K’HAN.  The Emperor of Han having now, in observance of
    old treaties, yielded up to me the Lady Chaoukeun in marriage, I
    take her as my rightful queen.  The two nations shall enjoy the
    benefits of peace. [To his generals] Leaders, transmit my
    commands to the army to strike our encampment, and proceed to the
    north. [They march.

The river Amoor. [2] Tartar army on its march.

PRINCESS.  What place is this?

ENVOY.  It is the River of the Black Dragon, the frontier of
    the Tartar territories and those of China.  This southern shore is
    the Emperor’s; on the northern side commences our Tartar dominion.

PRINCESS [to the K’han].  Great King, I take a cup of wine,
    and pour a libation towards the South—­my last farewell to the
    Emperor—­[pours the libation] of Han, this life is finished.  I
    await thee in the next!

[Throws herself into the river.  The K’han, in great consternation, endeavors to save her, but in vain.

K’HAN.  Alas! alas!—­so determined was her purpose against
    this foreign alliance—­she has thrown herself into the stream, and
    perished!  Tis done, and remediless!  Let her sepulchre be on this
    river’s bank, and be it called “the verdant tomb,” [3] She is no
    more; and vain has been our enmity with the dynasty of Han!  The
    traitor Maouyenshow was the author of all this misery. [To an
    officer] Take Maouyenshow and let him be delivered over to the
    Emperor for punishment.  I will return to our former friendship with
    the dynasty of Han.  We will renew and long preserve the sentiments
    of relationship.  The traitor disfigured the portrait to injure
    Chaoukeun—­then deserted his sovereign, and stole over to me, whom
    he prevailed on to demand the lady in marriage.  How little did I
    think that she would thus precipitate herself into the stream, and
    perish!—­In vain did my spirit melt at the sight of her!  But if I
    detained this profligate and traitorous rebel, he would certainly
    prove to us a root of misfortune:  it is better to deliver him for
    his reward to the Emperor of Han, with whom I will renew, and long
    retain, our old feelings of friendship and amity. [Exeunt.

[Footnote 1:  It may be observed that the great wall is never once expressly mentioned through this drama.  The expression used is Peensih, the border, or frontier.  The wall had existed two hundred years at this time, but the real frontier was beyond it.]

[Footnote 2:  Or Saghalien, which falls into the sea of Ochotsk.]

[Footnote 3:  Said to exist now and to be green all the year.]

ACT FOURTH

Enter Emperor, with an attendant.