542 Specimen of the Burmese Drama. \_J\jly, 



Prince. It must not be so, pride of my soul. I must not neglect 

 the duty which a child owes its parent : moreover, consider, I beseech 

 you, that I am nearest the throne, and must yield to the custom of my 

 country, and lead the army against the rebels. 



Manan. Alas ! If you possess so little affection for me, as to leave 

 me here alone, I must submit to my evil destiny. 



Prince. \_To his Noble.'} Hear you not my lord ? She does not say, 

 stay ; nor does she desire me to go ! — she weeps ! — her tears and 

 smiles are so fascinating, that I shall be vanquished ; her tears are 

 like sparkling drops of dew upon the leaf of the lily ; whenever I 

 look upon them, I have not resolution enough to go. 



Noble. Let me explain to your highness. The princess is here 

 without friends ; if you desert her, she will be as much alone as the 

 kynneya without its mate; she will be confounded with her lot, and will 

 be no more than a waxen image. There is indeed no necessity for your 

 departure, and leaving her here in tears. 



Prince. Alas ! If I avoid this campaign, I shall have my name 

 held up to the scorn and contempt of posterity. The king, my father, 

 will be enraged against me if I do not accompany the army. Oh, I must 

 indeed depart. Then this friendless one ! when left alone, will break 

 her heart, and I shall be left destitute. I am in a painful dilemma, 

 (like a bamboo between two boards) ! I may as well swallow poison, or 

 throw myself into a furnace. If I petition the king to allow me to 

 remain at home, he will order me to do so ; but after what I have al- 

 ready promised it will be improper to ask ! — then she will not die ! — 

 she will only waste away. I will join the army ; — caparison my ele- 

 phant Mengala, and bring him to the palace, and the lord of the gol- 

 den universe will depart. 



Scene 5th. — The Prince's Palace. Princess, attendants. 



Manan. Mala, Maensa ! my faithful maidens come hither ; for the 

 time of my pregnancy is completed. 



Maensa. [_To the Treasurer.} Here is our royal mistress at the 



time. 



*********** 



\The child is bom. 

 Treas. I must hasten to the camp, and communicate the tidings 

 to the royal ear. 



ACT. 



Camp. 

 Treas. Oh, my lord ! the empress sovereign of the state ! 

 Prince. Speak, my lord. 



