my beloved, that I may at least have known the rapture of your kiss
Emperor [Pressing his lips to hers desperately]
Oh! Even your ashes would be lovely to me, even your body in decay. Fear! you ask if I fear? Respect alone will unlock my embrace—when I feel that the breath of life is no more.
Empress [Wandering, half drawing herself away]
Ah! Yes—I hear the great bell sounding. It is the signal, then? I am sinking —— Hold me up, my beloved. Keep me from sinking thus ——into the abyss.
During an instant of silence, they remain embraced. Then the Emperor rouses himself, cries aloud in his grief, and the dead body falls back on the throne.
SCENE X.
The Emperor, and then the Crowd.
[The Emperor descends the steps of the throne, quickly rims to the gong and strikes three deep strokes. The doors are thrown open. Dignitaries and Officials appear on the threshold.]
The Emperor
[addressing the crowd, who enter
