PS 635 j .Z9 B12 ) Copy 1 tional Copyrighted (in EnglaiVd, her Colonies is) Edition of the Works of ti.^e Best Authors The Singing Soul A CHINESE PLAY IN ONE ACT No. 387 BY MRS HENRY BACKUS COPYRIGHT, 1920. BY SAMUEL. FRENCH All Rights Reserved CAUTION hereby- being- of the Professionals and Amateurs are warned that "THE SINGING SOUL," fully protected under the copyright laws United States, is subject to a royalty, and anyone presenting the play without the consent of the owner or his authorized agent will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for pro- fessional and amateur acting rights must be made TO Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th St., New York. PRICE 30 CENTS New York SAMUEL FREXCE ;8-30 WEST .3STH :;TREET PUBLI5HEB LOXDO>- SAMUEL FRENXH. Ltd 26 Southampton Street STRAND The Singing Soul A CHINESE PLAY IN ONE ACT. By MRS. HENRY BACKUS Copyright, 1920, by Samuel French All Rights Reserved CAUTION. — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby warned that "THE SINGING SOUL," being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, is subject to a royalty, and anyone presenting the play without the consent of the owner or his authorized agent will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for pro- fessional and amateur acting rights must be made to Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th St., New York. New York SA^tUEL FRENCH Publisher 28-30 West 38th Street London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street Strand g)Gi.a 56065 NOV 20 1920 TKPS2-008570 PREFACE The story of Ko Ngai is from a collection en- titled "A Hundred Examples of Filial Piety," trans- lated from the Chinese by P. Dabry de Thiersant in 1877, and appearing later in Lafcadio Hearn's beau- tiful short story, "The Soul of the Great Bell." Mrs. Archibald Little also tells it in her book of travel "Round My Peking Garden." quoting at length from the original legend. We find it again in "The Yellow Jacket" in the following lines spoken by the chorus : "The great bell calls, me. The bell-maker cast it of pure gold and silver but its notes proved brazen. The Son of Heaven was supremely annoyed. The bell-maker recast it. When the metal was molten, to save her father's life, for fear its notes would again carry base tones, Ko Ngai, his daughter, dis- posed of her body by springing into the mass of white heat; so her soul became of the bell wrought ^ by her father. The metal welded with her spirit, and its tone was then one of harmony and love." In "The Singing Soul" the author has chosen to elaborate on the theme without doing violence to historical facts. The reign of the Emperor, Yung Loh, was noted as an era of peace ; therefore, the author feels permitted to attribute to him the quali- ties indicated in the play, also to introduce other fictitious characters for the sake of the plot. At the same time she wishes to acknowledge her indebted- ness to the writers above-mentioned for the inspira- tion furnished in the writing of the play. 3 CAST OF CHARACTERS KwAN Yu, a mandarin of the Illustrious Mingf dynasty. Tsi Moo 1 Ting Ling > The mandarin's daughters. KoNgai J Yen, a servant. ,YuNG LoH, Celestially August Emperor of Peking^ Son of Heaven. Pao Chen, a student of the stars. (More characters may be introduced if performed out of doors, to include a dance by the fire spirits and the bellsmiths.) Time : Five hundred years ago in the flowery Kingdom. A room in the mandarin's house. THE SINGING SOUL A CHINESE LEGEND Scene. Interior of Kwan Yu's house in Peking, showing an upper room leading out upon a ter- race or balcony which overlooks the courtyard. Exits R. and l. On the walls are Chinese ban- ners, and in the c. a low tea-table with cups and saucers, teapot, a sweetmeat jar, and a vase holding a spray of plum- blossoms. On the R. up stage, a teakwood table, on zvhich stand the ancestral tablets of Kwan Yu's family, and be- side them two lighted tapers, also a jar holding sticks of incense. On the l. a carved seat large enough for two. Further up stage a long mir- ror resting on the floor, and beside it a bowl of goldfish. SCENE I Kwan Yu, Ting Ling and Tsi Moo DISCOV- ERED when the curtain rises. Kwan Yu, the father, is standing at l. before his ancestral tab- lets; Ting