The Chinese lantern

ACT III

The Studio before dawn. Mee-Mee lies asleep on a mat in front of the picture. Outside a shuffling step is heard, and a sheep-like coughing. A dull lantern-light passes along the street wall. Knocking.

Mee. Who dat? [She shuffles up and goes to the door.] Josi-Mosi, dat you?

[Opens door.

Josi. Yesh, dat’sh me. [He enters.] Nobody up yet?

[He sets down lantern.

Mee. No, dey all asleep—so airly!... Say! you blought dat lill’ t’ing I tol’ you?

Josi. Yesh, I’ve got it!

Mee. [Exultantly.] Sha!

Josi. What you want it for, eh?

Mee. Ugh!... Meself of course!... Me sleep in here.... All de big live-long rats come in de night and wake me! Dey run on my toes,—dey sit on my face. Not nice t’ing dat, eh?

Josi. Have you got de money?

Mee. Yah! [Fumbles in sleeve.] Dere now! [Gives him the money.] No say dat all right?

Josi. [Counting it.] Dat’sh all right.

[He gives her a small phial.

Mee. Oh! dat all! Dat not e-nough! Dere’s plenty twenty hundred rats in here.... Take a lot of killing, dey will!

Josi. Dat ’ud kill five hundred, dat would!

Mee. Kill me too?

Josi. Kill de whole lot of you.

Mee. [Satisfied.] Ah!

Josi. So dey put you to shleep in here now, eh? Dat boy Tikipu never been sheen again, I shuppose?

Mee. [Startled.] What for you ask me dat now?... No, he not come.

Josi. M’m. Reashon I ashk wash becosh dish is de very day he went—t’ree yearsh ago. Feasht of Lanternsh it wash. I’ve a reashon for remembering de date.

Mee. So?

Josi. It wash to-day.... What’sh dat? Who’s dat dere?

Enter Olangtsi in sleeping attire.

Mee. Ssh! It Mr. Olangtsi ... he velly often come like dat—to de picture. He not know anyt’ing about it when he wake up! Ssh!

Olang. Ugh! Ugh!... Yes, yes ... where was I?... I don’t want you, my dear!... Go away!... You ... you wouldn’t understand!... Gen ... gentle ... gentlemen pupils ... your immediate and polite attention!... On this very painful occasion, when I address you for the last time ... and this great picture of Wiowani’s which here stands before you ... for the last time ... I ask you, I ask you, for the last time ... your kind attention, gentlemen!... No, no, I am not forgetting myself, my dear, at all!... I am remembering what I once was, ... before you ... before you came and robbed me!... Yes, you did—you robbed me!... like a thief in the night: first you robbed me of my sleep, then of my liberty, then of my conscience ... and then, then of my art! Tikipu found out that for me!... And now everything is gone!

Josi. What’sh all dish mean?

Mee. He want Tikipu to come back, me t’ink. He velly unhappy!

Olang. What thief, what great thief in the night taught you to steal—like that?... Oh, thief, thief, little thief! give it to me, give it to me, I say.... There! There! ... that finishes it! ... that’s done, Tikipu, that’s done!

Mee. Oh!

[She begins to sob.

Olang. Don’t cry, Tikipu, it’s no use your crying like that!... Ah, that’s good, that’s good!—but you mustn’t paint like that any more ... it’s not ... it’s not possible. She won’t let you ... it doesn’t pay.... And if it doesn’t pay, it’s no good!

Josi. No, he’sh right dere: if it doesn’t pay, it’sh no good! You know, little Mish Mee-Mee, you going to have a new master to-day?

Mee. How you know dat? How you know dat?

Josi. ’Cosh I do know:—it’s de right day for it. He knowsh dat too.

[Nods to Olangtsi.

Mee. Den you know velly foolish t’ing, Mr. Josi-Mosi, if you t’ink dat! Me not have no new master! So dere!... Dis kill so many rat: it will kill me too!

Josi. Mee-Mee, you give me dat back!

Mee. Noh!

Josi. Give it me back, I shay.

[He tries to take bottle.

Mee. Noh!

Josi. If you don’t give it me I—I——

Mee. Don’ you touch me! Don’ you dare to come near me!

Voice. [Without.] Yah-yah-yah-yah-yah-yah-eh?

[A quick step goes by and a wand taps along the wall.

