read in your eyes does not deceive me, cease the game which you are playing, and this time answer-----Who are you?

EMPEROR

Who am I? Up to now nothing! Inexistent as a vaporous cloud! Nothing! But to-morrow perhaps everything, if you so wish it. To-morrow everything and radiating at your side like a sun in the blue ether----

EMPRESS [_Drawing back_]

Ah, you remember all too well my recent indulgence toward your enigmas. Amid the perfume of incense, amid pomp and luxury, I betrayed the weakness of a woman. To-day, no; you find me stronger and more stern, precisely because I am defeated, and know that I must die.

EMPEROR [_Bowing before her_]

Oh, Sovereign, never were you more sacred to me Do not be offended by my words and for a short time still allow me my mask and my mystery. Hear only this: A fortnight ago, when I left that palace where I saw you in all your Imperial splendour, I hastened to Peking to request of that Emperor whom you hate that he would stop this horrible war. On the way I learned that our Tartar armies were marching with lightning speed, and I turned back as quick as my ship and horses could take me, to give to them myself the order for peace. I have the right to do so. See, here is the seal which gives me full power in the name of Tsings. As you have said, I am one of those whom men dare not disobey; at least, not face to face, when I speak----I have learned now how to give orders and to enforce them. Deign only to allow your soldiers to give the signal for a truce, just to hoist the flag on the tower, and not one of their heads shall fall, I swear it----

EMPRESS

To make that offer to me, Prince, you must not be of the Imperial blood----The Daughter of Heaven can never accept the mercy of a Tartar!----

SCENE IV.

_The same,_ FAITHFUL PRINCE, A WATCHMAN, _the_ CAPTAIN _of the_ SOLDIERS, _and the_ SOLDIERS.

WATCHMAN

[_Announcing from the height of a turret at the summit of the ramparts_] An army, see, over there. The Tartars are returning! Thousands and thousands of them. In the distance they appear in the twilight like a long black trail----

FAITHFUL PRINCE

How far?

WATCHMAN

At the bend of the river, I can see their vanguard-----They are marching along the avenue of Sitche-Men.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Let them come----It will be their last attack-----Only at the bend of the river. Then we have still half an hour----

WATCHMAN

They are lighting their torches, and now I hear their war-trumpets.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Be it so!----We shall be ready.

EMPEROR [_Imploring her with clasped hands_]

Sovereign!

_The_ EMPRESS [_As though ready to yield_]

For myself, no!----I have declared my intentions, that is my last word!----[_Pointing to her_ SOLDIERS.] But all these brave men, who are ready to drop with exhaustion, with hunger and thirst----[_To_ FAITHFUL PRINCE] Ah, well, for their sakes, yes, let us raise the flag of truce.

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_Incredulously_]

The flag of truce!

EMPRESS

Yes, I have said so, oh, noble subject! I have said it!-My death alone must be sufficient satisfaction for the enemy. Since there is no more hope, of what avail is this final slaughter? Let the signal be raised.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Not one of the warriors will yield.

EMPRESS

But if I command them!----Am I no longer their Empress?

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Submissive to your every command, they refuse to obey that one order.

EMPRESS [_To her_ SOLDIERS]

Can it be true----My friends, this instant I command it, do you hear me?----Oh, spare me this excess of anguish, my dear rebels!----You cannot wish that I should be transported into the other world along the stream of your blood----

[_The_ SOLDIERS _drop their heads and stand
motionless, holding their weapons._]

CAPTAIN OF SOLDIERS. [_After a silence_] Majesty, the Prince has already answered for all of us! We emphatically refuse to ask for a truce.

EMPRESS [_Turning towards the_ EMPEROR _in a sudden exultation of triumph._] Ah, you see I am like your TARTAR EMPEROR; I am not obeyed. Go tell him, report to your master----and at the same time you may tell him that we know how to die nobly in the palace of the Mings. Go, my lord, you may take your leave.

EMPEROR [_Imploring more insistently_]

Sovereign, what if I now were to implore your pardon----the right to remain here and die at your side?

