PROLOGUE
Enter Hanchenyu, K'han of the Tartars, reciting four verses.
Khan. The autumnal gale blows wildly through the grass, amidst our
woolen tents. And the moon of night, shining on the rude huts, hears the lament of the
mournful pipe: The countless hosts, with their bended horns, obey me as their leader.
Our tribes are ten distinguished friends of the family of Han. I am Hanchenyu, the old
inhabitant of the sandy waste; the sole ruler of the northern regions. The wild chase is
our trade; battle and conquest our chief occupation. The Emperor Wunwong retired before
our Eastern tribes; Weikeang trembled at us, and sued for our friendship. The ancient
title of our chiefs has in the course of time been changed to that which I now bear. When
the two races of Ch'in and Han contended in battle, and filled the empire with tumult, our
tribes were in full power: numberless was the host of armed warriors with their bended
horns. For seven days my ancestor hemmed in with his forces the Emperor Kaoute; until, by
the contrivance of the minister, a treaty was concluded, and the Princesses of China were
yielded in marriage to our K'hans. Since the time of Hoeyte and the Empress Leuhow, each
successive generation has adhered to the established rule, and sought our alliance with
its daughters. In the reign of the late Emperor Seuente, my brothers contended with myself
for the rule of our nation, and its power was weakened until the tribes elected me as
their chief. I am a real descendant of the empire of Han. I command a hundred thousand
armed warriors. We have moved to the South, and approached the border, claiming an
alliance with the Imperial race. Yesterday I dispatched an envoy with tributary presents
to demand a princess in marriage; but know not if the Emperor will ratify the engagement
with the customary oaths. The fineness of the season has drawn away our chiefs on a
hunting excursion amidst the sandy steppes. May they meet with success, for we Tartars
have no fields---our bows and arrows are our sole means of subsistence.
Enter Minister of Han, reciting verses.
Minister. Let a man have the heart of a kite, and the talons of an
eagle. Let him deceive his superiors, and oppress those below him; Let him enlist
flattery, insinuation, profligacy, and avarice on his side, And he will find them a
lasting assistance through life. I am no other than Maouyenshow, a minister of the
sovereign of Han. By a hundred arts of specious flattery and address I have deceived the
Emperor, until he places his whole delight in me alone. My words he listens to; and he
follows my counsel. Within the precincts of the palace, as without them, who is there but
bows before me---who is there but trembles at my approach? But observe the chief art which
I have learned: It is this: to persuade the Emperor to keep aloof from his wise
counselors, and seek all his pleasures amidst the women of his palace. Thus it is that I
strengthen my power and greatness. But, in the midst of my lucubrations---Here comes the
Emperor.
Enter Emperor Yuente attended by Eunuchs and Women.
Emperor. [recites verses]. During the ten generations that have
succeeded our acquisition of Empire, my race has alone possessed the four hundred
districts of the world. Long have the frontiers been bound in tranquillity by the ties of
mutual oaths. And our pillow has been undisturbed by grief or anxiety. Behold in us the
Emperor Yuente, of the race of Han. Our ancestor Kaoute emerged from a private station,
and raised his family by extinguishing the dynasty of Ch'in, and slaughtering their race.
Ten generations have passed away since he left this inheritance to us. The four boundaries
of the empire have been tranquil; the eight regions at rest! But not through our personal
merits; we have wholly depended on the exertions of our civil and military rulers. On the
demise of our late father, the female inmates of the palace were all dispersed, and our
harem is now solitary and untenanted; but how shall this be endured!
Minister. Consider, sir, that even the thriving husbandman may desire
to change his partner; then why not your Majesty, whose title is the Law of Heaven, whose
possessions are the whole world! May I advise that commissioners be dispatched to search
throughout the empire for all of whatever rank that is most beautiful between the ages of
fifteen and twenty, for the peopling of the inner palace.
Emperor. You say well. We appoint you at once our minister of
selection, and will invest you with a written authority. Search diligently through our
realms; and when you have selected the most worthy, let us be provided with portraits of
each, as a means of fixing our choice. By the merits of your services, you may supply us
with an occasion of rewarding you on your return. [Exeunt.]
ACT FIRST
Minister. [repeats verses]. The huge ingots of yellow gold I
appropriate to myself. I heed not the seas of blood which flow by
perverting the laws. During life I am determined to have abundance of riches; what care I
for the curses of mankind after my death? Having received the Emperor's commission to
search far and wide for the most beautiful damsels, I have fixed upon ninety and nine.
