by Tang Xianzu
So much for the wine! I have a word with you. Shilang carves a career together with us in Chang’an far away from home. His official career is close at hand. The young princess should advise Shilang to make efforts for the bright future rather than waste time indulging himself in pleasure-seeking.
(To the tune of Zhunu’er)
A successful man is excellent in looks and manners,
As well as in writing remarkable essays sold at a high price.
May the wife encourage her man to strive for a grand career,
Instead of indulging himself in the domestic affairs.
HUA QING, SHI XIONG, SHANG ZIPI:
We wish that you would receive a lady’s title
And ride in carriages decorated with gold and pearls,
Flying wing to wing with your man.
HUO XIAOYU:
Now you three gentlemen are present today. I’m afraid that Shilang may forsake me when he attains honor and wealth.
(To the previous tune)
When I have the official seal of a lady’s title,
He may find a new silk weaver at home.
HUA QING:
Shilang is a faithful man.
Look how he treasures the perfume pouch behind his elbow!
He will not be a fickle man who forsakes his wife.
HUA QING, SHI XIONG, SHANG ZIPI:
We wish that you would receive a lady’s title
And ride in carriages decorated with gold and pearls,
Flying wing to wing with your man.
LI YI (To the tune of Coda):
As dusk has descended on the woods and the palace,
Wagons will start on your way back before complete darkness.
HUA QING, SHI XIONG, SHANG ZIPI:
Shilang, it is the Lantern Festival tomorrow. As His Majesty grants the people the opportunity to light lanterns, the lantern fair will be the most prosperous. You may have a good time tomorrow night with the young princess. It is not convenient for us friends to follow you.
It is frightening how time flies.
(Exeunt the three guests Hua Qing, Shi Xiong and Shang Zipi)
HUO XIAOYU:
My man, judging from their appearances, the three of them will be high officials.
LI YI (Laughs):
What does a girl like you know about that?
HUO XIAOYU:
The wife of Minister Xi Fuji in the State of Cao recognized the talents of Zhao Shuai and Hu Yan while the wife of Minister Shan Tao in the Jin Dynasty peeped at Ji Kang and Ruan Ji. From these stories it can be seen that women can surpass men and the contemporary people can surpass the ancient people.
LI YI (Laughs):
I understand. Let’s go to the hall and greet the madam!
In the bridal room invigorated by the spring,
The peach blossom of a beauty sees off the guests.
With the intoxicated wife in a fragrant scent
Behind the heavy curtains now he rests.
Scene Seventeen
Picking Up a Flute
(Enter courtier Yan Zunmei)
YAN ZUNMEI (To the tune of Dianjiangchun):
Myriads of stars hang in the sky,
When the sunset sheds evening glows
Over the palace garden.
The lantern trees on the Lantern Festival
Light up the yellow silk fans of the court maids.
Under the crimson clouds in the sky,
Officials attend the emperor’s banquet.
The blazing candles and lanterns
Illuminate the slow-moving chariots with dangling fringes.
“When the moon shines over the sacrificial altar,
People enjoy the peaceful gathering in palace.
The dragon lanterns make up the fiery trees;
The phoenix lanterns give display to the lotus flowers.”