Ling is kneeling at the r. in front of a long mirror resting on the floor, and ar- ranging flowers in her hnir. Tsi Moo is also at R. kneeling over a gold-fish bowl feeding the fish) Kwan Yu. (Taking three sticks of incense and lighting them on the tapers beside the ancestral tab- 5 6 THE SINGING SOUL ^ lets) Three times I bow to the tablets of my ances- tors and pray the gods may attend me and prosper my work. ("Kwan Yu kneels) Tsi Moo. Our unhappy parent ! Seven nights and days has he knelt before the tablets of his ances- tors, preparing himself for this fatal hour. Ting Ling. (Turning away from the mirror) Our honorable parent was a fool to undertake the contract. His ambition will destroy him. A gun- maker turned bell-smith! 'Tis unheard of. Let the shoe-maker stick to his last. Tsi Moo. But think of what he gains if he suc- ceeds! The favor of the emperor, the ruby button and a peacock feather for his mandarin hat. The Son of Heaven has set his heart upon this bell which is to be most wonderful in tone, the sound of it to be heard through the length and breadth of Peking. . . . Our father was a maker of munitions ; he won his way to court by moulding firearms that pleased the rulers on the dragon throne in earlier time. But our new emperor is of different mind ; he has no taste for conquest, but would live in peace, con- tented with his books. Therefore, to hold his office and to please Yung Loh, our father rashly under- took the contract. Then to make sure of its success, he advertised for bellsmiths far and wide, skilled in their art ; and in the courtyard at our very door, he set this melting pot, where daily he may watch the workers' progress. If luck attends him he has promised me a necklace of jade beads. Ting Ling. A jewtled fan I'll choose for mine. Tsi Moo, let us drink our tea. (They rise and go toward table, where they sit and pour the tea. Kwan Yu has risen and is standing at r., zvhere a curtained entrance opens out upon a balcony over- looking the courtyard. He draws the curtain aside and looks out) THE SINGING SOUL 7 KwAN Yu. The men have begun to arrive. At sundown the bell will be cast — for good or ill — as the gods decide. Twice was the metal poured into the waiting nipuld, but when the bell had cooled, its lips were cracked and fissured with a hundred seams. Silver and gold had gone into the mould, to- gether with iron and brass, for so the Son of Heaven decreed ; but, alas, the metals were too far removed, they spurned alliance and refused to mix. Yet the Emperor must be obeyed ; for his will is final. Tsi Moo. Tis not sweet enough. (Sipping her tea) Another honeysuckle leaf for my tea. Ting Ling. (Looking into the jar) Little pig! iThou hast emptied the sweetmeats jar ! KwAN Yu. (Approaching the table) My cares lie lightly on their hearts. (To them) Where is my little one ? Tsi Moo. Our sister, Ko Ngai, went abroad quite early to the house of her singing-master. He is teaching her a new song. KwAN Yu. A new song for my skylark ! Let her sing while she may. To-morrow, if I fail, her lips will be mute. Let there be music while the bell is poured ; her song shall keep the courage in my breast. (Turning to the balcony) I think I see her coming through the gate. Tsi Moo. (Derisively) Skylark indeed ! A sky- lark soars up high in air and flings its notes against the blue, and still we hear its song below. But Ko Ngai's voice is small and weak, so tiny you must bend your ear to take it in. Ting Ling. A chirping merely, not a singing, — a sparrow in the hedge — ^ Twittering, twittering, tra la la, Twittering, twittering, tra la la ! 8 THE SINGING SOUL (They both laugh heartily. Ko Ngai appears in the doorway. Her hair hangs low over her shoulders, she carries a samosen and holds a parasol over her head) Tsi Moo. Ssh! Here comes our song-bird! /Kg Ngai goes at once to her father and touches him lightly on the shoulder) Ko Ngai. (Bowing as she turns) Most august lord and father, a good-day to you ! KwAN Yu. (Holding out his hands in welcome) My child, you have stayed too long. I missed your happy presence in the house. Come here to me. (They sit on the bench at l,) Ko Ngai. The master kept me past the hour to teach me a new song. I told him you were troubled here of late ; I wished to learn a tune — a gay and