Sovereign, what if I now were to implore your pardon——the right to remain here and die at your side?
EMPRESS
I grant the honour of dying at the side of the Empress, only to those brave men—who are of my race, do you understand?——and who have spilled their blood to defend me. Go, my lord, I have commanded you.
[Coming toward him, speaking very low and quickly, like a desperate woman.] One more word, however——My son, who is still in the keeping of the army of the South——My son——since you seem to dare all and to have all power will you try to save him?——But no——when it is the mother who speaks in me I can no longer reason——To attempt that would mean to be a traitor to the master whom you serve——
EMPEROR
I serve no master, I am above treason, free as the gods, and answerable to my own conscience only. I will try——I will live to try.
EMPRESS
Do so, and be this your reward——Later, among the clouds, where all the dead meet and are at peace——my shades shall not be hostile to yours——Now go, my lord, our last moments are necessary to us——[To FAITHFUL PRINCE, making a sign to him to conduct the TARTAR EMPEROR.] Prince, the audience is at an end.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
[To the EMPEROR, who hesitates, as if on the point of making a decisive revelation] Go, my lord. You have heard our sovereign dismiss you.