by Tang Xianzu
Signify the harmony between phoenixes.
Scene Ten
Asking for Servants and Horses
(Enter Qiuhong)
QIUHONG:
“The public goes after a grand fashion,
But what matters most is one’s actual achievement.
When the man and the horse are both respectable,
The two families will shine brightly.”
My master, Mr. Li, is exceptionally talented, and so Heaven arranges for his marriage. All are ready except for some servants and horses. He went to consult Mr. Cui and Mr. Wei. How seriously he takes it!
(Enter Li Yi)
LI YI (To the tune of Wanxiandeng):
I’m talented as Sima Xiangru,
And yet I need a hall and a carriage.
Qiuhong, I’ve invited Mr. Cui and Mr. Wei to come for some consultation. They’ll be coming any moment.
(Enter Wei Xiaqing and Cui Yunming)
WEI XIAQING, CUI YUNMING (To the tune of Xiaopenglai):
When spring breath blows to the deserts,
Extravagant gentlemen have gathered in the capital.
One of us from the esteemed Wei family from Zhongnan,
And the other from the distinguished Cui family from Boling,
We are both free and elegant.
(Greet Li Yi)
CUI YUNMING:
How’s your love affair out of the hairpin?
LI YI:
The date of marriage has already been fixed. As not much time is left, I shall ask you for help.
CUI YUNMING:
I’ll be glad to hear it.
LI YI:
“The noble and distinguished families
Must present expensive and respectable gifts.
In these traveler’s humble clothes,
I feel truly hard to pose myself in a grand fashion.”
Now let me tell you,
(To the tune of Zhumating)
I travel only on donkeys,
Without showy silvery saddles.
When I become the bridegroom,
I certainly need a grand carriage and four.
Walking by the flowers, I quite hesitate,
For where could I get the proper sets for a grand style?
WEI XIAQING, CUI YUNMING:
With escorts at the front and the back,
We must make a glorious scene for your family.
CUI YUNMING:
Brother Li, you aren’t going to marry a lady with the same family name as yours. So what has caused you “Wu Maqi”, to have no horse to ride, as the story goes in the Analects? I have horses for you in my Cui family.
WEI XIAQING:
As the Analects goes, Mr. Cui killed the king of the State of Qi, and Chen Wenzi gave up his horses. So it’s Mr. Chen that has forty horses. How could the Cui family have any horses? I have horses in my Wei family.
CUI YUNMING:
How would you explain it?
WEI XIAQING:
As the line of the Book of Family Names goes, Lu Wei Chang Ma, so the Wei family has lots of horses.
CUI YUNMING:
Let’s stop kidding! There’s a rich family in Chang’an. They have a dozen fine horses with gilded saddles and jade bridle bits. I’ll borrow the horses for you.
(To the previous tune)
Let’s forget about the inferior nags.
I have a fabulous knightly friend,
Who can lend you a horse and a saddle,
So you can be a bridegroom on a horse.
A fine horse to ride is a must,
To bring a belle into a grand house,
With silvery saddles and embroidered kerchiefs.
WEI XIAQING, CUI YUNMING:
With escorts at the front and the back,
We must make a glorious scene for your family.
LI YI:
Besides the horses, I’ve one more thing to ask for!
(To the previous tune)
In a declining family,
One servant or two would be enough.
But since I ’m going to marry now,
I need some servants to tend the horse,
So they can carry my clothing
And shoulder my zither and books.
With this luck, I won’t feel lonely any more,
But I do need some servants.
WEI XIAQING, CUI YUNMING:
With escorts at the front and the back,
We must make a glorious scene for your family.
CUI YUNMING:
Before you marry, you even want to change your servants as the Book of Poetry goes. That won’t do. A man’s wife is called “Madame”, and she calls herself a “servant” before her man as the Book of Rites goes. If you bring several pretty “servants”, your bride will be jealous. If you want pretty servants, you can carve some from the plum trees.
WEI XIAQING:
What do you mean?
CUI YUNMING:
Well, it’s all explained in the Book of Family Names, “Jiang Tong Yan Guo, Mei Sheng Lin Diao,” that is, if you want pretty servants, you can carve some from the plum trees, you see.
LI YI:
You’re kidding!
WEI XIAQING:
That knight has servants too. They are all professionally dressed with very special green sleeves and patterned head-coverings.
(To the previous tune)
We’ll have fabulous servants
To compare with the ancient famous servants.
Instead of appointing servants to play the flutes
Or to make decorations,
We’ll have short-haired Tartar servants.
So you can hold the whip and ride the horse led by a handsome boy,
And your suitcase will be carried by other male servants.
WEI XIAQING, CUI YUNMING:
With escorts at the front and the back,
We must make a glorious scene for your family.
(To the tune of Coda)
Just go ahead and be a bridegroom with ease,
And we’ll take care of the rest.
