PING (hurrying across to the centre door):Feng!(opening the door)Come in!
(Sifeng comes in ,her face wet whit tears and rain,and her tangled纠缠的,dripping hair hanging in her eyes.She starts at Zhou Ping as if in a trance 恍惚.)
FENG :Ping!---(Tinmidly)Anyone about?
PING (perturbed):No ,it’s all right.(He grasps her hands)
FENG :Oh,Ping!(She flings her arms round him and sobs convulsively) PING :How—how did you get into such a stste?How did you know I was here?(Babbling with relief.)How did you get in?
FENG :I slipped in through the back way.
PING :Your hands are like ice.you’d better hurry up and get those wet things off.
FENG :No—(with a sob)let me have a look at you first.
PING (taking her over to a sofa and sitting her down beside him):But –but where have you been?
FENG (looking at Zhou Ping with here eyes fuul of tears):Here you areat last,Ping.It seems ages since I last saw you.
PING :My poor darling,how can you be so silly?But where have you been ,my silly sister?
FENG :I just ran on and on in the rain untill I didn ’t where I was.The noise of thunder seemed to driced everything out of in my mind.I thought I heard Mother calling after me,but I was afraid,and I ran as fast as I could. I was looking for the river out in front of our place.I was going to throw myself in.
PING (aghast):FENG !
FENG --:But somehow I couldn’t find it,though I went round and round in circles looking for it.
PING :Oh,FENG ,it ’s all my fault.Please forgive me.Don’t hold it against
me.
FENG :Somehow I stumbled here in a daze.Suddenly I saw there was a lirht in your window and I relized you were in .ALL of a sudden I felt that I couldn ’t just die:I couldn’t bear to be part from you.I think we can still go away —only we must go away together.
PING (solemnly):Yes,we must go away together.
FENG (earnestly):It’s the only way out,PING . I ‘ve got nothing now—no family ,no friends. I ’ve got only you , PING .Take me away with you tomorrow.(A pause)
PING (after a pause):No ,no.
FENG (in despair):PING !
PING :We must go right now.
FENG (incredulous):What ,this minute?
PING (tenderly):Yes. I was intending to go alone and then come back for you later.but there is no need to wait now.
FENG (still incredulous):You really mean it?We’ll go together? PING :Yes, I really do mean it.
FENG (tears stream down her cheeks):So it ’s true.I t’s true,then!Oh Ping!You darling,you! You ’re the darest darling in the whole world.You —you ’ve saved my life!
PING (fervently):From now on we’ll always be together.
FENG :Yes ,once we get away from this place,we’ll never be parted from each other.
PING (getting up):All right, FENG , but before we go there ’s someone we must see.As soon as we’ve done that ,we’ll be away.
FENG : What do you mean?
PING :Your brother.
FENG :Dahai?
PING :He’s been looking for you.He’s in the diningroom there. FENG (frightened):No, no ,don't see him. He hates you.He ’ll hurt you.Let ’s go—let ’s get out—quick.
PING :I’ve already seen him—and wo must seen him once more.—(with an air of finality)otherwise we just won’t be able to go.
FENG (timoroulsly):But , PING , you---(ZHOU PING goes across to the dining-room door and opens it)
PING (calling):LU Dahai!LUDhai! —I say!He ’s gone! That ’s funny.He must have gone out through the other door.(He looks at sifeng) FENG (going up to ZHOU PING and pleading with him):Come on,PING , let’s go.(Dragging him towards the centre door.)Let’s go just as we are. (As sifeng gets ZHOU PING to the door,it opens.LU MA and LU Dahai come in.)
(LU MA looks a changed woman.She has cried and shouted herself hoarse in the rain.She seems to have aged considerably.)
FENG (in alarm):Mother!
(a silght pause)
MA (in a agonized voice ,her arms held out towards sifeng.):FENG . (sifeng rushes towards her mother)
FENG :Oh,Mother!
MA (stroking sifeng’s head):M y child, my poor poor child.
FENG (sobbing quietly):Oh ,Mother ,forgive me ,forgive me. MA :Why didn’t you tell me eariler?
FENG (hanging her head):I was afraid.I was afraid you might be angry with me,and despise me ,and turn me out.I just didn’t dare tell you. MA (sorrowfully):It’s my own fault for being so stupid.I should have thought it before.But who could have expected anything like this?And to thing that it should have happened to my own child of all people!My own
fate ’s been hard enough ,but you---
HAI (unemotionally)Let’s get going,then.Sifeng will be going home with you for the time being.—I ’ve arranged everything with him—(pointing to ZHOU PING )he can go on in advance and come back for Sifeng later. MA (bewildered):What are you saying?What are you saying?
HAI (looking at his mother ,unperturbed):I know what ’s worrying you,Mother,but there ’s no other way out.So---(after a pause)we may as well let them go.
MA :What?Let them go?
PING (hesitantly):You can trust me,Mrs .LU.I’ll be good to her.I’m taking her with me and leaving at once.
MA (her voice trembling):Do you want to go with him,FENG ?
FENG ( tightly gripping her mother’s hands):Mother,I’m afraid I’ll have to leave you for a while.
MA :You can’t live together!
HAI (surprised)What’s the matter ,Mother?
MA (firmly):No! It wouldn’t do!
FENG :Mother!
MA :sifeng, we ’re going home.(To Dahai)Go and call a rickshaw.I don ’t suppose Sifeng can do any more walking.We must go —as fast as we can!
FENG (recoiling
me ,Mother! from her in desperation):You can ’t do this to
MA :It wouldn’t do,I say.Come on, we must go.
FENG :Do you want to drive your daughter to distraction and see her die of worry before your very eyes?
PING (going up to LU MA ):Mrs.Lu,I know I’ve done you wrong,but I’ll do my best to make up fot it.Now that things have come to such a pass,you---
HAI (at a loss to understand his mother ’s hehaviour):What’s the matter with you?Mother?
