Genghis Khan

.· ..
- \
I
.. I
...
\;£, t-- lt-{;w"'L. K_t n vt
~~ &-t-·"1 ~k {~
..

..
··-
PROLOGUE
..
----
~ ..
."
. r~
r
I
',•
... :-.
·..
.. ;~
')~:.~:i:I:;
·.. _. ~>~:A~i;; -
•• ,f --~ •
·~ .

'~·
,· · .. ''
·. 'r/ 11"
AN EVENING AT THE END OE' WINTER
IN THE EARLY 'I'HIRTEENTH CENTURY,
NEAR THE HEADWATERS OF THE YELLOW
RIVER, WHERE THE FRONTIER OF SHENSI
MEETS THE TRAILS THAT LEAD INTO
THE DESERT.
•·
~ . ! ...
'· . .}
~. :.·:. J· .
)>
-:. ·_
. -..___:.. . .
· ,
THE MAIN ROOM OF A WAYSIDE INN.
UPSTAGE, THE OOOR OF THE INN.
THREE TRAVELERS, SEATED ON LOW
~CHAIRS, h"UDDLE AROD'"ND A FIRE. THE
FLAMES LIGHT -CJP THEIR FACES, ALL
TANNED BY THE IVINDS OF THE DESERT.
: IN A. CORNER, THE INNKEEPER DOZES •
THE WOOD FIRE CRACKLES; THE WIND
WHISTLES THROUGH THE CREVICES --- -~ .
AROUND THE DOOR~
. .
f
, ! .• . \iti ' .
A LONG MO}IBNT OF SILENCE.
-~ .
- !' ~-" . .1.
. ·:)"."'
. .
. ;
FIRST TRAVELER
), (STRETCHING) .· Oh, _does that feel good!
.. :,~~t;>, . . . .

SECOND TRAVELER
I have some business to do in Gurgenj.
FIRST TRAVELER
Muslim country? What luck! That's where I'm going: we'll
be traveling companions. (TO THIRD TRAVELER) And you?
THIRD TRAVELER
I'll be with you part of the way. I'm going to Persia.
FIRST TRAVELER THRows · A FEW BRANCHES
ON THE FIRE, POKES IT A LITTLE.
SECOND TRAVELER
The wood's almost gone. Innkeeper! Is there any more wood?
INNKEEPER
Will the gentlemen require anything else?
THE INNKEEPER WAKES ' UP WI~H A START,
GETS A BUNDLE OF BRANCHES FROM A
CORNER OF THE ROOM, PLACES IT BE­
SIDE THE HEARTH.
..
c ·.
FIRST TRAVELER
No thanks, my friend, that'll be all.
SECOND'"'TRAVELER
Do you live all alone here?
Yes, all ·alone.
Aren't you ,afraid?
(SURPRISED)
Of what?
INNKEEPER
SECOND TRAVELER
INNKEEPER
_
. FIRST TRAVELER
Well, the place is so isolated.
SECOND TRAVELER
You're not bothered by highwaymen?
Why should I be?
INNKEEPER
I don't own a.p.ything.
FIRST TRAVELER
And, a few months back, when the Mongols were here--you had
no trouble?
Ir-...TNKEEPER
They made us pay some taxes. That's all.
--
'
----.

3.
FIRST TRAVELER
Well, in any case, it's finished now.
gone away.
The Mongols have
SECOND TRAVELER
Genghis Khan is dead. (TO INNKEEPER) Didn't you know that?
No, I hadn't heard.
INNKEEPER
SECOND TRAVELER .
Dead. A few days ago. Really dead.
THE INNKEEPER SITS NEAR THE FIRE.
INNKEEPER
Ho-W was he- kil1-ed? -Can you gentlemen tell me?
·SECOND TRAVELER
Indeed, how was he killed?
__ _ FIRST TRAVELER
It was General -Ko! He ran his sword right through him·.
..
(
General Ko:
INNKEEPER
isn't that Korocha?
FIRST TRAVELER
That's him, all right. The entire population of Shensi rose
up, and . overcame the Mongol camp. But General Ko, alone,
drove his horse right through a hail of arrows, a barrage
of lances, until he got to the throne of Genghis Khan. Then
he lifted up his sword--.
~ ' TRIRD TRAVELER
But I heardi it was Gemina who killed the Mongol Emperor.
--:__ .
..
:· .,
.\.
. ·· ..
- Who is -Gemina?
You don't know?
-~---SECOND TRAVELER
- . -- -~ .
-
- ·. :.: -: - -... - .. : -
.·· ,_c'. FIRST TRAVELER
. .SECOND TRAVELER
Would I be asking if I did? I'm not from these parts •
. FIRST TRAVELER
Arn I from these parts?
-· THIRD TRAVELER
Strictly speaking, - except for the innkeeper, we're all
foreigners. I'm from China.
But Gemina!
FIRST TRAVELER
I know who Gemina is •
. .
. · ... -i~ ·-.
·..· .:/f.l~.
• '·;·,t
t " ~
~ , .;. :/ -
. '
____ ___
• . 1: 1;1
•. . , ,__.. ,..____
. .,_..__
. - .
-·-:-~- ----, ~:--- ·---~ .-

-·
4.
(TO SECOND TRAVELER)
INNKEEPER
Gemina is the Princess of Shensi.
FIRST TRAVELER.
True. I once saw the princess with my own eyes. God, was
she beautiful! More beautiful than a star in the evening sky.
Gemina--and Korocha: beauty--and bravery! ~
INNKEEPER
Are you sure it was the princess who assassinated the Khan?
FIRST TRAVELER
They say it was Korocha.
SECOND TRAVELER
And just who is "they?"
FIRST TRAVELER
Why, they--the people! · The peasants of this place. They
told me the whole story this afternoon, while we crossed the
river ~ If you haven't heard it, I'll tell it to you: (TO
SECOND TRAVELER) And no more questions.
..
SECOND TRAVELER
And to think that a moment ago you described how Korocha
charged through the Mongols... on his horse, how he lifted up
pis sword--as though you had been there yourself!
Well?
FIRST TRAVELER
• .'
SECOND TRAVELER
Well, from what I've heard, it wasn't Korocha.
Then who was it?
FIRST TRAVELER
SECOND TRAVELER
And it wasn't Gemina either.
FIRST TRAVELER
But -then who was it? Come on--enlighten us all? Perhaps it
was you! Perhaps you yourself killed Genghis Khan! Of course-·­
that must be it!
HE ~URSTS
(CONSPIRATORIALY) Well? What do you say?
INTO LAUGHTER.
(SULKING)
SECOND TRAVELER
Are you quite through making .fun of me?
THIRD TRAVELER
(CONCILIATING) Well--go on, tell us. Ever yone's entitled ~o
his opinion.

SECOND TRAVELER
Well then, mine is--that Genghis Khan committed suicide.
GENERAL ASTONISHMENT.
It's true! Put yourself in his place: would you have allowed
yourself to be massacred?
THEY ARE ALL SILENT.
INNKEEPER
It seems that none of us, then, knows exactly how he died. ·
Very complicated.
FIRST TRAVELER
Why is it complicated?
5.
INNKEEPER
· Now I really don't know who should get my taxes?
BEFORE ANYONE CAN ANSWER, THE DOOR
BURSTS OPEN. THE cotD WIND SWEEPS
INTO THE ROOM. A THIN- YOUNG MAN
ENTERS, A BUNDLE SLUNG OVER HIS
SHOULDER, AND CARRYING A STICK.
HE STANDS IN THE OOORWAY, IMMOBILE,
AND LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD.
..
Anyone here?
Why do you ask?
YOUNG MAN
+NNKEEPER
Can't you see for yourself?
Shut the door?
~~ · FIRST TRAVELER
That wind is freezing •
. _, YOUNG MAN
I'd like to ask if~ - might spend the night here. I'll leave
in the morning. Is.-that all right?
. · · _:_~· _: -INNKEEPER .
Why not? This is an inn, after all.
YOUNG MAN
I don't have any money. ·
...
. - FIRST TRAVELER
Close the door, for . God's sake!
YOUNG MAN ·
Close it for me, if you would. My eyes are gone. I can't
see.
: :.-·
·>~' '
'··;;:. ·

6.
The poor man:
SECOND TRAVELER
Here, .sit down by the fire and .warm yourself.
HE GOES TO THE DOOR, SHUTS IT, AND
LEADS THE YOUNG MAN TO THE FIRE.
Don't worry about the money. I've got some. Sit down over
here.
HALTINGLY, THE YOUNG MAN PUTS HIS
BUNDLE AND STICK DOWN, SITS. THE
FIRE REVEALS A GAUNT FACE WITH A
HIGH, NARROW FOREHEAD, SIGHTLESS
EYES, AND A SARCASTIC, BITTER MOUTH.
THOUGH NOT HANDSOME, HE IS NOT WITH­
OUT CHARM OR DISTINCTION.
THIRD TRAVELER
Where are you from~
. YOUNG MAJ.~
I'm from Shensi. I've just crossed the Yellow River.
..
c· -
All alone?
Alone.
SECOND TRAVELER
~
YOUNG MA.i."'J'
·-
Where are you headed?
.......
THIRD TRAVELER
SECOND TRAVELER
If you're going towards Gurgenj--
Or Persia--
·THIRD TRAVELER
: .
YOUNG MAN
Persia, Gurgenj--is that west?
Of course:
FIRST TRAVELER
YOUNG MAN
I thank you, but I'm going in the other direction. Towards
the rising sun. The light of the sun is my guide.
c --..
A MOMENT OF SILENCE, ALL OF THEM
STARING THOUGHTFULLY INTO THE FIRE.
INNKEEPER
Oh, yes: We were discussing how he died. Now then, young man-­
since none of us seem to agree, perhaps you can tell us:
.. ~

7.
HE PUTS A HAND ON THE YOUNG MAN'S
SHOULDER: THE YOUNG MAN JUMPS.
Tell you what?
Genghis Khan is dead.
·I know.
YOUNG MAN
INNKEEPER
Did you know that?
YOUNG MAN
INNKEEPER
But how did he die? Have you heard.
Shensi country.
You've just come from
YOUNG MAN
I left Shensi this morning at dawn, with the last Mongol
soldier crossing back over the . Yellow River. The city was
rejoicing and getting ready to welcome Korocha and the Princess
Gemina.
INNKEEPER
Then you must know the real story. Tell us.
THIRD 'l'RAVELER
Yes--if you know, tell us!
FIRST TRAVELER
What for? I know it already.
SECOND TRAVELER
--
(VEXE.D) Perhaps you know, but we don't! Go ahead, young man.
I
THIRD TRAVELER
We've the whole night ahead of us.
more .wood.
-FIRST TRAVELER
All right, we'll listen to him.
Innkeeper, bring us some
THE INNKEEPER THROWS QUITE A BIT OF
WOOD ON THE FIRE, CROSSES TO THE
CORNER FOR ANOTHER BUNDLE. THE
FLAMES JUMP UP AS THE FIRE CRACKLES
LOUDER. THE YOUNG MAN LOOKS STRAIGHT
AHEAD.
( ;
In· truth--
But I am sure--
YOUNG MAN
FIRST TRAVELER.
r­
'

8 •
Silence!
. SECOND TRAVELER
HE CLAPS THE FIRST TRAVELER ON TI-~
SHOULDER. THE YOUNG MAi\f, IN Ai'l. IN-
FINITELY SWEET VO.ICE, BEGINS HIS
STORY.
YOUNG :MAN
In truth ..••. Genghis Khan was only a pretext.
What!
FIRST TRAVELER
.,
( j
-
SECO~D TRAVELER
Oh, for heaven's sake! Pipe down!
1
YOUNG MAN
Genghis Khan was only a pretext. The leader of the most pow­
\~ · · erful nation-1; \ \) _ .---\--
'; · o ; uc~0 v \
THE WIND OUTSIDE SUDDENLY; GUSTS
LOUDER, COVERING THE YOUNG }!fu\f 'S
VOICE. THE LIGHTS DIM UNTIL O:t-!LY
THE FACES OF THE TRAVELERS ARE
VISIBLE, AS THEY LEAJ.\f IN TOWARDS
THE FIRE, LISTENING.
..
LIGHTS FADE TO BLACK.
]) \ /t_, } \ \' '.:)\,,\. \ J_
!
c\
· ;
- ~- --- -- ...
. G--\L
1e1~v
,~+ ,ht. , , e a.:l

10.
A FEW DAYS EARLIER.
THE TENT OF GENGHIS KHAN, HEAD­
QUARTERS OF THE MONGOL CAMP AT THE
EDGE OF THE DEFEATED CAP+TAL OF
SHENSI, IN THE SINISTER GLOW OF A
WINTER DUSK.
(
.
RIGHT, A RAISED GOLDEN THRONE, WITH
_ARMS IN THE SHAPE OF DRAGON-HEADS •
NEAR THE THRONE, A LONG TABLE AND
A HUGE BRONZE GONG. ON THE WALL
BESIDE THE THRONE, A . LARGE BOW ~..ND
QUIVER. LEFT A CURTAIN OF PEARLS
SEPARATING THE TENT FROM A SLEEPING-
1li,COVE. AT THE BACK, THE OPEN EN­
TRANCE TO THE TENT, THROUGH WHICH
CAN BE SEEN THE SILHOUETTES OF T >·iO
GUARDS HOLDING CROSSED SPEARS AT
ATTEN-TION. OUTSIDE, THE SOUNDS OF
CAMP: MEN'S VOICES AND THE NEIGHING
OF HORSES. BEYOND TENT ROOFS, THE
RUINED AND STILL-SMOLDERING CITY.
AN OLD MAN, WITH WHITE HAIR AND
BEARD, STANDS BEFORE THE THRONE,
ON WHICH IS SEATED GENGHIS KHA..~:
RUGE, TERRIFYING, AND SEVENTY. HE
HOLDS SEVERAL BOOKS, AND IS CONTEM­
PLATING THEM.
•.
Books.
GENGHIS KHAN
These books: what is their purpose?
( ·.
OLD MAN
They record the words of ~he saints, Your Highness.
GENGHIS. KHAN
The saints. What are they?

11.
( : \
OLD 1-1.~'J
They are the sages of earlier times, Your Highness--such
as Confucius.
GENGHIS KHA.L'li
Did he know how to ride a horse, or shoot an arrow?
OLD MAN
Confucius, Your Highness, was content to write books, and
to teach.
GENGHIS KHAN
And what did he teach?
OLD MAN
Justice, an9 charity. There's not a man, even in bhe remotest
spot of China, who does not know his teachings.
GENGHIS KHAl'.J
Which is why the Chinese were defeated!
use for charity and justice.
We Mongols have no
•.
(.
OLD MA..'li
Charity and justice, Your Highness, are the very foundations
of the art of governing.
GENGHIS KHAN
Being well-fed is more important! So one must teach people
to shoot an arrow and ride a horse--and that is all. You
people of Shensi have lost your country? You have only yourselves
to blame: why do you want to imitate the customs of
the Chinese? But what is it, exactly, that you want of me? --- -
You haven't made that clear.
THE OLD MAN APPROACHES THE THRONE.
OLD M.~'.J
These books are holy books--the last remaining possessions
of the people of Shensi. I offer them to the Khan.
GENGHIS KHAN
My thanks to the people of Shensi.
you--
And as a recompense to
HE TAKES A PEARL FROM HIS SLEEVE,
THROWS IT BEFORE THE OLD MAN.
Pick it up!
Pearls are more precious than books.
OLD MAN
Your Highness; I dare not accept.
lvhat?
GENGHIS KHA.L'li
This pearl--I'rn giving it to you!

