Second Tableau monologue (Act 1) — The Daughter of Heaven

_The throne-room in the palace of Nanking, seen from the side. The_ EMPRESS _and the throne upon which she is seated appear in profile. The_ LITTLE EMPEROR _is seated near her. The throne is raised on a number of steps; the_ LADIES-IN-WAITING _are behind the_ EMPRESS, _fanning her with large, feathered fans. The bodyguard is placed on the steps of the throne, and each man is holding a censer containing Tibetan incense. All the dignitaries and officials are standing, in order of rank. At the back, across a colonnade, open-air galleries may be seen, in which are musicians and singers. The palanquin of the_ EMPRESS, _with its dragons of gold, is also visible. Outside the crowd can be vaguely seen and heard. Opposite the throne, on a platform, are some dancers costumed as armed warriors, standing motionless. Everyone is standing, with the sole exception of the_ EMPRESS _and her little son._