by Tang Xianzu
ZHENG LIUNIANG (To the tune of Miandaxu):
In the quiet and solitary chamber,
Gorgeous satin enhances the beauty of the lady.
The mica screen splendidly painted
Faces the duck-shaped smoking-oven in solitude.
HUANSHA:
Please feel relaxed, mistress!
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
When flowers are no longer in bloom,
People can still contemplate over them,
Disregarding their elapsing beauty
And the boredom of fond dreams.
ALL:
With sleeves stained by the rouge,
I am not in a mood to adjust the silver-decorated flute.
HUO XIAOYU: (To the previous tune):
While the chamber is bathed in the spring sunshine,
The golden headwear sways in my thick and raven hair.
YINGTAO:
Princess, please listen to the sound of chess playing in the side yard!
The jingling jade chess-pieces
Rouse the sleeper in the Red Mansion.
(With the twittering of birds within, Yingtao walks by the side of Huo Xiaoyu)
While the orioles sing amid the leaves,
The weeping willow twigs are sprouting.
At the time when plum blossoms are about to drop,
The spring breeze keeps brushing the sleeves.
ALL:
We stroll in the serene places,
Along the narrow paths and painted bridges.
HUANSHA (To the previous tune):
The petals fall when the birds peck
And skim past our silk skirts.
(Slightly lifts her hands and dances)
I try on the spring dress,
Walking with fragrance floating around.
In tender and graceful manners
I sway my slender waist.
(Unloosens her dress and shouts, “How warm it is!”)
I love to see waters rippled by the warm spring breeze
And the halcyons dancing on the orchid stems.
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
Huansha, why do you unloosen your dress?
ALL:
She secretly tightens her embroidered corsage
So as to conceal her tender emotions.
YINGTAO (To the previous tune):
As smiling faces are like seasonal flowers,
How many times can we treasure the spring nights?
Dressed in satin coats and silver-lined skirts,
The twelve courtesans whisk their sleeves.
At the apricot branch tips,
We feel the approach of spring warmth.
HUANSHA:
Look, Yingtao, how handsome are those young gentlemen jogging on the narrow paths!
YINGTAO (Sighs):
We are eager to gaze at the youngsters on horseback
With alluring eyes.
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
Yingtao, how do you comment on those youngsters?
ALL:
With lockers of jade and gold jewelry by our side,
We paint our raven eyebrows by ourselves.
(To the tune of Yuwen)
While spring grass beside the steps is to be adored,
Exquisite bowers are enveloped in smoke in the dusk.
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
When you go back to your chamber,
You’d better do the embroidery.
As willows and spring breeze work wonders,
The sun has warmed the copper grooves by then.
When you pick the flowers at the railings,
The man will come as grass turns green again.
Scene Four
Exchanging the Concubine for a Horse
(Enter Hua Qing)
HUA QING (To the tune of Yeyouchao):
The halberds, the spears, and rare steeds;
The mink tails, the ribbons, and jade quivers.
I rejoice to see my armors covered with dust
And my spears lying idle with moss gathering around,
As The Military Stratagem is useless at peaceful times.
“Flags flutter after I return from the border area,
But my grey head is still wearing the helmet.
I adjust zither strings and sing ‘The Moon at the Fortified Pass’,
As if I were singing before the mirror-like mountain rocks.”
I am Hua Qing, the Grand General of the Tang Dynasty. I used to be the governor of West Sichuan, but have returned to the capital and lived at leisure, receiving a salary of two thousand hectoliters of grain a year and wearing a jade belt and a dragon-design robe. I have a concubine named Bao Siniang, who is pretty, affectionate and sociable. She is the best singer among all the performers in the military camp, and the best pipa player among all the musicians in the palace. As there are honorable guests to visit me now and then, I have kept her in my house to sing over the wine. Where is Bao Siniang?
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Shanggonghua):
While plum blossoms display their beauty in the painted hall,
Soothing music is played on the jade flute,
Enshrouded in the fragrant smoke amid willow twigs.
Awakened from my dream in the chilly morning of early spring,
I am so delicate as to fear the east wind.
Blessings on you, General!
HUA QING:
I’ve summoned you because I have something to say. I met my friend the talent Li Yi the other day on the spring festival and invited him to my camp for a drink. I’ve told the cooks to prepare a dinner. I suppose he’ll be coming soon. And I I’d like you to sing and dance at the dinner.
BAO SINIANG:
Yes, I see.
HUA QING:
By the way, I remember a couplet in one of Li Yi’s poems,
“Beyond the screen, winds sway the bamboo trees;
I wonder whether it’s my friend who comes at ease.”
You may set it to music and sing with the new words. Li Yi will soon be promoted to be a standing member of the Imperial Academy.
BAO SINIANG:
I see.
(Enter Li Yi)
LI YI (To the tune of Buchangong):
Duckweeds float in the defrosted palace stream,
Flowers and trees are lush in the beautiful garden.
