【梁祝英文版】剧本

【梁祝英文版】剧本 1 作者:姜效韦 指导老师:Esther Young from Yale University 文章来源:戏剧艺术网www.dramaart.com Background and objective: Zhu Yingtai was born in a wealthy squire family in Shangyu county, east China Zhejiang province. When the girl grew up, she became beautiful, smart and sometimes willful. As she was the only child in the family, the father loved her very much. He chose many suitors for her; however, none of the candidates could touch the girl’s heart. Zhu had an idea. She put forward to attend a school and then find an ideal man to marry by herself. Her father thought it as nonsense at first, for at that time, attending school was exclusively for boys. Nevertheless, he agreed after her continuous entreating. Then Zhu disguised herself as a boy. During her traveling to the famous Song School, Zhu got acquainted with a young scholar, Liang Shanbo, Hangzhou Wan who was both talented and virtuous. Fortunately, Liang was also to go to the famous academy, where they both enrolled as students. Liang and Zhu studied in the same room and lived under the same roof. They treated each other like brothers. They had three years of merry life before Zhu received a letter from her father one day. She had to go back home, for she was told in the letter her father’s got ill seriously. But this was a shell game for her. Zhu tried to show her tenderness and love by all kinds of ways to Liang during he was seeing her off for a distance as long as 18 li (Chinese unit of distance, 1 li is equaled as 500 meters). But Liang was too dull to realize anything, as he had never doubted that Zhu is a boy. This is one of the most vivid description of the story, known as “18 li seeing off” to Chinese people. Arriving at home, Zhu found her father was not ill at all. He had engaged her to a son of a rich family. This time Zhu’s objections became pale and helpless. When Liang became aware of Zhu, actually, was a girl and he had been fallen in love with her so deeply, he was filled with grief and regret, and then died after months, with a final request of burying him at Huqiao. Zhu decided to marry the man she’d never known about, for she had to obey his father and the feudalism. When her bridal procession passed by Huqiao on its way to the bridegroom’s house, there was a sudden tornado, and they were forced to stop. Zhu stepped down her bridal sedan chair and wept bitterly in front of Liang’s grave. Suddenly the grave split, she stepped into it. Then it became shinning and peace. Two exquisite butterflies were dancing above the grave. People saw them flying off into the distance, never part from each other. People called this famous plot “Turned to butterflies” which is the most important part of Liangzhu, because from it we can see the ideal of the people. As the story of Romeo and Juliet is known throughout western countries both to the old and young, a fairy tale of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, is also a story of tragic love was handed down through generations in China. The legend not only keenly reveals the mischief to the ancient Chinese but truly reflects constraints on the 2 Chinese custom of politeness in the feudal autocratic age as well, which is similar to the Romeo and Juliet in a way. The great difference is that from Liangzhu we can see the ideal of the Chinese ancient people. The story of Liang-Zhu is still considered as the best illustrations of true love by Chinese people. Nowadays, among various expressions of this classic story, the most popular art form may be the violin concerto ”Liang-Zhu”, composed by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang in 1950s, which is also deemed to be one of the most successful music accomplishments in Chinese modern history. Like most myths, this story has more than one version. But I haven’t found the English version of drama. So I write it for the purpose that English Liang Zhu can be shown on the stage. Casting: [1]Liang Shanbo: A young man, whose father was a prefect, lived with his mother after the death of his father. At the age of 17, he went to Hangzhou sense of justice. Besides, he was City to study. He had a strong longing for a free life and a peaceful word. He was just an intelligentsia who had no force to rebel against the rulers, so at last he had to compromise to the great evils. Yingtai: A young lady, 16 years old, was born in a rich family, whose mother She thought that women and men were born equally. So was dead. she tried her best to study as well as men. During the school life, she fell in love with Shanbo. She was also shy as every ancient Chinese girl was. When her ideal marriage was damaged, she tried her best to resist. At last she won! Zhu Gongyuan: The father of Yingtai, 36 years old, was a rich cowardly man. He was [2]a Jinshi. As he had only one daughter, he loved her very much. But he also loved the lordliness with fear, because he was afraid that refusing Prefect Ma would break his peaceful life. Yinxin: The attendant of Yingtai, about 15 years old, was born in a very poor family. She is an orphan. In order to make a living, she sold herself to the Zhu’s family to be an attendant. Because of Yingtai’s kindness, she was very loyal to her master. Sijiu: An attendant of Zhu’s family, about 15 years old who grew up with Shanbo. They had a deep friendship. The mother of Liang Shanbo: A kindhearted mother who loved her son very much. After her husband’s death, she and her son depended on each other. Shimu: The wife of the teacher, a kindhearted woman. (The teacher’s name is Zhou Tong.) Ma Wencai: The son of Prefect Ma, born in a powerful and high ranked family, idled around everyday. He was very selfish and had a roving eye. In order to reach his selfish greedy goal, he would do anything. 