The Complete Dramatic Works of Tang Xianzu
Page 65
You touched my spirit for sure
While my real self is a virgin pure.
(Enter a boatman)
BOATMAN (Singing a ditty):
The maid is fond of tavern house,
And never comes back late with care.
She says the master’s spouse
Needs her help to comb the hair.
(Singing another ditty)
For maids by this name or that name,
Each can drink a pot of tea.
They steal from the storehouse without shame,
Taking everything for free.
(Enter Scabby Turtle)
SCABBY TURTLE:
Boatman! Boatman! Boatman! There’re passengers to Lin’an!
BOATMAN:
Coming, coming, I’m coming.
(Rows his boat toward the bank)
SCABBY TURTLE:
The boat has arrived. Mr Liu, please help Miss Du on board.
SISTER STONE (Says farewell to Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang):
Take care, Mr Liu and Miss Du.
LIU MENGMEI:
There’s no one to wait on my wife. Would you come with us, Sister Stone? I’ll requite your kindness when I obtain an official position.
SISTER STONE:
I haven’t got my belongings yet.
(Aside)
If the story is known to the public, I’ll be punished. Flight is the best policy.
(Turns to Liu Mengmei)
All right. Mr Liu, please give my nephew something as a reward and ask him to take care of the nunnery. I’ll go with you.
SCABBY TURTLE:
Agreed.
LIU MENGMEI:
I’ll give him this robe.
(Takes off hig robe and gives it to Scabby Turtle)
SCABBY TURTLE :
Thanks. Who will take the blame if the story leaks out?
LIU MENGMEI:
Just say you don’t know.
SCABBY TURTLE:
Bye-bye, then.
“A scabby boy gives the nun some aid
While Taoist nun becomes the servant maid.”
(Exit)
LIU MENGMEI, DU LINIANG, SISTER STONE (Board the boat):
(To the tune of Jibanling)
By night we sail off Nan’an,
On our way toward Lin’an.
(Du Liniang weeps)
LIU MENGMEI:
Why are you weeping now?
DU LINIANG:
We’ll start to roam;
We’ll start to roam.
I lived here for three years;
I lay dead here for three years.
When I was dead, I was away from home;
Now that I’ve revived, I’m going home.
LIU MENGMEI, DU LINIANG, SISTER STONE:
What special night is this?
From this very night,
The bliss is
That a couple unite.
LIU MENGMEI (To the previous tune):
A beauty has regained her soul,
As well as her female role.
(Du Liniang sighs)
Why are you weeping again?
DU LINIANG:
I was so helpless, so alone.
I was so helpless, so alone.
My perfume sachet was lost in grass;
On my golden pin, dust has grown.
I feared that between two worlds,
Our hearts could hardly be known.
LIU MENGMEI, DU LINIANG, SISTER STONE:
What special night is this?
From this very night,
The bliss is
That a couple unite.
SISTER STONE:
As the night is deep, I’ll tell the boatman to moor the boat and you two can have some sleep.
LIU MENGMEI:
The breeze, the moon, the boat — all have added joy to our wedding night.
(To the tune of Yicuozhao)
With a fairy maid as my wife,
I’ve now brought love to life.
DU LINIANG:
My dear, only now do I understand the joy of the human world!
The love between the ghost and man
Was where the wedding began.
Tonight,
We have attained our goal;
I’ll serve you body and soul.
SISTER STONE:
You’ve fastened your belt in the breeze;
It’s time to make yourself at ease.
LIU MENGMEI:
With your heavy woe,
Can the boat bear the weight?
To bed we shall go
And your terror will abate.
(To the tune of Coda)
Our love is bound with mortal life;
DU LINIANG:
With persistent love I become your wife.
Mr Liu,
We’ve gone through a life-and-death strife.
LIU MENGMEI:
We take flight under the shining moon,
SISTER STONE:
With gentle breeze to whisper soon.
DU LINIANG:
Who knows what happens on the boat?
SISTER STONE:
On the water true love sails afloat.
Scene Thirty-Seven
The Pedagogue’s Alarm
(Enter Chen Zuiliang)
CHEN ZUILIANG:
“My hair is unstirred in the gentle breeze;
I take a stroll out in late spring at ease.
As hundred years elapse in endless dreams,
The nightly storm has sent the blooms to streams.”
I, Chen Zuiliang, am looking after Miss Du’s tomb out of my gratitude for Prefect Du. Yesterday I invited Mr Liu to visit Miss Du’s tomb with me. It’s time to go now.
(Walks on)
“The gate is open and enwrapped in clouds;
The yard is overgrown with grass in crowds.”
Let me call at the gate.
(Calls aloud)
Oh, the gate used to be closely shut, but today it’s left open. I’ll pay respects to the Bodhisattva.
(Looks around the statue)
Why, there’s neither lamp nor incense today. And where’s Miss Du’s memorial tablet? I’ll ask Sister Stone about it.
(Calls three times)
She’s out. Let me ask Mr Liu.
(Calls aloud)
Mr Liu, my friend!
(Calls again)
Mr Liu! Still no response.
