The Play Page 9
And now this morning you’ve cut it off, and it to me along with your sorrows send.
Viewing this black silk, my guts are severed and my wits blurred,
(Says)
It occurs to me that the love that was suspended between you and me is like this hair.
(Sings)
All in a trice, gold scissors came down and long farewell were cloud-like tresses.
EUNUCH-CHAMBERLAIN KAO: Ten-thousand-years-grandfather!
(Sings)
I beg you, don’t be miserable and forlorn,
(Says)
I think that, Empress Yang having received the blessing of your loving favours, why should you regret her absence from a strip of sitting-mat in your palace, and leaving her to be sunk and fallen outside!
(Sings)
If the “spring breeze” is willing to have her return to “Heaven”,
The “splendid flower” from the outer imperial park will straightway be here transplanted.
(Emperor thinks)
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: It’s just that, having banished her, how can I very well summon her back here?
EUNUCH-CHAMBERLAIN KAO: She committed a crime and you banished her, and if she repents of her fault and you summon her back here, it would be exactly the conduct of a sage ruler in harmony with Heaven.
(Emperor nods)
EUNUCH-CHAMBERLAIN KAO: Moreover, this morning when you sent her away in a single-person carriage, it was only just dawn’s gloaming, and at the moment the sky’s already dusked, so if you open Peace-celebration Ward260 and she comes in through Grand-flourishing Residence,261 who on the outside will get to know about it?
(He kow-tows)
(Sings)
I beg you to judge her pardoned, and bestow on her the privilege of again being welcomed,
Don’t procrastinate,262
And I vouchsafe with one smile the citadel of sorrow263 will have its siege lifted.
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: Eunuch-chamberlain Kao, I’ll just have you fetch and welcome my Most-prized-empress back to my imperial palace then.
EUNUCH-CHAMBERLAIN KAO: As you command.
(Exit)
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: Oh dear, when my Most-prized-empress comes here, how am I to meet her!
(Sings)
I’m delighted my jade-fair person will be coming back,
But I’m worried she’ll be angry and temperamental,
And turn her face away from me and cry,
And then what words will I have to gloss over my previous fault!
(Says)
Right then! Right then! It was originally my own fault,
(Sings)
I’ll strive my best with a hundred kinds of intimacies and beguilements,
To repay her for her half day apart.
(Enter Eunuch-chamberlain Kao together with inner-palace eunuch attendants and palace ladies, bearing lanterns covered with thin silk, leading Most-prized-empress Yang)
EUNUCH-CHAMBERLAIN KAO: (Sings)
The fragrant carriage is hauled,
The fragrant carriage is hauled,
Threaded through the kingfisher-green of the imperial-palace scholar trees.
The thin-silk-covered lanterns face in pairs,
The thin-silk-covered lanterns face in pairs,
Flashing on the gorgeousness of the palace flowers.
(Exeunt eunuch attendants and palace ladies)
(Eunuch-chamberlain Kao goes in and announces Empress Yang)
EUNUCH-CHAMBERLAIN KAO: Milady Empress Yang has arrived.
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: Quickly convey her my command to come in.
EUNUCH-CHAMBERLAIN KAO: As you command! Milady Yang, the emperor orders you to go in.
(Empress Yang goes in, and meets the emperor)
EMPRESS YANG: I your subject Lady Yang come for audience with Your Majesty. My crime merits death! My crime merits death!
(Bends down and prostrates herself)
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: Arise.
(Exit Eunuch-chamberlain Kao unobtrusively)
(Empress Yang kneels and weeps)
EMPRESS YANG: I your subject am discountenanced, and previously was involved in expulsion by your celestial self. Now that I’ve managed to gaze again on your sage countenance, I can close my eyes if I die.
(Emperor sobs together with her)
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: My Most-prized-empress, why do you utter such words?
EMPRESS YANG. (Sings)
I mind that I your maidservant was involved in mountainous crime,
And receiving your august majesty’s loving favour, is like Heaven’s indulgence and sanctuary.
