Hu [sings.] I think your luck is sure to take you through.
Su [sings.] Your handsome face should bring the Ball to you.
Hu [sings.] At any rate it lies between us two.
Su [sings.] There’s hardly anybody else who’d do.
Hu [sings.] Then come let us go, let us make haste and run.
Su [sings.] Away let us go, but don’t be so slow,
Or we shan’t be in time for the fun.
[Exeunt.
Enter P‘ing Kuei.
P‘ing [sings.] Ah! that day within the garden
When my lady-love divine,
Daughter of a wealthy noble,
Promised that she would be mine.
At the garden gate she pledged me,
Bidding me come here to-day;
From my miserable garret
I have just now crept away.
And as I pass the city gates
I ope my eyes and see
A crowd of noble youths as thick
As leaves upon a tree.
Forward they press, but who knows which
The lucky man will be?
In vain I strain my eager eyes—
Alas! ’twill break my heart—
Among the well-dressed butterflies
I find no counterpart.
Let her be faithless or be true
I lose the Ball as sure as fate;
Though, if she spoke me idle words,
Why trifle at the garden gate?
Nevertheless, I’m bound to go
Whether I get the Ball or no:
My bowl and my staff in my hands—just so.
Rank and fortune often come
From matrimonial affairs;
I’ll think of it all as I walk along—
And perhaps I’d better say my prayers.
Why, here I am at the very spot!
I’ll just walk in.
Gatekeeper. I say you’ll not!