by Tang Xianzu
How I wish to kill that horse!
The purple steed has ruined my life!
Master, I hope you will drop by Xiaohou’s house. He’s hospitable and will surely treat you well.
Separated by numerous high mountains,
We can only keep contact
Through messages brought by the swan or the wild goose.
Master, you said Guo Xiaohou loves my voice and looks, but I am afraid
Dancing and singing will stop
When my beauty fades as a burnt candle.
(Collapses in tears)
HUA QING:
Now I’ll have Bao Siniang escorted to your house in a sedan. Master Guo, you can ride on that steed back with her.
GUO XIAOHOU:
I have got another horse.
BAO SINIANG (Takes leave):
(To the tune of Zhegutian)
The clouds are bleak at the time of departure,
As the Tartar horse still loves the north wind.
HUA QING:
When can I welcome the peach blossom again?
BAO SINIANG:
When will the deserted woman meet her former husband?
(Exit Bao Siniang, followed by attendants)
(Guo Xiaohou takes leave)
HUA QING (Laughs):
Mr. Li, the lady’s chamber is deserted tonight, so I will feel lonely tonight and you may drink with me overnight.
LI YI:
I will come again tomorrow.
HUA QING:
Attendants, see off Mr. Li on the new horse!
One is my pretty concubine
And the other is a stalwart steed.
A noble horse will see off a noble guest,
From tomorrow on,
The northern horse will follow me to the north.
As a beauty has been hard to find,
The steed has cost me much more than it’d need.
I’ll cast all memory of her behind,
With my attention on the noble steed.
Scene Five
Indulging His Mistress
(Enter Guo Xiaohou)
GUO XIAOHOU (To the tune of Tianxiale):
Spring hunting follows the youngster’s bent,
But to avoid startling the beauty I keep my steps soft.
When I appreciate the sword, I fill the cup again;
When I sit in face of a beauty, I fiddle the zither again.
“The pretty concubine departs from her lover in resentment,
As the early bird recalls its former nest.
Where is the affection inscribed?
Tears soak her spring garment.”
I am Guo Feng, by the style name of Xiaohou. Guo Ziyi, Prince of Fenyang, is my grandfather. My elder sister is the current first-rank imperial concubine in charge of the empress’s jade seal and her daughter is Princess Taihe. Because of my sister, I was made a marquis in my childhood. When I was going on a hunting ride yesterday, I passed by the gate of Grand General Hua, who took a fancy on my horse, invited me to his singing-and-dancing hall and exchanged his beloved concubine Bao Siniang for my horse. Bao Siniang was in deep woe when she left her former master Hua Qing. She has been crying all day without eating anything since she came to my house. Well, how can a true gentleman bear to hurt other’s feelings? Attendant, I have told you to escort Bao Siniang to my alternate mansion, where she can do whatever she pleases. But she is supposed to come to my house to perform singing and dancing on festivals.
ATTENDANT:
Bao Siniang has already been sent to your alternate mansion, but shortly upon arrival she was invited to Prince Huo’s residence to teach singing, by a person who calls herself Zheng Liuniang.
GUO XIAOHOU:
I see. There is a Du Qiuniang in Prince Huo’s residence, who used to be Bao Siniang’s disciple. Therefore, Zheng Liuniang invites Bao Siniang to her place. I came to know at Hua Qing’s banquet that Li Yi had just succeeded in the imperial examinations after reading numerous books, while Hua Qing made the exchange in order to perform meritorious service in the border areas at his old age. Who can be as happy as I am, for I have been made a marquis since my childhood!
ATTENDANT:
It is true indeed,
“There are Taoist priests in the immortal realm,
As there are marquises in the human world.”
GUO XIAOHOU:
Just look at me,
(To the tune of Wugongyang)
With a fungi-cicadae tattoo on my arm,
I only wear a streamer-adorned hat,
Holding the ribbon under my arm and hiding my official garment.
I lead the horse out of the stable
And change clothes for the polo game several times.
I drink mellow wine from the silver or jade cup,
With my servants wearing satin boots and red coats.
Song and music accompany me all the time,
With candles waiting for me to return.
While flowers and birds flourish for three spring months,
The nobleman enjoys the longevity of a hundred years.
