ACT I
On rise of curtain the Attendants and Guests of the Tea House are on stage. There is a clatter with tea-things and bus. indicative of trade prospering, and Tea Girls busy with their Guests. There are also discovered 4 Principal Geisha, or singing girls, with samisens, attended each by a Mousmé (tea girl). WUN-HI lurks at the back.
OPENING CHORUS
Dawns the day in Eastern Sky,
Here we hasten, pitter patter,
Where the tiny tea-cups clatter.
Mounts the golden sun god high,
Shaded from his fury heated,
Still at tea you find us seated.
Passes day towards the West,
Comes the night and call to rest.
Then we leave with sigh and sorrow,
No more tea until to-morrow,
No more tea until to-morrow.
Happy Japan,
Garden of glitter!
Flower and fan
Flutter and flitter,
Land of bamboo,
(Juvenile whacker)
Porcelain too,
Tea-tray and lacquer!
Happy Japan, Happy Japan!
O KIKU SAN,
Shall we sing you while they bring you
O KINKOTO SAN,
Tea or coffee, sirs?
O HANA SAN & O KINKOTO SAN.
Dainty lyric – panegyric
Of the gentlemen?
We’ve a solo, touching polo
For the officers,
And a rondo, rather fond O!
Sentimental men!
Of a hymn in praise of women
Are you fanciers?
Or a sonnet to a bonnet
Supercilious?
We’ve a ditty of the City
For financiers,
And a ballad of a salad
For the bilious!
Merry little Geisha we,
Come along at once and see
Ample entertainment free
Given as you take your tea.
CHORUS.
Charming little Geisha they,
Come along and hear them play;
All of it is free they say,
Nothing in the world to pay.
All of it is free they say,
Nothing in the world to pay.
Happy Japan,
Garden of glitter!
Flower and fan
Flutter and flitter,
Land of bamboo,
(Juvenile whacker)
Porcelain too,
Tea-tray and lacquer!
Happy Japan, Happy Japan, Happy Japan!
BLOSSOM.
Do you know that in some countries there are no Tea Houses?
CHRYSANTH.
How do they amuse themselves?
BLOSSOM.
They drink their tea at home and go to hear singing girls at great big theatres.
CHRYSANTH.
They can’t have any singing girls as clever as our Mimosa.
BLOSSOM.
Yes, all the men who come here seem to know it; they never ask for us if Mimosa is disengaged.
CHRYSANTH.
No, and what a lot of money she makes for Wun-Hi!
WUN-HI.
Suppose Geisha does nothing – Wun-Hi gets no money. You girlee go makee plenty of work, chop chop!
CHRYSANTH.
(Querulously)
We have not been called for to-day.
BLOSSOM.
(Pouting)
No! Everyone who comes to Wun-Hi’s Tea House asks for O Mimosa San.
WUN-HI.
(Rubbing hands)
Allo lightee. O Mimosa San belongee Number One singing girlee! Allo Japanese Madarin, allo foleign devils lookee see O Mimosa San. And O Mimosa San belong my apprentice. Now, little geisham you soon chatchee me plenty more money.
CHRYSANTH.
Make more money! We would like to!
GEISHA.
But tell us how to!
WUN-HI.
Lot of foreign shippee devils come to Tea House.
GEISHA.
Yes, yes!
WUN-HI.
Little Geisha play to sailor mannee, and dancee! Gettee plenty dollars!
BLOSSOM.
Yes, sailors are so generous with their money, they don’t care what they spend on girls.
BLOSSOM goes towards bridge.
CHRYSANTH.
I love English Sailors!
BLOSSOM.
(Returning)
Here they come now!
ENTRANCE OF OFFICERS
CHORUS.
Here they come! Oh, look and see!
Great big English sailor men!
Englishman he likes our tea,
Comes to taste it now and then.
Great big sailors walk like this
(imitating)
Fight with any man they please –
Marry little English Miss,
Flirt with pretty Japanese!
Here they come! etc.
Enter FAIRFAX, CUNNINGHAM, GRIMSTON, BRONVILLE and STANLEY.
FAIRFAX.
Tho’ you’ve seen a good deal in your walks about,
Here’s the prettiest place of the lot!
It’s the Tea House that everyone talks about,
A delightfully curious spot.
CUNNINGHAM.
Are your stories a myth and a mockery
Of the excellent tea that they bring,
Of the quaint little pieces of crockery,
And the gay little geisha who sing?
