PEARL
All of a tremble, we watched him from afar——
TRANQUIL BEAUTY
His eyes radiated noble love.
CINNAMON
Yet your Majesty, always so gentle to us, seemed very haughty towards him.
EMPRESS. [Without replying, dreamily repeats the Coronation admonition.] Be attentive and anxious as if you carried a vase filled to the brim with water, of which not a drop must be spilled.
The WATCHMAN [From the height of the turret over the gate] The torches of their vanguard can be seen at the corner of the Avenue of the East——The sound of their artillery-wagons can be faintly heard——
EMPRESS
Already at the corner of the Avenue of the East!——Death is flying to us on wings [She takes the cup full of poison which CINNAMON had hidden behind a stone] The hour has come!——[To the LADIES-IN-WAITING around her, pointing to the pyre.] As soon as the potion has accomplished its work, you will place me there, and when the flame mounts higher and clearer, then your service to your Empress will be terminated, you will empty the golden flask, to follow me. [She puts down the cup of poison which she was about to raise to her lips.] Faithful Prince, I wish to say good-bye to him——Call him.