I now reproach myself,
And pray I may receive your disposals step by step,
Not having the sauce to envy any moth-antennae-eyebrowed beauty!
(Emperor helps Empress Yang to her feet by her arm)
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: I made a mistake on the spur of the moment, and you mustn’t mention any more what I said before.
EMPRESS YANG: (Sobbing as she rises to her feet) Ten thousand years to you!
(Emperor takes empress by the hand and wipes away her tears for her)
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: (Sings)
From now on I’m thoroughly acquainted with the flavour and taste of sorrow,
This love of mine is increased ten times.
(Says)
My Most-prized-empress,
(Sings)
Let me confide in you my this day’s love-yearnings!
(Enter palace lady)
PALACE-LADY: A feast is set out ready in West Palace. I beg Ten-thousand-years-grandfather and milady to ascend to the feast.
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: (Recites)
Resorting to a full wine-jug of true love,264
EMPRESS YANG: (Recites)
What further words has this heart from now on to say!265
SHINING AUGUST-EMPEROR: (Recites)
Couldn’t get used to separation, had endless recallings,266
EMPRESS YANG: (Recites)
Enter Pepper Room once more, wiping my tear-marks away.267
Act Ten: Writing on the wall
(Enter Kuo Tzu-yi,268 wearing warrior’s hat, and with a sword at his waist)
KUO TZU-YI: (Recites)
The world remains oblivious of my mighty aspirations, one sword to guard me, I drift for a while with my casual inclinations; but when comes the hour of crisis, and the world has woes to settle, then shall the age find its saviour in need, its man of honest mettle!
(Says)
I’m surnamed Kuo, and my personal name is Tzu-yi, and I hail from Cheng county in Hua sub prefecture. I’ve studied all the arts and stratagems of warfare, and rendered myself replete with political acumen and the skills of leadership, for I have it in mind one day to become the mightiest hero of this world, and to fulfil some enterprise that will bring peace to my land, and security to my nation. Now, having passed the military examinations, I’ve come here to the capital for the selection interview to decide my appointment. These days, with Yang Kuo-chung having usurped the reins of power,269 and An Lu-shan wallowing in lavish imperial favours, the whole central government seems to be going to the dogs. I wonder when, or if, someone like myself, Kuo Tzu-yi, without even any post or rank of any sort to his name, will ever get the chance to do the imperial court a good turn!
(Sings)
A man who claims to be a man
Must himself find his vent for his bold aspiration,
He is not inclined to raise his voice,
In vain appeals to Ch’i’s Heaven!270
I laugh at those who act like “swallows perching at the top of the hall”,271
None of them“looking up to see the roof raven”!272
No precautions are taken against captive “tigers and caged bears”,273
And to “soil-altar rats and city-wall foxes” freedom to rampage is given.274
No news ever of a cockcrow-riser brandishing his sword,
&
nbsp; Alone before the night is flown.275
Ah, history’s full of fame’s vicissitudes,276
But if you can bequeath the world a name for noble deeds,
What matter if your glory grow old mid woodcutters and fishermen!277
(Says)
Well, I think I’ll go to Ch’ang-an market, and buy myself a little liquid merriment!
(Walks and sings)
I slowly stride the “celestial streets”,278
And, to melt my cares a while, seek a little ease within some tavern.
All that meets the eye is milling crowds in teeming confusion,
A jumbling tumult, like rowdy drunkards hard to prop upright.
Where now walks any Minister of Ch’u, weaving his verse, sober and lone!279
(Says)
And me, Kuo Tzu-yi,
(Sings)
Where I to seek a soul-mate,
I fear the Angler of Fishes is gone before,280
The Shooter of Tigers281 is far away, and the Butcher of Dogs282 is no more.