ATTENDANT:
The Xinfeng lads enjoy expensive wine,
GUO XIAOHOU:
To stay with steeds and beauties day and night.
ATTENDANT:
They do not know that lonesome Yang Xiong stayed
GUO XIAOHOU:
In temples for the night, without delight.
Scene Six
Discriminating the Tunes
(Enter Zheng Liuniang, Huo Xiaoyu and Huansha)
ZHENG LIUNIANG, HUO XIAOYU, HUANSHA (To the tune of Raochiyou):
The mansion is colorfully decorated
When spring arrives
With mists enshrouding the foliage in the empty yard.
ZHENG LIUNIANG (In the pattern of Yuegongchun): “
Spring arrives at our house when days grow longer,
With sandal scent risings from the smoking-oven.
HUO XIAOYU:
In shoes embroidered with mandarin ducks,
I move my steps in the magnificent hall.
HUANSHA:
Beautiful flowers allure us to the courtyard,
Which is showered with golden sunlight.
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
Having trained the parrot across the screen,
I’ll teach my daughter a fresh tune.”
HUO XIAOYU:
What do you mean by teaching me a fresh tune? You know, I cherish peace and quietude rather than the music.
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
Buddhist chants and hymns will not disturb your peace and quietude. I’ve told Yingtao to invite Bao Siniang. I guess she has arrived.
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the previous tune):
The luxuriant pistacias and thin angelicas
Echo the swift clapping of sandal clappers,
But who is behind the latticed windows?
I am Bao Siniang. I had just arrived at Guo Xiaohou’s alternate residence when Zheng Liuniang from Prince Huo’s residence invited me to teach her daughter to sing. Here I am. I may as well go in.
(Bao Siniang and Zheng Liuniang exchange greetings)
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
“As she waits and waits but you do not come,
She has to draw on the spring water by the pond.
BAO SINIANG:
Since I have not met her even once,
How can she have so much affection?”
(Asks Huo Xiaoyu)
Is this the young princess?
(Huo Xiaoyu bows to Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG:
What a cute girl!
“Only when the young bird learns to comb its bun,
Can it use pearls and beads as its earrings.
When you learn newly-composed love songs,
You will tacitly stir your lover’s heart.”
(Huo Xiaoyu blushes)
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
She is young and shy. You see, while ladies
walk in sunny spring days, from the mansions along the roads come the newly composed pleasant songs, with the accompaniment of sandal-clappers. The songs sound like the “Lush Trees” by the goddess on the Xiangshui River while the tunes sound like “Plain Orchids” by the honored scholar Sima Xiangru. The songs from The Flower Basket are written with words as bright and smooth as pearls and with tunes as beautiful as kingfisher’s feather. The Cloud Ballads from the northwest will allure the cranes to dance in pairs while the line “The Sun Rises in the Southeast” in The Yuefu Poetry echoes “The Fish” in The Book of Poetry. A noble young lady should be instructed by a good teacher.
BAO SINIANG:
Liuniang, I used to dance the elegant dances but despise those who dance like desmodium gyrans, the dancing grass; I can sing “The Beauty at Night” by Xue Daoheng in the Sui Dynasty but deplore the chics who indulge in the singing-and-dancing hall. I have followed Guo Changsheng in playing the flute and taught Shi Chong and his disciples in playing the zither. My music can stop the floating clouds to do justice to my name as a famous musician; my songs can linger for a long time as Han E in the Warring States Period; and my tunes of Huainan are so popular that I can count my money like Cha Nu in Hejian. It is up to you to decide what to teach, Liuniang.
(Enter Yingtao)
YINGTAO:
“Cold weather is hardly felt by drinking from jade cups
While abandoned love abounds in beauty’s chamber.
Pendants chink with the dancing steps
While sleeves are rolled up in a wait for the new song.”
Mistress, when I was playing in the palace troupe, I copied a new poem by Li Yi from Longxi. Would you read it with the young princess?
(Huo Xiaoyu, Zheng Liuniang and Bao Siniang read the poem together)
HUO XIAOYU, ZHENG LIUNIANG, BAO SINIANG:
Alas! It is the ci-poem “Mountain Climbing on Man’s Day” set to the tune of Yichunling.
Well-done! Well-done!