We’ll celebrate your marriage with enthusiasm.
We wish you to enter the bridal chamber safe and sound.
What is one’s natural state?
It takes efforts for a grand style.
Mr. Li must ride a fine horse,
But who will order the servants?
Scene Eleven
Advice for the Wedding Night
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu)
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Fanbusuan):
Leaning against the incense burner outside the screen,
I find the rouge on my lips gone after a night’s sleep.
With flushing dainty brows I accept the wedding date
And treasure the intention vowed before the blossoms.
(In the pattern of Pusaman)
“One festival passes after another for Heaven and Earth;
In the flickering red candle lights I shed my sorrow on the pillow.
When spring enters my chamber,
I blush like a blooming cardamom.
With a spider caught on my skirt as a sign of happiness,
I feel delighted in my heart.
The nearer the day draws, the more anxious I feel
For the uncertainty of the wedding night.”
Mr. Li’s proposal was accepted yesterday, but how soon or late is the wedding day? This truly bothers me!
(To the tune of Wugongyang)
We did meet once,
But with whom can I spend the springtime now?
He feels sorry for the spring
Especially when the feast is over at night.
As he has just left,
Who understands my tender feelings?
We parted on the Lantern Festival Eve,
And expect to meet again on flowers’ day.
Even the affectionate Spring Goddess
Would blame human indifference and alienation.
(To the previous tune)
Our encounter sticks firmly to my mind.
Wavering in the wind at night,
For whom was the jade hairpin fondling the plum twigs?
It’s said that one does not have to roll the heavy curtains
For the swallows to bring good news.
They delay the wedding at will
Without considering my anxious heart.
Why not marry him sooner
To receive his true and loving care?
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Jinlongcong):
The phoenix flaps on the green branches;
The flower fragrance seeps into the emerald moss.
The young lady drowses in the painted hall in spring;
Who’s behind the beaded curtains over there?
(Greets Huo Xiaoyu)
HUO XIAOYU:
“Butterflies flutter wings for their mates among flowers;
BAO SINIANG:
Willow branches whip the bees to report the news.
HUO XIAOYU:
When spring makes you drowsy behind the tree-shaded door,
BAO SINIANG:
I’ll teach you, young lady, how to spend the happy time.”
HUO XIAOYU:
What happy time do you mean?
BAO SINIANG:
I mean to teach you what “happy time” means. Of course, I mean the wedding night.
(To the tune of Yujiaozhi)
Idling alone in the candle light,
You fiddle with the jade hairpins.
You expect your groom’s loving embrace,
Yet you hesitate, frowning and evading shyly.
When the happy hour comes at midnight, you turn and smile;
This is the time worth a fortune.
With trembling hands you lift the embroidered bed-curtains,
And unbutton the chained knots on your red short coat.
(To the previous tune)
Startled with blissful delight,
You have no time to hold your rosy cheeks with your fine fingers.
You try to protect the lilac bud of your virginity,
Yet he gains the cardamom of your girlhood.
He ventures to violate your body of jade and fragrance,
And you willingly accept the lovemaking of cloud and rain.
Then the climax comes in full bloom
When your waist and limbs quiver.
That’s what you are to do in the bridal chamber.
(To the tune of Chenzuidongfeng)
You need to tailor a vest with a pair of mandarin ducks
Embroidered by your own fingertips.
For your luscious pussy,
You need to prepare an undershirt of light gauze
To do the cleanup in the course.
Coyly you half open your eyes,
And light up the lamp,
Revealing your figure of a newly-wed bride.
HUO XIAOYU:
That’s enough!
BAO SINIANG:
All right, enough.
(To the previous tune)
Out of the loving bed with the rising sun,
He steals a look when you dress yourself up before the mirror.
You frown and contemplate by yourself,
Secretly looking and wondering at the red stain,
Calling the maid to take it away without being seen.
Bliss on the bride!
Bliss on the bridegroom!
This is the happiness between man and wife.
HUO XIAOYU:
I appreciate your advice! My mother is calling for you.
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Coda):
I’ll go and explain most clearly,
So as to fix the luckiest wedding day.
You’ll have to endure the muddle these days.
From a slim lady of virginal innocence,
You’ll become the respectful wife of a man.
This is the first sign of happiness in life,
Like the yearly spring for flowers and grass.
Scene Twelve
Servant and Horse at the Door
(Enter Qiuhong)
QIUHONG:
“My master is fond of me by nature,
So we live in the same chamber.
But he neglects me in recent days,
For he found his love not long ago.”
