Chapter VI: Foreword

The youthful Emperor Ho Yi of the Hsia Dynasty (about 2,000 B.C.) being of divine origin, as a child played with fairies. When he grew to manhood, he was in a dream led by fairies to the palace of the Heavenly Queen, Hsi Wang Mu, who gave the young Emperor the Elixir of Life. Ch’ang-O, the Imperial Concubine of Ho Yi, famed for her grace and beauty, learned of this precious gift and in childish innocence drank it, scarcely realizing what she had done. Filled with remorse and shame, upon being apprised of the gravity of her offence, she flew to the moon, where because of her wonderful beauty she was elected by the moon fairies as their queen. The scene of the play is laid in the moon and has to do with the preparations for and the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival with Ch’ang-O, the Queen of the Moon, as the central figure and the moon fairies and their invited guests as participants.

SYNOPSIS

FIRST ACT.—The scene depicts a garden blossoming in celestial
flowers, with Ch’ang-O plucking the flowers to be used in
making the wines for the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet.

CH’ANG-O opens with a song in praise of the beautiful surroundings in which she is about to pick flowers. (_Speaks_) Since arriving in the Moon, I have had a very pleasant time. The hot summer is now past and Mid-Autumn is come. In preparation for the celebration of the Festival, I look forward with delight to the making of wine for the entertainment of the fairies whom I am inviting to my feast. (_Sings_) Deftly though I roll up my sleeves and lightly though I pluck the flowers, I cannot help brushing off the bees and butterflies. This sprig is full of fragrance and is weighed down with abundance and splendor. That one is yet in bud. And when I lift up my eyes I behold above me a tree that reaches to the clouds. Lifting my hand I begin to pluck the flowers. (_Speaking_) Ah! How beautiful! I have so soon filled my basket with flowers, and now I must carry them home to make my wine. (_Singing_) How thickly do the butterflies follow in my trail!

SECOND ACT.—The Moon Fairies invite other fairies to the
Banquet.

THIRD ACT.—The invited guests proceed to the Banquet Hall.

FOURTH ACT.—The Moon Palace. The Moon Fairies dust the Palace
and make preparations for the coming Banquet and the receiving
of their guests.

FIFTH ACT.—The Banquet. Ch’ang-O, under the influence of wine,
soliloquises on the lonesomeness of her life amid her present
surroundings and yearns for the companionship of mortals and
more particularly of Ho Yi.

CH’ANG-O (_singing_). Forsaking the mortal world, I have come to the Moon to be Queen of the Fairies. My time has passed so pleasantly and fast that I have lost all count of time. I have gathered flowers and made wine, and have invited other fairies to join me on this festive occasion. (_Sitting in meditation_) Spring and autumn come and go, as the evening follows the morn. My time has flown by pleasantly amidst these beautiful surroundings. Once a year the moon is fullest on this night. Heaven and earth are happy in mutual enjoyment. (_Speaking_) This day is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I have directed the Palace to be dusted and cleaned. The attendants have conveyed the invitations to the fairies to share with me in my happiness. You, attendants, await their arrival. (_The fairies arrive and sit down to feast._)

FAIRIES. O Queen! behold the mortal world! See how every family on earth prepares its delicious food and wine to offer to thee as sacrifice? (_Ch’ang-O speaking_) Let me look. (_Ch’ang-O is moved and the fairies speak._)

FAIRIES. Why, Queen, dost thou feel so sad?

CH’ANG-O. Look at the mortals and see how they celebrate in couples. A hundred times better are they than we who lead a lonesome life.

FAIRIES. Do not speak thus, O Queen! But partake more of this beautiful wine and drown thy sorrow.

CH’ANG-O. Then let us drink. (_Lifts her cup._)

(_Ch’ang-O is overcome with wine and the fairies take their leave._)

CH’ANG-O. When we were feasting I perceived how mortals celebrated this happy occasion in couples and enjoyed each other’s company. The thought of my lonely life fills me with sorrow. (_Singing_) I go down by marble steps and part the crystal curtains to see how mortal couples live and prepare fresh fruits and delicious wines to celebrate the Festival. Here I see a family feasting and chatting, there a group walking hand in hand, and others while away their time in their modest homes, while I sit in my Palace, lonely and companionless. Ah! who is there to pity me? (_Speaking_) Deeply do I regret my offence of stealing the Elixir of Life. As punishment I am now destined to spend my nights in sorrow.

(_Fairies reappear to escort Ch’ang-O to visit the Heavenly Queen, Hsi Wang Mu._)

(_Exeunt all._)