The Columbia Anthology of Yuan Drama
Page 35
The command of stalwart troops you should forge,
Holding forth as you defend that land.
I only want you to, with full focus, guard that pass securely.
Then, you need worry only about promotion,
And never about censure or demotion.
OLD CHILIARCH: Elder Brother, that nephew of ours, Shanshouma, is grand marshal of troops and cavalry. Even if I were to be a bit remiss, who would dare to reprove me?
JINZHUMA: Brother, don’t talk like that. (Sings:)
[Stone Bamboo]
Although our nephew Shanshouma is good and lenient,
His mercy will not be extended to the deviant.
If the punishment matches the crime,
Then even death cannot be said to cross the line.
The all-too-real orders of a marshal
Are more to be feared than imperial decrees.
OLD CHILIARCH: I recall that in the old days you were happy and comfortable, Elder Brother.
JINZHUMA (sings:)
[Great Bow at the Gate]
Of my present state I do not think at all
But constantly the past years recall.
Everywhere I enjoyed the company of kith and kin,
Strumming the strings and playing the flutes:
It was supreme joy!
Wasn’t it grand at the wedding feasts of our kinsmen!33
OLD CHILIARCH: I recall that you wore such wonderful clothes in your youth; how is it that today you are so poor and tattered?
JINZHUMA (sings:)
[Mountain Pomegranate]
I used to dress with distinctive flair
And take excellent care of my face and hair.
My deerskin black boots were soft like fluff,
And my padded jacket had a waistband blue enough.
[Drunken Lady]
As for my pearls
Round as peas—
Even from those I chose only the best to wear.
On my head scarf was a flower pattern bold,
And the leather belt I wore was inlaid with jade and trimmed with gold.34
OLD CHILIARCH: Elder Brother, considering that you had such stunning looks in your youth, how is it that you have now aged to such a degree?
JINZHUMA (sings:)
[Beloved by a Gentleman]
My silver bowl of a face was smooth and soft,
My inky ingot of a beard was twined with silken strings.35
Facing these officials,
I would personally pass around the wine tallies.
Then when the table is with goblets in order crowned,
We drank our first merry round.
[Not Bowing at the Gate]
We listened to this zhelagu tune36 on the flutes with their lingering din,
And to that camel-hide drum thumping as loud as spring thunder.
I did, in front of the mats,
In front of the mats, dance a graceful, swirling spin.
And when I ceased—ah, from whom didn’t I praise win?
[Another Refusal]
I faced all these officials,
And my kith and kin,
Who spread feasts to send me on my way.
Indeed, as they say, “Leaving, leaving, hard to hold on—
When again shall we meet as of yore?”
OLD CHILIARCH (shows sadness:) Elder Brother, I wonder when we two brothers shall meet again after this parting?
JINZHUMA (sings:)
[A Glad Heart]
After this parting,
If we wish to again meet thus,
It will be but in our dreams,
But who knows if dreams will oblige us?
For it has but come to this: we brothers are the objects of scorn,
Our wives are careworn,
And our sons are by grumblings torn.
The ways of the world change all too quickly—
Whether for better or worse, it’s hard to tell.
OLD CHILIARCH: Elder Brother, your words pain me no end!
JINZHUMA (sings:)
[Graceful in Inebriation]
’Tis but that I’m by you abandoned, alas!
’Tis but that I’m by you abandoned, alas!
I have nothing to sell, and nothing to pawn,
Nothing to eat, and nothing to wear,
And it’ll get worse year after year.
OLD CHILIARCH: I recall that Elder Brother had a son called Dog Pelt. Where is he now?
JINZHUMA: I have long forgotten him—what did you mention him for? (Sings:)
[A New Moon]
That hateful, unfilial rogue of mine
Was last seen in the capital city of Zhongdu.37
With knaves and loose women he keeps company,
And through teahouses, wineshops,
And gay quarters he threads his familiar way lustily.
For several years now,
There hasn’t been any news.
There are a few words on the tip of my tongue,
But swallowed, they’ve to my throat clung.
