by Tang Xianzu
If the master can pass the imperial exam,
His servants may also rise in their status.”
My master instructed me yesterday to prepare for today’s departure for the exam. But he hasn’t got up yet at this time of the morning. I’ll call Huansha.
(Enter Huansha)
Please call the master for departure. The prefecture officials are waiting. As the saying goes,
“It’s easy for the talent to achieve fame,
But hard for the beauty to endure the parting.”
(Exit)
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu)
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Shi’ershi):
Why does spring pass in such a hurry?
How I meditate in a melancholy mood!
Our honeymoon comes late,
But your departure arrives early.
My sweet dreams break with my soul lost;
I can hardly rise with my eyebrows knit.
“Water dribbles from the silver hourglass to urge morning dressing;
Tears drip from the red candle in the morning light.
The jewelry all over makes me cold,
For nobody will embrace me warmly in my sweet dream.”
I’ve been married to my man for only a few days, but unexpectedly when His Majesty takes a tour in Luoyang, he calls for the imperial exam. My man is going to the prefecture hall for the exam. Though the trip takes only half a month, I still feel sad about our parting. He’s already bid farewell to Mother.
(Enter Li Yi)
LI YI (To the tune of Raodiyou):
Once the path is paved for promotion,
I’m bound to write a grand piece for His Majesty.
Yet looking at the morning clouds, I hesitate and hesitate.
HUO XIAOYU:
My dear man, it’s high time for departure.
(To the tune of Huangying’er)
I wipe tears from my face with the red sleeves,
For I’m suddenly awakened from my loving dream
When peach blossoms are struck by the early spring thunder.
After you leave,
The clouds will float above the branches,
The grass will turn fresh after the rain,
And you will ride along the capital street.
Looking at the road leading far away,
I can’t bear giving you the whip,
For who’ll share the pride as you ride on the fine horse?
LI YI (To the previous tune):
Don’t shed tears on your handkerchief like this!
For a grand future I have to be away for a while
And take the opportunity to pass the imperial exam.
To be listed in the successful candidates’ roll,
And pay homage to His Majesty at the palace,
I’ll compete with the best among the talents.
Looking at the road leading far away,
I’ll return to hold your hands
When fragrance from the palace wafts from my sleeves.
(Enter Qiuhong)
QIUHONG:
I’m going to tell my master that the boat is waiting on the Wei River.
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Hupozhui):
Young and talented,
My man accepts the edict for the exam.
But don’t get drunk by His Majesty’s wine,
And don’t forget that I’m waiting for your good news by the red door.
Handsome and proud man!
I hope you’ll get on well with your spring exam.
LI YI (To the previous tune):
For my elegant style,
I’ll surely win the first place with my poems,
Composing my poems as Li Bai did at the Chenxiang Pavilion.
But I’m afraid that your longing for me may make you thin.
Lovely and charming woman!
You deserve the title of the County Lady,
And the most extravagant carriage.
(Enter Qiuhong)
QIUHONG:
Master, the prefecture officials want you for the farewell reception.
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Coda):
After your departure,
The orioles’ warbling will soon vanish,
But I’ll still stand on the meadow at dusk.
Mr. Li, when you go for your grand career,
Learn how to care for your loving wife.
When a roamer has a belle as his wife,
She longs for the setting sun.
Knowing it’s only half a month’s separation,
They still feel sad when they part.
Scene Eighteen
A Parting Dinner at the Prefecture Hall
(Enter the Prefect)
PREFECT (To the tune of Fanbusuan):
When His Majesty takes a tour to the east,
The imperial edict comes from the capital in the west.
Scholars gather to vie for promotion in spring,
Just as the carps vie to leap over the dragon’s gate.
“The imperial exam is to be held in Luoyang to select talents;
By His Majesty’s favour I’ve been appointed Prefect.
According to His Majesty’s edict from the secretary’s office,
We’ll offer flowers and wine to the scholars for their departure.”
I am Prefect of the capital. As His Majesty takes a tour to Luoyang, the imperial exam is to be held there. We have chosen Scholar Li Yi as the only candidate from Chang’an County of the prefecture, and today we’ll host a farewell dinner for him. He is coming soon.
(Enter Li Yi)
LI YI (To the tune of Haoshijin):
The prefecture officials have chosen me as the talented scholar,
And will bid me farewell at the Baling Bridge in Chang’an.
I’ll try to write the finest poetical piece with the grandest style
To win the laurel in the imperial garden.
(The reception is announced by the reporter)
REPORTER:
Mr. Li Yi is to kowtow to the Prefect.
LI YI (Kowtows):
“The clouds have dispersed for me to see the sun;
PREFECT:
Your excellent work has long been reputed.
LI YI:
You offer your generosity for the scholars;
PREFECT:
I expect you to soar high like the phoenix.”