EMPRESS

I grant the honour of dying at the side of the Empress, only to those brave men--who are of my race, do you understand?----and who have spilled their blood to defend me. Go, my lord, I have commanded you.

[_Coming toward him, speaking very low and quickly, like a desperate woman._] One more word, however----My son, who is still in the keeping of the army of the South----My son----since you seem to dare all and to have all power will you try to save him?----But no----when it is the mother who speaks in me I can no longer reason-----To attempt that would mean to be a traitor to the master whom you serve----

EMPEROR

I serve no master, I am above treason, free as the gods, and answerable to my own conscience only. I will try----I will live to try.

EMPRESS

Do so, and be this your reward----Later, among the clouds, where all the dead meet and are at peace----my shades shall not be hostile to yours-----Now go, my lord, our last moments are necessary to us----[_To_ FAITHFUL PRINCE, _making a sign to him to conduct the_ TARTAR EMPEROR.] Prince, the audience is at an end.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

[_To the_ EMPEROR, _who hesitates, as if on the point of making a decisive revelation_] Go, my lord. You have heard our sovereign dismiss you.

[_He wants to lead him to that part of the wall
where he ascended_]

EMPRESS. [_Indicating the bronze gate, barricaded by boards_] No, open that gate. We still have time. For the last time, I desire that my palace be left as if I still had liberty and power----Open it. [_The_ SOLDIERS _hasten to take away the boards and open the two doors of the gateway._] All honour must be accorded the messenger of peace.

[_The_ SOLDIERS _kneel, the gong and the
trumpets are sounded._]

EMPEROR

Yes, messenger of peace, in spite of you yourself and in all circumstance. [_Turning about, facing her and speaking like one inspired._] The dragon will descend from the height of the dark storm clouds----and in his claws he will gently pick up, in her own despite, the beautiful phoenix who wished to die----

[_He goes out, followed by the four_ TARTAR
_warriors. The_ Soldiers _barricade the gate
again with planks and stones._]

SCENE V.

_The same, without the_ EMPEROR _and the_ TARTARS.

The EMPRESS, [_as the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _gather about her._] Who is that man----who is so like a god?

PEARL

All of a tremble, we watched him from afar----

TRANQUIL BEAUTY

His eyes radiated noble love.

CINNAMON

Yet your Majesty, always so gentle to us, seemed very haughty towards him.

EMPRESS. [_Without replying, dreamily repeats the Coronation admonition._] Be attentive and anxious as if you carried a vase filled to the brim with water, of which not a drop must be spilled.

The WATCHMAN [_From the height of the turret over the gate_] The torches of their vanguard can be seen at the corner of the Avenue of the East-----The sound of their artillery-wagons can be faintly heard----

EMPRESS

Already at the corner of the Avenue of the East!-----Death is flying to us on wings [_She takes the cup full of poison which_ CINNAMON _had hidden behind a stone_] The hour has come!----[_To the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _around her, pointing to the pyre._] As soon as the potion has accomplished its work, you will place me there, and when the flame mounts higher and clearer, then your service to your Empress will be terminated, you will empty the golden flask, to follow me. [_She puts down the cup of poison which she was about to raise to her lips._] Faithful Prince, I wish to say good-bye to him----Call him.

[_During the preceding dialogue, the_ FAITHFUL
PRINCE, _at the back of the stage, a torch in
his hand, superintends a group of_ SOLDIERS,
_who are using crowbars and pickaxes._]

CINNAMON

Over yonder, is that not he?

[FAITHFUL PRINCE _orders the_ SOLDIERS _to
remove a rock, which hides a small bronze
door._]

EMPRESS

Ah, I knew----

PEARL

What is he doing?

EMPRESS

What must be done! He too, realising that the hour has come for me to go to my last sleep, is preparing my couch. These galleries beneath the earth lead to my tomb.

