SCENE XII

_The same, except the_ SPIES, _A. B., and_ THE GUARDS.

EMPRESS [_To the_ CHILD]

Oh, my best beloved! Oh, you, who bear the sweet name of Son of Springtime, how near was I to losing you!

THE CHILD

Tell me, mother are those men to be put to death?

EMPRESS

That is the lightest punishment which their crime deserves.

THE CHILD

No, it is too much, as they did not kill me.

EMPRESS

But they desired your death. The sentence is too lenient. And see, I spared them the torture-chamber----Now, I shall never again dare to be away from you. No, not even for a minute, my priceless jewel, shall you again be out of my sight.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

My Sovereign, how it pains me to be forced to tear your heart by telling you what we believe to be your painful duty, we to whose advice your Majesty deigns to listen. For many days, we have been resolved to speak, and yet we shrank from the ungrateful task. But to-day the danger is too pressing.

EMPRESS

Oh, what are you going to say? [_She descends from her throne._]

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Alas, that my words shall be like the cold north wind which kills the flowers.

EMPRESS

I already feel the chill in my very soul.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

You must for a time be separated from your son.

EMPRESS

[_With drooping head_] I knew too well!

FAITHFUL PRINCE

The hope of all, THE VICTORY to come, our Young Emperor!--He should be protected from the dangers of war, in safety, far from here, in some inaccessible province.

EMPRESS

"Let the precious torch which shall illumine the future be placed beyond the reach of the wind." Thus spoke the astrologer. Yes, the blind man did see into the invisible. Thus is the mystery of his words explained----!

FAITHFUL PRINCE

We must obey the oracle. Misfortune foreseen can often be avoided. Winged Prince, and you Veiled-Light, sage councillors, does your opinion coincide with mine.

WINGED PRINCE

It is the same in every point.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

And all you, noble chiefs, wise men of letters, dignitaries, are you too of the opinion that we must send the young Emperor away. [_All nod their heads affirmatively without speaking._] And not to-morrow, not even this evening alas--for each moment the danger increases----We must act at once, if your Majesty consents to the sacrifice.

EMPRESS

Oh! You place me in a circle of fire, which you narrow again and again, far too quickly. But where are the Tartar armies, now? Not yet beneath our walls, surely. We are not besieged! The roads are still open----[_She presses her son to her breast._] Leave him with me just another day, at least give me time to find the necessary strength to bear this new affliction----I am the Empress, yes, but I am also a mother----One does not take a child from its mother as one plucks a flower from its stem----Wait!----

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Wait, my Sovereign! But will not your despair be infinitely more intense should harm come to his Majesty because of a weak tenderness? Think of the turmoil of a siege, the horror and the risk of battle! Let us thank Heaven for giving us time to place our young Master in safety. As soon as the danger is over, he will return to you.

EMPRESS

Oh, do not speak of return to lessen my distress, as you would comfort a child!----Let us not talk of the future, which is black and cloudy----But Wisdom has spoken, and my rebellion is over. I shall have the strength to submit. [_To the child, whom she holds still pressed close against her._] My son, you must go away from me for a little while----Ah, tears fill my eyes at the idea. But when I think of keeping you in this palace, in the midst of such terrible dangers, anguish crushes my heart----My best beloved, you must go.

THE CHILD [_Embracing her_]

What? I must go on account of the Tartars? Well, I am not afraid, I am not really. Do you think that I am afraid? You remain here, my mother, and where you remain there I must be too.-----Leave my mother on account of the Tartars? I do not want to! You all hear me. I do not want to.

EMPRESS

My son! You will show greater courage in saying good-bye to me. And you must prove yourself worthy of your noble, your more than human lot. Remember that you are not an ordinary child. Under your delicate flesh, in the fine network of your veins, flows the blood of divinity. The Bright Dynasty has no representative but you alone. Oh, my best beloved! You are the son of Heaven!

[_THE CHILD, very thoughtful, lets his head sink_]

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Raise up your face, do not turn it down, dazzled by the bright name of your ancestors. Already you must be master of your feelings. You owe your heart as a debt to this people unnumbered, which is conquered and oppressed and looks to you for its deliverance. To this people alone belong your thoughts, your actions, your very life.

THE CHILD [_Sad and grave_]

I will go----I will not cry.

EMPRESS

To whom shall we entrust this greatest of our treasures? You have no doubt thought about it. I feel that your plans are made.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Our young Emperor has shown without knowing him, a sympathy for the Viceroy of the South. Now he is precisely the best situated to offer him an inviolable refuge. My advice is that we entrust him to him.

EMPRESS [_To_ THE CHILD]

Will that please you?

THE CHILD

Yes.

EMPRESS

It was also my idea. The Viceroy is certainly still at the palace awaiting my orders. [_To_ ARROW-BEARER] Call him here.

[ARROW-BEARER _goes out._]

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_To the_ NURSES] Prepare for an immediate departure. You will not leave your young master.

EMPRESS [_To_ THE CHILD]

I envy them. Would that I were to-day only your servant.

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_To the_ GUARDS]

An escort of five hundred men, well chosen and fully armed.

[_Exit_ The GUARD]

[_To_ WINGED PRINCE.]

Prince, you will accompany the Emperor, and as soon as he is in safety you will return to take your place here among us.

WINGED PRINCE

I shall prove myself worthy of your trust, my preparations will be brief. [_He goes out._]

To your posts now, noble defenders of the Son of Heaven. We are always ready for war, I know it But let us make ourselves still stronger. Let us brace up our courage, let us prepare our hearts----Let messengers be sent out at once to discover exactly the position and importance of the army which is marching against us. [_The_ EMPRESS _gives a signal_] You may take your leave.

[_The_ SOLDIERS _go out one after another, with a genuflection._]

EMPRESS [_To_ THE CHILD]

I gaze upon you to engrave on my memory your adorable features. I fill my eyes with them, just as if I did not already know every detail, every line; but they are going from me----I would wish to have them carved in marble, and memory is as unstable as water.