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Read Ebook: Chinese Literature Comprising the Analects of Confucius the Sayings of Mencius the Shi-King the Travels of Fâ-Hien and the Sorrows of Han by Confucius BCE BCE Faxian Mencius BCE BCE Wilson Epiphanius Editor Davis John Francis Sir Translator Jennings William Translator Legge James Translator
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Ebook has 58 lines and 8485 words, and 2 pages
PRINCESS . Great King, I take a cup of wine, and pour a libation towards the South--my last farewell to the Emperor-- of Han, this life is finished. I await thee in the next!
~ACT FOURTH
EMPEROR. Since the princess was yielded to the Tartars, we have not held an audience. 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, 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.
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.
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?
ATTENDANT. Let your Majesty cease this sorrow, and have some regard to your sacred person.
EMPEROR. My sorrows are beyond control. Cease to upbraid this excess of feeling, since ye are all subject to the same. Yon doleful cry is not the note of the swallow on the carved rafters, nor the song of the variegated bird upon the blossoming tree. The princess has abandoned her home! Know ye in what place she grieves, listening like me to the screams of the wild bird?
PRESIDENT. This day after the close of the morning council, a foreign envoy appeared, bringing with him the fettered traitor Maouyenshow. He announces that the renegade, by deserting his allegiance, led to the breach of truce, and occasioned all these calamities. The princess is no more! and the K'han wishes for peace and friendship between the two nations. The envoy attends, with reverence, your imperial decision.
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