FOUNT

You are like the sacred lyre, whose strings vibrate at the slightest inspiration.


SCENE VIII

The EMPEROR and FOUNT-IN-THE-FOREST, the little EMPEROR of Nanking,—a child of seven or eight years, who enters playing with a shuttlecock in the Chinese fashion, with graceful movements. Some Royal nurses follow him, two serving-men remain at the back.

FIRST NURSE [trying to take the shuttlecock away]

Sire, take care not to overheat yourself.

CHILD

No! no! give it back to me; I want to play some more.

SECOND NURSE [Respectfully approaching the TARTAR EMPEROR]