OLD MAN
I thank Your Highness, but I cannot accept it. Instead, I
should like to beg something of the Khan: an insignificant
thing, but one which, to the people of Shensi, is more precious
than pearls, more precious than books.
GENGHIS KHAN
And what is that? I allow you to speak.
OLD NAN
It's simply--an order for the Khan's troops to withdraw.
Then the people of Shensi will know peace once again, and
return to a life free of care. They will be indebted to
Your Highness for generations. (PAUSE) The King of Shensi
is already dead. The Princess of Shensi has become the
servant of Your Highness. The Province of Shensi has been
devastated/ to the last grain of rice. These book~ I have
offered Your Highness are ail that we have left--the last
vestiges of our past. Your Highness, is there anything
left in this country to prevent your troops from leaving?
GENGHIS KHAN
You speak too well. I find you difficult to follow. But
it seems that you consider only the people of Shensi, and
you forget the life-purpose of the Mongols.
OLD }fAJ.'J
But it is the fate of the :Mongol people which concerns me.
I think of the Mongol soldier, away f rom home since childhood,
obliged to spend his life on horseback--a life devoted
to bloodshed. If, however, there could be an order to with­
draw--
GENGHIS KHAN
Do you want to die? Is that what you're after? Mongols
are not interested in peace.
12.
I
OLD MAN
I consent to my death. But whether they come from Shensi
or Mongolia, they are still only men--who dream of their
homes, their wives, their children.
GENGHIS KHAN
The Mongol soldier doesn't have a home. Out there, where
the land is flat--there is his home! And women? Don't
worry about it, for where doesn't he find women? In that
respect, I have to thank the people of Shensi: your princess
is a rare beauty. Gemina. Gernina: the name is pretty. But
she who wears it is·· even prettier.
THE KHAN'S GAZE GROWS DISTANT.
To demolish an entire country, to raze its capital to the
ground; then, on the very night of the victory, amid rivers
of blood and fires still blazing in the skies, to take pos~

session of the enemy's throne and--between two cups of wine
toasting the exploits of the troops-~to choose, from among
the most beautiful women of the vanquished race, the most
beautiful--beautiful, but proud and fierce, like a Mongol
stallion; then, amid rivers of blood and fires blazing in
the skies, to reduce her, by stages, to silence and submission--like
a stallion beneath the iron grip of the Mongol
soldier. Ha! I'm talking too much. But Gemina! What
book is more beautiful than Gemina? Of what worth is your
Confucius, compared to Gemina? And what good is the writing :
of books? What good is the preaching of doctrines? No orie
can teach anyone anything. Each man has his own reason for
living. No one can imitate me·!_·· ;·
13.
THE KHAN PICKS UP A BOOK, LEAFS
THROUGH IT.
(..
Nothing but Chinese characters. The Chinese are too fond
of words. Ah! I forgot to tell you: I can't read. For
me, a precious book is a blank one, without one character.
A silent book: silent, and immense as a desert night;
silent as a beautiful woman who has submitted. (PAUSE)
These books are useless. I give them back to you. I have
no need for charity and justice .
. HE THROWS THE BOOKS TO TI-IE FLOOR ..
THE OLD M.~'1 RUSHES TO PICK THEM
UP.
And now . I give you my answer. You ask what I would have
before I give the order to withdraw my troops? I'll tell ·
you: I would have your crown prince present himself to . me . ....... -.
I await his return to Shensi, so that I may give him back
this throne--the golden throne of Shensi.
THE KH&'J CARESSES THE ARMS OF
THE THRONE, WATCHING THE OLD MAN,
WHO C.Af-.INOT CONCEAL HIS AMAZEMENT.
.\
OLD MAN
But that's impossible! The crown prince cannot return. The
crown prince cannot surrender!
GENGHIS KHAN
You people are as fond of words as the Chinese: "surrender?"
The King of Shensi is dead; hi~ son must return before he
can take back the throne. It is in vain that he hides in
the mountains and wastes his time in wars against me. I
want the prince to come to me. I want it because Shensi
is the gateway to China. ·
OLD MAN
The prince cannot betray his own people.

GENGHIS KHAN
What do you mean, betray? The people of Shensi will
better off than before!
OLD MAN
Having enough to eat is important, but man has other needs
as well.
GENGHIS KHAN
What is it, then, that you people need?
OLD MAN
To live our lives without shame •
14.
'
l:\~·
J .
. -- .
. ·GENGHIS KHAN .
You are decidedly too complicated.
I -
OLD MAN
Your Highness may think it complicated, but man has been
known · . to sacrifice everything--his bowl of rice, his
clothing, riches, honors--for that little need.·
..
GENGHIS KHAN
But will he sacrifice this throne?
If necessary. . ;
OLD .MAN
GENGHIS KHAN
As your crown prince is doing?
General Jebayr· -
'.
GUARD'S VOICE
GENGHIS KHAN
Ah, the General has returned at exactly the hour he predicted.
(TO GUARD) Send him in! Old man, you are too ·-ga11:i;b1e.
But stay awhile! You' 11 see.
THE MONGOL GENERAL JEBAY ENTERS,
BOWS HIS HEAD IN SALUTE.
Approach," General. I've been awaiting your news--as have
the citizens of Shensi. This is their emissary. Well? You
may speak before the old man. This matter concerns us all.
Did you meet with the crown prince?
THE OLD MAN IS AMAZED.
JEBAY
Your Highness, I went to the appointed place.
GENGHIS KHA!~
Excellent. Then you saw him.
-- .

JEBAY
In a hut, in the middle of the desert, two days' ride from
the headwaters of the Yellow River.
GENGHIS K.HAJ.'J'
(TO OLD MAN) Did you hear that? Your prince himself proposed
this meeting. He may be young, but he's not so stupid
as you. You still have much to learn, old man. One must
learn from life itself, not from piles of books. (LAUGHING)
The prince knows it is useless to oppose me. Has anyone
ever resisted the hooves of Mongol horses? That is why the
.prince knows he must meet with me. He wants to •!surrender~"
I thank you for teaching me that word: it is a word unknown
to Mongols. Right, General?
OLD MAN
JEBAY MAKES READY TO ANSWER.
(INTERRUPTING) The prince may surrender, but the leaders of
his forces will never--
JEBAY
Wait a minute! Those leaders of his forces: do you mean
Korocha? Do you know him?
15.
(
OLD MAN
Korocha. Yes, I know him. I know him very well.
GENGHIS KHAN·
(INTRIGUED) Who is this Korocha? What does he mean to us?
JEBAY
The old man will have that information.
Your Highness?
May I question him~ _
You may.
GENGHIS KHAN
JEBAY
What do you know about Korocha?
OLD MAN
Korocha? He is tall and straight, like a desert palm. He
has the shoulders of a bear; enormous arms. His eyes burn
like the morning star and the evening star. His brows curve
up like sabers against the sky. In knowledge, Korocha is
the complete man: as well-ver&ed in literature as in the military
arts. As for his character--he is loyalty itself.
( .
JEBAY
What is he, exactly, to the prince?
OLD .MAN
His closest friend, and the soul of our resistance.
amazed that he agreed to the prince's surrender.
I am

c·
16.
JEBAY
Your prince didn't surrender. To be more exact, he didn't
have time to surrender. Your Highness, when I entered the
hut, the Prince of Shensi--
JEBAY HESITATES, LOOKS AT THE ·oLD
MAl'l, DRAWS FRON lJ"NDER HIS TUNIC A
SWORD WHOSE STEEL IS AN AMAZING
BLUE •
. the Prince of Shensi was no more than a body. This sword .
had gone through his breast.
Korocha.
GENGHIS KHAN
JEBAY
Indeed, his name is carved here in the handle.
GENGHIS KHAN
I want to meet this Korocha. (TO OLD MAN) You, who ·heaped
praise on him: you must know where he's hiding • .
•.
OLD :M.AN
No. Korocha appears and disappears like a man from heaven.
No one can know where he's .hiding.
( . ..
\ " ·.
~, ....
Are you sure of that?
JEBAY
OLD MAN
I'm positive! And even if a man knew, he wouldn't have the
right to divulge it to you.
JEBAY
Old man: capturing Korocha is as easy, for me--as picking a
thing out of my pocket.
OLD MAi.'l
Then why don't you do it, General?
JEBAY
I want you to show us your good ·will: I want the answer to
my .question. Where is he hiding? Don't forget that Korocha
himself murdered your prince--The Prince of Shensi and of
your people.
OLD MAN
Korocha did his duty, in accordance with the will of heaven,
and in communion with the wish of the people. He eliminated
a traitor.
GENGHIS KHAN
But because he resists me, he will die.
me: I could squash you like a beetle.
(PAUSE) Listen tq
Instead, I'll give

(
you the chance to exchange your life for the life of Korocha.
Tell us where he is.
Well?
Think it over!
JEBAY
17.
OLD MAN
I don't need time to think.
·Then out with it!
JEBAY
OLD MAN
I don't know where.Korocha is. If I did know, I wouldn't
tell you .. As for my life--it•s in your hands. If the Khan
does not fear the reputation he would bear by killing a
d~fenceless emissary, then it is certainly permissible to
him-- ·
GENGHIS KHAN
Choose your words carefully! I'm not joking.
..
Nei tber am I •
OLD MAN
I would like to say sometli.ing before I die.
GENGHIS KHAN PICKS UP THE GONG­
BEATER, IS ABOUT TO STRIKE, WHEN
THE OLD MAN STEPS FORWARD TO IN­
TERRUPT HIM.
1 ·will allow it.
GENGHIS KHAN
HE PUTS THE BEATER DOWN.
OLD MAN
I will put one single question to Your Highness. The hooves
of Mongol horses have trampled every crop on the Continent;
whole populations have bowed to the Khan's flag-of-nine-flames; .;

-·
18.
( "
( ·
all I want, for the moment. But if I must eliminate the
entire human race to find it out, then I am ready. Do you
understand?
OLD MAN
Can a horse be spurred to gallop forever without tiring?
Will the human race bow its head forever before your flagof-nine
flames? Or will it begin to-- •
~ j_ GUARD'S VOICE
General To~etu;w--~~~ess!
y GENGHIS KHAN
Sen~ him i~ . lo bo tq, -·
~ f'J. _
GENERAL TOGIIE'Pl:J ENTERS, EMOTION
VISIBLE ON HIS FACE. HE SALUTES.
- · ~g 11,l
Your Highness: bad news. One of our companies has been
ambushed.
Go on.
GENGHIS KHAN
~ · A~1-,
-!I'OGUETB
It was on routine patrol; five leagues from the Yellow
River~ it was attacked--completely destroyed, except for
one man who escaped and brought the news .
. GENGHIS KHAN
Bring him here, this- soldier~ i \-
" --------- ~~ Pf,O-L G...O'. v._ r -
roG~T& ~ u o ~~
~t the Khan's command. At. ~ ~ -1 \'\-'\ ul')
TOGWETTI SAT.TIT.ES, EXITS.
OLD MAN
Your Highness--the- human race has begun to rise.
GENGHIS KHAN
I will exterminate it.
A SOLDIER ENTERS, CLOTHES TORN ~~~D
FACE BLOODY. THE KHAN TURNS TO HIN.
"
Well, now?
You didn't die with the rest?
SOLDIER
Your Highness, it was my duty to return with the news.
I'm listening.
GENGHIS KHAN

19.
C.O n ·1,P

.
20.
(
JEBAY
No, Your Highness. We would achieve the same result, however, .<
if we were to "pacify" the populace.
GENGHIS KHAN
Aha! You are right, General. Give orders for five platoons
to patrol the city all this night. In the morning, arrest
five thousand of Shensi. Five thousand at random--men, women,
children, old people: their deaths, for the deaths of
a hundred Mongol warriors.
JEBAY
Orders received, Your Highness.
GENGHIS KHAN
When they have beeri carried out, return here.
more to discuss with you.
I have much
And I
JEBAY
have another matter to bring to the Khan's attention.
JEBAY SALUTES, EXITS • THE KHA.i."'l
LOOKS AT THE OLD MAN A MOMENT.
•.
GENGHIS KHAN
Well then, where is Korocha hiding? Is it west or east of
the river--let's begin with-that. I command you to speak.
OLD MAN
Was this ambush not enough for Your Highness? Mankind has
begun to stir against you. And Your Highness is already too
advanced in age--
.•
Advanced in age!
GENGHIS KHAN
You--you want to die!
OLD MAN
(IMPASSIVE) You are old. It is a truth you cannot hide.
One day, someone else must replace you, and govern the Mongol
people. Can you be sure he will have the authority to hold
onto such a throne?
Silence!
GENGHIS KHAN
I command you to be silent!
THE KHAN COLLECTS HIMSELF, THEN
HIS" FACE TAKES ON A FRIGHTENING
CALM.
'
( ..
I authorize you to speak~
OLD MAN
The words I speak are sincere: they come from the bottom of
my heart. I accept death. I am prepared for it. I only
beg Your Highness to have pity.on the people of Shensi.

.. .. ~
21.
c.:-: t\
GENGHIS KHAN
Pity? I have no pity. Not .even for my owrr son. Fo"r ~_. \ hnom. ,
then, can I have pity? J....__
OLD MAN
Gemina, Your Highness. Gemina is also from Shensi ·. · Your
Highness loves her. For her sake, then--
GENGHIS KHAN
Love! You people are too complicated. For me, there is
only the victor and the vanquished. The one submits to the
other. That is love. I, Genghis Khan, . Emperor of· Mongolia,
am not.old. I cannot grow old. I can spend months on horseback
without tiring. I can put out the eye of a swallow
flying high in the heavens. I, the Emperor of Mongolia, have
no pity. I have no love.
' ·
OLD MAN
The Emperor has no 'pity, has no love, has only hate for
humanity--but God? Does the Emperor not fear that--
(LAUGHING)
God?
GENGHIS KHAN
~fuat is God?
..
OLD MAN
God, Your Highness, is our Supreme Lord, who reigns over all
earthly beings. God is--
GENGHIS KHAN
Ah, then God--is me! •open your eyes, old man, and -see: the
Mongol armies are numberless; the lands under my flag-of-nineflames
are infinite~ Millions of men, united into one. I
give an order--amillion_heads bow in obeisance. I tell them
to advance, and they advance. I tell them to live, and they
live. I tell them to die, and they die.
Now tell ~e where Kor.ocha is hiding.
I am God. (PAUSE)
OLD MAN
Your Highness, I have given you my answer.
You want to die.
:GENGHIS KHAN
JEBAY ...
Orders carried out, Your Highness.
HE PICKS UP THE GONG-BEATER, IS .
AGAIN ABOUT TO STRIKE WHEN JEBAY
ENTERS.
c - - ~
GENGHIS KHAN
You return at a crucial 'moment, General? Old man, I• 11 do
you a favor: I'll ask you for .the last time--where is Korocha?
.. .-
- .

