LIANG ZHU 14 Death

Si Jiu enters, holding a bundle. His eyes are full of tears and his heart is bursting…

Si Jiu:
See what I mean?! Why must life be like that for two young and gentle people? Why must fate be so cruel when love is all they wanted? To be happy together. Do they not deserve joy? Why must they see sorrow’s face? How they have loved… how he had loved her without knowing so and how she had loved him without telling him so! Must love bow down to wealth, honour and esteem? Must these things kill the very force that makes us breathe, that makes us want to live and laugh? [He breaks down and begins to sob…. Then he takes out a piece of white cloth and ties this on his head..]
He is gone now…
Liang Shanbo Liang Shanbo
Here’s the story of my Liang Shanbo
Dutiful son, loved by all
Loves to read, music even more
Thinks a lot but smiles for all
Gentlemanly to the core
O Liang Shanbo Liang Shanbo
But now, he is no more…

Having found love and then having it torn out of his heart broke him. It killed him. [he sobs loudly] It killed him… [He gathers himself, wipes his tears.] With his dying breath he begged his parents’ pardon for not being able to fulfill their wishes for him, for not being able to live long enough to look after them as a dutiful son would. Then he made a last request. That his grave should face north on Golden Dragon Mound next to the river. And he told me that I must let her know… and I am going to do that now. [He exits.]