陳三 五娘 • Dang-San Ngou-Niê • Guangdong Pêng’im
The story of 《陳三 五娘》dang-san ngou-niê (“dang Three and Fifth Lady”) is one of the best known love stories in the Minnan region, and has been adapted into operas in both the Teochew and Hokkien languages. The earliest known printed version of this play is known as 《荔鏡記》 li-gian gi (“Tale of the Lychee and Mirror”), and dates to the Ming era.
This Teochew version is from a popular 1961 movie, produced by the 珠江電影製片廠 (Pearl River Film Company) of Canton, starring 姚璇秋 iê-suêng-ciu as ngou-niê, 蕭南英 siao-lam-êng as iah-cung, and 黃清城 ng-cêng-sian as dang-san. The film was distributed via Hong Kong, and found an enthusiastic reception among Teochew communities in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. For more information on the film company that produced this film, refer to this thesis by Yap Soo Ei.
The script has been transcribed with phonetic spelling (Dieghv system). The transcript generally follows the recording, although pronunciations may have been “regularized” with reference to the screenplay. The printed screenplay sometimes diverges from what is actually spoken in the movie; in that case, the character transcription here follows the movie, but the printed version is also given in a comment below. Vernacular characters are used for the most part, except for very common words 人（original character 儂）、你（汝）、看（睇）、夜（暝）, where the borrowed character is almost always pronounced in the Teochew vernacular reading.
Time stamps for each scene are based on this copy of the movie. Digitized versions of the screenplay have been put online by the National University of Singapore. This phonetic transcription and English translation by Learn Teochew.
劇中人物 • Dramatis Personae
(in order of appearance)
- 五娘 • ngou-niê • The treasured fifth daughter of a landlord. Her beauty is well known in Teochew prefecture, and she is also talented in literature and poetry. Until this Lantern Festival she has not been allowed to venture out of the house by her father. Full name 黃碧琚 ng pêg-ge.
- 益春 • iah-cung • The servant girl of ngou-niê who accompanies her everywhere, a clever person with a close relationship to her mistress.
- 李姐 • li-zê • An older woman in the town who serves as their guide during the Lantern Festival, but who has a weakness for money.
- 陳三 • dang-san • A young scholar from 泉州 zuan-ziu visiting Teochew prefecture while accompanying his brother and sister-in-law to the latter’s new post in 廣南 geng-lam. Full name 陳伯卿 dang bêh-kêng.
- 林大 • lim-dua • Son of a rich family, known to be a bully and lecher who likes throwing his weight around.
- 卓二 • doh-ri • Manservant of lim-dua.
- 員外 • uêng-ghua • The father of ngou-niê, a landlord. Full name 黃九郎 ng gao-lang.
- 安人 • ang-ring • The mother of ngou-niê.
- 小安 • siou-ang • Servant of dang-san who accompanied him on the journey to geng-lam. Distant relative to Old Master Li 李公, the master mirror grinder whom dang-san apprentices himself to (not seen on stage).
- 小七 • siou-cig • Servant in the Ng household.
- 僕婦 • bog-hu • Maidservant in the Ng household.
第一章 • doin-ig-ziang • Act 1
第一場 • doin-ig-diên • Scene 1
幕外合唱 • mo-ghua hah-ciang • Chorus
zêg-lung mêng-ghuêh kua gao-kong
一輪 明月 掛 高空
The round wheel of a Moon hangs high in the sky
bhuang-zuan huê-dêng ziê mag-hong
萬盞 花燈 照 目紅
Thousands of flowery lanterns light up the eyes
printed: 眼紅 (ngang-ang) for 目紅
goi-ziên iu-ring ru diên-iong
街上 遊人 如 潮湧
People throng the streets like a tidal wave
he-dêng dui-dui; dui-dui he-dêng sai iu-long
魚燈 隊隊；隊隊 魚燈 賽游龍
The fish lanterns line up, they line up and compete to be the best
[…]
第二場 • doin-ri-diên • Scene 2
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
cug guin-mung, hi bug-zing
出閨門 喜不盡
Stepping out of the inner courtyard’s confines is joy beyond compare
mag-zoin gêng-muêh ring cêng-sing
目前 景物 盡 清新
The scene before my eyes is so refreshing and new.
printed: 眼前 (ngang-zoin) for 目前
dêng ru cên, ghuêh ru gian
燈 如 星、月 如 鏡
Lanterns like stars, the moon like a mirror.
huê-ciu-ngeng-huê bug-mên sian
火樹銀花 不夜 城
The fireworks’ brilliant sparkle make this a city without night.
火樹銀花 - idiom, lit. “fire trees and silver flowers”, i.e. “fireworks display”
益春 • iah-cung
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
nang zu-bi uêng-ru cug-lang ziou
俺 主婢 宛如 出籠鳥
Our household’s young mistress is just like an uncaged bird
ze-iu-ze-zai zêg-sing king
自由自在 一身輕
Free and easy and light of body
自由自在 - idiom, lit. “self-willed and self-present”
二人 合唱 • ri-nang hah-ciang • in unison
dua-goi ziên, ang-nam-lêg-neng do huan-lag
大街 上， 紅男綠女 多 歡樂
On the great avenue, young people in their colorful finery are having a great time
紅男綠女 - idiom, lit. “men in red and women in green”.
siang-hong gai-gai ciê hiê-hiê
相逢 個個 笑 呤呤
Laughing meekly as they pass each other
李姐 • li-zê
〔唸 • liêm • reciting〕
ho-dêng ho-ghuêh nang-nang ain
好燈 好月 人人 愛
Everybody loves good lanterns and a good moon
ziên-goi iu-siên sim-huê kai
上街 遊賞 心花 開
To tour the streets makes the heart glad
o! nguêng-lai ng-gê ngou-niê!
啊！ 原來 黃家 五娘！
O! If it isn’t the Fifth Lady of the Ng household!
a-niê bhuêng-hog!
阿娘 萬福
A thousand greetings, Lady!
五娘 • ngou-niê
nguêng-lai si li-zê
原來 是 李姐
If it isn’t Sister Li…
李姐 • li-zê
iah-cung! le-gê uêng-ghua, (?)-kêng riang a-niê cug-mêng?
益春！ 你家 員外，怎肯 讓 阿娘 出門？
Iah-cung! How is it that your master let Young Lady leave the house?
益春 • iah-cung
do-kui ang-ring suêh-cêng
多虧 安人 說情
It was thanks to my mistress, who pleaded on her behalf, saying
nguêng-siou huê-dêng
元宵 花燈
“The flowery lanterns of the Lantern Festival
zêg-ni zêg-ce
一年 一次
are only hung up once a year”
cai-kêng riang ung cug-lai
才肯 讓 阮 出來
that he was willing to let us come out.
printed: 我們 (ua-mung) for 阮
李姐 • li-zê
o… niê-oi! le zêg-hiang ziê cug-gui-mung
啊！ 娘～！ 你 一向 少 出閨門
O! Young Lady! You have rarely ever left the house
printed: 阿娘 (a-niê) for 娘-oi
dao-lou sên-so
道路 生疏
So the road is all new and unfamiliar
dua-goi ziên, nang-do hung-zab
大街 上，人多 混雜
On the great avenue, it is crowded and confusing
huêng si iu-ua cua le kê siên-dêng!
還 是 由我 ～ 你 去 賞燈！
Let me be your guide and bring you lantern-gazing!
printed: 陪 (buê) for cua
niê-oi! dan le tian no!
娘～！ 呾 你 聽 𰇇！
Young Lady-O! Let me tell you!
printed: 阿娘！ 講 你 聽呀！ (a-niê! giang le tian ia!)
〔叩板 • kao-bang • tapping clappers〕
nang zuêng-rib cag-in ghê,
俺 轉入 察院衙
We’ll head to the public order bureau
dig-loh ê dang-doi
直落 下 東堤
down the Eastern dike
gian-hiang kai-nguêng zoin
行向 開元 前
walk towards the opening of the Lantern Festival
zuêng-guê sai-goi
轉過 西街
past the Western Avenue
toin-toin cig-zang sêng
看看 七叢松
look at the seven pine tres
zai-gao cêng-zui-gêng
再到 清水宮
then go to Clearwater Palace
iu-lang hong-lai-gêng
遊覽 蓬萊宮
tour the Celestial Palace
蓬萊 hong-lai - mythical place where celestial beings live
cug-liou dua-goi
出了 大街
come out at the Great Avenue
ua-zo ing-lou-se
我 做 引路師
I’ll be your guide
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
bao-guêng [gag-sia] huê-dêng dou lêng toin
保管 各社 花燈 都 能 看
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, li-zê lou-sêg, u ta siang-puan ia-ho
阿娘，李姐 路熟，有 她 相伴 也好
Miss, Sister Li knows the road, why not have her come along?
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
ia-ho! u-lao liou!
也好！有勞了！
Why not indeed! We’ll trouble you to guide us, then
李姐 • li-zê
niê-oi! sui ua lai!
娘～！隨我 來！
Miss! Follow me!
printed: 阿娘 (a-niê) for 娘-oi
第三場 • doin-san-diên • Scene 3
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
diê-ziu boih-gêng ho liu-liêng
潮州 八景 好 流連
The Eight Views of Teochew are a delight to wander
i-di huang-guang biêg u tiang
異地 風光 別 有 天
the scenery in a foreign land is another world of its own
kuang si nguêng-siou dêng-ghuêh mên
況 是 元宵 燈月 夜
no less on the the night of the Lantern Festival
iu-tiam sing-ung rib si-piêng
又添 新韻 入 詩篇
it adds new verses to this song I sing
〔白 • bêh • speaking〕
nguêng-siou ho huê-dêng
元宵 好 花燈
the fine flowery lanterns of the Lantern Festival
dêng-ê ho nang-muêh
燈下 好 人物
and fine folk beneath the lanterns
第四場 • doin-si-diên • Scene 4
幕外音 • mo-ghua im • voices offstage
toin, toin [ngao-suan] a! [ngao-suan] lai-liou ia!
看，看 鰲山 啊！鰲山 來了 呀!
Look! Look! It’s the Ngau-suan! The Ngau-suan is here!
鰲山 ngao-suan - a special lantern for the Lantern Festival, made of cloth, stacked in the shape of a mythical sea tortoise and peaked like a mountain.
李姐 • li-zê
a-niê! zê si si-mih gu-se?
阿娘！這 是 是乜 故事？
Miss! What story is this?
printed: 什麼 (sim-moh) for 是乜
五娘 • ngou-niê
zê-si diên-sên e êng-êng
這是 張生 與 鶯鶯
This is the story of Dien-sen and Cui-eng-eng
ta-no-nang zêg-gin zêng-cêng
他 二人 一見 鍾情
They fell in love at first sight
gêh-ciên ciang-ho
隔牆 唱和
Singing their love through a common wall
zong-riêng lao-hu-ring gê-gui ngiêm-ging
縱然 老夫人 家規 嚴緊
Even though her old mother was strict
zong-i bai-ghuêh sai-siên
終於 排月 西廂
eventually they trysted in the Western chamber
鶯鶯傳 (êng-êng-tuêng, “Tale of Eng-eng”), a story from the Tang period that was the basis for the opera 西廂記 (sai-hiên-gi) “Romance of the West Chamber”).
李姐 • li-zê
a-niê! zê iu si si-mih gu-se?
阿娘！這 又是 是乜 故事？
Miss! What is this story, then?
printed: 什麼 (sim-moh) for 是乜
五娘 • ngou-niê
zê si lao cui-ping cai-lao pao cai-giu
這是 劉翠屏 彩褸 拋 彩球
This is the story of Lau Cui-ping tossing a variegated ball from the festooned tower
A love story about a young lady from a landlord household who fell in love with a poor scholar. See 劉翠屏 (Baidu)
李姐 • li-zê
o…
哦
oh.
五娘 • ngou-niê
ta-mng cêng-ciang ngi-cim
他們 情長義深
They had deep and intense feelings for each other
bho-mo iong-hua
無慕 榮華
and did not hanker for glory or riches
printed: 不慕 (bug-mo) 無慕
sang-sang hang-iê kou-siu
雙雙 寒窯 苦守
both suffered in the cold without heat
ho-bi soh-li bhuê-huê
好比 雪裏 梅花
like plum blossoms that come out amid winter frost
zong-sêng mui-mua ing-uêng
終成 美滿 姻緣
Finally they could fulfill their love and come together in marriage
zuêng-ui nang-goin gia-uê
轉爲 人間 佳話
becoming a popular tale among the people
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê! zê zêg-ping iu si si-mih?
阿娘！這 一屏 又是 是乜？
Miss! What about this one?
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘, and 什麼 (sim-moh) for 是乜
五娘 • ngou-niê
zê si niê suan-bêh e zog êng-tai
這是 梁山伯 與 祝英臺
This is the story of Nie Suan-beh and Zok Eng-tai
梁山伯 與 祝英臺 - The “Butterfly Lovers”, also commonly referred to as 梁祝, one of the most well-known Chinese love stories, which has been adapted into numerous plays, operas, and movies.
ta-mng sên-zoin bhuê-lêng gag-ui hu-ci
他們 生前 未能 結爲 夫妻
In life they were unable to become husband and wife
si-ao huê-zoh sang buê-hu-diab
死後 化作 雙 飛蝴蝶
After death, they were transformed into a pair of butterflies
zi-cêng zi-sên
至情 至性
with such intense feelings and emotion
coin-gou liu-tuêng
千古流傳
truly a story for the ages!
千古流傳 - idiom, “transmitted through a thousand ages”.
李姐 • li-zê
o! si ziên-sên a!
哦！是 照生 呀！
Oh, so that’s how it is…
printed: 這樣 (zê-iên) for 照生
陳三 • dang-san
zê-ui siê-niê-gian bug-dang zêng-tong ze-se
這位 小娘囝 不但 精通 書史
This young miss has not only mastered the books
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 小娘囝
gêng-giêm cai-diou bho-sang
更兼 才調 無雙
but has literary skill without par
lang-dig! lang-dig!
難得！難得！
How rare! How rare!
李姐 • li-zê
m! zê-ui hao-sên-go,
嘸！這位 後生哥
Hm! Who is this young guy,
ui-ho ze-ngang ze-ghe ze-dig-i?
爲何 自言自語 自得意？
and why is he muttering to himself with glee?
m? do-ê ?? u gi sin a?
噯！地下 怎麼 有 機 扇 呢？
Hm! What’s this fan that is lying on the floor?
地 do3 - vernacular pronunciation (literary di7)
printed: 把 (ba) for 機
ai-ia! si zêg-ba gim-ziêng sin
噯呀！是 一把 金牋 扇
Ah! It is a golden fan decorated with calligraphy!
zê si lao-sing gai hog-ki
這是 老身 個 福氣
It’s this old woman’s lucky day.
a-niê, le lai, le lai
阿娘，你來，你來
Miss, come here, come here.
a-niê le toin, le toin no!
阿娘 你看，你看 𰇇！
Miss, have a look, have a look!
printed: 呀 (ia) for 𰇇
五娘 • ngou-niê
sin-ziên (?) doi u si!
扇上 還 題 有 詩！
There is a poem on this fan!
益春 • iah-cung
a! u si, cian a-niê liêm
啊！有 詩，請 阿娘 唸
Ah! There’s a poem, please Miss read it for us.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唸 • liêm • reciting〕
“hai-tiêng moh-moh zui-hung huên
『海天 漠漠 水雲 橫
Fog lies over the waters and the mists are flat
dao-ziu piang si bhuêng-li-cing
斗酒 篇 詩 萬里情
Drinking wine, I write this poem of distant longings
ding-si hung-zêng mia e li
塵世 紛爭 名 與 利
In this dusty realm, fame and profit are fought over
塵世 - the mortal world, a Buddhist expression.
ho-ru ziêng giêng-kêh dang hêng”
何如 戰 劍客 中 行』
How can one walk among the fighting swordsmen?
– ung-lêng dang bêh-kêng doi
溫陵 陳伯卿 題
– composed by Dang Beh-keng of Ung-leng
益春 • iah-cung
ung-lêng do ho-cu?
溫陵 在 何處？
Where is Ung-leng?
五娘 • ngou-niê
ziu-si zuan-ziu
就是 泉州
It is in Zuan-ziu
泉州 zuan-ziu - a prosperous city and region in 福建 Hokkien province.
李姐 • li-zê
niê-oi, na-bain u nang lai liou
娘～，那爿有 人 來了
Miss! There’s someone coming from over there.
printed: 阿娘 (a-niê) for 娘-oi and 邊 (bin) for 爿
五娘 • ngou-niê
li-zê, sin na-ke
李姐，扇 拿去
Li-ze, take the fan away
李姐 • li-zê
si! a-niê, nang uang biêg-cu tig-to
是！阿娘，俺 往 別處 𨑨迌
Yes! Miss, let’s go somewhere else to have fun
printed: 我們 (ua-mung) for 俺 and 往別處去 (uang biag-cu ke) for 往別處𨑨迌
“tig-to” is a word that does not have standard Chinese characters.
陳三 • dang-san
liêg-ui, cian-mng zêg-sian
列位，請問 一聲
Pardon me ladies, may I interrupt with a question?
李姐 • li-zê
ain-mng mih-gai?
愛 問 乜個？
Whaddya want?
printed: 要問 什麼？(iou mung sim-moh?)
li-zê speaks in a more vernacular register compared to dang-san
陳三 • dang-san
gang-cai siê-sêng do-ce guêng-dêng
剛才 小生 在此 觀燈
A moment ago, this humble person was admiring the lanterns
sig-loh zêg-ba sin
失落 一把 扇
and lost a fan
ko-u gin-gao?
可有 見到？
Might you have seen it?
李姐 • li-zê
le sig-loh si-mih sin?
