Page:The Beating of a Golden Branch.pdf/9

 wounds and labours. Harshly he spoke to me and put me to open shame, casting me aside for some new favourite he has found. Can I suffer this in silence, I, the daughter of a King? O my father and my mother, take counsel and decide whether he or I am in fault.

Your Majesty sits in state, and I in all humility wish a myriad years of joy. Kuo Ai has acted like a villain, and he surely is guilty of a great crime. In a drunken fit to beat our daughter! If he is not in fault I lose my faith hence forward in my Lord.

Wife, ’tis not your place to teach me my duty, nor need our daughter weep so bitterly. Kuo Ai has surely sinned against Ourself. I will look to it, and meanwhile you may return to your palace. Depart.

If he is not put to death I lose faith in my Lord.

I thank my father that he has heard my prayer; I go to await the revealing of the Imperial mind.

(Exeunt.)