Attendants, get the wine ready.
(To the tune of Changpai)
His Majesty has issued an edict
For the young talents
To try their best in their writings.
Scholar Li, when you go this time,
Your writing will be the most flowery and vivid,
Like the dragons flying around the palace and soaring in the blue.
Today,
On this auspicious day,
You may get drunk with the wine and show a flushing face.
May you win the official hat and the palace flowers,
As well as the robe with green patterns and soft belts.
Drink three cups of the bestowed wine before getting on your horse,
So that you’ll parade around the central district of the capital,
For your manners to be admired by the passers-by.
LI YI:
I’m not much of a drinker, so please let me be on my way.
PREFECT:
Not yet. When you win the laurel as a young man, there are more advantages.
(To the tune of Duanpai)
You’ll have an easy position in the Imperial Academy,
In the Penglai Palace close to the Son of Heaven,
With imperial incense floating in the air.
The scholars draft the edicts in the Imperial Academy,
And shine with decorations of golden fish and purple pouches.
Eventually you’ll take charge of the seal of the State Council,
Where you work hard and get yourself established,
In high spirits when you have more fame and wealth
.
(Sees Li Yi off)
(To the tune of Coda)
Now I see the virtuous talent off,
I wish you high spirits among the myriad talents at the palace,
And have your image painted on the Lingyan Tower for your achievement.
When a scholar makes early progress through hardships,
Even recommenders may feel surprised at his success.
The scholar cultivates his wisdom in peaceful time,
And dedicates it to the state in times of need.
Scene Nineteen
The Frontier Governor Ascends the Altar
(Enter the officers)
OFFICERS (To the tune of Dianjiangchun):
The cold mist hangs over the desolate frontier grass,
When the sun shines on the bannered camp gate
Through the crack of red clouds.
In the beating of drums and waving of flags,
All are watching the general’s grand manners.
“When spring refreshes everything in the frontier,
The new general has come to protect the western border.
On the day when the mighty general ascends the alter,
The resounding martial music scares away the clouds.”
Your attention, please! As the officers at the Yumen Garrison, today we welcome the new frontier governor Lord Liu to take the position. Attendants, serve our new governor.
(Enter Liu Gongji with the attendants)
LIU GONGJI (To the tune of Xidijin):
With my spirits soaring into the blue sky like the phoenix,
I defend the great frontier like the tiger and the leopard.
Taking charge of three hundred thousand brave warriors,
I wear my silken robes and jewelry belt with vitality.
(In the pattern of Zhegutian)
“When the cold morning wind stirs the banners on the posts,
An air of valiancy rises from the general’s halberds and flags.
The western nomadic tribes all follow the Han Governor,
While numerous bordering states obey the rule of the Empire.
Travelling far to the western frontier through wind and cloud,
I have my tent pitched at the strategic position.
For what are the horns blown from camp to camp?
The new general is to ascend the alter as of old.”
My name is Liu Gongji. To be born a general, I’m most familiar with the military strategies. I defeated the Tartars in the northern frontier, and now I’ve been entitled Governor of the western frontier. I’ve chosen today as the auspicious day to take my position. Call the officers to meet me.
OFFICERS (Come forward to pay respect to Liu Gongji):
Congratulations, my lord! Wish you be conferred titles of high position!
LIU GONGJI:
Rise to your feet. How are things going on along the western frontier in recent days?
OFFICERS:
Under the brilliance of His Majesty’s sun, there’s no warfare and peace reigns. The Han Dynasty opened up the western territories, diminishing the Tartars’ power in the west. The Tang Dynasty divided the western Qiang territories into two states of Dahexi and Xiaohexi. Incited by the Tubo State recently, the two states might pose a threat to the border areas in the future.
LIU GONGJI:
So we must do more military training to crack down on the rebels.
OFFICERS:
We will obey your order!
(The military training starts)
LIU GONGJI (To the tune of Shanhuazi):
The Great Tang Dynasty was worshipped as the Heavenly Khan,
But the Hexi states now follow the Hun Regime.
Then how are we to tackle with the Tubo State?
In great rage I’m determined to defeat the western barbarians.
ALL:
When the news of dispatching the army spreads to the Yumen Pass,
We point our gigantic swords beyond the Tianshan Mountains,
Toward the origin of the Yellow River, toward the galaxy.
We are bound to be conferred titles of high positions,
With our images painted on the Lingyan Tower.
LIU GONGJI:
Officers, I need a military consultant at the Guanxi Fortress. Now that the Tubo troops have waged wars against us, the drafting of military messages is very urgent. I’ve already written a request to send for a new scholar from the Imperial Academy to be a military consultant and secretary. Then our troops in Hexi will be much better equipped.
OFFICERS:
We will obey your order!
