Judith Gautier

“ I see you seated and all powerful, on the very Throne of the TARTAR EMPEROR; the immense empire, undivided and at peace, extending under your feet like a carpet of honour.
No! destiny cannot be cruel to you; before Your sacred presence, its weapons will be dashed to pieces. Do not the laws of Heaven and earth seem always to yield to certain superior beings? Do you remember the beautiful favourite, who formerly captivated one of your sovereign ancestors? ”

“ Nothing of myself belongs to me. Daughter of Heaven, Empress and Regent, I am claimed entirely by my more than human mission——Help me to triumph over the weaknesses which were the charm of life. Aid me to forget that there are flowers and pearls and perfumes, grant that I may lose consciousness of the fact that love is the only realm of woman, and beauty her true power. May my breast from henceforth be only the marble prison of my frozen heart! ”

“ EMPRESS
Ah! a Sovereign then, who has not the force wherewith to command obedience!——So others have told me that before——I still hate him with that ineradicable race-hatred which you know, to which now contempt is added. Oh, that Emperor who smokes opium in his mummy's palace, while his hordes of soldiers at their own free will go through the provinces, leaving red tracks behind and charnel-houses for the vultures! ”

“ EMPRESS [Taking the torch and addressing the SOLDIERS.] My well beloved soldiers, be assured that your Empress will soon follow you into the land of the Shades. She accepts your request that she should flee, only that she may try to avenge you. But if happier days smile upon the Bright Dynasty she will refuse to live them. Before you all, she takes this solemn vow; When once her relentless task is at an end, she will hasten to join you in the land of the Shades——Oh, victims that are more than men, oh, conquered ones that wear the halo of glory! ”

“ Like everyone of you here assembled, I dedicate my life to that sacred cause; but it suffices not to die without regret, we must fight to the last, we must defend ourselves with our final breath, that our death may be fruitful. To reconquer our country, to break the yoke which dishonours it, let us make our hearts fearless, our souls implacable. No pity nor mercy for the Tartar! May our heroic wrath never lessen, nor our holy hate be appeased.
Toward all other living men we know our duties: good will, compassion, charity. ”

“ EMPRESS
In triumph and glory may you come back to us soon! [She rises. THE CHILD descends from the throne, approaches the EMPRESS, and kneels in turn]
THE CHILD
Mother, tell me, I am not going for long, am I?
EMPRESS
[Stooping and embracing her son passionately]
No, my best beloved, no——only for a few days if the gods whom I implore will it so!——Have courage sweet little flower—— [To the NURSES] Now go!
[The NURSES lead away the little EMPEROR. He keeps his gaze fixed on his mother until he is out of sight.] ”

“ My departure from the Palace, which seemed so perilous—not an obstacle! You, my dear minister, enter your official palanquin, I was at your side in the costume of your Secretary! I smiled, you remember, like a schoolboy playing truant. My manner was so gay as to frighten you.——And your poor little secretary, your pupil, as dear to you as a son, consented to take my place in my bed with its funereal silk draperies, in that sepulchral chamber, railed and walled in again and again, where one stifles with the perfumes which are too sweet. ”

“ The great throne-room in the palace at Peking, entirely decorated in red and gold. The throne is in the middle of a dais, to which lead three staircases flanked by incense-burners and emblems. Pillars of red laquer support a lofty ceiling, on which are enormous writhing dragons among red clouds; the largest standing out so clearly that it looks ready to fall from heaven, holds in its jaws a golden orb, just above the throne. ”

“ In the guise of a serpent, the dragon has come to the phoenix to carry her off and to heap on her his treasures. But the phoenix has not understood. He flapped his wings and made his escape. Let her take shelter at present from the terrible storm which, all unwillingly, the dragon brings in his train.
EMPRESS
These words are more unfathomable than the dream.
ASTROLOGER
Yet thus the magic numbers have replied.
EMPRESS
Can you not illumine the darkness?
ASTROLOGER
The veil which covers the future may not be torn away. To raise one corner at the utmost is all that is allowed to us. ”

