The lonely silence of night but increases
our melancholy! We take the picture of that fair one and suspend it
here, as some small solace to our griefs, [_To the attendant_]
Keeper of the yellow gate, behold, the incense in yonder vase is
burnt out: hasten then to add some more. Though we cannot see her,
we may at least retain this shadow; and, while life remains, betoken
our regard. But oppressed and weary, we would fain take a little
repose.
[_Lies down to sleep. The Princess appears before him in a
vision_.] [1]
PRINCESS. Delivered over as a captive to appease the barbarians,
they would have conveyed me to their Northern country: but I took an
occasion to elude them and have escaped back. Is not this the
Emperor, my sovereign? Sir, behold me again restored.
[_A Tartar soldier appears in the vision_.]
SOLDIER. While I chanced to sleep, the lady, our captive, has
made her escape, and returned home. In eager pursuit of her, I have
reached the imperial palace.--Is not this she?
[_Carries her off. The Emperor starts from his sleep_.]
EMPEROR. We just saw the Princess returned--but alas, how
quickly has she vanished! In bright day she answered not to our
call--but when morning dawned on our troubled sleep, a vision
presented her in this spot. [_Hears the wild fowl's [2] cry_] Hark,
the passing fowl screamed twice or thrice!--Can it know there is no
one so desolate as I? [_Cries repeated_] Perhaps worn out and weak,
hungry and emaciated, they bewail at once the broad nets of the
South and the tough bows of the North.
Pages:
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359