I am Yan Zunmei, vice director of the military ministry. I am a student of Ma Cunliang, the courtier supervisor, and I used to be in charge of the harem affairs together with Ximen Jixuan. In my opinion, courtiers should only attend to the daily affairs of the palace rather than the military affairs. Taking care of the documents is not the business of the courtiers. Having long been thinking about reclusion in the Qingcheng Mountains, I’ve just quit the official post of head of the secretariat. My mission now is to be His Majesty’s bodyguard, managing his carriages. On this Lantern Festival, people are allowed to light lanterns. I’m now waiting for His Majesty to finish the banquet with the officials and tour around the palaces. What fabulous lanterns there are in the Huaqing Palace! The gauze-and-bamboo lanterns are ball-shaped with many light-emitting holes. The lotus-shaped lanterns are like the stars over the Huashan Mountain. And the lanterns with bamboo holders are like the torches. The light of the lanterns is as bright as the shining mica pieces that decorate the bed-curtains. It is also as bright as thousands of glowing glaze beads. The lantern light reflected on the bead curtains is as dazzling as the chinking pearl-and-jade strings. The glowing bright light comes from the lanterns that are shaped in the deer, the beast and the dog. The fish swim around in the glaze fish-tank, stirring shiny ripples on the satin-like water as in the Dongxiao Cave of the immortals. The horse-shaped lanterns are really like the fabulous galloping steeds, sending out flames before the mountains on the agate screen. The ball-like lanterns are like stars from the sky, with red balls rolling on the earth. On reaching the households, the moon seems to drop silver candles from the sky. The giant boat-shaped lantern sails off and on upon the Morning-Glow Terrace to the vast sea with coiling red smoke. The grand fire-mirror lantern hangs in front of the Sun-Viewing Temple. When the gate of the lantern is opened, numerous bright candles are seen to cluster round on the Heavenly Terrace. The palace outline is visible in the lantern light, dotted by the tulip-shaped lanterns. The canopies above the wagon-shaped lanterns turn round and round while the vines of the purple grape-shaped lanterns are swaying to and fro. The attached green jade pieces are made of white crepe from the immortal Fanghu Mountain; the silk bands with chessboard designs wrapped around the bamboo frames are woven from the silk threads in the immortal Yuanqiao Mountain. Unlike the roaring of dragons, tigers, or various breeds of steeds, the beating of night-curfew drums and the neighing of the startled horses in the six streets of the capital sound like rumbling thunders as if Goddess Axiang were pushing the thunder cart. Various dancing troupes such as the Halting-Cloud Troupe, the Flying-Casket Troupe, the Feigned Kinsmen Troupe, the Feigned Greeting-Wine Troupe, and the Feigned Music-God Troupe play in the roadside sheds and in the parades while the pretty ladies throw arrows into a pot before the windows. The shapes and styles of the lanterns are ingenious and exquisite. The lanterns with the pattern of verdant trees and hanging ears of grains, accompanied by the flute music echoing to the skies, are fixed on the frames like the dew-holders. The lanterns with the pattern of embroidered clouds lined in circles look like icicles about to melt in the jade bottle. The crystal candle-stands are like the white phoenixes in the clear and transparent Guanghan Palace on the moon. The dragon-shaped candles on coral stands illuminate the tiny state of Ronggao on the lantern. Various snacks are sold on the lantern fair, such as slimming paste and amber malt sugar in scraps and crumbs, lotus roots filled with petals, moths and insects on the red plates. There are also ornaments like the plain tassels and fragrant papal leaves, while silk dress pinned with dried plums and cocoons are the popular fashion. Special lantern devices are made to create exotic movements. High towers are set up in imitation of the three immortals’ mountains. Lively performances of stories are given. On the railings are the flower-clustered words “Long Live the Emperor”. It is true indeed,
“People in satin and brocade swarm in the street,
Where the melodious music of ‘Rainbow Skirts’ is played.
Wherever the wagon of the emperor goes,
He is escorted by myriads of lanterns.”
His Majesty has arrived before I can finish my remarks.
&n
bsp; (Enter Emperor Yuanhe, escorted by followers)
EMPEROR YUANHE (To the tune of Wangwuxiang):
All the households in early spring are bathed
In peace and prosperity.
The buildings along the way are lit
By the candles as if morning glows had spread.
Along the roads painted with mashed pepper
And the corridors decorated with silk ribbons,
My carriage proceeds amid jade flute music.
“With the city gates open all night,
Songs come late in the spring.
Dragon lanterns on archways are quiet in the moonlight;
Candles in the mansions are tranquil in the breeze.”
