by Tang Xianzu
LIU MENGMEI (Aside):
Fantastic! Fantastic! What a rare beauty in the world! Now that I’ve chanced upon a pearl of a young lady, what am I to do?
(To the previous tune)
Amazing beauty,
Rare beauty bright,
Her smile outshines the candlelight.
By looking at the brilliant moon,
I wonder what day is today.
A graceful maid should have come to me!
A fairy maid should have come to stay!
(Aside)
Yet,
Yet who is this naughty maid
That comes to me to play?
I’ll ask her a few more questions.
(To Du Liniang)
Am I dreaming now that I see you in the deep of night?
DU LINIANG (Smiles):
No, you’re not dreaming. I’m my true self, but I’m afraid you won’t accept me.
LIU MENGMEI:
I’m still afraid it’s not real. If you are really fond of me, I shall be too glad to accept your love.
How can I say no?
DU LINIANG:
In this case, my dream has come true.
(To the tune of Shuabaolao)
In the peaceful vale of love,
You brought my heart to bloom at night.
Since then no other men have come to sight;
And you’re the one who knows the reason why:
I am a daughter graceful and polite.
At the Peony Pavilion,
We were tender toward each other.
By the lakeside hills,
We felt bashful with each other.
Near the window-frames,
We sat silent facing each other.
We shared the night at ease
And knew the price of moon and breeze.
LIU MENGMEI (To the tune of Didijin):
When I wake up with a start,
I see the cool moon gleam.
But is this sudden bliss
A love affair in dream?
Oh, my dear, it is inconceivable that
You dread not when you cross the shade,
You slip not when you tread on the moss,
You fear not when you shun your parents,
You err not when you come to my aid.
Look,
The Dipper is aslant;
The petals fold;
The flowers slumber in the cold.
We shall laugh
And sing
In the moon and breeze of spring.
You are tender; you are coy.
How can I let you down?
For every minute, we shall enjoy.
DU LINIANG:
I have one request to make. Will you please listen to me?
LIU MENGMEI:
Go ahead, please.
DU LINIANG:
Once you have me, body and flesh, heart and soul, please never give me up. My lifelong desire is fulfilled if only we share the pillow night after night.
LIU MENGMEI:
Now that you devote yourself to me, how can I ever forget you?
DU LINIANG:
I have one more word to tell you: please let me go before cockcrow. You don’t have to see me off because the morning breeze is chilly.
LIU MENGMEI:
I’ll do what you tell me, but may I ask your name?
DU LINIANG (With a sigh):
(To the tune of Yibujin)
Though each thing has its root and form,
My name may stir up a roaring storm.
LIU MENGMEI:
I hope that you’ll come every night.
DU LINIANG:
My dear sir,
Let’s make this first night sweet and warm.
LIU MENGMEI:
I spend the night with a beauty ne’er seen;
DU LINIANG:
The moon goes west before the nighttime ends.
Morning clouds come from an unknown ravine;
LIU MENGMEI:
Who knows from where the fairy maid descends?
Scene Twenty-Nine
The Nun’s Suspicion
(Enter Sister Stone)
SISTER STONE (To the tune of Bubujiao):
I have been born to be a nun,
Without a spouse,
Without a son.
I tend the shrine of gods in Heaven and Hell,
Adding water and joss-sticks to the shrine,
Beating drums and striking the bell.
But now I must watch this roaming nun,
Who has lewd looks and a wagging tongue.
“There is not any genuine trust on earth;
Suspicion proves to be a thing of worth.”
Since Prefect Du established this Plum Blossom Nunnery, I have been looking after it for three years. Everything has been in good order and above suspicion, except for the young scholar Liu Mengmei from Lingnan. He was brought here by the old scamp Mr Chen and was put up in the eastern guestroom for recovery from illness. When he came back from the back garden a few days ago, he seemed to be in a trance, as if he were haunted by ghosts. I began to have suspicions at once. It happens that a young nun from Shaoyang travelled to this place and has stayed here for a few days. Twenty-eight years of age, she has an attractive face. At night I hear people chatter in Mr Liu’s room and it seems that there is a female voice. I guess that the young nun is visiting him behind my back and Mr Liu has accepted her offer. I’ll try to find out the truth when she comes back.
(Enter Young Nun)
YOUNG NUN (To the previous tune):
A nun as pretty as a fairy maid,
I’m well behaved,
Although my sweetness would not fade.
I’ve worshipped gods and prayed
And hoped to turn into a fairy maid.
(Sighs)
A fairy maid will have her mate,
But why should I be in this wretched state?
(Greets Sister Stone)
“Remain dispassionate to watch the soul;
SISTER STONE:
Remain passionate to watch the body hole.”
Young sister, did you roam to the young scholar’s room last night to watch his soul or his hole?
YOUNG NUN:
What are you driving at, old sister? Who saw me going there?
SISTER STONE:
I did.
(To the tune of Tiyindeng)
As a nun, you paint your face
And wear a simple Taoist cloak.