3 Prologue Flowers are blooming in spring Holding a book, walking through the path. Longing for love Butterflies are flying in pathes Far above the high walls is the sky So deep in thoughts How much she wishes to be a man. Flying with the butterflies. (Yingtai and other beautiful girls were dancing by the song.) Act 1. The first meeting (Shanbo and Yingtai meet each other on the journey to Hangzhou for study at the Caoqiao Pavilion.) Narrator: Different from other girls, she’s ambitious to learn as much knowledge as a man. At the beginning, her father doesn’t give permission. Having appealed for a long time, she is allowed to go to Hangzhou. (Yingtai and Yinxin come from the left of the stage. They are disguised as men and try their best to avoid the acquaintances. Yinxin walks with a burden of books on her shoulder. After tramping over hill and dale, they have covered quite a long distance. Right on the front of them is a pavilion, so they are going to have a rest.) Yingtai: What a sweet spring day! Yinxin: (breathlessly) Miss, wait for me! (Yingtai slows and turns her head back.) [3]Yinxin : (points to the front) Miss, right in front is Caoqiao Pavilion. Yingtai: (Having seen a pavilion) Yinxin, let’s have a rest in the pavilion. (After soon, almost at the same time, Shanbo and Sijiu are coming from the right of the stage.) Shanbo: (In order to go to Hangzhou for study, they have walked a long distance. An old pavilion comes in sight. ) Sijiu! Sijiu: What’s up, master? Shanbo: My legs are getting weak. Why not have a short rest here? Sijiu: Good idea, Master. (Has a look at the pavilion) Some people are in the pavilion already. Shanbo: No problem. They seem to be on their journey. Maybe they’re going to study too. Sijiu: Ai (They meet each other in the pavilion.) Shanbo: (bows) How do you do? Yingtai: (bows) How do you do? 4 Shanbo: May I know your name please? And where are you from? [4]Yingtai: My name is Yingtai from Zhu village, Shangyu. Shanbo: Oh. Yingtai: And you? [5]Shanbo: I'm Liang Shanbo from Kuaiji. Yingtai: It’s a great pleasure to meet you! Shanbo: Glad to meet you, too! Yingtai: Mr. Liang, where are you going? Shanbo: I’m going to Hangzhou to study. And you? Yingtai: I’m also going to Hangzhou to seek for knowledge. Shanbo: Oh great! Sit down, please! (Politely) Yingtai: (politely) Sit down, please! happily. At the same time, their attendants are talking (They both sit down, and talk happily as well.) Sijiu : (to Yinxin) Hello, where are you going? Yinxin: We are going to Hangzhou for study. Sijiu : Really? So are we! very happy .So she tries to tell this Yinxin: (Having known this coincidence, she is surprising news to her master.) A nice coincidence! (Call the master)Miss…… Yingtai :( Afraid to give herself away, so she is nervous and angry! She winks at Ai~, your lady is staying at home .Why do you mention her? Yinxin) Yinxin: (Because of her mistake, she is nervous, too. And now she is thinking how to make the lie perfect.)I……I think if she could have come with us, it would be very nice. [6]Shanbo: (He wants to make sworn brothers with Yingtai, so he is going to ask if she had a brother. But to a shy man, it seems a little difficult…) I venture to ask…do you… Yingtai :( She thinks he has found the truth that she is a girl, so she tries her best to make the lie perfect.) To tell you the truth, I have a younger sister at home .She is very intelligent and clever. She is an expert of embroidery and accomplished in almost every aspect. When I left for Hangzhou for study, she set her mind to go with me. I think men should study Four Books and Five Classics. Why shouldn’t women? My father is so stubborn… so my sister had to stay home. Shanbo: How brilliant your views are! Your views are so respectable. I share the same view with you. Men and women are born the same. Girls should study and be wise as well. Yingtai: Thanks for your complements. Shanbo: You are welcome. (Yingtai thinks that all men are the same. It is unusual for him to speak for women. So she smiles at Shanbo. Beneficial friends like him are so rare in the world, so she intends to become sworn brothers with him.) Shanbo: (He thought beneficial friends like Yingtai were so rare in the world. So he intended to become sworn brothers with him.) My dear friend, I have a 5 word….. But it’s hard to say it… Yingtai: My dear friend! What’s up? Please tell me! Shanbo: I suppose you have no brothers, so I think we can become sworn brothers. What do you think? Yingtai: It’s really flattering me to be a brother of yours and we’ll be good companions at school. Shanbo: That’s nice. May I know your age? Yingtai: 16 Shanbo: 17 Yingtai: You are the elder brother. I should be the younger one. Shanbo: Let’s bow to heaven. Yingtai: (looks around) But we have no incense or candles. How should we do it? (After a brief thought) Why not burn incense in the dust? Shanbo: Oh yes… Yingtai: Good idea! Shanbo: please…… Yingtai: please…… (They both fell on their knees and bowed to heaven.) Shanbo: (bows) Please take my bow! Yingtai: (bows) And take mine, please! (They call their attendants to meet each other.) S hanbo: Sijiu… Yingtai: Yinxin… ! Shanbo: Hurry! Come to meet Mr. Zhu Yingtai: Come to meet Mr. Liang! Shanbo: Yingtai, you see it’s getting dark .Let’s set off again. Yingtai: OK! (Call their attendants to continue their journey.) Shanbo: Sijiu, let’s go! Yingtai: Yinxin, take up the luggage! Shanbo: Yingtai, this way, please! Yingtai: This way, please! Shanbo: Please! Yingtai: Please! (They leave the stage from the left.) Act 2 At School (Three years later, Yingtai and Shanbo have become bosom friends.) (At Yingtai’s bedroom, she is bathing at the back of the screen at the left of the stage.) Narrator: Having been studying together for three years around, they have the same beliefs and goals. The girl has fallen in love with the young man without him knowing. She has long hair like cascade. She is as graceful as a lotus-flower. (This beautiful song is being sung while Yingtai is bathing in the back of the screen. And on the screen, we can see the beautiful shadow with a long 6 cascade-like hair. Then Yingtai comes from the back of the screen, wearing in white.) Yinxin: Miss, Mr. Liang’s been with you for three years. Yet he has no idea that you are a girl. He is such a