by Tang Xianzu
LIU MENGMEI:
Well, the former Prefect of Nan’an has been promoted to Yangzhou, but why are you left behind?
DU LINIANG:
Trim the wick, please.
(Liu Mengmei trims the wick)
DU LINIANG:
Now that the lamp is bright,
I’ll bring the truth to light.
LIU MENGMEI:
May I ask your name and your age?
DU LINIANG:
Du Liniang stands by your side,
Sixteen years of age,
The right time to be a bride.
LIU MENGMEI:
Oh, Liniang, my dear sweetheart!
DU LINIANG:
Wait, dear sir, I’m not a mortal being yet.
LIU MENGMEI:
If you are not a mortal being, are you a ghost?
DU LINIANG:
Yes, I am a ghost.
LIU MENGMEI (Frightened):
Oh, terrible! Terrible!
DU LINIANG:
Stand back, Mr Liu,
And hear my words.
As I told you,
I live between two worlds.
LIU MENGMEI:
My dear, how did you manage to return to this world to meet me?
DU LINIANG (To the previous tune):
When I was in the world of hell,
The judge knew that I was from an official’s house
And treated me well.
He promised me a second life
And sent me to this world,
As I am fated to be your wife.
Dear sir,
As you yearn to take me as your wife,
My chilly bones are again warm with life.
LIU MENGMEI:
As you are my wife, I have no reason to be afraid, but how can I make sure that you are revived? Would I be just like fishing the moon in the lake or picking the flower in a dream?
DU LINIANG (To the tune of Sanduanzi):
As my senses still survive,
Although a ghost, I can walk like you.
With my spirit still alive,
I shall soon start a life anew.
My dear, are you well-versed in classics?
Alive or dead, my heart remains the same;
You hardly know if now you sleep or wake.
You may pick the flower in a dream,
But not fish the moon in the lake.
LIU MENGMEI:
Since you are experiencing a living death, where is your burial place?
DU LINIANG:
Under a plum tree beside a Taihu rock.
(To the previous tune)
In the garden I have stayed
And dreamt alone
Beneath the plum-tree’s shade.
When the plums are ripe,
For the man I love,
Large drops of tear I wipe.
LIU MENGMEI:
Haven’t you found a way out?
DU LINIANG (Sighs):
Even when I’ve met my doom,
I’m still a fragrant bloom.
LIU MENGMEI:
You must have felt very cold.
DU LINIANG:
Although my soul is cold,
My faith is as of old.
LIU MENGMEI:
Wouldn’t I disturb your soul?
DU LINIANG (To the tune of Doushuangji):
The flower roots are in a place
Which leads to the human world,
Where I’m warmed up by your embrace.
If you fear to “disturb my soul”,
My soul already flies to you.
Since I saw you for the first time,
Revival has always been in view.
LIU MENGMEI:
In that case, it’s a long story.
DU LINIANG:
To be a couple for a night
Brings about three generation’s delight.
LIU MENGMEI:
I appreciate your devotion, but I’m afraid I can’t do it all by myself.
DU LINIANG:
Why don’t you talk it over with Sister Stone?
LIU MENGMEI:
As I don’t know how deep you lie, I’m not sure how long it will take to get through to you.
DU LINIANG (To the tune of Dengxiaolou):
A man who sticks to his aim
Is a man worthy of his name.
If you dig three feet deep,
You’ll reach where I lie asleep.
You’ll feel the chilly breeze down there,
Some distance from the open air.
(Sound of cockcrow within)
(To the tune of Baolaocui)
Alas,
For eternal sleep in eternal night,
The cockcrow does not bring daylight.
But tonight,
When cockcrow breaks my dream,
I know the human world is supreme.
Now that the morning breeze dies out in the south
And the moon sets amid cuckoo-songs,
Less than half of my words pass my mouth.
(To the tune of Shuabaolao)
Bit by bit,
I’ve bared my heart.
Since you know my inner part,
You must save my outer part.
Lose no time;
Make haste;
I’ve told you my story from the start.
(Sound of a gale within)
With the gale I have to depart.
(Exit in a hurry)
LIU MENGMEI (Astonished):
Absurd! Absurd! I’ve become the son-in-law of Prefect Du. Am I in a dream? I’ll recall what’s happened. Her name is Du Liniang, aged sixteen, buried beneath a plum tree in the back garden. Pooh, she’s alive and kicking, with flesh and blood. Why on earth did she say that she was a ghost?
(Re-enter Du Liniang)
DU LINIANG:
You’re still here, dear sir?
LIU MENGMEI:
Why are you back again?
DU LINIANG:
I have another word with you. If you take me as your wife, please be quick to act. Otherwise, this is our last rendezvous, for I’ve revealed my secret to you. See to it that you do not lose the opportunity. If I cannot come to life again, I’ll bear you hatred in the netherworld.
