"A SPRAY OF PLUM BLOSSOMS" "All the world is a stage, And men and women are merely players." "Shakespeare" "People's adventure commences, the college session terminates." "The night at the dormitory, after the 15th Congregation of the Military Academy." "Valentine, an ambitious newly-graduated cadet." "Proteus, who knows girls better than soldiers." ""Look at our 'perfume general'!" "Wonder how many wives he will have?"" ""This is time for us to serve the country;" "we should refrain from being ruined by perfumes and girls. "" "Julia, sister of Valentine, a model of the modern maidens." ""Master will be back soon." "Would you mind waiting for a little while?"" ""You're just in time, master." "Mr. Proteus is in there waiting impatiently for you. "" ""Proteus, we are going to part soon." "I hope you will always remember my advice. "" ""Your commission to Canton is fine." "General Sze, the military governor, is my uncle." "I'll write a letter of introduction for you. "" ""Come and meet my old pal. "" ""I don't want to meet such a loafer!"" ""Now please write me the introduction letter."" "The way of a 'perfume general'" ""Now be yourself Cupid and have this letter handed to Miss Julia."" ""Who is Cupid?" "I don't understand."" ""Cupid is the God of love... a very beautiful angel who delivers letters for others."" ""Miss Julia, a very beautiful angel has brought you a letter. "" ""Proteus, I am entrusting you with my sister, after I have gone." "Please take good care of her. "" ""Don't cry lest it should spoil your beauty. "" ""I like to cry." "How dare you interfere!"" "Canton" "Silvia, General Sze's daughter, a maiden with the spirit of masculinity." "Thurio, delegate of an influential party from another province, is a man of fame and influence." "The governor's waiting room, always full of guests, a good place for training perseverance." ""All right, the office of my Captain of the Guard has just been vacated." "I'll commission you to that position. "" ""My daughter Silvia... "" ""You must be very fond of riding, Miss Silvia. "" ""Yes." "And you, I guess, also love to ride. "" ""I do- only not quite well. "" "The daily programme" ""Is there anyone among you who can also jump his horse over that fence?"" ""Let me try. "" ""Who cannot jump over such a low fence?" "I'll show you my fancy style. "" ""The horse is at time timid;" "he cannot get over until the second jump. "" "Who readily falls into love can hardly be a faithful lover." ""The weather is cold!" "Why are you not properly dressed?"" ""I like it." "How dare you interfere?"" ""I don't desire to go... "" ""You must not wear out your youth in idleness at home." "I don't want you to ruin your future career on account of me. "" ""But, how can I part with you!"" ""Your love for me has given me courage;" "and I shall never forget you!"" "Silvia is a passionate lover for plum flowers, having the impression that the fragrance and purity of the flower somewhat resemble her own character." ""Mr. Thurio asks to see you, Madam. "" ""What a lovely 'plum flower pin'!" "May I have the honour of keeping it as a gift from the fair lady Silvia?"" ""I am sorry, but for some reasons, I can't give it to you. "" ""Mr. Thurio, His Excellency is waiting to see you, sir. "" ""Excuse me, but I'll be back in a few minutes. "" ""I guess I have to go now." "I haven't reported to His Excellency yet, after drilling. "" "Enchanted by the sweet fragrance and quiet shadows of the plum trees, the lovers swear their eternal love." ""Let's compose a poem under the title of" "'A Spray of Plum Blossoms' in memory of these plum flowers. "" "Like an eagle soaring up the sky, Proteus feels as if he is soaring on top of the world." ""Why, this is Miss Silvia, your cousin, and you don't seem to know her!"" ""Having parted for ten years my cousin Silvia is growing as beautiful as an angel. "" "The welcome party at the general's headquarter's." ""Papa, why doesn't Mr. Valentine join us?"" ""Oh, he is attending another dinner party as my representative. "" ""Here's to your health, Lee. "" "After the dinner" "In a battle of love, the weaker party is always obliged to seek for help." ""I'm counting on you to help me to win the hand of Miss Silvia. "" ""With your influence and personality, His Excellency wouldn't refuse. "" ""But after you have become the lucky fellow, be sure not to forget the old go-between. "" "The next day" ""I have much pleasure to give my consent;" "but before doing so, I'd like to consult my daughter." "I'll, however, give Thurio a commission, first as Superintendent of Military for the province. "" ""Summon Miss Silvia. "" ""Don't go away." "I'll be back after seeing Papa. "" ""Mr. Lee was here on behalf of Mr. Thurio to ask for your hand." "I think it will make a good match. "" ""I don't love Thurio; how can we talk of marriage?"" ""If you marry him, it will be for our mutual benefit politically;" "isn't he madly in love with you?"" ""Papa