··-'·- ·-- -·-- ~ .:.____ __ .
22.
OLD MAN'
(TIRED) Your Highness, I am a simple man. I have only one
answer.
GENGHIS KH.Ai'J
But the King of Shensi is dead. The Prince of Shensi is dead.
That upstart Korocha, too, will die. I can exterminate the
entire population of Shensi. Have you reflected on the consequences
of silence?
OLD MAN
There is no need to reflect. We must all die eventually-­
even Your Highness.
GENGHIS KHAN
(BELLOWING) • The Khan will not die!
The Khan will rtever--
HE STOPS IN MID-PHRASE, LOWERS HIS
HEAD, DWELLING FOR THE FIRST TIME
ON THE POSSIBILITY OF DEAT~.
OLD MAN
No one can resist the laws of nature. What is important is
to know how to choose one's death.
..
. .
I
GENGHIS KHAN
will choose yours for you •
OLD :MAN
I have been prepared for it a long time. It's an abuse of
· :,the gifts of heaven to have lived as long as I have already.
Now, thanks to your solicitude, I shall know a worthy death.- -
. I
GENGHIS KHAN
:· A worthy death! Ha! I see you have no idea what is in store .
for you •
--. ~
.. . . ,;
. .: ~ . ·: .
., .
. .
. •'
'.:
·. . OLD 1-f..AN
· . You may tear out my eyes, cut all my tendons, break my bones,
remove my flesh bit by bit, and even pulverize what is left
of me. I shall die a thousand deaths, but I shall not be
vanquished. And that is all that matters. Your Highness
· may give the order •
THE KHAN STUDIES HIM A MOMENT, THEN
HES!TANTLY RAISES THE GONG-BEATER •
C .
. ·. _-,,, .
Your Highness--
What is it?
JEBAY
GENGHIS KHAN
. .. , j .'.~ ' ;: _.. ~:: .: ' , ••
-. 1:· .. ,~· >.·- . '"i
. '

23.
JEBAY
This man can tell us something else, if Your
permit me.
Go ahead.
GENGHIS KHAN
I wish you luck.
•: .
OLD MAN
What more can you ask of me, General?
JEBAY
This question is a simple one: it's about a bird. A bird
that sings at dawn and flies extremely high. The higher it flies, the more beautifully it sings. What is the name of 1
that bird?
1
(TERRIFIED)
OLD MAL'J
I don't understand--
JEBAY ·
Corne on, old man! It's called the lark.
1
I
i
I
I
!
:
I
..
The lark?
OLD MAN
JEBAY
That's right: the skylark.
JEBAY GP~BS THE OLD MAN BY THE
.. SHOULDERS, SHAKES HIM VIOLENTLY,
HIS VOICE SNAPPING LIKE A WrlIP.
"The Skylark" is also the nickname of a man! The Skylark
knows where Korocha is hiding! \
-·
':;;'
-· . \
·.\.
OLD MAN
(DAZED) Oh, God! Korocha's brother.
- ... <
JEBAY THROWS THE OLD MAN TO THE
GROUND.
JEBAY
That's all I wanted to know. There is something I couldn't
report before I had that bit of information.
What is it?
GENGHIS .,.KHPu'I
..
"· i
C
- ,
JEBAY
When I walked into that .hut, the Prince of Shensi was not
quite dead. With his last agonized breath, he gasped two
words.
- ~·: . ·.
. ; .. . ·

24.
The Skylark.
GENGHIS KHAN
JEBAY
When I returned here, I sent men out to round him up, tho11gh ·
I wasn't sure what · use he would be f:o us. I've ju.st · learned
that he's been found, and is being brought to camp.
GENGHIS KHAN
I congratulate you, General. Well done.
JEBAY
People here think him a madman, wandering aimlessly about
the countryside. That is why I doubted his importance to
us. A madman, I thought, lead us to Korocha? But now,
thanks to this old man-- (TO OLD MAN) We are indebted to you.
OLD MA.~
But the Skylark is truly a madman! He knows nothing of Korocha.
How can you believe the ravings of insanity? Or do
you mean to make him a hostage? Korocha is not a man.to
abandon .his cause for sentiment!
•.·
JEBA.Y
Old man, you face death on three counts: first, you talk too
much; second, you know too much about our plans; third--but
there is no need to point out that crime to you. .Just how
old are you?
. "" "
·, ...
OLD M.i\.N'
·. -So, my third crime is that of being old. I know very well·
that I am at the age of death. But as I look around, I ·find____
I'm not the only one guilty .of thgt crime.
b · t.C. !'-''dZ\. 1\-j- k..t. lj t"-{. ~4"- .--· · .
GUARD'S VOICE
The Skylark awaits the orders of the Khan!
Send him in?
Ha!
. ·' ·. GENGHIS KHAN
Korocha--we'll have you yet.
. H.._ \~ ·H...c. -&-c ,._J.v_ (7~
THE KHAN'S AIDE~DE-CAMP ENTERS.
Your Highness--
AIDE
c· ..
Well, where is he?
GENGHIS KHAN
AIDE
Your Highness--the Skylark refuses to enter.
What?
GENERAL ASTONISHMENT.
GENGHIS KHAN

AIDE .
Your Highness, may I .report the manner of his refusal?
25.
Speak.
GENGHIS KHAN
AIDE
He says that he is not here of his own free will--that
Highness had him brought in, and therefore needs him.
addition, he is convinced that he is not long for this
·And that is why--
THE, AIDE HESITATES.
Your
In
world.
Go on!
GENGHIS KHAN
I ' . .
AIDE
He will enter only on three conditions •
Who is this--
. -
. GENGHIS I

26.
(
GENGHIS KHAN
Thanks to the General's reasoning, you will keep your head
for now. (TO AIDE) Have him locked up.
Yes, Your Highness.
AIDE
I
thank you, General.
OLD MAN
JEBAY
You ought, rather, to thank the Skylark.
OLD MAN
I feel that Your Highness will want to see me again.
GENGHIS KHAN
(POINTING TO THE PEARL) I keep my word. I gave you that
pearl. Pick it up.
OLD :MAN
I too keep my word. I said that I could not accept it.
(TO AIDE) Let's be off.
/
i . :·.
~:
THEY EXIT. GENGHIS KHAN PICKS UP
THE PEARL, ADMIRES IT, SETS IT ON
THE TABLE.
GENGHIS KHAN
What a foolish old man.
THE AIDE RE-ENTERS, STANDS AT AT~
T&\JTION.
Ah, but there are two more conditions!
Go on.
AIDE
He would like to rest tonight. He will appear before the
Khan tomorrow afternoon. He is too tired to think freely.
{AFTER A. HESITATION)
GENGHIS KHAN
So be it. And the third?
. AIDE
I dare not report it without the Khan's promise to spare my
life.
JEBAY
You have the Khan '.s · consent to speak.
AIDE
He says--that he cannot sleep alone, because he's afraid of
ghosts. He requests a pretty maidservant, to help him forget
that the night is long.
_,

27.
·.· ..
.... :. ~
GENGHIS KHAN
Is this madman toying with me?
Your Highness:
JEBAY
in any case, his life is in our hands.
( .-. . .
.
'.: ·.- .
( :_.
GENGHIS KHAN
Go tell the Skylark that we will give him satisfaction. Have
them do whatever is needed. You may go.
THE AIDE BOWS, EXITS •._ THE KHAN .
BEGINS TO PACE. A SINISTER RAY
OF SUNLIGHT FALLS ON THE . ARM OF
THE THRONE, CARESSING THE DRAGON'S
HEAD AND SENDING A GOLDEN REFLEC­
TION ACROSS THE ROOM. T~E RAY
FADES; THE DAY DIES. THE KHAN
STOPS PACING. HIS VOICE IS DEEP
AND EVEN IN THE DESCENDING DARK­
NESS.
This is the first tirne--the first time that I've bent to
the wishes of another. And to the Skylark--a madman! Ha!
This day: Korocha. And the old man of Shensi. I am old.
But how can I grow old? It is my duty to live! General,
do you remember how old I am?
JEBAY
I've been in the service of Your Higfiness since I was a
youth. In those days, we used to laugh that we were born
on the same day. And this year, I believe I shall be--
'--i
HE HESITATES, LOOKS AT THE KH.AJ.~.
THEY SMILE AT ONE ANOTHER.
GENGHIS KHAN
(SOFTLY) Then how old are we, General'Jebay?
JEBAY
In the spring, · I shall be seventy.
THERE IS A LONG MOMENT OF SILENCE ·•
. GENGHIS KHAN
(DISTANTLY) And so the Khan is seventy. Seventy long years
of living on horseback, intoxi~ated with blood, trampling
the plains of the continent. And to what end? One day soon,
I too shall be put into the earth.
J~BAY
Your Highness is still as strong as a god.
GENGHIS KHAN
Jebay, Jebay: no one escapes death. Each life carries in
itself the seed of its own destruction. It is the law of
.·
----
..

G· i
i
/ ,.
nature.)\ Then, one day, I will be no more • . Who will take
my place on the throne of Mongolia? ·who will have the stature
to lead my people? All these immense territories,
conquered with such eff ort, will be chopped up into a thou- .
sand pieces. My powerf ul armies will disband. The myriad
peoples who bow to my flag-of-nine-f~--the Tangut, the
Chin, the Persians, the Muslims, the Shensi--all will .re..:.
volt! My sons? They are of little value. They are envious,
and hate one another. There is only one possibility: there
is only Jushi.
JEBAY
The prince is both virtuous and gifted.
C
'- ·.
"/ :_... .
.·
~~·
·'
GENGHIS KHAN
I know he is. But being virtuous and gifted is not enough
to hold the , Mongols together. He must also submit .to my ·
will..
JEBAY
Your Highness, in my opinion--·
He has betrayed me?
GENGHIS KHAN
You didn't know that, General?
JEBAY
No, by God! How could that be? Ever since he went to rule
the Arabian territory, each of his actions has been governed
by the desire to please Your Highness.
..
c'
GENGHIS KHAN
-
Not now! Now he has refused--not once, but three times-- :
to return here ·at my bidding. He has even taken it upon ---­
himself to raise his own army. He has dismissed all the
trusted men r sent him as counsellors--
Your Highness-
JEBAY
' ! .
GENGHIS KHAN
No! Don't try to defend him. While you were gone to meet
with the Prince of Shensi, I dispatched my counsell.or Ly Tu
with an ul.timatum to my son.
What was it?
JEBAY
GENGHIS KHAN
That he return here at once. My final order. Either he
returns with Ly Tu--and no one else--to confer with me, or--
·(-~
._;. ,
Or what, Your Highness?
JEBAY
··.·

~/) \ 29.
GENGHIS KHAN \
has no right to live--even if he is my _~
his orders, and knows what he must do. ·
JEBAY
Even tigers do not devour their own offspring.
~
t-:Ju \ f Y
~o . \
CG\~l, ~ .
GENGHIS KHAN \ l
(ADAMANT) Man must be more intelligent than the beasts. \~Q
Jebay, who does not feel affection .for his children? Wh:J
does not love his flesh and blood? But I a:m · -··
the Khan of Mongolia. I haven't the right ~o feel .·pity. OO'~V\ -
I do not comprehend pity. The Khan does not pity. · ~ u
. . .
JEBAY
(FALLING TO HIS KNEES) I am unpardonable.
; -
·r \
GENGHIS KHAN -- - - ~ -- - -
Nor You are not at fault. Get up. Night has fallen, and ·., '
you have traveled much. Go get some rest. You must be dead_, · _
with fatigue.
JEBAY
I don't know the meaning of the word.
.\;
I
\. ,
•• <
.(
i~ · . I
...... _
GENGHIS KHAN
My Jebay is truly a man of valor. But I want him to go rest.
Do you remember the vow we made when we were young?
JEBAY
I was born the same day as Your Highness. I vowed to serve
him the rest of my l .ife-- -- .
·GENGHIS KHAN
Yes, but we also -swore that, when the time came, we would
die the same day. Remember? Well, then: go get some rest.
JEBAY SALUTES, CROSSES TO EXIT.
By the way, Ly Tu's mission to my son is known to no one e~
cept you, General.
JEBAY EXITS . . THE KHAN, ALONE,
GESTURES AS IF TO WAVE OFF AN
OPPRESSIVE THOUGHT. HE CROSSES
TO THE THRONE, SITS •
...
How quiet it is! My sons. Each under a different sky.
Jushi: was my decision too hasty?
HE STRIKES THE GQNG.
ENTERS.
~~ 'r\ ~ -Tc. ~o-v-..
THE AIDE
Your Highness?
AIDE er. - · s~ ~ ~ - ~

. '
"'("'"·. \
r
\
GENGHIS KHAN
Bring something to drink.
Even my son betrays me.
THE AIDE EXITS.
30.
Then who is to be trusted?
·l (
(JJ...~ l
I am still as potent as a youth. . ~ovJ~
~yd...¢o'f'.V>l~ .
THE AIDE ENTERS WITH ThO LIGHTED
CANDLES. THE KHAN RISES SUDDENLY,
HURSLS THE GOURD, BREAKING IT TO
PIECES.
One candle only.
Put it on the table.
THE AIDif &ts"-~~o ?L
· Now open wide the entrance to my tent.
--- .
THE AIDE FOLDS BACK THE TENT-FLAPS.
OUTSIDE, TOTAL DARKNESS.
x 'R. J-., cs
Now, leave here with the other candle, · and walk>straight
ahead. Count off a hundred paces, and stop. A-~ cl

C -\
~;J )
AIDE
Your Highness is a man from God.
GENGHIS . KHAN
I am not a man from God. I am God.· Do you understand?'
How old are you?
--· ""
31.
R_ ' -
.
. !
--
V AIDE1'
I have served Your Highness since I was eighteen.
time, seven seasons of snow have passed into--
Since that
_.,
····...
. ~ ..·•·
GENGHIS KHAN
I ask him his age, and he gives me Chinese poetry? · So, you
are o~ly twenty-five.
UE . !I'IfROl'iS Tim :BOW Atp 'l'l:l£ .. "\IDE' S
~.
Pick up·- thakhow, and draw it.
. 0-~ C'S
THE AIDE_TEIES, IS UNABLE ro DO SO.
AIDE
. The bow of Your Highness, the Khan of all Mongolia--
Try again!
GENGHIS KHAN
..
,; .-'•.._.;..
.., ...
. ;
. ··---~ ' . ·- :·~
. j
.; ·'.L
: .. ,• ~
.·.. ,. : ~
I
-
.....___ __ -· _:: ..
HE .DOES SO, FAILS, FALLS TO HIS
KNEES .
~-~ _ -< , AIDE
am unpardonable--but I am too weak, Your Highness.
. ~Ji;IA KU:..'?z?i 60&£ 'I'O 'I'm!: TZ\~L"&, PI€KS
_ ~THE gfilIBL, THROWS IT BEFORE HIM.
_ ~~ -~stu..ia

