Chinese Kunqu Opera-Tha Palace of Eternal Youth-長生殿-1

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The pledge

Translation by
Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang(楊憲益戴乃迭)

Emperor：
I have searched my realm for lovely girls,
But who is the loveliest of them all?
Today the gods have given me
One truly matchless; She shall be
My favourite; with a lady's rank
She shall outshine the rest.

All:
May love reign as long as the earth endures!

Lady:
I am overwhelmed by your praise,
For I cannot deserve such an honour.
Raised to the skies by your sudden favour,
I can only imitate good queens of old,
Waiting faithfully on my lord,
And serving humbly at his side.

All:
May love reign as long as the earth endures!

GAO:
May it please Your Majesty, the moon has risen.
(the table is cleared.)

Emperor:
I shall watch the moon from the courtyard with Lady Yang.
I leave the gilded hall
To gaze at her more raptly under the moon.
Even the flowers seem faded
Compared with her hair,her dress
And her numberless charms.
So happy am I tonight.
With the breeze and the brilliant moon,
I no longer envy the king
Who was loved by the nymph in his dreams.