OLD CHILIARCH: My elder brother wants to say something but is not saying it.
JINZHUMA (aside:) I have a mind to ask my brother for a coat, but I find it difficult to speak up. I’ll broach it to him by and by. (To OLD CHILIARCH:) Throughout the year, spring, summer, fall, and winter, I have been in dire straits. (Sings:)
[Alluring Body]38
When I get to springtime,
In springtime the balmy air is loud with twitter.
And when I get to summertime,
In summertime a warm breeze is felt everywhere.
But what I dread most is late autumn,
Not to mention the solstice month,
The solstice month with its whirling flakes of snow.
[Hudubai]
Ah, brother! I once enjoyed my patrimony,
With estates and fields of yore.
But now I suffer privations: not having a single tile or a lone beam,
Not even a needle or a hempen thread.
How could I polish rice or make white flour?
Where could I for thick brocade and thin cotton padding scour?
Ah, Bother, if only for our parents’ sake,
When the cold season is coming on,
Should you have some old jackets you wish to put aside,
Let them for me provide.
OLD CHILIARCH: If Elder Brother hadn’t spoken up, how could I have known? Right away I will order my men to open the camel packs and bring a padded coat, which I will give to you to ward off the winter cold.
JINZHUMA (sings:)
’Tis not that I babble and gabble,
Pester and badger.
For all my tears streaming down,
I cannot dispel my heart’s rancor,
Nor can I quiet a lifetime’s clamor.
OLD CHILIARCH: Elder Brother, back then you enjoyed incense balls and hangings of luxury, draping curtains and gauze screens. Where are they now?
JINZHUMA (sings:)
[Tangwudai]
In olden days, surrounded by draping curtains and gauze screens,
I used to sleep under embroidered covers.
Today I take as pillow half a brick,
And on the earthen bed stove
I curl up on a torn and tattered mat—
What anguish and despair! (Speaks:)
When you get to your post, do put your troops and horses in battle order and stay away from wine.
OLD CHILIARCH: Don’t worry, Elder Brother. Today the realm is at peace and the four seas are untroubled, so even if I drink a few cups, what’s the harm?
JINZHUMA: Brother, don’t talk like that. (Sings:)
[Farewell Feast Coda]
Even though weapons have been nullified,
And men and horses put aside,
And campaigns are no more,
You must drill troops with lance and blade,
Train them with sword and spear,
Teach them with
bow and arrow.
You have to go forth with a heart resolute:
Have no unease at the stockade,
No fear in the encampment,
No weariness on the battlefield.
OLD CHILIARCH (makes obeisance and takes his leave:) Now I’ve taken leave of Elder Brother I must go to the mountain pass.
JINZHUMA: Brother, have a safe journey.
OLD CHILIARCH: Attendants, where are you? Bring my horse. (Mounts the horse.) Take your time to make your way home, Elder Brother.
JINZHUMA (sings:)
Your horse’s hooves prance on the road, clicking and clacking,
But I shall return home alone, huffing and puffing.
OLD CHILIARCH: My brother, you are still robust and strong.
JINZHUMA (sings:)
I may be healthy and robust,
But who knows whether I will live to next year or the one after?
OLD CHILIARCH: Once I get there, I will send for you, Elder Brother.
JINZHUMA (sings:)
You wish to meet again, but ’tis difficult. (Speaks:)
Brother! (Sings:)
Perhaps there is for us reunion, come what may,
But that road is mighty long and far away. (Exits.)
OLD CHILIARCH: My elder brother has gone back. So now I will take my household and go to the mountain pass and defend it. (Recites:)
Now I am going to defend the mountain pass;
Rousing the old spirit, energy I will amass.
I bet no barbarian soldier will dare cross the border,
Though all my family nag me about wine and disorder. (Exits.)
ACT 3
(OLD CHILIARCH enters together with OLD LADY.)
