Act 1 — SCENE VIII
Ruth Helen Davis translation
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.]