Act 1 — SCENE VIII
Ruth Helen Davis translation
The EMPEROR and FOUNT-IN-THE-FOREST, the little EMPEROR of Nanking,—a child of seven or eight years, who enters playing with a shuttlecock in the Chinese fashion, with graceful movements. Some Royal nurses follow him, two serving-men remain at the back.
FIRST NURSE [trying to take the shuttlecock away]
Sire, take care not to overheat yourself.
CHILD
No! no! give it back to me; I want to play some more.
SECOND NURSE [Respectfully approaching the TARTAR EMPEROR]
Sir, no one is permitted to remain in the presence of our Majesty, the young Emperor.
EMPEROR
It is he!
[The shuttlecock with which the little EMPEROR of Nanking is playing falls on the knees of the big EMPEROR, who takes it in his hands.]
CHILD [To the Second Nurse]
Leave him there, I want him to stay. You see that he is ill.
[To the EMPEROR]
Why are you so pale? Are you ill?
EMPEROR
No, Sire! It is emotion which has made me pale.
CHILD
What about?
EMPEROR
At seeing you, perhaps.
CHILD
That is queer. Do you think I play shuttlecock so well?
EMPEROR
With infinite grace.
CHILD
Soon, during the ceremony, I shall have to be perfectly quiet. So I am running about now, to have more patience later——Do you understand?
EMPEROR
[Handing the child the shuttlecock]
Do you wish to go on with your game?
CHILD
No! keep it as a gift from me to your son.
EMPEROR
I have no son.
CHILD
Oh, how sad that is! Very well then, keep it just the same, in memory of a child who has no father.
EMPEROR
[Detaching a jewel from his girdle]
Thank you! Take this in exchange as a remembrance from a man whose greatest desire is to have you for his son.
CHILD
Oh! thank you——
FIRST NURSE
Sire, it is time——
CHILD
It is a little dragon—an Imperial Dragon! I recognise it! But how do you come to have it? You have not the right to wear it! Do not be afraid, I will tell nobody. Good-bye till next time.
EMPEROR
Till next time!
[The child runs away, followed by his nurses. The EMPEROR gases after him until he is out of sight.]