BAO SINIANG:
Li Yi is a young man. I know him.
ZHENG LIUNIANG (Laughs):
Siniang, you know a lot of people! I’ll have this poem sent to Du Qiuniang’s alternate mansion to have it practiced. When Prince Huo climbs the mountain tomorrow, we’ll serve the wine with this tune. Xiaoyu, learn the song by heart from Siniang!
BAO SINIANG:
Liuniang, I’d like to ask you for a favor. Du Qiuniang used to learn singing from me, but she still owes me the tuition fee. Now that she has taught her own disciple Shancai, it’s time for her to requite me.
ZHENG LIUNIANG (Smiles):
You have such a good memory!
(Exits)
BAO SINIANG (Smiles to Huo Xiaoyu):
Xiaoyu, now you should call me the tutor. Please concentrate your mind when I teach you!
HUANSHA:
Siniang, we won’t be able to sing what you teach us.
BAO SINIANG:
Nonsense! You can do it well as long as you become familiar with the tune. Xiaoyu, please sit upright and listen to me! There are three keys to singing. The first, remember the tunes; the second, keep to the rhythm of the clapper; and the third, display your voice to the full.
HUO XIAOYU:
How many tunes are there altogether?
BAO SINIANG:
It’s hard to tell all the tunes at one go. I’ll give you a general idea. There are twenty-four chapters of the Huangzhong tune, twenty-five chapters of the Zhenggong tune, twenty-one chapters of the Dashi tune, five chapters of the Xiaoshi tune, forty-two chapters of the Xianlü tune, thirty-two chapters of the Zhonglü tune, twenty-one of the Nanlü tune, a hundred chapters of the Shuangdiao tune, twenty-five chapters of the Yue tune, sixteen chapters of the Shang tune, six chapters of the Shangjiao tune, and eight chapters of the Banshediao tune, altogether three hundred and thirty-five chapters. From the time when Emperor Xuanyuan created seventeen tunes, only twelve of them are passed down to the present day. There are different designations for the same tunes. For example, Yizhihua and Zhanchunkui are the same tune. So are Yangchunqu and Xichunlai, Paoqiule and Cailouchun, Douhama and Caochichun, Liuyaobian and Liushaoqing, Shengpingle and Maihuasheng, Gumeijiu and Qionglinyan, Hanjiangqiu and Jingxiangyuan, Caichage and Chujiangqiu, Ganheye and Cuipanqiu, Zhiqiuling and Wuye’er, Jingshanyu and Cezhuan’er, Xiaoshamen and Tusi’er, Hanguolang and Mengtong’er, Cunlixiucai and Bandushu, Dianqianhuan and Fengjiangchu, Guayugou and Guadagu, Zuiniangzi and Zuiyemosuo, Qiaomuzha and Yinhancha, Tiaoxiaoling and Hanxiaohua, Shuahai’er and Moheluo, Yebuluo and Yeluosuo, Leiguti and Cuihuale, Lingshouzhang and Daiguduo, Yingwuqu and Heiqinu, Didijin and Tianshuiling, Zhenzhenying and Deshengling, Liuyingqu and Zhai’erling, Jiquzi and Jizhuoling, Guisaibei and Wangjiangnan, Xuanheming and Kuhuangtian, Chuwenzhan and Bujinqian, Bobuduan and Xuduanxian, Lian’erhong and Mapozi, Lingboxian and Shuixianzi, Panfeiqu and Bubujiao, Xianggong’ai and Fumahuanchao, Hongna’ao and Hongjinpao, Nüguanzi and Shuangfengqiao, Zhulüqu and Hongxiuxie, Santaiyin and Guisantai, Xiaobaimen and Bubaimen, Chaotianzi and Yejinmen, Shouyangqu and Luomeifeng, Zheguiling and Buchangong. At the same time, my young princess, there are the same designations for different tunes. For example, both the Huangzhong and the Shuangdiao tunes have the designation of Shuixianzi; both the Xiangong and the Zhenggong tunes have the designation of Duanzhenghao; both the Zhonglü and the Yue tunes have the designation of Dou’anchun; both the Zhonglü and the Nanlü tunes have the designation of Hongshaoyao; both the Zhonglü and the Shuangdiao tunes have the designation of Zuidongfeng. They are not to be confused in singing. Words may be added or subtracted for some tunes, for example, Duanzhenghao, Huolang’er, Hunjianglong, Houtinghua, Qinge’er, Meihuajiu, Xinshuiling and Zheguiling. Besides, see to it that you do not confuse the tones in Daogong Gaoping Xiezhi and Zimu Yichuanlizhu! As you will soon be married to someone who has passed the imperial examinations, I’ll sing for you in advance the tune of Zheguiling, which means “The Tune of Passing the Imperial Examinations”,
(To the tune of Northern Zheguiling)
Relaxing your delicate eyebrows
And wearing casual spring dress,
You do up your beautiful hair randomly.
