by Tang Xianzu
Hearing how he’s remonstrated by his friends,
I myself cannot wait
To take immediate actions.
I’d better listen a little while longer.
LI YI (To the tune of Jiang’ershui):
The touch of leaves induces my sadness;
The sight of flowers evokes my tears.
WEI XIAQING:
“The spring sight is enticing
With its luxuriant trees and flowers.
But Miss Huo is immersed in grave sorrow
As well as resentment and loneliness.”
It’s lamentable that the pretty young lady will die of lovesickness.
LI YI (Weeps):
You don’t know the truth. I’ve tried to put General Lu off by giving equivocal answers. I haven’t agreed to his marriage arrangement.
How can the love vow be discarded?
I won’t betray my conscience to fawn on the power.
CUI YUNMING:
Junyu, how about paying a visit to Xiaoyu right now?
LI YI (Sighs):
How can I go there in haste?
WEI XIAQING:
She’s waiting to bid you farewell. How can you be so cruel as to lay her aside?
WEI XIAQING, CUI YUNMING:
Please take a second thought,
For a true man should not act like you.
(Enter the guard)
GUARD:
It’s none of your business, Scholar Cui. The man in a yellow robe comes again.
(Enter the Gallant Knight)
GALLANT KNIGHT:
Hi, everyone! I’ve been listening to you for a long time. Aren’t you Mr. Li Yi? I’m a native of Shandong and I’m an in-law relative of His Majesty. Though I don’t have any literary talent, I appreciate those who have. I’ve been eager to see you for your fame. Today I’m lucky to see your grace. My residence isn’t far away from here. There are music, pretty women entertainers and noble horses for you to enjoy. Please come with me.
WEI XIAQING, CUI YUNMING:
Let’s go with him to enjoy mellow wine and wonderful music to our hearts’ content.
GALLANT KNIGHT:
I have several horses here. Let Mr. Li mount a noble horse and you two please follow us.
WEI XIAQING, CUI YUNMING:
All right.
“Here comes a noble horse,
Carrying him to his happiness.”
(Exeunt)
GALLANT KNIGHT:
Boys, fetch me two noble horses.
(Enter two servants, riding on neighing horses)
GALLANT KNIGHT (To the tune of Northern Yan’erluo with Deshengling):
I have noble horses
And handsome servant boys.
Horses,
I’ll whip you on;
Boys,
I’ll boss you around.
Horses,
Your hairs will be neatly combed;
Boys,
Your faces will be handsome.
As for me,
Why do I offer a noble horse
And handsome servants
As well as my belongings?
At my home,
I have considerable wealth;
If you refuse to accept it,
I’ll wield my whip in wrath,
I’ll wield my whip in wrath.
GUARD (Annoyed):
Another interfering man! Don’t you know General Lu’s powerful and influential? Military Consultant Li is going to be the general’s son-in-law. Where are you taking him? I’ll let you taste my cudgel!
(To the tune of Jiaojiaoling)
I brandish the cudgel,
On which there’s the character of Lu,
To strike the wretched man.
GALLANT KNIGHT (Laughs):
What then?
GUARD:
Pretending to be blind to the character,
You’ll meet your death if you’re obstinate!
As for the Military Consultant,
He’ll be the son-in-law of a powerful family.
How contented he’ll be!
Your wealth is to be left for your own consumption!
GALLANT KNIGHT (To the tune of Northern Shoujiangnan):
Wow!
You guard the scholar against anyone.
So General Lu must be a sissy!
I’d rather court with his daughter
Than invite him to be my guest.
(Draws out the sword)
Let’s see whose sword prevails at last;
You may come on if you don’t fear death.
GUARD (Puts down the cudgel in fear):
I’m just kidding with you! Why are you drawing your sword? Aren’t we responsible for killing? We’ll go with you to your residence and drink to the fill!
GALLANT KNIGHT:
Help Mr. Li onto the horse, boys.
(Rides side by side with Li Yi)
LI YI:
It seems to be the Shengyefang Lane.
(Rides on)
(Asks)
Is it the Creek Head ahead?
(Rides on)
Is it Huo’s residence further on?
GALLANT KNIGHT:
Why do you ask such questions?
LI YI (To himself):
How is it that I know this place?
(To the tune of Yuanlinhao)
The horse and the servant look so familiar.
SERVANT:
You have a good memory.
LI YI:
I used to live in the neighborhood.
May I ask if there’s another way leading to your residence?
GALLANT KNIGHT:
We must go this way.
LI YI:
He takes a winding course to this place;
What’s his intention to pass her residence?
What’s his intention to pass her residence?
GALLANT KNIGHT:
It doesn’t matter. There are many places that look similar.
(To the tune of Northern Gumeijiu with Taipingling)
You sit tight on the horse amidst flowers,
On the horse amidst flowers,
And bring with you a servant as a messenger of love.
At this time who won’t enjoy himself with his sweetheart?
But who is this lonely pretty lady?
