[Footnote 1: It may be observed that the great wall is never once expressly mentioned through this drama. The expression used is PŽensih, the border, or frontier. The wall had existed two hundred years at this time, but the real frontier was beyond it.]
[Footnote 2: Or Saghalien, which falls into the sea of Ochotsk.]
[Footnote 3: Said to exist now and to be green all the year.]
~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 burnt out: hasten then to add some more. Though we cannot 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.] [1]
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?