intends to marry me to Thurio." "What shall we do?"" ""Mr. Proteus wishes to see Miss Julia. "" ""How annoying... tell him I'm out!"" ""The thought strikes me!" "You will invite him in, and urge him to persuade your father to withdraw his intentions. "" ""Cousin, will you do me just a little favour?"" ""I'll do my very best to serve you, cousin. "" ""Papa wants to marry me to Thurio, despite my unwillingness to agree with him... "" ""His obstinacy makes me nervous, and I appeal to you to persuade him to withdraw his intentions. "" ""So you do not want to help me after all?"" ""..." "But the matter is so serious that I can no longer remain silent... "" ""May I ask, Your Excellency, what crime have I committed?"" ""You should know what you have done." "It's no use pretending. "" ""I'm leaving for Canton at once. "" "After a long and wearisome journey, Julia arrived at last at Canton." ""That fellow rides with the general's daughter every morning." "Everyone says he is likely to become His Excellency's son-in-law. "" "From the notorious bandit retreat, the Kwangtung boundary whispered the thrilling nick-name of a well-principled bandit, "A Spray of Plum Blossoms. "" ""From now on, Valentine is your leader." "Obey his orders as you would obey mine. "" ""I am setting down three rules and hope everyone of you will obey... "" ""We aid the poor, Relieve the distressed... "" ""The weak be helped, Villains be suppressed... "" ""Pay the fair sex respect and be blessed. "" ""Woman is a bad thing for us bandits." "If we aim for success, we must not violate this rule. "" ""We have good pastimes other than women." "Let's invite Fatty Chu to sing us his best song. "" ""I used to play a lady's part." "How do you like the song 'The Heavenly Maiden Scattering Showers!" "'"" ""A young lady insists upon seeing you, Madam. "" ""My name is Julia..." "Valentine is my brother. "" ""I have heard that you are in love with Proteus and are about to marry him." "I'd like to know the truth. "" ""Proteus is my fiance." "I shall never give him up. "" ""Your brother is the one I love;" "I would be ridiculous if I also love Proteus. "" ""As to your brother's banishment, I quite suspect" "Proteus being responsible for his grievance, although I could find no evidence against him. "" ""To me, his behaviour leaves much to be desired... yet I cannot reject his company. "" ""Lieutenant Proteus calls again, Madam." "Shall I let him in?"" ""Let him in in five minutes. "" ""Hide yourself and listen to his words ... you will soon realize how he behaves. "" ""My cousin is growing more beautiful then ever. "" ""Have you not a fiancee?"" ""It's only a rumour, I've never had any fiancee." "Guess some one is trying to break up our friendship. "" ""You are a true-hearted man indeed!"" ""His Excellency is waiting to see you, sir. "" ""I know now that you do not love Proteus." "But how are we to find out the truth about my brother's case?"" ""I'll do my best." "Meantime, I'd like to" "have you disguise yourself and stay here to help me. "" "The military police squad under Thurio." ""You dogs!" "I'll have you all put in prison!"" ""Beat them to death!"" ""Set him free!"" ""I've asked Proteus to ride with me today;" "I hope I'll be able to get something out of him about your brother. "" ""Lieutenant Proteus is here, Madam. "" ""You don't have to accompany me today. "" ""Proteus, we love each other since we were children." "But Valentine came between us." "He said that you and his sister are engaged. "" ""I knew that Valentine was an obstacle to our love; that's why I planned for his banishment. "" ""You are a betrayer!"" ""But... my great love for you compelled me to do so. "" ""I'll have breakfast first before I knock you down. "" "Reminiscence" ""Silvia... "" "The next morning..." ""Hey!" "Pay the fair sex respect and be blessed. "" ""She is my fiancee. "" ""Brother, why are you doing such nuisance?"" ""Nuisance!" "I am a vagabond king now and have to thank your lover for it!"" ""Thurio will not be recovered shortly." "I hereby commission you to take up his vacancy. "" ""Your Excellency, Miss Silvia has been robbed and taken away by the bandits!"" "You lead the Military police squad to save her." "I'll come as soon as I get the guards into collection. "" ""Proteus is sure to come to your rescue." "I'll have you bound and lain on the roadside and lay ambush. "" ""My dear 'perfume general'!" "How have you been?"" ""Do you still recognize her?"" ""Proteus, I owed my life to you," "when I was charged for treason." "Now I'll in turn save your life!"" ""I want you to understand that I'm always your pal."" ""It was me who caused all these troubles." "I am ready to receive any punishment Your Excellency may desire to inflict on me."" ""Valentine was innocent." "I betrayed him. "" ""All my followers are loyal and obedient to a good course." "They are willing to be in Your Excellency's service if you will proclaim amnesty.""