Act 1 — SCENE IV.
Ruth Helen Davis translation
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.]