the shores of the four seas,
listen to thy faithful slaves. Surrender up to this barbarian the pearl
beyond all price, so shall we all live to humble ourselves before thee."
And all the princes and mandarins cried out with one voice, "Surrender
up the pearl beyond all price." And all the brave generals drew their
swords, and waved them in the air, crying out, "Surrender up to this
barbarian the pearl beyond all price." And all the army and all the
people joined in the request.

Then rose up Youantee in great wrath, and ordered that the prime
minister, and all the mandarins, and the princes, and all the generals,
and all the army, and all the people, should be disgraced and
decapitated forthwith. "Let it be an _edict_." But as there was no one
left to put the great Youantee's edict into force, it was not obeyed.
And the brother of the sun and moon perceived that he was in the
minority; concealing therefore his bile, he graciously ordered
refreshments for the envoy, saying, "Let the dog be fed," and retired to
the apartment of the peerless Chaoukeun.

Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.

Now the beauteous empress had listened to all which had taken place in
the great hall of audience, and she threw herself at the celestial feet,
saying, "Let me be sacrificed--it is my destiny. Send your slave to the
great khan to do with me as he pleases--I am all submission. They say
he is a handsome man, and of great size and strength. It is my
destiny."

Then did the great Youantee shed bitter tears at his bitter fate; but he
knew it was his destiny--and O destiny, who can resist thee? He wiped
his celestial eyes, and leading forth the peerless Chaoukeun, put her
into the hands of the barbarian envoy, saying, "I send your master the
pearl beyond all price. I have worn her for some time, but still she is
as good as new. And now let your master the great khan return, with his
hundred thousand warriors, to the confines of our territories, as it was
agreed. Thou hearest. It is an edict."

"It is enough that my great master hath given his word, and the great
Youantee hath given the pearl beyond all price. There needs not an
edict," replied the envoy, departing with the peerless Chaoukeun. Thus
was the magnificent Youantee left without a bride.

Now when the envoy had brought the peerless Chaoukeun in a close litter
to the tent of the great khan, he forthwith commanded his army to
return. Much to the