Romance of the West Chamber - (Exquisite Annotations, Elegant Illustrations)

Author: Wang Shifu (Yuan Dynasty) / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: I don’t know why I’m saying this; the young mistress handed you the book, so you can read it yourself. (The actor takes the cue, begins reading) Ah, what good news! We’ve burned incense and offered three bows of respect. If I had known the young mistress would come, I should have greeted her from afar. My apologies for not doing so. Madam, you must be happy too. (Hong Yun) How so? (The actor) The young mistress’s words were all in jest, but the meaning of the book is that she wants me to come to the garden tonight and meet her—“la yi bo la yi luo.” (Hong Yun) You read, and I’ll listen. (The actor) “Waiting for the moon under the West Wing Courtyard, the door half open to the wind, the flower shadows moving across the wall—like jade people coming.” (Hong Yun) How can you tell she wants you to come? Explain it to me. (The actor) “Waiting for the moon under the West Wing Courtyard” means she wants me to come up with the moon; “the door half open to the wind” means she’s opening the door to welcome me; “the flower shadows moving across the wall—like jade people coming” means I’m to jump over the wall. (Hong Yun laughs) She wants you to jump over the wall, so you do it. Is that really the case? (The actor) I’m just a fellow who solves poetry riddles, a roguish and romantic figure like Li He, or a. I wouldn’t dare to do anything improper. (Hong Yun) Look at my sister—she even uses such tricks with me. P68