MA :You go and get a rickshaw!(To sifeng).Now listen to me,FENG :I’d rather lose you than see you living with him! —Come on ,then.(Just as Dahai gets to the door,sifeng screams.)
FENG :A—a —ah!Mother!(She faints into her mother’s arms.) MA (holding her in her arms):My child!You---
PING (agitated):She’s fainted.
MA (feeling sifeng’s forhead and softly calling her name):sifeng. (ZHOU PING runs towards the dining room)
HAI :Don't’s panic:a drop of cold water and she’ll be all right.She was like that when she was little.
(ZHOU PING gets some cold water on her face):Wake up wake up,sifeng. FENG (drawing a deep breath):Ah ,mother.
MA (trying to comfort her):Don’t be hard on me,child.I ’m not being hard —hearted.I just can’t tell you what I’m going through.
FENG (sighting deeply):Mother.
MA :What is it?
FENG (to ZHOU PING ): I—there ’s something I’ve got to tell you . PING : feel better now, Feng?
FENG :I ---I’ve been keeping it from you all the time. (looking piteously at her mother .)
MA : What is it ,child ?
FENG : (sobbing):I----we’re going to have a –(She breaks down in a flood of tears.)
MA :What? You mean you---(Words fail her.)
PING (seizing SiFeng’s hand)：Sifeng! You mean it ? You--- FENG :(weeping): Yes.
PING :But when? How long?
FENG :(hanging her head): About three months now.
PING : But ,Sifeng,why didn’t you tell me? I ---oh, my—
MA :(hoarsely) : My God!
PING :（going over to Lu Ma ）: You just can ’t stand in our way now, Mrs.Lu. Its all my fault. Now., please. Please let her go. I give you my word I’ll be worthy of her ,and a credit to you
FENG :(going down on her knees at her mother’ feet) Have pity on us, Mother. Say yes and let us go.
MA :(sitting there in a daze, unable to speak for a moment): I must be dreaming. My children, my own children, after thirsty years---Oh, my God!( She buries her face in her hands and bursts into tears,then waves them away.) Go away! I don’t know you! (she turns her face away) PING :In that case ---(rising)we’d better go.(Sifeng gets to her feet again) MA :(unable to control herself): No,you can’t do it
FENG :(falling on her knees again and pleading with her): What ’s the matter with you, Mother? My mind’s made up. Whoever he is , I belong to him now. my heart was promised to him from the very first, and there can never be anybody else for me but him. I’ve got now so that wherever he goes I’ll go with him and whatever he does I’ll do too.Can ’t you understand .Mother, that I –
MA :(stopping her with a gesture , distressed): Child!
HAI : Well, things being as they are, I don’t see why we shouldn’t let her go
PING :Mrs. Lu , if you refuse to let her go , we’ll have no alternative but to disobey you and just go .---Feng!
FENG :(shaking her hand ):No---(still looking up at Lu Ma )Mother! MA (in a low voice ): Oh , God knows what this is a punishment for ---what have I ever done to bring such a calamity down on our heads? —My poor children , they didn’t know what they doing. Oh ,God ,if anyone has to be punished, why can’t it just be me? It’s my fault and no one else ’s: it all began when I took the first false
step.(Heart-broken.)They’re my innocent children; they deserve a chance in life , The guilt is here in my heart , and I should be the one to suffer for it ,(she rises to her feet and looks heavenwards,)And tonight, here I am letting them go away together , I know I’m doing wrong, but this way the responsibility will all be mine; all this trouble was caused by me in the first place ,My children haven’t done anything wrong, they ’re too good and innocent to do anything wrong , If there must be a punishment, let me bear it ---along, (looking away ,)Feng---
FENG :(uneasily) :What’s the matter with you ,Mother? What are you talking about?
MA : (turning her face away):It doesn’t matter.( Gently.) Now get up. And go. Both of you.
FENG :(getting up an embracing her mother):Oh, Mother!
PING :Come on, then.(Looking at his watch.) We haven ’t got much time.Only twenty-five minutes before the train goes. Tell them to get the car out . Come on.
MA : (calmly): No ,don’t do that, Feng,If you’re going away secretly like this in the middle of the night ,it would be best not to attract too much attention.(To Dahai.)Dahai, you can go and get a rickshaw. I ’m going home now.You can see the off at the station
HAI :All right (He goes out through the centre door)
MA :（To Sifeng,with a sad tenderness）:come here,my child.let me kiss you good-bye.(Sifeng goes up to her mother and embraces her.) MA (to Zhou Ping):you come here,too.letme have a look at you. (Zhou Ping goes and stands in front of Lu Ma ,hishead bent.) MA (looking at him and wiping her eyes):go on,then .Off you go.-----I want you both to promise me one thing before you go,though. PING :what is it?
MA :if you don’t promise,then I won’tlet Sifeng go after all.
FENG :tell us what it is,mother.i’ll promise.
MA (looking from one to the other):when you go,you’dbest go as far as you can and never come back.one you ’ve left tonight ,you must never see me again as long as you live.
FENG (in distress):oh, mother,don’t-----
PING (tipping her a wink and whispering):she’s overwrought just now-----will be all right later on.
FENG :yes all right,then.----we’ll be off now,then,mother.
(her eyes full with tears as she knees for a farewell kowtow to her mother.)
(Lu Ma is controlling her own emotions with an effort.) MA (waving them away):off you go,then.
PING :let’s go out through the dining-room.five still got some of my things in there.
(just as the three of them get to the dining-room door,it opens and Fanyi comes in.)
FENG (invluntarily);Madanm!
FAN (with composure):why,where are you all going ?there ’s still a thunderstorm on outside,you know!
PING (to Fanyi):so you’ve been eaverdropping at the door,have you? FAN :yes,and I’m not the only one.there ’s someone else here.(turning
back to thedining-room.)come oyt,you!(a sheepish ZhouChong emerges from the dining-room.)
FENG (startled):Master Chong!
CHONG(disconcerted):Hullo,Sifeng!
PING (annoyed): I didn’t expect such behaviour from you.Chong CONG (still at sea) it was mother who told me to come here, I’d no idea what was going on.