With adorned hair you smile from place to place,
So appealing to the folk.
I can imagine
How you went to the scholar’s room
And shared the bed with him in the gloom.
YOUNG NUN:
Which scholar do you mean? You’re simply talking nonsense.
(To the previous tune)
Although I am still young,
I have a crystal heart.
You accuse me with a vicious tongue
But I have played a better part!
SISTER STONE:
You are turning the slander on me!
YOUNG NUN:
Just consider
How there can be a scholar’s face
In this sacred Taoist place.
SISTER STONE:
Alas, are you alluding that I have an affair with the young scholar? In this Plum Blossom Nunnery, you stop over as a travelling nun and he stops over as a travelling scholar. Why can I put you up but not him? He used to sleep well all through the night; however, since you came here, he has opened his door at night and whispered all night. Who is he whispering to but you? I’ll bring the case against you in the Taoist court.
(Grabs at Young Nun)
YOUNG NUN:
Off we go! You put up a wandering vagabond in the nunnery established by the former prefect.
Do you think they’ll easily let you go?
(Grabs at Sister Stone)
(Enter Chen Zuiliang)
CHEN ZUILIANG (To the
tune of Yifengshu):
I go to the nunnery alone
To meet the young scholar Liu
And visit Sister Stone.
(Sees the two nuns grabbing at each other)
Oh,
How can two nuns fight for a single man?
Both disciples of Tao,
Why don’t you quietly spend your life span?
You are older and she is younger now,
Who are you seeking after in your clan?
SISTER STONE:
Let me tell you, Mr Chen. I heard the scholar open his door at night and whisper all the time. When I asked the young nun politely, “Have you chatted with him”, it was all right that she answered, “Who has chatted with him?” It was too much for her to say that I kept a scholar under my roof. Tell us, Mr Chen, who brought him into my nunnery! Take her to the Taoist court to get the truth out of her. I’m Sister Stone, with a heart of stone.
YOUNG NUN:
Do you mean to say that I am as frivolous as water?
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Shut up, both of you! You are ruining the reputation of Mr Liu. Now, listen to me.
(To the previous tune)
Do not draw conclusions in haste.
Are you sure you know the truth?
A man of lofty taste,
Mr Liu is an honest youth.
If the court should know you are not chaste,
You’ll be dispelled and sneered for sooth.
YOUNG NUN:
Indeed we’ll make a show.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Arrange your hairpins and comb your hair;
Your cloak has gone through wear and tear.
SISTER STONE:
All right, let’s forget about it. Mr Chen, let’s go and have a vegetarian dinner.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
No, thanks. I’ll come again when Mr Liu is in.
(To the tune of Coda)
In this holy place,
I lag my pace.
(Weeps)
Alas,
Against the wind I shed large drops of tear.
Sister Stone, shall we go to Miss Du’s grave?
SISTER STONE:
It’s raining.
CHEN ZUILIANG (With a sigh):
How I hate the rainfall here!
(Exit Chen Zuiliang, leaving Sister Stone and Young Nun behind)
SISTER STONE:
Mr Chen is gone and you don’t have to worry now.
YOUNG NUN:
Let’s try to find out who’s been chatting with the young scholar.
SISTER STONE:
The Taoist nuns have never shunned the world!
YOUNG NUN:
Seldom do they behave like a sage.
SISTER STONE:
When parrots learn to say the human word,
YOUNG NUN:
They start to quarrel with the golden cage.
Scene Thirty
Disrupting the Love Affair
(Enter Liu Mengmei)
LIU MENGMEI (To the tune of Daolianzi):
When it is in the deep of night,
The moon moves to the zenith.
Is the joss-stick burning bright?
“Her finger-nails are painted scarlet-red,
On fingers slender as the bamboo-shoots.
With a pretty maiden on my bed,
I am completely stricken deaf and mute.”
As a diligent student, I’ve been devoted to studies. When I reached Nan’an on my way north to the capital, I met a fair lady from the neighbourhood. Her sweet smile has brought about a series of rendezvous. She is gone with the wind before the day breaks. We’ll have a date tonight, but I’m not sure when she will come. As the poem goes,
“Before her tiny feet would move with grace,
The candle has been thus burned down apace.”
The point is, I must be fresh and energetic to meet her, and so why not take a nap now!
(Takes a nap)
(Enter Du Liniang in the ghost form)
DU LINIANG (To the tune of Chengrenxin):
I suffer in the netherworld,
But would not die a second death.
I have the scholar in my mind,
Who waits for me with bated breath.
(Moves into Liu Mengmei’s room)
Oh,
He slumbers on a low settee,
Without a quilt to shun spring cold.
There he lies and waits for me.
Let me wake him up. Scholar, scholar!
LIU MENGMEI (Wakes up):
Oh. It’s you, my young lady! I’m sorry.
(Rises to his feet and bows)
I should have been well-dressed
And gone to meet you.