32.
GENGHIS KHk'\J'
I don't have the right to grow old.
Immortal. And why not?
I am forever young.
GUARD'S VOICE
Gemina, Princess of Shensi?
GENGHIS KH.Ai.'l\J
Gernina. (SHOUTS) She may enter: Gernina.
TWO HANDMAIDENS APPE,AE AT THE TENT
OPENING, EACH CARRYING A LANTERN.
THEY SEPARATE, AND GEMINA PASSES
BETWEEN THEM, BOWS.
Ah, Gernina: (TO SERVANTS) You may leave us.
THE SERVANTS BOW, EXIT . THE KHAN
GOES TO TABLE, TAKES THE CANDLE,
CROSSES SLOWLY TO GEMINA AND LIFTS
UP . HER CHIN. IN THE CANDLE-LIGHT
HER FACE APPEARS, A STAR IN THE
DESERT SKY.
( . :.
"- .: ,
Gemina .•••• do you know what love is?
GEM INA
(GLACIAL) I belong to a conquered people. Your Highness is
· the conqueror. I do not know what love is.
THE KHAN THROWS THE CANDLE TO THE
FLOOR. THE TENT IS PLUNGED INTO
DARKNESS. THE KHAN .BURSTS INTO
LAUGHTER • . -
~ ~. . . ..
. .
.-.--··
..
- 1 -
LIGHTS FADE TO BLACK.
c· ... 1

•.
ACT TWO
..
' I
. >
: ·. -

I=" '-+- ~ >'\ l Q_'i
\\\~
IO
34.
. .
U
. . I
I
/.
1
I
!
i
\
' .
'··,
' ....
! .,..
.
LATE AFTERNOON THE NEXT DAY.
KOROCHA' S SWORD IS STILL WHERE
IT WAS ON THE TABLE • .
\ THE OLD ~.Al'\J OF SHENSI ST-ANDS PA­
\ TIENTLY IN A CORNER OF THE TENT.
-~ ···-- - -------. j THE PEARL CURTAIN STIRS; THE AIDE
·-·--. .z_SILENTL Y ENTERS FROM THE SLEEPING-
ALCOVE.
\~
I/ / --~~__
:--_ -~----OLD MAN '
/,,You there--young man! It's late afternoon, well past the
hour of the cock; The Khan surrunoned me this morning, for ...___ __
the .hour of the monkey--and I '.m stil.l waiting here .to see
him. '· · - · -
•.
. TRANCE.
-'"" '
Lt;-~
·::~~ -- ~ori--v9-leE
The Skylark .awaits orders!
THE AIDE STOPS, LOOKS AT THE OLD
MAN A MOMENT; THEN, WITHOUT A WORD,
HE CONTINUES TOi-iARDS THE TENT EN-
\1 . . He- -may enter!
L__-
T~ SKYLARK ENTERS , WITH A LIGHT ·
STEP. HE IS YOl.~G, GAUNT, WITH
A HIGH, NARROW FOREHEAD. HIS GAZE
IS PENETRATING, ALTERNATELY RE-
_ FLECTING REVOLT AND DESPAIR, BUI'
LIGHTENED AT MOMENTS BY A MISCHIEV­
OUS GLEAN. HIS SMILE IS CANDID,
YET PINCHED LIPS ALREADY DENOTE A
A CERTAIN BITTERNESS. HE IS NOT
HANDSOME, BUT DOES NOT LACI{ CHAR!'-i

35.
OR DISTINCTION. HE CROSSES TO THE
MIDDLE OF THE TENT, . POINTS TO THE
EMPTY THRONE.
(TO AIDE)
THE SKYLARK
Where is he?
AIDE
His Highness left orders for you to wait.
Until when?
THE SKYLARK
It's already past the hour of the cock.
AIDE
Wait there, and don't ask questions.
you. Wait your turn.
This old man is before
• .
The Skylark?
OLD MAN
THE AIDE EXITS.
..
Ah!
THE SKYLARK
It's you, venerable old man!
( .·
OLD MAN
I thank you for saving my life yesterday.
THE SKYLARK
Genghis Khan isn't here?
OLD MAN ---
I don't know. His Highness summoned me this morning. I've
waited hours, and still haven't seen him. (TO HIMSELF) Why
did he call us both in together? Skylark, what are you going
to ·do?
- - ~ .
THE SKYLAH.K
Venerable old man, what can I do?
OLD MAN
.Do you know why you've been arrested?
It hardly matters.
. THE SKYLARK
OLD MAN
But it's extremely important--the welfare of all our people!
( :.
(LAuGHING)
Oh!
Why do you laugh?
THE -SKYLARK
OLD MAN
~"

36.
( ·
THE SKYLARK
Forgive me, old man . . I'm afflicted with that fault:
laugh--especially at things of great importance.
I
Skylark!
OLD MAN
This is a solemn moment.
THE SKYLARK
Then tell me about it. I'm impatient to know more.
OLD MAN
You must thank the heavens. You shall have the honor of
making a sacrifice~
Sacrifice!
what?
-THE SKYLARK
An important wor.d. But sacrifice what-;-and for
, .
(.
OLD MAN
An insignificant life, for something high and eternal.
THE SKYLARK
Life is not only insignificant; it is absurd--especially my
own. But what is there that is so grand, so high, so eternal?
History.
OLD MAN
The past of an entire people.
THE SKYLARK
History! Another important word. In my humble opinion,
history is the personal property of men like you--of aged·
men. Whereas I, not yet twenty, not yet with any past to
~peak of-~how should I d~re to speak. of history?
-- - - · OLD MAN
But history is the property of_ us all. Each man worthy of
the name has the right _to inscribe history with characters
· of blood. History belongs to heroes.
-THE SKYLARK
To glorious men, to virtuous women, whose example shines
across a thousand generations! True. But then history is
not for me. I don't. want to become a famous man. I detest
heroes. Do you know why I asked, yesterday, that your life
be spared?
'·
_.
I'm not too sure, now.
OLD MAN
(
THE SKYLARK
Why, because it was death you hoped for. Every man must die-­
be it through sickness, warfare, or old age. If that be so,
then to ask that a Mongol sword cut off one's life, when that

37.
(
life is already at an end, is, all in all, a cheap move.
You hardly lose a thing, yet you assure yourself a nice
niche in history.
Don't be impertinent.
OLD :MA.i'J'
THE SKYLARK
Nothing hurts like the truth. It is true, however! I was
afraid that history might feel obliged to write the name of
one more hero. Ah, I feel sorry for the Mongol troops: there ·
they are--making war, slicing away, massacring millions-- ·
only to enrich the history of others.
OLD MAN
Your words are blasphemy. Is your way of life, then, the
only one worth living?
THE SKYLARK
No way of life is worth living, Since we had no choice b:ut
to be born, we might as i,~e11 accept life. Each man, however,
must choose his own way. The life of heroes is, as well as
my own, a way of life. I criticize no one.
(
OLD MAN
Then what is your way of life?
THE SKYLARK
To imitate no one. To be master of my fate. Not to let myself
be one of a series, cut with others from the same mold-­
even if that mold is a golden one.
OLD K.l\N
I can only pity Korocha for the misfortune to have a brother
like you. '
THE SKYLARK
Ah, Korocha! My model of a brother. There, now: there's a
golden mold; there's your jade stallion! There's a hero.
OLD MAN
You .have no right to blaspheme like that! Korocha is no
· 1onger your brother.
THE SKYLARK
Venerable old man, your servant has no intention of keeping
him as a family heirloom. I solemnly give that hero to history.
THEY ARE BOTH SILENT A MOMENT.
(
Now, listeri carefully:
knew the whole sto~y.
OLD HAN
you ·couldn't say such things if you
It concerns not only the fate of your

other, but the fate of your people, my owri fate, and yours
as well.
THE SKYLARK
Leave my fate out of this.
OLD }Li\.N'
That's impossible. Like it or not, you play a part. (LOW­
ERING HIS VOICE) The Prince of Shensi would have surrendered
to the Mongols. Your brother Korocha killed him.
THE SKYLARK
What has that to do with me?
OLD MAN
Let us suppose .... let us suppose that you knew where your
brother is hiding.
38.
(SMILING)
Ah?
THE SKYLARK
But, to suppose I knew would be superfluous!
OLD MA.J.'J
..
Ah.
Yes.
THE SKYLARK
THE OLD }1.i\J. 'J PONDERS THIS A H01'-1ENT.
OLD }!AN
Skylark, I ask one thing of you. In the name of our people,
I invoke all that you hold sacred in this life--
For example?
THE SKYLARK
.OLD MAN
The ghost of your father, who was my friend--
\
THE SKYLARK
Let the dead rest in peace.
Our country!
OLD MA.'J
THE SKYLARK
Is that the King of Shensi? Or the crown prince?
Friendship.
I have no friends.
OLD NAN
THE SKYLARK

39.
(
Love?
OLD MAN
THE SKYLARK
What do you know of love? Venerable old man, you are beyond
the age that deals with love. (GIVING IN) All right, then-~
what is it you want?
IN THE ENCROACHING DARKNESS, JEBAY
APPEARS IN THE TENT OPENING, A
CANDLE IN HIS HAND. HE IS UNPER-
CEIVED BY THE OTHER TWO. , .
I
OLD MAN
ask only that you do not tell them Korocha's hiding place •.
THE SKYLARK
Don't insist, old man. That matter concerns me alone.
JEBAY
(ENTERING) On the contrary, that matter concerns us ~11.
General Jebay?
Shensi?
OLD MAN
(TO HIMSELF) God wishes the destruction of
JEBAY
You're the Skylark, Korocha's brother?
JEBAY PUTS DO NN THE CANDLE.
I am the Skylark.
THE SKYLARK
That's enough for me.
JEBAY
Let's get right to the point.
is hiding?
Do you know where your brother
I
If I say no?
Don't lie ,to me!
THE SKYLARK
JEBAY
I heard everything.
THE SKYLARK
(LAUGHING) If you heard everything, why do you ask?
(TREMBLING)
OLD MAN
Skylark, you don't have the right to tell them.
(
'·
THE SKYLARK
You think I don't have the right?
You must speak.
JEBAY

THE SKYLARK
And you--you want me to speak. On one side stands ~heJ~ation,
the people, the past, history; on the other side . ~~
sword and fire. Poor Skylark--standing in the frying-pan,
wondering shou·1d he jump!
OLD MAN
The people of Shensi will curse you for generations.
JEBAY
And I will have your head.
THE SKYLARK
But this is terrible! How can I please you both?
40 .•
You must choose.
OLD MAJ.'i
THE SKYLARK
Of course I must choose--but I will not capitulate. (TO JEBAY)
I find that three's a crowd: wonderful for conversat~on, but
rarely leading to anything serious.
OLD MAN
I regret that I did not die yesterday.
JEBAY
But there is always today. Isn't that right, Skylark?
I have no idea.
THE SKYLARK
JEBAY
His Highness has given me full power.
----
OLD MAN
Then what are you wa~t~~g .for?
JEBAY STRIKES THE GONG.
(TO THE SKYLARK)
There you are. Are you satisfied?
THE SKYLARK
Not entirely. This is just the beginning.
THE AIDE ENTERS. JEBAY DRAWS HIS
SWORD, THROWS IT TO THE FLOOR, IN­
DICATES THE OLD I'!Al'J.
~· . ... _,.
AIDE
At your command, General.
OLD .MAN
I hope that my death will open your eyes!

( .
\
A heroic death!
extremely lucky.
THE SKYLARK
Your wish has been fulfilled.
Go~dbye, venerable old man.
You are
41.
THE AIDE APPROACHES THE OLD HAi'J,
BUT HE GOES VOLUNTARILY TO THE
EXIT, HIS HEAD HELD HIGH.
SILENCE, THEN THE ROLL OF A DRUM.
The hist~y of Shensi records one more patriotic death.
thank yciu, General.
/
THE AIDE RE-ENTERS, PRESENTS THE
SWORD TO JEBAY, BOWS, EXITS.
JEBAY
~ow, as you wished, there are· only two of us--and we can
talk seriously. What are you thinking?
THE SKYLARK
I'm ·thinking . that I don't like your mug.
I
JEBAY .
My sword, however, is very sharp.
calmly, shall we?
So let's discuss this
(
\
THE SKYLARK
Discuss? With you? Send Genghis Khan in here instead.
JEBAY CROSSES TO THE PEARL CURTAIN.
(CALLING)
JEBAY
Your Highness!
GENGHIS KHAN
The order for the patrols?
THE CURTAIN MOVES ASIDE INSTANTLY,
REVEALING GENGHIS KHAN, V..1HO HAS
BEEN STANDING THERE ALL ALONG.
HE CROSSES TO THE THRONE, SITS.
JEBAY
Five platoons will set out with the first watch, Your Highness,
the same ·as last night.
Who commands?
Tobotai.
· GENGHIS KHAN
JEBAY
( /
GENGHIS KHAN
And the five thousand Shensi?

(
'
( -
JEBAY
Detained, and awaiting Your Highness's orders.
Good.
GENGHIS KHAN
You may go, General.
.I
I
JEBAY SALUTES, EXITS. IN THE
ENSUING SILENCE, THE KHAN AND THE
SKYLAHK EXCHANGE EVALUATING- STARES •
Your liJEle chat with the old man of Shensi was arranged, you
see.
THE SKYLARK
So you are Genghis Khan. _
. GENGHIS KHAN
Very benevolent to those who submit.
THE SKYLARK
I don't belong .to "those who submit"--and you know it. So
let's have a truce on threats, and get down to facts.
GENGHIS KHAN
My threats are never idle.
THE SKYLARK
But they're a waste of time. You want me to show you Korocha
's hide-out. Am I right?
Right.
That's a p~ecious
GENGHIS KHAN
THE SKYLARK
secret!
GENGHIS KHAN.
Precious--but not priceless. Do you want to bargain?
willing to pay a lot for it.
r•m
How much?
Your life.
THE SKYLARK
GENGHIS KHA.J.'l
-THE SKYLARK
That's not enough. A while ago, I had a more attractive offer:
a place in history. I refused. Better than that, I sent a
man to his death, to- free myself of all ties. You see, I had
to be free to choose, in this talk with you. But now, it•s
different.
GENGHIS- KHA.J.'J
You've decided against it?

