SCENE I.
_The_ EXECUTIONERS, _the_ CROWD.
FIRST EXECUTIONER [_As he wipes his sword, speaking to two young women standing near him_] Our arms are pretty tired, my little beauties.
ONE WOMAN
Ah! But your arms look very strong, Master Executioner.
THE EXECUTIONER
Strong, well I don't say they are not. But all the same----
A FLOWER-PEDLAR
Imperial peonies, lotus of all kinds, every flower of the season.
A FRUIT PEDLAR
Sweet as honey, red fruit of the mountains.
A TARTAR CHILD [_Approaching the_ EXECUTIONER.] Mr. Executioner, do you have to strike very hard to cut off their heads?
[_Some men carrying a bucket full of water suspended on their shoulders, begin to swill the ground with a large wooden ladle._]
EXECUTIONER
It requires skill, my little lamb----to find just the right place----skill and force too, of course-----Ah! I can tell you, our business is not learnt in a day----
A SWEETMEAT-PEDLAR
[_Ringing a small bell_] They have the flavour of sugar-cane, the sweets that I have for sale.
FRUIT-VENDOR
Ay, ay! White as tallow, white as jade, my fresh melons.
TWO BEGGARS [_Playing guitars_]
Come listen to the legend of the King of the Dragons.
[_They sing in a very shrill voice._]
Near the Bamboo Lake, Three owls, three owls.
SECOND EXECUTIONER
[_To some other women as he points to the prisoners tied to stakes._] What, the second group there? Their turn will come very soon. The Chief Executioner has given us a few minutes' rest, and we've earned it well, haven't we? [_He hails a pedlar of drinks and orders one for himself._]
HABERDASHER [_Striking a small bell_]
All the latest styles in my stock!----Look, young women, look, young girls!
ONE TARTAR WOMAN [_To Another_]
Oh, I'm not one of those who take pleasure in seeing heads cut off----and, besides, the sight is always the same. No, it is their goddess whom I wish to see.
SECOND TARTAR WOMAN.
Their goddess?----their Empress?----Ah, and so do I. All of us want to see their goddess. She is the one who interests us the most.
THIRD TARTAR WOMAN
And do you suppose they will show her to you?
SECOND WOMAN
Why not? They are showing us all their generals and princes, and all the rest of them----Prisoners are made to be seen, that is why they were brought here to Peking.
THIRD WOMAN
Oh, yes, but she----it seems that while she was being brought here, she was treated with every consideration that could be shown to a queen. And the Emperor has had her placed in the Forbidden City, you know; in his very Palace indeed.
SECOND WOMAN
It is said that her eyes are so wonderful that ordinary people like us cannot meet their gaze.
JASMINE-FLOWER
Yes, and I should be afraid to look at her! A woman who has been dead--for she was dead for at least two moons, you know!
SECOND WOMAN
Jasmine Flower believes everything that is told her.
JASMINE
Why, every one knows that she was dead----For two moons, I tell you! She spent two moons in her grave.
FRUIT-VENDOR
Ay, ay, white as tallow, white as jade, new melon!
FIRST WOMAN
It is well known that bullets and grapeshot passed through her as through a ghost. [_Seeing a_ CAPTAIN _of the_ SOLDIERS, _who is standing near._] There, ask Lee-Phuang, who was there when she was taken. Isn't it true, Lee-Phuang?
LEE-PHUANG
Oh, yes, I was a witness myself. The bullets could not touch this goddess of theirs!
_Two subordinate_ OFFICERS
[_leading to the execution-ground a new group of Chinese prisoners, with hands tied behind them, among whom bringing up the rear, is the_ FAITHFUL PRINCE, _his garments all stained and torn._]
Make room, make room!
[_The prisoners pass along to join the others who are awaiting their turn to be beheaded at the foot of the wall._]
LEE-PHUANG. [_To the_ WOMEN _who questioned him_] You see the last one in the line, look at him, the one who walks with so haughty an air? He is the greatest chief of the Nanking rebels. His name is the Faithful Prince, he was the right hand of the Goddess in battle, he was always at her side.
HABERDASHER [_Striking his bell_]
All the latest styles in my stock! Look young women, have a look, young girls!