OFFICERS.
Oh, we’ve heard of the frolic and fun
Of those dear little Japanese elves,
So we thought the best thing to be done
Was to come here and see for ourselves.
CHORUS.
Oh, we’ve heard of the frolic and fun, etc.
Pretty geisha will amuse,
Dance or song she won’t refuse,
Great big English sailors, please
Try our tea-pot Japanese!
Sailors please oh try our tea-pot Japanese.
FAIRFAX.
Now boys, here we are! This is the place I told you of – the Tea House of Ten Thousand Joys!
CUNNINGHAM.
(Chucking a GEISHA under the chin)
We don’t want ten thousand of them – two or three will be enough to go on with!
FAIRFAX.
(Laughing)
Well, you’ve heard me talk of the geisha of Japan. Now you’ll find that I didn’t say half enough in their favour!
CUNNINGHAM.
If these are a few specimens, I must say that I’m satisfied!
Flirting between OFFICERS and GEISHA - except FAIRFAX, who stands aloof.
Enter WUN-HI from Tea House.
FAIRFAX.
(To WUN-HI)
Where is Mimosa?
WUN-HI.
O Mimosa San is in Tea House, makee wait and makee sing for English sailor officer.
(FAIRFAX gives money)
Thank you very muchee, capital Captain!
(Exit into Tea House)
FAIRFAX.
All right. And now, boys, I am going to leave you for a time.
CUNNINGHAM.
Leave us? Where are you going to?
FAIRFAX.
Never you mind! You will get on very well without me!
(Indicating GEISHA)
I have another engagement!
(Exits into Tea House)
BLOSSOM.
That English Officer has gone to see O Mimosa San.
CUNNINGHAM.
Holy Moses who?
CHRYSANTH.
O Mimosa San.
CUNNINGHAM.
Who’s that?
CHRYSANTH.
Oh, you stupid officer!
(To other GIRLS)
This English officer doesn’t know who Mimosa is!
BLOSSOM.
How silly!
CUNNINGHAM.
I’m silly, am I? I daresay you’d feel silly in our country. Come and tell me what it is – fish, flesh or foul?
BLOSSOM.
O Mimosa San is a great geisha. The finest singer in all Japan. And she sings to your officer every afternoon.
CUNNINGHAM.
Then that is why he comes here! I’ll tell his mother. I suppose she loves him very much?
CHRYSANTH.
Oh, no, geisha have nothing to do with love.
CUNNINGHAM.
Well, I hear a different yarn on board our ship.
SONG – CUNNINGHAM and LITTLE VIOLET
CUNNINGHAM.
There came to the land of Japan
To the seaport of fair Nagasaki,
From an island afar
Such a jolly Jack Tar,
With his hornpipe, his grog and his baccy!
Now it chanced that he picked up a fan
For a dear little Japanese party,
And he turned her young head
When he gallantly said:
“You’re a trim little vessel, my hearty!”
So that dear little Jappy, Jap, Jappy,
Set her smart little cappy, cap, cappy
At that jolly Jack Tar
From the island afar
In the West of the mappy, map, mappy!
CUNNINGHAM & CHORUS.
So that dear little Jappy, Jap, Jappy, etc.
CUNNINGHAM.
They walk’d in the shade of the trees
In the garden of fair Nagasaki,
And her cheeks they were pink
At the nautical wink
And the maritime manners of Jacky!
Though the Tar couldn’t speak Japanese,
Yet in English he asked her to marry,
Then she crept to his side
And her fan opened wide
As she murmured: “Hai! Kashikomari!”
But he knew not a scrappy, scrap, scrappy
Of the language of Jappy, Jap, Jappy
Had she told him to go
With a Japanese “No!”
Or with “Yes” made him happy, hap, happy?
CUNNINGHAM & CHORUS.
But he knew not a scrappy, scrap, scrappy, etc.
CUNNINGHAM.
So Jack has departed in doubt
From that maiden of fair Nagasaki:
Tho’ he wept and he sighed
At the loss of a bride,
Till the captain and crew thought him cracky.
And he vows, as he cruises about,
Though by lessons and books as a rule bored,
That all seamen A. B.’s
Should be taught Japanese,
By a rather too liberal School Board!
But that dear little Jappy, Jap, Jappy,
She has filled up the gappy, gap, gappy
And has chosen instead
To be happily wed
To a Japanese chappy, chap, chappy!