Their families were glad to invite my selection by rich gifts, and the treasure that I
have amassed is not small. On arriving yesterday at a district pertaining to Chingtoo
city, I met with a maiden, daughter of one Wongehang. The brightness of her charms was
piercing as an arrow. She was perfectly beautiful---and doubtless unparalleled in the
whole empire. But, unfortunately, her father is a cultivator of the land, not possessed of
much wealth. When I insisted on a hundred ounces of gold to secure her being the chief
object of the Imperial choice, they first pleaded their poverty---and then, relying on her
extraordinary beauty, rejected my offers altogether. I therefore left them.
[Considers awhile.]
But no!--- I have a better plan.
[He knits his brows and matures his scheme.]
I will disfigure her portrait in such a manner that when it reaches the Emperor it
shall secure her being doomed to neglected seclusion. Thus I shall contrive to make her
unhappy for life.---Base is the man who delights not in revenge! [Exit.
Night.---Enter the Lady Chaoukeun, with two female attendants.
Chaoukeun. [recites verses]. Though raised to be an inhabitant
of the Imperial dwelling I have long been here without the good fortune to see my prince.
This beautiful night must I pass in lonely solitude, with no companion but my lute to
solace my retirement. I am a native of Chingtoo city; and my father's occupation is
husbandry. My mother dreamed on the day I was born that the light of the moon shone on her
bosom, but was soon cast low to the earth. I was just eighteen years of age when chosen as
an inhabitant of the Imperial palace; but the minister Maouyenshow, disappointed in the
treasure which he demanded on my account, disfigured my portrait in such a manner as to
keep me out of the Emperor's presence; and now I live in neglected solitude. While at
home, I learned a little music, and could play a few airs on the lute. Thus sorrowing in
the stillness of midnight, let me practise one of my songs to dispel my griefs. [Begins
to play on the lute.]
Enter Emperor, attended by a Eunuch, carrying a light.
Emperor. Since the beauties were selected to grace our palace, we have
not yet discovered a worthy object on whom to fix our preference. Vexed and disappointed,
we pass this day of leisure roaming in search of her who may be destined for our Imperial
choice. [Hears the lute.] Is not that some lady's lute?
Attendant. It is.---I hasten to advise her of your Majesty's approach.
Emperor. No, hold! Keeper of the yellow gate, discover to what part of
our palace that lady pertains; and bid her approach our presence; but beware lest you
alarm her.
Attendant. [approaches in the direction of the sound, and speaks].
What lady plays there? The Emperor comes! Approach to meet him. [Lady Advances.
Emperor. Keeper of the yellow gate, see that the light burns brightly
within your gauze lamp, and hold it nearer to us.
Lady. [approaching]. Had your handmaid but known it was your
Majesty, she would have been less tardy; forgive, then, this delay.
Emperor. Truly this is a very perfect beauty! From what quarter come
such superior charms?
Lady. My name is Chaoukeun: my father cultivates at Chingtoo the
fields which he has derived from his family. Born in an humble station, I am ignorant of
the manners that befit a palace.
Emperor. But with such uncommon attractions, what chance has kept you
from our sight?
Lady. When I was chosen by the minister Maouyenshow, he demanded of my
father an amount of treasure which our poverty could not supply; he therefore disfigured
my portrait, by representing a scar under the eyes, and caused me to be consigned to
seclusion and neglect.
Emperor. Keeper of the yellow gate, bring us that picture, that we may
view it. [Sees the picture.] Ah, how has he dimmed the purity of the gem, bright as
the waves in autumn. [To the attendant.] Transmit our pleasure to the officer of
the guard, to behead Maouyenshow and report to us his execution.
Lady. My parents, sir, are subject to the tax in our native district.
Let me entreat your Majesty to remit their contributions and extend favor toward them!
Emperor. That shall readily be done. Approach and hear ur Imperial
pleasure. We create you a Princess of our palace.
Lady. How unworthy is your handmaid of such gracious distinction! [Goes
through the form of returning thanks.] Early to-morrow I attend your Majesty's
commands in this place. The Emperor is gone: let the attendants close the doors: I will
retire to rest. [Exit.
ACT SECOND
Enter K'han of the Tartars, at the head of his Tribes.
Khan. I lately sent an envoy to the sovereign of Han, with the demand
of a princess in marriage; but the Emperor has returned a refusal, under the plea that the
princess is yet too young. This answer gives me great trouble. Had he not plenty of ladies
in his palace, of whom he might have sent me one? The difference was of little
consequence. Let me recall my envoy with all speed, for I must invade the South with our
forces. And yet I am unwilling to break a truce of so many years' standing! We must see
how matters turn out, and be guided by the event.
Enter Minister of Han.
