Book Four: Dream of Oriole at the Thatched Bridge Inn - Scene Four

Act IV: At the Thatched Bridge Inn, Dreaming of Oriole • Scene IV

[Zhang Sheng enters with the boy servant, leading a horse, delivering an opening monologue:] We have already left Pucheng thirty li behind. Ahead lies the Thatched Bridge. Let us put up at the inn for the night and set out early tomorrow. This horse refuses to go faster no matter what. In haste, the whip urges the horse onward; the sorrows of travel stir up a thousand new verses.

[To the tune New Water Song]

Gazing toward the Xiao Temple in Pucheng, veiled by evening clouds,

The dreariness of parting clings to half the forest of yellow leaves.

The horse moves slowly, and my spirits are listless;

The wind is sharp, and the wild geese fly in slanting lines.

Sorrow upon sorrow, layer after layer—

The first night is the hardest to bear.

Thinking of yesterday’s delights, who could have known today would be so bleak!

[To the tune Stepping by Stepping]

Last night the fragrant quilt, warm with the scent of musk and orchis,

I leaned askew on the coral pillow.

Cheek pressed to cheek, I gazed closely,

So lovely beyond words.

Her loosened cloudlike tresses, a jade comb slanting,

Resembled the crescent moon just emerging.

We have arrived already. Innkeeper, where are you?

[The innkeeper enters and says:] Sir, you may stay in this front room.

[Zhang Sheng says:] Boy servant, take care of the horse. Light the lamp. I have no appetite for food; I only wish to sleep a while.

[The boy servant says:] I too am weary and would like to rest. [He spreads a mat before the bed and pretends to sleep.]

[Zhang Sheng says:] How can I sleep tonight, with these eyes wide open!

[To the tune Falling Plum Blossoms]

In the inn, leaning on a lonely pillow,

Autumn insects chirp all around the fields,

Adding to my sorrow—the paper window, torn by the wind.

Just now, alone in bed, the quilt is thin and cold;

How long will it take this chill to warm?

[Zhang Sheng pretends to sleep. Oriole enters and says:] After seeing Zhang Sheng off at the Long Pavilion, I am truly uneasy. My mother and Pink are both asleep. I have secretly slipped out of town to catch up with him and go with him.

[To the tune Tall Trees]

Walking through the desolate wilds,

I cannot restrain the timidity in my heart,

Panting, barely catching my breath.

I hurry onward, startling the grass and scaring the snakes.

[To the tune Stirring the Zheng]

He holds my heartstrings fast,

So I fear not the distance of the road.

I have deceived my stern mother,

And calmed my diligent maid.

Thinking of how he grieved as he mounted his horse,

I wept until I became foolish.

It is not that my heart is unfaithful;

Since we parted, by the time the sun had just slanted west,

Sorrow came so fiercely,

I grew so thin so quickly.

Only half a day has passed,

Yet my green skirt has already been loosened by three or four folds.

Who has ever endured such torment?

[To the tune Embroidering on Brocade]

Our destined union, so limited, was just settled;

But alas, fame and fortune force us apart.

The endless sorrow in my heart had just begun to ease;

Now the unshakable longing comes again.

Clear frost washes the azure waves,

White dew falls on yellow leaves.

High and low, the road winds and twists;

From all four quarters the wind blows wildly.

Here I rush onward; where does he rest?

[To the tune Clear River Leading]

Dazed, in the inn room, I have nothing to say;

Melancholy, I feel as if it were New Year’s Eve.

Evening rain hastens the chill insects,

Morning wind blows the fading moon—

Where will my wine-drunkenness end tonight?

[Oriole says:] He is in this very inn. I must knock at the door.

[Zhang Sheng says:] Who is knocking? It sounds like a woman’s voice. I shall open the door and see. Who is it at this hour?

[To the tune Celebrating Harmony]

If you are human, speak quickly and clearly;

If you are a ghost, vanish at once!

[Oriole says:] It is I. My mother is asleep. I thought of you going away—when shall we meet again? So I have come especially to go with you.

[Zhang Sheng sings:]

Hearing this, I seize her perfumed silk sleeve—

It turns out to be my sister, my sister!