(Exit)
(Enter pub-keeper)
PUB-KEEPER: (Recites)
We’re a very special public-house, with a high-class line of wine. I swore there’d be no booze on tick when I put up my sign, So if you have the money, you can drink and never stop. Without, you won’t get water, not a single drip or drop!
(Says)
I’m the taverner of this New Feng Restaurant and Grand Wine Emporium here in the centre of Ch’ang-an. This public-house of ours is situated between the eastern and western markets of the city, and there’s always a mass of traffic here, crowds bustling to and fro. Without exception, all the lords, princes, government nobs, business people, and the ordinary soldiers and farmers from in and around the capital call here for a couple of pots in our establishment. Some come just for a drink, some have snacks with their wine, some buy liquor to take away, and some make party bookings for drinking on the premises. It’s one never-ending job serving them all. There, the words are hardly out of my mouth, and here comes another gent with a thirst!
(Enter Kuo Tzu-yi, walking.)
KUO TZU-YI: (Sings)
I see afar a willow green, that leans
At the comer of a gaily painted hostel fine,
And the fluttering flapping vintner’s sign,
One blue cloth strip dancing before the breezes blown.
Ah, could I but find a tippler from the market of Yen283
To join me in a round of wine!
(Shouts)
Are you there, mine host?
PUB-KEEPER: (Coming out to welcome him) Please take a seat upstairs, sir.
(Kuo Tzu-yi goes upstairs)
KUO TZU-YI: What a splendid drinking-house!
(Sings)
Bright, sunlit, and airy broad-bayed windows,
And all around I see whitewashed walls covered with paintings of drunken gods.
PUB-KEEPER: Are you drinking alone, sir, or waiting for some other guests?
KUO TZU-YI: I’ll just drink a couple of pots on my own. Bring me top-quality wine, if you have any.
PUB-KEEPER: We do indeed. (Brings wine) Here you are.
VOICE BACKSTAGE: Barman, here!
(Pub-keeper responds, and hurries away. Exit)
KUO TZU-YI: (Drinks wine and sings)
No wine-loving sideline-sitter am I,
no T’ao the governor,284
Nor yet of toping, roaring
Ruffian Kuan a follower,285
Steady, hard drinking bold bile to foster.
Who will heed me, with my eyes so sober?
Is the Land of Booze big enough to hold me, I wonder?
I hear down there in the streets such clamour,
Yet they “leave out in the cold” this Kao-yang Guzzler.286
(He rises to his feet to look out of the window. Enter eunuchs, and mandarins in sumptuous festive attire, with a retinue of attendants bearing gifts of gold, and leading sheep and carrying wine for a feast. They make a professional tour around the stage. Exeunt. Enter pub-keeper bearing wine.)
PUB-KEEPER: Here is some nicely heated wine, sir!
KUO TZU-YI: Might l ask you something, taverner? Where are those government mandarins beneath our window going to?
PUB-KEEPER: I’ll tell you while you’re drinking your wine, sir, shall I? It’s all to do with the Imperial Uncle, Yang Kuo-chung, and the three ladies, the Queen of Han, the Queen of Kuo, and the Queen of Ch’in. Our emperor, may he live forever, has granted each of them the right to have a new residence built here in this part of the city, the Hsün-yang quarter. Their mansion-gates are all next to each other, all four in a row, and all four mansions are built in the same fashion as the emperor’s Inner Palace itself. First one tried to outdo the other, then the next tried to surpass that one, and so it went on. If one saw that the other’s was more grandly built, they would demolish their own, and build a new one from scratch, insisting that it be exactly the same as the other’s, and not resting content till they’d made sure it was. One of their main halls alone cost a good billion taels of silver to build. Now today they’ve finished all the work, and that’s why all the mandarins of the central government, whatever their rank, have provided themselves with sheep to eat, and wine and presents, and are making their way past here towards the mansions, to offer their congratulations and best wishes at each.
KUO TZU-YI: (Horrified) Hah, so that’s what’s happening!