Minister. The severity with which I extorted money, in the selection
of beauties for the palace, led me to disfigure the picture of Chaoukeun, and consign her
to neglected seclusion. But the Emperor fell in with her, obtained the truth, and
condemned me to lose my head. I contrived to make my escape---though I have no home to
receive me. I will take this true portrait of Chaoukeun and show it to the Tartar Khan,
persuading him to demand her from the Emperor, who will no doubt be obliged to yield her
up. A long journey has brought me to this spot, and from the troops of men and horses
I conclude I have reached the Tartar camp. [Addresses himself to somebody.]
Leader, inform King Hanchenyu that a great minister of the empire of Han is come to wait
on him.
Khan. [on being informed]. Command him to approach. [Seeing
Maouyenshow.] What person are you?
Minister. I am a minister of Han. In the western palace of the Emperor
is a lady, named Chaoukeun, of rare and surpassing charms. When your envoy, great king,
came to demand a princess, this lady would have answered the summons, but the Emperor of
Han could not bring himself to part with her, and refused to yield her up. I repeatedly
renewed my bitter reproaches, and asked how he could bear, for the sake of a woman's
beauty, to implicate the welfare of two nations. For this the Emperor would have beheaded
me; and I therefore escaped with the portrait of the lady, which I present, great king, to
yourself. Should you send away an envoy with the picture to demand her, she must certainly
be delivered up. Here is the portrait. [Hands it up.
Khan. Whence could so beautiful a female have appeared in the world!?
If I can only obtain her, my wishes are complete. Immediately shall an envoy be
dispatched, and my ministers prepare a letter to the Emperor of Han, demanding her in
marriage as the condition of peace. Should he refuse, I will presently invade the South:
his hills and rivers shall be exposed to ravage. Our warriors will commence by hunting, as
they proceed on their way; and thus gradually entering the frontiers, I shall be ready to
act as may best suit the occasion. [Exit.
The Palace of Han. Enter lady, attended by females.
Princess. A long period has elapsed since I had to thank his Majesty
for his choice. The Emperor's fondness for me is so great, that he has still neglected to
hold a court. I hear he is now gone to the hall of audience, and will therefore ornament
myself at my toilet and be ready to wait on him at his return. [Stands opposite a
mirror.
Enter Emperor.
Emperor. Since we first met with Chaoukeun in the western palace, we
have been as it were deranged and intoxicated; a long interval has elapsed since we held a
court; and on entering the hall of audience this day, we waited not until the assembly had
dispersed, but returned hither to obtain a sight of her. [Perceiving the Princess.]
Let us not alarm her, but observe in secret what she is doing. [Comes close behind and
looks over her.] Reflected in that round mirror, she resembles the Lady in the Moon.
Enter President, and an Officer in waiting.
President. [recites verses]. Ministers should devote themselves
to the regulation of the empire; They should be occupied with public cares in the hall of
government. But they do naught but attend at the banquets in the palace. When have they
employed a single day in the service of their prince?
This day, when the audience was concluded, an envoy arrived from the Tartars to demand
Chaoukeun in marriage, as the only condition of peace. It is my duty to report this to his
Majesty, who has retired to his western palace. Here I must enter. [Perceiving the
Emperor.] I report to your Majesty that Hanchenyu, the leader of the northern
foreigners, sends an envoy to declare that Maouyenshow has presented to him the portrait
of the princess, and that he demands her in marriage as the only condition of peace. If
refused, he will invade the South with a great power, and our rivers and hills will be
exposed to rapine.
Emperor. In vain do we maintain and send forth armies; vain are the
crowds of civil and military officers about our palace! Which of them will drive back for
us these foreign troops? They are all afraid of the Tartar swords and arrows! But if they
can not exert themselves to expel the barbarians, why call for the princess to propitiate
them?
President. The foreigners say that through your Majesty's devoted
fondness for the princess, the affairs of your empire are falling into ruin. They declare
that if the government does not yield her up, they will put their army in motion, and
subdue the country. Your servant reflects, that Chow-wong [Last Emperor of the Shang
Dynasty] who lost his empire and life entirely through his blind devotion to Takee, is a
fit example to warn your Majesty. Our army is weak, and needs the talents of a fit
general. Should we oppose the Tartars, and be defeated, what will remain to us? Let your
Majesty give up your fondness for the princess, to save your people.
Officer. The envoy waits without for an audience.
Emperor. Well; command that he approach us.
Enter Envoy.
