sun and moon, the magnificent Youantee,
was forced to submit to the disgrace of receiving an envoy from the
barbarians, who thus spoke, in sugared words:--

"The great khan of Tartary greets the magnificent Youantee; he has
slaughtered some millions of his subjects, because they were traitors,
and would not defend the celestial throne. He has burnt some thousands
of his towns, that the great Youantee may order them to be rebuilt in
greater beauty. All this has he done with much trouble and fatigue, to
prove his regard to the magnificent Youantee. All that he asks in return
is, that he may receive as his bride the peerless Chaoukeun, the pearl
beyond all price."

The great Youantee spoke from his celestial throne--"Return my thanks to
the great khan your master, for his considerate conduct, and tell him,
that he well deserves a bride from our celestial empire, but the pearl
beyond all price is wedded to the brother of the sun and moon. Any other
maiden in our empire shall be sent to him with gifts worthy to be
offered by the great Youantee, and worthy to be accepted by the great
khan of Tartary. Let it be an edict."

But the Tartar replied, "O great monarch, the great khan my master does
not require an edict, but the peerless Chaoukeun. If I return without
her, he enters the celestial city, and spares not man, or woman, or
child." Then fell at the celestial feet all the princes and mandarins of
every class, performing solemnly the great _kow tow_, and the chief
minister of state spoke thus:--"Lord of the universe, brother of the sun
and moon, who governs the world with thine edicts, whose armies are
invincible, and numerous as the sands upon the shores of the four seas,
listen to thy faithful slaves. Surrender up to this barbarian the pearl
beyond all price, so shall we all live to humble ourselves before thee."
And all the princes and mandarins cried out with one voice, "Surrender
up the pearl beyond all price." And all the brave generals drew their
swords, and waved them in the air, crying out, "Surrender up to this
barbarian the pearl beyond all price." And all the army and all the
people joined in the request.

Then rose up Youantee in great wrath, and ordered that the prime
minister, and all the mandarins, and the princes, and all the generals,
and all the army, and all the people, should be disgraced and
decapitated forthwith. "Let it be an edict." But as there was no one
left to put the great Youantee's edict