Ah, how much bloodshed have we seen in the past three centuries! It is a stream purple with blood, on which floats the vessel freighted with our noble hopes! It tosses about, it battles with the tempest, this vessel with the reddened timbers, but it cannot suffer shipwreck, for it stands for justice and right. Some day it shall drop anchor in a peaceful port, the Bright Dynasty shall be re-established for ever—and all our beloved dead, whose bodies are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the land, whose spirits abide in the clouds above, all our unnumbered dead shall then have their magnificent revenge and receive the reward of their martyrdom.
Like everyone of you here assembled, I dedicate my life to that sacred cause; but it suffices not to die without regret, we must fight to the last, we must defend ourselves with our final breath, that our death may be fruitful. To reconquer our country, to break the yoke which dishonours it, let us make our hearts fearless, our souls implacable. No pity nor mercy for the Tartar! May our heroic wrath never lessen, nor our holy hate be appeased.
Toward all other living men we know our duties: good will, compassion, charity. Whoever these men may be, whether they come from the north or the south, or from the covetous west, to all who shall call themselves our friends, let us extend a brotherly hand in accordance with that immemorial tradition, which only our invaders have violated.
I swear to you, oh, shades of my ancestors, and to you, all my well beloved subjects, I swear to keep severe watch upon myself, to take good care that I am not remiss in any of my duties, I swear to be attentive and anxious, as though I carried in my hands a chalice filled to the brim with water, of which not one drop must be spilled. I swear to hold my head high against the threats of the future, to submit with resignation to cruel fate, and not even to move an eye-lash if the sword be lifted against me.
[She resumes her seat upon the Throne.]
ALL
Ten thousand years!
Ten thousand years!
[The music recommences at the back. At a sign from the Master of Ceremonies, the Mandarins leave their places and arrange themselves in several lines at the foot of the Throne.]
TWO HERALDS