43.
c
THE SKYLARK
Nothing is certain.
GENGHIS KHAN
Skylark, I heard your ~onversation from start to finish.
You' re 1~· e no one I• ve ever met.
Bring something to drink.
THE AIDE EXITS.
Snow falls night and day in this place. A little alcohol
will warm the blood.
TWO CUPS, EXITS. GENGHIS KHAN
-Drink! You are like no one I've ever met.
THEY DRINK.
c··
The wine of China?
ride like the Mongols, but they have a way with alcohol.
~early t·Kenty.
past.
GENGHIS KHAN
That's good. You are made like me.
THEY DRINK.
No one has ever spoken to me as you have. Yet suddenly I
feel--serene. I no :- longer know what I'm thinking ••••
THE SKYLARK
.{ ~·
Now, you• re still young:
'Khat do .. ou most desire? You shall have it. I• 11 give you
time to, think. .
/ HE STRIKES THE GONG; THE AIDE ENTERS.
THE AIDE ENTERS WITH A GOL1RD AND
FILLS THE CUPS, GIVES ONE.TO THE
SKYLARK.
The inhabitants of that country cannot
Their wine is warm and scented, like the breath of a beautiful
woman. How old are you?
THE SKYLARK
But I'm older than you Mongols, who have no
--- GENGHIS KHAN
I don't understand that, but no matter. Have you ever loved?
THE SKYLARK
Love means more than one. At present, I think only of myself.
A woman ••.• a flame dancing · in the hearth •••• a white cloud
stretched· across a mountain-top •.•• a flock of sheep, immaculately
white •••• a field of verdant grass •••. a song on a shepherd•
s flute ••••

44.
GENGHIS -KHAN
(LOST IN REVERIE) A long time ago, when I was young, I
used to sing a song .••. a shepherd's song.
THE KHAN BREAKS INTO SONG, BUT SO
OFF-KEY THAT THE SKYLARK BURSTS
OUT LA_UGHING . THE KHAN STbPS SHORT,
ANGRY; THEN, SUCCUMBING TO THE
YOUNG MAN'S SPONTANEITY, LAUGHS
HEARTILY HIMSELF.
General Jebay?
VOICE OF GUARD
JEBAY APPEARS AT THE ENTRANCE.
THE LAUGHTER STOPS. THE MO:MENT -
OF COMl"fUNION IS ENDED. GENGHIS
KHAN AGAIN BECOMES THE MONGOL EM­
PEROR.
Enter!
GENGHIS KHAN
--
Your Highness--
Speak freely.
JEBAY
GENGHIS KHAN
JEBAY ENTERS QUICKLY.
HE STOPS, INDICATING THE SKYLARK.
JEBAY, INSTEAD, CROSSES TO THE
THRONE, SPEAKS QUIETLY TO THE KB&~.
GENGHIS KHAN
Tobotai? General Tobotai?
Tobotai, Your Highness.
JEBAY
I don't understand.
matter.
GENGHIS KHAN
What happened?
Speak up--it doesn't
JEBAY
Your Highness, the five platoons were preparing to set out,
but when the hour was at hand, we learned that their com­
mander--
Tobotai--
GENGHIS.KHAN

45.
(
JEBAY
Tobotai had deserted,, alone, sometime around the hour of the
cock.
Deserted! But why?
Where is ye gone?
.GENGHIS KHAN
Haven't I always been generous to him?
.I
JEBAY
Hecan'1Jfhave got very far, wherever he is.
GENGHIS KHAN
But the first watch is already over.
JEBAY
The first watch is just over. If Your Highness wil~ grant
permission, r~ - 11 go after him myself.
Take a platoon.
GENGHIS KHA.J.\J'
Will that be enough?
JEBAY
For exterminating a traitor, it's more than enough.
•.
I .
""
GENGHIS KHAN
Bring him back alive.
JEBAY
Then 1•11 need the platoon.
GENGHIS KHAN
And the five platoons on -patrol ·must set out immediately.
Find them another commander. Have them patrol all night.
At your command.
JEBAY
JEBAY SALUTES, EXITS. THEN, MEN'S
VOICES OUTSIDE, THE WHINNYING OF
HORSE, THE ROLL OF DRUMS. GENGHIS
KHAN SITS, PENSIVE.
GENGHIS KHAN
Tobotai. A valiant Mongol officer. Why? But if even my
son harbors thoughts of treason, how should they not occur
to others? Is it beginning to, crumble? And later, without
me, who will have the strength to take over? My son Jushi?
Ha! Too late . . I must live. I must live forever.
HE NOTICES THE SKYLARK.
(
Ah!
You're here.
I'm still here.
THE SKYLARK
.•

(
GENGHIS KH.Al'J
I've forgotten what we were talking about.
What was it?
46~
You were singing.
THE SKYLARK
/ ·· GENGHIS KHAN
Me? Si~fng? Oh, yes--a shepherd's song.
/ THE SKYLARK
The breath of a woman, intoxicating as wine--
GENGHIS KH.ru'J
It's finished.· Far away. Now, it's you, the Skylark, and
your brother Korocha.
And General Tobotai.
General Jebay!
THE SKYLARK
VOICE OF GUA.RD
GENGHIS KHAN
Enter! (TO SKYLARK) You're right: and Tobotai.
..
Well, General?
JEBAY EXTERS.
JEBAY
Your Highness, Tobotai awaits the Khan's orders.
GENGHIS KHAN
Good work! But so quickly? Where was he hiding--under -your.
horse?
JEBAY
Your Highness, we had hardly stepped out of camp when we
saw him. He had come back to us on his own.
GENGHIS KHAN PONDERS THIS A MOMENT,
THEN STRIKES THE GONG. THE AIDE
ENTERS.
Tobotai!
Your Highness.
GENGHIS KHAN
THE AIDE
THE AIDE EXITS.
You may go, General.
GENGHIS KHAN
JEBAY SALUTES, EXITS. TOBOTAI ·

47.
ENTERS, PROUD AND DEFIANT. HE IS
A HUSKY }10NGOL GENERAL, STILL YOUNG.
GENGHIS KH.~'J DOES NOT LOOK AT HIH,
DOES NOT SPEAK Hvf1'1£DIATEL Y.
. GENGHIS KHAN
(CALMLY) /ke11, Tobotai? Why did you come back? Not enough
courage? / I have always been generous to my troops. All the
less re~ 'son that you, a valiant :Mongol officer--you who have
served;me so many years-- You deserted! Why? What were you
plotting? You have betrayed me and the Mongol people~
TO BOT AI
Don't raise yo~r voice to me. I don't consider you the Mongol
people.
GENGHIS KHAN'
What.} wb.o, then, has led the Mongol people? Who has sent
the hooves of Mongol horses thundering across the continent?
. TOBOTAI
The hooves of our horses thunder, but is it the will of the
Mongol people? Or is it only the spectacle of your own ambition?
You pretend to lead the Mongol people, yet you have
led them only from one battlefield to another, from one massacre
to another. Your only goal is to conquer, for your
personal profit, all the thrones o= the continent--of Tangut,
of China, of Persia, of Arabia, and now of Shensi. You are
seated on a sea of blood--the blood of the :Mongols. It is
you who are the traitor of our people!
GENGHIS KHAN
And that is .the reason you left me?
TO BOT AI
No. Not exactly. In truth, I left in search of--in search
of the green bank of a river. I ·wanted to stretch out in
the grass and spend the rest of my useless life watching the
water flow by. I was tired. I'd had enough--enough of everything.
GENGHIS KHA!'\J'
(CONTEMPTUOUSLY) The green bank of a river~ You expect me
to believe--so there: there is all the ambition of a Mongol
officer!
TO BOT AI
But I found it was useless~ Everything is useless.
GENGHIS KHAN
So you came back. What's stopping you from kneeling to me
now, and begging mercy?

48.
·.
,..
(
TO BOT AI
I know I'm about to die. I came back--simply to ask you a
question.
Ask it!
GENGHIS KHAN'
Have yo~~ver once
stretc9"out, to lie
GENGHIS KHAl'J
And think of a woman--
A Mongol
TO BOT AI
felt tired? Tired, and wanting only to
quietly somewhere--
TOBOTAI
woman, warm as wine--
(TO ;THE SKYLARK)
white-~
TO BOT AI
Under a clear blue sky--
GENGHIS KHAN
And look at a flock of sheep, immaculately
..
(
' \
e.: ·'
GENGHIS KHAN
And listen to the song of a shepherd?
HE SINGS THE SAME SHEPHERD'S SONG.
TOBOTAI, Du~!BFOONDED, STARES AT
WHAT MIGHT BE A MADMAN. GENGHIS
KHAN STOPS ABRUPTLY AND BURSTS IN­
TO LAUGHTER.
You see, ~'m just. like you. There are moments when I, too,
think of childishness. But at present--
TO BOT AI
At present, you have eyes only for the red of blood, the cold
. blue of steel.
GENGHIS KHAN
And ears only for the moans of the tortured--the shriek of
a babe as its head is lopped off, its mother's nipple still
in its mouth; the sobs of a young wife over the warm corpse
of her husband; the lugubrious song of a dull blade hacking
into fresh bone. Tobotai? M~ destiny is to build an empire?
You are a firefly: how could you understand the stars?
TO BOT AI
I regret that I don't have a sword in my hand.
GENGHIS KHAi.'J
You're not worthy to hold--
------

49.
(
Skylark, that's not a toy for children.
You're rilt:
.I
HE SEES THE SKYLARK PUTTING HIS
HAND ON KOROCHA'S SWORD.
THE SKYLARK
it's a toy for grown-ups.
You reg{etted the lack of a sword.
HE H.A.1'1DS THE SWORD TO TOBOTAI.
TOBOTAI TAKES IT.
And now I'm about to see how grown-ups amuse themselves.
THE KHA:.'\J PICKS UP THE GONG-BEATER, : .
STOPS IN MID-SWING, PLACES ~T BACK
ON THE TABLE.
GENGHIS KHAN'
I could call the guards--but I want to see if you have the
courage.
•.
( . . · .
TO BOT AI
You don't have time to call them.
of steel? Your wish is granted!
GENGHIS KHAN
I could use a glass of wine.
The red of blood, the blue
What more could you ask?
TO BO TAI
Drinki Give yourself courage! It's your last.
THE KH.A.1'1
FICKS UP THE GOURD, DRINKS •
. GENGHIS KHA.i'J'
Wine, warm and scented, like the breath of a beautiful woman.
· THE SKYLARK
You're repeating yourself! Can't ·you think of anything better?
A beautiful woman?
TO BOT AI
Find one in the next life. Look!
THE FLASHING SWORD DESCRIBES AN
ARC AIMED AT THE KHAN'S HEAD.
GE:'-JGHIS KHAN BLOCKS THE BLOW WITH
THE GOURD--WITH SUCH FORCE THAT
THE SWORD FALLS TO THE GROUND. TO­
BOTAI IS TOO SURPRISED TO GO AFTER
·IT.
Well, Skylark?
GENGHIS KHAN

50.
(- .
THE SKYLARK PIC~S UP THE SWORD,
PUTS IT BACK ON THE TABLE.
Now it's your move.
THE SKYLARK
!
" GENGHIS KHAN
THE KHAN PICKS UP THE GONG-BEATER.
This wiJ!l be an order for your head.
/
. TOBOTAI
· r•ve chosen death. Spare me your blabbering.
GENGHIS KHAN
You will die not for your treason, not for your desertion,
not even for your try at assassination. You will die for
another crime. Do you know what it is?
THE SKYLARK
For being a Mongol officer who can't hold onto a sword.
GENGHIS KHAN
This child of Shensi is very astute.
( ·
Tobotai!
Do you have anything to say?
THE KHAN STRIKES THE GONG.
You too will die.
.
Long after you!
TO BOT AI
GENGHIS KHAN
THE AIDE ENTERS.
TO BOT AI
No! You will die here, in this very city. For such is the
will of the Mongol people; such is the will of all peoples
on this earth. You wish to appear · calm, serene--but you
lose both sleep and appetite. Disquiet gnaws at you, day
and night. You are haunted! Haunted by the phantom of a
man.
And who is that?
GENGHIS KHAN
Korocha!
TO BOT AI
c
(AN ORDER)
Death!
GENGHIS KHAN

(
THE AI.DE APPROACHES TOBOTAI, WHO
BRUSHES HIH ASIDE AND EXITS, HEAD
THE AIDE FOLLOWS OUT.
A DRUM-ROLL I &'\JD THEN QUIET. THE
KHAN GETS UP SLOWLY, AND BEGINS TO
PACE.
51.
HELD HIGH.
I
GENGHIS KHAN
Skylark: ,/wasting words is not my nature.
THE SKYLARK
You wan ( me to lead you to Korocha.
GENGHIS KHlu"J
Exactly.
THE SKYLARK
If I refuse?
GENGHIS KHAN
the largest precious stones of India, the. most beauti~ul
with eyes like Persian velvet--
THE SKYLARK
And if I refuse?
(. .:
GENGHIS KHAN
.
You don't realize what it means to die. You can't imagine
look up at the sky for the last time,
the last time, .. before they close forever.
THE SKYLARK
But let's suppose that you were in my shoes.
.do?
FECTION. THEN HE WITHDRAWS THE
HAND AND TURNS AWAY.
GENGHIS KHAN
You are the same age as my children. I give you back your
question: in my shoes, what would you do?
'
THE SKYLARK
Neither choice is easy. But if I were you--
, .--
\" '
You are still young. Consider that I have in my possession
girls,
that moment when the sword is on your throat, when your eyes
and see that blue for
I know tha~ you're sincere with me, and I thank you for it.
What would you
THE KHAN LOOKS AT HIM, PUTS A HAND
ON HIS SHOULDER IN A GESTURE OF AF~
THE SKYLARK GOES TO THE TABLE,
PICKS UP THE GONG-BEATER, STRIKES
THE GONG, TOSSES THE BEATER ONTO
THE TABLE.
. '

52.
There!
I would've chosen that, long ago.
THE AIDE APPEARS.
THE AIDE
Your Highrn~ss
I
.
. GENGHIS KHAN
Skylark, ' open your eyes wide and look
colors~forms, features, silhouettes.
.out his eyes •
for the last time:
(TO THE AIDE) Put
You disappoint me.
THE SKYLARK
Is .that the best you could do?
Rest easy:
GENGHIS KHAN
this is only the beginning.
THE SKYLARK AND AIDE EXIT. A
DRUM-ROLL, THEN A PIERCING CRY IN
THE NIGHT. A MOMENT LATER; THE
AIDE RETL'RJ.'JS.
•,
THE AIDE
The Skylark awaits further orders.
GENGHIS . KHAN
Is that enough for you?
THE SKYLARK STAGGERS IN, HIS FACE
COVERED WITH BLOOD. EVEN SO, HE
MAKES AN EFFORT AT COMPOSURE, STANDS
IMMOBILE.
(LAUGHING)
THE SKYLARK
Sick to your stomach already?
' \
c·
-.. GENGHIS KHA.J.'l
Guard, the five thousand Shensi.
THE AIDE
Awaiting the orders of your Highness.
GENGHIS KHAN
Skylark, listen to me well: you can no longer see, but you
can still hear--even better than before. So listen to the
orders I'm about to give. (TO AIDE) Have them cut of the
heads of five Shensi--no matter which: men, women, children.
And use the drum. Do you hear, Skyla~k? A roll of the drum-­
one more head. (TO AIDE) . Let the drum be loud.
At the Khan's command.
THE AIDE