PUB-KEEPER: Just a minute, I’ll go and get you some more wine.
(Exit)
KUO TZU-YI: (Sighing) So, the relatives of Empress Yang are enjoying such lavish favours! What will come of it!
(Sings)
Strange that commoners should usurp such power and rank,
Outdoing each other in luxury, and splendid architecture flaunting.
And all the lords are content to bob and bow to their wishes,
Jostling towards those Halls of Power as if to some fair flocking.
(Says)
And now there’s no one left to,
(Sings)
Tell his Celestial Majesty the grievances of the world,
That their scarlet ridge-tiles and bricks emerald
Are painted with common folks’ fat and blood!
(Rises to his feet) (Says)
You get worked up and indignant, and all of a sudden the wine rushes to your head. Let’s have a look around the room for a bit, just for a stroll. (Peers closely) Hm, there are a few lines of writing on this wall over here. Someone’s written a poem. Let’s have a look now.
(Looks at it, and reads it aloud)
“The people of Yen market have all gone,
No horses return from Box Valley Pass;
If you meet a ghost at the foot of the hill,
Upon the bangle is tied the silken dress.”287
(Says)
Hm, very odd this poem, very odd indeed.
(Sings)
I fix my eyes upon it, and read it right through,
Perusing line by line from start to end,
And, on reflection, this poem does little joy portend!
(Says)
Who wrote it up there? Let’s have a look. (Looks again, and reads out loud) “Written by Li Hsia-chou” ... (Looks pensive) Li Hsia-chou ... hm, that name sounds very familiar. Oh, yes, I’ve heard there’s a fortune-teller called Li Hsia-chou, who’s very skilled at analysing the past and foretelling the future. It must be him.
(Sings)
It must conceal some prophecy of dooms
That cannot openly be expressed,
Ah, where are those experts at riddle-poems!288
But don’t they say:
“When drunk, with heedless random brush,
He daubed the wall in crazy-crow characters”!
(Sounds of hubbub from backstage)
KUO TZU-YI: (Shouts) Are you there, mine host?
PUB-KEEPER: What’s the matter, sir?
KUO TZU-YI: What’s all that row outside th
is time?
PUB-KEEPER: Come over to the window, sir, and look down. You’ll see what it is.
(Kuo Tzu-yi looks. Enter An Lu-shan, wearing the robes of a prince, riding a horse, and preceded by royal scepters and insignia as his officers lead the way. The officers make a processional turn around the stage, then exeunt.)
KUO TZU-YI: Who’s that?
PUB-KEEPER: (Laughs, and points) Why sir, can’t you see his great big belly? The man is called An Lu-shan. Our Sovereign Lord treats him with every favour under the sun, and has even granted him the privilege of sitting within the Gold-cock Screen289 before the imperial throne. And now, into the bargain, he’s conferred the title of Prince of Tung-p’ing Shire upon him.
An Lu-shan’s just left court, where he’d been to thank the emperor for that kindness. The emperor’s granted him leave to return to his new residence outside Eastern Hua Gate, and his route runs past here.
KUO TZU-YI: (Horrified. Says, in anger) So ... so that’s An Lu-shan! What great deeds has he done for the country to have suddenly earned himself the title of prince? Huh, that knave has the face of a rebel, and if anyone is going to set the world in a turmoil, it’ll be him!
(Sings)
When you see such a pretentious mongrel shepherd-slave,290
His hornet-eyes and hyena-voice291 tell you there’s a rogue, for certainty!
How could you make a lodger of such a savage wolf!
I fear he may fulfil the poem written on the wall’s prophecy,
When he joins those power-mongering Yangs
In their goblin sorcery.
PUB-KEEPER: What’s got you so upset now, sir?
KUO TZU-YI: Agh!
(Sings)
I find my hair a-bristling, the chill of rage across my scalp,
While fury blazing hot almost explodes my breast,
Again and again I eye the sword that clangs impatient at my waist.