Scene 10: The Interrupted Dream

[Chapter title (for context only, do not output it): Scene 10, Startled from a Dream]

Part 1 of 2

(Rao Chi You) (Du Liniang enters) Waking from a dream, the oriole cries; chaotic spring light lies everywhere. I stand alone in the quiet depths of a small courtyard. (Chunxiang) The aloes incense has burned out, the embroidery thread is cast aside—how is it that this year’s spring feelings stir the heart more than last year’s? Wu Ye Ti (Du Liniang) At dawn I gaze toward Meiguan; last night’s makeup has faded. (Chunxiang) You lean sideways with your Yichun hairbun, perfectly suited for gazing from the railing. (Du Liniang) Cut, it cannot be severed; sort, it remains tangled—a groundless vexation fills my heart. (Chunxiang) I have already ordered the orioles and swallows that urge the flowers to bloom to lend you the spring scenery for your enjoyment. (Du Liniang) Chunxiang, has anyone been told to sweep the garden path? (Chunxiang) I have already given the order. (Du Liniang) Bring my dressing table and clothes. (Chunxiang brings the dressing table and clothes, then enters) “Having combed my cloud-like hair, I still face the mirror to examine myself; changing into silk robes, I must add the fragrance of incense.” The dressing table and clothes are here.

(Bu Bu Jiao) (Du Liniang) The delicate gossamer threads of sunlight drift into the silent courtyard; the swaying spring colors are like strands of silk. I pause a moment, adjusting the flower hairpins on my head. Unexpectedly, the bronze mirror steals a glimpse of half my face, teasing my hair bun until it tilts to one side. (Walking) Within the fragrant chamber, how can I lightly reveal my whole figure! (Chunxiang) Today you are truly beautifully dressed.

(Zui Fu Gui) (Du Liniang) You speak of this vivid, fresh skirt and blouse, these brightly shining hairpins inlaid with eight treasures—but you must know that my lifelong love of beauty is my very nature. It is precisely like the beauty of the three spring months that no one sees. Before I could guard against it, the sinking fish and falling geese startle the birds into clamor; I only fear that the shamed moon and closed flowers will cause the blossoms to fret and tremble. (Chunxiang) It is time for morning tea; please come. (Walking) Look: “Most of the gold powder on the painted corridors has flaked away; the green moss in the pond pavilions is a patch of deep green. I fear to tread on the grass, lest I soil my new embroidered stockings; pitying the flowers, I have bruised the little golden bells.” (Du Liniang) If I never entered the garden, how would I know that spring’s beauty is so splendid!

(Zao Luo Pao) So the purple and scarlet have burst into bloom everywhere—yet all are abandoned to broken wells and crumbling walls. The glorious scene and fine hour are helpless before Heaven; the joy of heart and pleasing things—in whose courtyard do they dwell? Such scenery, my father and mother have never mentioned it. (Chorus) Flying at dawn, curling at dusk, the emerald pavilion among clouds and mist; threads of rain and gusts of wind, the painted boat on misty waves—one trapped in the deep has too cheaply regarded this glorious time! (Chunxiang) All the flowers have opened; as for the peony, it is still early.

(Hao Jie Jie) (Du Liniang) The hills and fields are covered with cuckoos crying blood, reddening the blossoms; beyond the trellis of the tumi flower, the gossamer threads are drunkenly soft and hazy. Chunxiang, though the peony is fine, when spring departs, how can it seize the first chance! (Chunxiang) There are pairs of orioles and swallows. (Chorus) Idly I gaze intently: the lively swallow voices are bright as scissors; the warbling oriole songs are round and flowing. (Du Liniang) Let us go. (Chunxiang) Truly, this garden cannot be seen enough. (Du Liniang) What use to speak of it! (Walking)

(Ge Wei) You cannot see enough, let it linger as it will; even if I have visited all twelve pavilions, it is still in vain. Better to return home, my interest spent, and idly pass the time. (Makes the motion of arriving home) (Chunxiang) “Open the door of my western chamber; spread the bed in my eastern chamber. In the vase, insert the azalea; in the brazier, add more aloes incense.” Young Mistress, rest a while; I shall go see the Lady Dowager. (Exits) (Du Liniang sighs) “Quietly returning from my spring stroll, I lightly try the Yichun makeup. O Spring, if I could linger with you in mutual delight, when Spring departs, how shall I manage? Ahem, this weather is so languorous. Where is Chunxiang? (Makes motions of looking left and right) (Again lowers head in meditation) Heavens, the spring colors vex one’s heart—truly such a thing exists! I often read lyric poetry and music-bureau songs: the ancient ladies, stirred by spring into feelings, forming sorrows on meeting autumn—indeed, it is so. This year I have already reached the age of sixteen, and have not yet met a laurel-plucking husband; suddenly I envy the feelings of spring—how can I obtain a guest from the Moon Palace? In former times, Lady Han met Master Yu, and Scholar Zhang chanced upon Lady Cui; there were the two books The Red Leaf Story and The Tale of Cui Hui. Those gifted scholars and beautiful ladies, first meeting in secret trysts, later all became husband and wife. (Sighs deeply) I was born into an official family and raised in a noble house. My age has reached the hairpin; not being able to early achieve a fine marriage is truly to waste my youth, and time passes like a white colt glimpsed through a crack. (Weeps) How pitiful that my face is like a flower, yet who would have expected my fate to be like a leaf!

