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LITTLE MOON: A prince went wandering And never returned.
CHAO SUN: This is a region renowned for its privacy; it is said to be the resort of rebels,…
MRS CHIN: Chin up! Chin up!
…outcasts and agitators;…
Chin up! Chin up! Chin Up!
…and no wonder.
Cassia trees grow thick…
OLD P’ENG: This charming poem…
…in the mountain forest;…
…of great antiquity…
In the thorny tangling wood…
…dates from the time…
…leopards and tigers spring.
…of Prince Luan.
Chin up! Chin up! Chin Up!
Inhospitable; dark and unwelcoming…
Baboons and monkeys…
Virtuous…
…sing in chorus;…
…and benevolent,…
…deer and antelope…
…Luan…
…stand ready to jump.
CHAO LIN and MONGOLIAN SOLDIER: By the order of law in the twenty-third year of the glorious reign of the Emperor Kubilai
THREE ACTORS: Glorious reign? I must have missed it.
…We order the indigent, the idle and feckless…
Are they referring to us?…
…To report for conscription
…Tell us the worst.
…on the Grand Canal of Loyan,…
Run away and hide!
…by imperial order.
Who orders it?
Lieutenant Chao Lin of Loyan
MRS CHIN and OLD P'ENG: Not little Chao Lin, that dear little orphan who lived in our street and played with his kite?
This'll embarrass him!
Remember his father, who went into exile.
That makes him a traitor!
How brave his example was!
…Never mention those days.
Keep your words to yourself. Report at dawn tomorrow…
Get up at dawn?…
Prepare for heavy labour…
…How unpleasantly rough it sounds…
…Have you ever done any work in your life?
In the days of peace and plenty, we entertained the Emperor. We told him tales of ancient China and played the parts of Gods and Sacred Dragons. Now we beg and act in secret…
Arrest them now!
Where do you want us to dig?
From here towards the Tat'ien Mountains…
I am astounded! the place of all your father loved: he left behind his mountain guide, which I happen to have on my person…
I might have known.
I feel he would wish you to have it.
I should accept it: it might send them away…