Scene 30: Joyful Interruption

Scene 30: Joyful Interruption

(To the tune "Dao Lian Zi")

(Willow Dream-plum enters) Listening, the water-clock has passed midnight, the moon’s shadow shifts to the sky’s center. Is the evening incense burned out now? “A speck of crimson, a speck of gold; ten spring-fine fingers, ten needles. Only because of the fair faces on earth, men’s noble hearts are all transformed.” I, Willow Dream-plum, am a scholar and gentleman, wholly sincere. Only because I traveled north to South Peace, I met the neighbor, a beauty like Xi Shi. She smiled bewitchingly, and we made our twilight tryst; before the fifth watch, she departed with the morning breeze. Tonight we have an appointment; I wonder if she will come early or late. Truly: “If the golden lotus deigns to shift three inches, the silver candle must first be trimmed five minutes.” But there is one thing: if my lady comes, I must rouse my spirits to receive her. To snatch a nap in the meantime—what harm is there? (He lies down to sleep.)

(To the tune "Cheng Ren Xin")

(Bridal Du’s ghost-spirit enters) Struggling in the underworld, longing for death but my heart cannot bear it. Only because my lover is too dear, I leave him to brood alone by the lamp in his room. (She enters the door.) Ah, he is sleeping soundly, dozing—in this spring chill he hasn’t even drawn the embroidered coverlet. Most likely he is waiting for me. Let me wake him. Scholar! Scholar! (Willow Dream-plume wakes) My lady, I have failed in respect. (He rises and bows.) (Willow Dream-plum) Let me straighten my cap and gown, and welcome you from afar. The second watch brings much wind and dew—are you afraid the flowers have slept too deeply in the night? (Bridal Du) Scholar, in my place the long night is hard to pass; I am anxious for you, sleepless in your quiet sitting. (Willow Dream-plum) My lady, your footsteps are so light—how is that? (A gathering of Tang verses) (Bridal Du) “Naturally without trace, without dust,” (Willow Dream-plum) “By day I ponder, by night I dream often.” (Bridal Du) “I come to the window and know you are not yet asleep,” (Willow Dream-plum) “My heart waits only for the moon’s lady.” My lady, tonight you have come rather late.

(To the tune "Xiu Dai Er")

(Bridal Du) Slowly, slowly—it is not that I purposely delayed. How could I forget my beloved? The evening incense burned to ashes, I avoided my parents. By the embroidered bed I put away my needlework, all in order. With the wind, I trailed my golden pendants slantwise, hastily breaking away from my light makeup and faint adornment. (Willow Dream-plum) I am grateful for your deep affection, but on a fine night, what shall we do without wine? (Bridal Du) I forgot entirely. I have brought a flask of wine, with two kinds of fruit and flowers, placed on the railing—let us fetch them for amusement. (Bridal Du fetches the wine, fruit, and flowers.) (Willow Dream-plum) Much obliged. What fruit is this? (Bridal Du) A few green plums. (Willow Dream-plum) And these flowers? (Bridal Du) Beauty’s-bane blossoms. (Willow Dream-plum) The plums are sour like me, the scholar; the bane-flowers are red like you, my lady. Let us drink a cup together. (They share a cup and drink.)

(To the tune "Bai Lian Xu")

(Bridal Du) In the golden lotus-leaf cup, pour the fragrant glutinous wine. (Willow Dream-plum) You brew the jade waves of spring’s heart. Let us be slightly tipsy; beyond the east wind, green fragrance and red beauty. (Bridal Du) Nor can I pluck the strange fruit and flowers—this bit of bane-flower and plum seed—do you know, my lord? To love a person is all in the charm; the flower has its root and cause.

(To the tune "Zui Tai Ping")

(Willow Dream-plum) I think carefully: this fruit and these flowers are like a beauty grown wan, with many sour feelings of love. I rejoice that the bane’s heart secretly unfolds, and in one night the plum’s ivory tip is stained. What of it? The tide of wine brings faint dimples, a smile that breeds whirlpools. I wait to press my face to yours and kiss and nibble wantonly. In a moment, the green waves of passion are laid low, the red bane-spot moistened, and fragrance born from the plum-spittle.

