SCENE II
THE EMPRESS, THE CROWD
EMPRESS
Enlighten me, Oh, Divine Reason! Spirits of my ancestors, enter into my spirit, strengthen my weakness, embolden my heart!----Will these womanly hands have the power to carry on high this sceptre, which is still too heavy for the frail hands of my little son? At least they shall not tremble! They shall hold it with an unrelaxing grasp, which death alone will have the power to unlock. And you will aid me, all of you, my faithful ones, you will aid me with your advice, with your wisdom and your courage.
The name allotted by the Book of Centuries to the last descendant of the Bright Dynasty is: Perfect Harmony Realised. But alas! it seems a faraway dream, this harmony announced in the ancient days of our history, and longed for with many a prayer by our bruised hearts. Instead of this dream of the future, we have the terrible present with its uncertainty, instability, and war! And that Empire, of which you have proclaimed me sovereign, we must reconquer day by day, tearing it fragment by fragment from the grasp of the ravisher.
Ah, how much bloodshed have we seen in the past three centuries! It is a stream purple with blood, on which floats the vessel freighted with our noble hopes! It tosses about, it battles with the tempest, this vessel with the reddened timbers, but it cannot suffer shipwreck, for it stands for justice and right. Some day it shall drop anchor in a peaceful port, the Bright Dynasty shall be re-established for ever--and all our beloved dead, whose bodies are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the land, whose spirits abide in the clouds above, all our unnumbered dead shall then have their magnificent revenge and receive the reward of their martyrdom.
Like everyone of you here assembled, I dedicate my life to that sacred cause; but it suffices not to die without regret, we must fight to the last, we must defend ourselves with our final breath, that our death may be fruitful. To reconquer our country, to break the yoke which dishonours it, let us make our hearts fearless, our souls implacable. No pity nor mercy for the Tartar! May our heroic wrath never lessen, nor our holy hate be appeased.
Toward all other living men we know our duties: good will, compassion, charity. Whoever these men may be, whether they come from the north or the south, or from the covetous west, to all who shall call themselves our friends, let us extend a brotherly hand in accordance with that immemorial tradition, which only our invaders have violated.
I swear to you, oh, shades of my ancestors, and to you, all my well beloved subjects, I swear to keep severe watch upon myself, to take good care that I am not remiss in any of my duties, I swear to be attentive and anxious, as though I carried in my hands a chalice filled to the brim with water, of which not one drop must be spilled. I swear to hold my head high against the threats of the future, to submit with resignation to cruel fate, and not even to move an eye-lash if the sword be lifted against me.
[_She resumes her seat upon the Throne._]
ALL
Ten thousand years!
Ten thousand years!
[_The music recommences at the back. At a sign from the Master of Ceremonies, the Mandarins leave their places and arrange themselves in several lines at the foot of the Throne._]
TWO HERALDS
Bend the knee.
[_Other_ Heralds _at the doors repeat the order to the crowd on the terrace and in the Court yards._]
Bend the knee.
[_All the mandarins bend the knee at the same time_]
THE HERALDS
Prostrate yourselves.
HERALDS AT THE DOORS
Prostrate yourselves.
[_All the mandarins prostrate themselves three times, touching the ground with their foreheads three times at each prostration._]
THE HERALDS
Arise.
HERALDS [_At the doors_]
Arise.
[_All the mandarins rise and resume their places._]
A HERALD
Let the Viceroy of the South, in the name of all, make reply to Her Majesty.
[_The Master of Ceremonies approaches the_ TARTAR EMPEROR _and leads him towards the Throne. The little_ EMPEROR _of Nanking exchanges glances of recognition with the_ TARTAR EMPEROR. _He shows him a Golden Dragon, which is hanging on a chain round his neck, while the_ TARTAR EMPEROR _shows him the shuttlecock hidden under his robe. The_ EMPRESS, _surprised, questions her son with a look. The child smiles mysteriously and moves closer to her. The_ TARTAR EMPEROR _contemplates the_ EMPRESS _for a few moments, then slowly prostrates himself. He rises, and the music ceases._]
EMPEROR
Oh, Divine Majesty! I, your slave, and at this moment one of the first dignitaries of your Court, why am I so insignificant a thing? Why is my will barren, when it is so eager to make a path both smooth and glorious for your feet? Oh! at my powerlessness to crush the menace of fate, what a tumult of desire and righteous rage disturbs my soul! And yet the celestial radiance of Your presence illumines and inspires me. The dazzling light which emanates from Your Majesty's presence seems to colour the clouds on the far horizon, to pierce the shadows, and I see You there, in the great city of the Tsings. I see you seated and all powerful, on the very Throne of the TARTAR EMPEROR; the immense empire, undivided and at peace, extending under your feet like a carpet of honour.
No! destiny cannot be cruel to you; before Your sacred presence, its weapons will be dashed to pieces. Do not the laws of Heaven and earth seem always to yield to certain superior beings? Do you remember the beautiful favourite, who formerly captivated one of your sovereign ancestors? When the day arrived on which, having forfeited the Imperial favour, she was given into the keeping of the executioners, she gazed upon them calmly, and as they brandished their swords against her, she smiled sweetly--her only defence. Then they threw their weapons at her feet, for no one had the courage to extinguish that radiant smile----
[_A murmur of astonishment makes itself felt throughout the crowd._]
And so you will disarm destiny, and your most deadly enemies will bend the knee before you----
[_So saying, he bends his knee_]
The EMPRESS
[_After a moment of astounded silence, without rising from the Throne_]
Thank you, my noble subject! Your bold words have surprised us, but have also charmed us. Moreover, the tragic circumstances of our investiture make excuse for passionate thoughts and exceptional speech. Your prophetic vision has touched us very deeply----Thanks to you! Thanks to all!
[_The_ TARTAR EMPEROR _rises and resumes his place. Music March. The_ EMPRESS _descends slowly from her throne; her retinue forms up to follow her and crosses the stage. She reaches the terrace where She enters her palanquin decked with gold dragons. The whole assemblage, without leaving their places, bend the knee and then prostrate themselves._]
CHORUS [_At back of stage_]
Let all happiness and peace Rule here now and never cease! Heaven, grant our humble prayer, Give us blessings mild and fair, Gentle rain and balmy air! Let our pious voices rise To the gods above the skies!
ALL [_Interrupting the Choruses_]
Ten thousand years!
Ten thousand years!
[_The great drum and bell are sounded alternately._]
CURTAIN