你 失落 是乜 扇？
What kind of fan did you lose?
printed: 什麼 (sim-moh) for 是乜
a-niê! nang han-bho toin-diêh ho?
阿娘！ 俺 還無 看着 呵？
Miss! We haven’t seen anything like that, have we?
printed: 阿娘！ 我們 沒有 看見 呀？(a-niê! ua-mung mog-u toin-gin ia?)
五娘 • ngou-niê
li-zê, sin si nang-gê sig-loh di
李姐，扇 是 人家 失落 的
Li-ze, that fan is lost property,
sang-huan ta ba!
送還 他 吧！
just return it to him!
tai-huê gê ke, lêng cu zêg-ba kêh le
待回 家去，另 取 一把 乞 你
When we are back home, I will give you another one
printed: 給 (gib) for 乞
李姐 • li-zê
ia-ba… lai! ua lai mng le
也罷！ 來！ 我 來 問 你
Alright, come! Let me ask you:
le sin-ziên u si huêng-si bho-ri?
你 扇上 有 詩 還是 無字？
Did you have a poem on your fan, or no words?
u-ri a, huêng-si bho si, le dan!
有字 呀，還是 無 詩？ 你 呾！
If there were words, was there no poem? Tell me!
printed: 講 (giang) for 呾
陳三 • dang-san
sin-zion u ua cing-big doi-si
扇上 有 我 親筆 題詩
On the fan was a poem that I composed myself
ua-di mia-ri ziu-si dang bêh-kêng
我的 名字 就是 陳伯卿
My name is Dang Beh-keng
李姐 • li-zê
di-nang (?)-ke le-gai ho-mian-ri a?
底人 XX 你個 好名字 啊？
Who asked you for your good name?
printed: 誰人 問 你的 好名字 ？(sui-nang mung le-di ho mian-ri?)
sig-uê gang le dan,
實話 共 你 呾
Let me be frank with you
printed: 實話 對 你 說 (sig-uê dui le suêh)
riag-hui ng-gê ngou-niê suêh-cêng
若非 黃家 五娘 說情
if not for the Fifth Lady of the house of Ng interceding for you
ziu iu-le hêg-mên cuê-gao tin-mêng
就 由 你 黑夜 找 到 天明
you’d have been searching through the night to dawn with no success
找 cuê - vernacular borrowed reading for 揣, usually pronounced dao or zao
ring cêng-co a!
認 清楚 呀！
Don’t forget that!
陳三 • dang-san
si, zê zian-si siê-sêng di sin
是，這 正是 小生 的 扇
Yes, that is indeed this humble one’s fan
do-sêng do-gam
多承多感！
Much obliged, many thanks!
李姐 • li-zê
[a-sêng a-gam],
阿承阿感
kuai-kuai (?) liou ke, mai ho dan oin-uê
快快 X 了去，勿好呾 閒話
Take it quickly and stop wasting your breath on idle talk
printed: 快快 拿去, 少講 閒話 (kuai-kuai na-ke, siou-giang oin-uê)
陳三 • dang-san
ri-ui siê-niê-gian, do-sêng do-gam
二位 小娘囝，多承多感
Ladies, much obliged and many thanks
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 小娘囝
riag-hui ri-ui ui-ua suêh-cêng
若非 二位 爲 我 說情
If not for you interceding on my behalf
iêng-dig to-huê ce sin
焉得 討回 此 扇
I would not have gotten my fan back
ri-ui siê-niê-gian, cian! cian-liou….
二位 小娘囝，請！請了！
Ladies, I take my leave, I take my leave
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 小娘囝
請 - a way of saying goodbye
〔獨白 • dog-bêh • speaking to himself〕
zê-ui ng-gê ngou-niê, zing-si ko-ain a!
這位 黃家 五娘，真是 可愛 啊！
This Fifth Lady of Ng is certainly lovable!
五娘 • ngou-niê
zuan-ziu suan-cuêng lêng-siu
泉州 山川 靈秀
The mountains and valleys of Zuan-ziu must be fertile grounds
cug-u zê-dêng hong-ngia nang-muêh
出有 這等 風雅 人物
to breed such an elegant and refined person
李姐 • li-zê
a-niê! nang uang biêg-cu tig-to
阿娘！俺 往 別處 𨑨迌
Miss! Let’s go somewhere else to have fun!
printed: 往 別處 走看 (uang biag-cu zao-toin)
第五場 • doin-ngou-diên • Scene 5
林大 • lim-dua
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
guan-gê, guan-gê ze-di lag-a lag siou-iou
官家，官家 子弟 樂呀 樂 逍遙
The scions of an official’s household love to stroll about
卓二 • doh-ri
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
lag-a lag siou-iou
樂呀 樂逍遙
Love, o love to stroll about
林大 • lim-dua
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
zi-mo gim-og cang-a-cang giou-giou
指望 金屋 藏呀 藏嬌嬌
Hoping to find some hidden beauty in a golden house
金屋藏嬌 - idiom, lit. “to hide a lovely in a golden house”, meaning “to keep a concubine”.
卓二 • doh-ri
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
cang-a-cang a-giou
藏呀 藏阿嬌
Golden, o golden house
林大 • lim-dua
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
cim-huê-mng-lêng(liu?) huang-liu se
尋花問柳 風流 事
Searching for flowers, seeking a willow, affairs of the heart
尋花問柳 - idiom, lit. “searching for flowers, seeking a willow”, meaning “to visit prostitutes”
卓二 • doh-ri
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
huang-a-huang-liu se
風呀 風流 事
Affairs, o affairs of the heart
林大 • lim-dua
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
cuêng-cah huê-zang nao nguêng-siou
穿插 花叢 鬧 元宵
Jump into a bed of flowers and enjoy the Lantern Festival
花叢 - lit. “a bunch of flowers”, figuratively referring to a group of prostitutes.
卓二 • doh-ri
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
nao-a-nao nguêng-siou
鬧呀 鬧 元宵
Enjoy, o enjoy the lantern festival
二人 • ri-nang • together
ha ha ha ha ha!
哈 哈 哈 哈 哈！
hahahahaha!
Laughing as obnoxiously as possible
卓二 • doh-ri
lim-dua-ia! gim-mê nguêng-siou
林大爺！今暝 元宵
Master Lim! Tonight at this Lantern Festival
printed: 晚 (mung) for 暝
ig-lai toin dêng, ri-lai toin nang
一來 看 燈，二來 看 人
we’ll keep one eye on the lanterns, and another on the crowd
ru-u mui-neng, bug-ko co-guê!
如 有 美女，不可 錯過！
If there is a beautiful woman, we can’t miss the chance!
林大 • lim-dua
lao-doh ze ngang u-li, zêg-dang lai, zao!
老卓 之 言 有理，一同 來，走！
Old Doh what you say makes sense. Two birds with one stone, let’s go!
卓二 • doh-ri
ho! lai-zao!
好！來走！
Good! Let’s go!
二人合唱 • ri-nang hah-ciang • singing together
nang dua-goi ziên, guêng-dêng, toin gia-li
俺大街 上，觀燈 看 佳麗
We go down the great a venue, gazing at lanterns and eyeing the beauties
siang-sui siang-puan ciê-hi-hi
相隨相伴 笑嘻嘻
having a good time in good company
林大 • lim-dua
a-ia!
啊呀！
Ah!
**益春 • iah-cung **
li-zê! li-zê!
李姐！李姐！
Li-ze! Li-ze!
李姐 • li-zê
lai-liou! o! nguêng-lai si lim-dua-ia!
來了！啊！原來 是 林大爺！
I’m coming! Ah, so it is Master Lim!
gim-mê u hêng cug-lai guêng-dêng hên?
今暝 有興 出來 觀燈 呀？
Feeling in a good mood to come see the lanterns?
printed: 晚 (mung) for 暝
林大 • lim-dua
li-zê, na-ui siê-niê-gian si sui?
李姐，那位 小娘囝 是誰？
Sister Li, who is that young maiden?
printed: 小娘子 (siê-niê-ze) for 小娘囝
李姐 • li-zê
o, dua-ia oi, na-ui si sian-sai ng-gao-lang di coin-gim ngou-niê
啊，大爺（～），那位 是 城西 黃九郎 的 千金 五娘
Ah, sir, that is the fair fifth daughter of Ng Gau-lang of the Western district
nang diê-ziu doin-ig mui-ring nê!
俺 潮州 第一 美人 呀（呢）！
The fairest beauty of our Teochew prefecture!
林大 • lim-dua
li-zê, ngou-niê kah-zêng he nang?
李姐，五娘 豈 曾 許 人？
Sister Li, is she betrothed to anybody?
printed: 可 (ko) for 豈
**益春 • iah-cung **
li-zê, nang (uang) biêg-(cu) ke!
李姐，俺 往 別處 去！
Sister Li, let’s go somewhere else!
李姐 • li-zê
ziu-lai!
就來！
Coming!
卓二 • doh-ri
lim-dua-ia, lim-dua-ia! ce-dêng mui-ring le dong-i ma?
林大爺，林大爺！此等 美人 你 中意 嗎？
Master Lim, Master Lim! Do you fancy that pretty lass?
林大 • lim-dua
ze-riêng si dong-i, le ka-u miou-goi?
自然 是 中意，你 豈有 妙計？
Naturally I fancy her, do you have a plan?
printed: 可 (ko) for 豈
卓二 • doh-ri
li-zê ui-nang zab-hung tang-cai, ko-êng zin-ngeng siu-bhoi
李姐 爲人 十分 貪財，可用 錢銀 收買
Sister Li is greedy for money, she can easily be bought with silver.
giê-ta ke ng-gê kiu-cing, i dua-ia cai-si
叫她 去 黃家 求親，以 大爺 財勢
Ask her to go to the Ng household to propose a match. Given your wealth and power, sir,
ing-guêng guag-bho bug-sêng ze li!
婚姻 自（XXX）無 不成 之 理！
they can’t possibly refuse!
林大 • lim-dua
a-ia dui a! lao-doh gao-giêng, zian-hah ua i
啊呀 ［對啊］！老卓 高見，正 合 我 意
Ah! Old-Doh you are clever, I like this plan
nang ko huê-gê im-ziu, soi-soi siêng-(liêng)
俺 可 回家 飲酒，細細 商議
Let’s go home to drink wine and discuss this in detail
卓二 • doh-ri
ho!
好！
Good!
林大 • lim-dua
〔唸 • liêm • reciting〕
nguêng-siou dêng-ê ngo gia-ring
元宵 燈下 遇 佳人
Meeting a beauty under the lights of the Lantern Festival
ri-boih giou-niê luêng ua-sing
二八 嬌娘 亂 我 神
A girl of sweet sixteen stirring my soul
二八 - “twice eight”, i.e. sixteen years old
卓二 • doh-ri
〔唸 • liêm • reciting〕
zing-cêng tiang im siou-mê ziu
盡情 暢 飲 宵夜 酒
Drink the wine of the Lantern Festival night to your heart’s content
二人同唸 • ri-nang tong liem • both recite together
e-zog huê-zêg dang bang cung!
預祝 花燭 洞房春！
Here’s to the candlelit bridal bed on the wedding night!
洞房花燭夜 - idiom, lit. “night of the bridal chamber and flowery candles”, i.e. the wedding night
第二章 • doin-ri-ziang • Act 2
第六場 • doin-lag-diên • Scene 6
五娘 • ngou-niê
[…]
〔唸 • liêm • reciting〕
lang-gui huê-mang pêg-ing huên
蘭閨 廻夢 碧煙翻橫
Dreams churn in the orchid chamber as blue smoke spreads.
coin-li ghuêh-mêng coin-li cêng
千里 明月 千里 情
A distant full moon and distant longings.
ce-di li-dang lêng zui-kêh
此地 荔丹 能 醉客
The red lychee of this place can captivate any guest.
ho-su huang-hong hai-tiêng hêng
何須 風雨 海天 行
Who needs the wind and rain to cross heaven and ocean?
**益春 • iah-cung **
e! niê-oi! le ngim ce si, siê-bi se-hu bag tian-guê
～！娘～！你 吟 此 詩，小婢 似乎 捌 聽過
Miss! This poem you recite - your humble maid has heard it before somewhere.
printed: 哎呀！小姐！你唸 此詩，小婢 似乎 聽過 (ai-ia! siou-zia! le liêm ce-si, siê-bi se-hu tian-guê)
五娘 • ngou-niê
ce-si ua huang-cai ngim-ziu
此 詩 我 方才 吟就
I just composed this poem,
le cong ho-cu tian guê?
你 從 何處 聽過？
where could you have heard it before?
**益春 • iah-cung **
a-niê le m-sing, tai ua lai liêm:
阿娘 你 唔信，待 我 來 唸
If you don’t believe me, Miss, let me recite to you:
printed: 小姐 不信 (siou-zia bug-sing)
“hai-tiêng moh-moh zui-hung-huên
『海天 漠漠 水雲橫
“Fog lies over the waters and the mists are flat
dao-ziu piêng-si bhuêng-li cêng”
斗酒 篇詩 萬里 情』
Drinking wine, I write this poem of distant longings”
a-niê, kah dui?
阿娘，豈 對？
Is that right, Miss?
printed: 小姐，可 對？(siou-zia, ko-dui?)
五娘 • ngou-niê
hu-suêh, zê e ua nim-di bug-dang
胡說，這 與 我 吟 的 不同
Nonsense, that is nothing like what I wrote.
printed: 唸 (liêm) for 吟
**益春 • iah-cung **
niê-oi, di-go m-dang?
娘～，底塊 唔同？
Miss, how is it different?
printed: 有何不同？(u ho bug-dang?)
五娘 • ngou-niê
le liêm-di si biêg-nang sin-di zion-doi di si
你 唸的 是 別人 扇上 題 的 詩
What you recited is the poem from that fan.
**益春 • iah-cung **
hên, ua zai, ua zai,
我 知， 我 知
I know, I know
a-niê si do (?) sin-zion gai si no!
阿娘 是 在 人家 扇上 個 詩 𰇇！
Miss’s mind is still on the one who wrote it!
printed: 小姐 是 在 人家 扇上 的 詩 呀！ (siou-zia si do nang-gê sin-ziên di si ia!)
五娘 • ngou-niê
(?)-bi-neng, ia bug-pa gêh-ciên u hin?
X-婢女，亦 不怕 隔牆 有 耳？
Silly maid, don’t you fear that the walls have ears?
**益春 • iah-cung **
“do-sêng do-gam, cian, cian-liou”
『多承 多感，請，請了』
“Much obliged, and many thanks, I take my leave”
李姐 • li-zê
〔唸 • liêm • reciting〕
bu-gui iong-hua gai-iu-mia
富貴 榮華 皆 由 命
Riches and glory are matters of fate;
gim-ngeng zu-bo gig-liang uêng
金銀 珠寶 結良 緣
Gold, silver, and precious jewels seal the bonds of destiny.
a-niê, giong-hi a ho-hi!
阿娘，恭喜呀 賀喜
Miss, congratulations, congratulations!
**益春 • iah-cung **
li-zê, hi cong ho-lai?
李姐，喜 從 何來？
Li-ze, what’s the congratulations for?
李姐 • li-zê
a-niê oi!
阿娘 呀（～）！
Miss!
zao zion-zoin si zêg-li
走 上前 施 一禮
I come up to deliver a message,
ua e a-niê lai dao-hi
我 與 阿娘 來 道喜
and to offer my congratulations to Miss
zi ing-ui,
只 因爲
That’s because
lim ui-rig dua-ia, nguêng-siou dêng-ê gin ghêg-mao
林XX 大爺，元宵 燈下 見 玉貌
Big Master Lim, he saw your beautiful jade face under the lights of the Lantern Festival
zêg-sim guah-mo gig liêng-li
一心 渴望 結 連理
and his whole heart was set on making a connection.
gim-rig suêh-muê uêng-ghua i êng-rung
今日 說媒 員外 已 應允
Today your Father has already consented to a matchmaking.
lai ziou gi-rig hia pian-ngi
來朝 吉日 下 聘儀
When an auspicious date comes, to make the betrothal ceremony.
五娘 • ngou-niê
le suêh-di ziu-si na lim-dua?
你 說的 就是 那 林大？
Are you speaking of that Lim-dua?
李姐 • li-zê
zian si, uêng-ghua ang-ring dou bhuêng-hung huan-hi a!
正是，員外 安人 都 萬分 歡喜 呀！
That is he! Your father and mother are both extremely glad!
**益春 • iah-cung **
a-niê! a-niê uan-dian!
阿娘！阿娘 安定！
Miss! Miss be calm!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
李姐 • li-zê
zê si lim-gê di gim-toi, tai ua e le cah do tao-ziên
這是 林家 的 金釵，待 我 與 你 插 在 頭上
This golden hairpiece is from the Lim family, let me help you put it in your hair.
五娘 • ngou-niê
le lang-dao bug-zai lim-dua si ho-dêng-iên nang?
你 難道 不知 林大 是 何等樣 人？
Don’t you know what kind of a person that Lim-dua is?
ruêng ain zoin-lai suêh-muê, si ho dao-li?
還（～）愛 前來 說媒，是 何 道理？
And to come here matchmaking on his behalf, what is the meaning of this?
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
李姐 • li-zê
e! niê-oi!
～！娘～！
O Miss!
printed: 阿娘 呀 (a-niê ia!)
〔叩板 • kao-bang • tapping clappers〕
ti-ki lim-dua-ia, sing-ui bhu-ge ho mia-sian
提起 林大爺，身爲 武舉 好 名聲
Speaking of Master Lim, he is a military man and of good name.
