It shall be as you command, dear lord——Be sure I will return to you.
[She goes to the assistance of the other wounded, followed by the gaze of the dying ARROW-BEARER. The soldiers in the foreground add beams, fagots, and branches to the funeral pile. A tumult is heard to the right, in the wings, where more soldiers come on.]
EMPRESS
Who is there?
CAPTAIN OF SOLDIERS
It is our envoy Wan-tsi who has succeeded in approaching our walls and will bring us the news from without. We have thrown down the rope-ladder to him, and here he is.
EMPRESS
Ah!——Let him come. [To the soldiers who stand behind her and are adding to the fire.] Rest awhile my friends! There is more than enough now to consume my body——Why do you make the fire so large?
CAPTAIN
Why do we want so large a fire?——Faithful Prince will tell your Majesty, when he presents our last request.