The Complete Dramatic Works of Tang Xianzu
Page 75
A sweet dream in the spring
Became real love in the netherworld.
While two shadows parted in the dream,
We stuck together in the netherworld.
CHUNXIANG:
How did you feel like when you were revived?
DU LINIANG:
As from a dream I came around,
I looked back and fell to the ground.
CHUNXIANG:
Were there any places of interest in the netherworld?
DU LINIANG:
There were samsara roads
For perfumed carts,
Amorous rivers for love odes
And nether gates for broken hearts.
CHUNXIANG (To the previous tune):
Your beauty allures the man;
Your passion torments the man.
Mistress,
While your soul wandered in a dream,
Your mother shed tears like a stream.
Now that your tomb lies in waste,
You build your nest in graceful taste.
I’d like to ask
How you managed to hide behind the light
And how you bought the wine at night.
I’m afraid when you made love for the first time,
Your virgin blood must have come in sight.
DU LINIANG:
You silly girl! I seemed to be in a dream when we made love. There is no sense for you to ask such questions. Look, my mother is coming in a hurry.
(Enter Lady Zhen in a hurry)
LADY ZHEN (To the tune of Wanxiandeng):
There is noise from the street;
It’s my daughter they seem to greet.
My child, from what I’ve heard from the street, I can gather that the latest Number One Scholar is Liu Mengmei from Lingnan.
DU LINIANG:
Is that so?
(Enter Sister Stone in quick steps)
SISTER STONE (To the previous tune):
Holding flags amid the roar;
Who are the messengers
That approach our door?
(Greets Lady Zhen and Du Liniang)
Madam and Mistress, the imperial messengers are coming. I’ll go and wait at the door.
(Exit)
(Enter two sergeants, with imperial flags)
SERGEANTS (To the tune of Ruzhuan):
Among the shabby houses in the narrow lane,
We look for the scholar’s home in vain.
This might be the one.
(Knock at the door)
LADY ZHEN:
Terrified by the deafening roar,
I’ll peep through the door.
(Opens the door. The sergeants burst in)
Which office are you from?
SERGEANTS:
We come here as quick as can be.
Look at the flags,
Look at the supreme flags.
The Palace Announcer sends us to pass the decree.
LADY ZHEN (Calls aloud):
My child, they’ve come to pass the imperial decree.
DU LINIANG (Steps forward):
May I venture to ask
When the results will be announced?
Is Liu Mengmei on top of the list?
SERGEANTS:
He’s the Number One Scholar.
DU LINIANG:
Is that so?
SERGEANTS:
Although he’s on top of the list,
His misdemeanor can hardly be dismissed.
DU LINIANG (Taken aback):
What happened to him?
SERGEANTS:
In Huaiyang he offended Lord Du
As grave-robbing was a taboo.
LADY ZHEN:
Thank heavens, my child! Your father has arrived in the capital safe and sound. Of course he won’t believe that you’re revived.
DU LINIANG:
What happened to him next?
SERGEANTS:
When the flogging was not yet complete,
He was rescued and paraded through the street.
DU LINIANG:
So he was rescued at the right time.
SERGEANTS:
But the Grand Chancellor was in a position to submit a memorial to His Majesty, saying that a grave-robber was not entitled to be the Number One Scholar.
DU LINIANG:
Did the Number One Scholar submit a memorial to defend himself?
SERGEANTS:
Yes, he did.
The Grand Chancellor accused him of robbing the grave;
The Number One Scholar argued that he was brave.
His Majesty did not know how to behave.
DU LINIANG:
And then?
SERGEANTS:
It happened that the Palace Announcer, Mr Chen, was an old friend of the Grand Chancellor. He suggested that the Grand Chancellor, the Number One Scholar and you, Miss Du, appear before the throne at the same time so that His Majesty might make his judgement.
LADY ZHEN:
Well, who is that Palace Announcer Chen?
SERGEANTS:
His name is Chen Zuiliang,
Who said that he once taught in Nan’an.
Therefore,
The Grand Chancellor recommended him
To be the Palace Announcer.
LADY ZHEN:
Amazing indeed!
SERGEANTS:
It’s him who sent us to bring you the imperial decree. Miss Du is to make up at the first watch-beat, have breakfast at the second watch-beat, get dressed at the third watch-beat and set out at the fourth watch-beat.
Till the fifth watch-beat you’ll wait
And in tinkling ornaments,
You’ll enter the palace gate.
DU LINIANG:
I’m afraid to go alone.
SERGEANTS:
What is there to be afraid of?
You’re the daughter of the Grand Chancellor
And wife of the Number One Scholar.
We’ll be leaving now.
DU LINIANG:
Tell me something more before you leave.
SERGEANTS:
Tomorrow at the court,
Please give us tips of some sort.
(Exeunt)
DU LINIANG:
Mom, Dad has been promoted and Mr Liu has become the Number One Scholar.
The sergeants have brought the good news
Of their safety and success.
Let’s thank heavens!
Let’s thank heavens!
(They kowtow)
DU LINIANG (To the tune of Diliuzi):
Years ago,
Years ago we got acquainted at the plum and willow;
Outside the nether gate,
Outside the nether gate my soul met my mate.