“ Oh! the rage which consumes the soul, when one is the Master and yet has no power! If I find death here, I shall be a thousand times happier for having come. All my unhappy existence down to the present has not been worth as much to me as these last few days of flight and travel, this rapture of escape, for a time, from that grey, silky web wherein I am a prisoner. Oh! to work, to work in the sunshine, to work like a man, to attempt some daring act, which, if I die, will at least remain behind to honour my memory. ”

“ EMPRESS
It is well. I will meditate upon these enigmas. Go in peace, noble old man.
ASTROLOGER
May propitious Heaven shower all its blessings on the Bright Dynasty!
[He retires. Day breaks, and flower-beds in the foreground, near the incline, come to view. They are flowers of Imperial yellow.]
EMPRESS [To her attendants]
For mercy's sake, for once in my life, leave me alone. I need no further attention. Go!
[The attendants leave and re-enter the Pavilion.]
SCENE III
THE EMPRESS [alone]
The EMPRESS [at the foot of the imperial stair, leaning on the marble banisters.] ”

“ The little EMPEROR of Nanking exchanges glances of recognition with the TARTAR EMPEROR. He shows him a Golden Dragon, which is hanging on a chain round his neck, while the TARTAR EMPEROR shows him the shuttlecock hidden under his robe. The EMPRESS, surprised, questions her son with a look. The child smiles mysteriously and moves closer to her. The TARTAR EMPEROR contemplates the EMPRESS for a few moments, then slowly prostrates himself. He rises, and the music ceases. ”

“ Your daughter has remained worthy of her race. Despite temptation more than human, she has kept her word. Open wide before the portals of death,—to receive her among you. [Smiling and quite gentle, she turns to the EMPEROR who is still kneeling.] And now that my mission is accomplished, approach me, sire. [She takes his hand gently, to indicate that he may rise and be seated.] For the second time in her life, the Empress invites you to be seated in her presence, as once before, over there, you remember, one morning in my palace which is now no more—— [She seats herself on the throne again.] ”

“ When the country was conquered by the Manchus of Tartary, the ancient dynasty of the Mings was forced to yield the throne to the Tzin invaders, but the Chinese nation never ceased to mourn the ancient dynasty nor to hope for its restoration. Revolution is therefore a permanent thing in China—a fire which smoulders eternally, breaking into flame in one province only to be smothered and blaze out again presently in another.
No doubt the Yellow Empire is too immense to permit of complete understanding among the revolutionaries, or of collective effort to break off the Tartar yoke. ”

“ In the Chinese Quarter the crowd will not betray you.
PRISONERS
We will follow your advice. May Heaven bestow its choicest blessings upon you!
[They bow and disperse. The GENERAL takes his sword, which he had stuck into the ground and slowly replaces it in its scabbard.]
THE CROWD
Death to the tigers! Ten thousand years to our Emperor!
[As the curtain is lowered the shouts of PEDLARS are heard.]
THE FLOWER-SELLER
Royal peonies, Lotus of all kinds, every flower of the season!
HABERDASHER
All the latest styles in my stock! Look, young women; have a look, young girls! ”

“ To flee, alas! yes. But to escape from the enemy, to deprive them of the prize of war——and thus their success will be but failure. Soon the blood of our heroes will inspire other heroes. A new army will rally to the cause of the Daughter of Heaven, and the war will begin again.
EMPRESS
And more blood will be spilt——and the ravaged country will people the realm of the shades——No, no, enough of death's——I fear to have my reign handed down as that of a fatal and murderous Sovereign. ”

“ Come, all dignitaries and great men of the Empire! Put perfumes in the censers, keep on amber! Sound the marble chimes, as for the gods. Pay homage to Your Empress! On your knees, all, before The Daughter of Heaven!——
[He kneels on the steps himself. The marble chimes are sounded. The brilliant crowd fills the throne-room, prostrating themselves before the dead.] ”