You round up your night dream at the windows
When the moon wanes.
Your eye-shadow has been erased by lover’s caress,
And the sandal trace on your arm has been wiped off.
When you sleep behind the screen
And beside the smoking-oven,
You turn a deaf ear to the parrot’s parody.
HUO XIAOYU:
You are a good singer, but this song fits the dandies and wenches rather than gentlemen and recluses. Can you show me some poems by the talented scholars?
BAO SINIANG:
Who else is a better talent? The poem “Mountain Climbing on Man’s Day” circulated by the palace troupe is composed by a talent. As he is an acquaintance of Hua Qing, I’ve been familiar with his poems.
HUO XIAOYU:
Please tell me some lines!
BAO SINIANG:
I remember his couplet
“Beyond the screen, winds sway the bamboo trees;
I wonder whether it’s my friend who comes at ease.”
HUO XIAOYU (Chants the poem and sighs):
He is no less elegant and refined than the ancient poets Shen Yue and Jiang Yan. Siniang, let’s have a walk along the carved railings by the green pond!
(To the tune of Huangying’er)
On the beautiful screen is a colorful painting,
With the silk flower-clusters embroidered with thin threads
And the crystal-clear pond water glittering like a spring sea.
With her purple jade hairpins florid and translucent,
On the exquisite dressing table,
The sweet and charming beauty leaves her delicate trace.
Siniang, what wonderful lines!
HUO XIAOYU, BAO SINIANG:
The talent is admirable in writi
ng
“Beyond the screen, winds sway the bamboo trees;
I wonder whether it’s my friend who comes at ease.”
BAO SINIANG (To the previous tune):
Her charming cheeks wearing the smile in her night dream,
Her white skirt draping on the ground to chase the butterfly,
She stands by the twisting railings for a moment.
The mossy ground bearing her footprints,
Plum blossoms falling on her skirt,
She betrays her lovesickness between her eyebrows.
HUO XIAOYU, BAO SINIANG:
The talent is admirable in writing
“Beyond the screen, winds sway the bamboo trees;
I wonder whether it’s my friend who comes at ease.”
BAO SINIANG:
I can see that you admire his poems very much although you have not met him yet.
(To the tune of Cuyuling)
He is impressive
With handsome looks,
Like an immortal
Coming out of his residence.
His appearance and bearing are extraordinary;
His personality is noble and lofty.
HUO XIAOYU, BAO SINIANG:
The talent is admirable in writing
“Beyond the screen, winds sway the bamboo trees;
I wonder whether it’s my friend who comes at ease.”
HUO XIAOYU:
What a lovely man!
BAO SINIANG (To the previous tune):
He is virtuous
With graceful manners.
You are not alone in adoring him,
Numerous pretty ladies
Have been chasing after him,
As he is a lady-killer.
Once you see him,
You’ll peep behind the screen and expect his return.
HUO XIAOYU, BAO SINIANG:
The talent is admirable in writing
“Beyond the screen, winds sway the bamboo trees;
I wonder whether it’s my friend who comes at ease.”
HUO XIAOYU:
Where is he from?
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Coda):
The talent comes to the capital from Longxi.
HUO XIAOYU:
What is his name?
BAO SINIANG:
His name is Li Shilang, as far as I know.
HUO XIAOYU:
Has he written any other new poems?
BAO SINIANG:
Why do you want more of his poems?
HUO XIAOYU:
To be used for songs I’ll sing.
(Bao Siniang takes leave and exits)
What excellent poems he writes! What a pity that I cannot remember all his lines! What I remember is but bits and pieces of his gems. Indeed,