But haven’t the wind and dew
Put nocturnal flowers to rest?
DU LINIANG:
In my place the night is long and deep,
But thoughts of you deprived me of my sleep.
LIU MENGMEI:
My young lady, how is it that your steps are so quiet?
DU LINIANG:
‘‘Of course I leave no trace and stir no dust;
LIU MENGMEI:
I long for you by day and dream by night.
DU LINIANG:
Through the windows I find you sit awake;
LIU MENGMEI:
I’m waiting for you to come in sight.”
Tonight you’re later than usual, my young lady.
DU LINIANG (To the tune of Xiudaier):
Don’t be annoyed, please.
I do not want to come so late;
I’ve always kept you in my heart.
Only when the evening incense was lit,
From my parents could I depart.
I leant against my bed
And laid my needlework down.
At once I came here in the breeze,
Without making up or changing my gown.
LIU MENGMEI:
Thank you for your kindness. But how are we to spend this wonderful night without wine?
DU LINIANG:
I nearly forget that I’ve brought a kettle of wine and some fruit and flower. They are left on the corridor. I’ll get them for you.
(Fetches the wine, fruit and flower)
LIU MENGMEI:
Thank you very much. What’s the fruit you’ve brought?
DU LINIANG:
Some green plums.
LIU MENGMEI:
And what’s the flower?
DU LINIANG:
It’s canna.
LIU MENGMEI:
The green plum is as sour as I, and the canna is as red as you. Let’s share a cup of wine.
(Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang drink from the same cup)
DU LINIANG (To the tune of Bailianxu):
Fill in the golden cup
With fragrant wine.
LIU MENGMEI:
The wine you brewed
Brings a flush to your cheeks
As the east wind makes the blooms ashine.
DU LINIANG:
No other flower or fruit
Is better than canna or plum,
For, you know,
The kernel of fruit is fine,
The flower has its root.
LIU MENGMEI (To the tune of Zuitaiping):
What’s more,
The canna flower
Is like a fragile maid,
While the plum kernel like a learned man.
When canna’s pistil is displayed,
The plum petal is lured into her span.
What comes next?
With a smile and flush upon your face,
You will be showered with my kiss.
Very soon,
You’ll shut your eyes with grace,
And, in your scarlet spot,
Accept the green-plum juice.
DU LINIANG (To the tune of Bailianxu):
I pant,
And heave
In this paradise of love on earth.
Behind the window screen,<
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We’ll make love in the eve;
Why do we speak so many words?
LIU MENGMEI:
It’s time to go to bed.
DU LINIANG:
Let’s gaze at the moon.
Sit here for a while
And share the pretty scene
With the moon-land fairy queen.
LIU MENGMEI (To the tune of Zuitaiping):
Leave the fairy queen alone.
In the flower shade,
Let’s go to bed,
My pretty maid.
The charming vernal night
Will fly away, I am afraid.
My dear,
You were too shy last night;
Tonight you’ll be all right.
When we’re in bed,
I’ll feel your creamy breast,
Embrace your sweaty chest
And hold your waist tight.
(Enter Sister Stone and Young Nun stealthily)
YOUNG NUN:
“Tao can be defined as Tao,
But are you aware of Tao?
Names can be used for its name,
But are you aware of its name?”
(Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang laugh heartily)
YOUNG NUN:
Listen, Sister Stone, someone’s talking in the scholar’s room. Now you know it’s not me.
SISTER STONE (Listens attentively):
There’s a woman’s voice. Let me knock at the door.
(Knocks at the door)
LIU MENGMEI:
Who’s at the door?
SISTER STONE:
It’s me, Sister Stone, to bring you some tea.
LIU MENGMEI:
It’s too late for tea now.
SISTER STONE:
You seem to have a guest with you.
LIU MENGMEI:
No, I haven’t.
SISTER STONE:
Yes, you have a lady guest.
LIU MENGMEI, DU LINIANG (In a panic):
What’s to be done?
SISTER STONE (Bangs on the door):
Be quick, sir. Open the door. The patrolmen are coming. I don’t want any trouble.
LIU MENGMEI (At a loss):
What shall I do! What shall I do!
DU LINIANG (Smiles):
Never mind. I’m from the neighbourhood. If they won’t let you go, you can accuse them of seduction.
(To the tune of Quasi-coda)
If they want you to open the door, they have to be polite;
Beside the windows, can they stand the whole night?
Dear Mr Liu, just unbolt the door.
I’ll hide behind the beauty scroll to stand out of sight.
SISTER STONE, YOUNG NUN (Rush in, giggling, as Liu Mengmei opens the door and shields Du
Liniang, who hides behind him):
Congratulations!
LIU MENGMEI:
What for?
(Sister Stone tries to look over Liu Mengmei’s shoulder, but Liu Mengmei blocks her way)
SISTER STONE, YOUNG NUN (To the tune of Gunbian):
Hour by hour the night will pass;
The nunnery’s gate is closed tight.