merry one — to drive your cares away. Listen while I sing it for you. (Thrumming her samosen and singing) "In the land of the wild, white rose. Where ,the swift Ho-ang-ho river flows, I sing while I play And the hours slip away In the land of the wild, white rose." (During the song the sisters mimic her, beating time with their fans) Ting Ling and Tsi Moo. (At the tea-table) Tweedle-dee, tweedle-dee, tweedledum Ko Ngai. (To her father, who nods his head approvingly during the song) Is it not a pretty tune? The master says my voice is growing stronger. He has promised that some day I shall go to the palace and sing for the Emperor. (Rising and coming forzvard with hands clasped) Oh, I want to be a Voice — a ringing Voice — a Voice that THE SINGING SOUL g shall sound through the ages! (The sisters hurst into loud laughter. Ko Ngai turns to look at them with a grieved expression, then she puts her hands to her eyes, and runs out) KwAN Yu. (Approaching his daughters angrily) Let her be ! You plague your sister far too much. All day you two sit idly drinking tea, painting your cheeks and lips, while she embroiders storks and pelicans, and sings with every stitch. Out with you ! fTsi Moo and Ting Ling rise hastily, and exit with their fans to their faces . Yen enters. He hears a scroll of yelloiv silk, printed in red letters, and sealed zvith the Dragon Seal. Bows and hands it to the mandarin) Yen. (Bowing) The Celestially August Yung Loh, Son of Heaven, Emperor of Peking, sends this message, f Yen hands Kwan Yu a scroll on yellow, silk printed in red letters) Kwan Yu. (Reads aloud) "Twice thou hast betrayed the faith we placed in thee when entrust- ing to thy hands the making of the great bell. If thou fail a third time to complete the task, thy head shall smile from a bamboo pole. Tremble and obey." Kwan Yu. (Despairingly) The Son of Heaven is angry ! If I fail to fill the contract, my life will be the price. Yen. The bearer of the letter moreover in- formed me that the Emperor is now at the temple offering prayers to Shang-ti the God above, from whence he will come himself to see the deed accom- plished. Kwan Yu. (Agitated) The Emperor will come here? (Turning to the halcony) Make haste that everything be ready. The fires must be lighted and the metals fused. Yen. Even now the furnace roars. The men 10 THE SINGING SOUL work night and day and rest not, knowing how im- portant is the task. Yet still I fear the outcome. . . . Master, is there nothing lacking in the alloy? KwAN Yu. All has been done exactly as the Emperor ordered. Yen. But Yung Loh is not an alchemist; what knows he of making bells ? There was a wise man at the gate this morning asking to speak with you, but I told him you were at prayers and must not be disturbed. He said the warring metals will not mix till a fifth substance be added. KwAN Yu. (Impatiently) These meddling graybeards all would give advice. The formula is thus and so, we cannot change it now. (Pointing to the tea-table) Take these away, and make room for the Emperor. ^Yen clears the table and goes out. KwAN Yu stares gloomily at the edict in his hand. Ko Ngai enters excitedly) Kg Ngai. Father, a palanquin stops in the court- yard borne by men in the livery of the palace. Do you suppose the Emperor has come to hear me sing? (^KwAN Yu silently hands her the message; she reads) ''Your head shall smile from^ a bamboo pole." You cannot fail ! This time the bell must sound ! KwAN Yu. I pray it may. In an hour we shall know. I fear the temper of Yung Loh. He has been patient and long-suffering. . . . Oh, that I had not boasted of my skill! (There is a crash of cymbals announcing that the Emperor is at the door) Ko Ngai. (With her arms around Kwan Yuj Father, I feel you trembling. The Emperor must not see you thus afraid, or he will think you have no confidence in your skill. Go upon the balcony while I speak to him. Kwan Yu. (Hesitating) But it Is not seemly THE SINGING SOUL ii that you, my daughter, should be left alone with a man, even though he be the Emperor. Kg Ngai. I shall assuage his wrath with my song. (Leading him out through the door to balcony at L. Kno Ngai seats herself on the floor beside the bench at l._, and takes up her samosen. When Yung Loh enters, conducted by Yen, she bows her head to the