CUNNINGHAM & CHORUS.
But that dear little Jappy, Jap, Jappy, etc.
BLOSSOM.
Now, officer gentlemen, don’t you want to hear us sing?
GRIMSTON.
No thanks! We’ve got a parrot at home!
(He is repressed by CUNNINGHAM)
CUNNINGHAM.
Certainly, little girl… but let me tell you –
CHRYSANTH.
But, officer, we are engaged here to sing to the visitors, not to talk.
GRIMSTON.
Come along, then, you funny little girls! Show us what you can do!
CONCERTED PIECE – 4 GEISHA and 4 OFFICERS
GEISHA.
If you will come to tea,
Sirs One and Two and Three,
We’ll do our best
For an English guest
On an Asiatic spree
We’ll dance and sing for you
Our repertory through,
And show you then,
You officer men,
What smart little girls can do.
For you’re all so bright and breezy O!
That we’re sure to find it easy O!
To teasee O!
And pleasee O!
With our antics Japanesey O!
OFFICERS.
We are sailors bright and breezy O! etc.
Of course we’ll come inside
For none of us have tried
How dance and song
With a fine Souchong
Are effectively allied.
But if we’ve spoken true
We’ll quickly prove to you
What sailors three
Of the Queen’s Navee
For good little girls will do.
We are sailors bright and breezy O!
So of course we find it easy O!
To teasee O!
And squeezy O!
Little Missy Japanesey O!
GEISHA.
For you’re all so bright and breezy O! etc.
Dance. During dance, enter WUN-HI from Tea house. ALL exeunt, except WUN-HI.
WUN-HI.
Very nice – very good indeed! Our busy season has commenced. Now Frenchee girl, come this side. Chop, chop!
Enter JULIETTE.
JULIETTE.
Well, Monsieur le Chinois, here I am, ready for my work. What shall I do?
WUN-HI.
You little interpreter? You speakee English welly well?
JULIETTE.
Yes.
WUN-HI.
What time foreign devil come my Tea House, you makee understand what little geisha speakee, you makee do that?
JULIETTE.
It is easy. Men make love the same in all countries. There is only one language for love.
WUN-HI.
Yes, me know – good language before malliage, after malliage, bad language.
Enter CHRYSANTHEMUM.
CHRYSANTH.
The Marquis Imari is coming!
(Exits)
JULIETTE.
A Marquis! Tell me, Chinois, who is he?
WUN-HI.
He great big mannee – Governor of this Province – and Number One mannee Chief Magistrate.
JULIETTE.
What does he want here?
WUN-HI.
Oh dearee me! Oh dearee me! This is very awkward – and most obstrepulous! He wantee O Mimosa San, and O Mimosa San makee sing-song for English officer, who givee me plenty much money. What will Wun-Hi tell Marquis?
JULIETTE.
I’m sure that you’re never at a loss for a lie.
WUN-HI.
Me very like a woman, then! Oh, here he comes! This very awkward, most unrelishable. You, Frenchee girl, be very nice to Marquis. Perhaps Marquis like French girlee – leave Mimosa San – makee much money for me!
Music. Enter IMARI over bridge, followed by TAKEMINI carrying umbrella.
JULIETTE.
Be nice to a Marquis! I should think I would. Japanese Marquis would be a great success in Paris.
WUN-HI.
Most Noble Marquis, plenty much welcome!
IMARI.
Of course I am welcome, Chinaman! But where is the light of my eyes, the arch of my eyebrows – the bloom of my lips – the inner circle of my heart – where is Mimosa?
WUN-HI.
Me bringee O Mimosa San to you
(Turns to go).
IMARI.
Stay! She must not yet know the honour in store for her. I have applied for the Emperor’s permission to marry O Mimosa San.
WUN-HI.
(Gesture of surprise)
Marry her?
JULIETTE.
(Aside)
I hope I’m not too late!
WUN-HI.
Most Noble marry O Mimosa San? Makee marriage for always?
IMARI.
I shall be her husband permanently, if not exclusively. I expect the Imperial permission at once, and I shall marry O Mimosa San to-morrow.
WUN-HI.
Suppose you do that, me losee geisha catchee most money! If Noble Marquis marry O Mimosa San, pay Wun-Hi plenty much money.
IMARI.
Not a yen!
