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Today is the fifteenth of the second moon.The priest has requested me to join in the service by burning incense,so I must go along.
The preachers utter words as rain falls from the cloud;
Like waves raised by the wind they turn palm leaves over loud.
Over Buddha’s Temple high the full moon shines in the skies;
Around its green-tiled roof the smokes of incense rise.
Today is the fifteenth day of the second moon when Sakyamuni entered Nirvana and Bodhisattva Mandjusri and Auysman Cunda made offerings to Buddha.Those who perform religious service today,men and women,will secure great happiness and advantage.Master Zhang,you are early to come here.Priests,play your sacred instruments now.When it dawns,I will request Madame Cui and her daughter to come to burn incense.
The smoke of incense forms of clouds a canopy;
The prayers sound like rolling waves of the sea.
The banners undulate with shadows to and fro,
All benefactors have come from high and low.
Tune: HALTING THE HORSE
The sacred drums and brazen cymbals sound
In every corner of the temple and all around
Like thunder in the second moon of spring;
The prayers to Buddha and the bells ring
Like a half skyful of rain mingled with strong breeze,
Sprinkling among the tips of green pine-trees.
The lordly house forbidden to the priest,
Rose has not left her windowsill.
O how I thirst to feast
My hungry eyes on her and have my fill!
You make your offering first.If Madame Cui asks you,please tell her you are a relation of mine.
May those who are alive enjoy long life with glee!
Be happy in Paradise,those who have passed away!
For my ancestors’souls I worship the“Holy Three”
And then I burn the incense and in secret pray:
May Rose not slap my wrist!
May Madame be kept in the dark!
May dogs not bark!
O Buddha,show your favor on our tryst!
We are now going to burn the incense as requested by the abbot.
She seems a fair angel from the blue skies,
But she’s a lovely maiden coming to say grace.
Lovesick for her,can I refrain from heaving sighs
For such a beauty with such a captivating face?
Tune: TRIUMPHANT SONG
Her lips are cherry-red,you see,
Her nose jade-white,
Her face like the flower of a pear-tree,
Like willow branch her figure slight.
Lovely and sweet,
In her charms she’s complete;
Slim and slender,
She’s delicate and tender.
I have something to tell you,Madame.A relation of mine,who is a schoolar on his way to the capital,has asked me to include him in the religious service to show his gratitude to his deceased parents.I have promised him I would,but I am afraid I might have incurred your displeasure.
How can I be displeased to see anyone show his gratitude to his deceased parents?Please ask him to come and see me.
(Master Zhang meets Madame Cui.)
The abbot,though advanced in years,
From his high seat,bends his eyes on the belle.
What a fool the head monk appears!
He’s striking Facong’s head and not the bell.
Tune: SONG OF SWEET WATER
The old and young,the foul and fair,
All stand in great confusion there
As on the Lantern Day.
Their looks beseeching
And hers bewitching
As if all had something to say.
She casts a furtive glance from her eyes full of tears
As if she had some lurking fears.
Tune: PICKING LAUREL
She fills my heart
With a longing that cannot be put apart.
All hear her weep
Like an oriole warbling in a forest deep,
And see her tears
As pearly dew on a flower appears.
The inimitable abbot grieves
And hides his kindly face with both his sleeves.
The acolyte
Forgets the candles he should light,
And the monk who should burn
The incense forgets his concern.
So flicker candles red
And cloud-like smokes of incense spread.
To Yingying they are so devout
That incense ceases to burn and candles all go out.
Tune: GREEN JADE FLUTE
My love’s revealed at the point of my brows;
She knows my lovesickness.
Her heart which sorrow plows
Is stirred by love,I guess.
But I dislike
The loud sound of the gong the monks strike
And the prayers the novices recite,
For I would not be robbed of my delight.
Tune: LOVEBIRDS’EPILOGUE
A longing heart is sadder than a longing eye;
For the enchantress I,enchanted,can only sigh.
It is dawn now.Please return to your quarters,Madame and Mademoiselle.
(Exeunt Madam with Cui Yingying and Rose.)
Another day like this would be a joy indeed!What am I to do now?
A busy night,
The moon is out of sight;
The bell has rung;
The cock has sung.
The fair is gone,
The service done,
Deserted is the place,
At an easy pace
All worshippers go on their homeward way.
Soon breaks the day.
(Exeunt.)
Madame Cui comes to the monastery in spring.
Cui Yingying burns incense at night.
Rose,the handmaid,does good news bring;
Zhang Junrui performs the religious rite.