ground three times without rising) Yen. The Illustrious Emperor Yung Loh would speak with Kwan Yu. (Exit Yen J Kg Ngai. Celestially August One, my father shall be notified. He is meditating alone, preparing himself for this hour. Yung Loh. (Regarding her zvith interest) You are Kwan Yu's daughter ? Ko Ngai. (Bowing) Ko Ngai, the youngest of three. Yung Loh. Ah! The singing girl whose name is in the mouth of poets ! (Holding out his hand) Luscious One, I greet you. Rise. (He helps her to her feet and, seating himself on the bench l., en- deavors to drazv her dozun beside him) Sit here, that I may see you on a level with my eyes. Ko Ngai. (Holding her fan before her face) One may not look unafraid into the eyes of the Son of Heaven. Yung Loh. Then I shall put a cloud between us. (Draws a strand of her hair across his face) How dark the cloud is, and how charged with per- fume! Ko Ngai. Does the Son of Heaven look angry behind the cloud? Yung Loh. And if he were ? Ko Ngai. The fire of his glance would scorch my locks and shrivel them to ashes ; but if he smiles, 'twill make them grow like new grass under a spring sky. 12 THE SINGING SOUL Yung Loh. 'Tis hot behind this cloud. I smother in it. You wear it for a while. Kg Ngai. (Obeying him) Is that better? Yung Loh. No, I hke it less, for now I cannot see your face, though I catch a glimpse of shining eyes, and teeth like rice-pearls gleaming through the lattice. . . . Are you smiling? Kg Ngai. No, no, alas ! The cloud is dropping rain. Yung Lgh. Why do you weep ? Kg Ngai. Because the Son of Heaven is angry with my father and threatens his life. Would that I could sing his anger away ! Yung Lgh. You may try, little bird. ('Kg Ngai picks up her samosen, and begins to sing) "In the land of the wild, white rose, Where the swift Ho-ang-ho river flows, I sing while I play As the hours sHp away In the land of the wild, white rose." Kg Ngai. Does the song please you? Yung Lgh. I was not listening. Kg Ngai. The Emperor was not listening! Yung Lgh. (Leaning toward her) I was watch- ing your lotus lips. . . . Your cheeks are like the almond blossoms — ^your breath is incense. . . . ("Yen enters, bowing) Yen. (To Kg Ngai) I seek your honourable father. An old man waits at the gate, the same who came this morning, demanding to be heard. He has a secret formula he would impart to him con- cerning the casting of the bell, which he says will in- sure its success. Kg Ngai. Bring him in. (To the EmperorJ A stranger begs an audience, and if he knew your THE SINGING SOUL 13 presence here, fear would tie his tongue. Will the Emperor condescend to absent himself a while ? Yung LoH. If your visitor stay not too long, — for I have more to say to you. ("Yung Loh goes out upon balcony. Yen brings in the wise man, Pad Chen. Yen bows and retires) Pao Chen. I would speak with Kwan Yu. Kg Ngai. He is troubled and must not be dis- turbed. Let me take the message. Pao Chen. You would n6t understand. Kg Ngai. Transcendingly Wise One, you are a student of the stars who has read my father's horo- scope and know the doom that threatens him. But Kwan Yu has no faith in prophets ; he relies alone in the cunning of his hands. He will not Hsten to you. Tell it to me. Pao Chen. (Tracing with his finger on the chart in his hand) I have consulted the Starry Oracles and the Five Principles of the Universe. I have marked the aspect of the Silver Stream, some call the Milky Way, and followed the Yellow Road marked by the Signs of the Zodiac. . . . And there I read that the stars are angry with Kwan Yu. Kg Ngai. The stars are angry with my father? Pao Chen. (Nodding) They are wroth that he, in his bold ambition, should, propose to make a bell of such a mighty tone, that its sound shall reach the skies, and jar the constellations in their spheres. Ko Ngai. Alas ! is there no offering we can make — no sacrifice that will appease? A bullock two years old or a ewe lamb my father will place on the altar. Pao Chen. The blood of sheep or bullock will not placate them. . . . Yet there is a way to con- quer their displeasure. Ko Ngai. OH, tell me by what way? Pao Chen. This misbegotten thing which so of- 14 THE SINGING SOUL fends their heavenly ears must be re-made into an instrument of perfect sound, its dissonance changed to heavenly