(Hits hand with fan)
The fact that she married into aristocracy will be an excellent advertisement for your Tea House. Meanwhile, remember this – don’t let any of those foreigners see O Mimosa San – reserve her for me solely!
JULIETTE.
(Aside)
For him solely! Not if I can help it!
WUN-HI.
Very well, Marquis. Wun-Hi makee obedience.
IMARI.
Of course you must, for if you don’t I shall revoke your licence for this Tea House. You understand?
WUN-HI.
I understand you makee destroy me suppose you want to.
IMARI.
I can and will unless you obey me. What is the good of my high official position if I don’t use it to gratify my private tastes?
(Turns to go, when JULIETTE puts herself in front of him as though by accident.)
Who is this? A new geisha?
JULIETTE.
(Making a very low obeisance)
No, most wonderful Marquis, I am not a geisha – I am a tea-girl.
IMARI.
A tea-girl? With the lid off.
JULIETTE.
From France.
IMARI.
You’re a long way from home.
JULIETTE.
Oh, I love the Japanese nobility!
IMARI.
Really? A very intelligent foreigner. We get so few of them over here.
JULIETTE.
I came to visit your country and I shall remain for ever if the Most Marvellous Marquis will permit.
IMARI.
I think I may graciously allow that.
(Aside)
She seems quite a superior person.
(Aloud)
What are you staring at?
JULIETTE.
Forgive me, most remarkable Marquis,
but a poor French girl seldom sees such a great and beautiful nobleman.
IMARI.
(Patting her head)
Poor girl, I suppose it is a treat for her! There, you may walk half of the way home with me. The other half’s engaged. Wun-Hi, remember that to-morrow I marry O Mimosa San. Come along, first half!
Exit IMARI, followed by TAKEMINI and JULIETTE
WUN-HI.
Marquis marry O Mimosa San, my number one geisha girl! What fashion I take her from Englishman sailor officer who pay so wellee?
(Shakes fist after IMARI)
You belong vellee wicked man!
(ENGLISH PARTY laugh off)
English Missee comee, more customers – female foreign devils this time!
(Exit)
Enter LADY CONSTANCE WYNNE, ETHEL HURST, MABEL GRANT and MARIE WORTHINGTON.
LADY C.
How those rickshaw men do gallop along! If they went as fast in our country they’d find a police trap at every half mile!
MABEL.
(With guide book)
The guide book doesn’t say anything about those fast men.
LADY C.
No, guide books tell most about the fast women.
MARIE.
(Making notes in pocket book)
It’s an interesting subject. When I’ve finished my work on Japan, I’ll write a book and call it “Fast Women of Every Country.”
(Makes note)
LADY C.
It’s sure to be a best seller!
MABEL.
So this is the Tea House! I wonder if we shall see anything very naughty?
LADY C.
No, but unless I’m wrong we shall see Reggie Fairfax and that wonderful singing girl he is always talking about.
MABEL.
Reggie wouldn’t bother about her while Molly Seamore is here.
MARIE.
Surely you can trust an engaged man?
LADY C.
Even an engagement doesn’t keep a man away from other girls when you are in Japan.
MABEL.
(Sigh)
Oh dear, what a pity we can’t travel in some country where there are no other girls!
LADY C.
Now girls, don’t complain! You can’t expect a Paradise on earth, even in Japan.
(Music – MIMOSA sings off)
It is Reggie – and oh! such a pretty Japanese girl!
GIRLS stroll away and seat themselves under trees, leaving LADY C. leaning against post of Tea House.
MIMOSA enters, followed by NAMI who places cushions for her. MIMOSA then turns and beckons FAIRFAX to join her – he comes down stage to her, carrying small cup of tea which he drinks during first verse of song, and NAMI brings him a stool, which she places R. of the cushion and exits. All this is done during the symphony.
SONG – O MIMOSA SAN
A goldfish swam in a big glass bowl,
As dear little goldfish do,
But she loved with the whole of her heart and soul
An officer brave from the ocean wave
And she thought that he loved her, too.
Her small inside he daily fed
With crumbs of the best digestive bread,
“This kind attention proves,” said she,
“How exceedingly fond he is of me.”
And she thought “It’s fit-fit-fitter
He should love my glit-glit-glitter,
Than his heart give away
To the butterflies gay,
Or the birds that twit-twit-twitter!”
She flashed her frock in the sunshine bright
That officer brave to charm –
And he vowed she was quite a delightful sight;
So her spirits were gay, till he came one day
With a girl on his stalwart arm.