[_The bronze door opens._ PEARL _kneels and
hides her face._ GOLDEN LOTUS, _a little apart
from the group, is kneeling near_ ARROW-BEARER,
_and speaks tenderly to him, as she smooths his
forehead._]

This proud tomb, long ago hewn out secretly, is of no use now. There rather, there in the beautiful flame and the eddying smoke, my spirit will ascend to the clouds----Nothing of me shall remain for the hands of the Tartar to profane. In vain they will have surrounded me. I shall escape them, in the air----

TRANQUIL BEAUTY [_Also kneeling_]

But Sovereign, since this tomb is secret and is inviolable, at least permit your attendants to bury you there, in magnificence.----Permit that, oh, well beloved Sovereign;----That flame, oh, why that flame? No, no, it is too horrible.

EMPRESS

Child, do you not know the history of our race? My ancestor, defeated in this same place, defeated as I am, killed himself----An hour later his tomb was violated, his body was thrown into the street as food for the dogs and the vultures----I have declared my will. Go call Faithful Prince. He wastes his strength in a vain task, when he is bleeding. See, the blood covers his robe. His wound has reopened, he pays no heed to it. At least let him spare time to bid me farewell----Go, it is my wish. [TRANQUIL BEAUTY _rises and goes over to the PRINCE. During the preceding dialogue, he has been ordering the_ SOLDIERS _to light more torches and to carry them into the vault._]

TRANQUIL BEAUTY [_Advancing to_ FAITHFUL PRINCE]

Prince!----The Empress----

[FAITHFUL PRINCE _approaches the_ EMPRESS.]

SCENE VI.

_The_ EMPRESS, FAITHFUL PRINCE, TRANQUIL BEAUTY, _The_ CAPTAIN _of the_ SOLDIERS, _A_ WATCHMAN.

EMPRESS [_To_ FAITHFUL PRINCE]

Prince, I wish to bid you farewell. My last spoken word must be to you, with my everlasting gratitude.

[_She raises the poison-cup to her lips._]

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_With a gesture as though to stop her._]

No, my Divine Empress, no. The hour of rest, alas! has not come for you or for me. No, your hard task is not yet completed!----

EMPRESS

My task, you say, is not yet completed? But the palace is only a ruin. The gates are giving way, the walls are crumbling----This time we can withstand the attack only ten minutes----it is the end!----

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Alas, I know it all too well. There is no hope.

EMPRESS

Then let me go----the Tartars are returning. Listen, I too begin to hear their war-trumpets. You would not have that they should take your Empress alive, or even find her body to throw to the crows.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Hear me, I entreat you!----[_He motions to_ VEILED-LIGHT, _who has just appeared at the back. The_ EMPRESS _has set down the cup on a stone._] We have deferred making known to you the last heroic service which we purpose to demand---- Permit your Councillor to convey to you our unanimous opinion.

VEILED-LIGHT [_Bending the knee_]

Oh, Majesty, 200,000 soldiers have died for you. The few hundred, also, who remain here within our walls, are about to sacrifice their lives at once. Do you wish them to die for a lost cause. [_He motions to the_ CHIEF _of the Soldiers to approach._] Deign to permit their chief to add his prayers to ours.

_The_ CAPTAIN _of the_ SOLDIERS, [_After bending the knee._]

Proudly and without regret we give up our lives for our Sovereign----May she too do what we have learned to expect of her marvellous courage, a thousand times greater than that of her humble defenders.

VEILED-LIGHT

Oh, Majesty, we must envy these men who are about to die so gloriously. Our duty is otherwise; it is longer, it is more terrible.

EMPRESS

Our duty longer and more terrible?----Then what do you expect of me? Speak, what would you say. Your Empress will obey you, but speak at once, I do not understand. [_She takes again the golden cup._]

FAITHFUL PRINCE

What we must do, my beloved Sovereign, is to flee and live.

EMPRESS [_Violently_]

Ah, no! All that you have demanded of me I have done, but I refuse to take flight like a coward.

VEILED-LIGHT

To flee, alas! yes. But to escape from the enemy, to deprive them of the prize of war----and thus their success will be but failure. Soon the blood of our heroes will inspire other heroes. A new army will rally to the cause of the Daughter of Heaven, and the war will begin again.

