FAITHFUL PRINCE [To the GUARDS]
An escort of five hundred men, well chosen and fully armed.
[Exit The GUARD]
[To WINGED PRINCE.]
Prince, you will accompany the Emperor, and as soon as he is in safety you will return to take your place here among us.
WINGED PRINCE
I shall prove myself worthy of your trust, my preparations will be brief. [He goes out.]
To your posts now, noble defenders of the Son of Heaven. We are always ready for war, I know it But let us make ourselves still stronger. Let us brace up our courage, let us prepare our hearts——Let messengers be sent out at once to discover exactly the position and importance of the army which is marching against us. [The EMPRESS gives a signal] You may take your leave.
[The SOLDIERS go out one after another, with a genuflection.]
EMPRESS [To THE CHILD]
I gaze upon you to engrave on my memory your adorable features. I fill my eyes with them, just as if I did not already know every detail, every line; but they are going from me——I would wish to have them carved in marble, and memory is as unstable as water.