fool. Yingtai: He is concentrating on his studies. He’s too kind and considerate to notice that. (Yingtai comes from the back of the screen, wearing a white shirt.) Yinxin: Miss, you’re so beautiful. Mr. Liang, if he knew you were a girl. He would have proposed to you. Yingtai: (Shy) shut up! What nonsense! Yinxin: (Takes the jade fan-pendant of Yingtai) Miss, don’t try to hide from me. Mr. Liang is so kind and learned. He is as innocent as this jade fan-pendant of yours. No wonder you’re moved. the jade fan-pendant and speaks bashfully) You little girl! You are crazy Yingtai: (Gets tonight! Go and get my coat. (When Yinxin goes to get the coat, Yingtai is gazing at the jade fan-pendant affectionately.) Yinxin: Miss…Mr. Liang might not know you have a deep love for him. (Yinxin the muzzy miss playfully.) pushes (‘Dong dong……’someone is knocking at the door.) Yingtai :( Hurrying to button the coat.) Who’s that? , Yingtai. Shanbo: It’s me Yingtai: Ah, it’s you! (Calls Yinxin to help her wear the shoes)Yinxin! the door, please! Shanbo: Open Yingtai: I’m coming! (As a girl, Yingtai doesn’t like man visit her at night. She opens the door unhappily, and when opening the door, her right foot wrenches and is hurt.) Shanbo: (Seeing her foot wrenched, he is very nervous!)What’s the matter with you? Yingtai :( A little angrily) Why did you come so late at night?! Shanbo :( Having known her unhappiness, he explains hastily.)I have polished the article that you gave me. I’m afraid the teacher might ask about it tomorrow. So I’m bringing it to you tonight... I’m leaving. (Preparing to go) Yingtai :( Having known his goodwill, she calls him back.) Who asked you to go?! Come in, please. Sit down, please. Yinxin, make a cup of tea. [7]Shanbo: We’re sworn brothers. Why so many chinchin? Anyway I have disturbed you. It’s so cold at night. And you’re wearing too little. (He wants to have a look at the injury)What’s wrong? Please be seated. Take off the shoes and let me have a look. Yingtai: No! It doesn’t matter at all! Shanbo: Really? Yingtai: (answers without any hesitate) Yes! (When she feels the nervous from Shanbo’s expression, her voice turns to be tender.) It doesn’t matter at all. Shanbo: All right! Shanbo: You are away from home. Please tell me if you have any trouble. Yinxin :( Yinxin comes from the left of the stage with a cup of tea on her hand) Mr. 7 Liang, have some tea, please. Yingtai :( Shanbo is so tender and considerate. His words has moved her so deeply.) Shanbo, I’ve known your character completely all these years. I’m so grateful for your care and kindness. I’ve been self-willed and impolite. Please forgive me for all that. Shanbo: Don’t be so polite. You’re born rich and delicate. I should take care of you .I am poor and am used to hardships. Besides, having spent three years together, I find you are innocent and kind. Yingtai, it’s hard to have real friendship. To have a brother like you is my great pleasure. Yingtai: (deeply moved) Shanbo… Shanbo: Yingtai, come and read the article. I’ve polished for you. (When he looks at her, by accident, he finds a lughole. It’s interesting that a man [8]a lughole.) has Yingtai: What are you looking at, Shanbo? Shanbo: (curiously) Yingtai, we’ve been together for three years. Until today I’ve never seen your lugholes. Only girls wear earrings! Yingtai, why do you have your ears pierced? Yingtai: (She is very awkward and is thinking how to explain) Oh, the lugholes, it’s a [9]funny story. Our village holds a temple fair every year. I was asked to be [10]dressed up as Mother Buddha. Shanbo: Oh. Yingtai: If you suspect me again, I will….. Shanbo: (Interrupts her conversation) don’t get angry! I won’t have any suspicions again. Yinxin: Master, another message from your father. Shanbo: Yingtai, I’ve got to go. Yingtai: Take care, Shanbo! (After Shanbo’s leaves, she opens the letter and read.) Yinxin: Is it asking us to go back again? Yingtai: Yes, for three years I have left home. Every letter urges us to return. Three years is not a short time. Shanbo and I have deep feelings for each other now. But my old father is seriously ill. He is waiting for me to return. I cannot part from him. Yinxin: Miss, are we really leaving tomorrow? Yingtai: Yes. Yinxin: Miss, I have accompanied you for years. I know your feelings quite well. Mr. Liang is poor, but he is upright and talented. Why not ask the wife of the master to be the matchmaker. Yingtai :( very shy) No! Yinxin: Miss, she is such an understanding lady. She will take up the role. Yingtai: (very shy) Yinxin, how can I ask for a matchmaking for myself? Yinxin: We are leaving tomorrow. Do you really want to part from Mr. Liang? Yingtai: (to herself) Ask the wife of teacher to pass the jade fan-pendant of the butterfly onto Shanbo. Would the wife of the teacher assist? Narrator: Yingtai should be married to Shanbo. 8 Act 3. Farewell (Yingtai has asked the wife of her teacher to be the matchmaker, and requests her to give the jade fan-pendant to Shanbo as the keepsake of love. Now on a fine morning, Yingtai is leaving. They have strong affections for each other. Shanbo’s reluctant to say good-bye. He’s seeing Yingtai off down to the mountain along the causeway. ) -------------------------- Narrator: Strong affections for each other. Shanbo’s reluctant to say good-bye. He’s seeing Yingtai off down to the mountain and along the causeway. Yingtai: Shanbo. A plum tree is in front of the study room. A pair of magpies is [11]singing on the tree, bringing good news to you. Shanbo: We brothers are walking side by side while magpies are in pairs. Magpies always bring good news. Congratulations. They are wishing you a safe journey home. Yingtai: Shanbo, please. Shanbo: Yingtai, please. Yingtai: We’ve walked out of the city only to see a woodcutter carrying wood. Shanbo: How hard he works day and night! Life is still not easy. Yingtai: Shanbo, for whom is he cutting the wood? For whom are you walking so far? Shanbo: He’s cutting the wood for his wife. And I’m walking so far for