EMPRESS

And more blood will be spilt----and the ravaged country will people the realm of the shades----No, no, enough of death's----I fear to have my reign handed down as that of a fatal and murderous Sovereign. All this blood! All this blood spilled for me! It seems to me that my very hands are red with it!

FAITHFUL PRINCE

The blood of your subjects is inexhaustible, and their devotion is limitless.

EMPRESS [_Suddenly becoming very calm and as though beseeching_]

But my courage is exhausted. [_Pointing to the Soldiers, who are piling wood upon the fire._] I want to die with them.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Live, that their death may not have been in vain. Live to bring back our young Emperor, whom the Army of the South is protecting for us. Live for us all and for him.

EMPRESS

My son! Oh, speak not that name. Do not, to influence me, do not try to touch upon that string, that alone I forbid you touch. At the very moment when you tore him from me, I had an intuition that I should never see him again, never again gaze upon his dear little face, his beautiful eyes----I have courage to listen to all except when you speak to me of him,----for then, do you not see, I become again a mother, nothing but a mother, like other women, and I have no longer, no longer the strength.-[_She turns her head and begins to sob._] Oh, not to belong to one's self, not even to be allowed to lay down on the roadside the burden of one's life!----To be the impersonal idol of a whole people, to be dealt with in accordance with their will! To be a wretched fetish, whom all watch as carefully as the tablets of their ancestors on the family altar!----

FAITHFUL PRINCE

You are the shining standard, the ever-radiant goddess, toward whom we turn in our supreme distress----and you will do what millions of your subjects demand of you, through the mouths of these few brave men who are about to die.

THE WATCHMAN [_from the height of the turret,_] He hurls himself against their vanguard, the man who was here just now, the Messenger of peace----with the three others who accompanied him. He hurls himself against their vanguard as though to make them halt. Yes, he wishes them to stop, that is it. And he seems to command like a master, and to inspire them with fear.

EMPRESS [_To the_ Watchman]

So! Let not that man's name be mentioned again to me. And you, poor Watchman, whose task is finished, you may come down and join your brothers in arms, to die with them. Of what concern to us now are the movements of the Tartars? We are no longer of this world. [_To_ Faithful Prince] But how, then, is what you asked of me possible?----Surrounded on all sides, how and whither can we flee. Where can we hide? Where?

[_The_ Soldiers, _having loosened the rock, are
standing in front of the bronze door, still
holding their crowbars and pickaxes. They have
an air of expectancy._]

FAITHFUL PRINCE

There in the tomb. On the cement lying all ready now to seal the rocks we shall throw dust----as soon you shall have entered.----

The EMPRESS [_After a silence, speaking slowly, submissive and very melancholy_] In my grave entombed alive! Be it so! And after that?----

FAITHFUL PRINCE

There is a subterranean passage, which passes through the vaults where your father and your husband sleep. You know, as I do, that its end opens out upon brushwood in the country, at the foot of the Hill of Tortures.

EMPRESS

[_Quickly and breathlessly_] If it is not already obstructed by the soil, yes! And all about the Hill of Tortures the Tartars are encamped.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

We will wait until they are no longer there.

EMPRESS

And shall we have sufficient air in this vault, where sleep our dead?

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Yes, I believe so----but let us take this potion with us which you wished to drink a while ago.

EMPRESS [_Very excitedly_]

And if the Tartars take us there, if they track us like beasts of the night, hunted into their burrows? Remember how they violated the tomb of my ancestor.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

It was not secret, like yours.

EMPRESS [_Still in great excitement_]

And, clothes wherewith to escape through the country where the enemy roams at large? [_Pointing to her uniform._] Not these, for sure?

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Some taken from the enemy will serve admirably----The ground must be covered with them.

EMPRESS

Rags torn from some festering corpse, is it thus you would clothe your Empress!----So be it, even to that I consent----But how can we live in the depths of that tomb? Since we are not yet of the Shades, we must eat, you know that. I divided my last grains of rice this morning with you and my soldiers!----What then?

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_Pointing to the tomb._]

The consecrated cakes there on the table of the dead.

