The light of the most tranquil candle Would shudder on a bloody salver. Second Chinese. It is the invasion That counts. If it be supposed that we are three figures Painted on porcelain As we sit here, That we are painted on this very bottle, The hermit of the place, Holding this candle to us, Would wonder; But if it be supposed That we are painted as warriors, The candle would tremble in his hands; Or if it be supposed, for example, That we are painted as three dead men, He could not see the steadiest light, For sorrow. It would be true If an emperor himself Held the candle. He would forget the porcelain For the figures painted on it. Third Chinese. Let the candle shine for the beauty of shining. I dislike the invasion And long for the windless pavilions. And yet it may be true That nothing is beautiful Except with reference to ourselves, Nor ugly, Nor high, Nor low. No: not even sunrise. Can you play of this For us? First Chinese. I have a song Called Mistress and Maid. It is of no interest to hermits Or emperors, Yet it has a bearing; For if we affect sunrise, We affect all things. Third Chinese. It is a pity it is of women. Sing it.

First Chinese Monologue from Three Travelers Watch a Sunrise

Rehearse First Chinese's monologue