53.
One head.
THE AIDE EXITS. ·A MOMENT LATER,
SHATTERING THE NIGHT'S SILENCE, '
CRIES OF SUPPLICATION AND DISMAY.
DOMINATING THESE; THE FIRST GRAVE ·
AND SINISTER DRUM-4.ROLL.
I .
GENGHIS KHAN .,, ..
'5 f (.. )\ 0 -rv.s
ANOTHER DRUM-ROLL, MORE CRIES.
;. .Two!
THE . S&"ll1E .
3 Three! ·
THE SANE.
t}-
Four?
THE SANE.
•,
Skylark! . ·Did you hear?
Five heads are in the dust.
r·.·-z: .. L\. .
\ '
THE AIDE
Orders carried out, ·Your Highness •
·, .. ·-.-
THE AIDE ENTERS.
. -·.-.
"GENGHIS KHAN
· ~: Well, Skylark ~ - do you need more drums? No answer? Then . you
:-,::..consent to more. (TO AIDE) Five more drums! Five more heads-:
;
··.....
THE AIDE EXITS. THE CRIES AND C.l\.41""""l
DRUM-BOLLS START AGAIN. AFTER 'SE:° .
THE THIRD:
. ·.;\ '
-Have them stop!
-
.-·THE SKYLARK
GENGHIS KHAN
. Ah! You have something to say?
!
FOURTH DRUM-ROLL.
' \ "" ·
THE SKYLARK
Genghis Khan! Why not kill .mg_? They're innocent people! ·
FIFTH DRUM-ROLL.
GENGHIS KHA.1"\J
Neither choice is easy. They are Shensi.
A MOMENT FOR AN ANSt·JER.
., .
.. · .... .
•: • '~

54 • .
You won't speak? You hold there, do you? Your life, and
.. the life of five thousand innocent people, in exchange for
a single word. °t'lnat more do you want?
THE SKYLARK
I only want to keep the. promise I made to myself.
You're mad.
Guard!
GENGHIS KH.AJ."\l
But I wish to learn the extent of your madness.
THE AIDE ENTERS • THE "KHAN lVliIS-'
PERS TO HIM.
. . ·~· ...
At the Khan's command.
THE AIDE
•' .-;- ·
THE AIDE EXITS.
GENGHIS KHAN
I regret that I had your eyes put out. Now you will ?nly
· hear the horrible spectacle I am preparing for you.
..
THE AIDE ENTERS.
-·-·· ..... - __ - ·.
...:. -...:...;.~ ·::;-
THE AIDE
Ready, Your Highness.
·, GENGHIS KHAN
_Have them enter •
·:,,·,
: ... ·: ~··: - . ·-··
THE AIDE SIGNALS OUTSIDE. A
YOUNG WOMAN ENTERS, CARRYING ~"J
INFANT.
..__ ____
-. "".'---.: __ -
. " _-
THE- WOMA!"\l KNEELS BEFORE THE KHAN.
Are you from Shensi?
··:
:' I was born here~
has been -killed •
... .
(SOFTENING)
THE WOMAN
I am innocent, Your Highness.
Ali I have left is my baby.
GENGHIS KHAN
How old are you? ...
My husband
Twenty.
THE WOMAN
GENGHIS KHAN
Do you hear, Skylark? Twenty. The same as you. And the
baby?
. :r :

55.
Six months.
THE WOMAN
He still feeds at my breast.
GENGHIS KHAN
{TO THE SKYLARK) The mother twenty; the infant still at
her breast . wnat a pity~
THE WOMAN
I appeal to the benevolence of Your Highness?
I
GENGHIS KHAN
would wish it so--but you shall die. You and your babe.
Oh God!
THE WOMAN
GENGHIS KHAN
For that -is the wish of this obstinate young man.
THE. WOMAN NOTICES THE SKYLARK ..
THE WOMAN
..
GENGHIS KHAN
Do you know he's Korocha's brother?
THE WOMAN
·,
( :~ i
. .
c
.-- - GENGHIS KHAN
-
Do you know where his brother his hiding? That's all I · wish--
.. to be told •
.--~ ·~ ... THE WOMAN
. Your Highness, Korocha appears and disappears like a man
· from heaven. No- one can know where he is •
: --~- --:"" -.. .-.
···-- · - GENGHIS KHAN
The Skylark knows. But he keeps it secret. A secret more important
to him than his eyes, as you can see. If he consents
to speak, I will spare you all--you, your babe, and all those
innocents outside. You see? It's all up to him.
THE WOMAN'
Your Highness will release everyone?
GENGHIS KHAN
My word does not c~ange.
{TO THE SKYLARK)
I hear everything.
THE WOMAN
Do you hear that?
THE SKYLARK

,,.
THE WOMAN
Then what are you waiting for? Where is Korocha?
tell them!
SILENCE.
·'
3)~
Tell them, Skylark! Do you not hear the weeping and pitiful '
cries of those people outside?· Are they not Shensi,. the same
as you?
SILENCE.
Our country is no more. Our king is dead. Alone, what can
Korocha do against the whole Mongol army? You have no right
to sacrifice thousands of innocent live's for a l::la@less hope!
P\)•"'i . •. . . . :
THE SKYLARK
You don't understand me. I have no hope • .
.:_.-- _,
THE WOMAN
Then wnat' s st'opping you? Tell them, Skyiark!
-·- . ~ ..... _.-__ -
-.- • 1 ' •
/:;;/ · . THE SKYLARK
-1 .· ·.:~ '--~': •.''
: __ 7-· - -- . ~- - ·' ~...:
~·_::~-::~:.__ .·-- - THE WOMAN
.,,_ .., ·- ..
o Godt' ::-:C o heaven1y-·God! What crime have· I committed, to deserve ·
·. -No.
death? · And my little son? My· husband is already dea Have them beat. the drum without end! Not five heads, not
·ten, but-a thousan~ _ heads! Until I give .the order to stop.
. · . ,·. THE WOMAN
Please,. -Y-C>ur _Highness!
THE KHAN PUSHES HER ASIDE WITH
HIS FOOT •
. ____:__.:.. . -.~.
-:--GENGHIS KHAN
This one as well.
c.~~ 'St
THE AIDE DRAGS THE WOMAN OFF. THE
DRUM-ROLLS BEGIN ANEW, AT EVER-DECREAS- ·
ING INTERVALS. THE SKYLARK, IN SPITE
OF HIMSELF, TREMBLES WITH EACH ROLL.
Annihilation? Annihilation? Do you hear the drums, Skylarlc?
· 1•11 massacre every last one of them! And then it'll -be
your turn. I'll choose, for you, an original death--it will be a
.. ~
.
~.
,.
,., •.·'
_,,,,,, - ~ : ..
~· .·.
. , . ~ ,
.

I
'·
death without precedent. You will join the ranks of the
headless phantoms. I'll exterminate them to the last one:
I am seated on a sea ·of blood--Tobotai was right. But I
don't thirst for blood--I kill only thosP---whg-dare-t.q oppose
. b . ,,,;;-- ~ ......... ..........
my will. Even To ota.i. Even my son. r canno~ trus~ anyone!
I must--I must become immort.~ j V\
I have ; committ~d an unpardonable crime. It is I who orde~ed
the drum to stop.
:· · ·
.. ...
- ...._ .,
; ·. GENGHIS KHAi'l'
,~:": . .. . ·· - G~mina, --you warit to save them? But you' re no longer of Shensi ·•
-._
·.:. . . ~-~: __ _
·-" ....:· · '- _ GEMINA XL~~
~} I have entrusted my fate to Your Highness. I am no. longer·- of
Shensi, . but I find it pointless to murder innocent people.
Your Highrtess could keep the drum beating all night, and
.•achieve nothing •
_ - ----~.~- .. .... ____ ,. GENGHIS KHAN
Pointless? Of . course it's pointl.ess. These people mean. ab~
solutely--·nothing to me. But I will spare them all if this
young fool will tell me where Korocha is hiding. (TO THE SKY­
LARK) The lives of five thousand innocents are still in your
hands. I will start the drums again. You still refuse to
talk?
..
..
• THE SKYLARKS~~ ~'-~
Talk of what? Shall ·the Skylark sing the charms of Gemina.,
the jewel of Shensi? I regret ·that I no longer have eyes, so
I may admir~ her legendary beauty. But beware, Genghis Khan,
the males of this country are jealous of you--including Ko~
rocha. _ Gf

(INTRIGUED)
GENGHIS KHAN
In priva:te? Well, then?
)(~ K.N...;i1
SHE wtfISpRR$ TO TIU:: l

i
I
. . ~ - .
:" ,_ ...
GEMINA 'j'
The person who will I?ersuade I

. In my hands.
'/ GEMINA . ,· .
Are you .joking?
GENGHIS KHAN
'. GEMINA K-~ Kl\."-"" ~ ""°~._ .
Is this a moment for joking? Your Highness must simply
decide whether to believe me., or not.
THE KHA..~
CONTEMPLATES HER A MO-
MENT, THEN STRIKES THE GONG • t_ ~ ~ o "'~
THE AIDE ENTERS.~;"' . .
GENGHIS KHAN x~u.s~
Have them release all the Shensi except the Skylark.
wouldn't do to release Korocha's brother!
It
~··' . :. •,.--. · '
:. ~-· :
- ·":"\
... .
... ·.·...,. -- ~
,.·
.- · ...... -,;-
: :.·
: ·. ' ~ .
~· : -·~ ..
.:
\· SI.
. .
GEMINA
The Skylark is only a madman.
There's no need to keep hirr..
. GENGHIS KHAN
I feel--a kind of sympathy for him. (TO AIDE)"' Keep him
under ~rd.
THE AIDE BOtvS, / CROSSES TO EXIT ~ir-t-(e d-
GEMINA X~
(TO AIDE) Wait: Your Highness, the rest of my plan requires
the Khan's consent.
Speak.
·.
-
- . .,.
GENGHIS KHAl'l
. .. GEMINA X~~i..t..'4. ~"
(TO ArDE) Tell the people that they must prepare quickly:
on the ·. third night from tonight, Korocha will be here!
- ···· · ···•
..
-'·c--~-=:-
· ' . GENGHIS KHAN
What?
GEMINA )(.J- ~""
Your .Highness, in two days peace will have returned. I want
the people to know the good news. Hay the drum announce the·
preparations for peace, Your Highness?
•
.
'"'"S.£ ..
THE KHAN NODS ASSENT TO THE AIDE, \Joi"-:,
WHO THEN EXITS. THREE .n!!Uft RQLi:S. '-*Gt
A PAUSE, THEN JUBILANT ~RIES • o/. 1t1·d.c.."1
GENGHIS KHAN
I have kept my promise. Now where is this person? I!ll
have him sent for.
There is no need.
GEMINA
The person stands before you.
.. :...

61.
You?
GENGHIS I

J
I
62.
GEMINA
There is only inexpiable hate.
HE SMILES, CROSSES TO THE GONG,
STRIKES IT.
GENGHIS KHAN
I shall avenge you. You have my word. I shall avenge the
c:.rown lrince as well. )( +.-c di:.~
THE AIDE ENTERS ,S
What: "time is it? l-JlVit \$ ~ .ht)\.\.(°
THE AIDE
The second watch has just begun, Your Highness.
GENGHIS KHAN X ye_ o t- V..C.
_
Have them-- 1 ight a huge bonfire outside the camp.· · It is to
· burn all night tonight and the· next two nights. Go! ·
At the Khan's command.
THE AIDE
•
•,
.. ·
.. ,.
·.
. ;
._ . ..;
0·
,· \ .
' . . '
~
·\
~ ·' .
. '·
·'·.
..... •'
·· . ..
. )~: ..
THE AIDE E~.~
\/ ~ X~L... ~GENGHIS I

-·.
~~-t--.
."
\
GENGHIS KHAN
(THE SAME) What are you plotting?
GEMINA
My only wish is to serve Your Highness.
.. · "'
:\ -.. _: .
lr-...._ ; .
- ~
'· :.
.. . ~i ( li~t ..
GENGHIS KHAN
You hide too many things from me.
GEMINA ' TAKES ' KOROCH!r--s -s'WORD
. - . ,
KNEELS, HOLDS THE SWORD UP TO
HIM.
.. \,.· GE MINA >< k> t) L.. 1's(.t.)o~ .
If HUi..Bighness does not trust me, then he should act accordingly.
~ask to die by the same sword that slew my
brother • . · ,p~ s,..•I ~:::.:r~u..l ~ · , ~ ~vj~ .,,J...._
·- GENGHIS KHl'u"'J .
. Gemina. ~- Love~_-do you know what love is?
·-. • C.·· .-·--
--.,-., .. ~ ~1 ---/ .: .·..
J,..:
.,_, ·.
HE. .. 1_'P.KF$ --THR S WORD FROM HER, LIFTS
HER-UP AFFECTIONATELY•
THE SKY OUTSIDE GROWS LIGHTER
AS THE BONFIRE BEGINS TO BURN.
. .-:~· •- GENGHIS . KfLi\.N
--.,-~. c_No longer ~ -:--~ Now,- for me, you are only Gemina.
'. .. ; . •••• . , ',
.
'·;..· ...
• -•.• , ... 1.
'' ·' '• ... .
'.:.·
......
.,·
.J~····
THE .DRUM BEG INS . " ,, .. ~· "
.·
·'-- -
. l~: :;\\;
GEMINA ·
.. .. -~ -The fire .has been started?. Your Highness, the fire has been
· =~ started!
.. - . · -{ . . .. -- - ·. ..
0
- ·. · · ... GENGHIS KHAN ·
. Tonightl

{ Jl;'
\ ~-·~.
Gernina!
£x /-1\ "0 "'-'
GENGHIS KHAN (OFF)
GEMINA STARTS; A SHADOW OF SADNESS
PASSES ACROSS HER FACE. SHE MOVES
TO THE TABLE, PICKS UP THE SWO~D.
HER FACE BRIGHTENS. SHE CARESSES
THE THREE CHARACTERS ON THE HILT.
GE MINA
(SOFTLY) Korocha. Tonight is the first -night. There's
.still t9rnorrow night. Still two long nights.
_.:_ ...
GENGHIS KHAN (OFF)
Gerninat·-· I 'rn waiting?
GEMINA PUTS THE SWORD BACK QUIETLY~
CROSSES TO THE CURTAIN, LIFTS IT
BACK.
GEMINA . E£;c C + ~e""-+o b \ l)c;.-- l~
.:..
..
LIGHTS FADE
+
- .... ._
r: .:· .._, . , -. '
,· ...' ,,1- • •,,·.;I_--·. .