EMPRESS

Horror and sacrilege!

VEILED-LIGHT

There is no sacrilege, when the safety of the Bright Dynasty is at stake. The August Shades will come in person to invite us to eat. Our sacrifice will make them indulgent and favourable.

EMPRESS [_Slowly_]

And so I must be the one to live in the chill gloom with no certainty of ever coming forth. I must be the one to creep about like a ghost in the vaults peopled by phantoms, groping my hands over the pious offerings shrivelling on the altars of the dead----Aye, it is indeed more terrible than dying here. But I accept it. Lead me on, I am resigned.

THE WATCHMAN [_From the top of the wall_]

The Tartars have stopped their march, a small group is running toward us, unarmed, but carrying signs on long poles. In spite of the darkness, it looks like a message which grants pardon.

EMPRESS

Ha, a forced pardon----that would be more insulting still. Bury me in my tomb, Prince, before they come.

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_Pointing to_ VEILED-LIGHT]

Your Councillor and I will follow you into the tomb, and perhaps two of these young girls if they feel brave enough for the ordeal.

SCENE VII.

_The same, the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING.

EMPRESS

So here are my household, my court of death, and doubtless my last retinue of mourners; just four persons! [_To the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING] Which two of you, my maidens, will have the courage to follow me down those gloomy paths below?

LADIES-IN-WAITING [_Bowing_]

All of us, we are all ready. Your Majesty has but to deign to name two of us.

EMPRESS [_After a pause_]

Tranquil Beauty, Cinnamon!

[TRANQUIL BEAUTY _and_ CINNAMON _approach the_ EMPRESS.]

All of you are dear to me, but I have called those who in adversity have shown the bravest hearts. [_To the others._] And you, my sweet flowers, so untimely faded, may the Water of the Great Deliverance convey you easily beyond this world through the peace of sleep.

PEARL

We have given it all to the wounded.

ANOTHER LADY

Our flasks are empty.

PEARL

The flames terrify us----but we know how to die, noble Sovereign.

ANOTHER LADY

The Lake in the garden is deep, around the Isle of Jade.

PEARL

As soon as we have conducted your Majesty to the threshold of the tomb we shall repair to the lake-side.

ANOTHER LADY

Deep in the mud, where we shall sleep tranquilly, The Lotus will entwine us in her roots and we shall live again in her flowers.

EMPRESS

[_To_ GOLDEN LOTUS, _who is seated to the left, holding in her lap the dying_ ARROW-BEARER'S _head._] And you, Golden Lotus?

GOLDEN LOTUS

Oh, Majesty, receive from here my last greeting-----To leave him, to set down his head, forgive me if I have not the courage----

[_The trumpets and gongs of the_ Tartars _are
heard without, with a shouting which grows
nearer and nearer._]

EMPRESS [_To_ ARROW-BEARER _and_ GOLDEN LOTUS]

Alas, poor lovers without a to-morrow, here is the marriage gift from your Empress. [_She pours out some poison into her golden cup and gives it to them._] Farewell, may you be united in the clouds. [_To_ FAITHFUL PRINCE] Let us go, Prince, show me the way. I am ready.

_The_ CHIEF _of the_ SOLDIERS [_advancing to_ FAITHFUL PRINCE.]

Prince, speak for us.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Your Majesty, your soldiers ask one more favour of you.

EMPRESS

Is it then in my power still to do aught for them? All, all that they ask I will give.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

You desired to know why they were piling so much wood on the fire. It was for themselves. They want to die before the entrance of the Tartars, and this is the last request that they make, that you will set the torch to their funeral pile.

[_The_ CHIEF _of the_ SOLDIERS _kneels, and
hands a lighted torch to the_ EMPRESS.]