you. Yingtai: Green lotus leaves are in the green lake. Mandarin ducks are swimming in pairs. Shanbo, if I were a girl, would you like to be my dear? Shanbo: Be your dear? Be your dear? But it’s a pity that you are not a girl! Yingtai: Here we come to a river. Floating on the water is a couple of gooses. The gander is swimming ahead. The female goose is calling the brother. Shanbo: I can’t see if they are talking. Never can a goose call gander. Yingtai: Can’t you see the goose laughing at you because you are as foolish as the goose? Shanbo: I’m a fool? Now that I’m a fool, don’t call me brother again. Yingtai: Shanbo. I’m sorry. Shanbo: Don’t say it again. Yingtai: Before us is a single-plank bridge. Shanbo: Yingtai, please! Yingtai: Shanbo, please! (Shanbo is going to pass the bridge, but Yingtai calls him.) Yingtai: Shanbo, please help me. I’m scared. Shanbo: I’ll help you to go across. Yingtai: We are just like that heavenly couple passing the [12]Milky Way. (Having left the bridge, they come to a well.) Yingtai: Here’s a well. Look at the two images at the bottom. A man and a woman are smiling. 9 Shanbo: I’m surely a man. Why compare me to a woman? Hurry up! Here we’ve come to a temple. It’s a temple of Mother Buddha. Yingtai: Mother Buddha will be the matchmaker for us. Let’s perform a wedding ceremony. Shanbo: How ridiculous you are! How can two men do that? Hurry up! Narrator: Leaving the temple they walk on. Here comes a cow with a cowboy on its back. He is playing flute. Yingtai: What a pity! The cow can’t understand a bit. Shanbo, you’re as dull as the cow. Shanbo :( angrily) I’m getting annoyed. Why do you always make fun of me? Yingtai :( begs for his forgiveness) Shanbo…… Shanbo…… (Known he is really annoyed) I’m kneeling down to you. … (Before her knees reach the ground, he raises up Yingtai with a Shanbo: Ai… smile.) Yingtai: Thanks so much for your friendship. Thanks for walking so far to see me off. As the saying goes, the best of friends must part. (Reluctantly)Shanbo, don’t go any further. Shanbo: Yingtai, ever since we swore brothers, I have had a deep affection for you. Let me accompany you to the next station –Chang pavilion. Yingtai: We'll cover eighteen li (里). Shanbo, we’ll be parted like lonely birds. Shanbo: Yingtai, do you have any more words for me? Yingtai: Yes. I have one more word. I’m wondering if you have a wife at home. Shanbo: You’ve already knows that. Why do you ask it again now? Yingtai: If you haven’t married yet. I want to be a matchmaker for you. Shanbo: You want to be the matchmaker for me? Which lady are you going to introduce? Yingtai: She’s my younger sister at home. I wonder if you will like her. Shanbo: How old is she this year? Yingtai: She is at the same age as me. We’re twins. Shanbo: Does she look like you? Yingtai: She looks like me very much. Shanbo: But I wonder if your father would give his permission. Yingtai: My father has asked me to choose a fair young man. Shanbo: I really appreciate your help. Yingtai: Shanbo. Would you come for proposal as early as possible? I will make an [13]appointment with you on the seventh of the seventh moon. Shanbo: On the seventh of the seventh moon. Yingtai: Don’t forget to visit my home. Yingtai: I’m so reluctant to bid the farewell. I have thousands of words in my heart, but I only wish you to come back soon. Act 4 Starting The Journey 10 (The sunset is shining dimly on the old Pagoda tree. Shanbo is seated by the desk under the tree. After Yingtai’s leaving, the study is so deadly quiet for Shanbo. So he wants to go to meet Yingtai.) Shanbo: ( to himself) Ever since Yingtai left me, I have been so lonely here. Yingtai, I miss you day and night. But I can’t go to visit you without completing my studies. Simu: (Simu is coming to be the matchmaker) Shanbo. Shanbo: Madame. Simu : You look so restless. Is there anything on your mind? Shanbo: Madame, I’m…I’m a bit homesick. Simu : Then return home if you are. Shanbo: Madame… Simu : Shanbo , I have something to ask you. Shanbo: Do ask, Madame! Simu : Shanbo , come here. Yingtai had been studying with you for three years. Do you know her secret feelings? …Are you going to visit her? …And I ask you if she is a man or a lady? but it’s so odd of you to ask if he is a man or lady. Shanbo: Since he left for home … [14]Simu : (She takes out the fan-pendant and gives it to Shanbo.)Yingtai entrusted it to me before leaving. The betrothal token is this fan-pendant. Shanbo: But whom is he going to marry? Simu : Shanbo , Yingtai is actually a girl! Shanbo: (surprised) Yingtai is a girl? Simu : Yes ! Shanbo: (It is not easy to believe!)Yingtai is a girl? Simu : Yes! (Having heard of this news, he is very surprised. He walks around and thinks for a while. ) Shanbo: Then, his younger sister is Yingtai, and Yingtai is the younger sister! Yingtai made herself the matchmaker. Simu : Now that you have her appointment, why not go and make the proposal? Go and tell the master. Then you can start your journey tomorrow. Shanbo: Thank you very much, Madame! Simu : Go and get ready! Shanbo: Sijiu…Sijiu… Pack my luggage. I have decided to visit Yingtai right away. (Shanbo and his servant are in hurry. Shanbo is saying and throwing books to Sijiu, what made Sijiu very busy. Shanbo has lost his presence of mind and wants to arrive at Zhu village at once. Sijiu is in such a hurry packing up the luggage. ) [15]Shanbo : (to himself) Take the red-card! Don’t forget the fan-pendant! I can’t wait for the daybreak. (After leaving the school they are hurriedly walking. At the same time, a voice comes from outside the stage. And Shanbo acts by the voice. ) Narrator: Green lotus leaves are in the green lake. Mandarin ducks are swimming in pairs. Shanbo, if I were a girl, would you like to be my dear? 11 Shanbo: Be your dear! Be your dear! ... Sijiu! Hurry on with our journey. How I wish I could fly to her chamber! Act 5 Meeting at the Balcony (In Yingtai’s room, she is staring at the jade butterfly, which is the other one of the couple of the jade butterflies. Suddenly