_The same, except the_ SPIES, _A. B., and_ THE GUARDS.
EMPRESS [_To the_ CHILD]
Oh, my best beloved! Oh, you, who bear the sweet name of
Son of Springtime, how near was I to losing you!
THE CHILD
Tell me, mother are those men to be put to death?
EMPRESS
That is the lightest punishment which their crime deserves.
THE CHILD
No, it is too much, as they did not kill me.
EMPRESS
But they desired your death. The sentence is too lenient.
And see, I spared them the torture-chamber----Now, I shall
never again dare to be away from you. No, not even for a
minute, my priceless jewel, shall you again be out of my
sight.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
My Sovereign, how it pains me to be forced to tear your
heart by telling you what we believe to be your painful
duty, we to whose advice your Majesty deigns to listen.
For many days, we have been resolved to speak, and yet we
shrank from the ungrateful task. But to-day the danger is
too pressing.
EMPRESS
Oh, what are you going to say? [_She descends from her
throne._]
FAITHFUL PRINCE
Alas, that my words shall be like the cold north wind which
kills the flowers.
EMPRESS
I already feel the chill in my very soul.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
You must for a time be separated from your son.
EMPRESS
[_With drooping head_] I knew too well!
FAITHFUL PRINCE
The hope of all, THE VICTORY to come, our Young
Emperor!--He should be protected from the dangers of war,
in safety, far from here, in some inaccessible province.
EMPRESS
"Let the precious torch which shall illumine the future
be placed beyond the reach of the wind." Thus spoke the
astrologer. Yes, the blind man did see into the invisible.
Thus is the mystery of his words explained----!
FAITHFUL PRINCE
We must obey the oracle. Misfortune foreseen can often
be avoided. Winged Prince, and you Veiled-Light, sage
councillors, does your opinion coincide with mine.
WINGED PRINCE
It is the same in every point.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
And all you, noble chiefs, wise men of letters,
dignitaries, are you too of the opinion that we must send
the young Emperor away. [_All nod their heads affirmatively
without speaking._] And not to-morrow, not even this
evening alas--for each moment the danger increases----We
must act at once, if your Majesty consents to the sacrifice.
EMPRESS
Oh! You place me in a circle of fire, which you narrow
again and again, far too quickly. But where are the Tartar
armies, now? Not yet beneath our walls, surely. We are not
besieged! The roads are still open----[_She presses her son
to her breast._] Leave him with me just another day, at
least give me time to find the necessary strength to bear
this new affliction----I am the Empress, yes, but I am
also a mother----One does not take a child from its mother
as one plucks a flower from its stem----Wait!----
FAITHFUL PRINCE
Wait, my Sovereign! But will not your despair be infinitely
more intense should harm come to his Majesty because of
a weak tenderness? Think of the turmoil of a siege, the
horror and the risk of battle! Let us thank Heaven for
giving us time to place our young Master in safety. As soon
as the danger is over, he will return to you.
EMPRESS
Oh, do not speak of return to lessen my distress, as you
would comfort a child!----Let us not talk of the future,
which is black and cloudy----But Wisdom has spoken, and
my rebellion is over. I shall have the strength to submit.
[_To the child, whom she holds still pressed close against
her._] My son, you must go away from me for a little
while----Ah, tears fill my eyes at the idea. But when I
think of keeping you in this palace, in the midst of such
terrible dangers, anguish crushes my heart----My best
beloved, you must go.
THE CHILD [_Embracing her_]
What? I must go on account of the Tartars? Well, I am not
afraid, I am not really. Do you think that I am afraid?
You remain here, my mother, and where you remain there I
must be too.-----Leave my mother on account of the Tartars?
I do not want to! You all hear me. I do not want to.
EMPRESS
My son! You will show greater courage in saying good-bye to
me. And you must prove yourself worthy of your noble, your
more than human lot. Remember that you are not an ordinary
child. Under your delicate flesh, in the fine network of
your veins, flows the blood of divinity. The Bright Dynasty
has no representative but you alone. Oh, my best beloved!
You are the son of Heaven!
[_THE CHILD, very thoughtful, lets his head sink_]
FAITHFUL PRINCE
Raise up your face, do not turn it down, dazzled by the
bright name of your ancestors. Already you must be master
of your feelings. You owe your heart as a debt to this
people unnumbered, which is conquered and oppressed and
looks to you for its deliverance. To this people alone
belong your thoughts, your actions, your very life.
THE CHILD [_Sad and grave_]
I will go----I will not cry.
EMPRESS
To whom shall we entrust this greatest of our treasures?
You have no doubt thought about it. I feel that your plans
are made.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
Our young Emperor has shown without knowing him, a sympathy
for the Viceroy of the South. Now he is precisely the best
situated to offer him an inviolable refuge. My advice is
that we entrust him to him.
EMPRESS [_To_ THE CHILD]
Will that please you?
THE CHILD
Yes.
EMPRESS
It was also my idea. The Viceroy is certainly still at the
palace awaiting my orders. [_To_ ARROW-BEARER] Call him
here.
[ARROW-BEARER _goes out._]
FAITHFUL PRINCE [_To the_ NURSES] Prepare for an immediate
departure. You will not leave your young master.
EMPRESS [_To_ THE CHILD]
I envy them. Would that I were to-day only your servant.
FAITHFUL PRINCE [_To the_ GUARDS]
An escort of five hundred men, well chosen and fully armed.
[_Exit_ The GUARD]
[_To_ WINGED PRINCE.]
Prince, you will accompany the Emperor, and as soon as he
is in safety you will return to take your place here among
us.
WINGED PRINCE
I shall prove myself worthy of your trust, my preparations
will be brief. [_He goes out._]
To your posts now, noble defenders of the Son of Heaven.
We are always ready for war, I know it But let us make
ourselves still stronger. Let us brace up our courage, let
us prepare our hearts----Let messengers be sent out at
once to discover exactly the position and importance of the
army which is marching against us. [_The_ EMPRESS _gives a
signal_] You may take your leave.
[_The_ SOLDIERS _go out one after another, with
a genuflection._]
EMPRESS [_To_ THE CHILD]
I gaze upon you to engrave on my memory your adorable
features. I fill my eyes with them, just as if I did not
already know every detail, every line; but they are going
from me----I would wish to have them carved in marble, and
memory is as unstable as water.