Mee. [Relieved.] Ah!

Josi. What’sh dat!

Mee. De watchman. ‘Evellybody wake up!’ he say. You go!

Josi. You give me dat firsht!

[Pursues her.

Mrs. O. [Within.] Mee-Mee, Mee-Mee! You awake?

Mee. H’m, ya-ah!... Oh ye’es! Almost quite awake now!... You go!... You gott’n yo’ money—you go!

Mrs. O. [Within.] Get up then; come quick, I want you!

Olang. Eh? Eh? Yes, my dear, I’m coming! I’m coming!

Josi. Coshi! I must fetch Coshi!

Mee. Yah!

[Exit Josi-Mosi in haste.

Olang. Yes, yes, I was meaning to come. It was—it was only for the last time!

[Exit Olangtsi by staircase.

Enter by inner door Mrs. Olangtsi with light and bridal costume.

Mrs. O. What are you doing—so slow when I call?

Mee. Only jus’ to open de door!

Mrs. O. Don’t want it open! Shut it! [Looks round suspiciously.] Who’s been in here?

Mee. It was a big rat dat would’n’ go out! Me told him you comin’: den he run on his hin’ legs, jus’ like a man!

[Starts to pull up blinds.

Mrs. O. Here! Begin to get yourself dressed, or you’ll be late!... There are your things.... [She lays bridal costume on chair.] Now attend to me, and learn how a Chinese bride should behave.

Mee. Be-have?

Mrs. O. In a quarter of an hour—are you attending?—the bridesmen and the bearers will be here with the palanquin. As soon as you hear them outside you are to run in there and lock the door.

Mee. Dat door?

Mrs. O. Yes; that door: there isn’t any other that I know of. Don’t lock it so much that they can’t force it without breaking it! I don’t want to be paying for repairs afterwards, you aren’t worth it!

Mee. Leave it open, den?

Mrs. O. Open? Fine sense of modesty you’ve got! Please to recollect that you are a Chinese bride; you do as I tell you! Pull up that blind! Then, when they fetch you out, you must struggle,—d’you hear? Kick, bite, scratch; only mind you don’t tear the dress! Do it decently: give one of them a scratch on his face where it can be seen: that’ll be enough. If you show too much fight it looks like having too high an opinion of yourself. When they’ve put you into the palanquin and locked you in,—then you can do as you like.

Mee. So?

Mrs. O. Remember—the bride’s procession is to start at sunrise. Mind you are ready!

Mee. Hon’ble Mistless, at sunlise? Dat velly airly—dat not too soon, eh?

Mrs. O. Not if I say it’s the time you are to be ready by. When you want your bride-crown pinned on, come to me!

Mee. My blide-clown? Oh yes!... Say!... When dey put me in my lill’ chair-palanquin, will all de blin’s be down? No one to see me?

Mrs. O. Of course not. Who wants to see you? Here, go on and get dressed! You are wasting time.

[Exit Mrs. O.

Mee. Yes: me wasting time! [Pulls up blind.] Silly dat!... Nobody want to see me?... No ... nobody! Oh! run, Mee-Mee! dere’s de worl’ wakin’! [She opens door and peeps out.] Oh, gleat, big worl’, wake up!—Mee-Mee say good-bye to you! Oh, de lazy sun, all down dere, you not come up yet!—Mee-Mee say good-bye to you!... And nex’ time dat he come, you tell Tiki, you tell Tiki—Mee-Mee gone jus’ ’cause she couldn’t wait fo’ him—any mo’!... Dat’s all!... You all been velly, velly nice to me!... Good-bye.

[She shuts the door, draws out phial and stands trembling, facing the thought of death. Crossing the stage she comes on the bridal array left by Mrs. Olangtsi.