FAN (coldly):you’ll know soon enough.
PING (to Fanyi,furning):now what’s the meaning of all this?
FAN (mockingly):I just wanted your brother to come and give you a send-off.
PING (furiously):what a dirty,mean trick!----
CHONG:noe,Ping!
PING (to Zhou Chong): I’m sorry!(rounding obruptly on Fanyi again.)but there isn’t another mother like you on earth!
CHONG (bewildered):what’s going on.then,mother?
FAN :see for youself!(to Sifeng.)where are you going,Sifeng?
FENG (falteringly): i-----er—i------
PING :nothing silly,now.tell them we’re going away toghter.
CHONG (noe that the light has dawned): what’s this,Sifeng?you’regoing awaywith him?
FENG :yes,master Chong.i----I’m
CHONG (somewhat
before? reproachfully):then why didn ’t you tell me so
FENG :but I did:I told you to leave me alone because i---I was no longer a---
PING （to Sifeng）：go on,tell them all about it!(pointing to Fanyi)tell hea that you’re going to marry me!
CHONG (rather taken aback):Sifeng,you------
FAN (to Zhou Chong):now you know what it’s all about.
(Zhou Chong hangs his head)
PING (rounding on Fanyi with a sudden viciousness):you spiteful creture!you thingk he ’ll spoil everything to help you?well,Chong?what ideas have you got on the subject?eh? what are you going to do about it?eh?
(Zhou Chong looks from his mother to Sifeng,then hangs his head in silence.)
FAN :come on ,Chong!(after a pause,more insistently.)why don’t you say something,Chong?why
don ’t you ask him?why don’t you ask your brother something? (another pause.everybody looks at Zhou Chong,who stands mute.) FAN:say something,Chong!you ’re not dead,are you?or dumb?or are youjust a stupid child?surely you’re not just going to stand there with all this going on and not make a murmur?
CHONG (lifting his head and replying with a lamblike bleat):no,mother.(he looks at Sifeng is willing,I’vno objection. PING (going up to Zhou Chong):spoken like a sensible fellow,Chong! CHONG (with a pizzled frown):no,I’v suddenly realizes-----it’s just come to me-----that I wasn ’t really in love with Sifeng after all.(Staring abstractedly into space.) what I felt about her was----probable only a silly infatuation.(Shrinking back from the triumphant Zhou Ping.) yes.take her away with you------only be good to her.
FAN (all her hopes dashed):ugh,you!(with a sudden fury.)you’re no son of mine!(incoherently.)you’re no man at all!if I were you-----(turning onSifeng) I’d smash her, burn her,kill her!you ’re just a poor,feeble idiot----not a spark none of life in you!ishould have known better----you’re none of mine---no son of mine!
CHONG (pained):what’s the matter with you,mother?
FAN (to Zhou Chong,hysterically):don’t think I’m your not her.(raising her voice.)your mother died long ago.she was crushed and smothered by your father.(wiping her eyes,in an anguished voice.)after all these
eighteen years of the Zhou family that’s more like a prison,married to a hateful tyrant---after may have made me spirit is still not dead.your father may have made me have you,Chong,butmy heart----my soul is still my own.(pointing to Zhou Ping.)he’s the only one that’s ever possessed me body and soul.but now he doesn’twant me,he doesn’t want me any more. CHONG (considerably distressed):mother,my dearest mother,what is all this about?
PING (heatedly):copying your father now,areyou?you hypocrite,you!no.i ’m not mad—not in the least! And now it’s your turn to speak,and tell them all about it----it ’s my last chance to get even with you! PING (embarrassed):what is there for me to tell? I think you’d better go up to bed.
FAN (sneering):stop pretending!tell them that I’m not your stepmother at all. (general astonishment.a short pause.)
CHONG (at his wit’s end):mother!
FAN (recklessly):go on,tell them.tell Sifeng. Go on,tell her!
FENG (overcome):oh,mother!(she
arms.) throes herself into her mother ’s
FAN :remember:it was you,and you alone,that deceived your brother,and deceived me,and deceivedyou father!
(she looks at him with a contemptuous sneer.)
PING (to sifeng):Tke no notice of her.Let’s get out of here.
FAN :You wouldn’t get far.The gate’s locked.Your father will be down any minute.I ’ve sent for him.
MA :God!
PING :What are you trying to do?
FAN (with icy calm):I want your father to meet his dear future daughter-in
law before you leave(Calling her husband)Puyuan!Puyuan!
CHONG :Mother!Please!
PING (*advancing on FANYI):don’t you dare shout again,you lunatic!(FANYI runs to the door of the study and shouts again)
MA (in great agitation):Let’s get out of here,Sifeng.
FAN:No,He’s coming!(ZHOU PUYUAN comes ion from the study.There is a deathly hush,and no one moves an inch.)
ZHOU (in the doorway):What’s all the shouting for?You ought to be in bed by now.
FAN (haughtily):I want you to meet some relatives of yours.
ZHOU (amazed to find LU MA and Sifeng here):Why,what the –what are you two doing here?
FAN (taking sifeng ’s hand and turning to PUYUAN):Let me introduce your daughter-in-law.(To sifeng,indicating PUYUAN.)Say hello to your father!(Then to PUYUAN,indicanting LU MA)And I’d likeyou to meet this lady here,too.
MA :Oh,madam!
FAN :Come here,PING!You can pay your respects to your new mother now that your father’s here.
PING (embarrassed):Father,I—I —
ZHOU (taking in the situation):Why—(To LU MA.) Sp you’ve come back again after all,Shiping.
FAN (startled):What?
MA (desperately):No ,no,you’re mistaken.
ZHOU (remorsefully):Yes,Shiping,I thought you’d be back.
MA : No!(Hanging her head)Oh ,God!
FAN (stupefied):Shiping?You mean she’s Shiping?
