_The same,_ THE EMPRESS, _in Costume of State_
[_As soon as she appears at the top of the terrace the
perfumes begin to burn in the censers. The guards unfurl
the banners which they are holding in their hands.
Chamberlains and grand equerries form a line on either
side of the staircase, bending the knee. Before her is
carried the yellow umbrella with three flounces, mounted
on a handle bent in the form of a swan's neck. Behind
two_ ATTENDANTS _carry tall feather screens, emblems of
sovereignty._]
ALL THE ATTENDANTS [_in a low voice, with eyes lowered_]
Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! ten times ten
thousand years!
EMPRESS
Happiness be with you, my faithful ones! May you live very
long days!----[_She descends. The_ FAITHFUL PRINCE _and
the_ WINGED PRINCE _receive her at the foot of the steps._]
WINGED PRINCE
The flowers grow pale with envy at the approach of our
Sovereign.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
Her presence doubles the brilliancy of the day.
FOUNT [_In a whisper to the_ EMPEROR]
In truth, she is as beautiful as the pink peony.
EMPEROR
Say rather that the flower is all but as lovely as she.
EMPRESS [_Stopping on the last steps, between_ PRINCES]
There are some hours when nature appears more splendid,
the light of Heaven more radiant, when all things of the
world seem transfigured and new, and the soul then expands
in the joy of living----Oh, my faithful ones despite our
threatening to-morrows, the present is for your Sovereign
one of those rare hours. [_In an aside_] It seems as though
I had suddenly become two personalities, a new rapture and
unknown hopes fill my bewildered heart.
EMPEROR [_To_ FOUNT]
Her words express what I feel in myself. Before this
glorious hour I knew not what it meant to live----
_The_ EMPRESS _advances slowly, stopping to speak a few
words to persons bowing before her. To_ VEILED-LIGHT _she
says_]
You desired the government of the fortress of Tang-Men. The
Emperor accords you that title and the appanages which go
with it.
VEILED-LIGHT
[_Bending the knee_] I shall redouble my zeal to be worthy
of such an honour.
EMPRESS
Do so. [_She passes on, while_ GRAND EQUERRY _places a
scroll of yellow satin in the hand of_ VEILED-LIGHT, _who
receives it on his knees. To an officer._]
The Emperor appoints you to that higher rank which you have
so deservedly earned.
THE OFFICER
My life belongs to your Majesties, and my sole desire is to
be able to sacrifice it in a good cause.
EMPRESS
Keep it for our service.
[_A yellow scroll is given to the officer_]
I offer to each of you a slight gift in assurance of my
protection and as a memento of my accession----
ALL
Ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years.
[_Pages distribute the gifts._]
FAITHFUL PRINCE [_Presenting_ POPLAR]
Your devoted servant is ambitious to see the coral button
of his hat changed to a ruby. I venture to support his
request to your Majesty.
EMPRESS
Recommended by you, his merit is certain. I accord the rank
with pleasure.
POPLAR
My heart overflows with gratitude.
The EMPRESS [_To the_ TARTAR EMPEROR]
And you, Prince, do you desire nothing? Are you too proud
to name the favour which would please you?
POPLAR
Nay, I ask one of Heaven, one only, that it will stay the
flight of time and prolong this rapturous hour.
EMPRESS [_At once surprised and somewhat offended, she
looks at him a long time, but her gaze becomes tender and
she finally smiles._] Does that depend on Heaven alone?
[_She takes her place on the throne._]
HERALD [Announcing]
The Empress commands tea to be served.
ALL
Ten thousand years!----
[_The cup-bearers serve tea, fruit and cakes.
Each one bends the knee as he takes his cup._]
The EMPRESS [_Making a sign to the_ TARTAR EMPEROR, _to be
seated on the tabouret, near the throne_]
Come here Prince. There is also a present for you.
A GRAND SECRETARY [_In a whisper to a_ COUNCILLOR] With one
word she has made him Prince, and now she permits him to be
seated in her presence!
COUNCILLOR
He does not seem at all surprised at the honour.
GRAND SECRETARY
He is the favourite of to-morrow. We shall have to reckon
with him.
EMPRESS
You gave my son a jewel marvellously cut, a dragon, emblem
of the Imperial Power. He is delighted with it, and wishes
me to offer you in his name, the emblem of the Empresses, a
phoenix, with wings of sapphires and rubies.
[GOLDEN LOTUS _approaches and presents a
jewel-case on a salver_]
EMPEROR
I wish to receive it on bended knee, and to assure you that
it will be with me always. [_He bends the knee._]
EMPRESS [_To_ GOLDEN LOTUS]
Golden Lotus, did you, as I command, attach a ring on which
to hang it?
GOLDEN LOTUS
Yes, Your Majesty.
EMPEROR
Until to-day I had seen but the nests of ordinary birds,
and I did not believe in that incomparable bird the
Phoenix. It is only to-day that its existence was disclosed
to me by the evidence of my enchanted eyes. [_He hangs the
jewel on his belt._]
EMPRESS
Alas, the phoenix and the dragon are dragged down by chains
to-day, and cannot reach the heights to which they aspire
in the clouds.
EMPEROR
Ah, how ardently I wish I were the Tartar Emperor reigning
at Peking!
EMPRESS
What a strange and dismal idea! You wish you were my mortal
enemy? Why?
EMPEROR
That I might attempt to set all China at your feet, to
bring to you your own, and then to be your most faithful
subject.
EMPRESS [_Smiling_]
What a dream!----But from that Emperor I could accept
nothing----nothing, but death. Do not desire to be anyone
else than you are for no one has ever inspired in me
so sudden and deep a sympathy. Do not leave the palace
yet----Await my commands. Since you have no ambition I must
have it in your place, and keep you perhaps more near to
me----Farewell until we meet!
EMPEROR [_Rising and bowing_]
Whether near or far, my thoughts will ever be prostrated at
the feet of your Majesty.
[_He goes, on his way saying in a whisper to_ FOUNT]
Friend, in my disguise, I triumph! For the first time for
three hundred years a Chinese woman has given her love to a
Tartar!
FOUNT
Carry away with you your glorious joy; but I beg you, let
us depart at once.
[_Tea is offered to the_ EMPEROR. _Gradually he
slips away, led by his_ MINISTERS]
THE COUNCILLOR [_To a_ SECRETARY]
He did not even bend the knee to receive the Imperial tea.
SECRETARY
He understands that to him already all is permitted.
EMPRESS. [_In an aside, dreamily_]
I am no longer mistress of my will----The words fly from
my lips, like captive birds escaped and making for the
sky----I have betrayed myself----with happiness.
[_Uproar and cries, all the attendants in
alarm. Officials of the Palace enter hurriedly,
their hands on their sabres._ FAITHFUL PRINCE
_and_ WINGED PRINCE _approach to defend the
EMPRESS, who has risen from her throne._]