EMPRESS
Happiness be with you, my faithful ones! May you live very long days!——[She descends. The FAITHFUL PRINCE and the WINGED PRINCE receive her at the foot of the steps.]
WINGED PRINCE
The flowers grow pale with envy at the approach of our Sovereign.
FAITHFUL PRINCE
Her presence doubles the brilliancy of the day.
FOUNT [In a whisper to the EMPEROR]
In truth, she is as beautiful as the pink peony.
EMPEROR
Say rather that the flower is all but as lovely as she.