(To the tune "Bai Lian Xu")

(Bridal Du) Lively, wildly alive—this is the first house of love’s wind and moon in the human world. Last night, in faint shadow and light gauze, the posture was too revealed. Why, when the secret hour comes, do words grow many? (Willow Dream-plum) Good sleeping! (Bridal Du) Good moonlight! Let us sit quietly. I do not envy the pale Chang’e; with her, we make three persons.

(To the tune "Zui Tai Ping")

(Willow Dream-plum) Not many—the flower-shadows are graceful. I urge you, my darling, to sleep, sleep, my love. The spring night is perfect; in an instant the twilight bell will shatter it. My beauty, like the night before, shy and trembling in the rain-clouds, your voice faltering—dare I tonight let your green brows be light and free? Sleep then—gently rub the creamy breasts, the bosom moist with sweat, the slender waist locked in spring. (Old Nun and Little Nun enter stealthily.) (Little Nun) “The Way that can be told—can it be known? The Name that can be named—can it be heard?” (Willow Dream-plum and Bridal Du laugh.) (Little Nun) Old auntie, listen—there is someone in the scholar’s room. It is not my little sister. (Old Nun listens.) It is a woman’s voice. Quick, knock at the door. (She knocks.) (Willow Dream-plum) Who is it? (Old Nun) Old Nun brings tea. (Willow Dream-plum) The night is deep. (Old Nun) Sir, there is a guest in your room. (Willow Dream-plum) There is not. (Old Nun) A female guest. (Willow Dream-plum and Bridal Du panic.) What shall we do? (Old Nun knocks urgently.) Sir, open the door quickly. The local patrol is about—do not cause a disturbance. (Willow Dream-plum panics.) What is it? What is it! (Bridal Du laughs.) No matter. I am a neighbor girl. If the nun will not let it go, just give her the charge of seduction.

(To the tune "Ge Wei")

(Bridal Du) If you open the door, you must be calm; how could I, through the gauze window, wait until the star of Canopus sets? Willow-lover, just loosen the door. I will hide myself over there, behind this painting of a beauty. (Willow Dream-plum opens the door; Bridal Du pretends to hide; Willow Dream-plum shields her with his body. Old Nun and Little Nun burst in, laughing.) Joyful news! (Willow Dream-plum) What joyful news? (Old Nun looks ahead; Willow Dream-plum blocks her with his body.)

(To the tune "Gun Bian")

(Old Nun and Little Nun) At this hour, a single watchman’s gong; the immortal court’s double gates are shut. What delicate maiden is here? I fear she will kindle dry brushwood. (Willow Dream-plum) If you search, what will you find? Is she in the bed’s hollow? In the chest’s corner? Hidden in the sleeve? (Old Nun and Little Nun step forward; Willow Dream-plum cannot stop them. Inside, a wind rises, and Bridal Du vanishes in a flash.) (Willow Dream-plum) The lamp has gone dark! (Old Nun) Plainly there was a shadow—only this scroll of a beautiful woman is here. Has an old painting become a demon?

(To the same tune "Qian Qiang")

A figure on the painted screen dances and sings—once you promised to harmonize with a scholar. It is no demon or goblin—what shadow flees at the sight of the wind? Sir, what painting is this? (Willow Dream-plum) A wondrous object—a scholar’s traveling incense-offering. In silence I secretly prayed; you rudely shout and bawl. (Old Nun) That is it. Without being told, I would not know. Two nights ago, I heard a murmuring in your room, and suspected it was this little sister. Now I understand. Sir, you may keep the little sister for a while to talk with. (Willow Dream-plum) Goodbye.

(To the tune "Wei Sheng")

(Little Nun) At every turn, you accuse the Registry of Daoists of private settlement. (Willow Dream-plum) You only bully this honest scholar—bully someone else! Auntie, this fine long nap of mine—you have utterly ridiculed me to death! (Old Nun and Little Nun exit.) (Willow Dream-plum laughs.) A whole day’s good affair, ruined by two Vajra-nuns! A disappointment, a disappointment! And that beauty—how frightened she must be!

I should have kept you company with a candle through the deep night,

The vexing spring wind never ceases its turmoil.

Mount Big Aunt is far, Little Aunt appears,

And further, by flying dream, I reach the Isle of Penglai.