(Kneels on the ground)
(To the tune of Coda)
You can give me a second life.
(Liu Mengmei kneels to help her to her feet)
Have pity on your wife.
If you do not want me to hate you in the netherworld,
Make an oath and you’re out of the strife.
(Exit with a ghostly wail, casting a final glance)
LIU MENGMEI (Whispers softly to himself):
I’m haunted. However, her words ring loud and sincere in my ears. Be it real or not, I must follow her instructions. I’ll go and talk it over with Sister Stone.
What’s better than the dreamland in the room?
The fairy lady makes me moan alone.
Who on earth will guide me to the tomb?
Someone says that it is Sister Stone.
Scene Thirty-Three
Clandestine Schemes
(Enter Sister Stone)
SISTER STONE (To the tune of Raochiyou):
In a lotus cloak,
I wear my hair so short.
Amid the smoke and bells, I invoke.
“The empty hall is humming in the breeze
While I sit alone under verdant trees.
With the lotus pond at sight,
I smell the scent at night.
The man will soon grow old;
The scheme is uncontrolled;
The dream can hardly hold.
The love, howe’er profound,
Is buried underground,
With sunshine on the mound.”
This Plum Blossom Nunnery was built in memory of Miss Du. Prefect Du entrusted it to the care of Tutor Chen, who has collected the land rent for the past three years but seldom minded the business. After Prefect Du
’s departure, Tutor Chen raised donations to build a memorial hall for him. But when I passed by the memorial hall yesterday, I saw shit and dung littering the ground. Chen Zuiliang, Chen Zuiliang, why don’t you get someone cleaning the hall? As a contrast, I’ve kept Miss Du’s shrine clean and tidy, offering incense and changing sacrificial water every day. It’s true to say,
“Don’t trust Confucian scholars now;
Better trust disciples of Tao.”
(Enter Liu Mengmei)
LIU MENGMEI (To the previous tune):
With a ghost I date,
A spiritual mate.
I’d like to talk, but hesitate.
(Greets Sister Stone)
“The fallen petals are fragrant in the hall;
SISTER STONE:
Have the petals disturbed your heart?
LIU MENGMEI:
The fairy maiden makes a distant call;
SISTER STONE:
The human world has made another start.”
LIU MENGMEI:
Sister Stone, I’ve lived in your nunnery for quite some time, but I’ve never visited the main hall yet. Will you show me around today?
SISTER STONE:
No problem. Go after me, please.
(They reach the main hall)
SISTER STONE:
High above stands the Jade Emperor, and on either side stand Lady of Mount Tai and Lady of the Southern Dipper.
(Bell rings within)
LIU MENGMEI (Kowtows):
“High above in the sky,
The emperor’s strength and power pervade.
When River God is beating drums,
We get to know the fairy maid.”
What a magnificent hall! On the memorial tablet on the left is the inscription “The Spiri of Miss Du”. What’s the meaning of “spiri”?
SISTER STONE:
To complete the service, we need someone to add the final letter. It’s “The Spirit of Miss Du”.
LIU MENGMEI:
And who is this Miss Du?
SISTER STONE (To the tune of Wugengzhuan):
I’ll tell you
For whom this nunnery is built.
It has been built by Prefect Du.
Liniang, his daughter fair and dear,
Who died young,
Is buried here.
On his departure for his latest post,
He left the inscription incomplete
And left alone the ghost.
LIU MENGMEI:
Who’s taking care of the graveyard and the shrine?
SISTER STONE:
She has land attached to her grave,
With inscriptions to make her name last.
As her kith and kin are far away,
For years she has to go on a fast.
LIU MENGMEI (Weeps):
Judging from what you’ve said, Miss Du must be my dear wife.
SISTER STONE (Astonished):
Are you telling the truth, Mr Liu?
LIU MENGMEI:
The truth, nothing but the truth.
SISTER STONE:
Then you know the date of her birth and the date of her death?
LIU MENGMEI (To the previous tune):
As I don’t know the date of her birth,
How can I know the date of her death?
I only know she has been dead for years
And will soon have a rebirth.
SISTER STONE:
When did you hear of her death?
LIU MENGMEI:
I heard of her in the morning
And she died in the evening.
SISTER STONE:
If she’s your wife, it’s your duty to make offerings to her.
LIU MENGMEI:
As I haven’t looked after her alive,
How can I look after her after death?
SISTER STONE:
Since you’ve married her, have you ever met her?
LIU MENGMEI:
The plum blossom here
Is our nuptial chamber,
Behind your eye and ear.
SISTER STONE:
When was that?
LIU MENGMEI:
The night before when you spoilt our cheer.
SISTER STONE (Astonished):
You are haunted. Incredible! Incredible!
LIU MENGMEI:
If you don’t believe me, fetch a brush-pen. When I complete the word “spirit”, the memorial tablet will stir.
SISTER STONE:
Is that possible? Here is a brush-pen.