Oh! pletty, eh? Oh! Say! isn’t dat nice? What?... Quick, quick, Mee-Mee! [She begins to robe herself.] Yes, quick! Yes, quick! Yes, quick! [Puts on shoes.] Lef’, right, get dem all on! Dere! dat all right, eh? [Opens toilet-box and gets out mirror and paints.] Now, Mee-Mee, you got to make yo’self mos’ beautiful—because to-day, you say—you say you goin’ to be mallied to Tiki. And dat make you so glad, dat make you so happy, dat you laugh, an’ laugh, an’ laugh, till all de tears come into yo’ eyes! You velly silly little gel, you! [She dries her eyes and takes up mirror.] Look at yo’self! Hee-hee! [She turns the glass about and knocks on the back of it.] Mee-Mee? Mee-Mee? You round dere? You round dere?... Right in dere? [Turns it.] ’Course I is!—She in dere all de time! Catch her not? [She starts playing bo-peep with herself.] No ... no ... she dere, I say she dere!... He say once—he say, ‘silly lill’ gel know not’ing ’bout art!’ Ah, ha! Himself he know not’ing, not’ing—at all!... Himself!... Tiki, dat went away and never come back!

[She produces from hiding-place the shoes which Tikipu left behind.

[Sings.]

Mee-Mee, Mee-Mee know not where

He gone. He gone!

He not here! He not dere!

[She looks into her powder boxes and at the shoes.

No use looking anywhere!

He gone!

Evelly day, sin’ dey say

He gone an’ not come back,—

Mee-Mee wait:—still he stay.

Mee-Mee hope, Mee-Mee pray,

All Mee-Mee’s hair gone grey!

Dat’s a fac’!

[Looks at herself in glass, and continues talking.] Only jus’ now it don’ show—dat’s all why she can’t see it. [She puts out light. Within the house are heard the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Olangtsi raised in altercation, and Yunglangsti crying, ‘I don’t want to get up! I won’t get up!’ As Mee-Mee listens her resolution is formed.] Don’ you waste time, Mee-Mee!—don’ you waste time! Soon dey come—to take you away from yo’self. You say not’ing to dat. You only be here—let dem find you here, eh? Let dem see you not belong to dem at all. You belong ... all ... to ... yo’self ... because Tiki have fo’gotten you! [She takes phial of poison from her breast.] Goo’-bye, Mee-Mee!... Goo’-bye ... goo’....

[While she is speaking the picture glows slowly into life. Under the rays of the lantern Wiowani is discovered seated, benignant of aspect. He plucks three times upon the strings of his guitar. At the third sound Mee-Mee’s attention is arrested: she shuffles the poison out of sight and turns her head.

Mee. [With childlike curiosity.] H’m?... How you come in dere?

Wio.

Years ago, when youth was spent,

The door was open, so in I went.

Mee. Catch yo’ foot and trip, eh?... Say? is it all velly nice in dere?

Wio.

A matter of taste: the view is free;

You can look for yourself and see.

Mee. [Doubtfully.] H’m! Is dere any one pletty in dere?

Wio.

Pretty’s a word that knows no rule,

Here we have only the Beautiful.

Mee. H’m!... H’m! ... not pletty?

[Wiowani shakes his head.

Mee. [Very satisfied.] Say?... Me pletty, you no t’ink?

Wio.

My eyes have grown too old to see,

You’re too far off. Come nearer to me!

Mee. [Advancing by degrees.] Hee-hee!... Hee-hee!... Tsz!

Wio.

Nearer. Nearer. Yes, that will do.

Sit down! I’ve been waiting to talk to you.

Mee. Ya-as ... of course.

[She squats on dais.

Wio.

Three years I’ve waited, while time has tarried.

Mee-Mee, when are you going to get married?

Mee. [Stiffly.] Not goin’ to get mallied.

Wio.

Oh, yes, you are! Tell the truth, Mee-Mee!

Come now!—when is the day to be?

Mee. [Reluctantly.] Well ... me’d bin hopin’ dey forget.... Dey not!... Las’ night de Mistless say—‘Mee-Mee!’ (like dat!) ‘you gettin’ yo’self leddy to mally to-mollow—first t’ing?’... [Her voice begins to quaver.] Me gettin’ meself leddy now.... Plesently she come: plesently she say—‘You wife, you not lill’ gel any mo’!’

Wio. And then?

Mee. And den? Ah! den me got to die!

Wio. Die? When?

Mee. Me got lill’ bottle of ‘come-wid-me’ in here! Hee-hee, hee-hee!... Me take it—so: me say to my beautiful new husban’—‘Yo’ health!—yo’ velly good health!’ Den me drink. Den me say—‘How nice!’ Den me die! Den he lef’ widower.... Oh! poo’ man!

Wio.

Oh! he’ll get over it, bit by bit!

