SCENE V.
_The same, without the_ EMPEROR _and the_ TARTARS.
The EMPRESS, [_as the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _gather about her._] Who is that man----who is so like a god?
PEARL
All of a tremble, we watched him from afar----
TRANQUIL BEAUTY
His eyes radiated noble love.
CINNAMON
Yet your Majesty, always so gentle to us, seemed very haughty towards him.
EMPRESS. [_Without replying, dreamily repeats the Coronation admonition._] Be attentive and anxious as if you carried a vase filled to the brim with water, of which not a drop must be spilled.
The WATCHMAN [_From the height of the turret over the gate_] The torches of their vanguard can be seen at the corner of the Avenue of the East-----The sound of their artillery-wagons can be faintly heard----
EMPRESS
Already at the corner of the Avenue of the East!-----Death is flying to us on wings [_She takes the cup full of poison which_ CINNAMON _had hidden behind a stone_] The hour has come!----[_To the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _around her, pointing to the pyre._] As soon as the potion has accomplished its work, you will place me there, and when the flame mounts higher and clearer, then your service to your Empress will be terminated, you will empty the golden flask, to follow me. [_She puts down the cup of poison which she was about to raise to her lips._] Faithful Prince, I wish to say good-bye to him----Call him.
[_During the preceding dialogue, the_ FAITHFUL PRINCE, _at the back of the stage, a torch in his hand, superintends a group of_ SOLDIERS, _who are using crowbars and pickaxes._]
CINNAMON
Over yonder, is that not he?
[FAITHFUL PRINCE _orders the_ SOLDIERS _to remove a rock, which hides a small bronze door._]
EMPRESS
Ah, I knew----
PEARL
What is he doing?
EMPRESS
What must be done! He too, realising that the hour has come for me to go to my last sleep, is preparing my couch. These galleries beneath the earth lead to my tomb.
[_The bronze door opens._ PEARL _kneels and hides her face._ GOLDEN LOTUS, _a little apart from the group, is kneeling near_ ARROW-BEARER, _and speaks tenderly to him, as she smooths his forehead._]
This proud tomb, long ago hewn out secretly, is of no use now. There rather, there in the beautiful flame and the eddying smoke, my spirit will ascend to the clouds----Nothing of me shall remain for the hands of the Tartar to profane. In vain they will have surrounded me. I shall escape them, in the air----
TRANQUIL BEAUTY [_Also kneeling_]
But Sovereign, since this tomb is secret and is inviolable, at least permit your attendants to bury you there, in magnificence.----Permit that, oh, well beloved Sovereign;----That flame, oh, why that flame? No, no, it is too horrible.
EMPRESS
Child, do you not know the history of our race? My ancestor, defeated in this same place, defeated as I am, killed himself----An hour later his tomb was violated, his body was thrown into the street as food for the dogs and the vultures----I have declared my will. Go call Faithful Prince. He wastes his strength in a vain task, when he is bleeding. See, the blood covers his robe. His wound has reopened, he pays no heed to it. At least let him spare time to bid me farewell----Go, it is my wish. [TRANQUIL BEAUTY _rises and goes over to the PRINCE. During the preceding dialogue, he has been ordering the_ SOLDIERS _to light more torches and to carry them into the vault._]
TRANQUIL BEAUTY [_Advancing to_ FAITHFUL PRINCE]
Prince!----The Empress----
[FAITHFUL PRINCE _approaches the_ EMPRESS.]