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