Scene 19: The Female Bandit

ACT NINETEEN: THE BANDIT QUEEN

(Enter LI QUAN, in the role of Jing, leading his men.)

(To the tune of "Northern Dian Jiang Chun")

The world is in turmoil, reeking of stale winds and foul air;

My family has passed down a mongrel lineage as its heir.

Swords and spears arise—this bandit hero’s might

Is no mere thief who breaks through walls in flight.

“A thousand wild horses form a single herd;

I see the rivers and seas turned to dust-stirred.

Sons of Han learn the barbarian tongue,

Then curse their own race, to the barbarians clung.”

I am Li Quan, by origin from Chuzhou. I have the strength to withstand ten thousand men. The Southern Court would not employ me, so I left to become a bandit. Leading five hundred men, I roamed between the Jiang and Huai Rivers, without a fixed abode. Fortunately, the Great Jin Emperor, from afar, conferred upon me the title of “King Who Lures Gold,” ordering me to harass the area of Huai and Yangzhou, and to advance when the time is right. But alas, I am bold beyond my wits. Happily, my wife, Lady Yang, wields a pear-blossom spear, unmatched by ten thousand foes. When we take the field together, we are a formidable pair. Yet Her Ladyship is somewhat jealous: any woman we capture must be sent to her tent. Even the soldiers fear only her. Truly: “A mountain wife, like a snake swallowing an elephant, rules alone; a sea bandit made king, a fish turned into a dragon.”

(Enter YANG PO, in the role of Chou, holding a spear.)

(To the tune of "Fan Bu Suan")

A hundred battles stir the contest of male and female;

Blood stains the rouge, layer upon layer.

(Dances with the spear.)

A single spear scatters like a flower in the wind,

Pear blossoms tossed and turned in every kind.

(She greets him with a salute.)

My king, ten thousand years! I, your servant, am in armor, so I will not kneel.

(Jing) My lady, do you know that the Great Jin Emperor has made me the “King Who Lures Gold”?

(Chou) What does “lures gold” mean?

(Jing) “Lure” means to follow or comply.

(Chou) And what task did he assign you?

(Jing) He ordered me to harass Huai and Yangzhou for three years. When my troops and provisions are ready, I shall cross the Yangtze River in one stroke and destroy the Zhao Song dynasty. Then he will make me emperor!

(Chou) Is that so! Congratulations. Use this title to buy horses and recruit soldiers.

(To the tune of "Liu Me Ling")

Like thunder’s roar, the drums pound fast by the camp gate;

Whistling arrows fly east beyond the sea’s cloud-state.

(Together) Fine men and women sit in the center;

The grasses and trees of Huai and Yang all shudder and enter.

(To the same tune)

Gather grain and muster the host,

Select tall battle-steeds, dark and post.

Helmets glint, with red jade pins slanting across the crest.

(Together, as before)

(Jing) Heroes rise in strife toward the former court. (Du Fu)

(Chou) Broken halberds sink in the sand, their iron not yet worn. (Du Mu)

On the plains, fine for grazing, no one lets the herds run. (Cao Tang)

White grass stretches to the sky, wild fires blaze in the sun. (Wang Wei)