How rare is my lady’s devotion!

[To the tune Pai’s Tune]

If you are human, you must see it through to the end,

Caring not for your clothes.

Your embroidered shoes are wet with dew and mud;

I fear the soles of your feet may be bruised.

[Oriole says:] For your sake, I care not for the distance of the road. [Oriole speaks in a low voice.]

[To the tune Sweet Water]

Thinking of how you forgot sleep and neglected meals,

Your fragrance faded and your jade-like beauty waned,

Flowers bloomed and withered—

I myself felt it was somewhat excessive.

Even if the pillow is cold and the quilt thin,

The phoenix alone and the simurgh solitary,

The moon round and the clouds veiling—

What is there to lament?

[To the tune Plucking Cassia]

The most bitter thing in life is parting!

Pity those thousand li of mountains and passes,

Crossed alone with toil.

If it leads to such heart-wrenching longing,

Better to break off all ties.

Though for a time flowers fade and the moon wanes,

Do not imagine the vase shattered or the hairpin broken.

I love not heroes, I envy not luxury;

In life, share one quilt; in death, share one grave.

[A group of soldiers, led by a captain, enters and shouts:] Just now we saw a woman crossing the river. Where has she gone? Light torches! She was clearly seen entering this inn. Hand her over! Hand her over!

[Zhang Sheng says:] What shall we do?

[Oriole says:] Stand back. I will open the door and speak to them myself.

[To the tune Water Sprinkles]

You fiercely besieged the Pujiu Temple with spades and hoes,

Forcibly blocked my throat with swords and axes.

Your thievish hearts and greedy eyes are born vicious and vile.

[The captain says:] Whose woman are you, crossing the river late at night?

[Oriole sings:]

Silence! Step back!

General Du—you know he is a hero—

If he deigns to look at you, he will turn you into vinegar and sauce;

If he points a finger, he will make you melt into pus and blood—

Here he comes, riding a white horse!

[The soldiers seize Oriole and exit. Zhang Sheng wakes with a start and says:] Ah, it was only a dream. For now, let me push the door open and look. I see the sky full of dew, the ground covered with frost, the morning star just rising, the waning moon still bright. The magpies chatter idly on the high branches, but the mandarin duck dream on the pillow cannot come true.

[To the tune Wild Geese Alight]

Green and luxuriant, the high wall half hides the willows;

Quiet and still, the door shuts out the clear autumn night.

Rustling, the wind strips the leaves from the treetops;

Dim and dreary, the moonlight pierces the clouds and enters the window.

[To the tune Victory Song]

What startles me awake is the trembling bamboo shadows, writhing like dragons and snakes;

The ethereal, fleeting dream of Zhuang Zhou and the butterfly;

The chattering cricket, never ceasing;

The melodious, endless sound of the washing block.

Painfully, grievously, I mourn the parting;

Eagerly, urgently, I cannot bear to let go of the sweet dream;

Coldly, desolately, I sigh—

Where is the tender, jade-like beauty?

[The boy servant says:] It is dawn. Let us hurry on a stage further. We can stop for breakfast ahead.

[Zhang Sheng says:] Innkeeper, here is your payment for the room. Saddle the horse.

[To the coda Mandarin Duck]

The long willow twigs, though near, entangle my feelings;

The murmuring water seems like someone weeping.

The slanting moon and dying lamp,

Half bright, half fading.

It is said that old sorrows stretch on endlessly,

New sorrows knot and bind;

Sorrow fills my breast,

Hard to drain or pour out.

Unless paper and pen take the place of tongue,

To whom can I tell this thousandfold longing?

[All exit together.]

[To the coda The Silkworm Lady’s Finale]

All for the sake of an official post,

We are separated by a thousand mountains and ten thousand waters.

Title:

The Little Maid Pink Brings About a Happy Event

The Old Madam Questions the Circumstances

Proper Name:

At the Long and Short Pavilions, the Farewell Wine Is Poured

At the Thatched Bridge Inn, Dreaming of Oriole

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Act V: Zhang Junrui Celebrates Reunion