Lady Wang [sings.] In gala dress I leave my boudoir,
Thinking all the time of thee—
O Heaven, fulfil a mortal’s longings,
And link my love to me.
My gorgeous cap is broidered o’er
With flocks of glittering birds:
Here shine the seven stars, and there
A boy is muttering holy words.
My bodice dazzles with its lustrous sheen:
My skirts are worked with many a gaudy scene.
[Showing Ball.
His Majesty on me bestowed this Ball,
And from a balcony he bid me let it fall,
Then take as husband whomsoe’er it struck,
Prince, merchant, beggar, as might be my luck.
And having left my parents and my home,
Hither to the Painted Tower I’ve come.
As I slowly mount the stairs,
I ope my eyes and see
A crowd of noble youths as thick
As leaves up on a tree.
But ah! amongst the many forms,
Which meet my eager eye,
The figure of my own true love
I cannot yet descry.
The pledge I gave him at the garden gate
Can he forget? The hour is waxing late.
And the crowds down below
Bewilder me so
That I am in a most desperate state.
Oh! P‘ing Kuei, if you really love me,
Hasten quickly to my side:
If the words you spoke were idle,
Why ask me to be your bride?
He perhaps his ease is taking,
While my foolish heart is breaking.
I can’t return till I have done
This work in misery begun,
And so I take the Flowery Ball
And with a sigh I let it fall.
[Throws down the ball.
P‘u-sa. ’Tis thus I seize the envied prize,
And give it to my protégé;
I’ll throw it in his earthen bowl.
[Throws the ball to P‘ing Kuei.
Lady Wang [sings.] Stay! I hear the people shouting—
What, the Ball some beggar struck?
It must be my own true P‘ing Kuei—
I’ll go home and tell my luck!
Maidens! through the temple kindle
Incense for my lucky fate;
Now my true love will discover
That I can discriminate.
[Exeunt omnes.
Enter Hu Mao-yüan and Su Tai-ch‘in.
Hu. The second of the second moon
The Dragon wakes to life and power;
To-day the Lady Wang has thrown
The Ball from out the Painted Tower.
No well-born youth was singled out,
It struck a dirty vagrant lout.
Friend Su, I’m off: we’re done for, as you saw,
Though for the little paltry wench I do not care a straw.