ZHOU (irritated):Don’t start pretending you did’nt know, and asking silly
questions.She ’s Ping’s mother, the one that died thirty years ago. FAN :In heaven’s name!(A long silence,broken only by a cry of anguish from Sifeng as she stares at her mother,who sits there with her head bent,as if in pain.Dazedly,ZHOU PING’s eyes travel from his father to LU MA,while Fanyi steals round to ZHOU CHONG. She is gradually becoming aware that a far greater tragedy than her won is unfolding before her eyes.)
ZHOU (with a heavy heart):PING,come here.Your won mother never died at all.She’s here,alive.
PING (beside himself):No,it can’t be her!Father,say it’s not her! ZHOU (severely):Idoit!Don’t talk such utter nonsense!She may not be from a good family but she’syour mother just the same.
PING (in utter despair)Oh,Father!
ZHOU (seriously):Don’t forget that you owe her something for bringing you into the world,even if ti is a bit of a blow to find that Sifeng’s your half-sister.
FENG (overcome with grief):Oh ,mother!
ZHOU (despondently):Forgive me ,PING.This was the real mistake I ever made.I never imagined for one moment that she was still alive and that one day she’d find us here.I can only put it down to divine justice(Turning to LU MA with a sign)I’m getting old now.I felt very sorry after I told you to go this afternoon,and I ’ve arranged to have twenty thousand doolars sent to you.Now that you’ve come back again,I think PING will be a good son to you and look after you.He’ll help to make amends for the wrong I did you.)
PING (to LU MA):So you--- you’re my--- MA (unable to control herself any longer):Oh,PING!—(She turns her head away and sobs)
ZHOU :Down on your knees to her ,PING!You ’re not dreaming.She ‘s your mother.
FENG (in utter bewilderment):This can ’t be true,Mother.(LU MA makes no reply)
FAN (to ZHOU PING, repentantly):I never ecpected it to—to turn out like this ping!—
PING (to PUYUAN)Father!(TO LU MA)Mother!
FENG (she and ZHOU PING atare at one another until,suddently, she can bear it no longer):Oh,my God!(She rushes out through the centre door.) (ZHOU PING throws himself down on sofa and buries his bead in his arms.LU MA atands motionless ,lifeless.)
FAN (calling anxiously):Sifeng!Sifeng!(Turning to ZHOU CHONG.)I don’t like look of this, CHONG.You’d better hurry out and find her. (ZHOU Chong runs out through the centre door ,calling after sifeng.) ZHOU (going up to ZHOU PING):Now PING, what’s all this about? PING (bursting out):You should never have fathered me!(He runs out through the dining—room)
(Suddenly, a scream is heard from Sifeng in the distance,followed by ZHOU CHONG’S frantic shouting of Sifeng Sifeng.Then comes a scream from ZHOU CHONG.)
MA (shouting):Sifeng,what’s happened?
FAN (simultaneously)CHONG!MY BOY!(They both run out through the centre door.)
ZHOU (hurries
［仆由中门跑上。］ to the window ,pulls aside the curtain, and quavers):What’s happened? What’s happened?
Servant: （喘）Master!
ZHOU: Quickly say? What has happened? Servant: （急不成声）Si Feng died! ZHOU: （急）What about the second young brother?
Servant: e died as well
ZHOU （颤声）No, no……No! Why?
Servant: Si feng touched the broken wire the second young master dragged her immediately because he didn ’t know it. I t is the electric shock that killed them
ZHOU （几晕）No, no! That’s not true. Tell me that’s not true! ［朴园与仆人跑下。］
［萍由饭厅出，颜色苍白，但是神气沉静的。他走到那张放着鲁大海的手枪的桌 前，抽开抽屉，取出手枪，手微颤，慢慢走进右边书房。］
［外面人声嘈乱，哭声，吵声，混成一片。鲁妈由中门上，脸更呆滞，如石膏人像。老仆人跟在后面，拿着电筒。］
［鲁妈一声不响地立在台中。］
Servant: （安慰地）Old lady, don’t stare blankly! You should cry. Yes, cry with abandon!
MA : （无神地） I don’t have tears.
Servant: This is divine providence. No one can change it!
MA : Now I just want to stay alone quietly. （呆立）
［中门大开，许多仆人围着繁漪，繁漪不知是在哭在笑。］ Servant: （在外面）Madam, don’t look at it. Please go into the house. FAN （被拥至中门，倚门怪笑）Chonger, Why do you open your mouth? Why do you keep smiling to me? Chonger, you are a muddled child. ZHOU （走在中门中，眼泪在面上）Fan Yi Come in! My hands are numb Don’t look at it!
Servant:Madam, please get in. There’s nothing we can do about it. FAN （进来，干哭）Chonger, my dear child. You were fine just now. I can’t stand why you died so quickly, so pitiful? （呆立）
ZHOU （已进来）You should calm down. （擦眼泪）
FAN （狂笑）You deserve it, deserve it! You have such a mother. You should die! ［外面仆人与鲁大海打架声。］
ZHOU What ’s wrong? It’s noisy outside.
Servant:It’s Lu Dahai. He comes back again, hit us ang escape from the back door.
ZHOU （略顿，忽然）Escape? Chase him.
Servant: Yes, master
［仆人一齐下。屋中只有朴园，鲁妈，繁漪三人。］
ZHOU （哀伤地）I have lost one of my son, never lose another! （三人都坐
下来）
MA : Let them leave together. I know my daughter. She hate you, and there ’s no way she would come back to see you.
ZHOU （寂静，自己觉得奇怪）The young walk faster than us. They leave earlier than us.
ZHOU （ 忽然）Where ’s Pinger? Pinger,Pinger! Somebody follow me to find him. Where is my elder son? ［书房枪声，屋内死一般的静默。］
FAN （忽然）Ah! （跑下书房，朴园呆立不动，立时繁漪狂喊跑出）He, he, …… ［朴园与繁漪一同跑下，进书房。］
［鲁妈立起，向书房颤踬了两步，至台中，渐向下倒，跪在地上，如序幕结尾老 妇人倒下的样子。］
PING (hurrying across to the centre door):Feng!(opening the door)Come in!