Whose residence is so similar?
I know the whole story
Though we meet by chance.
How can we not be moved by your love affair?
Alas!
You may as well be indulged in tender affection
Rather than pretend not to care about all this.
LI YI:
As it’s late, I must be off now. I’ll keep your company another day.
(Intends to turn round the horse)
GALLANT KNIGHT (Pulls Li Yi by the sleeve):
My residence is close at hand. How can you leave like this?
(To the tune of Coda)
What’s so embarrassing to you?
Let’s just go forward,
For I’m aware of your feelings now.
(Exeunt)
Scene Fifty-Two
Family Reunion
(Enter Huansha)
HUANSHA (To the tune of Yuandongfeng):
Now that the spring will soon be past,
Our young lady is still seriously sick.
The maidservant has exerted great efforts
And feels much distressed.
Divination is groundless,
Special prescriptions are effectless,
And prayers to God go useless.
I’m Huansha. I’ve been waiting on our young lady, who has been ill for several years. Now spring will soon be past. All the ladies are coming out to enjoy spring sights; only we stay at home in distress. I’m afraid she’ll not hold out for long. Let me help her outdoors for some relaxation.
(Calls Huo Xiaoyu)
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu in sickness)
HUO XIAOYU (To the previous tune):
With the flower petals falling in strong winds.
It’s difficult to see my man again,
Which brings me great pains.
I can’t enjoy a sweet dream for long;
My sense and soul seem to be gone;
Even when supported, I walk in faltering steps.
Huansha, my illness can’t be cured! Why do you help me out of bed?
HUANSHA:
“The spring sight wasn’t bright in recent years,
But this year the peony flowers come into full bloom.”
Young mistress, please have some relaxation by enjoying the beautiful scenery.
HUO XIAOYU:
Huansha,
“One bird is lonely while many others are singing in happiness;
One tree is sick while many others are growing in lushness.”
How on earth am I to relax myself?
(To the tune of Shanpoyang)
My ill luck brings me infinite loneliness
And throws me into disturbance and agitation.
I’m now ill and weak
With no grace or elegance.
Oh! Huansha,
Dazed from illness,
I wonder how soon the spring will pass.
I can hardly sleep well,
At the sight of the withering flowers
And the extinguishing incense.
With my mind distressed
By my missing man,
I am overwhelmed,
Feeling weak and dizzy as a cloud.
HUANSHA (To the previous tune):
She is thin and languid,
Her eyes no longer bright.
She has only faint breath,
Unable to vent her distress.
She’s entirely changed,
Changed beyond reorganization
Even to the man who painted her portrait.
Sometimes she is clear-minded;
Sometimes she is muddle-headed.
God of Flowers,
You’ve sent withering flowers to the late spring;
God of Spring,
You’ll redeem the lady’s health and youth.
(Huo Xiaoyu faints)
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Wanxiandeng):
The young lady’s lingering illness
Discolours the courtyard scattered with fallen flowers.
I’m Bao Siniang. I wonder how the sick lady is now. Alas, she’s again sleeping here. Where’s Her Ladyship?
(Enter Lady Zheng)
LADY ZHENG:
“A young lady cannot always keep her youth and beauty;
The Lady in the Moon fears that the moon is not her permanent residence.”
Siniang, what do you think of my daughter’s illness?
HUO XIAOYU (Awakes):
How terrible it is, Mom! When did Siniang come here?
(To the tune of Shantaohong)
Clouds are slowly drifting apart;
Man and wife can hardly get together.
I had a happy marriage in the previous incarnation,
So I pay for it with my life in the present existence.
When my thoughts wander like the rosy clouds in the wind,
You cremate me with the smoke melting into the evening mist.
I am dying,
But my heart and soul remain
To speak to him in his dream.
LADY ZHENG, BAO SINIANG, HUANSHA (Weep):
You shed tears before flowers,
As a virtuous yet pitiful lady
Who will miss the last farewell with her man.
LADY ZHENG:
What else do you want to say, my daughter?
HUO XIAOYU:
What do I want to say? Please pass my word to my man.
(To the previous tune)
He should come to see my mother,
Which he should do as the son-in-law.
Huansha, if Qiuhong comes back, you two should take care of my mother. Now I bow to pay you respect.
(Stumbles)
You’ll be her direct descendant
And look after her from now on.
Bao Siniang, please come to see my mother once in a while. You were the matchmaker for Li and me. If one day you see him,
Tell him to treat kindly his new wife
And not to let their happiness be overshadowed by me.
If he comes to my grave for past love’s sake,
Just ask him to pour a bowl of cold water as a memorial mark.
Even if I die,
I’ll die in loneliness without my lover by my side.
LADY ZHENG, BAO SINIANG, HUANSHA:
You shed tears before flowers,
As a virtuous yet pitiful lady
Who will miss the last farewell with her man.
(They turn aside)
LADY ZHENG:
What shall we do without Li’s presence?