OLD CHILIARCH: Speaking of happiness, I’ve never been so happy as now, and speaking of joy, there has never been a day like today. Ever since I came to this mountain pass, nothing much has happened: just right for drinking. I sent men to go and invite my elder brother, Jinzhuma, to come here, but—who would have thought it—he had passed away. Today is the fifteenth of the eighth month, the time of the Midautumn Festival. My Lady, tell the servants to set up wine, and I will enjoy the moon with you and take pleasure in a few hearty drinks. (He moves about, expressing joy.)
(OFFICER enters.)
OFFICER (reporting:) Your Honor, disaster! We’ve lost control of the pass!
(OLD CHILIARCH is distressed and shaken.)
OLD LADY: Your Honor, I told you to drink a few cups less. What are we going to do now?
OLD CHILIARCH: Since things have come to this, what am I to do? Attendants, bring my armor; I’ll go and pursue the bandits. (Exits.)
(EXTRA enters dressed as CHIEF SECRETARY.)
SECRETARY: I belong to the Wanyan clan of the Jurchens, and since our forebears’ times, we have wielded military authority and defended the frontiers. But now and again invading Liao troops attacked us; our forefathers fought them constantly, and a great enmity was created. They for their part vilified us, saying that we Jurchens are barbarians with no surnames. Because of this our forefathers changed their names and divided themselves into seven lineages: qian and kun, following cosmic duality, and gong, shang, jue, zhi, yu, following the five notes in music. Under qian, Nalu became Liu; under kun, Wendehan became Zhang. Under gong, the Aoguo lineage took the surname Zhou. Under shang, the Wanyan lineage took the surname Wang. Under jue, the Pufu lineage took the surname Li. Under zhi, the Jiagu lineage adopted the surname Zhou. Under yu, the Shimi lineage took the surname Xiao.39 In addition to these seven surnames, there are such names as Pabaobao, Wugulun, and others, and in each case the given name was taken as surname. Formerly, our forefathers’ original tribal name had been Zhulizhen, and they were the Huihui Luzhen among the Jurchens.40 Thereafter they consolidated their frontiers and accomplished great things, moved the capital here to Zhongdu, and divided themselves into seven precincts. To think that our forefathers had risked life and limb and served the state with loyal hearts, and now we, their sons and grandsons, have inherited the duty—this indeed was hard earned! (Recites:)
Our forefathers toiled to achieve a great thing,
And we, their progeny, to their glory do cling.
With all our hearts we only wish that war and turmoil cease,
So we can serve and protect the imperial court and enjoy peace.
I am chief secretary in the marshal’s office. Now there is this old man charged with the defense of the mountain pass. Day after day he craves wine. Now he has let the Liao bandits slip through the border, and he missed the strategic time for military action. This is no minor offense. Three times I have sent a warrant for his arrest, but each time he beat up the men who went to get him. He sets great store by being the marshal’s uncle, but the marshal has been sorely vexed. Now His Honor has again given order to have him arrested. In case the old man wouldn’t come, several Guanxi officers41 carrying a warrant with the seal of the marshal’s office have been dispatched to enforce the order, so there is no need to fear that he could avoid coming. Attendants, tell the bailiffs that they should exercise great care, go quickly and return soon. When old Wanyan gets here, report to me immediately. (Exits.)
(OLD CHILIARCH enters leading his attendants.)
OLD CHILIARCH: Having lost the pass on the night of the fifteenth of the eighth month, right away the next day I personally led many chieftains and pitched a battle with the bandits, recovering all the men and livestock they had plundered. Those chieftains are congratulating me on my victory, and we’ll drink some more. (He drinks again.)
OLD LADY: Attendants, set up wine, and pour a cup for His Honor’s exertions.
(COMIC dressed as BAILIFF enters.)
BAILIFF (sees CHILIARCH:) In the marshal’s name I arrest you!
OLD CHILIARCH (yelling:) You there! Who are you?
BAILIFF: By the marshal’s order I have come to arrest you.
OLD CHILIARCH: I am the marshal’s uncle, how dare you arrest me! Attendants, take this man away and give him a beating. (Attendants beat him.)
BAILIFF (recites:)
The old man doesn’t know the world’s affairs,
To ignore the marshal’s writ he dares.