EMPRESS [_Taking the torch and addressing the_ SOLDIERS.] My well beloved soldiers, be assured that your Empress will soon follow you into the land of the Shades. She accepts your request that she should flee, only that she may try to avenge you. But if happier days smile upon the Bright Dynasty she will refuse to live them. Before you all, she takes this solemn vow; When once her relentless task is at an end, she will hasten to join you in the land of the Shades----Oh, victims that are more than men, oh, conquered ones that wear the halo of glory! Oh, my heroic army!----A day shall come when the story of your sublime death shall be engraved in letters of gold on the Imperial Jade, that posterity may weep for you. [_She sets the torch to the pile_] and that the brightness of your funeral pile may dazzle the world for ever!----

[_The pile takes fire. The_ SOLDIERS _throw
themselves into the flame as they sing._]

_The_ SOLDIERS

Long live our King! Long and happy life to our King!

[_A cloud of black smoke envelopes them. The
sound of an approaching gong is heard at
regular intervals, and then the voice of a_
TARTAR HERALD.]

THE TARTAR HERALD [_outside, in the distance._] The Command of the Emperor! Tremble and obey!

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_Hastily to the_ CAPTAIN _of the soldiers._] Let the rock be replaced as I told you. Block it up quick and throw earth upon the cement, and a pile of dust. [_The_ Captain _rejoins the few men who are standing before the tomb, still holding their crowbars and pickaxes. The_ EMPRESS, FAITHFUL PRINCE, VEILED-LIGHT, TRANQUIL BEAUTY, _and_ CINNAMON _go towards the bronze door. The other_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _follow, and kneel as they approach the door._]

EMPRESS [_At the threshold of the tomb, addressing the four who are to enter with her._] Go in before me. I will be the last to pass through. My funeral is this!----And then I wish to gaze for the last time upon my heroes and my beautiful palace yonder, still standing out in relief. [_To the kneeling_ LADIES] Arise, my cherished maidens. Do not delay. The lake to which you go is not near by.

[_The_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _go out, hand-in-hand,
and as they disappear their sobs are heard.
The_ EMPRESS _sets foot on the threshold of the
door and then turns round like one inspired,
watching the flames of the pyre, which rises
higher and higher. She raises her arms as
though in an ecstasy._]

EMPRESS

See the glorious red flame! See the beautiful eddying smoke. It is bright within my palace for the last time. And I see them too, those noble souls, mounting ever higher and higher in the dark whirling spirals of smoke!

SOLDIERS [_Singing in the flames_]

Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years.

EMPRESS [_To the_ SOLDIERS]

Go, my brave men!----Soar up on high, fly to the heaven of your ancestors, ascend to the god of the clouds.

SOLDIERS [_More feebly_]

Ten thousand years, ten thousand years!

[_The_ TARTAR'S _gong is heard ever closer and closer._]

EMPRESS [_To the_ SOLDIERS]

I too am doomed like you, be sure of that! Only a little later my soul will take flight. But already I am dead, dead to all save vengeance, save the fury of battle, save merciless hate. And now I must shut my door of bronze. [_To the_ SOLDIERS _who hold the crowbars._] Cement it well, my friends, to hide your Empress! Replace the heavy boulder. Immure this living corpse in her tomb. [_She closes the bronze door after her. The_ CAPTAIN _and the few men who remain replace the rock, hastily piling cement and dust upon it._]

_The Voice of the_ TARTAR HERALD [_now at the foot of the wall_] The command of the Emperor! Tremble and obey! To all without condition, pardon and liberty! Open your gates and have no fear, the Emperor grants pardon to all.

_One of the_ SOLDIERS [_who is cementing the rock_] The insult of your pardon comes too late. Before you can break down our walls, we shall all be dead.

_Voice of_ TARTAR HERALD

Open and have no fear, our Emperor grants life to all.

ANOTHER SOLDIER

Nay, there shall not even be dead to receive your pardon, nought but ashes!

Captain _of_ Soldiers [_as he finishes cementing the rock against the door of the Imperial tomb_] Our beautiful Phoenix, for want of power to spread her wings, has vanished under the earth.

_The voices of the_ Soldiers [_becoming feebler in the flames and smoke_] Ten thousand years to the Bright Dynasty! Ten thousand years!

[_The flames and smoke envelope the entire
scene._]

CURTAIN