Yinxin comes and interrupts. ) Yinxin: Miss, Mr. Liang is coming! Yingtai: How do you know that? Yinxin: Last night the lamp wicks kept forming snuff and sputtering, It’s a sign of [16]good news. Zhu Gongyuan: Good news! Here’s good news for you. The matchmaker has come today. I have betrothed you to a young man of high rank. The marriage will bring honor to our family! Yingtai: Dad! Whom have you betrothed me to? Zhu Gongyuan: He’s rich in wealth and high in social position. He is the son of the Prefecture chief Ma! Yfor him! ingtai: Father, I’m not fit Zhu Gongyuan: We two families are well matched. Yingtai: I won’t get married. Zhu Gongyuan: Why do you say so? Yingtai: I’d rather be with you for my entire life. Zhu Gongyuan: How can I waste the springtime of your life? Yingtai: But I won’t! Zhu Gongyuan: I see. Yinxin, you were with the lady three years. What did you do? Tell me. Yinxin: Miss… Zhu Gongyuan: Yinxin, just tell the truth! Yinxin: During her three-year study, she met Liang Shanbo from Kuaiji. They have sworn brothers and were in constant company. When parting at the Chang Pavilion the lady even ……the lady even betrothed herself. [17]Zhu Gongyuan: Have you ever heard that parents should decide the marriage?! Yingtai: Father should consider my own betrothal! Zhu Gongyuan: No go-between or betrothal taken. You have misbehaved! Yingtai: The wife of the master is the go-between and the jade fan-pendant is the token. Why is it improper? Zhu Gongyuan: Yingtai, you… Old attendant: Lord, Liang Shanbo has come for a visit. Zhu Gongyuan: Ask him to have a rest at the study room. Treat him politely. (To Yingtai)I think you’d better not meet him. Yingtai: We have sworn brothers and studied together for three years. How can I refuse to see him while he is here? Zhu Gongyuan: You’ve been betrothed to the Ma’s family. Yingtai: I haven’t agreed yet! 12 Zhu Gongyuan: The Mas are a family of high social status. Yingtai: The Shanbo are poor, yet they are decent! Zhu Gongyuan: Yingtai, how dare you say that! You disobedient girl! You dare to ignore my orders! Yingtai: Father, forgive me please. No one can be passionless! Zhu Gongyuan: You are educated and reasonable. How can you be so willful? Yingtai: Marriage is not a game. It deals with my whole life Zhu Gongyuan: If you don’t marry Ma, it will be a scandal to the family! Yingtai: You order me to marry Ma! That’s really hard to follow! Zhu Gongyuan: Yingtai, how daring you are! Don’t you know the three obedience and [18]the four virtues?! They are unalterable principles. If you persist in your wrong course, stick with your wrong ideas, you are offending the [19]proprieties(封建礼教) and will be a disgrace to the family! Yingtai: Proprieties? Zhu Gongyuan: Yingtai, Father has met every requirement of yours. But only the marriage is not up to you. Father’s betrothed you to Ma, I can’t break my promise! Zhu Gongyuan: As you have sworn brothers, you can meet him just once. You’d better persuade him into marrying another young lady. Yinxin, take Mr. Liang upstairs. ! Yinxin: OK Zhu Gongyuan: Yingtai, wipe away your tears. Don’t lose your manners. Yinxin: Mr. Liang, please. Yingtai: (She says to herself while wiped her tears. ) He is so overjoyed at meeting my younger sister; I have to pretend to be happy to meet him. Yinxin: Mr. Liang, the lady is over there. Yingtai: Shanbo… Shanbo: Ying…Yingtai… Yingtai: Shanbo, please… Shanbo: Yingtai, please… Yingtai: Shanbo, how are you getting along ever since I left the school? Shanbo: Fine, and you must live a comfortable life at home! Yingtai: Not bad, Shanbo, are you just passing by or coming specially to see me? Shanbo: I’ve come for two special purposes. First is to pay my respects to your father. Second is to meet your younger sister Yingtai: My younger sister… Shanbo: Yes. That day, I saw you off on the causeway, you said you had a younger sister. You betrothed her to me. I have come specially to make the proposal. Yingtai: Shanbo, you know who my younger sister is? She is me! Shanbo: I know. She is you. Shanbo and Yingtai are fated to be husband and wife. Shanbo: You should be happy after the long parting. Why are you frowning? Yingtai: (He’s smiling and her heart’s breaking. He doesn’t know that her father has betrothed her to the Mas!) Shanbo, I have something sad. But… But it’s so hard to say it! 13 Shanbo: There’s nothing secret between you and me. Please tell me frankly! Yingtai: Shanbo… Shanbo: Yes? Yingtai: When I came back home my father had betrothed me to the Mas. Shanbo: The Mas …Ma… Yingtai: The son of the prefecture chief. (Shanbo becomes dizzy, and Yingtai supports him.) Shanbo… (There is a one minter silence.) (The actors should pay attention to their mental activity and expressions.) Shanbo: (He says with a sad voice.) Yingtai，you …you… you betrothed yourself at Now that the the Chang Pavilion! …You said you had a younger sister. … younger sister is you …why are you betrothed to Ma? Why? ... Yingtai :( She is very sad as well and tries her best to comfort him. ) Shanbo, haven’t you known my feelings for you? How can I be willing to marry Ma? Shanbo: Yingtai, you and I have sworn oaths of fidelity. You are the only one in my heart. Your father betrothed you to Ma. Please break off the engagement. Yingtai: I was trying to break it off by all means. I was refusing Ma’s presents and his go-between. But my father is so merciless. He won’t break off the engagement. Shanbo: Your father won’t break it off. Then I’ll bring the bridal sedan. I’ll invite the master’s wife. Ask her to be the go-between. The token is this jade fan-pendant. I have kept it carefully to the sleeve. Jade butterflies, jade fan-pendant, why can’t it be a token of betrothal? Yingtai: Jade butterflies, jade fan-pendant. The butterflies should fly in pairs. You and I made the betrothal, but no one takes it seriously. Shanbo: Even if… Even if no one takes it as a token, I’ll be with you in life of death! Yingtai: My heart is been broken into pieces as you are swearing your