LIU MENGMEI (Completes the word):
I’ll give you life,
My dear, dear wife.
Look, look!
SISTER STONE:
Fantastic! Fantastic! The tablet is stirring! Oh, my young mistress!
(To the previous tune)
I thought that the plum before the tomb
Served to protect you,
But Mr Liu has been the bloom.
Mr Liu, since she’s your wife, you’d better
Build a hut beside her tomb
And live there as your room.
LIU MENGMEI:
I’m going to bring her to life.
SISTER STONE:
Do you have the spell
Endowed by the Prince of Hell?
LIU MENGMEI:
I need some labourers to help me.
SISTER STONE:
You need a wife,
She needs a life
And ghosts help with your strife.
LIU MENGMEI:
I need your help too.
SISTER STONE:
According to the present law, grave-robbers are to be beheaded, be he the instigator or the accomplice.
A scholar from the dynasty of Song
Is unaware of the present law:
To rob a grave is wrong.
LIU MENGMEI:
It doesn’t matter to realise Miss Du’s own wishes.
(To the previous tune)
It’s she down in the hell,
Who asks you to give aid.
Who knows so well
As the pretty maid?
SISTER STONE:
As I’m carrying out Miss Du’s order, I’ll try to find an auspicious date.
(Consults the almanac)
It happens that tomorrow is an auspicious day to dig the grave.
LIU MENGMEI:
Tomorrow is an auspicious day,
But I still need a robust man
To dig the clay.
SISTER STONE:
My nephew by the name of Scabby Turtle will be at your service, but what if people should know about it?
LIU MENGMEI:
Once we bring her to life,
We’ll keep our mouth shut tight
About my dearest wife.
Who needs a corpse in the broad daylight?
One more thing: when Miss Du comes to life again, she must need some herbs to relieve her mind.
SISTER STONE:
Tutor Chen keeps a pharmacy. We’ll just say that the wandering young nun has run against an evil spirit and that she needs some herbs to calm down.
LIU MENGMEI:
Will yon please go and get the medicine at once?
To save a life today
Is no child’s play!
SISTER STONE:
Amid the mist and raindrops from the skies,
LIU MENGMEI:
I’ll go to visit that magician’s cave.
SISTER STONE:
Not far from where the pretty maiden lies,
LIU MENGMEI:
I tread the withered grass to watch her grave.
Scene Thirty-Four
Asking for Medicine
(Enter Chen Zuiliang)
CHEN ZUILIANG:
“Confucian learning shows its effect:
I’m now a doctor all admire.
The servants greet me with respect
While neighbours call a doctor squire.”
Since I lost my tutor’s position,
I’ve kept a pharmacy for a living. I wonder which customer is coming today.
(Enter Sister Stone)
SISTER STONE (To the tune of Nüguanzi):
Be it in Heaven or on Earth,
Good sense is difficult to find.
From dreams a fancy comes in birth;
From Hell a lover comes to mind.
Good luck to your business, Mr Chen.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
How do you do, Sister Stone.
SISTER STONE:
What a fine store you’ve kept! The inscription “Confucian Doctor” must have been written by Prefect Du. The inscription on the signboard “Choicest Herbs” is well said, but what’s the use of these two clods of earth?
CHEN ZUILIANG:
It comes from beneath the widow’s bed. If a man is haunted, just resolve some earth in water and have him drink it. It’s very effective.
SISTER STONE:
Then what’s the use of this rag?
CHEN ZUILIANG:
It comes from the crotch of a strong man’s pants. If a woman is haunted, just burn them to ashes and have her eat it. It’s also very effective.
SISTER STONE:
In that case, what about exchanging the earth from beneath my bed for the crotch from your pants?
CHEN ZUILIANG:
I’m afraid you’re not much of a widow.
SISTER STONE:
Phew! I’m afraid you’re not strong enough.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Well, forget about it. What can I do for you?
SISTER STONE:
To tell you the truth, I’ve come for the young nun who the day before yesterday
(To the tune of Huangying’er)
Did not take sufficient care
And late at night
Came back from the fair.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Was she in trouble?
SISTER STONE:
Who knows in which wild wasteland
She was caught by some evil turn.
At the ghostly command,
Her soul departed, never to return.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
How careless she was!
SISTER STONE:
You can do your job well
To save her from the living hell.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Is she dead or alive?
SISTER STONE:
She’s been dead for a couple of days.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Can the dead nun take medicine? At any rate, burn this rag of pants and have her take it with warm wine.
(To the previous tune)
A magic medicine I grant:
The crotch of strong man’s pant.
SISTER STONE:
If that’s the medicine, I have some in my place.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Perhaps you don’t know which is fine.
Just cut a little piece,
Burn and mix it with sweet wine,
Then force it down between her teeth.
The medicine retrieves her soul
In a unique way
And plays a magic role.
SISTER STONE:
Thanks a lot.