MINISTER.  Consider, sir, that even the thriving husbandman
    may desire to change his partner; then why not your Majesty, whose
    title is the Law of Heaven, whose possessions are the whole world! 
    May I advise that commissioners be despatched to search throughout
    the empire for all of whatever rank that is most beautiful between
    the ages of fifteen and twenty, for the peopling of the inner
    palace.

EMPEROR.  You say well.  We appoint you at once our minister of selection, and will invest you with a written authority.  Search diligently through our realms; and when you have selected the most worthy, let us be provided with portraits of each, as a means of fixing our choice.  By the merits of your services, you may supply us with an occasion of rewarding you on your return. [Exeunt.

[Footnote 1:  Han Koong Tsew, literally “Autumn in the Palace of Han”; but in Chinese, Autumn is emblematic of Sorrow, as Spring is of Joy, and may therefore be rendered by what it represents.]

[Footnote 2:  In Chinese, Ko-ban.]

[Footnote 3:  The mother of Hoeyte, a bold and able woman, who ruled for her son, the second emperor of Han.]

ACT FIRST

MINISTER [repeats verses].  The huge ingots of yellow gold I
      appropriate to myself. 
    I heed not the seas of blood which flow by perverting the
      laws.

During life I am determined to have abundance of riches; what care I for the curses of mankind after my death?  Having received the Emperor’s commission to search far and wide for the most beautiful damsels, I have fixed upon ninety and nine.  Their families were glad to invite my selection by rich gifts, and the treasure that I have amassed is not small.  On arriving yesterday at a district pertaining to Chingtoo city, I met with a maiden, daughter of one Wongchang.  The brightness of her charms was piercing as an arrow.  She was perfectly beautiful—­and doubtless unparalleled in the whole empire.  But, unfortunately, her father is a cultivator of the land, not possessed of much wealth.  When I insisted on a hundred ounces of gold to secure her being the chief object of the imperial choice, they first pleaded their poverty—­and then, relying on her extraordinary beauty, rejected my offers altogether.  I therefore left them. [Considers awhile.] But no!——­I have a better plan. [He knits his brows and matures his scheme.] I will disfigure her portrait in such a manner that when it reaches the Emperor it shall secure her being doomed to neglected seclusion.  Thus I shall contrive to make her unhappy for life—­Base is the man who delights not in revenge! [Exit.

Night.—­Enter the Lady Chaoukeun, with two female attendants.

CHAOUKEUN [recites verses].  Though raised to be an inhabitant
      of the imperial dwelling
    I have long been here without the good fortune to see
      my prince.