“ EMPRESS. [Indicating the bronze gate, barricaded by boards] No, open that gate. We still have time. For the last time, I desire that my palace be left as if I still had liberty and power——Open it. [The SOLDIERS hasten to take away the boards and open the two doors of the gateway.] All honour must be accorded the messenger of peace.
[The SOLDIERS kneel, the gong and the trumpets are sounded.] ”

“ 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 sovereign and doubly sovereign now, mistress of the destiny of China, arbiter of all. [The EMPRESS looks at him as though deeply hurt.] Mistress of the destiny of China, yes! Be not offended. I do not intend to speak of your power over the Emperor——But, defeated and captive, what does it matter? Are you not always the Daughter of the Mings? Hundreds of millions of hearts bear secret allegiance to you. The rebellion quelled to-day by my soldiers will break out afresh to-morrow, will always be renewed. ”

“ Oh! Daughter of Heaven, whom we swear to serve faithfully! To the end that you may accomplish the work of your deified ancestors, never forget the ten precepts which are the rule of conduct of all sovereigns. As they are engraved here on the precious jade, it is my privilege to read them to you this day in the hearing of all.
[Reading from a block of jade, which is handed to him.]
Fear Heaven.
Love the people.
Exalt the soul.
Cultivate the sciences.
Honour merit. ”

“ I plan out the future in my writings—prophetically, perhaps, but then I leave to the generations that are to come the duty of fulfilling my prophesies. You, Sire, are offering your own blood as a sacrifice to assuage unconquerable hate. The Immortal gods shall bow to you as to their equal: but those on whom you wish to heap your kindness will destroy you. ”

“ EMPRESS
Yes, I am ready——Only one instant, one last minute! [She conducts the little EMPEROR to the throne, on which she seats him.] Permit me to render to the Son of Heaven the homage which is his due. [She kneels.] May your life be happy and long, your reign peaceful and prosperous! [She bows three times.] May your dynasty endure eternally. ”

“ ARROW-BEARER
The young Emperor will be close to the brave mother who is to reign in his name. Reign, you know how! Reign in mystery, in anguish, faced by insurmountable difficulties——
GOLDEN LOTUS
How many hearts beat for Her, how many strong arms are ready to defend Her!
TRANQUIL BEAUTY
Have all the invited guests arrived at the Palace?
ARROW-BEARER
I believe so. The most powerful of all, the Viceroy of the South, has been lodged not far from here, in the Pavilion of Limpid Fountains. If the bushes were not so leafy you would be able to see the roof of his residence from your Pavilion. ”

“ Some day it shall drop anchor in a peaceful port, the Bright Dynasty shall be re-established for ever—and all our beloved dead, whose bodies are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the land, whose spirits abide in the clouds above, all our unnumbered dead shall then have their magnificent revenge and receive the reward of their martyrdom. ”

“ Two rival lives of fabled emperors, of deified heroes, growing feebler and feebler by centuries of slavery to rites and forms, prisoners in an excess of luxury; two dynasties that seemed doomed to an immortality of mummyhood, have by some miracle produced you and me, who are alive and young. As a result of our union, a new China might arise, living like us, to dominate the world. Together we might accomplish that holy mission for the well-being and happiness of our races, and the eternal glory of our two united names. ”

“ It is nightfall in the Imperial Citadel at Nanking, half battered-down by the TARTARS. Behind a huge wall with battlements are heard the sound of trumpets and the shouts of soldiers in the distance. At the back, to the left is a bronze gate, heavily boarded and surmounted by a black turret with a three-tiered angular roof. In the middle of the stage is a funeral pile of scaffolding and fagots. At the back, to the right, the crenellated wall continues; terraces are visible and in the far distance the outline of the palace stands out in relief against the sky, yellow in the setting sun. ”