c
mien_, _clad in flowing robes almost monastic in their white simplicity_.
_They smoke gravely at the invitation of_ MENG BENG.

_Round about are grouped the courtiers_, _the poonygees_, _and the
kneeling servants_, _while in the background wait the dancing girls_.
_Banners_, _propelled with a measured rhythm_, _create an agreeable
breeze_. _On a great table of gold stand goblets of gold and heaped-up
fruits_. _Everywhere will be observed the emblems of the Royal Peacock
and the Sacred White Elephant_. _Burmese musical instruments sound an
abrupt but charming discord_. _The poinsettias flower punctuates points
of deepest colour from out of vases fashioned like the lotus_. _Orchids
are everywhere_. _The indescribable scent of Burmah steals across the
footlights_. _The glow_, _the colour_, _the sun-swept vista sweeps
across the senses_. THE KING _claps his hands_. _The_ DANCING GIRLS,
_at the signal_, _advance_. _They are clad in dresses made of fish
scales_, _which are fastened with diamonds and pale emeralds_, _to
imitate the upthrown spray on the crest of a wave_. _The dance
concluded_, _the_ CINGALESE AMBASSADORS _rise and prepare to take
ceremonious leave of_ THE KING, _who hands to them_, _through his_
VIZIER, _his message to His Majesty of Ceylon_, _inscribed on palm leaves
and enclosed in a bejewelled casket_.

_Many flowery speeches pass_. _Exit_ (_L._), _walking backwards_.

THE KING _expresses a desire for rest before starting by the Moon of
Taboung _{4} _for the Pagoda of Golden Flowers_.

_Exit_ MENG BENG (_C._), _an alcove of satin hangings which commands a
view of the great hall_.

_The Crowd break up into groups_. U. RAI GYAN THOO _and_ MOUNG PHO MHIN
_converse on the tendency of the King to interference in affairs of
State_; _his extreme youth and delicacy of temperament_; _the pity that
the marriage is to be so long delayed_; _the necessity to find him some
distraction in the meantime_.

_Suddenly the tom-toms sound loudly_. _There is much movement_. _The
moon rises over the sea_. _Torches flare as the attendants move to and
fro in the gardens beyond_.

_The White Elephant of the King_, _with its trappings of gold_, _is led
to the entrance where_, _at a word_, _it sinks obediently to the ground_.

THE KING _appears_. _He has changed his gay apple-green dress to one of
more sombre hue_. _He enters the howdah_--_the elephant rises_--_the
procession starts_. _It consists of not