-~ .
. • 4:-:...
ACT THREE
..
. i.
f~ .. :
- \ .
.-
_,

66.
i
!
J
..
(
Y
General- Jebayl
TWILIGHT, TWO DAYS LATE~. THE ·
AIDE, A BO~·lL IN HIS HANDS, CROS- ·
SES TOWARD THE ALCOVE Ct.JRTAIN.
--
4 iclL-
. VQTCR OP- @WhflD
..
THE AIDE DOlJ13LES BACK TOl·lARDS THE
TENT ENTRANCE AS JEBAY APPEARS.
' ·
·· ·· THE AIDE
-~ ~: Hl.s Highness ~s resting.
~- . ,..._ .
I
. JEBAY
· .. What's going on with. His Highness?
. . THE AIDE
I've told you, His~ Highness is resting.
. '
·"' " .
. ·JEBAY · ·
· But I have to talk . to him. It's urgent? I haven't been all
·owed in since yesterday. No? Day before yesterday--the
night of the first fire. You keep sending me away with the
_same words: . His Highness is resting. Why?
- . ... .
• THE AIDE
I regret it, Gener~l, but I have orders from His Highness
that no one is to be allowed ih--
But that doesn't a~ply
JEBAY
to met
RJ
~
> ·i
··:. •,.,:_ .
i . ;(.i~)t.
THE AIDE
I'm afraid it does; General• There are only two exceptions.
Who are they?
JEBAY
.'1 -

67.
(
THE AIDE ·
The Princess of Shensi--
And?
JEBAY
THE AIDE
And a hermit from Tibet.
wnatt
JEBAY
THE AIDE
A hermit who has come to His Highness from a solitary life
in the Tibetan mountains.
JEBAY
. (SIGHING) More potions of immortality!
THE AIDE
The hermit meditated all night long, and this morning.prepared
this draught.
Where is this hermit?
JEBAY
/
\ :.
THE ATDE
He's still somewhere in camp.
jEBAY HESITATES, THEN COMES TO A
DRCISION.
JRBAY
Go ask him, to come to headquarters.
of His Highness.
Tell him it's by order
And this draught?
THE AIDE
Give it to me.
JEBAY
I'll .take it in to His Highness myself.
General, I dare not--
THE AIDE
JEBAY TAKES THE BOWL.
JEBAY
Here! I accept responsibility.
outside until I call him in.
Tell the hermit to wait
( ·
THE AIDE EXITS. JEBAY SNIFFS THE
BOWL, SETS IT ON THE TABLE.
Two days! Two days in a row! Incomprehensible!

(
Who's there?
68.
JEBAY GOES TOWARD THE ALCOVE, HES­
ITATES IN A GESTURE THAT WOULD PGSH
THE CURTAIN ASIDE.
VOICE OF GENGHIS KHAl\J'
JEBAY
Your Highness, it's me, Jebay.
GENGHIS KHAN ENTERS, HIS FACE RAV­
AGED, LOOKING MUCH OLDER.
GENGHIS KHAN
I gave the order that no - one was to disturb me.
JEBAY
My disregard of it is inexcusable, but I have news of the
, greatest importance.
News?
GENGHIS KHAN
wbat's happened?
• .
JEBAY
Your Highness--a number of things· ..
I'm listening.
. \ GENGHIS KHAN
JEBAY
First of all, the case of Tobotai.
Tobotai!
_ GENG!jIS KHAN
I gave the order for the traitor's beheading!
JEBAY
It's because of that order. Troop morale is not good.
GENGHIS KHAN
Troop morale! Tobotai deserted: he must pay for his crime.
That doesn't concern the troops in the least •
. _ JEBAY
There are- rumblings in camp--that the sentence was severe
for a general who has served Your Highness since his youth.
GENGHIS KHAN
4 ls that so? Then give the order for all these headstrong
·foot-soldiers to be executed as well.
( -
JEBAY
Your Highness, I fear that order may be too late.
What?
GENGHIS-KHAN

69.
JEBAY
An entire platoon left camp last night.
GENGHIS KHAN
( FlJRIOUS) They deserted? Hhy wasn't I informed?
JEBAY
I asked to see Your Highness. I said it was extremely urgent.
But the order had been given--
GENGHIS KHAN
The order? Ah yes, my order.
THE KHAN WALKS AIMLESSLY TO THE
THRONE, SITS.
And the other news?
.. JEBAY
The patrols report that the city is bubbling with excitement.
The people seem to be preparing for some event-.
THE KHAN LOOKS OUT THE TENT OPEN­
ING.
, \ GENGHIS KHAN
, I
\ Isn't the fire burning any longer?
'·.
JEBAY
It's too early, yet. It has burned these past two nights.
GENGHIS KHAN
Then tonight will be the third. No wonder the population
is excited. They're preparing to receive Korocha tonight? .
JEBAY
I was waiting only for Your Highness to speak of him. Duty
persuades me to say--
I
GENGHIS KHAN
know what you would say; but my decision has been made.
JEBAY
Is Your Highness certa1n that Korocha will give himself up
bodily?
GENGHIS KHAN
I. am sure of it. I've been given a guarantee.
JEBAY
By the Princess of Shensi?
Yes, by her.
GENGHIS KHAN

c-
JEBAY
My exception to that may merit death, but I pray Your Highness
hear me: there exists between Korocha and the princess~-
70.
GENGHIS I

71.
a recipe for immortality?
GENGHIS KHAN
(CONFIDENTLY) The man who prepared this is a Tibetan monk.
One bowl o f it is enough to stop hair f rom t urning white;
wrinkles will vanish, sharp arrows inf lict not a scratch, ·
nor cutting blades break the skin. I shall be immortal.
JEBAY
Does Your Highness remember our old vow?
GENGHIS KHAl'J"
Of course I remember! Born the same day, we will die the
same day! Don't 'i·mrry, General, I' 11 have a bowl prepared
for you too.
JEBAY
Your Highness overwhelms me. But I wish to ask a favor:
I'd like to test it first.
HE GOES TO THE TENT OPENING.
..
Send in the hermit!
(
' -.
THE HERMIT ENTERS. HIS HAIR AND
BEARD ARE SNOW- i·!HITE.
THE HERMIT
Your humble servant presents his wishes for longevity!
This brew:
man?
JEBAY
it's a recipe for immortality, is it not, old
THE HERMIT
I am a man who has withdrawn from life. By day, I am the
companion of trees and flowers; at night, I commune with
moon and stars, from highest summits! I spent all the green
years of my youth searching to understand the secret of Nature.
And by the grace of heaven, I have f ound this recipe.
HE TAKES THE BOWL FROM JEBAY,
HANDS IT TO THE KHAN.
May Your Highness have no fear. The hairs of Your Highness
will stop on their course to w~iteness; wrinkles will disn
appear; sharp arrows will inflict not a scratch, nor--
( ·
JEBAY
Nor cutting blades break the skin. We know. But I, for one,
don't believe it.
I vow it is true!
THE HERMIT

72.
JEBAY
I still don't believe it. Will Your Highness grant me
authority to verify this myself?
I will.
GENGHIS KHAN
,·· ( ;_ .
\:;,-
..
JEBAY
(TO HER.NIT) You will drink this mixture. Take the bowl
.and drink. · ·
THE HERMIT
I could never permit myself! This bowl is destined for is
Highness ..
T.; ' .'v'V
..,..

73.
Well?
JEBAY
THE AIDE
General, your sword is inestimable.
to cry out before his head was off.
that the blade remained spotless.
The hermit hadn't time
The cut was so clean ·
So.
GENGHIS KHAN
THE KHAN LOWERS HIS HEAD.
Night has fallen already.
Light the candles.
JEBAY
THE AIDE EXITS.
GENGHIS KHAN
Tell me the truth, Jebay: am I already old?
..
JEBAY
Your Highness is barely seventy. It is his duty to 11ve.
The Mongol people have need of a leader.
GENGHIS KHAN
I have the impression--
Too much 1 ight !
THE AIDE RETURJ.\J"S WITH Th-0 LIGHTED
CANDLES.
THE AIDE SNUFFS ONE CANDLE, EXITS.
I have the impression that no one needs me. Whereas I, myself--
I ask you--you, my companion since childhood: do
you know what love is?
(EMBARRASSED)
JEBAY
Your Highness, I am already seventy!
GENGHI~ KHAN
Me too. For seventy long yearsJ I have seen nothing but
fields of battle. For me, woman was only one of the spoils
of war. But it is not that: Love is not that. And I--
I am already old; and immortality is only an illusion.
HE RUNS HIS HPu'l'DS OVER THE THRONE.
I shall die, one day. What will become of my empire? The
lands of Chin, of Tangut, of Persia? All will crumble into
dust. Whoever wants to will desert, will traduce, will
abandon. Jebay, why can man not live eternally, like th~

It is for future generations to contin­
74.
JEBAY
Love is a sentiment corr~on to all mortals. But Your High~
ness is a man from God. He hasn't the right to love. ·He
is not .made for--
JEBAY
All life carries in itself the seed of death.
that yourself. It is the law of nature.
GENGHIS KHA.i.'J
I
J'EBAY
Death is a repose.
ue the path. When Your Highness falls, there will be your
son, Jushi Khan.
GENGHIS KHAN
Jushi: the traitor •
JEBAY
Your Highness, my thoughts are unpardonable, but I am convinced
that the prince is not a traitor, and will +eturn .
·to submit to your wishes.
GENGHIS KHAN
.If only that were so?
If he came back, I would prepare him to replace me. But
will he come to me? How many days has it been since Ly Tu
left on his mission to my son?
. . ~
JEBAY
.· .'
.. ,...
The counsellor set out the day I went to meet with the
Prince of Shensi.
·GENGHIS KHAN
Then why has there been no news? From here to the capital
of Arabia is hardly a distance-~
THE AIDE ENTERS.
THE AIDE
.
( - Your Highness--
(·:
. . .
mountains, like great rivers? It is my duty to be immortal-­
for there are so many things--the throne of China, the
people of Mongolia .... and Gemina.
GENGHIS KHA.i.'J
I know: I am not made for love--but for massacre, for . con-.
quest, for domination--and for decay, one day, with all the
prerogative of a weed.
You have said
know all of that. But with death, is everything finished?
If he came back, I would pardon him.
..

75.
(
--f ./"
/
GENGHIS IUIAN ~e:.,.J,.o).,.
You may go, General. I must have tired you again with my
questions. Remember the feast for the troops: give the
order when you go. / r:,.. ,~
I / ~ '.; .. _F
//
JEBAY SALUTES, EXITS.
THE AIDE ~~u.)~
Your Highness, Korocha--
Korocha?
GENGHIS KHAN
He's arrived? Send him in?
THE AIDE
Your Highness--he hasn't come.
What?
GENGHIS KHAN
THE AIDE
But he has sent, as a sign of his submission, an emissary
with a gift for Your Highness, and an assurance that he will
be here hirnsel.f later.
Later? When?
GENGHIS KHAN
THE AIDE
This very night, Your Highness.
GENGHIS KHAN
Ha! · Gemina is truly an extraordinary woman. Make sure you~ - -
treat the emissary p.roperly, and give him some recompense.
. .
THE AIDE~
Your Highness, he's already gone.
GENGHIS KHAN
(PERPLEXED) Then have them bring in Korocha's gift • .
•
THE AIDE SIGNALS OUTSIDE. A GUARD
ENTERS, CARRYING A COFFER WRAPPED - -
IN RED SILK. THE AIDE DIRECTS THE
GUARD TO SET IT ON THE TABLE. THE
GUARD :COES SO, SALUTES, EXITS.
, .t:\"\ X ~ U..S'-
. ., ....... .
THE AIDE
_ According to Korocha's emissary, this coffer contains a
precious object, unique in the world. Korocha requests-
• that it be opened only in the presence of Your Highness.
e ·,Jo .0 \. ~ X '[) L h

76.
Nait?
Go ask General Jebay to come to me.
THE AIDE
gr
. e the troops are
o Your Highness.
GENGHIS KHA!'\J
TAQA gg 'Eell the Gel!Wl?a] tg ~QH19 l:iga-9 wbgi;i he• s finiBnea-.
THE AIDE EXITS. SILENCE. THE '
KHAN Ru""NS HIS FINGERS OVER THE
SILK IN A CARESS, 'l'HEN GOES TO
THE TENT OPENING, STOPS THERE AND
LOOKS OUTSIDE, HIS HUGE SILHOUETTE
FR&"l\fED AGAINST THE NIGHT SKY, HIS
TUNIC BILLOWING IN THE BREEZE.
JOYOUS SHOUTS, SINGING FROi-1 THE_~£:-~.~- .
TROOPS.
VOICES OF TROOPS
(SEEING THE KIL~) Long lt~~@thed Khan! Long live th~ Khan
of Mongolia! May he liv~ :t-.\~£fiousand years!
THE KHAN GESTURES TO THEM AND
TURNS BACK INTO THE TENT.
GENGHIS KHAN
Millions ·of men, united into one. Korocha will come to me,
and place his fate in my hands. Then there will be only my­
. . self, and Gemina. Jebay must see this object with his own -
eyes. He must open the coffer with his own hands. I want
to see him , abandon his doubts, have faith in my judgement--
JEBAY APPEARS AT THE ENTRAL'\JCE •
Ah, it~s you, General! I've been waiting for you.
·\ JEBAY
·(ENTERING) The orders for the feast have been carried out.
GENGHIS KHAN
I know. I heard the troops. But look here? Look at this?
Do you know what it is?
'·
•
It is a present from Korocha.
JEBAY LOOKS AT THE COFFER, THEN
AT THE -KHAN
He's arrived?
JEBAY

77.
( -~ I
\.
GENGHIS KHA.!'J
Not yet. But he sends this as a sign that he submits to us.
So he hasn't come.
JEBAY
GENGHIS KHA.!'J
(ANGERED) He will! And this very night. But you know these
people--they have strict rules of behavior and must follow
them. This is a precious object, unique in all the world.
I want you to open it yourself, Jebay. Then we'll see how '
you feel about my judgement. Well, why don't yot.r open it?
JEBAY GOES TO THE COFFER, THE
KHAN TO THE TENT OPENING. SONG
AND LACGHTER OlJTSIDE.
(SEEING HIM)
VOICES OF TROOPS
A thousand thousand years of life to the Khan!
THE KH.~"I
COFFER.
WAVES ; JEBAY uNWRAPS THE
GENGHIS KHAN
Do you hear, General? The army still has faith in me. In
a few hours, Korocha will be in our hands. Ha! I hardly
thought him so naive! But Gemina is extraordinary. I shall
know total victory. The grass of the continent will grow at
my bidding. As for my son, Jushi--
JEBAY LIFTS OFF THE LID.
Jebay, I've been too impatient with my son. He has always
been faithf.ul to me, through all his youthful errors, and
Ly Tu's silence will have a simple explanation.
JEBAY UNWRAPS A GREEN SILK FROM
THE OBJECT IN THE COFFER.
But five days?
my counsellor.
Tomorrow, Jebay, you must set out to find
JEBAY HAS UNWRAPPED THE OBJECT.
JEBAY
There is no need for that. Ly Tu, your counsellor--
UNABLE TO FINISH THE PHRASE, HE
POINTS TO THE COFFER. THE KHAN
LOOKS INSIDE.
Ly Tu.
GENGHIS -KHAN

· .1 .
I
78.
THE AIDE
Urgent news, Your Highness!
Enter .•
THE AIDE ENTERS.
GENGHIS KHA!'I
THE AIDE
:Your Highness--Korocha!
JEBAY
Your Highness should go rest.
THE KHAN' LUNGES TOWARDS THE AIDE,
STAGGEHS, NEARLY FALLS. JEBAY
HOLDS HIM.
GENGHIS KHAN
Jebay, I will kill~massacre--exterminate them all!
(TO THE AIDE)
JEBAY
Send him in.
GENGHIS KHAN
Jebay, I give you full -power in this.
May Your Highness have
JEBAY
no doubts, but go rest awhi1e7 /e-1.--u} ~- -
I
. .
s11
/ My
GEMINA
best wishes to you, General.
HE HELPS THE KHAL'I TO THE ALCOVE •---­
AS THEY DISAPPEAR .BEHIND THE CUR­
TAIN, GEMINA ENTERS, SEES THE COF­
FER. v1EBAY RE-ENTERS.
JEBAY
(HIDING HIS ASTONISIWillNT) And to you, Madam.
GEMINA
You must be surprised to see me.
• JEBAY ·
No. I had predicted.that Korocha would not come.
. .
( ·.-! •.
C0 'Y .
GEM INA
That's where you'r~ wrong, General! Korocha will come, as
soon as your Khan and I reach agreement on a certain point.
. JEBAY
Pray speak to me instead. His Highness is resting, and has
given me full power to--negotiate with you.
, ..