But what will Tikipu say to it?

Mee. Tikipu? Who say ‘Tikipu’? Who say? Who say?

Wio.

Oh, yes! It’s all very well for you:

But what will it mean for Tikipu?

Mee. Not’ing.... He fo’gotten me.

Wio. Oh ho?

Mee. He don’ care fo’ me.

Wio. Oh ho?

Mee. He don’ want me!

Wio.

He didn’t, you mean, when he went away?

When he returns—perhaps he may!

Mee. Ah, say? Ah, say? O gleat big beautiful wise man, you t’ink dat?

Wio.

And if he does—then, what about you?

How can you hope to help Tikipu?

Mee. Ugh! Dat velly easy t’ing, if he really want me.... Me say here to myself sometimes, ‘Now, t’ink, Mee-Mee, t’ink Tiki come all back again! T’ink dat you am his wife!... Den he sit like dis, and he paint: an’ you—just sit-an’-wait! Plesently he paint—all wrong: got to be closs with somebody—of course! Den he closs wid you! an’ you—jus’ sit-an’-wait! Den he paint ’bominable: got to beat somebody—beat you, eh? Den de picture come—all right!... Say, isn’t dat de way? What?

De man dat mally me—

Gleat artis’, see?

Wio.

Yes, if he understands, maybe.

Where did you learn all that, Mee-Mee?

Mee. It all inside of me!... Dat kind of t’ing come all of itself—me t’ink!

Wio.

Ah! That’s good! Well, some day you

Will have to teach that to Tikipu.

When he returns perhaps you’ll find

Tikipu with an absent mind.

Wake him tenderly, take him in hand,

Teach him! Then he will understand....

There, run along! Yes, go your way;

Deck yourself out in bridal array,

Stick gold bodkins into your head,

Dab your cheeks with patches of red,

Paint your lips like petals of rose,

Rub the powder-puff over your nose,

Play the tricks that you know by heart,

Colour your eyes, and call it ‘Art.’

And when you stand, after all is done,

Crowned like a bride in the sight of the sun,

Then is your time—call Tikipu!

And he, if he hears, will come to you!

[Wiowani vanishes into picture.

Mee. [Quietly surprised.] Say!... Funny picture dat! Mee-Mee, you been asleep?

Mrs. O. [Within.] Now Mee-Mee! Mee-Mee! Mee-Mee!

Mee. Oh! ya-as!

[She skurries round, collects her toilet-materials, and runs into house. Far away bridal music is heard. Within the picture goes a murmur of soft music. Wiowani reappears, leading Tikipu by the hand. Tikipu steps out of the picture as one walking in his sleep.

Wio. So you have come back to the world again!

There’s dawn beginning white against the pane.

What does life look like? Does the dream seem true

Now you have wakened from it, Tikipu?

What? Not awake yet? Ah, soon from your brain

All this dead breath shall melt, as from the pane

Melts the white frost! Now, if my labour stands,

Yonder you hold it!—Go and wash your hands!—

There’s too much paint upon them, and the stain

Of midnight oils. Catch hold on life again

Ere it be flown! You know the tale that’s told,

How to my door an Emperor came of old

And begged, but would not enter. Fortune’s clown,

Burdened with power, he durst not lay it down!

But there’s another tale, that’s yet to tell,

Of one that came, and—loving peace too well,—

Would not go out! Indolent and unmoved,

Gifted with powers, he feared to have them proved!

Chosen of gods, the gods he chose to cheat,

And here sat lapped in rest with folded feet,

A tranquil traitor, careless of his kind.

Go—get you gone, and leave your dreams behind!

Nay! What have you done yet to earn the rest

And peace wherein I dwell? Have your hands blest

Dull clay, or caused the mouldering dead to wake?

Have you so starved, and striven, and toiled to make

Your vision true: and have you failed and tried,

And failed and found—only to be denied

And stand at last a mark for all men’s scorn?

And have you learned that faith is only born

Out of thick darkness,—hope out of despair,—

Love out of hate,—and that the world proves fair

Only through this—the blindness of men’s eyes,

Whereto all Beauty goes for sacrifice?

Ah! though I speak with tongues, he understands

Nothing at all! Go, go and wash your hands

In life, and live anew!...

The world awaits you! Good-bye, Tikipu!