(Sifeng comes in ,her face wet whit tears and rain,and her tangled纠缠的,dripping hair hanging in her eyes.She starts at Zhou Ping as if in a trance 恍惚.)
FENG :Ping!---(Tinmidly)Anyone about?
PING (perturbed):No ,it’s all right.(He grasps her hands)
FENG :Oh,Ping!(She flings her arms round him and sobs convulsively) PING :How—how did you get into such a stste?How did you know I was here?(Babbling with relief.)How did you get in?
FENG :I slipped in through the back way.
PING :Your hands are like ice.you’d better hurry up and get those wet things off.
FENG :No—(with a sob)let me have a look at you first.
PING (taking her over to a sofa and sitting her down beside him):But –but where have you been?
FENG (looking at Zhou Ping with here eyes fuul of tears):Here you areat last,Ping.It seems ages since I last saw you.
PING :My poor darling,how can you be so silly?But where have you been ,my silly sister?
FENG :I just ran on and on in the rain untill I didn ’t where I was.The noise of thunder seemed to driced everything out of in my mind.I thought I heard Mother calling after me,but I was afraid,and I ran as fast as I could. I was looking for the river out in front of our place.I was going to throw myself in.
PING (aghast):FENG !
FENG --:But somehow I couldn’t find it,though I went round and round in circles looking for it.
PING :Oh,FENG ,it ’s all my fault.Please forgive me.Don’t hold it against
me.
FENG :Somehow I stumbled here in a daze.Suddenly I saw there was a lirht in your window and I relized you were in .ALL of a sudden I felt that I couldn ’t just die:I couldn’t bear to be part from you.I think we can still go away —only we must go away together.
PING (solemnly):Yes,we must go away together.
FENG (earnestly):It’s the only way out,PING . I ‘ve got nothing now—no family ,no friends. I ’ve got only you , PING .Take me away with you tomorrow.(A pause)
PING (after a pause):No ,no.
FENG (in despair):PING !
PING :We must go right now.
FENG (incredulous):What ,this minute?
PING (tenderly):Yes. I was intending to go alone and then come back for you later.but there is no need to wait now.
FENG (still incredulous):You really mean it?We’ll go together? PING :Yes, I really do mean it.
FENG (tears stream down her cheeks):So it ’s true.I t’s true,then!Oh Ping!You darling,you! You ’re the darest darling in the whole world.You —you ’ve saved my life!
PING (fervently):From now on we’ll always be together.
FENG :Yes ,once we get away from this place,we’ll never be parted from each other.
PING (getting up):All right, FENG , but before we go there ’s someone we must see.As soon as we’ve done that ,we’ll be away.
FENG : What do you mean?
PING :Your brother.
FENG :Dahai?
PING :He’s been looking for you.He’s in the diningroom there. FENG (frightened):No, no ,don't see him. He hates you.He ’ll hurt you.Let ’s go—let ’s get out—quick.
PING :I’ve already seen him—and wo must seen him once more.—(with an air of finality)otherwise we just won’t be able to go.
FENG (timoroulsly):But , PING , you---(ZHOU PING goes across to the dining-room door and opens it)
PING (calling):LU Dahai!LUDhai! —I say!He ’s gone! That ’s funny.He must have gone out through the other door.(He looks at sifeng) FENG (going up to ZHOU PING and pleading with him):Come on,PING , let’s go.(Dragging him towards the centre door.)Let’s go just as we are. (As sifeng gets ZHOU PING to the door,it opens.LU MA and LU Dahai come in.)
(LU MA looks a changed woman.She has cried and shouted herself hoarse in the rain.She seems to have aged considerably.)
FENG (in alarm):Mother!
(a silght pause)
MA (in a agonized voice ,her arms held out towards sifeng.):FENG . (sifeng rushes towards her mother)
FENG :Oh,Mother!
MA (stroking sifeng’s head):M y child, my poor poor child.
FENG (sobbing quietly):Oh ,Mother ,forgive me ,forgive me. MA :Why didn’t you tell me eariler?
FENG (hanging her head):I was afraid.I was afraid you might be angry with me,and despise me ,and turn me out.I just didn’t dare tell you. MA (sorrowfully):It’s my own fault for being so stupid.I should have thought it before.But who could have expected anything like this?And to thing that it should have happened to my own child of all people!My own
fate ’s been hard enough ,but you---
HAI (unemotionally)Let’s get going,then.Sifeng will be going home with you for the time being.—I ’ve arranged everything with him—(pointing to ZHOU PING )he can go on in advance and come back for Sifeng later. MA (bewildered):What are you saying?What are you saying?
HAI (looking at his mother ,unperturbed):I know what ’s worrying you,Mother,but there ’s no other way out.So---(after a pause)we may as well let them go.
MA :What?Let them go?
PING (hesitantly):You can trust me,Mrs .LU.I’ll be good to her.I’m taking her with me and leaving at once.
MA (her voice trembling):Do you want to go with him,FENG ?
FENG ( tightly gripping her mother’s hands):Mother,I’m afraid I’ll have to leave you for a while.
MA :You can’t live together!
HAI (surprised)What’s the matter ,Mother?
MA (firmly):No! It wouldn’t do!
FENG :Mother!
MA :sifeng, we ’re going home.(To Dahai)Go and call a rickshaw.I don ’t suppose Sifeng can do any more walking.We must go —as fast as we can!
FENG (recoiling
me ,Mother! from her in desperation):You can ’t do this to
MA :It wouldn’t do,I say.Come on, we must go.
FENG :Do you want to drive your daughter to distraction and see her die of worry before your very eyes?
PING (going up to LU MA ):Mrs.Lu,I know I’ve done you wrong,but I’ll do my best to make up fot it.Now that things have come to such a pass,you---
HAI (at a loss to understand his mother ’s hehaviour):What’s the matter with you?Mother?