My dream came true
At the garden behind our house.
In this way finally comes the day
For the success of my spouse.
The match in the netherworld
Awaits the judge of human world.
LADY ZHEN (To the previous tune):
Although we say,
Although we say things have gone astray,
Is there any need,
Is there any need for imperial decrees indeed?
You are thought
To be disturbed in your cave
While Liu Mengmei is thought
To have robbed a grave.
But your father
Has no magic powers
To summon the god of flowers.
(To the tune of Coda)
My child,
Get prepared to present yourself at court.
DU LINIANG:
What shall I say to His Majesty?
LADY ZHEN:
Your presence alone will clarify the day;
DU LINIANG:
His Majesty will listen to what I have to say.
(Enter Hunchback Guo)
HUNCHBACK GUO:
“To find the turtle’s cave,
You have to c
ross the magpies’ bridge.”
I’ve looked for the Qiantang Gate for two days, but in vain. I was lucky enough to meet an old sergeant, who told me Miss Du’s address. Now I’ll venture to enter her house.
(Greets Lady Zhen and Du Liniang)
LADY ZHEN:
Who are you?
HUNCHBACK GUO:
I’m Hunchback Guo, serving in the Number One Scholar’s house. I’ve come to offer my congratulations.
DU LINIANG:
Thank you for your congratulations. Have you seen the Number One Scholar?
HUNCHBACK GUO:
It was I who rescued him in the Grand Chancellor’s office. He sent me to bring you to the palace.
LADY ZHEN:
The bygone dreams will come to light;
DU LINIANG:
Today the sky appears to be so bright.
HUNCHBACK GUO:
To gratify the deep love of the sprite,
DU LINIANG:
I’ll see His Majesty in all his might.
Scene Fifty-Five
Happy Reunion at Court
(Enter two generals of palace guards, carrying the Imperial Squashes)
GENERALS:
“The sun and moon set forth Heaven’s feat;
The hills and rills consolidate the royal seat.”
When His Majesty gives an audience, we stand on duty here.
(Enter Chen Zuiliang)
CHEN ZUILIANG (To the tune of Northern Dianjiangchun):
The palace towers above the clouds
And incense coils to the skies.
Eternal peace blesses the crowds.
(Turns to the throne and kowtows)
When the sun shines over the stairs,
I kowtow and then rise.
“When phoenix banners flap in the morning breeze,
His Majesty issues his decrees.
In order to sweep away the monstrous airs,
He relies on gods and ghosts to appease.”
I’m old Chen Zuiliang, newly-appointed Palace Announcer in the Great Song Dynasty. I was a learned scholar in the Nan’an Prefecture. As Liu Mengmei robbed Miss Du’s grave, I brought the news to Yangzhou. For old times’ sake, the Grand Chancellor sent me to appease the bandit Li Quan. When I completed my task, I was assigned the position of Palace Announcer. It happened that on his way to the capital, the Grand Chancellor received a visit by Liu Mengmei, who was arrested at once and sent to prison in Lin’an. The story was that Mr Liu had entered the imperial examination and was selected as the Number One Scholar. When people were looking for him, he was being flogged and interrogated in Lord Du’s office. The sergeants broke into the office to rescue him and carried him away on horseback. That was part of the story. It was said that my pupil Miss Du was revived and took up residence in the capital. To his greater annoyance, the Grand Chancellor heard that his daughter had become a wanton sprite. He told me to write a memorial to His Majesty for the extermination of evil spirits. Liu Mengmei was accused of grave-robbing and releasing an evil sprite which took on the name of his daughter; therefore, Liu Mengmei must be executed at once. Lord Du’s memorial was justified, but Mr Liu also sent in a memorial in his own defence. There came the imperial decree, saying, “Due to the unusual mysticism as narrated in your memorials, the revived girl must appear in an audience so that I can make the final judgement.” As I was afraid that Miss Du had indeed revived, I privately sent two sergeants to tell her of the imperial decree for her to appear before the throne at the fifth watch-beat tomorrow morning. As the saying goes,
“The past and present are shown on the Eternal Rock;
Truth and falsehood are judged at the imperial court.”
Before I can finish my monologue, here come the Grand Chancellor and the Number One Scholar.
(Enter Du Bao and Liu Mengmei, dressed in official hats and robes, each holding a memorial tablet)
DU BAO (To the previous tune):
I hate to face confrontation at court
For no apparent reason at all.
It’s a case of peculiar sort.
LIU MENGMEI:
To solve the riddle,
I wait for His Majesty’s call.
My respect to you, father-in-law!
DU BAO:
None of your father-in-laws here!
LIU MENGMEI:
My respect to you, Grand Chancellor!
DU BAO:
None of your Grand Chancellors here!
LIU MENGMEI (Laughs):
As an old poem goes,
“When snow and plum blossom vie to win spring grace,
The poet lays down his pen to settle the case.”
When I defend myself today, you’ll have to lay down your pen.
DU BAO:
You are a criminal, but you are still playing with words now.
LIU MENGMEI:
What am I guilty of? In fact you are a criminal.