love. Shanbo, you are the only child at home. Your old mother depends on you. I have no more hope this life. Please marry another lady. Shanbo: I won’t love any other girl, even if she is a fairy lady. Yingtai: You’ve come to visit me. I have nothing to comfort you. Let me pour you a glass of wine. Shanbo: I would never have expected that I have come for a glass of wine. Yingtai: I remember we were sworn brothers and for three years we studied together. We were so pleased with each other. I have loved you so long. I still remember you noticed the hole of the earring. It made me too flushed to say anything. I still remember you saw me off at the Chang Pavilion. I was telling you all my love for you. I left the jade fan-pendant as a token and entrusted the master’s wife to be the go-between. I made the appointment on the seventh of the seventh moon. I had betrothed my younger sister to you. Shanbo, you can’t be my husband. Father has betrothed me to the Mas. I can’t be your wife. Father accepted their token. You and I can’t get married. 14 Father drank the wine of betrothal. Shanbo, I can’t defy my father’s order. The Mas are a family of power. It’s hard to break off the betrothal. Shanbo: (to himself) Yingtai is telling me the truth, but how much it has afflicted me! The rooster wakes me up from the sweet dream. The gust blows down the twin lotus-flowers. In my understanding, the lovers will finally get married. Who has ever expected that I can’t marry Yingtai, my love? To whom I can tell all this grief. All my joy turns out be ashes! (Because of great grief, Shanbo coughed up blood.) Ke…ke… Yingtai: Shanbo, be sure to take care of yourself! … Shanbo…it’s me to blame for all this! Shanbo: I will never put the blame on you! Do you know that I had been sweating all over on the way to see you? My love, I missed you so much! No food, no ! sleep Yingtai: Shanbo, I’ve been missing you, all meals are tasteless! Shanbo: My love, I’ve been missing you, I don’t want to dress up. Yingtai: Shanbo, I’ve been missing you, I don’t want to make myself up. Shanbo: My love, I’ve been missing you, I can’t recall how to write. Yingtai: Shanbo, I’ve been missing you, I can’t find the needle to embroider. Shanbo: You miss me and I miss you! Yingtai: But we can’t be together this life! bidding you a farewell. Shanbo: I’m Yingtai:(Sad and concerned)Shanbo, you look so weak, … I… the recovery. I’m leaving… Shanbo: Yingtai, I’ll visit you again after Yingtai: Shanbo, let me walk you for a while…Shanbo… (When Shanbo leaves Yingtai’s home, and walks a short while, he is beaten by the gung of Mar Wencai. On the stage we can see a black shadow of Ma Wencai.) /* We can’t see the Mas family in person on the stage, but they drives forward the narrative in the whole play.*/ Act6 Shanbo On His Deathbed (Shanbo has a bad illness, and he is dying on his bed.) Sijiu: Master, drink some medicine, please! Mother: Child. Shanbo: Mother, you are back. Mother: Yes, my dear son. Shanbo: Is Yingtai coming with you? She isn’t coming? Mother, did you tell her I’m dying? I just want to meet her once. Then I shall die happily. Mother: (with full tears in her eyes) That’s what I did tell you. But Yingtai has betrothed to the Ma’s. Here is a letter and a strand of her hair. I have brought them to you. Hope to relieve your sickness. Shanbo: (to himself) Let me see. …. She tries to comfort me in the letter. She says we’re a short distance away, yet poles apart. Her heart has come with me. She writes “take care” all over the letter. She wishes me a good luck. 15 Yingtai … What a pity, I am so sick because of the love for you! What a pity, you want to come, but you can’t! This is her hair. I am looking at her hair as if she were here. It makes me more grieved. It is said that the beloved should stay together. We‘re destined to stay apart. (He taks the jade butterfly.) This..., this is the jade fan-pendant. Yingtai betrothed herself to me. Now her marriage is a dream fading away. In vain, the butterflies are in pairs. Voice from the back of the stage:(recalling, singing) Yingtai: Shanbo, if Yingtai were a girl, would you like to be my dear? Shanbo: Be your dear? But you are not a girl. Shanbo: Yingtai ...Yingtai … (to himself) My dear, your meaning was so obvious, but I didn’t understand at all. How foolish I was! Yingtai: Mother Buddha is the go-between. Let’s perform the wedding ceremony. Shanbo: I’m coming… Shanbo…… Yingtai…… (After the dream, Shanbo is dying soon.) Sijiu : Master! Mother: Shanbo! Shanbo: Yingtai has been betrothed to Ma. I can’t live any longer. Mother, I have something to admit to you .For three years I’ve studied with Yingtai, I wished ring honor to the family. I didn’t expect I would be so sick for Yingtai. I could b I’m sorry for being unfilial. Mother, take care of yourself! (He takes over the please return it to Yingtai. Let’s have hope for the next life. pendant)Sijiu … She and I can’t be in pairs like butterflies. (Shanbo dies with everlasting regret!) Narrator sings: Let’s have hope for the next life. She and I can’t be in pairs like butterflies. Act 7. A Forced Marriage (On the wedding day, Yingtai refuses to make up because of her grief. She wants to die with Shanbo, too.) Father: Yingtai, I have asked you to make up yourself many times. Why do you just ignore me? I’ve spent all my blood only for the sake of your happiness. On your wedding day, you refuse to make yourself up. Yingtai, you should think in my place. Yingtai, why do you refuse to come to your senses? Yingtai: I have sworn not to get married. Father: It’s too late to change. Yingtai: I’d rather die than be married to Ma. Father: What if you don’t marry Ma? Yingtai: Shanbo and I can’t be a couple in life time. We will rest in the same grave. Father: Absurd! Do you think it’s a disgrace to be married to the Mas! You will bring about the death of your old father. 