In whispers low they talked of love,
He begged for a rose and a worn-out glove;
But when they kissed a fond goodbye,
The poor little goldfish longed to die.
And she sobb’d, “It’s bit-bit-bitter
He should love this crit-crit-critter,
When I thought he would wish
For a nice little fish
With a frock all glit-glit-glitter!”
Takes chrysanthemum from her belt and hands it to FAIRFAX.
That charming girl for a time upset
The officer brave and gay,
And his sad little pet he contrived to forget;
For with never a crumb did he chance to come,
So the goldfish pined away!
Until at last some careless soul
With a smash knocked over the big glass bowl,
And there on the carpet, dead and cold,
Lay the poor little fish in her frock of gold!
But her fate so bit-bit-bitter
Is a story fit-fit-fitter
For a sad little sigh
And a tear in the eye
Than a thoughtless tit-tit-titter!
FAIRFAX.
That’s capital, O Mimosa! Upon my word, I could listen to you all day and every day for a week!
MIMOSA.
Yes, I’ve noticed that! Tell me, haven’t English officer gentlemen anything to do on board their ships?
FAIRFAX.
Oh, yes! On Sunday we go to church. Monday we scrub the decks –
LADY C.
(Who has come down behind them)
Ah! I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Fairfax, but Miss Seamore will be here presently.
FAIRFAX.
But why did you interrupt me here to tell me about Miss Seamore?
LADY C.
From what I can see it’s about time I did!
During next dialogue, ENGLISH PARTY walk round MIMOSA, looking at her, taking notes, etc.
FAIRFAX.
Well, Lady Constance, pray excuse me just now – I’m engaged.
LADY C.
I know you are – to Molly Seamore. You seem to have forgotten it.
FAIRFAX.
Not at all.
(Looking at MIMOSA)
When I’m in Japan I must do as the Japs do.
LADY C.
Flirt with the singing girls? That’s all very well, my dear boy, but mind, don’t let the lady of the tea tray sing you into a quarrel with Molly!
MARIE.
Lady Constance, you are awfully hard on Mr. Fairfax. Remember he is a single man.
LADY C.
And therefore needn’t restrict himself to a single woman, eh? Mr. Fairfax, I am going to tell Molly – girls!
(Looking at FAIRFAX)
where to find you. Come,
Exit with GIRLS.
MIMOSA.
Why was that great big lady angry with you?
FAIRFAX.
For some imaginary reason, I suppose.
MIMOSA.
Is Miss Molly Seamore an imaginary person?
FAIRFAX.
No, little Mimosa – she’s an English girl and –
MIMOSA.
(Sighing)
And you will go away and marry her?
FAIRFAX.
We’ll see about that.
MIMOSA.
Yes, you will – everybody goes away and marries somebody. But I should like to hear your English girl sing.
FAIRFAX.
To hear her sing? Why?
MIMOSA.
Because you told me you could only lover someone who sings beautifully.
FAIRFAX.
Ah, I wasn’t thinking of Molly when I said that!
MIMOSA.
You were thinking of your little Japanese Mimosa?
FAIRFAX.
Yes.
MIMOSA.
But English officers don’t marry geisha – no, I know, you listen to my song, you look into my eyes, and then – you go away to your country and write a book about the pretty singing girls of Japan.
(Laughs a little bitter laugh)
FAIRFAX.
And you – you sing the same song with the same expressions to anyone who pays Wun-Hi a few dollars, an English Sailor or a native nobleman. You don’t give away a heart with every verse, do you, little Almond-eye – not even a kiss!
MIMOSA.
A what?
FAIRFAX.
A kiss!
MIMOSA.
A kiss? We do not have them in Japan.
FAIRFAX.
What? No kisses in this country? Now, here’s something for me to teach you.
DUET – MIMOSA and FAIRFAX
FAIRFAX.
You’re a charming little geisha,
Quite the nicest girl in Asia,
But I fear there’s something missing,
Oh, my pretty Japanese!
English, French and German misses
Do not ask me what a kiss is,
They are all expert at kissing –
MIMOSA.
(Eagerly)
Will you teach me, if you please?
I believe I’m quick and clever,
And I promise I’ll endeavour
In the task to do you credit,
If you pupil I may be!
Oh my sailor bright and breezy,
Is it difficult or easy?
