Charles Henry Brewitt-Taylor

“ Kuo Ai, come near and hear my commands, for sweet it is to find a faithful minister and a dutiful son. Every great and good man is a defence to the throne. Your father in many a bloody battle proved his loyalty, and from of old the King has ever rewarded faith. I make you a Prince as well as your father; truly when one man is good all the world is bettered. You are now my son, husband of my daughter, and I will not question any shortcomings. ”

“ I hear the words of your son, and he is in the right. He has told me all, and my heart is glad that he knows the three-fold duty and the five-fold virtue. The extremest happiness of a faithful minister is to gain the approval of his lord, every blessing is his and every joy. Yesterday this saying was exemplified in you: to rejoice your age came seven sons and eight daughters, sons with wives and daughters with husbands. I do not wonder that your son’s heart was sad when he alone was unable to lead in his wife. Brother, return to your palace, your son and the Princess shall settle the rest. ”

“ Here I give you Imperial presents which you will convey to your father-in-law. Retire.
Princess. My father gives me his commands, though sore against my heart I must obey. My husband is not even reprimanded. Slaves, prepare my chariot to proceed to the Kuo Palace. Alas! without an Imperial command I can return hither no more. (Exit.)
Emperor. It was hard to punish Kuo Ai, to snatch her youthful husband from my daughter’s side, hence I ignored the crime and paid him honour.
Eunuchs. Attention!
Emperor. I have heaped benefits upon father and son, and they will be true to me. ”