East of the fragrant house and painted bridge,
A bosom friend of mine stays with me.
(Greets Bao Siniang and says “I’ve heard of you for a long time.”)
HUA QING:
Bao Siniang, fill his cup for me and sing a new song!
BAO SINIANG (Serves wine):
(To the tune of Wugongyang)
When the shade is rolled up, the wind blows
To stir the curtain in the evening glows
And the coils of smoke above the tripod.
The fan dance starts with the music of “Riding the Cloud”,
When the mica folding-screen shields the mountain view
With its painted green outshining the glaring flowers.
In the verdant spring come the romantic young men
Dressed in elegant robes,
Of whom one is a burly general
And the other is a renowned scholar.
HUA QING:
Mr. Li, it’s so wonderful that you wrote the lines “Beyond the screen, winds sway the bamboo trees” and Bao Siniang composed a song bearing the same theme. The literary piece and the musical piece present themselves at the same time; therefore, we should each drain a goblet of wine.
BAO SINIANG (To the previous tune):
Steaming dishes are served,
Mellow wine is drunk,
And melodious music is enjoyed.
My pleated dress is painted with colorful flowers,
While my fragrant and dense hair is curled like clouds.
The guest writes essays circulating in the capital
And rides along the paths stirring up
dusts.
With flowers on my satin headband swirling,
I dance in such graceful steps
That even bamboo leaves and peach blossoms
Enjoy themselves to the full.
LI YI:
I’m drunk!
HUA QING:
Now, remove the wine and the dishes!
“When I get drunk with mellow wine,
I look at the mountain village in spring.
Alas!
I see so many gallant men
Riding with the flowers and grass.”
Mr. Li, look at the roads in spring!
(To the tune of Jiang’ershui)
On the smooth roads with green grass,
Well-equipped horses gallop like winds.
(A horse neighs and bells ring within)
HUA QING:
Attendants, go and ask whose noble horse it is!
Galloping noble horses can follow the sun like floating clouds.
(Enter an attendant, reporting)
ATTENDANT :
Guo Xiaohou is shooting on horseback with his men.
HUA QING:
Mr. Li, do you know this man? He is the grandson of the Duke of Fenyang.
Followed by numerous attendants, he is beamish,
Son of the noble lineage
Fully enjoying the romping pleasure in youth.
Alas! How well he does in horse archery!
His arrow sends the plate to flight
And hit the two golden pellets in a row.
LI YI:
Why do you admire him so much? He has just bought an excellent horse with a thousand ounces of gold and tries his bow with ten thousand pellets. But if you have such a horse, you can quell the barbarians and be conferred the title of a marquis.
(To the previous tune)
The white horse can gallop in the south like a belt
And fly in the north like a yellow crane.
If you get this horse,
You can move like the swift wind,
Winning praise by your military exploits.
By that time, you’ll always be busy in the position of a general until you are very old.
Going to the court with a gold bow-sack and a jade horse-bridle,
You will be unanimously considered the most remarkable man.
In his old age, General Ma Yuan with the honorary title of General Quelling-the-Waves in the Han Dynasty conquered the savage tribes in Wuling and cast a copper statue of a stalwart steed to be presented to the emperor.
If you love his statue of a Golden Horse,
You’d better do merits in the savage Emerald-Rooster Cave.
HUA QING:
What you say sounds reasonable, Shilang. Attendants, go and chase after Guo Xiaohou!
Invite him in and ask him whether he is willing to sell his horse!
(Hustles of people and horses as well as voice of invitation within)
(Enter Guo Xiaohou, whipping his horse)
GUO XIAOHOU (To the tune of Cuidijindang):
Except for his contact with the courtesans,
Hua Qing is a peerless gallant man.
Fastening his horse in the forest,
Where is the hero in the song-and-dance house?
HUA QING (Smiles and greets Guo Xiaohou):
I am waiting at the gate to welcome you.
(Invites Guo Xiaohou in and introduces him to Li Yi)
GUO XIAOHOU:
Who is this scholar?
HUA QING:
This is Mr. Li Yi from Longxi for the imperial examinations.
GUO XIAOHOU:
Then, is this beauty your beloved concubine Bao Siniang?
HUA QING:
Yes.
(Guo Xiaohou greets Bao Siniang)
GUO XIAOHOU:
As I was riding to shoot at the birds with pellets just now, I am wondering what you want me for.
HUA QING:
I admire both you and your horse. So I invite you for a drink and want to ask where you got this stalwart horse.
GUO XIAOHOU:
I am not as valuable as jade, but the horse is indeed as valuable as gold. Since you admire the horse, let’s go to the gate and have a look at it before we drink!
(Looks at the horse)
(To the tune of Yujiaozhi)
As to this steed,
It is of noble birth as if coming from heaven,
Puffing out an immortal breath.
Both its appearance and equipment
Show it to be an incomparable horse.