MA :You go and get a rickshaw!(To sifeng).Now listen to me,FENG :I’d rather lose you than see you living with him! —Come on ,then.(Just as Dahai gets to the door,sifeng screams.)
FENG :A—a —ah!Mother!(She faints into her mother’s arms.) MA (holding her in her arms):My child!You---
PING (agitated):She’s fainted.
MA (feeling sifeng’s forhead and softly calling her name):sifeng. (ZHOU PING runs towards the dining room)
HAI :Don't’s panic:a drop of cold water and she’ll be all right.She was like that when she was little.
(ZHOU PING gets some cold water on her face):Wake up wake up,sifeng. FENG (drawing a deep breath):Ah ,mother.
MA (trying to comfort her):Don’t be hard on me,child.I ’m not being hard —hearted.I just can’t tell you what I’m going through.
FENG (sighting deeply):Mother.
MA :What is it?
FENG (to ZHOU PING ): I—there ’s something I’ve got to tell you . PING : feel better now, Feng?
FENG :I ---I’ve been keeping it from you all the time. (looking piteously at her mother .)
MA : What is it ,child ?
FENG : (sobbing):I----we’re going to have a –(She breaks down in a flood of tears.)
MA :What? You mean you---(Words fail her.)
PING (seizing SiFeng’s hand)：Sifeng! You mean it ? You--- FENG :(weeping): Yes.
PING :But when? How long?
FENG :(hanging her head): About three months now.
PING : But ,Sifeng,why didn’t you tell me? I ---oh, my—
MA :(hoarsely) : My God!
PING :（going over to Lu Ma ）: You just can ’t stand in our way now, Mrs.Lu. Its all my fault. Now., please. Please let her go. I give you my word I’ll be worthy of her ,and a credit to you
FENG :(going down on her knees at her mother’ feet) Have pity on us, Mother. Say yes and let us go.
MA :(sitting there in a daze, unable to speak for a moment): I must be dreaming. My children, my own children, after thirsty years---Oh, my God!( She buries her face in her hands and bursts into tears,then waves them away.) Go away! I don’t know you! (she turns her face away) PING :In that case ---(rising)we’d better go.(Sifeng gets to her feet again) MA :(unable to control herself): No,you can’t do it
FENG :(falling on her knees again and pleading with her): What ’s the matter with you, Mother? My mind’s made up. Whoever he is , I belong to him now. my heart was promised to him from the very first, and there can never be anybody else for me but him. I’ve got now so that wherever he goes I’ll go with him and whatever he does I’ll do too.Can ’t you understand .Mother, that I –
MA :(stopping her with a gesture , distressed): Child!
HAI : Well, things being as they are, I don’t see why we shouldn’t let her go
PING :Mrs. Lu , if you refuse to let her go , we’ll have no alternative but to disobey you and just go .---Feng!
FENG :(shaking her hand ):No---(still looking up at Lu Ma )Mother! MA (in a low voice ): Oh , God knows what this is a punishment for ---what have I ever done to bring such a calamity down on our heads? —My poor children , they didn’t know what they doing. Oh ,God ,if anyone has to be punished, why can’t it just be me? It’s my fault and no one else ’s: it all began when I took the first false
step.(Heart-broken.)They’re my innocent children; they deserve a chance in life , The guilt is here in my heart , and I should be the one to suffer for it ,(she rises to her feet and looks heavenwards,)And tonight, here I am letting them go away together , I know I’m doing wrong, but this way the responsibility will all be mine; all this trouble was caused by me in the first place ,My children haven’t done anything wrong, they ’re too good and innocent to do anything wrong , If there must be a punishment, let me bear it ---along, (looking away ,)Feng---
FENG :(uneasily) :What’s the matter with you ,Mother? What are you talking about?
MA : (turning her face away):It doesn’t matter.( Gently.) Now get up. And go. Both of you.
FENG :(getting up an embracing her mother):Oh, Mother!
PING :Come on, then.(Looking at his watch.) We haven ’t got much time.Only twenty-five minutes before the train goes. Tell them to get the car out . Come on.
MA : (calmly): No ,don’t do that, Feng,If you’re going away secretly like this in the middle of the night ,it would be best not to attract too much attention.(To Dahai.)Dahai, you can go and get a rickshaw. I ’m going home now.You can see the off at the station
HAI :All right (He goes out through the centre door)
MA :（To Sifeng,with a sad tenderness）:come here,my child.let me kiss you good-bye.(Sifeng goes up to her mother and embraces her.) MA (to Zhou Ping):you come here,too.letme have a look at you. (Zhou Ping goes and stands in front of Lu Ma ,hishead bent.) MA (looking at him and wiping her eyes):go on,then .Off you go.-----I want you both to promise me one thing before you go,though. PING :what is it?
MA :if you don’t promise,then I won’tlet Sifeng go after all.
FENG :tell us what it is,mother.i’ll promise.
MA (looking from one to the other):when you go,you’dbest go as far as you can and never come back.one you ’ve left tonight ,you must never see me again as long as you live.
FENG (in distress):oh, mother,don’t-----
PING (tipping her a wink and whispering):she’s overwrought just now-----will be all right later on.
FENG :yes all right,then.----we’ll be off now,then,mother.
(her eyes full with tears as she knees for a farewell kowtow to her mother.)
(Lu Ma is controlling her own emotions with an effort.) MA (waving them away):off you go,then.
PING :let’s go out through the dining-room.five still got some of my things in there.
(just as the three of them get to the dining-room door,it opens and Fanyi comes in.)
FENG (invluntarily);Madanm!
FAN (with composure):why,where are you all going ?there ’s still a thunderstorm on outside,you know!
PING (to Fanyi):so you’ve been eaverdropping at the door,have you? FAN :yes,and I’m not the only one.there ’s someone else here.(turning
back to thedining-room.)come oyt,you!(a sheepish ZhouChong emerges from the dining-room.)
FENG (startled):Master Chong!
CHONG(disconcerted):Hullo,Sifeng!
PING (annoyed): I didn’t expect such behaviour from you.Chong CONG (still at sea) it was mother who told me to come here, I’d no idea what was going on.
