What lady plays there? The Emperor comes! approach to meet
him. [_Lady advances_.
EMPEROR. Keeper of the yellow gate, see that the light burns
brightly within your gauze [2] lamp, and hold it nearer to us.
LADY _[approaching_]. Had your handmaid but known it was
your Majesty, she would have been less tardy; forgive, then, this
delay.
EMPEROR. Truly this is a very perfect beauty! From what
quarter come such superior charms?
LADY. My name is Chaoukeun: my father cultivates at Chingtoo
the fields which he has derived from his family. Born in an humble
station, I am ignorant of the manners that befit a palace.
EMPEROR. But with such uncommon attractions, what chance
has kept you from our sight?
LADY. When I was chosen by the minister Maouyenshow, he
demanded of my father an amount of treasure which our poverty could
not supply; he therefore disfigured my portrait, by representing a
scar under the eyes, and caused me to be consigned to seclusion and
neglect.
EMPEROR. Keeper of the yellow gate, bring us that picture,
that we may view it. [_Sees the picture_.] Ah, how has he dimmed the
purity of the gem, bright as the waves in autumn. [_To the
attendant_] Transmit our pleasure to the officer of the guard, to
behead Maouyenshow and report to us his execution.
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