BAO SINIANG:
Look, she’s now a mere sack of bones, and her face is deathly yellow. Is it an omen?
HUANSHA:
She faints.
(Massages Huo Xiaoyu)
LADY ZHENG:
How heartless Li is!
BAO SINIANG:
How unfortunate Xiaoyu is!
HUO XIAOYU (Awakes):
Oh, Mom! Now I feel better. Li is coming.
LADY ZHENG:
Why do you say so, my daughter?
HUO XIAOYU:
Let me get up. Mom, please wash and dress me.
LADY ZHENG:
My daughter, you’re in confusion from chronic illness. Now take a rest!
HUO XIAOYU:
You don’t believe me, Mom. Please help me up, Siniang.
(To the tune of Coda)
I may as well make up and dress up,
Because I hear the sounds of hooves.
Huansha,
They are approaching our house.
(Exeunt all)
(The Gallant Knight rides side by side with Li Yi, who is abashed and reluctant to ride on)
(Enter Li Yi on horse, pushed by the Gallant Knight’s servants)
GALLANT KNIGHT (To the tune of Bushilu):
The road winds past the bridge
And reaches the Shengyefang Lane.
The flowers are like icy graupels,
Or withered and neglected peach blossoms by the Wuling River.
The dusk falls;
How can you return in such high spirits?
I won’t allow your horse to turn back like this.
LI YI (Covers his face):
I’m ashamed!
Feeling ashamed, my eyes
Have been eager to see my home,
But I’m afraid it’s no longer mine now,
But I’m afraid it’s no longer mine now.
GALLANT KNIGHT (To the previous tune):
For the destruction of your happy life,
I hold my sword in wrath.
Now you finally come out
From Lu’s gorgeous residence.
Scholar Li, I’m not inviting you to my house but rather to your own house.
How dilapidated it is!
Have a good look on my horse
At a declining scene of wild grass and flowers!
LI YI:
I’m afraid General Lu will take cruel actions to harm us.
GALLANT KNIGHT:
Why do you fear him so much?
Li Yi:
You don’t know that when I was a Military Consultant in the Yumen Garrison, I wrote a poem to thank Governor Liu for his kindness, which contained the line “I’ll keep my promotion out of mind.” General Lu often threatens that he would report it to His Majesty that I hated to look in the direction of the court. This is the first thing I fear. Besides, General Lu says that if I return to the Huos, he will get rid of Xiaoyu first. This is the second thing I fear. What’s more, he has armed military men to follow me all day and they may hurt my fr
iends. This is the third thing I fear. Therefore, I’ve been hesitating all the time. Otherwise, how can I be a heartless man? And I have no face to see my wife today!
GALLANT KNIGHT:
You become man and wife by your first marriage. An apology to her is enough. As to General Lu, I know how to deal with him. You needn’t worry about that.
You have nothing to worry about;
Just stop your horse and bid your servant
To knock at the door hard,
To knock at the door hard.
(The servant knocks at the door)
(Enter Lady Zheng and Huansha)
LADY ZHENG, HUANSHA (To the previous tune):
Swallows have flown away;
Only a few of them stay.
Who’s come for a visit
And pounds on the door so hard?
SERVANT:
The dilapidated house
Might become gorgeous again
With a bliss that is coming.
LADY ZHENG, HUANSHA:
It’s noisy outside;
The guests might have arrived for the banquet.
Let’s have a peep,
Let’s have a peep.
(Enter Li Yi on horse, pushed by the Gallant Knight and his servants)
GALLANT KNIGHT (Points at Li Yi):
Do you know him?
LADY ZHENG (Astonished, weeps):
Where are you from, heartless man?
GALLANT KNIGHT:
When he gets down the horse, leave him to Xiaoyu!
LADY ZHENG:
My daughter has been ridden in bed for a long time. She needs help all the time.
HUO XIAOYU (From within):
I get up now, Mom.
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu, supported by Bao Siniang)
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Kuxiangsi):
My heart flies out
To the voice outside.
(Greets the guests)
GALLANT KNIGHT:
So Bao Siniang is here. Xiaoyu, do you know this scholar?
LI YI (Weeps):
My wife, you are so sick!
(Huo Xiaoyu looks at him sideways, covers her face with her hands and utters a long sigh)
GALLANT KNIGHT:
How pitiable she is!
(To the tune of Bushilu)
She leans sick against the railings
Like falling flowers in the strong, cold wind.
She looks sideways
With eyes half shut.
Xiaoyu, now I hand the heartless man over to you. You’re so sick.
You’ve suffered misfortunes and pains.
Mr. Li, Mr. Dongfang Shuo says that wine erases worries. I’ve paid for a banquet to be held here. As for the wine,
It cures worries and cares;
It brings a prescription
(Points at Li Yi)
Of getting back.
Now I’m leaving.
LI YI:
I’ll propose a toast to you in thanks for all your help. Why are you leaving in such a hurry?
GALLANT KNIGHT:
But I’m not here to drink with you.