FAN (coldly):you’ll know soon enough.
PING (to Fanyi,furning):now what’s the meaning of all this?
FAN (mockingly):I just wanted your brother to come and give you a send-off.
PING (furiously):what a dirty,mean trick!----
CHONG:noe,Ping!
PING (to Zhou Chong): I’m sorry!(rounding obruptly on Fanyi again.)but there isn’t another mother like you on earth!
CHONG (bewildered):what’s going on.then,mother?
FAN :see for youself!(to Sifeng.)where are you going,Sifeng?
FENG (falteringly): i-----er—i------
PING :nothing silly,now.tell them we’re going away toghter.
CHONG (noe that the light has dawned): what’s this,Sifeng?you’regoing awaywith him?
FENG :yes,master Chong.i----I’m
CHONG (somewhat
before? reproachfully):then why didn ’t you tell me so
FENG :but I did:I told you to leave me alone because i---I was no longer a---
PING （to Sifeng）：go on,tell them all about it!(pointing to Fanyi)tell hea that you’re going to marry me!
CHONG (rather taken aback):Sifeng,you------
FAN (to Zhou Chong):now you know what it’s all about.
(Zhou Chong hangs his head)
PING (rounding on Fanyi with a sudden viciousness):you spiteful creture!you thingk he ’ll spoil everything to help you?well,Chong?what ideas have you got on the subject?eh? what are you going to do about it?eh?
(Zhou Chong looks from his mother to Sifeng,then hangs his head in silence.)
FAN :come on ,Chong!(after a pause,more insistently.)why don’t you say something,Chong?why
don ’t you ask him?why don’t you ask your brother something? (another pause.everybody looks at Zhou Chong,who stands mute.) FAN:say something,Chong!you ’re not dead,are you?or dumb?or are youjust a stupid child?surely you’re not just going to stand there with all this going on and not make a murmur?
CHONG (lifting his head and replying with a lamblike bleat):no,mother.(he looks at Sifeng is willing,I’vno objection. PING (going up to Zhou Chong):spoken like a sensible fellow,Chong! CHONG (with a pizzled frown):no,I’v suddenly realizes-----it’s just come to me-----that I wasn ’t really in love with Sifeng after all.(Staring abstractedly into space.) what I felt about her was----probable only a silly infatuation.(Shrinking back from the triumphant Zhou Ping.) yes.take her away with you------only be good to her.
FAN (all her hopes dashed):ugh,you!(with a sudden fury.)you’re no son of mine!(incoherently.)you’re no man at all!if I were you-----(turning onSifeng) I’d smash her, burn her,kill her!you ’re just a poor,feeble idiot----not a spark none of life in you!ishould have known better----you’re none of mine---no son of mine!
CHONG (pained):what’s the matter with you,mother?
FAN (to Zhou Chong,hysterically):don’t think I’m your not her.(raising her voice.)your mother died long ago.she was crushed and smothered by your father.(wiping her eyes,in an anguished voice.)after all these
eighteen years of the Zhou family that’s more like a prison,married to a hateful tyrant---after may have made me spirit is still not dead.your father may have made me have you,Chong,butmy heart----my soul is still my own.(pointing to Zhou Ping.)he’s the only one that’s ever possessed me body and soul.but now he doesn’twant me,he doesn’t want me any more. CHONG (considerably distressed):mother,my dearest mother,what is all this about?
PING (heatedly):copying your father now,areyou?you hypocrite,you!no.i ’m not mad—not in the least! And now it’s your turn to speak,and tell them all about it----it ’s my last chance to get even with you! PING (embarrassed):what is there for me to tell? I think you’d better go up to bed.
FAN (sneering):stop pretending!tell them that I’m not your stepmother at all. (general astonishment.a short pause.)
CHONG (at his wit’s end):mother!
FAN (recklessly):go on,tell them.tell Sifeng. Go on,tell her!
FENG (overcome):oh,mother!(she
arms.) throes herself into her mother ’s
FAN :remember:it was you,and you alone,that deceived your brother,and deceived me,and deceivedyou father!
(she looks at him with a contemptuous sneer.)
PING (to sifeng):Tke no notice of her.Let’s get out of here.
FAN :You wouldn’t get far.The gate’s locked.Your father will be down any minute.I ’ve sent for him.
MA :God!
PING :What are you trying to do?
FAN (with icy calm):I want your father to meet his dear future daughter-in
law before you leave(Calling her husband)Puyuan!Puyuan!
CHONG :Mother!Please!
PING (*advancing on FANYI):don’t you dare shout again,you lunatic!(FANYI runs to the door of the study and shouts again)
MA (in great agitation):Let’s get out of here,Sifeng.
FAN:No,He’s coming!(ZHOU PUYUAN comes ion from the study.There is a deathly hush,and no one moves an inch.)
ZHOU (in the doorway):What’s all the shouting for?You ought to be in bed by now.
FAN (haughtily):I want you to meet some relatives of yours.
ZHOU (amazed to find LU MA and Sifeng here):Why,what the –what are you two doing here?
FAN (taking sifeng ’s hand and turning to PUYUAN):Let me introduce your daughter-in-law.(To sifeng,indicating PUYUAN.)Say hello to your father!(Then to PUYUAN,indicanting LU MA)And I’d likeyou to meet this lady here,too.
MA :Oh,madam!
FAN :Come here,PING!You can pay your respects to your new mother now that your father’s here.
PING (embarrassed):Father,I—I —
ZHOU (taking in the situation):Why—(To LU MA.) Sp you’ve come back again after all,Shiping.
FAN (startled):What?
MA (desperately):No ,no,you’re mistaken.
ZHOU (remorsefully):Yes,Shiping,I thought you’d be back.
MA : No!(Hanging her head)Oh ,God!
FAN (stupefied):Shiping?You mean she’s Shiping?
