IDENT. The foreigners say that through your Majesty's
devoted fondness for the princess, the affairs of your empire are
falling into ruin. They declare that if the government does not
yield her up, they will put their army in motion, and subdue the
country. Your servant reflects, that Chow-wong [3] who lost his
empire and life entirely through his blind devotion to Takee, is a
fit example to warn your Majesty. Our army is weak, and needs the
talents of a fit general. Should we oppose the Tartars, and be
defeated, what will remain to us? Let your Majesty give up your
fondness for the princess, to save your people.

OFFICER. The envoy waits without for an audience.

EMPEROR. Well; command that he approach us.

_Enter Envoy_.

ENVOY. Hanchenyu, K'han of the Tartars, sends me, his minister,
to state before the great Sovereign of Han, that the Northern tribes
and the Southern empire have long been bound in peace by mutual
alliances; but that envoys being twice sent to demand a princess,
his requisitions have been refused. The late minister, Maouyenshow,
took with him the portrait of a beautiful lady, and presented it to
the K'ban, who now sends me, his envoy, on purpose to demand the
Lady Chaoukeun, and no other, as the only condition of peace between
the two nations. Should your Majesty refuse, the K'han has a
countless army of brave warriors, and will forthwith invade the
South to try the chances of war. I trust your Majesty will not err
in your decision.

EMPEROR. The envoy may retire to repose himself in his lodging.
[_Exit the Envoy_.] Let our civil and military officers consult, and
report to us the best mode of causing the foreign troops to retire,
without yielding up the princess to propitiate them. They take
advantage of the compliant softness of her temper. Were the Empress
Leuhow alive--let her utter a word--which of them would dare to be
of a different opinion? It would seem that, for the future, instead
of men for ministers, we need only have fair women to keep our
empire in peace.

PRINCESS. In return for your Majesty's bounties, it is your
handmaid's duty to brave death to serve you. I can cheerfully enter
into this foreign alliance, for the sake of producing peace, and
shall leave behind me a name still green in history.--But my
affection for your Majesty, how am I to lay asid