Six One-Act Plays Part 13

(_Chorus leaves stage followed by Gong-bearer._)

_Scene II_

(_Chorus again appears before the closed curtains, and raises his left hand, while the Gong-bearer, who has walked to his original position at the right side of the stage strikes the Gong once._)

CHORUS--Many perfumed months have pa.s.sed since Chang-sut-yen wedded Kwen-lin, and each has added a white hibiscus blossom to the garland of life. But now bitter winter comes, snow is on the paeony hill, the hosts of evil are abroad. The Mandarin, with never ending rage, has spent the months searching throughout the Empire to discover their dwelling place. Now he has learned where it is, and pursues Chang-sut-yen with a death dealing thong, which he will wield with dire results. It is the pleasure of the ill.u.s.trious author that the villain act in a supremely unpleasant manner, in order to bring out the tenderness of the play. Our lovers, not knowing this is a comedy, (and therefore must conclude with smiles and feasting), are overwhelmed with fear. I beg you not to share this fear, except inasmuch as it may make the after enjoyment of the happy ending more piquant and superbly satisfying.

I bow to you, and conduct you to the home of Chang-sut-yen, and Kwen-lin, his wife.

(_Gong-bearer strikes gong. Chorus walks to his place at the left of stage. The Curtains are drawn apart, and reveal Chang-sut-yen, and Kwen-lin. The Property Man is at the back of the stage, as before._)

KWEN-LIN--Is my august father yet stamping on the road? Peep out of the door, heroic one, and show but part of one eye, lest the radiance from both light the world like stars, and he swoop upon us.

CHANG-SUT-YEN--(_Looking out of imaginary doorway._) I see not his angry body.

KWEN-LIN--I would not face him here. Let us go outside, and sit neath the eaves of the paG.o.da. He may miss our presence, and leave without shattering this temple of our love dreams.

(_Property Man opens invisible door, they descend two steps and sit down, and Property Man closes the door._)

CHANG-SUT-YEN--Little humming bird, your heart wings beat wildly against my solemn breast.

KWEN-LIN--His fiery breath will wither our blood. Feel how it scorches the grey veil of night. He is coming to consume us, he is coming to consume us! I fear his terrible rage.

CHANG-SUT-YEN--Nay, tremble not, for I, your lover, shelter you in my heart.

CHORUS--The Mandarin comes.

KWEN-LIN--(_Sadly._) The wine cup is drained, the love songs all are silenced.

(_Enter Mandarin._)

MANDARIN--Base thief and destroyer, at last I have found the hole in which you hide!

CHANG-SUT-YEN--A lover seeks only food for his love. If he destroys or thieves what matter? Love is first.

MANDARIN--My tongue sends flame into your viper soul. Go to your ancestors, they beckon you.

KWEN-LIN--Let us escape across the bridge!

(_Property Man holds bamboo stick horizontally for bridge._)

CHANG-SUT-YEN--Why should we flee?

KWEN-LIN--Why should we perish? To the bridge! We will outrun him.

(_They run onto bridge._)

CHANG-SUT-YEN--(_Grasping bamboo._) The bridge shakes. Its ribs are rotten. We will fall into the water.

KWEN-LIN--(_Off stage._) I fall, I drown!

CHANG-SUT-YEN--Bright Water-lily, float upon the water's face.

MANDARIN--I pull down your star from Heaven's dome.

CHANG-SUT-YEN--My star dropped to Earth, when the light of hers failed.

(_Property Man hands whip to Mandarin._)

MANDARIN--I strike with my exalted whip. By the G.o.d of Fate, you die!

(_Strikes Chang with whip. Chang falls. Gong-bearer strikes gong. The G.o.d of Fate, wearing grotesque mask, enters._)

FATE--Who calls me to the world of men?

MANDARIN--What unknown fear are you?

FATE--I am the G.o.d of Fate.

MANDARIN--I have sent a dog to death. (_Stoops and takes a small red bag from Chang's breast._)

FATE--Chang-sut-yen is mine! He must not die.

MANDARIN--My exulting mind does not record your meaning.

FATE--(_Stooping over Chang, and putting the red bag back._) Chang-sut-yen, son of Chang-won-yin, the Great, I give you back your heart! (_Gong-bearer strikes gong._)

MANDARIN--Chang-sut-yen, son of Heaven! I bow in the dust three times.

(_Prostrates himself._)

FATE--(_To Chang._) Arise, and continue your exalted life.

CHANG-SUT-YEN--(_Rising._) My path is lost in crookedness until I join her. Let me go.

FATE--The G.o.ds have not yet dried the ink on the pages of your book of life. You must live, to live upon a Willow plate.

CHANG-SUT-YEN--And be broken by the heavy hand of august Time, and unkind Chance. (_Property Man hands knife to Chang._) With this frosty blade, I cut the circle of life, and press my lips to the jade cup of nothingness. I am a lover bereft of my mate.

FATE--You must live! (_Touches Chang's arm with staff. The knife falls to the ground. Property Man picks it up, and puts it back in the property box._)

CHANG-SUT-YEN--Kwen-lin, I leap across the river of Heaven to your arms!

FATE--She is not dead. She dreams, and smiles upon the bosom of the water.

(_To Kwen-lin._) Awake! Awake!

(_Kwen-lin enters, and goes to Chang._)