LIU GONGJI (To the previous tune):
We not only need weapons but writing brushes in our army;
Military consultants and secretaries have their own advantages.
Messages will be drafted and sent efficiently
In smooth and fluent diction and style.
ALL:
When the news of dispatching the army spreads to the Yumen Pass,
We point our gigantic swords beyond the Tianshan Mountains,
Toward the origin of the Yellow River, toward the galaxy.
We are bound to be conferred titles of high positions,
With our images painted on the Lingyan Tower.
LIU GONGJI (To the tune of Coda):
Officers!
Raise our banners, get our weapons ready,
Beat the drums and blow the horns outside the camp!
A scholar may also make his contributions in the troops.
A grand general descends from the floating clouds,
To issue orders and lead the army to the west.
The military consultant will soon send the message
Of capturing the western tribal chief alive.
Scene Twenty
Expecting Success in Spring Melancholy
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu and Huansha)
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Jinlongcong):
When the wind blows and tosses my hair,
And green shades move quietly on the walls of the well,
A sudden chill pierces my thin dress.
When tender swallows carry fresh mud in their bills,
And green water sparkles as crow-feathers wrinkle the pond,
The rain on flowers soaks through my spring melancholy.
(In the pattern of Xifenfei)
“The spring melancholy drags on like the golden threads,
And the fragrance of dreams lingers on, reluctant to depart.
HUANSHA:
Awakened from sleep from time to time,
I shoot at the magpies to enliven my heart.
HUO XIAOYU:
A grand prose poem elegantly presented,
It should be my man’s masterpiece.
HUO XIAOYU, HUANSHA:
We gaze beyond and eagerly expect
That the horse arrives with good news.”
HUO XIAOYU:
Huansha, Mr. Li has gone for the exam, but who knows what would be the result? Oh, what vexation!
(To the tune of Bangzhuangtai)
By the dressing table,
I feel reluctant to have my hair combed,
Though the sun rises high over the garden pavilion.
Hardly have I enjoyed love to my heart’s content
When I am overwhelmed by spring melancholy.
Dizzily I feel hot on my face;
Yawningly I have my brows knit.
Turtledoves whistle and young swallows fly around;
Spring and youth are in the prime of their time.
Gossamer floats and willow catkins fall
Under the sway of the east breeze.
In such a season, how I regret letting my man go for the exam!
HUANSHA (To the previous tune):
I gaze longingly
To see if he is counting the days till the boat returns home.
What you hope is the joy between man and wife;
What he shares is the concerns of His Majesty.
So how could you act as an ordinary couple,
Like the insects male and female living together all their lives?
As a talent in the capital,
How could he give up his ambition?
Now that spring is passing away in Luoyang,
He is still staying there and trying his best.
I hope that he’ll succeed in winning the laurel,
And gaining the first place among the candidates.
HUO XIAOYU (To the previous tune):
When he tours around the capital streets in silken robes,
Some matchmaker might stop his fine horse.
She might spread a belle’s picture,
And beg him to accept the engagement.
Casually he might receive the keepsake,
And find it hard to return home.
Flute music and songs might lure him in the daytime
And brothels might attract him with seductive smiles.
If he is to embrace the harlots at night,
How could I argue with them then?
To be allured at that time,
How could he refrain from feeling extravagant and fashionable?
HUANSHA (To the previous tune):
You knit your brows like the new moon or the curtain hooks,
For you are separated from your man after a brief honeymoon.
The aroma of your lovemaking still exists,
And the marriage vow is hard to break.
You murmur longingly by the flowers at night,
For him to return in silken robes under the moonlight.
As you’re bound to win the phoenix crown of a lady,
What makes you so worried?
As you’re bound to take the grand carriage,
What makes you so sad?
You’ll surely love each other intimately
And dwell in the luxurious house in glory.
(To the tune of Coda)
When the good news
Is brought back to the deep painted hall,
The notice with the imperial seal will shine in your hands;
Only now, you’ll fondle the hairpins in the candlelight.
The exam is not far away from here,
With auspicious clouds looming clear.
My man is vigorous in the prime of his youth,
Yet where is he drunk and asleep tonight?
Scene Twenty-One
Celebrating Success at the Apricot Garden
(Enter officials and officers)
OFFICIALS, OFFICERS (To the tune of Tianxiale):
The Imperial Academy and the Imperial Palace are closely linked,
Leading scholars from here on earth to there on Heaven.
The sun sheds light from Heaven over the capital and beyond;
Rivers and mountains are bathed in brilliance all over the country.
Attention, please! Today we announce the results of the imperial examination. His Majesty confirms Li Yi from Longxi as having extraordinary talents for his replies and judgments in the examination, and therefore confers the title of Number One Scholar on him. Please go to the Wufeng Gate to wait for his arrival.