(Shan Po Yang) My heart is tangled, spring feelings hard to dispel; suddenly I harbor a secret resentment. Only because I was born beautiful, I look toward the famous families, hoping, hoping for a fairy-like mate. What good fate is this, that casts my youth so far away! My sleeping pose—who can see it? I must pass my days in the same shy modesty. I wonder in whose place the dream lies, secretly flowing with the spring light? I delay—this heart full of cares, where can I speak them? I am tormented—this remnant of life, I must ask Heaven! My body is weary; let me rest a while leaning on the desk. (Falls asleep) (In a dream, meets Liu Mengmei) (Liu Mengmei enters, holding a willow branch) “The oriole, meeting warm sunlight, has a smooth song; a man, meeting amorous feelings, has a smiling mouth. All along the way, fallen flowers follow the water; today, Ruan Zhao has reached the Tiantai Terrace.” I followed the road back with Miss Du—how is it I do not see her? (Looks back) Ah, Miss, Miss! (Du Liniang makes a startled movement, as if waking, then rises) (They meet) (Liu Mengmei) Where have I not searched for you, Miss, yet here you are! (Du Liniang makes a sidelong glance, remaining silent) (Liu Mengmei) Just now in the garden, I broke off half a branch of weeping willow. Elder Sister, since you are well-versed in history and classics, can you compose a poem to enjoy this willow branch? (Du Liniang makes a gesture of surprise, as if about to speak but stopping) (Thinks aside) This scholar is a complete stranger—how did he come here? (Liu Mengmei laughs) Miss, I love you to death!

(Shan Tao Hong) Only because of your flower-like beauty and water-like youth, I have searched for you everywhere. You, in your deep chamber, pity yourself alone. Miss, let us go over there to speak. (Du Liniang makes a motion of smiling but not moving) (Liu Mengmei makes a motion of tugging at her clothes) (Du Liniang asks in a low voice) Where are we going? (Liu Mengmei) Turn before this peony railing, close by the lakeside rock. (Du Liniang asks in a low voice) Scholar, what are we going to do? (Liu Mengmei answers in a low voice) With you, I will loosen the collar buttons, widen the belt, bite the sleeve corner between my teeth. Only wait for you to bear my tender warmth a while. (Du Liniang makes a shy expression) (Liu Mengmei steps forward to embrace her) (Du Liniang makes a motion of pushing him away) (Chorus) Where have we seen each other before? Gazing at each other, we seem to recognize each other—can this happy meeting truly be without a word? (Liu Mengmei forcefully carries Du Liniang offstage) (A minor role, dressed as the Flower God, with bound hair, red robe, and flowers inserted in his headpiece, enters) “The Imperial Flower Commissioner loves the day of flowers; inspecting the spring’s work, another year has passed. The red rain, like a traveler’s heart-stricken tears, falls thick; it hooks and seduces one’s suspended dream beside the colored clouds.” I am the Flower God in charge of the rear garden of the Nan’an Prefectural Office. Because Miss Du Liniang, the daughter of Prefect Du, and Scholar Liu Mengmei are fated for marriage in the future. Miss Du’s spring excursion stirred her emotions, causing Scholar Liu to enter her dream. I, the Flower God, am specially in charge of pitying fragrance and cherishing jade; I came to protect them, so that they may enjoy the utmost pleasure of cloud and rain.

