This beautiful night must I pass in lonely solitude, with no companion but my lute to solace my retirement.  I am a native of Chingtoo city; and my father’s occupation is husbandry.  My mother dreamed on the day I was born that the light of the moon shone on her bosom, but was soon cast low to the earth.[1] I was just eighteen years of age when chosen as an inhabitant of the imperial palace; but the minister Maouyenshow, disappointed in the treasure which he demanded on my account, disfigured my portrait in such a manner as to keep me out of the Emperor’s presence; and now I live in neglected solitude.  While at home, I learned a little music, and could play a few airs on the lute.  Thus sorrowing in the stillness of midnight, let me practise one of my songs to dispel my griefs. [Begins to play on the lute.

Enter Emperor, attended by a Eunuch, carrying a light.

EMPEROR.  Since the beauties were selected to grace our palace,
    we have not yet discovered a worthy object on whom to fix our
    preference.  Vexed and disappointed, we pass this day of leisure
    roaming in search of her who may be destined for our imperial
    choice. [Hears the lute.] Is not that some lady’s lute?

ATTENDANT.  It is.—­I hasten to advise her of your Majesty’s
    approach.

EMPEROR.  No, hold!  Keeper of the yellow gate, discover to
    what part of our palace that lady pertains; and bid her approach our
    presence; but beware lest you alarm her.

ATTENDANT [approaches in the direction of the sound, and
    speaks].  What lady plays there?  The Emperor comes! approach to meet
    him. [Lady advances.

EMPEROR.  Keeper of the yellow gate, see that the light burns
    brightly within your gauze [2] lamp, and hold it nearer to us.

LADY [approaching].  Had your handmaid but known it was
    your Majesty, she would have been less tardy; forgive, then, this
    delay.

EMPEROR.  Truly this is a very perfect beauty!  From what
    quarter come such superior charms?

LADY.  My name is Chaoukeun:  my father cultivates at Chingtoo
    the fields which he has derived from his family.  Born in an humble
    station, I am ignorant of the manners that befit a palace.

EMPEROR.  But with such uncommon attractions, what chance
    has kept you from our sight?

LADY.  When I was chosen by the minister Maouyenshow, he
    demanded of my father an amount of treasure which our poverty could
    not supply; he therefore disfigured my portrait, by representing a
    scar under the eyes, and caused me to be consigned to seclusion and
    neglect.

EMPEROR.  Keeper of the yellow gate, bring us that picture,
    that we may view it. [Sees the picture.] Ah, how has he dimmed the
    purity of the gem, bright as the waves in autumn. [To the
    attendant] Transmit our pleasure to the officer of the guard, to
    behead Maouyenshow and report to us his execution.