I came for your arrest, but you had me beat.
On your old wife I’ll apply the heat. (Exits.)
(Another COMIC dressed as another BAILIFF enters.)
BAILIFF: I arrest you in the marshal’s name!
OLD CHILIARCH: That guy! Who is he?
BAILIFF: By the marshal’s order I have been sent to arrest you.
OLD CHILIARCH: Pshaw! But I am the marshal’s uncle. How dare you come to arrest me? Attendants, beat him up for me and throw him out! (Attendants beat him.)
BAILIFF (recites:)
You, old Wanyan, are indeed up to no good,
To my wet flesh you’ve applied dry wood.
I came for your arrest, but you won’t go,
Yet on my heel is a fiercer foe. (Exits.)
(EXTRA enters dressed as OFFICER.)
OFFICER: I am an officer from Guanxi. Following the marshal’s order, I am to arrest old Wanyan, who lost control of the mountain pass and has resisted summons to be arrested. Now the marshal has sent me to arrest him, and I have already arrived. (Greets OLD CHILIARCH.) Old Chiliarch! By the marshal’s orders men were sent to arrest you—why didn’t you go? (Takes out iron chains and puts them on him, recites:)
Insolent old Wanyan, rules you decry,
The marshal’s writ you publicly defy.
I shall not argue the matter here,
At the marshal’s hall we’ll hear what words belie.
OLD CHILIARCH: My Lady, this is bad business! Now they have come to take me to the marshal’s residence—how could I, old as I am, ever stand this kind of suffering! My Lady, warm me a jug of wine, hurry up! (Exits.)
OLD LADY: What can be done under these circumstances? I’ll go straight to the marshal’s residence with you, my husband. (Exits.)
(MARSHAL enters, follow
ed by CHIEF SECRETARY and ATTENDANTS. They set up court.)
SHANSHOUMA (sings:)
[Shuangdiao mode: Song of New Water]
Congratulations and reports of peace rumble like spring thunder;
For me that gleaming bright sword is to be made ready.
He was derelict in duty and fouled up our military strategy.
To arrest him I’ve sent many a messenger. (Speaks:)
Secretary, go and ask about that guardian of the pass. (Sings:)
Has the old officer arrived yet?42
(OFFICER enters leading OLD CHILIARCH in chains.)
OFFICER: Come on, walk faster!
OLD CHILIARCH: What is this? I’m the marshal’s uncle, what have I got to be afraid of?
OFFICER (greets CHIEF SECRETARY:) I have arrested and brought in old Wanyan of the mountain pass.
SHANSHOUMA: Has he been arrested? Bring him over here.
SECRETARY: Bring him over here!
SHANSHOUMA: Open the lock of his chains and take away that plaque of his. (Old Chiliarch does not kneel.)
SHANSHOUMA: What insolence! (Sings:)
[Intoxicated by the East Wind]
Seeing him stand huffing and puffing below the court steps,
I can’t help flipping and flopping, my heart filled with doubts. (Speaks:)
And as for me, what if I were to …43 (Sings:)
Upon the emperor’s decree,
I hold the post of grand marshal.
How can you have no respect for proper forms of address! (Speaks:)
After all, you are my subordinate official. (Sings:)
He still pretends not to hear
And does not kneel down as he comes near. (Speaks:)
You are guilty of flouting an important law, and still you are obdurate and defiant. Secretary, ask him why he does not kneel. If he still won’t kneel, get the big stick ready and, for a start, smash up his shinbones.
SECRETARY: Yes sir.
OLD CHILIARCH: Secretary, I am his uncle—where do you get this idea of telling me to kneel down before him?
SECRETARY: His Honor said that if you don’t kneel down, we are to take the big stick and smash up your shinbones for a start!
OLD CHILIARCH: All right, all right, I’ll kneel, but you are making bad karma for him.44
SHANSHOUMA: Secretary, tell him to mark the page and sign his name to the indictment.45
SECRETARY: Old man, you are ordered to mark the page and sign your name.
OLD CHILIARCH: Secretary, what do I know about marking the page and signing my name?