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First Tableau
THE GARDEN OF THE PALACE AT NAN-KING.
To the left, the pavilion of the ladies-in-waiting, in front of which is a flower-wreathed verandah, through the trees and the bushes in full bloom, roofs of yellow earthenware, with upturned gable-ends and decorated with monsters, can be seen. Great twisted cedars, pools, rivulets, curved bridges of marble and red lacquer. Preparations are on foot for a fête. In the background servants are setting up banners, lances, and emblems of every shape. In the foreground, gardeners are putting the garden in order and sweeping away the rain of flowers which has fallen from the trees. The sun is rising.