武舉 - military version of the 舉人 (ge-ring, “graduate”) degree in the examination system. These were looked down upon as less worthy than the civil degrees.
diê-ziu hao-bu cêng doin-ig
潮州 豪富 稱 第一
Of the big dealers in Die-ziu he is number one.
liang-big a-niê le ia zai
諒必 阿娘 你 也知
Forgive me Miss but even you must know this!
gim-rig e ta lai gig-cing
今日 與 他 來 結親
Today I come here to convey his proposal.
zian-si mng-deng-hou-dui
正是 門當戶對
Your two households are a good and suitable match.
門當戶對 - idiom, lit. “the doors are appropriate and the houses correct”, i.e. a good match between two families of prospective bride and groom.
neng-mao lang-cai
女貌 郎才
A beautiful maiden and a talented groom.
guê-mng ze-ao, hu-iong ci-gui
過門 之後，夫榮 妻貴
After crossing the threshold, the husband will be proud and the wife fertile.
a-niê le ing-ho bug-ain?
阿娘 你 因何 不愛？
What’s there not to love about this, Miss?
**益春 • iah-cung **
hi!
呸（哼）！
Hmph!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
mê zêg-sian lao-hu-li!
駡 一聲 老狐狸！
You wretched old fox!
cug-ngang bho zuang ria nang ki
出言 無 狀 惹 人 氣
Angering people with your senseless words.
le ui tam siou-li
你 爲 貪 小利
You were greedy for a small profit,
bug-guêng nang-gê sên huan si
不管 人家 生 還 死
and don’t care if people’s lives are ruined in the process.
huêng-gan do a-niê mêng-zoin luêng-buan kao-zih
還敢 在 阿娘 面前 亂搬 口舌
You dare to come before our Miss and wag your lying tongue.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
le luêng-buan kao-zih
你 亂搬 口舌
You wag your lying tongue!
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
gim-rig lai ti-cing
今日 來 提親
This match proposed today
kug-hai ua zêg-sên zêg-si
屈害 我 一生 一世
will ruin my life, and all that I know.
uêng dia-dia, king-sing le huê-ngang ka-ghe kiêm si-cung
怨 爹爹，輕信 你 花言 巧語 欠 思忖
I resent my father for so easily believing your flowery words and cheap promises,
cuêng bug nguêng-liêm cing-sên neng-ri
全 不 願念 親生 女兒
but not believing the words of his own dear daughter.
李姐 • li-zê
e! niê-oi! gim-rig zê-mng cing-se
～！娘～！今日 這門 親事
O Miss! This proposal today
printed: 阿娘 (a-niê) for 娘-oi
si ning liang-gê cêng-nguêng
是 恁 兩家 情願
is a matter between your two households.
printed: 你 (le) for 恁
e ua li-zê bho-gang
與 我 李姐 無干
It is not my doing!
**益春 • iah-cung **
bhuê-nang zian
媒人 精
The business of a matchmaker
mua-kao huê-ngang ka-ghe
滿口 花言 巧語
is to have a mouthful of flowery language at the ready.
Traditional matchmakers had a reputation for misrepresenting prospective marriage partners in order to collect their fees when the proposals were accepted.
huêng suêh e-le bho gang?
還 說 與 你 無干？
How can you say it is none of your doing?
李姐 • li-zê
si-mih huê-ngang-ka-ghe? hng!
是乜 花言巧語？哼！
What flowery language? Hmph!
printed: 什麼 (sim-moh) for 是乜
sog-uê suêh: “bê-bho u mêng, ri-neng ain tian”
俗話 說：『父母 有 命，兒女 愛 聽』
The proverb says: “If the parents have a comand, the children must obey.”
命 mêng - meaning “command”, this character also pronounced mia “life”.
printed: 俗語 (sog-ghe) for 俗話, 要 (iou) for 愛
a-niê riag bug sung-cong ce-cing
阿娘 若 不 順從 此親
If Miss doesn’t follow her parents’ instruction
ziu-si he-ngêg bug-hao
就是 許逆不孝
then she is simply not filial.
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung! ba ta guan cug-ke!
益春！把 她 趕 出去！
Iah-cung! Chase her out!
**益春 • iah-cung **
tian-gin bho? mên-gê cug, cug-ke!
聽見 無？猛加 出，出去！
Don’t you hear? Get out quickly, out!
printed: 聽見 嗎？快些 出，出去！ (tian-gin ma? kuai-sê cug, cug ke!)
李姐 • li-zê
ai-ia, pah-nang, pah-nang a!
哎呀，拍人，拍人 呀！
Ah! They’re hitting me! They’re hitting me!
printed: 打 (da) for 拍
員外 • uêng-ghua
iah-cung, bug-dig bho-li, kuai-sê hia-ke
益春，不得 無禮，快些 下去
Iah-cung, watch your behavior. Go downstairs.
bhuê-i, siou-bi bho-li, do u dig-zuê
媒姨，小婢 無理，多有 得罪
Matchmaker, this maid was out of line, and has grievously offended you.
toin do lao-hu ming-ziên mai e goi-ga
看在 老夫 面上 勿 與 計較
On my account, I hope that you will not pursue this complaint
李姐 • li-zê
zê-gai m-gan
這個 唔敢
No I wouldn’t dare.
printed: 不 (bug) for 唔
安人 • ang-ring
bhuê-i, cian gao tian-ziên êng ziu-bng
媒姨，請 到 廳上 用 酒飯
Matchmaker, please come to the hall for a meal.
李姐 • li-zê
miêng-êng kêh-ki, rig-uan, ua gao-si liou
免用 客氣，時候 日X，我 告辭 了
No need to be polite, it is late and I should be on my way.
printed: 不用 (bug-êng) for 免用, 不早 (bug-za) for 日X
員外 • uêng-ghua
ru-ce bug-gan kiang-lao, cêng-ung(?) ming-zoin ho-uê do suêh
如此 不敢 強留，親家（？）面前，好話 多說
If that is the case, we shan’t detain you. When you see the Lims, do put in a good word for us.
李姐 • li-zê
zê-gai ze-riêng
這個 自然
Naturally.
五娘 • ngou-niê
dia-niê bhuêng-hog
爹娘 萬福
Your daughter wishes Father and Mother a thousand blessings.
安人 • ang-ring
ua-ri miêng-li
我兒 免禮
Don’t stand on ceremony, my child.
員外 • uêng-ghua
le si mia-mng coin-gim, ziu-gai siou-dig loi-ngi
你是 名門 千金，就該 曉得 禮儀
You are the precious child of an honorable household, you should know something about proper behavior.
ge-riêng guan-dog bhuê-i
居然 趕逐 媒姨
To think that you would chase the matchmaker away!
zing-zing sêng-ho ti-tong?
真真 成 何 體統？
What is the meaning of this?
安人 • ang-ring
ri a, gim-rig ti-cing, si le dai-hi ze rig
兒呀，今日 提親，是 你 大喜 之 日
Child, this proposal today should be a big joyous day for you.
ui-ho cou-bhai-bug-diêng?
爲何 愁眉不展？
Why is your brow furrowed in despair?
愁眉不展 - idiom, lit. “permanently furrowed brow”
五娘 • ngou-niê
bho-cing, ko-hng li-zê bho-li
母親，可恨 李姐 無理
Mother, I resent how Sister Li was out of line.
hu-ngang-luêng-ghe, ria neng-ri sên-ki!
胡言亂語， 惹 女兒 生氣！
She spouted much nonsense, and made your daughter angry!
安人 • ang-ring
li-zê ui-ho ria ua-ri sên-ki?
李姐 爲何 惹 我兒 生氣？
How did Sister Li make my child angry?
printed: 吾 (u) for 我
五娘 • ngou-niê
bho-cing, neng-ri bug-hi-huan ta lai ti-cing
母親，女兒 不喜歡 她 來 提親
Mother, your daughter doesn’t like the proposal she brought.
員外 • uêng-ghua
hon? zê si ho-gu?
啊？這是 何故？
Huh? What’s the reason?
五娘 • ngou-niê
dia-niê iong-bing!
爹娘 容稟！
Father, Mother, please hear my plea!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
liêm dia-niê bho lam-ri
念 爹娘 無 男兒
Father and Mother have no sons,
pêg-ge bho hian-di
碧琚 無 兄弟
your daughter Pek-gv has no brothers.
sang-cing ni-mai
雙親 年邁
When my dear parents advance in age
gou sui hong-si
靠 誰 奉侍
who would care for them?
ing-ce siang ri bug-ring lai hung-li
因此 上 兒 不忍 來 分離
Because of this, your child does not want to be separated from you,
nguang sui cêg-ê hong gam-zi
願 隨 膝下 奉 甘旨
but continue to wait upon you on bended knee.
員外 • uêng-ghua
nga-gian, ze-gou lam dua deng-hung
㦙囝，自古 男 大 當婚
Silly child, from ancient times men have brought brides home
printed: 痴女 (ci-neng) for 㦙囝
neng ziang deng-gê
女 長 當嫁
and women have been sent off to marry.
na-u neng-ri zong-sing si-hong bê-bho ze-li?
那有 女兒 終身 侍奉 父母 之理？
Who has heard of a daughter who has stayed home to serve her parents?
cian-hi gim-rig pang-ziên zê-mng ho ing-cing
且喜 今日 攀上 這門 好 姻親
Be happy that we have made an advantageous match today
suêng-dig zê-iên ho neng-sai
選得 這樣 好 女婿
and have chosen such a good son-in-law;
bê-bho ming-ziên ia diêm guang-cai ia!
父母 面上 也 沾 光彩 呀！
the glory will be reflected on your parents!
五娘 • ngou-niê
dia-dia riag- si tong-ain neng-ri
爹爹 若是 痛愛 女兒
If Father truly loves his daughter dearly,
ziu coin-bhuang mai rung zê-mng cing-se
就 千萬 勿 允 這門 親事
please do not consent to this proposal
員外 • uêng-ghua
han?!
啊！？
What?!
安人 • ang-ring
ri a, zo bê-bho zia, dou si ui-le da-seng a
兒呀，做 父母 者，都 是 爲你 打算 呀
Child, as parents, all we do is for your benefit.
五娘 • ngou-niê
bho-cing!
母親！
Mother!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
bai-siang dia-niê tian ri suêh-ki
拜 上 爹娘 聽 兒 說起
I plead with Father and Mother to listen to their child.
neng-ri ni-king, siên neng-ri ni-king
女兒 年輕，想 女兒 年輕
Their daughter is still young,
printed: 念 (liêm) for 想
dêng-hung ze se, huêng si ziêm-mang gi-si
訂婚 之 事，還是 暫緩 幾時
this matter of marriage, why not put it off for now?
員外 • uêng-ghua
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
giê neng-ri mo zib-i
叫 女兒 莫 執意
Daughter, do not be stubborn.
tai-ui bê suêh e le di
待爲 父 說 與 你 知
Let Father tell you about this:
lim-dua sing-ui bhu-ge
林大 身爲 武舉
Lim-dua is a military graduate
kuang iu-si siang-mng ao-i
況 又是 相門 後裔
and comes from an official family.
ho mng-hong
好 門風
They have a mighty reputation,
gêng zêng gê-cai ge-hog u kuêng-si
更 曾 家財 巨福 有 權勢
his family fortune is rich and substantial.
na iong co-guê ru-ce liang-gi?
那 容 錯過 如此 良機？
How could we forgo this great opportunity?
安人 • ang-ring
neng-ri, le huêng-si…
女兒，你 還是
Daughter, you should…
五娘 • ngou-niê
bho-cing, lim-gê ze-di, ui-nang cou-pi
母親，林家 子弟，爲人 粗鄙
Mother, the scions of the Lim family are scoundrels!
員外 • uêng-ghua
han?! hu-suêh, ua pêng-si za-iên ga-dao i le?
～？！ 胡說，我 平時 怎樣 教導 於 你？
What?! Nonsense, how have I taught you to behave?
printed: 平日 (pêng-rig) for 平時
ain le sam-cung-si-dêg geng-gi do sim
愛 你 三從四德 謹記 在 心
Remember the “three obediences and four virtues”?
三 sam - literary pronunciation, vs. vernacular “san”
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
gim-rig si ua zah-zu ziang le he-puê lim-gê
今日 是 我 作主 將 你 許配 林家
Today I, as the head of this household, have decided to accept this proposal from the Lim family.
le nguêng ia-ba, bug-nguêng ia-ba
你 願 也罷，不願 也罷
It doesn’t matter whether you like it or not.
zê-mng cing-se i-gêng dian-hia liou!
這門 親事 已經 定下 了！
It has already been decided!
五娘 • ngou-niê
kou….!
苦！
Woe!
員外 • uêng-ghua
ai-ia! zing-zing ka-u-ce-li?
哎呀！真真 豈有此理？
Gah! Never in my life…
安人 • ang-ring
uêng-ghua, nang hia-lao ke ba
員外，俺 下樓 去 吧
Sire, let us go downstairs.
員外 • uêng-ghua
hng! dou-si le pêng-rig gê-ga bug-ngiêm
哼！都是 你 平日 家教 不嚴
Hmph! You have been too lax in teaching her.
cai iang-ig zê-iên di ho neng-ri
才 養X 這樣 的 好 女兒
That’s how we have ended up with such a daughter.
bug-iou li ta! hia lao! zao ba!
不要 理她！下樓！走吧！
Don’t pay her any heed. Go downstairs. Come!
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
cên-tiêng pig-liêg, sai-nang sim bui!
青天 霹靂，使人 心悲
A thunderclap on a clear day, leading one to heartbreak.
dia-dia le ui-ho co zu-i?
爹爹 你 爲何 錯 注意？
Father, why have you made this mistake?
bug-nguêng neng-ri zêg-sên siu-kui
不願 女兒 一生 受虧
Don’t wish upon your daughter a life of suffering.
na lim-dua… na lim-dua ta si king-kuang-ze
那 林大，那 林大 他 是 輕狂子
That Lim-dua, that Lim-dua is a dastardly creature;
ua lêng-si ia bug e ta pig-puê
我 寧死 也 不 與 他 匹配
I’d rather die than to be his woman.
bhuêng-buan sim-se, bhuêng-buan sim-se hu liu-zui
萬般 心事，萬般 心事 付 流水
My heart is in turmoil, turning like flowing water.
zêg-sên nguêng-mo, zêg-sên nguêng-mo zing sêng huê…
一生 願望，一生 願望 盡 成 灰
A whole life’s hopes, all turned into ash.
**益春 • iah-cung **
ngou-niê!
五娘！
Ngou-nie!
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung!
益春！
Iah-cung!
第三章 • doin-san-ziang • Act 3
第七場 • doin-cig-diên • Scene 7
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
giê siou-ang dai-lou uang sian-si
叫 小安 帶路 往 城西
Siou-ang, bring us to the Western city.
小安 • siou-ang
zung-mêng!
尊命！
Yes sir!
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
nguêng-siou dêng-zoin, li-ian kou iong-hi
元宵 燈前，麗影 苦 縈系
A beautiful silhouette under the lights of the Lantern Festival, so hard to forget.
guang-lam huêng-hua, bho-sim gi-ci
廣南 繁華，無心 棲遲
My restless heart is far from bustling Guang-lam.
廣南 guang-lam - A county in 雲南 (hung-lam, Yunnan) province.
biêg-liou go-so, gib-gib zai-lai diê-ziu di
別了 哥嫂，急急 再來 潮州 地
After saying goodbye to my brother and his wife, I hurriedly came back to Die-ziu,
dang nguêng tiêng cong nang-i
但 願 天 從 人意
in the hope that Heaven will fulfill a mere mortal’s wish
dêng-gin gu gia-li
重見 舊 佳麗
and that I can see that beautiful woman again.
〔白 • bêh • speaking〕
dêng-lai diê-ziu, in u do-rig
重來 潮州，已 有 多日
It has been several days since we have come back to Die-ziu.
dua-goi siou-hang, gu-in cim-bing
大街 小巷，俱已 尋遍
Broad streets and narrow alleys – I’ve walked all of them in vain.
bug-gin i-nang, zing lêng nang sim-ziou ia
不見 伊人，真 令人 心焦 也
Never once catching sight of her, it makes one despair.
published version: 好不心焦也 (ho bug-big ziou ia)
小安 • siou-ang
bing san-ia, zoin-ming bug-iêng, ziu-si sai-ou
稟 三爺，前面 不遠，就是 西湖
Sir, not far ahead is the Western Lake.
陳三 • dang-san
o! tiêng-sêng li-ziêh big do suan-mêng-zui-siu ze di
哦！天生 麗質 必 在 山明水秀 之 地
O! A natural beauty like her must surely be found in such a picturesque landscape.
siou-ang, dai-lou zoin uang!
小安，帶路 前 往！
Siou-ang, bring us there!
小安 • siou-ang
si!
是！
Yes sir!
第八場 • doin-boih-diên • Scene 8
益春 • iah-cung
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
keng a-niê, mo bui-se
勤 阿娘，莫 悲思
My lady, do not pine,
printed: 小姐 (siou zia) for 阿娘
huêng su diêng-dong coin-gim ti
還 須 珍重 千金 體
you must preserve your precious health.
le toin na, lag-ghuêh sai-ou ho gêng-di
你 看 那，六月 西湖 景緻
Look yonder, the scenery of the Western Lake in the sixth month.
siên-sim gian-lag, mo hu siou-ni-si
賞心 行樂，莫 負 少年 時
Smile and rejoice, do not waste your youth on worry.
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
ua na-u sim-cêng siên gêng-di?
我 那有 心情 賞 更遞？
Where is there reason for me to smile?
uêng dia-niê, uêng dia-niê co zu-i
怨 爹娘，怨爹娘 錯 主意
I resent Father and Mother, resent their wrong decision.
ga ua lui-tiêm sai-ou-zui, cou ciang se liu-si
教 我 淚添 西湖 水，愁 長 似 柳絲
My tears fill up the Western Lake, my worries trail like willow branches.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, se in ru-ce, su-deng mang-mang siêg-huab
阿娘，事 已 如此，須當 慢慢 設法
Miss, things are as they are, you have to slowly make plans,
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
huêng-cian kuêng-huai ui si
還 請 寬懷 爲 是
and keep your inner calm.
a-niê, le toin na (bin) li-gi sên-dig do-moh ko-ain!