DU BAO:
I’ve done meritorious deeds for the country by quelling the bandit Li Quan. What am I guilty of?
LIU MENGMEI:
The court is unaware of the fact that you haven’t quelled Li Quan, but quelled his better half.
DU BAO:
What do you mean by saying that?
LIU MENGMEI (Sneers):
You have tricked his wife into withdrawing the troops. This is not a complete victory.
DU BAO (Grasps at Liu Mengmei in annoyance):
Who told you that? Let’s argue before the throne.
CHEN ZUILIANG (Rushes toward Du Bao and Liu Mengmei):
Who’s making such a roar outside the royal palace?
(Greets Du Bao and Liu Mengmei)
Oh, it’s Lord Du. This is the new Number One Scholar. Please let him off! Please let him off!
(Du Bao lets off Liu Mengmei)
How is it that he has offended you?
DU BAO:
He calls me a criminal. What am I guilty of?
LIU MENGMEI:
How can you say that you are not guilty? You have at least committed three errors concerning your daughter.
DU BAO:
What are the errors?
LIU MENGMEI:
First, as a prefect, you allowed your daughter to go on a spring stroll.
DU BAO:
That’s true.
LIU MENGMEI:
Second, after your daughter died, you didn’t send her remains to her native town to be buried in your ancestral cemetery, but set up a private nunnery instead.
DU BAO:
There’s something in what you said.
LIU MENGMEI:
Third, in addition to dispelling your son-in-law because he is poor, you put a Number One Scholar to tortures.
CHEN ZUILIANG (Laughs):
Mr Liu, you have your errors to blame too. Just listen to me and make peace between you.
LIU MENGMEI:
What have I to do with you?
CHEN ZUILIANG (Laughs):
Probably you don’t know that I used to be your wife’s tutor.
LIU MENGMEI:
Are you a tutor for the ghosts?
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Have you forgotten your old friend, Mr Liu?
LIU MENGMEI (Recognises Chen Zuiliang):
Are you Tutor Chen from Nan’an?
CHEN ZUILIANG:
That’s me! That’s me!
LIU MENGMEI:
Oh, Mr Chen, we were on good terms, but why did you say that I was a robber? You didn’t tell the truth when you were a tutor, and I’m afraid you will not tell the truth now that you become the Palace Announcer.
CHEN ZUILIANG (Laughs):
I’m telling the truth today. I see Miss Du approaching in the distance. Both of you, kowtow to His Majesty first.
VOICE WITHIN (Solemnly):
Those who want to make reports, stand in your places.
(Du Bao and Liu Mengmei kowtow)
DU BAO:
Your Majesty’s humble servant Du Bao kowtows.
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LIU MENGMEI:
Your Majesty’s humble servant Liu Mengmei kowtows.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Rise to your feet.
(Du Bao and Liu Mengmei stand on separate sides)
(Enter Du Liniang)
DU LINIANG:
“Du Liniang, once a ghost,
Will have His Majesty as her host.”
(To the tune of Huangzhong with Northern Zuihuayin)
Inside the palace with glazed tiles,
The ceremonial whip calls for silence.
GENERALS (Shout):
Who is that woman stepping on the palace stairs? Have her arrested!
DU LINIANG (Frightened):
The ugly guards
Are shouting at me.
In the netherworld,
The fierce demons
Are not so frightening to see.
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Is my pupil Miss Du coming?
DU LINIANG:
The Palace Announcer coming to me seems to be Tutor Chen. Let me call out to him — Tutor Chen! Tutor Chen!
CHEN ZUILIANG (Responds):
Here I am.
DU LINIANG:
Congratulations to you, Tutor Chen!
CHEN ZUILIANG:
Miss Du, since you are a ghost, I’m afraid you’ll give a shock to His Majesty.
DU LINIANG:
None of your nonsense!
Don’t say that I’ve just come back to life;
Here I am as Number One Scholar’s wife.
(Exeunt the two generals)
VOICE WITHIN:
Kowtow to His Majesty!
DU LINIANG (Kowtows):
Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!
VOICE WITHIN:
Rise to your feet.
(Du Liniang rises to her feet)
Now listen to the imperial decree: Du Bao and Liu Mengmei, step forward to see whether this is the genuine Du Liniang.
LIU MENGMEI (Gazes at Du Liniang and shows signs of woe):
Oh Liniang, my dear wife!
DU BAO (Gazes at Du Liniang and shows signs of annoyance):
The ghost looks exactly like my late daughter. Sheer witchcraft! Sheer witchcraft!
(Turns back to face the throne and makes his report)
Your humble servant Du Bao begs to report. My daughter died three years ago, but this woman looks exactly like her. It must be a flower sprite or a fox sprite assuming the human form. This is what I have to say:
(To the tune of Southern Huameixu)
As my daughter has been dead for years,
How can she come back to life again?
If you strike her with a cane,
Her demonic form soon appears.
LIU MENGMEI (Weeps):
What a stone-hearted father!
(Kowtows to the emperor and makes his report)
As her father, he pretends to be stern;
It’s a good fame he wants to earn.
(Rises to his feet)
DU BAO, LIU MENGMEI: