with all speed, for I
must invade the South with out forces. And yet I am unwilling to
break a truce of so many years' standing! We must see how matters
turn out, and be guided by the event.

_Enter Minister of Han_.

MINISTER. The severity with which I extorted money, in the
selection of beauties for the palace, led me to disfigure the
picture of Chaoukeun, and consign her to neglected seclusion. But
the Emperor fell in with her, obtained the truth, and condemned me
to lose my head. I contrived to make my escape--though I have no
home to receive me. I will take this true portrait of Chaoukeun and
show it to the Tartar K'han, persuading him to demand her from the
Emperor, who will no doubt be obliged to yield her up. A long
journey has brought me to this spot, and from the troops of men and
horses I conclude I have reached the Tartar camp. [_Addresses
himself to somebody_] Leader, inform King Hanchenyu that a great
minister of the empire of Han is come to wait on him.

K'HAN [_on being informed_]. Command him to approach.
[_Seeing Maouyenshow_] What person are you?

MINISTER. I am a minister of Han. In the western palace of
the Emperor is a lady, named Chaoukeun, of rare and surpassing
charms. When your envoy, great king, came to demand a princess, this
lady would have answered the summons, but the Emperor of Han could
not bring himself to part with her, and refused to yield her up. I
repeatedly renewed my bitter reproaches, and asked how he could
bear, for the sake of a woman's beauty, to implicate the welfare of
two nations. For this the Emperor would have beheaded me; and I
therefore escaped with the portrait of the lady, which I present,
great king, to yourself. Should you send away an envoy with the
picture to demand her, she must certainly be delivered up. Here is
the portrait. [_Hands it up_.

K'HAN. Whence could so beautiful a female have appeared
in the world! If I can only obtain her, my wishes are complete.
Immediately shall an envoy be despatched, and my ministers prepare a
letter to the Emperor of Han, demanding her in marriage as the
condition of peace. Should he refuse, I will presently invade the
South: his hills and rivers shall be exposed to ravage. Our warriors
will commence by hunting, as they proceed on their way; and thus
gradually entering the frontiers, I shal