阿娘，你 看 那 邊 荔枝 生得 多麼 可愛！
Miss, see how prettily that lychee branch grows!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
dang li ang ain dih, tai ua sing-ciu diah zêg-gi
丹 荔 紅 欲 滴，待 我 伸手 摘 一枝
The lychees are red with ripeness, let me stretch out my hand to pluck a branch
欲 - vernacular substitute character for 愛
sang e a-niê goi cou-se
送 與 阿娘 解 愁思
and present it to Miss to ease her worries.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
〔白 • bêh • speaking〕
a-niê, le toin zê-bao li-gi no!
阿娘，你 看 這苞 荔枝 𰇇！
Miss, look at this lychee branch!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
a! bêng dih li-gi
啊！並 蒂 荔枝
Ah! This lychee branch…
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê! le dan mai ziê-sên no
阿娘！你 旦 勿 照生 𰇇
Miss! Don’t be like this.
printed: 小姐！你 不要 傷心 (siou-zia! le bug-iou siê-sim)
le zêg siên-sim, ua sim-lai ziu zing gang-kou
你 一 傷心，我 心內 就 真艱苦
It is difficult for me to see you so heartbroken.
printed: 我 心裏 就 很 難過 (ua sim-li ziu hng lang-guê)
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung, ba zu-liêm bang-hia
益春，把 珠簾 放下！
Iah-cung, put down the bead curtains!
益春 • iah-cung
si!
是！
Yes miss!
陳三 • dang-san
siou-ang, ua ain iu-lang zêg-huêng
小安，我 愛 遊覽 一番
Siou-ang, I want to tour about this place.
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
le ko do-ce sêng-liang
你 可 在此 乘涼
You can rest here in the shade.
小安 • siou-ang
si!
是！
Yes sir!
益春 • iah-cung
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
toin i-nang ho-sên ming-siêng
睇 伊人 好生 面善
He looks well bred and has the face of a decent man,
printed: 觀 guêng for 睇
se zêng siang-hong do ho-di
似 曾 相逢 在 何地
like someone familiar, but from where?
ing-ho zêg-si gi-bug-ki?
因何 一時 記 不起？
Why can’t I remember?
五娘 • ngou-niê
guêng ta si-sui, ba zu-liêm bang-hia
管 他 是誰，把 珠簾 放下
Who cares who he is, put down the bead curtains.
益春 • iah-cung
si
是
Yes miss.
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
gao-lao u neng, bêng-lang siang-i
高樓 有 女，憑欄 相 倚
A lady is in the tower, leaning at the balcony.
zu-liêm huang-dong, ghêg-ian i hi
珠簾 風動，玉影 依 稀
The bead curtains are stirred by the wind, and a silhouette like rare jade is seen.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, lao-ê ze nang, ho-siên ziu-si dêng-ê ze-sêng?
阿娘，樓下 之 人，好像 就是 燈下 書生？
Miss, that man down below, could he be the scholar we met under the lanterns?
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
a-niê, […] le ze-soi ring-cêng no!
阿娘，［……］你 仔細 認清 𰇇！
Miss, look carefully!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
lao-ziên niê-gian, zian-si dêng-ê gia-li
樓上 娘囝，正是 燈下 佳麗
The young lady in the tower, was the beauty under the lanterns.
printed: 娘子 (niê-ze) for 娘囝
ziou-se mo-siên bug-dig gin
朝思 暮想 不得 見
The one I thought of day and night, but never met.
iu sui-liou kiag do zê sia-si
又 誰料 卻 在 這 城西
Until now, but who would guess, here in the Western city.
hng-bug-dig, sing-tiêm cai-hong sang buê
恨 不得，身添 彩鳳 雙 飛
How I wish that I could turn into a phoenix and fly.
buê-ziên lao-tao su siang-se
飛上 褸頭 訴 相思
Fly up that tower and tell her how I feel.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, le coin-pang bhuêng-pang
阿娘，你 千盼 萬盼
Miss, you have hoped a thousand times,
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
gim-rig dig-gin, u ho zu-i?
今日 得見，有何 主意？
and now he is here, what shall we do?
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
zi-dao si ce-sêng in-in
只道 是 此生 已矣
This path is the road my life takes.
iu sui liou, gim-ziou lao-tao dêng siang-gin
又 誰 料，今朝 褸頭 重 相見
Who could foresee that we would see each other again today at the tower,
mo bug-si, tiêng-gong u i liêng ua ci
莫 不是，天公 有 意 憐 我 癡
unless it is that Heaven has taken pity on me.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê!
阿娘！
Miss!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
ua tai ba mua-huai sim-se hiang ta su
我 待 把 滿懷 心事 向 他 訴
I want to tell him everything that weighs in my heart,
za nai si neng-ri-gê ru-ho ba uê ti, ru-ho ba uê ti?
怎 奈 是 女兒家 如何 把 話 提，如何 把 話 提？
but as a woman, how can I be the first to speak? How can I speak to him?
益春 • iah-cung
a-ia! ta siên-si iou zao-liou
啊呀，他 像是 要 走了
Alas, he looks to be leaving.
五娘 • ngou-niê
zêg-dang co-guê liang-gi, zi kiong ao huê iong lang-ki
一旦 錯過 良機，只 恐 後 會 永 難期
To lose this brief window of opportunity, and see only suffering in my future.
coin-ngang bhuêng-ghe, dang bêng zê li-gi di sim-i
千言 萬語，但 憑 這 荔枝 致 心意
Tens of thousands of words, but only this lychee branch to say how I feel.
陳三 • dang-san
lao-ziên dao-hia ho-muêh?
褸上 投下 何物？
What is this that has fallen from above?
kiag-si bêng-dih li-gi
卻是 並蒂 荔枝
It is a lychee branch with two fruit on a stalk,
並蒂 - a stalk with two flowers, symbolizing a married couple.
o! ua mêng-bêh liou!
啊，我 明白 了！
Ah, I understand!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
niê-gian lao-tao zang biou-gi
娘囝 褸頭 贈 表記
The young miss in the tower has sent me a sign,
printed: 娘子 (niê-ze) for 娘囝
zing ga bêh-kêng hi ain-kuang
真 教 伯卿 喜 欲 狂
that makes me Beh-keng wild with joy.
bêng-dih li-gi cêng-i dong
並蒂 荔枝 情意 重
This lychee branch is weighted with meaning,
mêng-sim kêg-gug iong lang-bhuang
銘心 刻骨 永 難忘
carved in my heart and bones, which I will not forget.
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
cêng mêh-mêh bho-hang siu-i
情 脈脈 無限 羞意
My pulse is quick with limitless trepidation,
sim huin-huin ru do mang-li
心 懸懸 如 在 夢裏
My heart hangs as if in a dream.
益春 • iah-cung
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
u-uêng na-pan gêh coin-li?
有緣 那怕 隔 千里？
If it is willed by Fate, what is a thousand miles’ separation?
do-cêng tiêng ia cong nang-i
多情 天 亦 從 人意
If love is true, Heaven will even fulfill the wishes of mortals.
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung!
益春！
Iah-cung!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
le su soi-sim mog lu-mang
你 須 細心 莫 魯莽
You must be careful, do not be reckless.
nang-ngang ko-ui ain geng-gi
人言 可畏 愛 謹記
Loose talk is a fearsome thing, you must be careful.
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
tang-riag iang-sian tuêng ling-li
倘若 揚聲 傳 鄰里
If rumor spreads about
lao-zoin dao li zao muêh-ngi
樓前 投 荔 遭 物議
and this lychee branch before the tower becomes a theme of speculation,
he si-zoih
許 時節
at such a time,
printed: 那 (na) for 許
dia-dia dong-nao niê lang-hu
爹爹 動腦 娘 難護
even Mother will not be able to protect us from Father’s fury.
le-ua si bho zeng-sing-di
你我 死 無 葬身地
You and I will both die and our corpses exposed without burial.
益春 • iah-cung
si! a-niê bang-sim!
是！阿娘 放心！
Yes, you can trust me, Miss.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
陳三 • dang-san
niê-gian zing-lao ke liou, siou-ang!
娘囝 進 褸 去 了，小安！
The young miss is returning back inside. Siou-ang!
printed: 娘子 (niê-ze) for 娘囝
小安 • siou-ang
san-ia ho-se?
三爺 何事？
Yes sir?
陳三 • dang-san
le u-bho hiên-cing do-ce diê-ziu ge-zu?
你 有無 鄉親 在此 潮州 居住？
Do you have kin who live here in Die-ziu?
小安 • siou-ang
bing san-ia, u zêg-ui li-gong, zu do siêng-goi-tao
稟 三爺，有 一位 李公，住 在 仙街頭
Yes sir, there is Old Master Li, who lives at the head of Fairy Lane
bhua-gian ui-sêng
磨鏡 爲生
polishing mirrors for a living
陳三 • dang-san
le ko ing ua zoin-ke tam-huang?
你 可 引 我 前去 探訪？
Could you bring me there for a visit?
小安 • siou-ang
si!
是！
Aye!
第四章 • doin-si-ziang • Act 4
第九場 • doin-gao-diên • Scene 9
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, [cian lai] siu-zuang
阿娘，請來 梳粧
Miss, please come to your toilet.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
ziu-lai!
就來！
Soon!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
gu-hng bhuê-giêm
舊恨 未減
Old resentment has not subsided
sing-cou iu tiêm
新愁 又 添
but new worries have come on top.
rig-rig lao-tao kong lêng-mo
日日 褸頭 空 儜望
Every day I sit wearily gazing from this tower.
si-hua si-hog [no] mang-riêng
是禍 是福 兩 茫然
Disaster or fortune? I am at a loss.
〔白 • bêh • speaking〕
zê gian ui-ho ru-ce hung-am?
這 鏡 爲何 如此 昏暗？
Why is this mirror so dim?
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê gu bug siu-zuang
阿娘 久 不 梳粧
Miss has not performed her toilet for such a while,
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
bo-gian lang-miêng ding-hong!
寶鏡 難免 塵封！
it is hard to avoid dust settling on the precious mirror.
五娘 • ngou-niê
bo-gian a! bo-gian, bug zai le ho-rig huang-lêng dêng-gin guang-hui!
寶鏡 呀！寶鏡，不知 你 何日 方能 重見 光輝！
O precious mirror, mirror, who knows when you will again see glory?
第十場 • doin-zab-diên • Scene 10
陳三 • dang-san
bhua-gian a! bhua-gian a!
磨鏡 呀！磨鏡 呀！
Mirrors to polish! Mirrors to polish!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
lao-tao dig-gin i-dang nang
褸頭 得見 意中 人
To see the person of my dreams at the top of the tower
dao ua noi-gi gia cim-cêng
投 我 荔枝 寄 深情
drop me a lychee branch to convey her deep feelings;
noi - vernacular pronunciation
zi ui ta, têh-in cim se hai
只爲 她，宅院 深 似 海
only for her, amid this sea of houses and courtyards,
ain huê bug-lêng
欲 會 不能
unable to meet despite longing to.
欲 - vernacular substitute character for 愛
ua zi-dig siêng-goi-tao, oh bhua-gian
我 只得 仙街頭，學 磨鏡
I went to Fairy Lane, learned how to polish mirrors,
kiou-zuang gi-mo dêng-huê giou-êng
喬裝 企望 重會 嬌英
and disguised myself in the hope of seeing that fine flower of womanhood again.
第十一場 • doin-zab-ig-diên • Scene 11
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
san-bou bian-zoh no-bou hêng
三步 併作 兩步 行
Bounding three steps in just two,
hêng - literary pronunciation
bug-gag lai-gao ng-gê mng-têng
不覺 來到 黃家 門庭
soon I come to the Ng household’s threshold.
〔白 • bêh • speaking〕
li-gong suêh-dao: ta muê-lai bhua-gian
李公 說道：他 每 來 磨鏡
Old Master Li said, every time that he comes to polish mirrors,
dou do ao-in, ui-miêng tong-tuêng
都 在 後院，爲免 通傳
he would always go to the rear courtyard,
in tih-buan ui ho, soin no-sian, ao boih-sian
以 鐵盤 爲 號，先 兩聲，後 八聲
and clap an iron plate as his sign: first two claps, then eight.
ri-boih gia-ring ziu cug-tian, tai ua lai!
二八 佳人 就 出廳，待 我 來！
A pretty maid would then come out. Now let me try!
二八 – twice-eight, i.e. aged sixteen.
益春 • iah-cung
lai-liou!
來了！
Coming!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
hug tian-gin ghua-ming tih-buan sian-hiang
忽 聽見 外面 鐵盤 聲響
Hearing unexpectedly the iron clapper outside,
i-bou ziên-zoin toin duêng-siang
移步 上前 看 端詳
walking up to see who it is,
zi-gin zêg-ui siou-ni bhua-gian-ciên
只見 一位 少年 磨鏡匠
only to find a young mirror-grinder
se na dêng-ê ze-sêng zêg-buan iang?
似 那 燈下 書生 一般 樣？
who looks just like that scholar under the lanterns.
陳三 • dang-san
siê-niê-gian, siê-nang u-li
小娘囝，小人 有禮
Young miss, this humble one offers his salutations.
printed: 小娘子 (siê-niê-ze) for 小娘囝
益春 • iah-cung
miêng ze-soi!
免 仔細！
There’s no need for fuss!
陳三 • dang-san
siê-niê-gian, tian-suêh le hu-ziên u gian ain bhua
小娘囝，聽說 你 府上 有 鏡 愛 磨
Young miss, one hears that your manse has a mirror that needs polishing,
printed: 子 (ze) for 囝, 要 (iou) for 愛
ua dêg-di zoin-lai
我 特地 前來
so I have come here specially.
益春 • iah-cung
siou-sêg do lêng-tong a!
消息 倒 靈通 呀！
News does travel fast!
ung zu-si u gai gian ain bhua
阮 就是 有個 鏡 愛 磨
We do have a mirror that needs polishing,
printed: 鏡 倒 是 有 (gian dao si u)
zi-si ain lao-kêh zêg-ui lao se-hu
只是 愛 留 乞 一位 老 師傅
it’s just that we are leaving it for an old master craftsman.
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛, 給 (gib) for 乞
陳三 • dang-san
si na-zêg-ui lao-se-hu?
是 那一位 老師傅？
Which old master craftsman is it?
益春 • iah-cung
ziu-si zu-do siêng-goi-tao di na-ui li-gong
就是 住在 仙街頭 的 那位 李公
It is that Old Master Li of Fairy Lane.
陳三 • dang-san
a! na li-gong ziu-si ua gai se-hu
啊！那 李公 就是 我 個 師傅
Ah! I am apprenticed to that Master Li.
printed: 的 (di) for 個
How convenient.
益春 • iah-cung
ua! he-li toin-m-cug
哇，許 哩 睇 唔出
Wow, one sure can’t tell that by looking.
printed: 看不出呀 (toin bug-cug ia)
li-gong di-si siu zêg-gai zê-sên-iên gai tu-di ia?
李公 底時 收 一個 這生樣 個 徒弟 呀？
When did Old Master Li take on an apprentice like you?
printed: 李公 何時 受了 一個 這樣 的 徒弟 (li-gong ho-si siu-liou zêg-gai zên-iên di tu-di)
陳三 • dang-san
siê-niê-gian, cia mai cu-ciê
小娘囝，請 勿 取笑
Young miss, please don’t make fun of me.
printed: 子 (ze) for 囝
gi si u gian ain bhua li, ziu cian cu-cug-lai
既是 有 鏡 愛 磨 哩，就 請 取出來
Since you have a mirror to be polished, please bring it out.
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛, utterance particle 哩 omitted
益春 • iah-cung
he-li diêh huan ua ke mung a-niê!
許哩 着 還 我 去 問 阿娘！
In that case I’ll have to go ask my mistress!
printed: 等我 去 問問 我家 小姐 (dang ua ke mung-mung ua-gê siou-zia)
陳三 • dang-san
u-lao liou! u-lao liou!
有勞 了！有勞 了！
Much obliged!
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, gian-lai ia!
阿娘，行來 呀！
Miss, come here!
五娘 • ngou-niê
ci-bi-neng, ui-ho zê-iên huang-huang diêng-diêng?
癡婢女，爲何 這樣 瘋瘋 癲癲？
Silly maid, what’s all this commotion about?
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê u-so-m-zai! ghua-ming lai zêg-gai bhua-gian se-hu
阿娘 有所 唔知！外面 來 一個 磨鏡 師傅
You don’t know half of it, Miss! There is a mirror-grinder outside
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘, 不知 (bug-zai) for 唔知
i dan si li-gong tu-di, sên-dig siou-ni cêng-siu ia!
伊 呾 是 李公 徒弟，生得 少年 清秀 呀！
who says that he is apprenticed to Old Master Li; he is youthful and handsome!
printed: 自稱 (ze-cêng) for 伊呾
五娘 • ngou-niê
guêng nang-gê siou-ni cêng-siu zo-mih?
管 人家 少年 清秀 做乜？
Who cares if he is youthful and handsome?
printed: 什麼 (sim-moh) for 乜
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê! le do m-zai no, i sên-lai zing siang zêg-gai nang
阿娘，你 在 唔知 𰇇，伊 生來 真 象 一個人
Miss, you don’t know half of it, he looks just like a certain someone.
printed: 你 不知道 (le bug zai-dao) for 你在唔知𰇇, 他 (ta) for 伊
kuai (?) cug-lai ke toin ia!
快 X 出來 去 看 呀！
Come out quickly to see!
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
zoin-rig i-nang guê lao-sai
前日 伊人 過 褸西
The other day he passed the Western Tower,
ki-u-hng-ngang, zing si zung-siu êng-cai
氣宇軒昂，真是 雋秀 英才
fine and magnificent, with the bearing of a talent,
氣宇軒昂 - idiom
gao gim-ziou, gao gim-ziou ui-sim-moh biêng-zoh liou bhua-gian-ciên
到 今朝，到 今朝 爲甚麼 變作 了 磨鏡匠
but today, but today, how has he become a mirror grinder?
ce-se ga-nang hui i-cai
此事 教人 費意 猜
This really makes one puzzled.
益春 • iah-cung
tai ua lai ke mung-i
待 我 來 去 問伊
Wait, let me go ask him.
printed: 他 (ta) for 伊
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung! bug-ko
益春！不可
Iah-cung, no!
益春 • iah-cung
mung zêg-ê, u-ho bug-ko?
問 一下，有何 不可？
What’s wrong with asking?
五娘 • ngou-niê
nang u siang-se, bug-ko zao-ce
人有相似，不可 造次
People do look alike, don’t be rash.
益春 • iah-cung
(ru-ce) ain zo-ni zu-i?
（如此）愛 做呢 主意？
What do you propose?
printed: 怎生主意 (zai-sên zu-i) for 做呢主意
五娘 • ngou-niê
ta gi-si li-gong tu-di, ciu-ghoi liang-big bug-ca
他 既是 李公 徒弟，手藝 諒必 不差
Since he is an apprentice of Old Master Li, his handiwork must be not bad.
gian ziu kiêh bung i bhua
鏡 就 挈 分 伊 磨
Give him the mirror to polish.
printed: 鏡就拿給他磨 (gian ziu na gib ta bhua)
益春 • iah-cung
hiou-dig!
曉得！
Understood!
ng-hng!
嗯哼！
Yup!
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung! ghua-ming rig-tao iêm-ruah
益春！外面 日頭 炎熱
Iah-cung! It is hot outside under the sun.
le ko dua na bhua-gian se-hu zib-lai in-lai zo gong-hu?
你 可 帶 那 磨鏡 師傅 入來 院內 做 工夫？
Could you bring that mirror-grinder inside to do his work in the courtyard?
printed: 進來 (zing-lai) for 入來
益春 • iah-cung
hiou-dig!
曉得！
Understood!
se-hu, le do zo mih-se a?
師傅，你 在 做 乜事 啊？
Master craftsman, what are you doing?
printed: 你在做什麼？ (le do zo sim-moh?)
陳三 • dang-san
ua ain zung-bi bhua-gian gai gê-si
我 愛 準備 磨鏡 個 傢俬
I am preparing my tools to polish the mirror.
益春 • iah-cung
m-zai nang gai gian ain bung le bhua a-m
唔知 俺個 鏡 愛 分你 磨 啊唔
I don’t know if we want to give you our mirror to polish,
printed: 還不知鏡可要你磨 (huan-bug-zai gian ko iou le bhua)
ziu do zo zung-bi
就 在 做 準備
if you are only just making preparations.
陳三 • dang-san
zê… cuêng-ziang siê-niê-gian sêng-cuêng
這……全仗 小娘囝 成全
This… it is all in your hands, young miss.
printed: 子 (ze) for 囝
益春 • iah-cung
e… ho oi dan-uê a, siang-riang(?), gai gian le bhua
啊……好會 呾話 呀，XX，個 鏡 你磨
Ah, you do have a way with words. Fine, I’ll let you polish the mirror.
printed: 真會說話 (zing oi suêh-uê) for 好會呾話
陳三 • dang-san
ho zêg-ming bo-gian
好 一面 寶鏡
What a fine mirror this is.
益春 • iah-cung
se-hu! ua gê a-niê cian le rib in-lai zo gong-hu
師傅！我家 阿娘 請 你 入 院內 做 工夫
Master! My mistress invites you to do your work in the courtyard.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘, 進 (zing) for 入
陳三 • dang-san
zung-mêng!
尊命！
And I obey the command!
益春 • iah-cung
ce-cu im-liang, ziu do zê-li hiah-dan ba
此處 陰涼，就在 這裏 歇 擔 吧！
It is cool here in the shade, rest for a while here!
se-hu, li-gong muê lai bhua-gian ziu ciang-gua, le ka oi?
師傅，李公 每 來 磨鏡 就 唱歌，你 豈 會？
Master craftsman, Old Master Li would always sing while polishing, can you do so too?
printed: 可 (ko) for 豈
陳三 • dang-san
oi si oi, zi pa bho zai-im
會 是 會，只 怕 無 知音
Sure I can sing, but I fear that I won’t hold a tune.
益春 • iah-cung
le riag ciang-lai ho, na-pa bho zai-im
你 若 唱來 好，那 怕 無 知音
Sing anyhow you please, who cares if you go off key?
陳三 • dang-san
hia li tai ua lai ciang
遐哩 待 我 來 唱
In that case let me sing:
printed: 如此 (ru-ce) for 遐哩
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
cig-ciêh ziang-hu mo bhuêng-cai
七尺 丈夫 莫 漫猜
Who would guess, a fully grown man
七尺 - average adult’s height in traditional Chinese feet.
cên-bhuê u-iêh gu-ring lai!
青梅 有約 故人 來！
A familiar figure coming to an appointment under the green plums!
hng-keng ui sia cim cêng-i
殷勤 爲 謝 深情意
Giving polite thanks for the sincere feelings,
nguêng hia ung-giou ghêg-gian-tai
願 下 溫嶠 玉鏡臺
TODO
益春 • iah-cung
se-hu, cian ziah dê!
師傅，請 食 茶！
Master craftsman, come drink some tea!
printed: 飲 (im) for 食
陳三 • dang-san
u dê! hia-li gêng-ho, u lao liou
有茶！遐哩 更好，有勞了
There’s tea! This is even better. Much obliged.
printed: 那就 (na ziu) for 遐哩
siê-niê-gian, zi-buê dê, si nang giê-le kiêh lai?
小娘囝，只杯 茶，是 人 叫 你 挈 來？
Young miss, who instructed you to bring me this cup of tea?
printed: 小娘子，這杯 茶 是 誰 叫你 端 來 的？ (siê-niê-ze, zê-buê dê si sui giê-le duêng lai di?)
益春 • iah-cung
le zi-gai nang a, guê-dou ziu guê-dou
你 只個 人 呀，過渡 就 過渡
You are really too much.
printed: 這 (zê) for 只
ho-ui diêh mung-gao zung-doin u gui-go bang?
何爲 着 問到 船底 有 幾塊 板？
Who asks how many planks there are in a boat?
printed: 何必 (ho-big) for 何爲着
陳三 • dang-san
ka bug-mung? im-zui se-nguang!
豈 不問？飲水思源
Why not ask? One must think of the spring when drinking water!
ho-kuang u ce ho-dê, gêng-deng dao-sia
何況 有 此 好茶，更當 道謝
Let alone with such good tea, one must be grateful.
益春 • iah-cung
si ua a-niê giê ua kiêh-lai di
是 我 阿娘 叫 我 挈來 的
It was my mistress who told me to bring it to you.
printed: 是 小姐 命 我 端來 的 (si siou-zia mêng ua duêng-lai di)
陳三 • dang-san
he li toih ua hiang ning a-niê dao-sia
許 哩 代 我 向 恁 阿娘 道謝
In that case, please convey to your mistress my deep thanks.
printed: 請你 代 我 向 小姐 道謝 (cia-le toih ua hiang siou-zia dao-sia)
toih - pronunciation for 代
益春 • iah-cung
do-sêng do-gam!
多承多感！
Much obliged, many thanks!
Sarcastically quoting the overly polite phrase that he used when they returned him his fan at the Lantern festival.
陳三 • dang-san
do-sêng do-gam! cian!
多承多感！請！
Much obliged, many thanks! Please!
益春 • iah-cung
se-hu, buê dê ngang liou, dan ziah no
師傅，杯茶 凝了，旦 食 𰇇
Master craftsman, the tea has gone cold. Just drink it.
printed: 師傅，茶涼了，快喝吧 (se-hu, dê liang liou, kuai hag ba)
“dan ziah no” - interesting grammatical construction.
陳三 • dang-san
gu-lao siê-niê-gian liou
劬勞 小娘囝 了
Much obliged, young miss.
not in printed
益春 • iah-cung
se-hu, gang-hu diêh zo i ho sê a
師傅，工夫 着 做 伊 好 些 啊
Master craftsman, you’d better do a good job.
printed: 你 工夫 要 做得 好些 (le gong-hu iou zo-dig ho-sê)
陳三 • dang-san
na ze-riêng no! bo-gian a, bo-gian!
那 自然 𰇇！寶鏡 呀，寶鏡！
But of course! O precious mirror!
printed: 那 是 自然 (na si ze-riêng) for 那 自然 𰇇
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
ua iêng le iam-hog bho-bi
我 羨 你 艷福 無比
I envy how you are splendid beyond compare,
e gia-ring hêng-ian bug-li
與 佳人 形影 不離
not far from the perfection of a beautiful lady.
hng bug-dig, ziang sing-huê bo-gian
恨不得，將 身化 寶鏡
Alas, your fate is to be a mirror,
do gui-dang ziou-sêg ziang siang-i
在 閨中 朝夕 長 相依
spending your time hidden in the depths of the women’s chambers.
〔白 • bêh • speaking〕
huai-liou, huai-liou!
壞了！壞了！
It is broken! Broken!
益春 • iah-cung
se-hu, huang-cai sim-moh sian-hiang?
師傅，方才 甚麼 聲響？
Master craftsman, what was that sound?
bo-gian nê? e! kêh le da-pua liou!
寶鏡 呢？～，乞你 打破 了！
Where is the mirror? Oh no, you have broken it!
printed: 給 (gib) for 乞
huai-liou, huai-liou!
壞了，壞了！
It is broken, broken!
a-niê (?)-lai a!
阿娘 X 來 呀！
Miss, come here!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
bo-gian pah-pua liou?
寶鏡 拍破 了？
The mirror is broken?
printed: 打 (da) for 拍
gi si pah-pua, ciag-mog sian-ziang, siêg-huag iêm-cang ho
既是 打破，切莫 聲張，設法 掩藏 好
Even if it’s broken, don’t make a scene, let’s find a way to hide this.
益春 • iah-cung
si!
是！
Yes!
員外 • uêng-ghua
sui-nang do-ce cao-nao?
誰人 在此 吵鬧？
What is all this shouting here?
printed: 何人 (ho-nang) for 誰人
ui-ho bang-zing ghua-nang lai-gao ce-di?
爲何 放進 外人 來到 此地？
Who let a stranger into this place?
益春 • iah-cung
si bhua-gian di
是 磨鏡 的
It is the mirror polisher.
員外 • uêng-ghua
bhua-gian di ia bug-gai zing-lai, kuai giê-ta cug-ke!
磨鏡 的 也 不該 進來，快 叫 他 出去！
The mirror polisher should also not be in here. Tell him to go outside!
益春 • iah-cung
si, le cug-ke ba
是，你 出去 吧
Yes. You had better leave.
陳三 • dang-san
bing uêng-ghua, le gê bo-gian bi ua zêg-si sig-ciu pah-pua-ke liou
稟 員外，你家 寶鏡 被 我 一時 失手 打破去 了
Sir, I was careless and with a slip of the hand I broke your precious mirror.
員外 • uêng-ghua
han? pah-pua na zêg-zo?
～？打破 那 一座？
What? Which one did you break?
pah - 拍
ai-ia, ko-nao, ko-nao a!
哎呀，可惱，可惱 呀！
Aiyah, how vexing, how vexing!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
gin pua-gian, nao-cong sim-dang ki
見 破鏡，惱 從 心中 起
Seeing this broken mirror is raising my hackles.
siou tiog-sên, bho dao-li, bho dao-li!
小 畜生，無 道理，無 道理
You little brute, you unreasoning brute!
ce gian nai-si tuêng-gê-bo
此 鏡 乃是 傳家寶
This mirror was an heirloom treasure.
toin le ru-ho buê-dig-ki?
看 你 如何 賠得起？
Do you fancy that you can compensate me?
〔白 • bêh • speaking〕
lai! ce-se u ua zo-zu
來！此事 有 我 做主。
I’ll make the decisions.
zo-ning rib-ke!
做 恁 入去！
The rest of you, go inside!
printed: 你等 進去 (le-dêng zing-ke)
tiog-sêng, le gim u ho-uê suêh?
畜生，你 今 有 何話 說？
Do you have anything to say for yourself, brute?
陳三 • dang-san
bhoi-zai uêng-ghua ain buê do-siou
𠁞知 員外 愛 賠 多少？
Sir, how much compensation do you seek?
printed: 不知 員外 要我 賠償 多少 (bug-zai uêng-ghua iou ua buê-siên do-siou)
員外 • uêng-ghua
ba le zêg-gai nang bhoi lai buê
把 你 一個 人 賣 來 賠
Even if you sell yourself,
ia di bug-guê ia
也 抵 不過 呀！
it would not be enough!
陳三 • dang-san
cia-zu! uêng-ghua zêg-ngang, ba ua ti-cên
且住！員外 一言，把 我 提醒
Wait a moment! What he said gave me an idea.
printed: 將 (ziang) for 把
ua ho-bug ziêng ce gi-uang, ru-ce ru-ce
我 何不 趁 此 機緣，如此 如此
Why don’t I use this opportunity? So be it.
uêng-ghua, liêm ua zo gang-nang
員外，念 我 做 工人
Sir, take me on as a worker
printed: 想 我 做工 之 人 (siên ua zo-gang ze nang)
na u zin-ngeng buê-dig ce gian
那 有 錢銀 賠得 此 鏡
and let me pay off my debt with my labor.
printed: 賠償 寶鏡 (buê-siên bo-gian)
員外 • uêng-ghua
hng! gi bho-zin puê gian
哼！既 無錢 賠 鏡
Hmph! Since you have no money to compensate me,
zi-u ziang le sang guan giu-poin!
只有 將 你 送 官 究辦
the only thing left to do is to send you off to the magistrate.
siou-cig guê lai!
小七 過來！
Siou-cik, come here!
小七 • siou-cig
uêng-ghua ho se?
員外 何事？
What is it, Sir?
員外 • uêng-ghua
ba ta kung-liou!
把他 捆了！
Cuff him!
小七 • siou-cig
si
是
Yes.
益春 • iah-cung
uêng-ghua cia-mang!
員外 且慢！
Please wait, Sir!
員外 • uêng-ghua
ho-se?
何事？
What is it?
益春 • iah-cung
bi hong a-niê ze mêng, u ngang siang-bing
婢 奉 阿娘 之 命，有 言 上稟
Miss has instructed me to plead on her behalf.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
gim-rig bo-gian pah-pua
今日 寶鏡 打破
That this mirror was broken,
nai si se-hu bug-sim sig-ciu, bêng hui u-i
乃是 師傅 不慎 失手，並 非 有意
was because of a slip of the hand, and not by intention.
bhuang uêng-ghua sêg-nao, cong-kuêng cu-li
望 員外 息惱，從寬 處理
May you retreat from anger, Sir, and deal with him generously.
員外 • uêng-ghua
hu-suêh! siou-cig, kung!
胡說！小七 捆！
Nonsense! Siou-cik, cuff him!
小七 • siou-cig
si
是
Yup.
陳三 • dang-san
cian-mang!
且慢！
Please delay!
uêng-ghua, liêm ua zêg-ping ru-soi
員外，念 我 一貧如洗
Sir, I have not a cent to my name.
一貧如洗 - idiom
zong ba ua sang guan ia i se bho-bou
縱 把 我 送 官 也 於 事 無補
Sending me to the magistrate will not help anybody.
ua gim cêng-nguêng rib hu ui-iong
我 今 情願 入府 爲 傭
I’m willing to enter your household as a servant
zo-gang siên-gian ziu si
做工 償鏡 就是
and work off my debt to you.
員外 • uêng-ghua
toin le go-hêng
看你 XX
Look at you,
printed: 看你 這個 人 (toin le zê-gai nang)
bhung-bug-bhung, bhu-bug-bhu
文不文，武不武
neither a scholar nor a warrior.
u sim êng-cu?
有 甚 用處？
What use are you to me?
陳三 • dang-san
ua oi zo-gang, ia u bag su-ri
我 會 做工，也 有捌 數字
I can work hard, and I can count and write.
printed: 我 會 做 粗工，也 認得 幾個 字 (ua oi zo cou-gang, ia ring-dig gui-gai ri)
sao-pian, ag-huê, li-siou, sia-sing dou lêng sêng-rim
掃～，沃花，理數，寫信 都能 勝任
Sweeping the floor, watering plants, doing accounts, writing letters, are all things I can do.
printed: 掃地，澆花，理賬 (sao-di, giou-huê, li-diên)
員外 • uêng-ghua
lai, le giê ho mia-ri?
來，你 叫 何 名字？
What is your name?
陳三 • dang-san
siê-nang sên dang, mia… san
小人 姓 陳，名…… 三
My humble surname is Dang, and my name is… San (three).
員外 • uêng-ghua
dang-san, lung zê bo-gian, gê-dag bêh niê
陳三，論 此 寶鏡，價值 百両
Dang-san, this mirror here was bought for a hundred taels.
ru-gim zi seng-zo san-zab niê
如今 只 算做 三十 両
Let’s amortize that to say thirty taels.
le do ua-hu zo-gang, muê-ni gang-ze zab-niê
你 在 我府 做工，每年 工資 十 両
If you work in my household, you would get wages of ten taels a year.
In the Ming period, one tael of silver could buy about 0.94 piculs (about 60 kg) of rice (source), so a year’s wages was about 600 kg of rice. In Swatow, 1 kg of rice costs about 7 RMB retail today (source), hence his annual income was the equivalent of about 4200 RMB, or about 660 USD, in purchasing power terms.
san-ni gang-mua, huang-zung huê-gê
三年 工 滿，方 准 回家
So, in three years, you’d work it off and can go home.
陳三 • dang-san
siê-nang cêng-nguêng
小人 情願
Your humble servant is willing.
員外 • uêng-ghua
ua-gê nai-si mia-mung, ziên-ê u hung, lai-ghua u biêg
我家 乃是 名門，上下 有分，內外 有別
Bear in mind that mine is a house of good repute. The upstairs staff don’t mix with the downstairs staff. The inner and outer courts are separate.
Inner courtyard - the women’s part of the house where outsider men were not allowed.
le do hu-lai su-iou sung-gui dao-ge
你 在 府內 須要 循規 蹈矩
In here you had better adhere to the household rules,
bug-ko huam ua gê-huab
不可 犯 我 家法
and not flout the law of my family.
陳三 • dang-san
zai-dao!
知道！
Understood!
員外 • uêng-ghua
siou-cig, dua ta hia-ke!
小七，帶 他 下去！
Siou-cik, bring him downstairs!
小七 • siou-cig
si, sui ua lai
是，隨 我 來
Yup, follow me.
員外 • uêng-ghua
ha ha ha ha ha!
哈哈哈哈哈！
Hahahahaha!
第五章 • doin-ngou-ziang • Act 5
第十二場 • doin-zab-ri-diên • Scene 12
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
bo-duêng hiang-siou, ngeng-tai zêg-sia
寶篆 香銷，銀臺 燭灺
By a precious seal, the incense burns out. On a silver platform, the candle is snuffed.
buan-gui cang-ghuêh ziê so lêng
半規 殘月 照 疏櫺
A waning half-moon casts light through the latticework.
ain ming ming-bug-dig, ain zo zo-bug-lêng
愛 眠 眠不得，愛 坐 坐不寧
Weary but sleepless, tired but restless.
printed: 欲 for 愛, vernacular substitute character
sim-dang se, coin-dêng bhuêng-tah hiang sui-su?
心中事，千重 萬疊 向 誰 訴？
A thousand weights heavy in my heart, with no one to tell them to.
kong niou sung liang-bhai cên
空 皺 損 兩眉 青
My brow turned pale from furrowing,
siên za-rig siang-se, siang-se hung liang di
想 昔日 相思，相思 分 兩 地
I think about the past and pine between two places.
昔 - vernacular substitute character for za, original pronunciation sig
hi gim-ziou tong-cu zêg-mng têng
喜 今朝 同處 一門 庭
Today we are indeed under one roof.
ta kug-sing ui ua, ru-ce do-cêng gou-lai ziê
他 屈身 爲 我，如此 多情 古來 少
To debase himself for me, such love is seldom seen.
ua zêg-i liêng ta, bug-zai ho-rig gag uêng-mêng
我 一意 憐 他，不知 何日 結 鴛盟
I pity him with all my heart, not knowing when we shall be together.
pan zi pan, zêg-ziou siêb-lao cung siou-sêg
怕 只怕，一朝 洩漏 春 消息
Fearing that our secret shall spill out,
loi-huab gê-gui bug iong-cêng
禮法 家規 不 容情
flouting of the family law is not easily forgiven.
zong-siou diêng-zuêng kou bho-cêh
終宵 輾轉 苦 無策
All night I toss about in agony without aim,
lui sui cang-lah siang dih-gao tiêng-mêng
淚 隨 殘蠟 相 滴到 天明
my tears dripping like the wax from a dying candle until daylight comes.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, tiêng ziang liang-liou, ui-ho huêng bhuê uan-sui?
阿娘，天 將 亮了，爲何 還 未 安睡
Miss, it is almost dawn. Why have you not yet gone to sleep?
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
a-niê, kuai sui ba
阿娘，快 睡 吧
Miss, do sleep.
第十三場 • doin-zab-san-diên • Scene 13
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
ui bo li-gi cim cêng-i, sing-cao kou-hiah bug cui-si
爲 報 荔枝 深 情意，身操 苦役 不 推辭
To fulfill the wish cast down with that lychee branch, I could not refuse this life of hard labor.
nguêng-ki ziou-sêg lêng siang-gin
原期 朝夕 能 相見
On which day shall we meet again?
sui zai zi-ciêh nang coin-li
誰知 咫尺 人 千里
Who can truly reckon with a thousand-mile journey?
咫尺千里 - idiom
têng gai ng-hiêh sao goi zing
庭 階 黃葉 掃 易 盡
These yellow leaves can be easily swept clean,
zê-diên siang-se bho zing-ki
這場 相思 無 盡 期
unlike these thoughts in my head.
〔白 • bêh • speaking〕
iah-cung!
益春！
Iah-cung!
hiêng-muê, ua zing-hu in-u su-rig, huêng bhuê e le tam-su
賢妹，我 進府 已有 數日，還未 與 你 談敘
Sister, I have been in this household for several days, but have not yet been able to speak with you.
益春 • iah-cung
hai! uêng-ghua gê-gui ngiêm-ging, mo san-hian mai guai
唉！員外 家規 嚴緊，望 三兄 勿 怪！
The master’s house rules are strict, please don’t take it personally.
陳三 • dang-san
a-niê ging-lai ka ho?
阿娘 今來 豈 好？
How has your mistress been?
printed: 小姐 可好 (siou-zia ko-ho)
益春 • iah-cung
ze le rib-hu in-lai, a-niê siên-si zong-siou bhuê-ming
自 你 入府 以來，阿娘 時常 終宵 未眠
Since you have entered the house, Miss has often been unable to sleep the whole night long.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
陳三 • dang-san
kiag-si ui-ho?
卻是 爲何？
Why is that so?
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê ta sim-se dêng-dêng o
阿娘 她 心事 重重 啊
My mistress is weighed down with matters of the heart.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
陳三 • dang-san
u ho sim-se, mo hiêng-muê mêng-gao
有 何 心事，望 賢妹 明告
What matters of the heart? Please explain, Sister.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê ta…
阿娘 她……
Miss, well she…
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
陳三 • dang-san
ta za-iên?
她 怎樣？
She what?
益春 • iah-cung
ia ba!
也罷！
So be it!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
a-niê ta, a-niê ta riag-neng lang-ui bê-bho mêng
阿娘 她，阿娘 她 弱女 難 違 父母 命
Miss, she, Miss is but a lady who cannot disobey her parents’ orders.
printed has typo 安 for 女
he puê lim-gê, za in zi-liou pian-ngi
許 配 林家，早 已 接了 聘議
She has been promised to the Lim family, and has already received a proposal.
陳三 • dang-san
za-suêh! ta in-siu liou lim-gê ze-pian?
怎說！她 已 受 了 林家 之 聘？
What did you say? She is already betrothed to the Lims?
益春 • iah-cung
zian si!
正是！
That is so!
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
sig zi-mo, siang-iêh bêh-ni dung iong haon
實 指望，相約 百年 敦 永好
One would hope, that a promise made is a promise kept.
u sui zai, mia-huê-u-zu i lai ci
有 誰知，名花有主 已 來 遲
Who could tell, that she is already spoken for, and I am too late?
名花有主 - idiom
ta gi zi-liou lim-gê pian
她 既 接了 林家 聘
Since she is already betrothed to the Lims,
ing-ho lao-tao iu gag li-gi?
因何 褸頭 又 捔 荔枝？
why did she throw the lychee branch from the tower?
printed: 擲 (dan) for 捔, semantic replacement
益春 • iah-cung
san-hian! le u-so bug-zai!
三兄！你 有所 不知！
Brother! You don’t know the full story!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
na lim-dua, ui-nang do cou-pi
那 林大，爲人 多 粗鄙
That Lim-dua, is a crude and uncouth person.
si-kiang-lêng-riag ba nang ki
恃強凌弱 把 人 欺
He uses his strength to bully the weak.
恃強凌弱 - idiom
zê-dêng nang, a-niê ka kêng-lai pig-puê
這等 人，阿娘 豈 肯來 匹配
How could Miss consent to be matched with such a person?
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
豈 is indeed in the printed
ing-ce siang, lao-tao ga li-gia siang-se
因此 上，褸頭 捔 荔寄 相思
Therefore, she let loose the lychee branch from the tower.
printed: 投 (dao) for 捔; 捔 is probably a phonetic character
陳三 • dang-san
gi-riêng ru-ce, ziu huêng-huê-bing a-niê
既然 如此，就 煩回稟 阿娘
If that is the case, then please report back to your mistress,
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
za dian zu-i, ming siang liang-cêh,
早 定 主意，面商 良策
to come up with a plan, that we discuss a strategy
huang-miêng u-liou dai-se
方免 誤了 大事
to avoid this great tragedy.
益春 • iah-cung
le cian mog-gib, siang-gin ze-se, tai ua siêg-huab ziu-si
你 且 莫急，相見 之事，待 我 設法 就是
Do not be hasty. Let me find a way to arrange a meeting.
陳三 • dang-san
u-lao hiêng-muê liou!
有勞 賢妹 了！
Much obliged, Sister!
員外 • uêng-ghua
ên? hng! zam-zu!
嗯？哼！站住！
Huh? Hmph! Stand still!
ning no-nang gui-gui zui-zui, do-ce ho-se?
恁 二人 鬼鬼祟祟，在此 何事？
You two stalking about, up to good?
printed: 你們 (le-mung) for 恁
hng! ka bug-zai lai-ghua u-hung, lam-neng u-biêg
哼！豈 不知 內外 有分，男女 有別
Hmph! Don’t you know that the inner and outer courts are separate? Men and women have their own places.
ning dêng do-ce gao-tao zih-re, sêng ho ti-tong?
恁 等 在此 交頭 接耳，成 何 體統？
What schemes are you hatching, whispering into each others’ ears?
交頭 接耳 - idiom
耳 re2 - literary pronunciation
kuai ziên-lao ke!
快 上褸 去！
You go upstairs!
益春 • iah-cung
si!
是！
Yes sir!
員外 • uêng-ghua
ce nai lai-in, ka iong le sui-biêng zao-dong
此 乃 內院，豈 容 你 隨便 走動
This is the inner court, not a place for you to saunter about.
in-ao bug-hong u-huêng, bug-he zing-lai!
以後 不奉 呼喚，不許 進來！
In the future, unless you are summoned here, you may not enter!
riag zai ui-huam, da-duêng le di gao-tui, hia ke!
若 再 違犯，打斷 你的 狗腿，下去！
If you break this rule again, your ass will be whipped. Go downstairs!
第十四場 • doin-zab-si-diên • Scene 14
幕外合唱 • mo-ghua-hak-ciang • singing offstage
liang-sin mung, hung lai-ghua
兩扇 門，分 內外
Between the inner and outer worlds stands but a doorway.
zêg-dao ciên, gêh dong-si
一道 牆，隔 東西
A wall between East and West.
liang sim kong siang-ing
兩心 空 相印
Two hearts strain for each other in vain,
siang-gin zong lang-ki
相見 總 難期
a meeting proves difficult to arrange,
guang-im rim-riêm
光陰 荏苒
while time slips away.
zêg-ni iong-goi cung iu zi!
一年 容易 春 又至
A year has passed, Spring is here again.
zêg-gai si siu-tag (?)-miêng bên iêm-iêm
一個 是 綉榻 纏綿 病 懨懨
One wastes away in the embroidery room, weak with sickness.
zêg-gai si gou-dêng siang-dui lêng-lêng ci-ci
一個 是 孤燈 相對 冷冷 淒淒
The other faces a lone lamp in the cold.
ge-tao mo mêng-ghuêh, sim-se bêng sui gia
舉頭 望 明月，心事 憑 誰 寄
Raising their heads to gaze upon the moon. Who can pass on their thoughts?
zi-loh-dig ciang-u do-tang! ciang-u do-tang
只落得 長吁 短嘆
These fall away in long and short sighs.
liang di kou siang-se, liang di kou siang-se
兩地 苦 相思，兩地 苦 相思
Two places filled with anguished pining.
第十五場 • doin-zab-ngou-diên • Scene 15
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
uêng-sian ziêm-lao, cung-sêg ziang lang
鴛聲 漸老，春色 將 闌
The song of the mandarin ducks grows old, the colors of spring will soon fade.
bên-e cui-siu kiag king-hang
病余 翠袖 怯 輕寒
In illness these green sleeves fear the slightest cold.
lui-ngang mung-huê huê bug-ghe, sui goi huang-sim zêg-cung seng
淚眼 問花 花 不語，誰 解 芳心 一寸 酸
In tears I ask the flowers, but flowers don’t speak. Who understands even an iota of my anguish?
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê le toin na-zang sui-liu, dang-i sai-sia, si ho uêng-gu?
阿娘 你 看 那叢 垂柳，東倚 西斜，是 何 緣故？
Miss, look at that willow there. It leans to the East and bends to the West, what is the reason for this?
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
zi ui liu-gi bho-lag, ing-ce sui-huang iou-hi
只爲 柳枝 無力，因此 隨風 搖曳
It is because the willow’s branches are weak, and so bend along whichever way the wind blows.
益春 • iah-cung
ai! liu-gi bho-lag, ing-ce sui-huang iou-hi
噯！柳枝 無力，因此 隨風 搖曳
Ah! The willow’s branches are weak, and so bend with the wind.
ring ru-riag bho zu-i, ia ziu ziang(?) sui-nang bai-rim
人 如若 無 主意，也就 將 誰人 擺任？
If people are just as directionless, who will then decide their fates?
printed: 人 若是 無 主意，就 只好任人擺佈
a-niê! le toin na sang-buê hu-diêb
阿娘！你 看 那雙 飛蝴蝶
Miss! Look at that pair of butterflies,
ze-iu ze-zai, (?)-diêh ho no!
自由自在，X 着 好 𰇇！
so free and easy, is it not good to behold?
printed: 多末好啊 (do-muêh ho a)
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung, le za-lêng ziang nang e hu-diêb siang-bi?
益春，你 怎能 將 人 與 蝴蝶 相比？
Iah-cung, how can you compare people to butterflies?
printed: 把 (ba) for 將
ba ta guan-diou!
把它 趕掉！
Chase them out!
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, toin zê hu-diêb sêng-sang sêng-dui
阿娘，看 這 蝴蝶 成雙 成對
Miss, see how these butterflies have paired up.
za ziang ta guan-diou nê?
怎 將 它 趕掉 呢？
How can I chase them out?
printed: 怎忍把它趕掉呢 (za-rim ba-ta guan-diou nê)
五娘 • ngou-niê
giê le guan, le ziu guan, huêng do ngang-dang-suêh-sai
叫你 趕，你 就 趕，還在 言東語西
I’ve told you to do it, so just do it. Don’t stand there muttering.
益春 • iah-cung
ho, a-niê giê ua guan, ua ziu-lai guan!
好，阿娘 叫 我 趕，我 就來 趕！
Fine, if Miss commands me to, then I shall!
hu-diêb ia! le ke biêg-cu, mai lai zi-go biang a-niê sên-ki
蝴蝶 呀！你 去 別處，勿 來 只塊 變 阿娘 生氣
Butterflies, begone! Go somewhere else, and don’t come here to annoy my mistress.
printed: 休來惹我家小姐生氣 (hiun-lai ria ua-gê siou-zia sên-ki)
ke! ke! ke-a!
去！去！去呀！
Shoo! Shoo! Begone!
toin-gao (??) hu-diêb cuang-gai m-(?) nang-i
看到 XX 蝴蝶 全個 唔曉人意
You butterflies have no understanding of human feelings.
printed: 全然 (cuêng-riêng) for 全個
riag-(?) (?) ua iah-cung sên-ki, tai ua lai-pah!
惹 XX 我 益春 生氣，待 我 來打！
If you make me Iah-cung angry, I’ll give you a beating!
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung!
益春！
Iah-cung!
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê iou si cui ga sim (??)
阿娘 又是 嘴 合 心 XX
Miss, your words once again do not align with your thoughts.
printed: 小姐原是口心不一 (siou-zia nguêng-si kao-sim-bug-ig)
cui dan riou, sim iu dan ai lao!
嘴 呾 擾，心 又 呾 愛留！
You say “begone” but think “stay”!
printed: 口說趕，心卻要留 (kao suêh guan, sim kiag-ain lao)
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung!
益春！
Iah-cung!
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê huêng-si zê-buan na-bug-dian zu-i, le ziu kui-liou
阿娘 還是 這般 拿不定 主意，你 就 虧 了！
Miss is still so indecisive, it is to your loss!
五娘 • ngou-niê
kui si-mih?
虧 是乜？
What loss is this?
printed: 什麼 (sim-moh) for 是乜
益春 • iah-cung
kui na san…
虧 那 三……
To lose that San….
五娘 • ngou-niê
le iu-si lai do suan-dan
你 又是 來在 散呾
Again with your loose talk.
printed: 你又亂說 (le iu luêng-suêh)
益春 • iah-cung
uê mo suan-dan, deng-co gai li-gi ziu bug-gai luêng-ga
話 孬 散呾，當初 個 荔枝 就 不該 亂捔
If one should not speak loosely, then one should not throw lychee branches from balconies either.
printed: 不可 (bug-ko) for 孬, 投 (dao) for 捔
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung!
益春！
Iah-cung!
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê!
阿娘！
Miss!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia)
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
ai-ia iah-cung, le ngang-dang u-i ua gai hiou
哎呀 益春，你 言中 有意 我 皆 曉
O Iah-cung, I understand everything that you are trying to tell me.
ua sim-dang tong-kou u sui-di?
我 心中 痛苦 有 誰知？
But who can know my inner pain?
知 di - literary pronunciation
dang-san ui ua siu zing-kou, ua ia ui-ta hui-zing sim-gi
陳三 爲 我 受 盡苦，我 也 爲他 費盡 心機
Dang-san is suffering on my account, and for him I am pining away.
zong lang-dig ho zu-i
終 難得 好 主意
And still we have no way out.
益春 • iah-cung
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
se le zê-buan ci-ghi, zi-pan zê siang-se bho-liou si
似 你 這般 遲疑，只怕 這 相思 無了 時
With hesitation like yours, one fears that there will be no end to the pining.
zong-gêg si hai-liou dang-san, ia dam-ghou a-niê le ze-gi
終局 是 害了 陳三，也 耽誤 阿娘 你 自己
The fact is that Dang-san is hurt, and you Miss are wasting your own time.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
kuang gim-ziou, bên ho-deng
況 今朝，病 好轉
If today your health should return,
na lim-dua, zai zui-cing
那 林大，再 摧親
that Lim-dua will come again to press for your hand.
na-si u ho ngang-ghe zai tui-si?
那時 有 何 言語 再 推辭？
At that point, what other excuses could you possibly give?
keng a-niê huêng su gib za-dian zu-i
勤 阿娘，還須 及 早 定 主意
Please, Miss, come quickly to a decision,
mog-siên na liu-gi bho-lag
莫像 那 柳枝 無力
don’t be weak like the willow branches,
sui-hong iou-hi
隨風 搖曳
waving in the breeze.
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
kou-mia pêg-ge, ka bho zê-buan sim-i
苦命 碧琚，豈 無 這般 心意
Woe is Pek-gv, who does not lack such intention,
zi ing-ui, dia-niê huang-huam rig-rig ging
只 因爲，爹娘 防範 日日 緊
but who is caught between Father and Mother have been daily tightening their forbiddances,
kuang iu na lim-dua si-dai ru-tin
況 又 那 林大 勢大如天
and that Lim-dua who is so rich and powerful.
ua zong zêg si-bug-zog-siêh
我 縱 一 死不足惜
I am not afraid to die,
死不足惜 - idiom
pan zi-pan, lui gib dang-san siu zuê-lui
怕 只怕，累 及 陳三 受 罪淚
but only fear that my death would burden Dang-san with guilt.
益春 • iah-cung
niê le gi bho ho zu-i, ziu gai e san-hian soi siang-ngi
娘 你 既 無 主意，就 該 與 三兄 細 商議
Miss, since you have no plan, then you should discuss this with Brother San.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
ho-bug ziu ziang gi-gu di-sim-uê
何不 就 將 幾句 知心話
Why don’t you gather some words of encouragement,
printed: 把 (ba) for 將
知 di - literary pronunciation
gao-tai iah-cung ke dui san-hian ti
交待 益春 去 對 三兄 提
and entrust them to Iah-cung to deliver to Brother San?
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung! na dang-san hing do ho-cu?
益春！那 陳三 現 在 何處？
Iah-cung! Where is Dang-san now?
益春 • iah-cung
ziu-do ao-in!
就在 後院！
He is in the rear courtyard!
五娘 • ngou-niê
ua dia cug-mung huê-kêh, ka zêng deng-lai?
我 爹 出門 會客，豈 曾 轉來？
My father is out paying visits; has he returned yet?
printed: 可曾回來 (ko zêng huê-lai)
益春 • iah-cung
siang-bhuê deng-lai!
尚未 轉來！
No, not yet!
printed: 回來 (huê-lai) for 轉來
五娘 • ngou-niê
ru-ce, le ziu ciou-ciou giê ta dang-san ziê lai siang-liang
如此，你 就 悄悄 叫 他 陳三 照 來 商量
In that case, go quietly and ask Dang-san here to talk.
printed: 前 (zoin) for 照
益春 • iah-cung
ziê ziu gêng-ho liou, tai siou-bi zoin ke!
照 就 更好 了，待 小婢 前去！
That is even better. Your servant will go forth!
printed: 那 (na) for 照
五娘 • ngou-niê
iah-cung!
益春！
Iah-cung!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
iah-cung! zê-zuang se ain siê-sim do-i,
益春！這樁 事 愛 小心 在意
Iah-cung! This matter must be dealt with carefully,
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
su-huang gêh-ciên nang u-hin, siêb huang-sian
須防 隔牆人 有耳，洩 風聲
for you know that the walls have ears, and should any word travel
dia-niê riag bhung-zai, he si-zoih,
爹娘 若 聞知，許 時節
so far as my parents, at that time,
printed: 那 (na) for 許
zêg-dan huang-bo pêng-di ki
一旦 風波 平地 起
a massive storm will overturn the earth.
第十六場 • doin-zab-lag-diên • Scene 16
音樂 • im-ghauh • Musical interlude
第十七場 • doin-zab-cig-diên • Scene 17
陳三 • dang-san
siê-sêng zing-hu in-lai, gim-rig cai dig-gin a-niê li!
小生 進府 以來，今日 才 得 見 阿娘 哩！
Since this humble person has entered this household, it is only today that I meet you, Miss!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
le si ho-ring?
你是 何人？
Who are you?
陳三 • dang-san
a-niê za-moh bug ring-sêg siê-sêng liou?
阿娘 怎麼 不 認識 小生 了？
Miss, how do you not recognize this humble person?
五娘 • ngou-niê
le ka bug-zai ziên-ê u-hung, lai-ghua u-biêg
你 豈 不知 上下 有分，內外 有別
Don’t you know, upstairs and downstairs have their place, the inner and outer courts are to remain separate.
ce-cu bug-si le êng-lai ze di, le kuai sêng cug-ke!
此處 不是 你 應來 之 地，你 快 成 出去！
This is not a place where you should be, you had better leave now!
第十八場 • doin-zab-boih-diên • Scene 18
益春 • iah-cung
san-hian, le…
三兄，你……
Brother San, you…
a-niê, le…
阿娘，你……
Miss, you…
printed: 小姐
第十九場 • doin-zab-gao-diên • Scene 19
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
co-ring noi-gi u cêng-i, uang-hui ua bêh-kêng zêg-piêng ci
錯認 荔枝 有 情意，枉費 我 伯卿 一片 癡
I misunderstood the meaning of the lychee branch, and have sent myself on a fool’s errand.
荔 noi - vernacular pronunciation
toin-lai ing-uêng lang sêng-ziu, bug-ru sog-zuang gui gu-li
看來 姻緣 難 成就，不如 束裝 歸 故里
It looks as if this was not meant to be, and I should pack up to head home.
益春 • iah-cung
san-hian mang-zao!
三兄 慢走！
Brother San, wait!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
toin le sim-ziang ngê se tih
看 你 心腸 硬 似 鐵
Your heart seems stiff as iron,
ing-ho ain zao m-gao-si?
因何 愛 走 唔告辭？
why do you leave without saying goodbye?
printed: 因何要走不告辭 (ing-ho iou-zao bug-gao-si)
giu-gêng ain uang ho-cu ke? ia gai mêng-bêh gao ua di
究竟 愛 往 何處 去？也 該 明白 告 我 知
Where are you going? You should at least tell me.
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
陳三 • dang-san
ua ain huê-deng gê-hiên!
我 愛 回轉 家鄉！
I’m going back to my home village.
printed: 返 (huêng) for 轉
益春 • iah-cung
ui-liou ho-se?
爲了 何事？
For what reason?
陳三 • dang-san
bug-big mung-liou
不必 問 了
You don’t have to ask any further.
益春 • iah-cung
le bug-ba cêng-iu suêh-mêng, ua si bug-bang le zao
你 不把 情由 說明，我 是 不放 你 走
If you don’t explain what you mean, I’m not letting you go.
陳三 • dang-san
hiêng-muê, cian tian!
賢妹，請 聽！
Sister, please listen!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
mong zi-diêm, sim am-hi,
蒙 指點，心 暗喜
Having received a sign, my heart was silently gladdened,
ke huê-hng, su siang-si,
去 花園，訴 相思
to go to the garden, and reveal my feelings,
sig zi-mo, tiêng-tai lou ko-tong
實 指望，天臺 路 可通
a true signal, that Heaven had opened a way.
iu sui zai, siêng-huam iêng-gêh puêng hung-ni
又 誰知，仙凡 遠隔 判 雲泥
But who knew, that saints and mortals are to remain separate, like clouds and mud,
判若雲泥 - idiom, “different as clouds in heaven and mud on earth”
cim-cim zêg i, e muê siang-si
深深 一 揖，與 妹 相辭
I bid you deeply, Sister, farewell.
益春 • iah-cung
san-hian!
三兄！
Brother San!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
a-niê ta, duêng-riang bho ce i
阿娘 她，斷然 無 此意
My mistress, she did not mean that.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
le mog ain co-guai ta, le mog ain ru-ce do ghi
你 莫 愛 錯怪 她，你 莫 愛 如此 多 疑
Don’t wrongly accuse her, don’t misunderstand.
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
陳三 • dang-san:
ho-in gin-dig?
何以 見 得？
How is that so?
益春 • iah-cung
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
le ko-zai, huang-cai u nang do hng-li
你 可知，方才 有人 在 園裏
You must know that there were other people in the garden.
a-niê ta, za-lêng-gou mao-mao-sig-sig ba uê ti?
阿娘 她，怎能夠 冒冒 失失 把 話 提？
How could my mistress speak freely then?
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
陳三 • dang-san
huang-cai hng-li u nang a?
方才 園裏 有人 啊？
There was someone in the garden?
益春 • iah-cung
bug-sing? le ke toin-lai!
不信？你 去 看來！
You don’t believe me? Look for yourself!
陳三 • dang-san
nguêng-lai ru-ce!
原來如此！
So it is!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
zi guai ua zêg-si sên-cêng, hiêm ba ho-sim dang ag-i
只怪 我 一時 性情，險 把 好心 當 惡意
I can only blame myself for having taken good intentions for evil.
益春 • iah-cung
toin le zing si cong-mêng zêg-si, mong-dong zêg-si
看你 真是 聰明 一世，懵懂 一時
It looks like you were indeed a wise man for life, but a fool for a second.
tag-ze-nang za oi zê-iên sing-sên a?
讀書人 怎 會 這樣 神性 啊？
How could a scholar be so rash?
printed: 急性 (gib-sên) for 神性
陳三 • dang-san
huêng-mo hiêng-muê do-do nguêng-liang!
還望 賢妹 多多 原諒！
I pray that Sister will forgive me!
益春 • iah-cung
san-hian bug-big do-li, huan siên miou-cêh ui-si
三兄 不必 多禮，還 想 妙策 爲是！
Brother San, don’t stand on ceremony. Spend your energy on thinking of a plan!
printed: 如今不必多禮，還是早想妙策爲是
陳三 • dang-san
zi-ain a-niê lai hung-hu, ua bêh-kêng hu-tng dao-huê bug tui-si
只 愛 阿娘 來 吩咐，我 伯卿 赴湯 蹈火 不 推辭
If your mistress were to command it, I would go through hell and high water.
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛, 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
益春 • iah-cung
ia-ba! tai ua lêng-siên biêg-huab, riang le e a-niê deng-ming siang-ngi
也罷！待我 另想 別法，讓 你 與 阿娘 當面 商議
So be it! Let me think of another way for you and my mistress to confer,
zai zag dian-doh
再 作 定奪
and to make a decision.
陳三 • dang-san
cuêng-ziang hiêng-muê liou
全杖 賢妹 了
It is in your hands, Sister.
益春 • iah-cung
iu-lai liou, na ke ba!
又來了，拿去 吧！
Here you start again. Go!
第二十場 • doin-ri-zab-diên • Scene 20
音樂過門 • im-ghauh gue-mung • musical interlude
第六章 • Doin-lak-ziang • Act 6
第二十一場 • doin-ri-zab-ig-diên • Scene 21
陳三 • dang-san
cian a-niê soi-ming!
請 阿娘 洗面
Miss, please come wash your face!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
le! le bug-biêng do-ce, kuai hia-ke!
你！你 不便 在此，快 下去！
You! You can’t be here! Quick, go downstairs!
mang! pung-zui si sui giê-le duêng-lai?
慢！盆水 是 誰 叫你 端來？
Wait, who told you to bring this basin?
陳三 • dang-san
si iah-cung giê ua duêng-lai di
是 益春 叫我 端來 的
Iah-cung told me to bring it here.
五娘 • ngou-niê
ta do na-li?
她 在 那裏？
Where is she?
陳三 • dang-san
ziu do lao-ê
就 在 樓下
She’s just downstairs.
五娘 • ngou-niê
pung-zui gi-riêng duêng-lai, le ziu bang-hia
盆水 既然 端來，你 就 放下
Since you’ve brought this basin here, just set it down.
ui-ho bug bang-do gao-cu, kiag bang-do di-ê?
爲何 不 放在 高處，卻 放在 地下？
Why do you put it on the floor, and not somewhere higher?
陳三 • dang-san
gao zêg bug-ko pang, mo a-niê hu ziu
高 則 不可 攀，望 阿娘 俯就
One in a high place is unreachable. I pray that Miss will deign to accept.
高不可攀 - idiom, “high and mighty” (of a person), meaning someone who is haughty and unapproachable.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
do-sia a-niê sui-ain
多謝 阿娘 垂愛
Many thanks, Miss, for your care.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
siê-sêng gam-mao huang-hiêm, rib-hu ui-iong
小生 甘冒 風險，入府 爲傭
This humble person took a risk, to enter this house disguised as a servant.
ce-cêng ce-i, a-niê siên big-zing zai
此情 此意，阿娘 想 必盡 知
Miss may not be aware of his thoughts and feelings.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
zi-si a-niê u ho zu-i, huêng mo mêng-bêh siang-gao
只是 阿娘 有何 主意，還 望 明白 相告
But if Miss has an intention, I pray that you state it clearly,
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
ia ho za zag zung-bi
也 好 早 作 準備
that we may make preparations.
五娘 • ngou-niê
san-hian cian zo
三兄 請 坐
Brother San, please sit.
陳三 • dang-san
siê-sêng ze rib-hu in-lai, huêng bhuê e a-niê zêg-tong kuêng-kêg
小生 自 入府 以來，還 未 與 阿娘 一通 款曲
Since this humble person entered this house, he has not yet had an opportunity to speak his true feelings with Miss.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
san-hian, le gê zu do zuan-ziu sian-lai huêng-si sian-ghua?
三兄，你 家 住在 泉州 城內 還是 城外？
Brother San, do you live in the city of Zuan-ziu, or outside the city walls?
陳三 • dang-san
do zuan-ziu sian-ghua pêng-suan-nia ao
在 泉州 城外 朋山嶺 後
Outside, behind the Peng mountain ridge
五娘 • ngou-niê
zi-cing u gui nang?
至親 有 幾人？
How many are there in your family?
printed: 家中 (gê-dang) for 至親
陳三 • dang-san
u cig nang
有 七人
There are seven.
五娘 • ngou-niê
si na cig-ui?
是那 七位？
Which seven are these?
陳三 • dang-san
gê-bê!
家父！
My father!
五娘 • ngou-niê
lêng-zung!
令尊！
Your honorable sire!
陳三 • dang-san
gê-bho!
家母！
My mother!
五娘 • ngou-niê
lêng-deng
令堂！
Your honorable mater!
陳三 • dang-san
gê-hian!
家兄！
My older brother!
五娘 • ngou-niê
lêng-hian!
令兄！
Your honorable brother!
陳三 • dang-san
gê-so!
家嫂！
My brother’s wife!
五娘 • ngou-niê
lêng-so!
令嫂！
Your honorable sister-in-law!
陳三 • dang-san
a-gou!
阿姑！
A-Gou!
五娘 • ngou-niê
a-gou si mih nang?
阿姑 是 乜人？
Who is A-Gou?
printed: 何人 (ho-nang) for 乜人
陳三 • dang-san
ziu-si sia-muê
就是 舍妹
That is my younger sister
舍 - prefix to refer to one’s junior relations to a third party
五娘 • ngou-niê
huêng-u di-nang?
還有 底人？
Who else is there?
printed: 還有呢 (huêng-u nê)
陳三 • dang-san
huêng-u ua!
還有 我！
Well, myself!
五娘 • ngou-niê
moh zian lag-nang, na-u cig nang?
麼 正 六人，哪有 七人？
Why is that only six people, but you said seven?
printed: 只有 (zi-u) for 麼正
陳三 • dang-san
liêng-dang niê-gian le, ziu-si cig-nang
連同 娘囝 你，就是 七人
Counting you, young miss, that makes seven.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 娘囝
五娘 • ngou-niê
zo-ni liêng ua ia seng do lai?
做呢 連 我 也 算 在內？
Why do you count me too?
printed: 怎麼 (za-moh) for 做呢
陳三 • dang-san
cong dao noi-gi na-rig, ua ziu ba le dou seng do-lai liou
從 投 荔枝 那日，我 就 把 你 算 在內 了
Since the day you dropped that lychee branch, I’ve counted you too.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, a-niê! uêng-ghua ang-ring lai-liou!
阿娘，阿娘！員外 安人 來了！
Miss! Miss! Master and Mistress are here!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
dia-niê bhuêng-hog!
爹娘 萬福！
Father, Mother, long life!
安人 • ang-ring
ua-ri miang li!
我囝 免 禮
Don’t stand on ceremony, my child.
printed: 兒 (ri) for 囝
員外 • uêng-ghua
ri a, le di bên ko-ho liou moh?
兒 呀，你 的 病 可好了 麼？
Child, is your illness better?
五娘 • ngou-niê
dia-dia, neng-ri di bên pan si bhoi ho liou!
爹爹，女兒 的 病 怕 是 𠁞好 了！
Father, your daughter fears that her health will not improve.
員外 • uêng-ghua
le ru-gim bug-si ho-duêng-duêng di
你 如今 不是 好端端 的
You were just fine before.
ui bê dui-le gang, lim-gê iu-lai cui-cu liou
爲 父 對你 講，林家 又來 催娶 了
Let Father tell you, the Lim family are again pressing about the betrothal.
五娘 • ngou-niê
lim-gê iu-lai cui-cu?
林家 又來 催娶？
The Lims are again pushing for the wedding?
安人 • ang-ring
si a! lim-gê gim-rig giê li-zê zoin-lai
是啊！林家 今日 叫 李姐 前來
Yes! The Lim household sent Li-ze here today,
zêg-dian ain to gai rig-zi
一定 愛 討 該 日子
they must have an auspicious date.
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
五娘 • ngou-niê
bho-cing! le toin neng-ri bên sêng zê-iên!
母親！你 看 女兒 病 成 這樣！
Mother, see how your daughter is wasting from illness,
le ia m ko-liêng?
你 也 唔 可憐？
how could you not pity her?
printed: 不 (bug) for 唔
安人 • ang-ring
ui-bho na-u bug-dong neng-ri ze-li, zi si…
爲母 哪有 不疼 女兒 之理，只是……
What mother’s heart would not feel for her daughter? But…
員外 • uêng-ghua
lim-gê suêh-dao, u bên ia ain ngêng-cu
林家 說道，有病 亦 愛 迎娶
The Lim house said that they would still proceed with the marriage even if you are ill.
printed: 迎親 (ngiêng-cing) for 迎娶
guê-mng ze-ao, zai gian iêng-ui ziêng-di
過門 之後，再 行 延醫 診治
After you enter their house, they will arrange for a physician to always be in attendance.
五娘 • ngou-niê
zng-suêh? lim-gê gêng-riêng bug-iong bên-ru
X說？林家 竟然 不容 病癒
What does that mean? The Lim household does not care about illness,
biêng ain bêg-cu moh?
便 愛 迫娶 麼？
and want to force a marriage?
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
員外 • uêng-ghua
riag zai tua-iêng, ta-gê biêng ain dong-ki guan-si
若 再 拖延，他家 便 愛 動起 官司
If this keeps being delayed, they will bring this to the magistrate.
安人 • ang-ring
zê zing sai dia-niê ui-lang liou
這 真使 爹娘 爲難 了
That would put your parents in a difficult position.
五娘 • ngou-niê
dia-niê a!
爹娘 呀！
Father, Mother!
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
tian-ngang lai, hng iu ai
聽言 來，恨 又 哀
Hearing what you say, makes me upset and mournful.
zê-buan ki-nang-li ho zai
這般 欺人理 何在
What is the logic behind this bullying?
nang bên huêng-ain lai ngiêng-cu
人 病 還愛 來 迎娶
To force a marriage in the face of illness,
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
sig (?) bêg ua sang zuan-tai
實 X 迫 我 喪 泉臺
would be forcing me to the grave.
mo dia-niê, lai zoh-zu
望 爹娘，來 作主
Please Father, Mother, make the right decision,
miêng neng-ri, zao hua-zai
免 女兒，遭 禍災
and spare your daughter from a calamnitous fate!
益春 • iah-cung
uêng-ghua, ang-ring,
員外，安人
Master, Mistress,
le toin a-niê bên ru-ce bho-ru,
你看 阿娘 病 如此 無癒
you see how Miss’s illness has resisted a cure.
printed: 小姐病體未癒 (siou-zia bên-ti bhuê-ru)
hung-ki huêng-si cong-mang ui-si
婚期 還是 從緩 爲是
It is better not to rush into the marriage.
員外 • uêng-ghua
hng!
嗯！
Hmph!
安人 • ang-ring
neng-ri, m-si dia-niê sim-hng
女兒，唔是 爹娘 心狠
Daughter, it is not that your parents are heartless,
printed: 不 (bug) for 唔
zi-ing lim-gê guan-gao si-dai,
只因 林家 官高 勢大
but the Lim household is powerful and has a high official position.
riag-si dig-zuê ta-gê, le dia kiong u bug-biêng o!
若是 得罪 他家，你 爹 恐 有 不便 啊
If we offend them, life could very difficult for your father.
printed: 如果 (ru-guê) for 若是
五娘 • ngou-niê
ru-ce dia-niê ziu-si ain ba neng-ri di-i si-di, di-i si-di liou
如此 爹娘 就是 把 女兒 置於死地，置於死地 了
If that is the case, then Father, Mother, you are sending your daugther to the grave.
員外 • uêng-ghua
han?! bê-bho ui-le zong-sing diêh-siên
～！父母 爲你 終身 着想
What? Your parents have been doing everything with your future in mind.
za-moh huêng-guai ki bê-bho lai-liou?
怎麼 反怪 起 父母 來了？
How can you come and accuse us like this?
安人 • ang-ring
si-a! neng-ri, le ziu sung-cong dia-dia di uê ba
是啊！女兒，你 就 順從 爹爹 的話 吧
That’s right! Daughter, you had better listen to your father.
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
na lim-dua bug-gou nang sên-si, sam-huang-si-ce bêg hung-ki
那 林大 不顧 人 生死，三番四次 迫 婚期
That Lim-dua doesn’t care if people live or die, but presses without cease for a marriage.
zi kiong ta-gê ngiêng-cu rig, zian si neng-ri big-mia-si
只 恐 他家 迎娶 日，正是 女兒 畢命時
Only that on the day that their house prepares to receive a bride, what they get is instead the corpse of your daughter.
printed: 只怕 (zi-pan) for 只恐
安人 • ang-ring
uêng-ghua, le toin ru-ho si ho?
員外，你 看 如何 是好？
Master, what do you think we should do?
員外 • uêng-ghua
hng! le ho zai-dao? le in siu-liou lim-gê ze pian
哼！你 何 知道，你 已 受了 林家 之聘
Hmph! You know that you have already accepted the Lims’ proposal.
sên-ui lim-gê ze nang si-ui lim-gê ze gui
生爲 林家 之人 死爲 林家 之鬼
You will live as a member of their household, and as a ghost you will haunt their house.
le si-liou ua ia ba-le gê gao lim-gê ke!
你 死了 我 也 把你 嫁 到 林家 去！
Even if you are dead I shall marry you off to them!
五娘 • ngou-niê
bho-cing! bug-ru riang neng-ri hing-zai si-liou, dao ia gang-zêng
母親！不如 讓 女兒 現在 死了，倒 也 乾淨
Mother! Just let your daughter die now, and spare us all this!
安人 • ang-ring
ho neng-ri, ho neng-ri, coin-bhuêng bug-iou zê-iên
好 女兒，好 女兒，千萬 不要 這樣
Daughter, daughter be good, don’t be like this.
員外 • uêng-ghua
hng! ngêg-neng, hung-ing dai-se, bê-bho zag-zu
哼！逆女，婚姻 大事，父母 作主
Hmph! Rebellious woman, the matter of betrothal is decided by the parents.
le cui-san-iang-si, bug tian ga-hung, si ho dao-li?
你 催三延四，不聽 教訓，是 何 道理？
You push for this and delay in that, refusing to heed instructions, what is the meaning of it all?
mog-hui le… mog-hui le biag u ng-cêng?
莫非 你……莫非 你 別 有 隱情？
Unless you… unless you have a secret lover?
zuan-bi, ua tian siou-cig suêh le zê-gi-rig gao-cu luêng-cuang
賤婢，我 聽 小七 說 你 這幾日 高處 亂闖
You cheap maid, I heard from Siou-cik that you have been running about these past few days,
huang-li huang-ziang, giu-gêng si ui-liou sim-moh?
慌裏 慌張，究竟 是 爲了 什麼？
flustered and bothered, and for what reason?
printed: 何事 (ho-se) for 什麼
kuai-kuai giang-lai! giang! giang! kuai-kuai giang-lai!
快快 講來！講！講！快快 講來！
Out with it! Quickly, out with it!
五娘 • ngou-niê
dia-dia! dia-dia gin-ghi, neng-ri zi-ho in-si mêng-zi
爹爹！爹爹 見疑，女兒 只好 以死 明志
Father! If even my own father has such suspicions, then your daughter can only prove herself through death.
安人 • ang-ring
ai-ia! neng-ri bug-ko! neng-ri bug-koi ia!
哎呀！女兒 不可，女兒 不可！
Aiyah! Daughter, you mustn’t, you mustn’t!
員外 • uêng-ghua
zuan-bi, le bug-tian bê mêng, ziu-si bug-hao
賤婢，你 不聽 父命，就是 不孝
Cheap maid, you don’t obey your father, that means you are unfilial.
bug-hao ze neng, si u e-gu
不孝 之 女，死有餘辜
Unfilial daughters cannot be redeemed even by death.
安人 • ang-ring
neng-ri, neng-ri!
女兒，女兒！
Daughter! Daughter!
僕婦 • bog-hu
ki-bing uêng-ghua, lim-dua-ia cing-ze zoin-lai
啓稟 員外，林大爺 親自 前來
Sir, Master Lim-dua has come personally,
iou-gin uêng-ghua ang-ring
要見 員外 安人
and wishes to meet with Sir and Madam.
員外 • uêng-ghua
ho, ziu lai, lai, hia-lao ba!
好，就來，來，下樓 吧！
Fine, we’ll come. Come, let us go down!
安人 • ang-ring
iah-cung, ho-ho hog-si a-niê!
益春，好好 服侍 阿娘
Iah-cung, take good care of your miss.
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
陳三 • dang-san
hiêng-muê!
賢妹
Sister!
五娘 • ngou-niê
san-hian!
三兄！
Brother San!
陳三 • dang-san
huang-cai ze se, lêng-nang ko-gêng ko-gam
方才 之事，令人 可敬可感
What happened just now, stirs one to respect and emotion.
ru-u so-mêng, bêh-kêng bhuêng-si bug-si
如有 所命，伯卿 萬死不辭
If there were such a command, Beh-keng would not leave even in the face of death.
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
ru-gim gib-huê i riêng-bhai, bho-hang siên-sim lui muan-i
如今 急火 已 燃眉，無限 傷心 淚滿衣
Now the fire has already begun to singe the eyebrows, and in limitless anguish my tears have soaked all my clothes.
lim-gê tang-riag zai siang-bêg, bian-ziang zêg-si ciu di-in
林家 倘若 再 相迫，拚 將 一死 酬 知已
Should the Lims want to force it, then we shall pay them in death.
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
sên zêg dang-sên si dang-si, muê si ua ia nguêng siang-sui
生 則 同生 死 同死，妹 死 我 亦 願 相隨
If you jump, I jump.
se-gao riêng-bhai su ze-guêg, zoh-cu bhuê-big bho sên-gi
事 到 燃眉 須 自決，絕處 未必 無 生機
At this urgent juncture, we don’t necessarily lack a reprieve.
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
gam-sia san-hian cim-cêng-ngi, bug-uang pêg-ge zêg-piêng ci
感謝 三兄 深情義，不枉 碧琚 一片 癡
Heartfelt thanks, Brother San, for your deep affection. Pek-gv’s foolishness was not in vain.
hang-siu nguêng ba zong-sing toh, sên-sên si-si bug hung-li
含羞 願 把 終身 托，生生 世世 不分離
bashfully I am willing to be by your side, a whole life spent unseparated.
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
zêg-piêng zing-sêng lai mêng-si
一片 真誠 來 盟誓
With true intentions let us make an oath.
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
ce-sim guang-guang tiêng ko-di
此心 耿耿 天 可知
This heart is devoted, as Heaven knows.
二人 • ri-nang • together
〔合唱 • hah-ciang • in unison〕
do-tin nguêng-zag bi-êg-ziou
在天 願作 比翼鳥
Like a pair of lovebirds in the sky,
do-di nguêng-ui liêng-li-gi
在地 願爲 連理枝
Like intertwined branches on the ground,
hai-gou-ziêh-lang cêng bho-zing
海枯石爛 情 無盡
Love without end, lasting until the ocean runs dry and rocks go soft.
海枯石爛 - idiom, “forever”
di-lao-tin-huang zi bug-i
地老天荒 志 不移
Our intention never wavering, as the earth grows old and the sky goes desolate.
地老天荒 - idiom, also 天荒地老, “until the end of time”.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, a-niê! se-cêng bug-ho liou!
阿娘，阿娘！事情 不好 了！
Miss! Miss! Bad news!
printed: 小姐 (siou-zia) for 阿娘
五娘 • ngou-niê
ho-se huang-ziang?
何事 慌張？
What makes you so flustered?
益春 • iah-cung
huang-cai lim-dua zoin-lai cui-cing
方才 林大 前來 催親
Lim-dua came by just now to seek a marriage date.
uêng-ghua in he ta bung-ghuêh zab-boih-rig zoin-lai ngiêng-cu liou
員外 已 許 他 本月 十八日 前來 迎娶 了
Your father told him to come on the eighteenth of this month to perform the ceremony.
五娘 • ngou-niê
zab-boih ziu ain ngiêng-cu?
十八 就 愛 迎娶？
To be married off on the eighteenth?
printed: 要 (iou) for 愛
益春 • iah-cung
hên! hung-ki seng-lai zi-u si-tin, dan ru-ho si ho?
嗯！婚期 算來 只有 四天，旦 如何 是 好？
Yes! That is only four days away. What can we do now?
printed: 小姐你看如何是好 (siou-zia le toin ru-ho si ho)
五娘 • ngou-niê
dia dia! le tai hng-sim liou
爹爹！你 太 狠心 了
Father! You are too cruel.
陳三 • dang-san
niê-gian, se in ging-gib, zi-u iêng-zao gao-buê
娘囝，事 已 緊急，只有 遠走 高飛
Young miss, matters are now become urgent, the only path is to flee.
huêng-si sui ua dang-huêng zuan-ziu
還是 隨 我 同返 泉州
Come back with me to Zuan-ziu.
益春 • iah-cung
a-niê, ce-si bug-zao, lang-dao do-ce sog-ciu-tai-bi?
阿娘，此時 不走，難道 在此 束手待斃？
Miss, if we do not leave now, you will be delivering up yourself bound to the execution ground.
束手待斃 - idiom, “resign oneself to death”
五娘 • ngou-niê
ia-ba! gi-si dia-dia ru-ce zoh-cêng, hiun-guai neng-ri bho ngi
也罷！既是 爹爹 如此 絕情，休怪 女兒 無義
So be it! Since Father is so heartless, he cannot blame his daughter for being unprincipled.
ua i-sing gi he-gung, sên-si siang-sui
我 既 以身 許君，生死 相隨
I have dedicated myself to this gentleman, to follow him in life and in death.
陳三 • dang-san
(??) gim-mê san-gên si-hao…
XX 今夜 三更 時候……
Tonight, at the third watch…
nang san-nang…
俺 三人……
We three…
三人同 • san-nang-dang • three in unison
zêg-dang ki-sing!
一同 起身！
Shall set forth together!
第七章 • Doin-cik-ziang • Act 7
第二十二場 • doin-ri-zab-ri-diên • Scene 22
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
ziou-lao gou in san-gên zuêng
樵褸鼓 已 三更 轉
The watchtower drum has struck the third watch.
giê iah-cung, sog zian hêng-zuang ho dong-sing
叫 益春，速 整 行裝 好 動身
Iah-cung, gather our bags, let us move out.
益春 • iah-cung
hêng-zuang za-in siu-sib ho liou
行裝 早已 收拾 好了
The bags have long since been packed.
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
hiêm sê bhuang-liou zê-ui dua bêng-ring
險 些 忘了 這位 大冰人
Ah, we almost forgot our great matchmakers.
Matchmaker - referring to the lychee branch and handkerchief
陳三 • dang-san
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
do-sia li-gi ho siu-pê, cuêng-ziang le sêng-ziu ho hung-ing
多謝 荔枝 和 綉帞，全仗 你 成就 好 婚姻
Many thanks to this lychee branch and embroidered handkerchief, it is because of you that we could accomplish this marriage.
五娘 • ngou-niê
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
lim-biêg i-i huê-siu mo, cong-gim iong-biêg lao-sang-cing
臨別 依依 回首 望，從今 永別 老雙親
In departure I keep reluctantly looking back; from today I say farewell to my parents forever.
益春 • iah-cung
〔唱 • ciang • singing〕
a-niê le mo gian-sim, tih-ziang-gung lang-dang u-sim-ring
阿娘 你 莫 驚心，鐵將軍 難擋 有心人
Miss, do not be afraid. Even the Iron General cannot stop people of destiny.
鐵將軍 - padlock on a door (idiomatic expression).
第二十三場 • doin-ri-zab-san-diên • Scene 23
幕外合唱 • mo-ghua-hah-ciang • singing offstage
cong-cug huam-lang sing ze-zai
沖出 樊籠 身 自在
Dashing out of the gilded cage, we are free.
bug-pan guêng-suan dêng zo-ghai
不怕 關山 重 阻礙
Unafraid of the mountains in our way.
u-cêng gim in sêng guêng-sog
有情 今 已 成 眷屬
Love has made us a family.
nang san-nang bêng-goin hin ciu ciê ngang kai
俺 三人 併肩 攜手 笑 顏開
We three hand-in-hand, smiles breaking out.
ngiang-mo tiêng-kong ziou-hung suan
仰望 天空 鳥雲 散
Looking up at the sky, the dark clouds are clearing.
ngou-sêg ziou-hia bang guang-cai
五色 朝 霞 放 光彩
A multi-colored dawn unleashing its brilliance.
zêg-lung ang-rig ziên-tiêng lai
一輪 紅日 上天 來
A bright red sun coming up into the sky.