harmonies. . . . The hell must find a soul. Kg Ngai. The bell must find a soul? Pao Chen. (Nodding) A white soul — a singing soul — a soul turned to the Infinite. Kwan Yu must propitiate the stars. ^Pao Chen bows and goes out at R.) Ko Ngai. (Repeating to herself) The stars are angry. . . . The Emperor was angry, and I sang to him. (Seizing her samosen and starting toward the door) I will sing to the stars ! (Shaking her head) No, 'tis no use ! In an hour the bell will be cast — before the sun is set — before the stars come out. And no one knows where they tarry by day. ... I must go at once and tell my father what the Wise Man has said, f Ko Ngai starts to leave the room at R. hut the Emperor intercepts her) Yung Loh. , Has your beggar gone? Ko Ngai. He was no beggar, but a soothsayer with a warning. The stars are offended with Kwan Yu, that he should dare to make this bell, whose voice will speak so loud th^t even they must listen. Yung Loh. The stars are offended? Then 'tis with me, for I conceived the plan. Your father is but the instrument. Ko Ngai. (Eagerly) Then if you willed it, you can still undo it. Give up this daring scheme which mocks the gods, and be content with lesser aims. Yung Loh. . . . The bell is my life dream. When I ascended the Dragon throne, young and full of hope, I had a vision of what the world might be if wars should cease. My predecessors all were war- rior men who ruled by force of arms ; but in my youth I had a teacher, a philosopher, who schooled me in the wisdom of the prophets, preaching gen- THE SINGING SOUL 15 tieness and love. ... So I resolved ere yet my reign began, to put an end to all this useless strife and sow the seeds of peace throughout the land. I first commanded your father to throw his guns into the melting-pot, and then to make the deed remem- bered for all time, I ordered him to cast a bell that would resound afar and wide, calling the people to- gether, welding their hearts into one. . . . And on the lips of the bell I would have engraved the say- ings of Buddha and the wise ones of all times, ex- tolling the glories of peace. . . . But lest the iron guns should give the bell too harsh a sound, I had it softened with finer metals, deepened with gold, sweetened with silver, strengthened with brass. Thus the bell would become a mighty Voice, — a Voice ringing down through the ages. . . . i'Ko Ngai. (In an awed tone) A Voice ringing down through the ages ! . . . But why a bell ? Why not a man of eloquent tongue to go throughout your kingdom telling of these things ? Yung Loh. I put no trust in men. Their tongues may lie, but a bell will always ring true. Ko Ngai. Then the work must go on ? Yung Loh. If peace is to come — if wars are to cease. Ko Ngai. And if it fails — my father dies? Yung Loh. What the Emperor has decreed can- not be changed. Yet I may delay the task. My reign is young — there are years ahead in which to do the deed. Ko Ngai. Then you will put it off? Yung Loh. (After a pause) On one condition. That you give yourself as hostage. Ko Ngai. (Surprised) I — a mandarin's daugh- ter — to sit at your side on the Dragon throne? It would frighten the song in my throat. i6 THE SINGING SOUL Yung Loh. Not on the throne where cares of state engross my mind, but in the palace garden when the day is done. There I would have you, — you and your song. Kg Ngai. (Delighted) My wish has come true ! I shall go to the palace and sing before the Emperor ! . . . Then my voice pleases you? Yung Loh. Your voice? Oh, your voice is sweet and delicate Kg Ngai. (Disappointed) Delicate! Yung Loh. As a wind-bell tinkling in the breeze, but clear as a bird's note. Come to my gar- den of perpetual spring, and we shall sit together under the banyan tree, waiting for the moon. My garden now is beautiful but mute ; it needs a night- ingale. Your song will make me forget this dream of kings. Kg Ngai. (Troubled) Forget your dream? Yung Loh. Why not? Love is for life's morn- ing ; these sterner tasks for middle age. Fame shall wait on love. Ko Ngai. (Hesitating) But the peace — the peace that is to be ! Yung Loh. I shall find it in your arms ! Kg Ngai. And the sound of men fighting . . . Yung Loh. We shall not hear it — shut in by garden walls. Kg Ngai. (Earnestly) Oh, do not give up your dream ! Yung