Many flowery speeches pass. Exit (L.), walking backwards.
the king expresses a desire for rest
before starting by the Moon of Taboung [4] for the Pagoda of Golden Flowers.
Exit meng beng (C.), an alcove of satin hangings which commands a view of the great hall.
The Crowd break up into groups. u. rai gyan thoo and moung pho mhin converse on the tendency of the King to interference in affairs of State; his extreme youth and delicacy of temperament; the pity that the marriage is to be so long delayed; the necessity to find him some distraction in the meantime.
Suddenly the tom-toms sound loudly. There is much movement. The moon rises over the sea. Torches flare as the attendants move to and fro in the gardens beyond.
The White Elephant of the King, with
its trappings of gold, is led to the entrance where, at a word, it sinks obediently to the ground.
the king appears. He has changed his gay apple-green dress to one of more sombre hue. He enters the howdah—the elephant rises—the procession starts. It consists of not fewer than two hundred persons, keeping in view of the audience until lost by a bend in the avenue.