I am the thirteenth-generation descendant of the founder of the Tang Dynasty. Since I ascended the throne, my country has been in peace and prosperity, thanks to the harmony between Heaven and Earth as well as the blessings from the ancestors. The sun and the moon always shine brightly while the cloud and the wind always correspond to the forecast at the beginning of the year. There are bumper harvests of crops in the fields and there is enough silk for weaving the satins. The branches in the wind will predict the seasons for a thousand years and the birds in the snow will sing for ten thousand years. It is pleasing that on this Lantern Festival night, the lanterns and the moon set off each other. At the prediction of a fruitful year, I’d like to have a good time with the people. Let me wander around for a while in the Huaqing Palace here. Tell the courtiers that the palace musicians are requested to stop other music and perform the hand-joining and ground-kicking singing and dancing.
(Song and music within)
SONG AND MUSIC WITHIN (To the tune of Huanglongtanchundeng):
The magpie songs in the refreshing wind
And the lotus flowers at night
Are signs of peace and prosperity.
The evening glow,
The evening glow
Are succeeded by the candlelight
And the moonshine.
The country is in peace and prosperity
Thanks to the favorable weather.
The song and dance in the moonlight
Wish the emperor eternal youth,
Wish the emperor eternal youth.
EMPEROR YUANHE:
Sing another song!
SONG AND MUSIC WITHIN (To the previous tune):
The misty scarlet clouds
And the arrayed blue-birds
Are above the graceful plum blossoms.
The half-hidden gauze lanterns,
The half-hidden gauze lanterns
Overhear the giggling chats
And detect the fragrant dresses.
Gently approach the beauties
And cast glances of affection.
The song and dance in the moonlight
Wish the emperor eternal youth,
Wish the emperor eternal youth.
EMPEROR YUANHE:
Who wrote the lines of the songs?
VOICE WITHIN:
Li Yi, a scholar from Longxi who passed the imperial tests.
EMPEROR YUANHE:
He is the talent of talents! Yan Zunmei, paste his name on the imperial screen!
(Yan Zunmei: “Long live the emperor!”)
EMPEROR YUANHE:
I’ll idle away some more time here.
(To the tune of Wangwuxiang)
Across the candles and incense burners
I walk around on patterned mats.
The evening glow lingers over the imperial banquet
While the clouds float in the heavenly breeze.
When the turtle lanterns rejoice over the cheers
And the quail lanterns light up the galas,
I ascend the heights.
Yan Zunmei, my banquet with the ministers finished too early for this Lantern Festival. I can see that they have not enjoyed to the full. Pass on my decree that all the men and women of whatever social status in the capital are allowed to view the lanterns in the Huaqing Palace till midnight! The city patrols should not prevent them as I intend to share the pleasure with the people.
(Yan Zunmei: “Long live the emperor!”)
(Exit Emperor Yuanhe)
YAN ZUNMEI:
Tell the gate captain to inform the patrol general of the imperial decree: “All the men and women of whatever social status in the capital are allowed to view the lanterns in the Huaqing Palace till midnight. The city patrols should not prevent them as I intend to share the pleasure with the people.”
(Shouts of “Long live the emperor!” within)
(Exit Yan Zunmei)
(Enter Guo Xiaohou with Bao Siniang, viewing lanterns)
GUO XIAOHOU:
“Spring warmth can be felt even at midnight
When the moon becomes full at the year’s outset.”
I am Guo Xiaohou. After I attended the banquet granted by His Majesty to the royal relatives, I hear that all the people are allowed to view the lanterns in the Huaqing Palace. Bao Siniang accompanies me to the palace to have a good time.
(To the tune of Chuduizi)
The lanterns hanging on the trees,
The lanterns hanging on the trees
Have holes on the painted gauze to leak out the light.
The golden knockers glitter on the illuminated gates
When clouds float in the bright light of the candles.
Siniang, let’s go back to keep some joyful mood!
GUO XIAOHOU, BAO SINIANG:
We are going back to Guo’s residence,
In the fragrant wind of the broad streets.
(Exeunt)
(Enter Du Qiuniang and Shancai dressed as Taoist nuns)
DU QIUNIANG:
“The buildings are like the Ever-Bright Palace,
With candles burning in a sleepless city.”