(Looks around)
Oh, Mr Liu is gone. I cured him of his disease, but he has never said a word of gratitude, not even saying good-bye when he left. It’s a shame! It’s a shame! Let me look at the living room in the west wing. Ah, Sister Stone is gone, too. The bells, the pots and the mattress are all gone. How strange!
(Thinks)
I’ve got it. There have been some rumours about a young nun, and I heard voices of a young nun again yesterday. There must be something fishy between Mr Liu and the young nun and they must have eloped last night. It’s a shame! It’s a shame! Forget about it! Forget about it! Let me go to the back garden and have a look at Miss Du’s tomb.
(Walks on)
(To the tune of Lanhuamei)
The moss is thick along the garden trail
While the pavilions are lying waste.
Here we bury the beauty and here we wail.
(Stares around)
Oh, the high mound has been levelled.
What’s happened to the grave?
Has it collapsed into the cave?
The Taihu rocks have been moved to the left and the plum trees are still there.
(Alarmed)
Alas! Miss Du’s tomb has been robbed!
(Cries out)
Oh, heavens! Miss Du!
(To the tune of Chaotianzi)
What heartless scoundrel has robbed the grave?
How much gold has he found in the cave?
Miss Du, if you had been married, your body would have been buried in your husband’s ancestral cemetery.
&nbs
p; Without a spouse of her own,
She died and lay alone.
I feared that snakes and roots
Might disturb her bone,
But did not expect a man with heart of stone.
That’s it. Liu Mengmei is from Lingnan, and grave-robbing must be something common there. He must have hidden the coffin in a nearby place and cut off a corner as a demand for ransom money. He must have expected Prefect Du to pay the money after learning about it. The coffin must have been buried somewhere near. Let me search for it.
(Discovers the coffin)
Oh, isn’t it the coffin-head in the grass? Isn’t it the rusted coffin-nails? The coffin has been broken open. Oh, heavens! Where are Miss Du’s remains?
(Looks around)
A coffin plank is floating on the pond. Yes, Miss Du’s remains must have been thrown into the pond. What a brutal robber!
(To the tune of Putianle)
Oh heavens! How can you bear
To see her remains be thrown away?
She does not owe anyone a debt;
Why should her remains in water decay?
The lotus would have shed tears,
For her remains to be thrown into evil spheres.
When the pond is drained and her remains recovered,
Her scattered bones will look the worst.
How I wish that she were buried in water at first!
The robber is a brute of a man;
How can he care for the fair maiden
When he wants to grab whatever he can!
Confucius said, “When a tiger or a rhinoceros gets out of a cage, or tortoise-shell or jade is damaged in a box, the keeper cannot escape the blame.” I’ll first report it to the Nan’an prefectural office for them to apprehend the grave-robber, and then leave for Huaiyang this very night to report to Envoy Du.
(To the tune of Coda)
Sister Stone knew the jewels in the cave;
Mr Liu ventured to dig the grave.
Miss Du, can you see why
Like a housebreaker they behave?
When he dug the grave to gain his aim,
The mound was levelled with shame.
Although it’s not my fault to bring the harm,
The robber drunkard is to blame.
Scene Thirty-Eight
The Invasion
(Enter Li Quan with his men)
LI QUAN (To the tune of Shuangtianxiaojiao):
A hero rises above all;
The drums and banners are the battle-call.
For three years in a coat of mail,
I’ve joined in battles big and small.
“Here I stand, the bravest chieftain Li Quan,
For the alien emperor I’ll do whatever I can.
My troops will sweep across the Yangtze River,
To stun the cowards of the southern clan.”
At the behest of the great Jin Dynasty, I, Gilded Prince, have been making trouble in the area between the Yangtze River and the Huaihe River for three years. Reports have it that the great Jin Dynasty has amassed sufficient troops and supplies for a southward expedition and that I am ordered to make advances on the Huaiyang area. I’d better discuss with my wife. Attendants, call for my spouse.
ATTENDANTS (Call out):
His Highness calls for his louse.
(Enter a soldier with arrows)
SOLDIER:
I’ve got arrows to shoot the louse.
LI QUAN (Scolds with amusement):
What did you say, son of a bitch?
SOLDIER:
Your Highness just said that you want to shoot the louse.
LI QUAN:
Nonsense! I called for my spouse Lady Yang, not to shoot a louse.
SOLDIER:
Your Highness will discuss with your spouse and I’ll shoot my louse.
(Exit, amid shouts from Li Quan)
(Enter Lady Yang)
LADY YANG (To the previous tune):
In the inner tent,
The chieftain’s wife is a brilliant portent.
(Salutes Li Quan)
Prosperity to Your Highness!
How fierce your assault was last night,
Which wore me out with great delight.
My chieftain husband, I had been so exhausted that I was nearly torn out of bed. What is it that you’d like to discuss with me?
LI QUAN:
Reports have it that the Jin emperor will be on a southward expedition and that I am ordered to invade Huaiyang so as to clear his way of advance. I’m afraid that Yangzhou is guarded by Envoy Du and is not an easy prey for us. What’s the best policy?