Envoy. Hanchenyu, K'han of the Tartars, sends me, his minister, to
state before the great Sovereign of Han that the Northern tribes and the Southern empire
have long been bound in peace by mutual alliances; but that envoys being twice sent to
demand a princess, his requisitions have been refused. The late minister, Maouyenshow,
took with him the portrait of a beautiful lady, and presented it to the K'han, who now
sends me, his envoy, on purpose to demand the Lady Chaoukeun, and no other, as the only
condition of peace between the two nations. Should your Majesty refuse, the K'han has a
countless army of brave warriors, and will forthwith invade the South to try the chances
of war. I trust your Majesty will not err in your decision.
Emperor. The envoy may retire to repose himself in his lodging. [Exit
the Envoy.] Let our civil and military officers consult, and report to us the best
mode of causing the foreign troops to retire, without yielding up the princess to
propitiate them. They take advantage of the compliant softness of her temper. Were the
Empress Leuhow alive--let her utter a word---which of them would dare to be of a different
opinion? It would seem that, for the future, instead of men for ministers, we need only
have fair women to keep our empire in peace.
Princess. In return for your Majesty's bounties, it is your handmaid's
duty to brave death to serve you. I can cheerfully enter into this foreign alliance, for
the sake of producing peace, and shall leave behind me a name still green in
history.---But my affection for your Majesty, how am I to lay aside!
Emperor. Alas, I know too well that I can do no more than yourself!
President. I entreat your Majesty to sacrifice your love, and think of
the security of your Dynasty. Hasten, sir, to send the princess on her way!
Emperor. Let her this day advance a stage on her journey, and be
presented to the envoy. To-morrow we will repair as far as the bridge of Pahling, and give
her a parting feast.
President. Alas! Sir, this may not be! It will draw on us the contempt
of these barbarians.
Emperor. We have complied with all our minister's propositions---shall
they not, then, accede to ours? Be it as it may, we will witness her departure---and then
return home to hate the traitor Maouyenshow!
President. Unwillingly we advise that the princess be sacrificed for
the sake of peace; but the envoy is instructed to insist upon her alone---and from ancient
times, how often hath a nation suffered for a woman's beauty!
Princess. Though I go into exile for the nation's good, yet ill can I
bear to part from your Majesty! [Exeunt.
ACT THIRD
Enter Envoy, escorting the Princess, with a band of music.
Princess. Thus was I, in spite of the treachery of Maouyenshow, who
disfigured my portrait, seen and exalted by his Majesty; but the traitor presented a truer
likeness to the Tartar king, who comes at the head of an army to demand me, with a threat
of seizing the country. There is no remedy---I must be yielded up to propitiate the
invaders! How shall I bear the rigors---the winds and frosts of that foreign land! It has
been said of old that "surpassing beauty is often coupled with an unhappy fate."
Let me grieve, then, without entertaining fruitless resentment at the effects of my own
attractions.
Enter Emperor, attended by his several officers.
Emperor. This day we take leave of the princess at Pahling bridge! [To
his ministers.] Can ye not devise a way to send out these foreign troops, without
yielding up the princess for the sake of peace? [Descends from his horse and seems to
grieve with Chaoukeun.] Let our attendants delay awhile, till we have conferred the
parting cup.
Envoy. Lady, let us urge you to proceed on your way---the sky darkens,
and night is coming on.
Princess. Alas! when shall I again behold your Majesty? I will take
off my robes of distinction and leave them behind me. Today in the palace of
Han---tomorrow I shall be espoused to a stranger. I cease to wear these splendid
vestments---they shall no longer adorn my beauty in the eyes of men.
Envoy. Again let us urge you, princess, to depart; we have delayed but
too long already!
Emperor. 'Tis done!---Princess, when you are gone, let your thoughts
forbear to dwell with sorrow and resentment upon us! [They part.] And am I the
great Monarch of the line of Han?
President. Let your Majesty cease to dwell with such grief upon this
subject!
Emperor. She is gone! In vain have we maintained those armed heroes on
the frontier. Mention but swords and spears, and they tremble at their hearts like a young
deer. The princess has this day performed what belonged to themselves: and yet they affect
the semblance of men!
President. Your Majesty is entreated to return to the palace: dwell
not so bitterly, Sir, on her memory: allow her to depart!
Emperor. Did I not think of her, I had a heart of iron---a heart of
iron! The tears of my grief stream in a thousand channels---this evening shall her
likeness be suspended in the palace, where I will sacrifice to it---and tapers with their
silver lights shall illuminate her chamber.
President. Let your Majesty return to the palace---the princess is
already far distant! [Exeunt.
The Tartar Camp. Enter K'han at the head of his tribes, leading in the Princess.