(Bao Lao Cui) (The minor role) Only the mingling of yin and yang, transformed and steamed; see him, like an insect, stupidly moving, fanning the amorous breeze. In general, the delicate, congealed emerald, the trembling soul. This is a vision upon the scene, formed within thought, seen in the cause. Ah! Lewdness and depravity defile the flower-terrace hall. I must pick a fallen petal to startle him. (Throws a flower toward the ghost gate) He is deep in his dream, spring-soaked—how could he be willing to linger? The picked flower shatters, red like scattered flakes. The scholar has only reached half-dream; when the dream ends, I must send Miss Du back to her fragrant chamber. I, the spirit, depart. (Exits)

【Mountain Peach Blossom】(Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang enter hand in hand) This moment heaven favors us with ease, the grass as our mat, petals as our pillow. How fares my lady? (Du Liniang lowers her head in silence) (Liu Mengmei) I see your cloudlike hair slightly disheveled, your red makeup loose, your emerald hairpin awry. My lady, do not forget—holding you close in tender embrace, slowly entwining. How I wished to meld like flesh into one piece, teasing the rouge beneath sunlight as fresh as rain-washed blossoms. (Du Liniang) Scholar, must you leave now? (Together) Where have we met before, that gazing at each other feels so familiar? Can this fair encounter pass without a single word? (Liu Mengmei) Sister, you are weary; rest now, rest now. (He sees Du Liniang back to her earlier sleeping place) (Gently pats Du Liniang) Sister, I take my leave. (Turns back for a glance) Sister, take good care of yourself; I shall come again. "Walking, spring colors fall like drizzling rain; sleeping, a cloud drifts over Mount Wu." (Exits) (Du Liniang awakens with a start, murmurs softly) Scholar, scholar, have you gone? (She drifts back into a dazed sleep) (Enter the Elder Lady) "My husband sits in the hall of office, my daughter stands by the embroidered window. Strange that on her skirt and sash, flowers and birds are paired in twos." Child, my child, why are you dozing here? (Du Liniang awakens, calls out) Scholar! Ah! (Elder Lady) What ails you, my child? (Du Liniang starts up in alarm) Grandmother has come! (Elder Lady) My child, why not do some needlework? Or read some history to ease your mind? Why sleep here in broad daylight? (Du Liniang) Your child just strolled in the garden, when suddenly the clamor of spring brought vexation, so I returned to my room. With nothing to while away the time, I unknowingly grew drowsy and rested a little. I failed to greet you properly; may Mother forgive my offense. (Elder Lady) Child, the rear garden is cold and lonely; do not wander there often. (Du Liniang) I obey your strict command. (Elder Lady) Child, go to the study and read. (Du Liniang) The tutor is not here; let me rest a while. (Elder Lady sighs) A girl grown up naturally has many moods; let her be. Indeed: "Compliantly follow the children, diligently play the old mother." (Exits) (Du Liniang heaves a long sigh) (Watches the Elder Lady leave) Alas, heavens! Today Du Liniang was somewhat fortunate. By chance I went to the rear garden, where a hundred flowers were in full bloom; seeing the scene stirred my heart. Listlessly I returned, and slept in my fragrant chamber by day. Suddenly I saw a scholar, about twenty years old, elegant in manner and handsome in appearance. In the garden he broke a willow branch and said to me with a smile: "Since my lady is versed in books and history, why not take this willow branch as a theme and compose a verse?" At that moment I was about to answer him, but in my heart I thought: we are strangers, I know not his name—how could I speak lightly? While I was thinking thus, the scholar stepped forward and spoke some heartrending words, then embraced me and took me to the side of the Peony Pavilion, by the railing of herbaceous peonies, where we fulfilled the joys of cloud and rain. Our affections were united; truly a thousand endearments, ten thousand tender caresses. When the pleasure ended, he saw me to sleep with several words of "take care." Just as I was about to see the scholar out myself, my mother suddenly arrived and woke me. I was drenched in cold sweat—it was but a dream like the Southern Branch. I quickly rose to greet my mother, only to be chattered at with much idle talk. Though I said nothing in reply, my heart was still on the dream, never letting it go. I cannot sit or stand still; I feel as if I have lost something. Mother, you told me to go to the study and read—but what book can ease this melancholy? (Wipes away tears)

【Silken Wadding Flakes】(Du Liniang) That dream of fragrant rain and cloudy wisps barely reached the dream’s edge. But alas, the high hall, the gauze window, called me from restless sleep. Fresh cold sweat pours and clings, startling my mind adrift, my steps unsteady, my mood languid, my cloudlike hair askew—needless to say, all spirit spent. Rising, who takes joy in me? I only wish to sleep. (Enter Chunxiang) "Evening toilet removes powder prints; spring dampness exhausts the incense censer." Mistress, the bedding is perfumed; go to sleep.

【Coda】(Du Liniang) Weary of spring’s heart and wandering pleasure, I need no perfumed embroidered quilt for slumber. Heavens, if there be feeling, the dream is not yet far away.

In spring, gazing afar, I stroll free from the painted hall—Zhang Yue

Plum blossoms and willows cannot match her fragrance—Luo Yin

Do you know where Liu and Ruan met their love?—Xu Hun

Turning back to the east wind, my heart is broken—Wei Zhuang