My name is Qiuhong. For my rough knowledge of etiquette, I get the chance to serve at Mr. Li’s house. I’ve been at his service for a couple of years, feeling most at home. Now that my master is to marry the young mistress of the Huo family, he has no time to notice me. So I call it the master’s neglect of the servant. Despite the neglect, the Huo family is certainly not lacking in maids. For old time’s sake, my master may also find me a mate. So he has a lady for his wife and I have a maid for my spouse. That’s no problem. Yesterday my master asked Mr. Wei and Mr. Cui to borrow some horses and servants, so that he can have a grand show for the wedding. I was told to take care of them when they arrive. But you know how difficult it is: Servants want rice to eat and horses need to be fed with grass, and yet I have neither. How I am to manage all these things! Oh, how annoying! Let me see what’s going on outside.
(Enter the Gallant Knight’s short-haired Tartar servant with a horse)
TARTAR SERVANT:
“A young gentleman is well matched with a fine horse,
And yet such a talent has to borrow a bearded servant.”
Yesterday Mr. Wei and Mr. Cui borrowed a servant and a horse for Mr. Li from Longxi.
Here is his residence. Let me call out. Who’s at the door?
QIUHONG:
Good gracious. Here arrives the servant and the horse. Yet we need one more horse.
TARTAR SERVANT:
Why?
QIUHONG:
As my master is to marry the young mistress, I will take the lucky day to match with a plain-looking chambermaid of the house. That’s why we need one more horse.
TARTAR SERVANT:
How fortunate! You’ve just rid yourself of being ridden, and now you want to ride a horse. It’s too early yet!
QIUHONG:
All right, forget about it. Let me look at your horse. Fine. Then let me look at the servant. (Laughing) So you were a horse in your previous life.
TARTAR SERVANT:
How come?
QIUHONG:
A horse needs to have its mane cut, and you need to have your beard cut; a daddy horse is dark-skinned, and your face is dark-skinned all over, too. So you must be a horse in your previous life.
TARTAR SERVANT (Angrily):
What! You borrow our man and horse without giving any rice and fodder. Instead, you try to insult me. You deserve a beating, you bastard!
(Beats Qiuhong)
(Enter Li Yi)
LI YI (To the tune of Wanxiandeng):
I choose the lucky day to send my wedding invitation.
Tonight is the last night for me to sleep alone.
Oh, no! The borrowed servant and horse are our guests. Qiuhong, you rogue, how could you be so rude! My guests, please forgive us.
(The Tartar servant kowtows)
TARTAR SERVANT:
At your service. Please check the horse, Mr. Li!
LI YI:
A fine horse! An excellent man!
TARTAR SERVANT:
Please forgive me for asking: Where are you going?
LI YI (To the tune of Xiaoshunge):
To Huo’s residence.
A gentleman matches a lady like a pair of phoenixes.
He borrows a fine horse to shine for the family.
Look at the horse!
Its hair is dark red like the purple velvet,
And its saddle decorations are plated with gold.
What a fabulous young gentleman,
With all the ease and grace,
Proceeding to a promising career!
With the servant going ahead,
The young master is crowded all around.
When you arrive, answer with courtesy.
You must be decent and smart,
As theirs is a family of manners and etiquette.
TARTAR SERVANT:
Yes, I see.
(To the previous tune)
You are a top scholar from a distinguished family.
The horse
Matches the handsome gentleman perfectly well.
Our Knight has an extraordinary habit,
Of fondly helping the gifted scholars.
Mr. Li,
You’ll ride on a fine horse with a gilded saddle,
With servants accompanying you,
Going to the bridal chamber.
By that time, I’m afraid after drinking,
You won’t have time to care for us
But lie in the chamber for your bride.
So we just have one request: The horse will have good fodder, the servants will have good wine, and you our master will eat well, so that we’ll all be high-spirited.
You draw the reins tight and call the servants at will,
Showing your best extravagance.
LI YI:
Thanks a lot! All retire for tonight now.
The man eats cooked rice,
While the horse feeds on chopped grass.
When I ride on the miraculous horse,
I’ll advance with fancy decorations.
Scene Thirteen
The Wedding in Spring
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu and Huansha)
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Queqiaoxian):
With the beaded curtains rolled up high,
And the painted screens spreading low like fans,
I open my dressing case in the morning sun.
Blue smoke curls up from the silvery candle on the crimson stand,
And the dim candlelight makes me blush.
(In the pattern of Haoshijin)
“As the window gauze is rolled up in the morning light,
I get up half dressed in my silk gown.
HUANSHA:
Why do you get up so early,
As the sun is just rising?
HUO XIAOYU:
When the spring wind blows into our storeyed house,
I cannot stay asleep in bed in the chamber.
HUANSHA:
Well, there’s a special person
To be kept in your heart.”
HUO XIAOYU:
The time for the wedding is drawing near, but Bao Siniang has not arrived yet.
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Lameihua):
The candles, the incense burners and the feast are all set;
The screens are decorated with foggy hills and phoenixes.
With the red thread to link the couple for marriage,
The handsome bridegroom will soon come
To meet his fairy bride in hundreds of flowers.