Is it nice or shall I dread it?
FAIRFAX.
Only wait, and you shall see!
MIMOSA.
I am half afraid to try –
FAIRFAX.
Then the task we won’t pursue.
MIMOSA.
Shall I like it by and by?
FAIRFAX.
It’s objected to by few!
BOTH.
Little maiden,
Wonder-laden
Ev’ry day learns something new!
FAIRFAX.
Now to make my meaning clearer
You must come a little nearer
Having first discover’d whether
There is anyone about!
Then you face half shyly rasing
Till your eyes in his are gazing,
Place your pretty lips together
In a dainty little pout.
MIMOSA.
If a smile my cheeks should dimple,
It’s because it’s all so simple!
Why of such a tame proceeding
Should you make so great a fuss?
It’s a farce absurdly hollow
But perhaps there’s more to follow?
For instruction I am pleading –
FAIRFAX.
And I give it to you – thus!
(Kisses her)
MIMOSA.
It has charms I can’t explain
FAIRFAX.
Which you never knew before!
(Laughing)
MIMOSA.
Teach me once, just once again!
FAIRFAX.
Pretty pupils I adore.
BOTH.
Little maiden
Wonder-laden
Ev’ry day learns something more!
FAIRFAX kisses her.
Enter KATANA, behind trees.
MIMOSA.
You must go inside now! I’ll see you again presently.
FAIRFAX.
Ah, Mimosa!
(On exit)
Mind you don’t practise what I have taught you with anyone else!
MIMOSA.
Of course not!
Exit FAIRFAX into Tea House.
KATANA.
(Comes forward)
Mimosa!
MIMOSA.
Ah, Katana, my brave soldier! Mimosa is so pleased to see you.
KATANA.
I hope you are, dear! But oh, Mimosa, why are you always with English officers?
MIMOSA.
I can’t help it. It is the business of a geisha to please her master’s customers.
KATANA.
But I hate your business. Besides, you are always with the same officer.
MIMOSA.
(Laughs)
Don’t be jealous of him. He is going to marry a little girl from his own country.
KATANA.
I wish he would be quick and do so.
MIMOSA.
Don’t be angry with Mimosa; let me explain. You are a soldier, you have been to the wars. And you have hurt and killed a great many people.
KATANA.
I should think so!
MIMOSA.
But you didn’t hate them?
KATANA.
No! No!
MIMOSA.
Well, I am a geisha. I have to be bright and pleasant and merry with everyone who pays for my song – but I don’t love them.
KATANA.
Oh, I see! Only me!
MIMOSA.
(Laughs)
Of course I think only of you. When my voice sings love songs to the officers, my heart is singing them to Katana. Every hour that brings people to this Tea House brings me an hour nearer you. Now believe in Mimosa and you shall marry me.
KATANA.
When?
MIMOSA.
When my apprenticeship is over.
KATANA.
Two more years!
MIMOSA.
It will soon pass, and now before I go I will teach you a funny custom that an English officer taught me.
Goes to KATANA, places his arms by his side so that he stands stiffly to attention. Pushes back his head, then tries to kiss him, finds he is much too tall. Fetches stool, puts it in front of him, he stands on it. MIMOSA pushes him off, stands on it herself and kisses him.
KATANA.
Oh, how nice! Try it again, or I might forget how it’s done.
MIMOSA.
(Kissing him and running off stage into Tea House)
Do forget – until you see me again!
(Exit KATANA.)
I am sorry I taught him to kiss. It cannot be good for soldiers to know such things before they are married!
(Exits)
Enter WUN-HI, flurried, from behind Tea House, followed by IMARI and TAKEMINI.
IMARI.
Well, Chinaman, is she ready for me now?
WUN-HI.
(Obsequiously)
Me go fetchee her, Most Noble.
(Turns to go.)
IMARI.
You have obeyed my orders? No one has seen my little delight? Her name has been crossed from the programme of the Tea House?
WUN-HI.
Most Noble give orders – Wun-Hi obey!
IMARI.
You can make her the happiest and proudest girl in all Japan! Tell her I have received the Emperor’s permission to marry, and that my choice has graciously fallen on O Mimosa San.
(WUN-HI bows)
You can tell her that the marriage will take place to-morrow
(WUN-HI bows)
I have issued a thousand invitations to a Chrysanthemum Fete -
(WUN-HI bows) –
to celebrate the auspicious –
I might say historical occasion -
(WUN-HI bows) –
What are you bobbing about for? Are you wound up? Don’t do that – you’ll be struck like it.