Khan. The Emperor of Han having now, in observance of old treaties,
yielded up to me the Lady Chaoukeun in marriage, I take her as my rightful queen. The two
nations shall enjoy the benefits of peace. [To his generals.] Leaders, transmit my
commands to the army to strike our encampment, and proceed to the north. [They march.
The river Amur. Tartar army on its march.
Princess. What place is this?
Envoy. It is the River of the Black Dragon, the frontier of the Tartar
territories and those of China. This southern shore is the Emperor's; on the northern side
commences our Tartar dominion.
Princess. [to the Khan]. Great King, I take a cup of wine, and pour a libation
toward the South---my last farewell to the Emperor---[pours the libation] of Han,
this life is finished. I await thee in the next!
[Throws herself into the river. The Khan, in great consternation, endeavors to save
her, but in vain.]
Khan. Alas! alas!----so determined was her purpose against this
foreign alliance---she has thrown herself into the stream, and perished! 'Tis done, and
remediless! Let her sepulcher be on this river's bank, and be it called "the verdant
tomb." She is no more; and vain has been our enmity with the dynasty of Han! The
traitor Maouyenshow was the author of all this misery. [To an officer.] Take
Maouyenshow and let him be delivered over to the Emperor for punishment. I will return to
our former friendship with the dynasty of Han. We will renew and long preserve the
sentiments of relationship. The traitor disfigured the portrait to injure Chaoukeun---then
deserted his sovereign, and stole over to me, whom he prevailed on to demand the lady in
marriage. How little did I think that she would thus precipitate herself into the stream,
and perish!---In vain did my spirit melt at the sight of her! But if I detained this
profligate and traitorous rebel, he would certainly prove to us a root of misfortune: it
is better to deliver him for his reward to the Emperor of Han, with whom I will renew, and
long retain, our old feelings of friendship and amity. [Exeunt.
ACT FOURTH
Enter Emperor, with an attendant.
Emperor. Since the princess was yielded to the Tartars we have not
held an audience. The lonely silence of night but increases our melancholy! We take the
picture of that fair one and suspend it here, as some small solace to our griefs. [To
the attendant.] Keeper of the yellow gate, behold, the incense in yonder vase is
burned out: hasten then to add some more. Though we can not see her, we may at least
retain this shadow; and, while life remains, betoken our regard. But oppressed and weary,
we would fain take a little repose.
[Lies down to sleep. The Princess appears before him in a vision.]
Princess. Delivered over as a captive to appease the barbarians, they
would have conveyed me to their Northern country: but I took an occasion to elude them and
have escaped back. Is not this the Emperor, my sovereign? Sir, behold me again restored.
[A Tartar soldier appears in the vision.]
Soldier. While I chanced to sleep, the lady, our captive, has made her
escape, and returned home. In eager pursuit of her, I have reached the imperial
palace.---Is not this she?
[Carries her off. The Emperor starts from his sleep.]
Emperor. We just saw the Princess returned---but alas, how quickly has
she vanished! In bright day she answered not to our call---but when morning dawned on our
troubled sleep, a vision presented her in this spot. [Hears the wild fowl's cry.]
Hark, the passing fowl screamed twice or thrice!---Can it know there is no one so desolate
as I? [Cries repeated.] Perhaps worn out and weak, hungry and emaciated, they
bewail at once the broad nets of the South and the tough bows of the North. [Cries
repeated.] The screams of those water-birds but increase our melancholy.
Attendant. Let your Majesty cease this sorrow, and have some regard to
your sacred person.
Emperor. My sorrows are beyond control. Cease to upbraid this excess
of feeling, since ye are all subject to the same. Yon doleful cry is not the note of the
swallow on the carved rafters, nor the song of the variegated bird upon the blossoming
tree. The princess has abandoned her home! Know ye in what place she grieves, listening
like me to the screams of the wild bird?
Enter President.
President. This day after the close of the morning council, a foreign
envoy appeared, bringing with him the fettered traitor Maouyenshow. He announces that the
renegade, by deserting his allegiance, led to the breach of truce, and occasioned all
these calamities. The princess is no more! and the Khan wishes for peace and friendship
between the two nations. The envoy attends, with reverence, your imperial decision.
Emperor. Then strike off the traitor's head, and be it presented as an
offering to the shade of the princess! Let a fit banquet be got ready for the envoy,
preparatory to his return. [Recites these verses:
At the fall of the leaf, when the wild fowl's cry was heard in the
recesses of the palace,
Sad dreams returned to our lonely pillow; we thought of her through the night:
Her verdant tomb remains---but where shall we seek herself?
The perfidious painter's head shall atone for the beauty which he wronged.
THE END