16 (Enter Sijiu) Sijiu: Miss… Miss Zhu. Master asked me to return this jade fan-pendant to you. He said,‘Let’s have hope for the next life. The lovers can’t be in pairs like butterflies. ’ Yingtai: Your master, he… Sijiu :( griefly) He… he has died! (Having heard the bad news, Yingtai fell in faint!) Father: Yingtai, wake up! Wake up! Old attendant: Lord, the Mas’ bridal sedan has arrived. Lord, meet them right away please. Father: Yingtai, now that he died, you should take care of yourself. Yinxin, help your lady to make up. Yingtai: (to herself) His death makes all hopes dash to pieces. My father is forcing me to marry. How can I break the oaths? I’ll follow Shanbo no matter whether he is alive or dead. Father: Yingtai, why haven’t you made yourself up? [20]Narrator: Miss Zhu, please get on the sedan. Father: Yingtai, Yingtai. … Yingtai: You’re forcing me to go on. I have one thing to plead for. I want to have two white gauze lanterns in front of the sedan, with three thousand paper silver ingots in the rear. The sedan should go to Huqiao first. I want to hold a memorial ceremony for Shanbo in white. Father: Yingtai. Today is you wedding day. How can you go to Shanbo’s grave? Yingtai: If you don’t give your permission, I won’t get on the sedan. Father: All right. I give my permission. But there’s one thing--You must be in red outside and white inside. After the memorial ceremony, you must hurry to the Mas to perform the wedding ceremony. Yingtai: Shanbo… (They leave the stage by a sad music.) Act 8. Hold a memorial ceremony for Shanbo (Yingtai is on the front of Shanbo’s tomb solely.) Yingtai: Shanbo, a mound of dust has separated you and me. Holding the pendant, I’m crying to death. Where can I find your smile again? Where can I hear your tender voice? How can I bear to leave you alone under the earth? I know you can’t rest easily here. Oh Heaven, you have redressed the injustice for people. Why can’t you understand my grief? Why not split the grave and break the coffin, bridge the life and death, wake up my beloved Shanbo? You died from the love for me. To keep the oath, life is nothing to me. Heaven, please be my go-between. Earth, please be my witness. The lightning will light the red candles. The thunders will sound the drums. They’re sending me into the chamber. Shanbo, I’m following. I’ll follow you wherever you go, throughout the ages. Throughout the ages, we’ll stick to each other, never apart. Shanbo! (Suddenly dark clouds are gathering in the sky, a thunder breaks the tomb, and Yingtai 17 jumps into the tomb with her dream come true. Then the day become fine, and two butterflies come from the tomb .They are flying happily…) Narrator: The rainbow’s hanging over the sky. All suits of flowers are blooming. Butterflies are flying in pairs. Never part again, Shanbo and Yingtai. The end Class 0501 Florn th First script 1:36 am, March 25, 2008 nd, Second script 3:35 am, April 22 2008 Third script 1:03 am, June 6th, 2008 18 Explanations for special words: [1](also Prefect) an officer responsible for an area of local government in ancient China. [2]In the eyes of scholars, they read for the imperial examination because if they succeeded they would rise to fame and enjoy wealth and honor. The benefit of one’s becoming a chuangyiian ("No. 1" in the Imperial examinations), or even a third-class Jinshi, are both sentimentally and materially shared by members of his immediate family, his relatives, his clan, and even his town. [3]Pavilion, a building that is meant to be more beautiful than useful, built as a shelter in a park or for concerts and dances. used [4,5]Names of the place in Zhejiang province. [6]In old times, when people have sworn brothers, they should treat each other as real brother and will sink and swim together. [7]When we treat our dear friends too polite, we say it 'chinchin'. [8]The hole of the earrings. [9] The fairs are held at various ancient temples, so they are called "temple fairs." Temple fairs, originated along with the development of Buddhist and Taoist activities, are a kind of mass gatherings that integrate religious worship, entertainment and commerce. [10]The woman who gave birth to Buddha Shakyamuni is called in the scriptures, Mahamaya, meaning Great Maya, or Mayadevi, the Goddess Maya. In Tibetan, she is called Gyutrulma. In English, she is generally called Queen Maya, a designation that obscures more than it reveals. [11]In the Chinese culture, we believe that magpies can bring good luck for you while crow can bring bad news. [12,13] Chinese Valentine's Day (or "Qi Xi Jie ") falls on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar 19 calendar (August according to the Gregorian calendar). As is the custom elsewhere in the world, this is a day devoted to romance. In China, this day is also known as "The Begging Festival" or "The Daughter's Festival." It is an important day for girls. In the evening, girls prepare melons and fruit before worship and prayers for a good marriage. There are many stories as to the origins of Chinese Valentine's Day, and one of them involves the Emperor of Heaven and his seven daughters. The love story The seventh daughter of the Emperor of Heaven and an orphaned cowherd were separated by the Emperor; the girl was forced to move to the star Vega and the cowherd, to the star Altair. They were only allowed to meet once a year on the day of seventh day of seventh lunar month - Chinese Valentine's Day. The story begins with the handsome but poor orphan who lived with his elder brother and sister-in-law. After his parents passed away, the boy's brother inherited the house and land. But all he had was an old ox. As a cowherd, the boy had to work the farm fields with his ox every day . His daily life routine resembled the story of Cinderella. The seventh daughter of the Emperor, also known as the Weaving Maid, was good at handcrafting, especially weaving clothes. The Emperor particularly appreciated her skills of weaving clouds with rainbows to make the world more beautiful. The cowherd's ox, which was actually an immortal from heaven, made mistakes in heaven and was reincarnated as an ox to toil on earth. One day, the ox suddenly said to the