SCENE III.

_The same, the_ CROWD, _then an_ OFFICER.

[_For the last few minutes the_ Crowd _has been protesting more violently against the slaughter. As a new group of prisoners is brought to the place, the protest becomes more insistent._]

THE CROWD

Enough! enough!

A VOICE

The Ministers of the Empire are a set of butchers!

A MAN [_Raising himself on the shoulders of his neighbours_]

Enough, enough! Death to the tigers!

FAITHFUL PRINCE [_In the tent, seeing the_ TARTAR GENERAL _rise._] No doubt my time has come.

TARTAR GENERAL

No! No! Remain where you are, we shall be told.

ANOTHER MAN

Yes, death to the tigers!

[_He leans over and dips the end of his girdle into the blood_] I am going to write it on this wall. Death to the tigers!

[_He gets up on a stone, and begins to trace some characters with the end of his girdle. The_ GENERAL _comes out of the tent._]

AN OFFICER

Some men here at once!----Disperse this insolent crowd!----Arrest the man who is writing.

TARTAR GENERAL [_Advancing quickly_]

Who dares to give orders without my consent?

THE OFFICER

My lord, when a riot is beginning, is it not my duty?

TARTAR GENERAL

You have no other duty than to obey. [_With a gesture he dismisses the_ SOLDIERS, _who have advanced to seize the man._] The executioners must be tired. Let their chief give them leave to rest again.

OFFICER

For how many minutes?

TARTAR GENERAL

As long as my sword shall remain fixed here.

[_He plunges his sword into the ground._]

FAITHFUL PRINCE

[_In a whisper to the General._] Take care, my generous enemy. Perhaps it may be thought that you are afraid.

TARTAR GENERAL

Of the living, no!----But of spectres, yes, it is true; I am afraid of spectres.

[_They enter the tent together. The crowd, whose excitement is increasing, moves away from the execution-ground, thereby giving a full view of the headless bodies which are lying on the ground, and of the pools of blood. The street-sellers re-commence their cries and their music._]

FLOWER-VENDOR

Royal peonies, lotus of all kinds, every flower of the season.

TARTAR GENERAL [_In his tent, to_ FAITHFUL PRINCE]

You see, I am compromising myself like the hero of your legend, and yet no temple will be raised in my honour.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

But you do not hope to save those of my men who are still alive?

General

Who knows, as long as their heads are on their shoulders?----You heard the noise outside?-----The angry crowd grew greater and greater. A short riot has often delivered many victims. I may be compelled to yield. Heaven grant it!

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Your noble generosity encourages me to ask a favour of you.

TARTAR GENERAL

It will be a great joy to me to grant it.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

Before taking my place against that bloody wall, I would greatly desire to have one hour's freedom, on my word of honour----

TARTAR GENERAL

The word of a man such as you are is stronger than a chain of iron on his feet, or a canque of cedar wood about his shoulders----an hour, yes! Even an hour and a half, we can wait----The use which you wish to make of it perhaps I can imagine. You dream of seeing again your adored Empress----There, alas! I am unable to aid you. May the gods come to your assistance!----[_Offering him a robe embroidered in gold, which is hanging from the tent-pole._] One thing alone I can do for you. Consent to wear one of my robes. It will be a safeguard for you.

FAITHFUL PRINCE

How could I dare?

TARTAR GENERAL

I beseech you----This garment will be to me the more precious because it has protected you [_He passes the robe to_ FAITHFUL PRINCE, _who no longer protests, then he raises a curtain at the back to the tent._] Go that way, Prince!----

[FAITHFUL PRINCE _goes out._]