- '
All the better!
Go on.
79.
GEMINA
For .you will be more practical than the Khan.
JEBAY
GEMINA
Have you noted the object in this coffer?
JEBAY
It's exactly what Korocha termed it: an object unique in
this world.
GEMINA
Yes, the head of Ly Tu. But it was no more than an intro-:-
ductory offering!
JEBAY
I feel inclined to show Korocha my thanks with a gift of
almost equal worth.
And what is that?
GE:MINA
..
The head of a princess.
JEBAY
GEMINA
(LAUGHING) You can't be serious, General? I pray you listen
to me calmly, for this story is far from being over. Ly Tu
was decapitated and is done with, but I have in my power
another important personage, who is being held hostage at
present. Need I tell you his name?
Jushi?
JEBAY
'
GEMINA
Jushi Khan, yes--how clever of you. He returned with Ly Tu
at his father's bidding; but long before they set out, plans
were ready for their capture.
. .. .
Jushi Khan •
JEBAY
GEMINA
Jushi Khan will be free to return here as soon as I have
gone free. A life for a life. The head of a crown prince
for the head of a princess. What do you propose?
I
need time to think.
JEBAY
GEM INA
You don't dare make the decision? Summon the Khan to make

(
i:t for you.
80.
JEBAY PACES, GOES TO THE CURTAIN, .
STOPS.
JEBAY
If I let you go, how can I be sure--
GEMINA
I give you my word that Jushi Khan will return immediately.
Isn't my word enough for you?
JEBAY
Under the circumstances, · I have to find it sufficient.
GEM INA
Then what are you waiting for?
You've been given full power!
JEBAY
But for His Highness, it's a different matter. You're forcing
him to barter--to swap a beloved princess for a son. -
GE MINA
It's a matter of choice~
JEBAY
I beg your pardon, Madam--we Mongols don't have the knack
for subtleties of language. It's a swap. And in commerce,
Mongol.s .always demand some kind of guarantee.
GENGHIS KHAN
I thank General Jebay for thinking of me.
THE PEARL CURTAIN IS PUSHED ASIDE.
THE KHAN ENTERS PURPOSEFULLY, · ONCE
MORE THE KHAN OF MONGOLIA.
JEBAY
Your Highness, I thought of the Mongol empire.
GENGHIS KHAN
General, give orders for the saddling of a good horse, and
have them open the main gate.
JEBAY EXITS. THE KHAN AND GEMINA
SCRUTINIZE ONE ANOTHER.
You are correct: it's a matter of choice. I alone can make
such a decision. Jushi, my son, is necessary to me. There
was a time when I was tormented by love. But now the torment
is past. I am, after all, a solitary traveler. There cannot
be two pole-stars in the desert night.
THE KHAN PICKS UP KOROCHA'S SWORD.

Remember that I could still have your head.
you go. I am not made for love.
JEBAY
Orders carried out, Your Highness.
JEBAY RE-ENTERS.
81.
But I wil'l let
~- )
i.1---._ '
AFTER A PAUSE, GEMINA CROSSES
TO EXIT. THE KHAi'J TAKES A STEP
TOWARDS HER, HIS VOICE TOUCHED
WITH MELANCHOLY.
Gemina?
GENGHIS KHAN
SHE TUP~~S BACK. THE KHAN PICKS
UP KOROCRl\' S SWORD.
I want you to do me a service. This sword belongs to Koro- -
cha. Return it to him. I have never faced an unarmed adversary.
HE OIV'E!S 'f:f"IE 3HORD TO GEHlif~.
•.
~.(..-1.:i x .i.o -s-N ,_i -,·.,\....o l.. ~ ~ ~-~ .se. . ~ '--
'f'b())(-~ ~lo
'St..oll\.Ot..&~~
TaliE! 'l!1'ii:o a•1iay. Ly Tu is no more. I make a vow to avenge -. __ _
him. I await Korocha. · ~ .r. ~ · .- ·
~ JEBJ,Y PICKS UP CJ?IIE COFFER •
. . 'r-0.."'\ . .
General, bring me the news as soon as you see him approaching.
And have them send me his brother • . I want the Skylark to be
present for his brother's arrival.
JEBAY
Your Highness.
JEBAY EXITS.~~ ,Qo\Jo(..-14itif"(. X'.Ji> ~,.~
~¥~ ci s 1
GENGHIS KHAN · &R-
Immortality? \I shall die, but Jushi will replace me. The
hooves of Mongo .orses wil am e e plains of the
continent. My son himself will one day leave this earth, but.
Mongol armies will continue to advance. Immortality. Ny father,
Yesugei Khan .... then me, Genghis Khan ...• and then my
son, ( ::_us hi Khan. Aicte/!A.-k... E-_i'I X ·~ s+co\ L 4-t. J.,,_ E.l( ~
. THE SKYLARK IS LED IN BY THE AIDE . .
THE SKYLARK
I was sure that you'd want me to be present.
_.,

GENGHIS KHAN
You were correct. ·no you know why?
82.
THE SKYLARK 6~-~ ~:Sc.~ w 1:..t.. ':; u-J~.., J. .,._ \x.,.; \.t ~.\.,,lo~
Gemina has left you. (:,e""' -Ir _°3'-'o 'f' 'J(J~fi..al .J.o R.~

" .
·- ,.. ·
JEBAY
I vow to bring back the head of Korocha, or die in the attempt.
THE KHAN MAKES A GESTURE OF DIS- ·
MISSAL. JEBAY EXITS.
.. GENGHIS KHAN . · - ····
What's the good of it? Jushi, my s~:i: : :~ All is ended. (S".e\, ~-i

' -
'.\:'.· .. , .. ··.·-.-:·· .. ;'.- .• ·.7••
p ,
~ '.
Me, of course?
THE SKYLARK
GENGHIS KHAN X.-rtusli" ' '
And do you know what I am doing now? -' C)L;;.t-bSI..
'rHE SKYLARK
You're corning towards me.
64.
' I . ·•
. :.. ··
·. ~· .
. , ~
. .. ,. .:.
,• ~ :' :- "y·, ·:,
> '.~ - • •
·~ ..
. ~-· ~
.. ..
.· .. :- ~ ..
THE KHAN IS ·OOING JUST THAT. HE .
CROSSES BEHIND THE SKYLARK, PUTS
HIS HAN:QS QM TWS Yo~ic -~~ • s ~:eeK •
· Your fingers have become venomous serpents.
'.:_:_'
'\ .
·- .;._·.. --· ..
_.;._ .
_._ ___--·-
,•'
.... ~-·,- '
What are you -waiting for?
Yo~
, GENGHIS KHAl'i
are the same age as my son.
THE KHA..1\f .WITHDRAWS HIS HANDS, . LOOKS
AT THEM AS IF THEY BELO~GED TO ·
SOMEONE ·ELSE •
THE HANDS MOVE BACK 'TO THE NECK. - ..
· :THE f INGERS TIGHTEN •
Cv
s
- }f__\S
GENGHIS I:··;:;:.;,\

.I
·3111
I know.
THE SKYLARK
-.::-.·'.
•.
Your Highness~-urgent
THE AIDE ;.{ S..l.A..y>·,..,..
news?
I'm listening.
, ~.· · - THE AIDE
~ General . Jebay has been l)illed.
·_;· ..
.. ~-~;.;·GENGHIS KHAN
-
. ·:cnrsTANTLY) Jebay! ·: our vow of long ago.
;
.,. · :
~----: --···
What is it . now?
THE DRUM SOUNDS, MIXED WITH MEN'S S-....L
CRIES AND .. THE WHINNY OF HORSE •
.... _ :... - ....
THE NIGHT IS SUDDENLY ALIGHT.
..
THE- AIDE · )I,~ ~~ .+1J~ o~+
__ Your Highness, the Shensi are _attacking.
:,;..,--. l
- r
· ... ..
· ..
' '
. ....
Long live
'
,;; .
,; .
. ~-:
. GENGHIS Kiw~ ~~:w'~~~
Have them open wide the main gate! _._
• 1. ..
TOG HETU
·. Your Highness ..;..-the men are still recovering from tonight• s
feast. ., ..··· ·.--
.. :;,· ""~'Jxi~B· ~t''i:;·:~ilii:~i~~i~;,,}~~--~~r
..

86.
r- ­
'\j :; i.
~.
GENGHIS KHAN 'X ""-f' ~ ~\o..':-
....... . .· • •
· ~ ·
. ~"'~ :~~~ 1·,,.. ( ,:~ r:;?-;:_GENGHIS ~HAN
:·.""1 am here .. . On the .:.throne. To await Korocha.
.: ' -~ ·. . -.-.~v()~~v
-:__. .
i ·.
. "
·r"".•
·/'•:.·.
-.·-. '·' VOICES ....
Long live Korocha !-- ~en thousand years of life!
For thousands of years to come, each time the continent
rumbles with the sounds -of war, your name of Genghis Khan
will ring out like a bell clanging the alarm. For thousands
of generations to come, men will tremble at the thought .of
your name. ____
,.-
, VOICES
Long live the Khan of Mongolia~
Long live Genghis Khan!
. .. :
:"·.
··-· "·
.':•
, '' ...
})/~!,;&~~·:_
.: "
THE SKYLARK
For thousands of generations to come, your name will remain
. accursed.
. --
VOICES
Korocha!" Genghis Khan! Korocha! Genghis
-Khan! Thousands
;•'- ·-·
.. -,, .
• . ~-- - -- l::.::.;.,
./l}li~'.;:·,· , :: ·: ·.;;;·~~f);i•';}:·"·;;.:j~~:/~·i>i:.~~~t:~:Ei.~::,~·: (~~i~~?.:·.~~:&l~!f~~s;\:_~ .. --~:·_··....:·.

. . .:
.~ .~:.: : .. .- :: ;{J;.:·: ;::;)L:: _.
·:~:~~.t~
. , .... --;
- .. ~.._- - ·~· -~- -- ---- - ..: - --·- -...
·.- .
. , : '" ··· ' -..1
.... ·- - ::-·~- i
,.··-: .•• _l" • • -_ •
. ",, ,,,,,h .'.:::t; ~,~:)};;i~(,· . '
87.
j'°"'
t\-l~~; ··
'-£/
of years of life!
THE SKYLARK
You are becoming immortal.
THE SF.OUTS GROW LOUDER, BLENDING
INTO A ROAR WITHOUT WORDS.
ON THE THRONE, GENGHIS KHAN, IM­
MOBILE AS A STATUE.
.·
! ., . .
t '
._LIGHTS FADE c.FO
.. ---- ~ --------·
'BLACK •
..
. -
Go· ---·
~ -:-..
i
•. ·~:.;.....
.• -; -- ..
'. .
'' .
.....: ../
.. _ .. ,..,, .
..
: .
. ~ .:
·-
t_:

~.:· /
·.
..
EPILOGUE
,._,-:···
.· '
·-· ·- $ ·
,· ..

(
~; ·.
-· .....
·;l! .
89.
•.
THE INN OF THE PROLOGUE.
THE FIRE IS ALMOST our. THE TRAV­
ELERS Al\lD INNKEEPER, ABSQRBED BY
THE STORY, HAVE NOT NOTICED.
THE SILENCE CONTRASTS SHARPLY
WITH THE BATTLE SOUNDS OF THE
PREVIOUS SCENE. THE YOUNG·MAN
GETS TO HIS FEET ABRUPTLY.
•,
: .. .
·,
Then--that ts .it?
' It's not. possible!
SECOND TRAVELER
.' FIRST TRAVELER
That can't be all!
0
- ,· THIRD TRAVELER
The story's ,finished?
. • ' . .{;~~.'-
:: It's finished. Ended.
YOUNG MAN
~· .~
·-::_ .. '·-:
Impossible!
. FIRST TRAVELER
Who killed him?
;..
.·--.
Il\TNKEEPER
There we areL We still don •t know how he died!
·"·'
- -·_,:
.'
YOUNG MAN
He had to die: he was old. What more do you want?
THIRD TRAVELER
But there's still Korocha. And Gemina!
.. : :: -... ~
(
·.;· ..
·
~~·: ' .
... ,'
.-J .
YOUNG MAN
. , Naturally, Korocha is to marry Gemina. How else should it be?
INNKEEPER
I still don't know who should get my .taxes!
~ .. •'
. ' .-. ,
. ..
.. -~- .
-. '
;

90.
Korocha.
YOUNG l'-fAN
Pay your taxes to Korocha.
•.
Is that so?
INNKEEPER
YOUNG MAN
_
The throne of· Shensi, which Genghis Khan had only borrowed ·
for a few months, and for which the people of Shensi spilled
so much blood--which even now is being washed, refurbished,
regilded by the best artisans of Shensi--this throne must
.go to the incomparable hero of Shensi. Then pay your taxes
to Korocha! Long live Korocha!
(SINCERELY)
INNKEEPER
Long live Korocha!
AT THESE · WORDS, THE YOUNG MAN
FINDS HIS BUNDLE, SWINGS IT TO
1IIS SHOULDER, PICKS UP HIS STICK
AND. STARTS TO THE DOOR. HE FINDS
IT-, OPENS IT. OUTSIDE, IT ·rs NOT
QUITE DAWN. THE DESERT WIND BLOWS
·. ---:- ~
·•. . .. ACROSS THE PALE STARS IN THE SKY.
. ··- ·· ·.
..
Where
- .. · tW'I~ '~ SECOND TAAVELER
are _you o~-:lto? The sun's not up yet!
···'·.
-. .. .;:..,.
.,.·· ..: .
.!··
-.>·.
··..·::-;- ... .. ·.,.
' '. -
\.' i ..
~·' . ,;..,..... ' ·. ~ !·.·< ;..·~ ~~:.('~~·'. '
' ~· ·! I,·•_].;
. .."
: ~: ..•·..: .
....
. • I '-
....,... .
·,
.....•..:
·:·.~.·
••
. r .'·~,·.'
•·\°"
'.
I'm on my way.
Ah!
YOUNG HAN
The. sun wiil soon be up.
·.. ··:....-_ .. __
HE EXITS .
THIRD TRAVELER.
And with the sUri--the lark!
_
FIRST TRAVELER
The lark? · (JUMPING UP) Of course! The Skylark! It's him!
·-· ... .
. -'4 .. .
...
·skylark!
THEY ALL JUMP UP, RUN TO THE DOOR •
:1
- ALL --1.
Skylark! _\ ~ . ~
- - .__}
BUT THE YOUNG MAN HAS DISAPPEARED
INTO THE DAWN .
,)
...
.-;:!;
. ' •
"' ·
j . •.
• r'•
~.; .,. A •• ;·.
. . ~ :
·> · · -· .: .~,. -~ru~~>