Loh. (Coming close to her) I see a fairer dream before me. My mind is on this hour. Kg Ngai. (Moving apart) And mine is on eter- nities. (Turning quickly toward the balcony) But I have forgotten my father. (Leans and looks down upon the courtyard — draws back) Too late to warn him now. They make ready for the casting. (Stands irresolute) THE SINGING SOUL 17 Yung Loh. (Eagerly) There is still time. I will watch the ceremony below in the courtyard. If you take' my offer, cast your slipper from the bal- cony and I will stay your father's hand, ere yet he gives the signal. fYuNG Loh leaves by the bal- cony. Ko Ngai stands looking down upon the scene below, while the red light from the furnace fires illumines her face) Ko Ngai. (Drawing back — afraid) Kow the metals hiss and bubble in the cauldron! The hot lava spurts upward as though to escape the flames which leap to embrace it. . . . How it lashes itself to a frenzy like a creature unsatisfied — seeking that which is lacking. . . . (With a sudden impulse she removes the slipper from her foot and holds it out in an attitude of supplication) Ye gods who deny us your sanction, — beholki a sacrifice! This token which my heart would c^st at the feet of the Em- peror I give that the flames may consume it. His love will I forget if you will but bless the task and make his dream of peacte a reality. (Tosses the slipper from the balcony-awaits. Resignedly ) 'Tis no use. The gods make rlo answer. The Wise Man has spoken. The bell must find a soul — a soul in tune with the Infinite. . . . Shall I be a wind-bell blown by every breeze inl the Emperor's garden, or shall I be a Voice, a Vdice ringing down through the ages? The stars shafl be satisfied! (Ko Ngai turns quickly with armsi upraised and leaps from the balcony. There is alhissing sound, followed by the wailing of the crow^ as her white body enters the molten mass) \ fYuNG Loh enters, overcome, with the slipper in his hand, accompanied by Pao Chen) Yung Loh. I sought to catch her as she leaped i8 THE SINGING SOUL and came away with this. . . . Was it for the dream's sake, or to save her father's head ? Pag Chen. Her soul went singing to the end, and singing it shall live again in the toning bell. Yung Loh. (With his eyes still on the slipper) The nightingale is no morel My garden shall re- main forever mute. CURTAIN JUST PUBLISHED Nothing But the Truth A Farcical Comedy in Thre^Acts B} Jam* Montgomery Cast of Characters Bob Bennett B- M. Ralston Clarence Van Dusen Bishop Doran IMck Donnelly Gwen \ Mrs. Ralston Ethel M&ble' Sable Jtfartha SCljNES ACT 1. A Broker's Office ACT 2, Parlor of a Country Home ACT 3. " " " " TIME: 'The Present "Nothing But the TruthJ' is built upon the simple idea, of its hero speaking nothihir but the absolute truth for a stated period He bets ajfriend ten thousand dollars that he can do it, and boldly tackles truth to win the money For a very short time the task is placidly easy, but Truth routs out old mail Trouble and then things be- ein to happen. Trouble doesn't seem very large and aggressive when he first iokes his nose into the noble resolve of our hero, but he grows rapidly and soon wd; see our dealer in truth disrupting the domestic relations of his partner In fact. Trouble works overtime, and reputations that have bejn unblemished are smirched. Situations that are absii-d and complications almost knotted pile up, all crediTed to Truth, and the result of fhewage^r to foster and jherish that great virtue from the lips of the man who ijas espoused the cause of truth ^^^is a iTovlf'idea and o well has it ^een worked out •tYmf an audience is kep in throes of laughter at tne seem^Sly impossible tasl to untangle snarls into which ^uThe?o has involved 4l those he comes into contact wUh It is a cl?an brighl farce of weH drawn characters and Was built for laughihg purposes only. ■wT-iiiinm Collier played Nothing But the Truth ror a yeS a^the Lonlac^e Thitre. New York, and it has been *^ Vf^ter 'th'reTyVa7s%'SS& success on the Profess- i^mfl c,taffe we are now Offering "Nothing But the Truth' fo?amatlur production./ It is one of the funniest aiad toPighSSt farces ever wfitten. and it is admirably suited t9 amateur production. PRiiE 6o Cents V ->, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 102 177 5 #