Act 1 — SCENE IV.
Ruth Helen Davis translation
The EMPEROR, FOUNT, the GRAND MASTER of CEREMONIES.
EMPEROR [In full regalia, his expression sombre]
How many heads did you say had already fallen?
GRAND MASTER
Barely fifty, sire. Your General, as though with a presentiment of the clemency of your Majesty, had proceeded with audacious lack of energy.
EMPEROR
He shall be rewarded by Heaven and by me. As for the grandees of my court who dared to stop my Courier, have them found at once and dealt with by the executioner to-morrow. Why do the gods permit that in my lofty position, happiness should be almost unrealisable, when murder is so easy? Now go! [Indicating FOUNT-IN-THE-FOREST] I wish to speak with my councillor.
[The GRAND MASTER goes out.]