My friends, listen to wise advice. Do not remain long in this accursed place. All around the mighty Dragon who has freed you, wild beasts are shrieking, exasperated because they have lost their prey.——Go at once, do not lose a moment. But do not escape by way of the country, you would be too easily found. Disperse and wander through the great city. In the Chinese Quarter the crowd will not betray you.
PRISONERS
We will follow your advice. May Heaven bestow its choicest blessings upon you!
[They bow and disperse. The GENERAL takes his sword, which he had stuck into the ground and slowly replaces it in its scabbard.]
THE CROWD
Death to the tigers! Ten thousand years to our Emperor!
[As the curtain is lowered the shouts of PEDLARS are heard.]
THE FLOWER-SELLER
Royal peonies, Lotus of all kinds, every flower of the season!
HABERDASHER