[Tikipu has turned slowly away, gazing at his hands in a daze of grief and humility. Wiowani vanishes into the picture.

Re-enter Mee-Mee, wearing her bridal crown. Tikipu continues to move away.

Mee. Tiki! Tikipu!

Tiki. Why, Mee-Mee, is that you? What have you come for? It’s ... it’s very early, isn’t it?... Is any one up? Mee-Mee, what’s the matter? You are changed! What has happened since yesterday?

Mee. Since yes’day?

Tiki. It was ... it was yesterday, wasn’t it? Mee-Mee,—how long have I been away?

Mee. For t’ree year, Tiki—t’ree whole year.

Tiki. [Dumbfounded.] Three y——!

Mee. You ’shamed of yo’self, Tiki, eh? What for you come back now? H’m? Los’ yo’ way, I suppose!

Tiki. Yes, Mee-Mee, ... it’s strange!... I’ve ... I’ve lost my way!... Three years! And you are not married yet, Mee-Mee?

Mee. What dat matter to you, Mr. Tiki?... No ... not yet.... P’laps dat why you come ... to see me—mallied!... Well, den,—you jest in time!

Tiki. [Realising for the first time Mee-Mee’s bridal array.] Mee-Mee ... there’s something ... I ... don’t understand.

Mee. Ah ha! So you found dat out!

Tiki. It’s gone! Something’s gone,—something without which I can’t live! Gone!

Mee. Ah! I know what all de matter! I know! Dere! [She brings out Tikipu’s shoes from hiding-place.] You lef’ yo’ gleat big shoes behin’! I keep dem quite safe all de time!

[She kneels, taps first one foot, then the other, and puts the shoes on his feet. He still stands dazed.

Tiki. Gone!... Oh! where shall I find help now?

Mee. Won’ Mee-Mee do? Won’ Mee-Mee do? [He stands disregarding her.] You not want me?... You not want me, Tiki?... Goo’-bye.... I’m going to be mallied to-day ... yes, to somebody! My Star say to-day, only to-day! ... ol’ maid if I don’ mally to-day!... Goo’-bye! Ah! Ah!

[She breaks into sudden tremblings and sobbings. Tikipu turns and looks at her earnestly: round her as she stands the light gradually grows bright. She stretches her hands pleadingly towards him for the last time.

Tiki. Mee-Mee! Mee-Mee! What have you done to yourself? Don’t look at me like that! Don’t look at me like that! Your eyes are beautiful, Mee-Mee! Shut them or I shall go blind!

Mee. Ah! It come! It come! Say, Tiki! you is wantin’ somebody to help you?

Tiki. My whole life is a want, Mee-Mee! If you come with me you will lose everything!

Mee. I got not’ing to lose, Tiki.

Tiki. You will be hungry!

Mee. I’ve been hungly for t’ree years, Tiki.

Tiki. Homeless—perhaps!

Mee. I never had a home, Tiki.

Tiki. Friendless!

Mee. Ah ha!

Tiki. Poor!—poorer than the poorest you have known. Look under this ... this robe.... [Bewildered, he finds that he is wearing a strange garment.] ... I have only my old rags. And you——

Mee. [Showing herself.] I jus’ de same!

Tiki. Often I shall neglect you, Mee-Mee: sometimes I may even forget you! For there is something I love more than you! If you come with me, it is to help me to find eyes more wonderful than your own, and a mistress whose bond-slave you also shall be!

Mee. She velly beautiful, Tiki?

Tiki. I have never seen her, Mee-Mee. But in your eyes I find the reflection of her face!

Mee. Den when I shut dem, you no see her—at all?

Tiki. Open them, Mee-Mee! Open your eyes!... Oh!... Mee-Mee!

[He surrenders himself utterly to her spell. They embrace.

Mee. Tiki ... is you awake?

Tiki. Yes! Awake at last!

Mee. You been asleep for t’ree years, eh? What you been dreaming of, Tiki?

Tiki. I was dreaming of you—all the time!

Mee. Dat true? Ah! What Mee-Mee made for! De man dat mally me—gleat artis’!

[As she clings to him, the song of the bridal procession is heard approaching. They start and listen.

Students. [Without.]

Is the lily on the lake?

Is the bride wide awake?

Here’s a party come to take her home!

