EMPRESS [To ARROW-BEARER and GOLDEN LOTUS]
Alas, poor lovers without a to-morrow, here is the marriage gift from your Empress. [She pours out some poison into her golden cup and gives it to them.] Farewell, may you be united in the clouds. [To FAITHFUL PRINCE] Let us go, Prince, show me the way. I am ready.
The CHIEF of the SOLDIERS [advancing to FAITHFUL PRINCE.]
Prince, speak for us.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
Your Majesty, your soldiers ask one more favour of you.
EMPRESS
Is it then in my power still to do aught for them? All, all that they ask I will give.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
You desired to know why they were piling so much wood on the fire. It was for themselves. They want to die before the entrance of the Tartars, and this is the last request that they make, that you will set the torch to their funeral pile.