I am Du Qiuniang. I used to wait on the late emperor before I was bestowed to Prince Huo. Now I am a Taoist nun in the Queen Mother Nunnery. Tonight’s festival activities rekindle my worldly desires. On hearing the imperial decree to allow the people to view the lanterns, I come to the Huaqing Palace. Shancai, this is where we used to stay. The lanterns and music are the same, but the people are different.
(To the previous tune)
The lotus-shaped lanterns shed light,
The lotus-shaped lanterns shed light
On the palace at night under the moonlit sky.
Over the Penglai immortal mountain the Taiyi Star shines
With the pearl-like distant stars moving in the Milky Way.
Shancai, let’s go back! To stay here for long induces sadness.
We’ll go back to the nunnery
To saunter in rainbow skirts.
(Exeunt Du Qiuniang and Shancai)
(Enter Zheng Liuniang, Li Yi and Huo Xiaoyu)
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
“The palace is open till midnight
With the star-lit moat winding under the bridge.”
I am Zheng Liuniang. I used to wait on the late emperor before I was bestowed to Prince Huo. I used to stroll in the Huaqing Palace, but Shilang and Xiaoyu have not been here before, so we’ll take this chance to have a good time.
(To the previous tune)
The capital city celebrates the Lantern Festival,
The capital city celebrates the Lantern Festival
With willows and flowers lining the jade steps.
When wagons pass and raise dusts in the bright lanes,
Lost flutes and hairpins are seen scattered on the road.
Shilang and Xiaoyu,
In viewing the lanterns,
Shilang should slightly support the tender Xiaoyu.
LI YI, HUO XIAOYU (To the previous tune):
On the mica lamp-stands,
On the mica lamp-stands
The candles on the red shacks move on the shafts.
Around lanterns in the shape of moths, phoenixes and dragons,
Well-dressed people happily sing and dance.
Viewing the candles and the smoke,
We are not to fear the patrols tonight.
(Enter the patrol general, shouting)
PATROL GENERAL:
It is midnight, yet you are saying that you do not fear the patrols. Leave here quickly! The site-clearing courtier is coming!
(To the tune of Langtaosha)
I am the patrol general
To lead the imperial guards
In dispersing the merry-going people.
In the depth of the night,
Water is dripping from the hourglass,
Water is dripping from the hourglass.
Leave here quickly! Leave here quickly! Arrest him!
(Exit)
(Enter Zheng Liuniang and Li Yi, shouting)
ZHENG LIUNIANG, LI YI:
Xiaoyu, hurry up!
ZHENG LIUNIANG (To the pervious tune):
Hurrying on the moonlit ground,
We are chased by the harsh officer.
Alas! Where is Xiaoyu?
(Alarmed)
All of a sudden mother and daughter are separated.
The laughing voice over there sounds like hers.
LI YI (Looks around, shouting and crying):
As the smiling beauty is missing before the lanterns,
I shed tears like the weeping candles,
I shed tears like the weeping candles.
(Shouts of “Arrest him!” within)
(Exeunt Zheng Liuniang and Li Yi)
HUO XIAOYU:
Oh, dear me! Where are my mother and my man?
(Alarmed at the shouts within)
(Walks)
(To the previous tune)
Loud shouts to clear the way echo above the patrolled road,
When the moon begins to set beyond the horizon.
Oh, dear me! Where can I find my way out from the zigzagging palace paths?
Which gate should I choose to get out of the palace?
(Stumbles and picks up a flute)
Oh! Here lies a purple jade flute! An idea hits upon me. Even if I get out of here, a tender girl as I am might fall victim to bad guys on the crowded lantern fair outside. I might as well hold this purple jade flute in my hand. I would have a chance to explain about this if I am arrested and taken to the palace hall by the site-clearing courtier. If His Majesty asks me, I would tell him about Shilang’s talent and fame. In that case, I might be pitied and sent out of palace.
I picked up a purple flute and played it,
Hoping to be led out of the palace,