cowherd: "You are a nice person. If you want to get married, go to the brook and your wish will come true." The cowherd went to the brook and watched the seven pretty daughters of the Emperor come down from heaven to take a bath. Fascinated by the youngest and the most beautiful one, the cowherd hid her fairy clothes. When the other six fairies went away after the bath, the youngest could not fly back to heaven without her fairy clothes. The cowherd then appeared and told the Weaving Maid that he would keep her clothes until she agreed to be his wife. After a slight hesitation, mixed with coyness and eagerness, the maid accepted the handsome man's proposal. The couple was then married and had two children two years later. Meanwhile, up in heaven, the Emperor missed the beautiful skies once woven by his seventh daughter. He ordered his daughter's grandmother to find her and bring her 20 back to him. As the seventh princess was flying to heaven with her grandmother, the cowherd put on his old ox's hide (which he preserved after the animal had died long ago) and put their children into two bamboo baskets laced with his wife's magical fairy clothes to chase after his love. But the grandmother created a milky way in the sky with her hairpin, which kept the lovers apart. The seventh princess moved to the star Vega (The Swooping Eagle) in the Lyra (Harp) constellation. And the cowherd and their two children stayed on the star Altair (Flying One) in the Aquila (Eagle) constellation. Vega is also known as the Weaving Maid Star and Altair is identified with the cowherd in China. Magpies nearby were so moved by their true love that they gathered to form a bridge for the couple so they could meet in the evening of the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, as prescribed by the emperor. Some say that it's hard to spot a magpie on Chinese Valentine's Day because most of them are busy making a bridge for the Weaving Maid and cowherd. (It is said magpies have fewer feathers on their heads after Valentine's Day - proof of their hard labor). It is also believed that evening showers on this day are the tears of the parting couple. ** Poem The Fairy of Magpie Bridge Among the beautiful clouds, Over the heavenly river, Crosses the weaving maiden. An evening rendezvous, Across the autumn sky, The family met on the Surpasses joy on earth. magpie bridge on the seventh day of the Moments of tender love and dreams, seventh month on the So sad to leave the magpie bridge. Chinese lunar calendar. Eternal love between us two, Shall withstand the time apart. The stars Gaze up to where the Milky Way (or "Heavenly River" in Chinese) traverses the night sky and you will see a constellation of five small stars on the east bank. This is Vega, also called the Weaving Maid or "Zhi Nu." Opposite to her, on the distant western bank, is Altair, also known as Cowherd or "Niu Lang ", shining brilliantly throughout the ages -- lonely and waiting. 21 Since Vega is the fifth brightest star in the sky, it is therefore very easy to spot on a summer night. Vega is 16 times bigger than the sun and its surface temperature tops 10,000 degrees Celsius. Vega is also 25 times brighter than the sun and 25 light years away from Earth. Altair, as the 11th brightest star in the sky, is also easy to spot on a summer night. Altair is four times bigger than the sun at a surface temperature of about 8,000 degrees Celsius. It is 11 times brighter than the sun and 17 light years away from Earth. Two stars Alshain and Tarazed, located on each side of Altair, are said to be the cowherd's two children. Since the distance between Vega and Altair is 16 light years, they cannot meet in the sky. In the story, the magpie bridge allowed the Weaving Maid and cowherd to meet. The festival On Chinese Valentine's Day, couples go to matchmaker temples to pray for everlasting love and marriage. Even single people will frequent the temple for luck in love. Chinese Valentine's Day is also called "The Daughter's Festival". Long ago, Chinese girls aspired to becoming skilled craftswomen like the Weaving Maid. This skill was considered essential to their future as wives and mothers. On that night, unmarried girls prayed to the Weaving Maid star for the special gift. When the star Vega was high up in the sky, girls performed a small test by placing a needle on the water's surface: If the needle did not sink, the girl was considered to be ready to find a husband. Once a year, on this day, girls could wish for anything their hearts desired. In some Chinese provinces, people believe that decorating an ox's horns with flowers on Chinese Valentine's Day will ward off disaster. On the night of Valentine's Day, women wash their hair to give it a fresh and shiny look; children wash their faces the next morning using the overnight water in their backyards for a more naturally beautiful appearance; and girls throw five-colored ropes made during the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival on the roofs so magpies can use them to build the bridge. [14]fan-pendant is one of the pair of the jade butterfly. 22 [15]In ancient times , when someone want to ask me for one's daughter's hand. He should write a red card to express his meaning. [16]In old times, people believe that when the lamp wicks keep forming snuff and sputtering, good things will happen. [17] In that times , marriage is entirely determined by their parents. [18,19]Three obedience and the four virtues are symbols of Chinese women's cruel fate for thousands of years. ‘three obedience and four virtues’ means that a woman had to be obedient to her father before marriage, to her husband after marriage and to her son after her husband's death; and she had to keep morality, proper speech, just one aspect of the feudal proprieties. modest manner and diligent work. It is [20]Sedan chair was an important means of man-carrying transportation in ancient China. There were sedan chair carried by two men, four men and eight men respectively for officers of various ranks. 23