The approaches to the walls have been abandoned. Perchance they may permit us to live until to-night has ended.
EMPRESS
And the rest of the city, the western citadels?
WAN-TSI
Are in the hands of the Tartars. All alike!——This cast off uniform of some enemy saved me——In the streets they are burning, killing, and murdering. Several thousand women have succeeded in throwing themselves into the river——The others have been outraged, and strangled at the same time. Blood flows along the pavement in streams like the water of Heaven after a storm. Every gutter discharges itself in the river like a great red fan. Down the whole length of the street corpses are to be seen, their bodies still warm, pouring blood through the gashes in their throats—— Noble Sovereign, on my way I climbed over thousands of dead bodies, my feet became entangled in their long hair trailing from the several heads——Oh Majesty, it is the end. [He kneels again.] And now forgive me for being the messenger of misfortune.
EMPRESS
My brave and faithful messenger, I thank you! Arise, I told you, and take your place among my last remaining soldiers——
[WAN-TSI rises and takes his place among the soldiers, who still continue to add fuel to the fire. To CINNAMON, pointing to the flask and the golden cup.]
Cinnamon, the hour has come.
CINNAMON