LADY YANG:
As far as I can see, you’d better besiege Huai’an first so that Envoy Du will come to its rescue. Then I’ll lead some of our troops to attack Yangzhou so as to cut his provisions. At that time the ball is in our hands.
LI QUAN:
Marvellous idea! Marvellous idea! On hearing this scheme, I am stricken with awe myself.
LADY YANG:
And when were you not stricken with awe?
LI QUAN:
Quite right. Before I was made a prince, I had been a henpecked robber; since I was made a prince, I have been a henpecked prince.
LADY YANG:
Stop your nonsense. Now order the troops to set off to Huai’an at once.
LI QUAN (To the tune of Jinshanghua):
When I move my troops,
I’ve sent the vanguard groups.
Onward march, men of valiant deeds!
Onward gallop, my brave steeds!
Beat the drum!
Beat the drum!
Huaiyang will be deaf and numb!
ALL: (To the previous tune):
We have a tigress that would roar,
Whom we regard with awe.
She makes her plan;
She controls her man.
Laugh with cheer!
Laugh with cheer!
Huaiyang will tremble with fear!
LADY YANG:
Gilded Prince, now take my orders! Wherever your troops go, leave women alone! If you violate my order, you’ll be punished in a court-martial.
LI QUAN:
I won’t violate your order.
LADY YANG:
On the stormy field of ancient warfare,
LI QUAN:
The warriors imitate a woman’s wear.
ALL:
Beneath the scarlet battle-flag,
We honour golden brooches on her hair.
Scene Thirty-Nine
Sojourn in Lin’an
(Enter Liu Mengmei)
LIU MENGMEI (To the tune of Tangduoling):
The mirror is clean and clear,
(Enter Du Liniang)
DU LINIANG:
In my new dress I appear.
LIU MENGMEI:
I see the Qiantang sights from my room.
DU LINIANG:
My dear husband,
A fragrance came from the sky last night —
The laurel on the moon in bloom.
LIU MENGMEI:
“Long trips are boring for the man and wife;
DU LINIANG:
A cup of wine will add pleasure to your life.
LIU MENGMEI:
The Qiantang bore is surging like the snow;
DU LINIANG:
They foretell good tidings heavens bestow.”
LIU MENGMEI:
We have travelled together to the capital of Lin’an. Now that we’ve rented an empty house, I should be able to study the classics and histories. However, as the date for the imperial examination is still far off, I’m growing more and more homesick. How can I cheer up?
DU LINIANG:
This morning I asked Sister Stone to buy a kettle of wine to relieve your melancholy. She’s not back yet.
LIU MENGMEI:
Thank you for your kindness, my dear. There’s still one thing we haven’t talked about. When we first met each other, you said that you were from the neighbo
urhood. Who knows that the netherworld prince was moved and we were married in haste! Throughout the journey I’ve never asked this question. Did you first see me in the west wing of the nunnery? How could you allude to my name in the poem “Will be found by the plum or willow”? How did you come across this magical idea?
DU LINIANG (Smiles):
Mr Liu, it is sheer fabrication to say that I first saw you in the west wing of the nunnery. In my previous life,
(To the tune of Jiang’ershui)
I chanced to meet you in my garden dream
And wrote poems on the willow theme.
I was just beginning to write the poem when you took me to the Peony Pavilion.
LIU MENGMEI (Laughs):
How did you like it?
DU LINIANG (Smiles):
Alas, while we were enjoying ourselves, petals fell and woke me up. From that time on I was simply sitting on pins and needles and fell seriously ill.
Cleverness may hurt a clever man;
Sincerity does not requite a sincere man;
Predestined love is destined to befall the man.
With profound love for you,
I’m brought back to life again.
That’s my story from a different point of view.
LIU MENGMEI (To the previous tune):
Although I am amazed at your strange tale,
My faith tells me to believe in you.
I feared the nether prince would blame our love,
And for grave-digging I would rue.
As I’m destined to have a nether wife,
You have kept your body intact, too.
You’ll see the splendour of the capital
When you start your life anew.
(Enter Sister Stone with a kettle of wine)
SISTER STONE:
“I walked by the Phoenix Palace and beyond,
Then bought my wine in Goldfish Pond.”
Oh, Mr Liu and Miss Du, I’ve something to tell you. When I was buying the wine by the river, I saw scholars from all over the country going to the examination halls. Don’t you miss your chance, Mr Liu!
(Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang get into a flurry)
DU LINIANG:
You must make haste, my dear.
SISTER STONE:
Please let me toast to your success in the examination.
DU LINIANG (Holds up a cup of wine):
(To the tune of Xiaocuoda)
The pleasure of one night’s love
Is cut short by the two words: fame and name.
Please drink three cups of wine;
I wish that quadruple bliss be to our claim.
You’ll stand at palace gate at five o’clock
And hear the bustle in the six streets.
With your talent to write a poem in seven steps,
You’ll ascend the eight-treasure terrace for your feats.
With a drink from the royal “nine palaces”,
You’ll watch flowers along ten miles of streets.