(MIMOSA and FAIRFAX appear on top balcony of the Tea House.)
Why, there is Mimosa!
(Turning to WUN-HI)
And with an Englishman! So, Chinaman, you have deceived me!
WUN-HI.
Most Noble, you makee forgive!
IMARI.
You condemned tin of meat! You tea-chest stuffed with puppies! You shall be punished for this!
(WUN-HI prostrates himself and grovels on the ground.)
WUN-HI.
Mercy! Mercy on me, poor Chinaman!
IMARI.
It is bad enough to obstruct an official in the performance of his duties. It is unpardonable to interfere with his pleasures. Bring Mimosa San down.
WUN-HI.
Marquis, you make me so hot. I quite transpire!
(Rises, going towards balcony)
O Mimosa San! O Mimosa San!
FAIRFAX.
Go away, we’re very busy.
WUN-HI.
Me very sorry to interrupt your tootle-tootle! Most noble Marquis he say he mally O Mimosa San tomollow, O Mimosa San she welly luckee girlee! O Mimosa San, you come down and marry Marquis, chop chop!
FAIRFAX.
No, nothing of the kind.
(To WUN-HI)
Mimosa is engaged to sing for me this afternoon and every afternoon – chop, chop!
WUN-HI.
(Crosses back to FAIRFAX)
Most Noble shippee sailor man, he belong Chief Magistrate, makee all piecee men obey his orders!
FAIRFAX.
I needn’t.
WUN-HI.
Do drop her down, Captain! I’ll catch her when she bounces!
MIMOSA.
In Japan it is rude to offend anyone more powerful than yourself.
FAIRFAX.
Perhaps you want to go to this fat old Jap?
IMARI.
Fat old Jap!
MIMOSA.
No, no, no!
(Clinging to FAIRFAX. Exits into Tea House)
WUN-HI.
You velly wicked woman!
(Shakes fist at MIMOSA - bowing to MARQUIS.)
IMARI.
So you not only disobey me, but you allow a foreigner to insult me!
(More calmly)
I suppose you are prepared for the worst?
(CHORUS commence entrance from various entrances.)
WUN-HI.
Me velly solly twice!
IMARI.
Under the 17th section of the Tea-House Regulations Act, you are guilty of disobeying the Chief of Police. I shall withdraw your licence, and the Tea House, with all the girls, shall be sold off at once.
WUN-HI.
Greatee Scottee, Marquis! What become allo piecee girlee?
IMARI.
The law must take its course. The indentures of the geisha will be sold to the highest bidder. I’ll teach you to thwart the Chief Magistrate!
(Turns to go.)
WUN-HI.
Most Noble Marquis, you have no ploper notice makee sale, no mannee come makee buy.
IMARI.
I shall be there.
(Aside)
And I shall buy Mimosa and one or two more if they are going cheap.
(ALL kow-tow. Exits, followed by TAKEMINI.)
GEISHA.
(To WUN-HI, who is weeping)
What is the matter? Why are we to be sold?
WUN-HI.
Marquis he makee allo ruin – Dammee Marquis! He turnee out allo girlee sellee! It belong fault O Mimosa San and foleign devil ship mannee!
CHORUS OF LAMENTATION
CHORUS.
Oh, will they sell our master up,
Or take him off to gaol?
And on the Tea House plaster up
The notices of sale?
Whatever will become of us
If this should come to pass?
It’s bound to ruin some of us,
Alas, alas, alas!
GEISHA & ATTENDENTS.
Here’s a dreadful blow – oh, oh!
Filling us with woe – oh, oh!
How could geisha know – oh, oh!
Fate would treat them so – oh, oh!
Pretty faces show – oh, oh!
Tears that faster flow – oh, oh!
Please at prices low – oh, oh!
Do not let us go – oh, oh!
Here’s a dreadful blow – oh, oh!
Filling us with woe – oh, oh!
How could geisha know – oh, oh!
Fate would treat them so – oh, oh!
Whatever will become of us
If this should come to pass?
It’s bound to ruin some of us,
Alas, alas, alas!
At the end of Number they are all prostrated on the ground. Enter LADY CONSTANCE, with ETHEL, MABEL and MARIE. Enter FAIRFAX and OFFICERS from Tea House. CHORUS rise.