ZHOU (irritated):Don’t start pretending you did’nt know, and asking silly
questions.She ’s Ping’s mother, the one that died thirty years ago. FAN :In heaven’s name!(A long silence,broken only by a cry of anguish from Sifeng as she stares at her mother,who sits there with her head bent,as if in pain.Dazedly,ZHOU PING’s eyes travel from his father to LU MA,while Fanyi steals round to ZHOU CHONG. She is gradually becoming aware that a far greater tragedy than her won is unfolding before her eyes.)
ZHOU (with a heavy heart):PING,come here.Your won mother never died at all.She’s here,alive.
PING (beside himself):No,it can’t be her!Father,say it’s not her! ZHOU (severely):Idoit!Don’t talk such utter nonsense!She may not be from a good family but she’syour mother just the same.
PING (in utter despair)Oh,Father!
ZHOU (seriously):Don’t forget that you owe her something for bringing you into the world,even if ti is a bit of a blow to find that Sifeng’s your half-sister.
FENG (overcome with grief):Oh ,mother!
ZHOU (despondently):Forgive me ,PING.This was the real mistake I ever made.I never imagined for one moment that she was still alive and that one day she’d find us here.I can only put it down to divine justice(Turning to LU MA with a sign)I’m getting old now.I felt very sorry after I told you to go this afternoon,and I ’ve arranged to have twenty thousand doolars sent to you.Now that you’ve come back again,I think PING will be a good son to you and look after you.He’ll help to make amends for the wrong I did you.)
PING (to LU MA):So you--- you’re my--- MA (unable to control herself any longer):Oh,PING!—(She turns her head away and sobs)
ZHOU :Down on your knees to her ,PING!You ’re not dreaming.She ‘s your mother.
FENG (in utter bewilderment):This can ’t be true,Mother.(LU MA makes no reply)
FAN (to ZHOU PING, repentantly):I never ecpected it to—to turn out like this ping!—
PING (to PUYUAN)Father!(TO LU MA)Mother!
FENG (she and ZHOU PING atare at one another until,suddently, she can bear it no longer):Oh,my God!(She rushes out through the centre door.) (ZHOU PING throws himself down on sofa and buries his bead in his arms.LU MA atands motionless ,lifeless.)
FAN (calling anxiously):Sifeng!Sifeng!(Turning to ZHOU CHONG.)I don’t like look of this, CHONG.You’d better hurry out and find her. (ZHOU Chong runs out through the centre door ,calling after sifeng.) ZHOU (going up to ZHOU PING):Now PING, what’s all this about? PING (bursting out):You should never have fathered me!(He runs out through the dining—room)
(Suddenly, a scream is heard from Sifeng in the distance,followed by ZHOU CHONG’S frantic shouting of Sifeng Sifeng.Then comes a scream from ZHOU CHONG.)
MA (shouting):Sifeng,what’s happened?
FAN (simultaneously)CHONG!MY BOY!(They both run out through the centre door.)
ZHOU (hurries
［仆由中门跑上。］ to the window ,pulls aside the curtain, and quavers):What’s happened? What’s happened?
Servant: （喘）Master!
ZHOU: Quickly say? What has happened? Servant: （急不成声）Si Feng died! ZHOU: （急）What about the second young brother?
Servant: e died as well
ZHOU （颤声）No, no……No! Why?
Servant: Si feng touched the broken wire the second young master dragged her immediately because he didn ’t know it. I t is the electric shock that killed them
ZHOU （几晕）No, no! That’s not true. Tell me that’s not true! ［朴园与仆人跑下。］
［萍由饭厅出，颜色苍白，但是神气沉静的。他走到那张放着鲁大海的手枪的桌 前，抽开抽屉，取出手枪，手微颤，慢慢走进右边书房。］
［外面人声嘈乱，哭声，吵声，混成一片。鲁妈由中门上，脸更呆滞，如石膏人像。老仆人跟在后面，拿着电筒。］
［鲁妈一声不响地立在台中。］
Servant: （安慰地）Old lady, don’t stare blankly! You should cry. Yes, cry with abandon!
MA : （无神地） I don’t have tears.
Servant: This is divine providence. No one can change it!
MA : Now I just want to stay alone quietly. （呆立）
［中门大开，许多仆人围着繁漪，繁漪不知是在哭在笑。］ Servant: （在外面）Madam, don’t look at it. Please go into the house. FAN （被拥至中门，倚门怪笑）Chonger, Why do you open your mouth? Why do you keep smiling to me? Chonger, you are a muddled child. ZHOU （走在中门中，眼泪在面上）Fan Yi Come in! My hands are numb Don’t look at it!
Servant:Madam, please get in. There’s nothing we can do about it. FAN （进来，干哭）Chonger, my dear child. You were fine just now. I can’t stand why you died so quickly, so pitiful? （呆立）
ZHOU （已进来）You should calm down. （擦眼泪）
FAN （狂笑）You deserve it, deserve it! You have such a mother. You should die! ［外面仆人与鲁大海打架声。］
ZHOU What ’s wrong? It’s noisy outside.
Servant:It’s Lu Dahai. He comes back again, hit us ang escape from the back door.
ZHOU （略顿，忽然）Escape? Chase him.
Servant: Yes, master
［仆人一齐下。屋中只有朴园，鲁妈，繁漪三人。］
ZHOU （哀伤地）I have lost one of my son, never lose another! （三人都坐
下来）
MA : Let them leave together. I know my daughter. She hate you, and there ’s no way she would come back to see you.
ZHOU （寂静，自己觉得奇怪）The young walk faster than us. They leave earlier than us.
ZHOU （ 忽然）Where ’s Pinger? Pinger,Pinger! Somebody follow me to find him. Where is my elder son? ［书房枪声，屋内死一般的静默。］
FAN （忽然）Ah! （跑下书房，朴园呆立不动，立时繁漪狂喊跑出）He, he, …… ［朴园与繁漪一同跑下，进书房。］
［鲁妈立起，向书房颤踬了两步，至台中，渐向下倒，跪在地上，如序幕结尾老 妇人倒下的样子。］