SCENE VII

_The_ EMPEROR _and_ FOUNT-IN-THE-FOREST

FOUNT

They are pretty.

EMPEROR

And so gracefully dressed! It makes me regret the fact that my victorious ancestors imposed the Tartar costume on the people. These Chinese robes are so much more beautiful.

FOUNT

They make the women appear more slender and delicate.

EMPEROR

Do all the inhabitants of the city garb themselves in the old way?

FOUNT

In their homes, no doubt, they do. Out of doors, in the streets, they still keep up a pretence of wearing the new.

EMPEROR

The Viceroy whom I sent to Nanking is certainly not ignorant of all this. Why has he not informed us?

FOUNT

Your Viceroy, Sire, is not a Tartar, but a Chinese, which means that he espouses the cause of the rebels. Yet at Peking, outside the walls of your Palace of Eternal Silence, what goes on is fairly well known. While you are dreaming of ultimate peace, they are preparing for war.

EMPEROR

Alas!----

[_Trumpets, xylophones and gongs are heard in turn, each five times. Then the watchmen pass slowly._]

FOUNT

The fifth watch.

EMPEROR

Must we go in?

FOUNT

Not yet. The Empress is going to the Temple of her Ancestors. That will give us a little time.

EMPEROR

The Empress!----In a few moments I shall see Her! The beautiful vision I have dreamed of is to be destroyed by the actuality----Ah! this woman, who must have the uttermost horror for me, can have no idea that for months past she has filled all my thoughts, has haunted my solitary hours. If She only knew that the phantom Emperor, isolated in his palace at Peking, wrote poems in her honour night after night!----

FOUNT

She is said to be beautiful and charming, but that is perhaps only a courtier's tale.

EMPEROR

If She is not, then my sacrifice will be only the more meritorious.

FOUNT

Ah! see, there she comes. She is crossing the garden, and, as no one is here, her palanquin is wide open.

EMPEROR

Ah!

[_Through the flowering bushes he gazes ardently at her. The sound of a march is heard._]

But I recognise Her, my friend, that woman so beautiful and tender, so noble and delicate, that rare, that imperial flower!----Friend, what do you think of this omen? It is She, absolutely She--She whom I have seen reflected in the mirror of my dreams----

FOUNT

The eyes of the dragon traverse all space.

[_The_ EMPEROR _seats himself again on the bench, leaning on_ FOUNT-IN-THE-FOREST, _almost fainting._]

EMPEROR

See how this emotion shatters my strength!

FOUNT

You are like the sacred lyre, whose strings vibrate at the slightest inspiration.