It looks like a tiger or a dragon of the arhats,
Or like a rainbow of whirling satin when it gallops.
LI YI:
Will you sell it?
GUO XIAOHOU (Laughs):
As we are gallant men on horseback encountering on the way,
Why does a wealthy marquis need more money?
HUA QING:
I see. It’s impossible for me to get it from you. Now let’s drink!
GUO XIAOHOU:
Was Bao Siniang with you when you watched me shooting at the birds with pellets?
HUA QING:
She witnessed your valiant and heroic manner together with me.
GUO XIAOHOU:
May I trouble her to play a piece of music for me?
HUA QING:
Bao Siniang, fill in our cups and play the music!
BAO SINIANG (To the previous tune):
Dressed in green and red,
I move my steps in the shadows of the window lattice.
Leaning on the railings, I cast rounds of amorous glances
With my face blushing like a half-drunken lotus.
A tender, languid butterfly faintly powdered,
I sing in an oriole voice as smooth as the silk handkerchief.
I roll up my sleeves to hold the golden cups in smile,
And pour the silver kettle in a drunken mode.
GUO XIAOHOU:
I have long heard of Bao Siniang’s stunning beauty and charming voice. In face of a beauty worth a million ounces of gold, a horse worth a thousand is incomparable!
LI YI:
General Hua Qing loves the good horse, while Guo Xiaohou appreciates the heavenly voice of the beauty. If you make an exchange, both of you will be satisfied.
GUO XIAOHOU:
“If you really wish for the stalwart steed,
I am willing to ask for your beloved beauty.
HUA QING:
If at a heavy cost I can get the noble horse,
I might as well give away my graceful beauty.”
Bao Siniang, serve the wine and I will send you to Guo Xiaohou’s residence!
HUA QING, LI YI, GUO XIAOHOU (To the tune of Qiyanhui):
With the beauty in exchange for a noble horse,
The smoking-oven is a petal less for its fragrance.
A scented beauty of scarlet jade
Is aligned with a precious steed of flowing speed.
The famous steed and the gifted beauty
Will take flight abreast in the evening glow,
Disturbing the white clouds.
The rabbit will weep for the fairy in the moon
While even the copper peacock will soar to the sky.
BAO SINIANG (Weeps):
General, how can you be so heartless!
(To the previous tune)
You put me in such embarrassment!
For a good horse a pretty woman is exchanged.
As beautiful as the peach blossom,
I am just expected to dance in the spring breeze.
When I lean against the window
Or saunter in the garden,
I will lament over my lot.
When I hear the neighing of the foaming steed,
I will deplore my unsettled fate as the dandelion.
HUA QING:
You need not cry! As a truly ambitious man cherishes aspiration for honor and success, I will guard the frontier for the most of my life in the future.
>
(To the tune of Shantaohong)
I sigh over the lost beauty and the cold bed-curtain,
For I shall sleep alone.
After you play the tunes of “The Lingering Phoenix”,
You are to leave as a lonely swan.
You are a lovely green-feathered phoenix,
But when I see this bloody-sweat steed,
All my thoughts go with the roaming dragon.
Siniang, don’t call the wrong name in your dream!
When you wake up,
Don’t mistake the new master
For the pair has separated in your Pear-Blossom Dream.
As Guo Xiaohou is a young childe, Bao Siniang, wait on him with heart and soul!
You should be loyal and obedient
As the tender moon and the mild spring breeze.
As for you, Guo Xiaohou,
She is frowning
For her grievance on us.
You should be kind and soft to her
And not hurt her heart.
GUO XIAOHOU:
No need to say any more! Siniang will feel at home.
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Xiashanhu):
My eyebrows would be reflected in another mirror,
As the beloved bird has left its cage.
My desire is like the cloud,
Which will float with the wind.
The master suddenly longs for a noble horse,
So that the female swallow has to part in woe with the male one.
Master, would you look for another concubine to wait on you day and night when I leave you?
HUA QING:
I only have the frontier on my mind and will not consider to have a woman any more.
BAO SINIANG:
You are an elderly man now. Do take care of yourself! Take care!
With my sentiments of departure filling the sky,
You should take care of your precious health
And not say that the steed will secure you a high rank.
Master, I have been waiting on you for a long time. After I leave here, who can do that well since the servants are either male or maids who sleep soundly at night?
As no one will take care of your bedding,
I am afraid that in the spring cold and heavy drunkenness,
You will feel sad and lonely at night.
LI YI:
Master Guo has been waiting for a long time. You’ll have to say goodbye after all.
(To the tune of Manpailing)
When the horse is ready to set on its way,
The beauty weeps with tears all over her face.
BAO SINIANG (Blames Li Yi):
Damn you! Your visit has caused all my trouble! The general might visit Xiaohou by riding to his house some day, but I can never come to the general’s residence!
The leaving horse longs to go back to its former bridle,
But the falling petal will never return to its stem.