There’s a cosy bed to make,

There’s a rosy cake to bake,

And there’s honey, too, to take from the comb.

Mee. Now dey comin’ fo’ me!

Tiki. They shan’t have you, Mee-Mee! Quick, let us go!

[Knocking is heard without.

Mee. No, no ... it too late now!... Go, hidee, Tiki, go hidee!

Tiki. In here!

[They run into pantry.

[Enter Students and Apprentices, followed by bearers with hooded palanquin, which is set down, propped on stools, in the centre of the stage.

Chorus.

Oh, who will go inside?

Oh, who will bring the bride,

For the knot to be tied as it ought?

Give a rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!

If she doesn’t come for that,

Then the naughty little cat must be caught!

Phit! Phat! Miaow! Phit! Phat! Miaow!

Then the naughty little cat must be caught!

New. Well, and which of all the blushing doors is the right one?

Lil. That’s the one!

Hiti. Tee-Pee, you and I are the adopted relatives: we’ve got to defend it!

[Takes up attitude of defence before door.

Hiti.

Scarecrows avaunt!

I say ye shan’t

Intrude! It’s rude

And most improper!

Tee.

Robbers, beware!

This damsel fair

Who steals,—by heels

He comes a cropper.

[Plants his foot in Lilong’s stomach and floors him.

Lil. [From floor.]

Oh, put aside

Your family pride!

Our suit denied

Deride no more!

Han.

Let her decide

With us to ride!

All.

Come bride, bride, bride!

Undo the door!...

Bride! come along, bride! Door, door, door!

Nau. Why, she hasn’t locked it!

New. Laws of Confucius! What a fuss all about nothing!

[They advance to the door.

Lil. Take care! She’ll scratch you! She’s waiting behind the door!

Han. Fetch her out! Nau-Tee, fetch her out!

[He pushes Nau-Tee into the inner chamber.

Hiti. Have his blood, Mee-Mee! Have his blood!

Nau. Why, she isn’t here at all!

Hiti. Her feet have beat a modest retreat!

Tee. You’d better have proof she is not in the roof!

[They all run in.

Students. [Within.]

In the roof? Fetch her out.

Oh, there isn’t a doubt

She is somewhere about!

[Quick ascent of ladder is heard.

We are looking for proof

That she’s not in the roof.

(Sing the catch of the cat and the mouse!)

If she isn’t up there,

Why then, I declare,

She is hiding herself in the house.

[Meanwhile Tikipu and Mee-Mee have been trying to steal to the street door: as each attempt fails they retreat precipitately. Immediately on exit of Students, Mee-Mee runs across to the door, reverses the key, and locks it from the outside.

Mee. Now, Tiki, quick, quick, quick!

[She throws off bride-dress on to floor.

Tiki. They are coming back, Mee-Mee!

Mee. No—not yet! Silly man—make me do it all! How you able to run and hide in all dis? [She pulls off his robe, uncovering the certificate which hangs down his back.] Oh! Tiki, dat what you stole? [Tikipu takes it and stares astonished, presently his wonder changes to laughter.] Tiki! don’ laugh like dat! You wastin’ time!

Tiki.

Oh! now I know what I have done!

I’m a thief, Mee-Mee! I must run!

Poor Yunglangtsi! There, let it stay!

I’m a much bigger thief to-day:

I’m stealing you!

[Knocking at inner door. Tikipu throws open the street door: the warm hues of dawn stream in.

Tiki.

Dawn, Mee-Mee, dawn! Look how the hands of light

Reach up and lift the covering cowl of night

From the blush-blinded eyes of Heaven! And she,

Heart-woken, and warm-footed o’er the sea,

Her face a fountain of desires long stored,

Goes kindling to the arms of her great lord!

And lo! he comes rejoicing, and flings gold,

Till all the earth is with his joy enrolled:

And every life a mote in his glad beams

Melts forth to meet him, and, where’er light streams,

Dance till it drowns! Ah, look! The sun, the sun! [Knocking.

Shall we go, Mee-Mee?

Mee. Yes! I go! I run!

[They run off, holding hands and laughing.

Nau. [Within.] Look here, New-Lyn, I say! She’s locked us in. Go round the other way.

[By the stairs Students and Bearers come running just as the door falls, broken from its hinges.

Hiti.

The Chinese lantern

About This Book

ACT III