蘇六娘 • Sou-lak-nie • Peh-ue-ji (in progress)

The story of sou-lak-nie (Sixth Lady Sou) is one of the earliest known indigenous Teochew operas, set in the Teochew region and using the local language. This transcription is based on the 1957 film version produced by the 香港鴻圖影業公司 (Hong Kong Great Prospect Film Company), and adapted from Chinese subtitles by 王曉班 (uploaded to YouTube Part 1, Part 2 [no longer available] and Youku) and a commemorative booklet published by 大地唱片藝術工業; characters were converted to traditional and some usages were changed to fit the rest of this website. Lines that are sung are indicated with a • character at the beginning.

劇中人物 • Dramatis personae

In order of appearance.

• 渡公 • tou-kong • Old boatman who ferries passengers across the river. (Played by 陳水和)
• 桃花 • tho-hue • Maidservant of sou-lak-nie, who helps lak-nie and ki-tshung elope. (陳馥閨)
• 蘇六娘 • sou-lak-nie • Young lady of the sou family, the only child of a rich landowner and his wife (but called lak-nie 六娘 “Sixth Lady” because she is the sixth-born female of her generation, i.e. among her cousins). She spent a large part of her childhood in the household of her mother’s maiden family, where she was raised and educated alongside her male cousin, kueh-ki-tshung. (姚璇秋)
• 郭繼春 • kueh-ki-tshung • Young man of the kueh family, educated and refined, cousin of lak-nie; the two were raised and educated together and eventually fell in love. (陳麗華)
• 員外 • ueng-gua • Landlord Sou, father of lak-nie; he is a rich landowner, but still has to respect the wishes of the sou clan elder (族長 tsok-tieⁿ). (吳林榮)
• 安人 • ang-zing • Mrs Sou, mother of lak-nie. (吳麗君)
• 族長 • tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou, senior member of the sou clan; he was involved in arranging the match between sou-lak-nie and ieⁿ-siu-tsai. (郭石梅)
• 楊秀才 • ieⁿ-siu-tsai • Scholar Ien, a young man of the ieⁿ family; although he holds the licentiate 秀才 siu-tsai degree, he is depicted as an oafish, uncultured man. (蔡錦坤)
• 梅香 • bue-hieⁿ • One of the maids in the sou household.
• 乳娘 • zu-nie • The nursemaid of ieⁿ-siu-tsai, who now comes to the sou household to help prepare sou-lak-nie for her marriage to him. (洪妙)

第一出 • Scene 1

桃花佮渡公鬥歌 • tho-hue and the Boatman compete in song

Video 1: 2:44

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

tsiou-sek pai-tou to kang-pieng
朝夕 擺渡 在 江邊
TODO

tsheⁿ-suaⁿ lek-tsui phuaⁿ ua lieng
青山 綠水 伴 我 臉
Green hills and blue water keep me company.

tshiaⁿ-hi tshiu-ping zu sṳng-peh
且喜 鬚鬢 如 霜 白
Even if I were to be glad about my snowy-white whiskers,

iu tik ṳ-nang kiaⁿ huang-pieng
又 得 與人 行 方便
I still have to be at the disposal of others.

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh-a, khuai-se pe kue-lai, ua aiⁿ kue-tou a
伯啊，快些 扒過來，我愛 過渡 啊
Uncle, paddle over here quickly, I want to cross the river.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

o? ngueng-lai si a-tho-hue
哦？原來 是 阿桃花
Oh? It’s To-hue.

lṳ tshik-tsa poih-tsa, aiⁿ khṳ ti-ko haⁿ?
汝 七早八早，愛 去 底塊 ～？
Where do you want to go so early in the morning?

（桃花）• tho-hue

ueng-gua u sing hue-lai, sueh-tau ta-iaⁿ kuaⁿ-si
員外 有 信 回來，說道 打贏 官司
My master received a letter, saying that he has won the suit in court,

tsiu aiⁿ hue-ke, ing-tshṳ ang-zing meng ua tsoiⁿ-uang sai-lou, tsih-hue nie-kiaⁿ
就 愛 回家，因此 安人 命 我 前往 西蘆，接回 娘囝
and wants to go home. So my mistress instructed me to go to Sai-lou and fetch our young Miss.

peh-a, taⁿ khuai-se pe kue-lai!
伯啊，旦 快些 過來！
Uncle, come quickly!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho! ua lai!
好！我來！
Right! I’m coming!

bue, he he he, tsui-lau tsiaⁿ to phu, tsung kou-puk-kṳng ngai
未，～～～，水流 正 在 浮，船 靠不近 岸
Wait a moment, the current is strong and the boat can’t come close to the shore.

tho-hue a, kah oi-kiaⁿ thṳng-tiou, liou e-loh-lai, e-loh-lai a
桃花 啊，甲 鞋囝 褪掉，了 下落來，下落來 啊
tho-hue, take off your shoes and get in the water, get in.

（桃花）• tho-hue

ho, lai tsih pau-hok
好，來 接 包袱
Alright then, catch my bag.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho, kak-lai!
好，捔來！
Throw it over!

（桃花）• tho-hue

a-peh, tsih a!
阿伯，接 啊！
Uncle, catch!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ṳ? a? o? lṳ tsia kui-kiaⁿ, sang-mak li bo thoiⁿ-tsung, taⁿ pau-hok [mo?] pung-tsui lau-khṳ liou
噁？啊？哦？汝 者 鬼囝，雙目 哩 無 睇准，旦 包袱 ［麼］ 分 水 流去 了
Huh? You little devil… you didn’t look where you were throwing, and now the bag has been carried away by the water.

“mo” (transcribed here as 麼) meaning “then”, “on the other hand”. This is probably the same word written as 厶 in the Ming-era edition of 蘇六娘, which has a similar meaning (inferred from context).

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh a, mo mo mo, to tsi-ko
伯啊，～～～，在 只塊
Uncle, look it’s still right here.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ha ha ha ha ha! ua tsai ua lau-nang mak-hue, (tshoh?)-lai bu-long ua?
哈哈哈哈哈！我 知 我 老人 目花，［撮］來 誣弄 我？
Ha ha! I know that my eyes are old and long-sighted, and you still want to tease me like this?

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh a, taⁿ lai-tsih
伯 啊，旦 來接
Uncle, now catch it for real.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ai-ia, kang-kang si lṳ-kai pa-hi
哎呀，剛剛 是 汝個 把戲
Aiyah, this was all just your game.

taⁿ me-me e-loh-lai
旦 猛猛 下落來
Now come down quickly.

（桃花）• tho-hue

ho!
好！
Alright!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

a!
啊！
Ah!

lṳ tsia kui-kiaⁿ, bo-kau-bo-tai
汝 者 鬼囝，無交無代
You little devil, without giving any warning,

tsie-seⁿ tsiu piaⁿ-loh-lai, ua tsiah tsung hiem-hiem poi, hiem-hiem poi
照生 就 拚落來，我 隻船 險險 擺，險險 擺
you jumped down so suddenly that my boat almost capsized!

“poi” also pronounced “bai”

險險 - “almost”

（桃花）• tho-hue

boi no, boi no. peh a, lṳ [mo] ho tsieⁿ-tshiu, tsung boi poi
𠁞𰇇，𠁞𰇇，伯 啊，汝［麼］ 好 槳手，船 𠁞 擺
No, no, Uncle, you have good control of your oars, the boat will not capsize.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

he he he, taⁿ khia-ho, khia-ho
～～～，旦 徛好，徛好
Heh, then stand fast, stand fast.

e? tho-hue a, kau tui-ngai hueng-liou hng
耶？桃花 啊，到 對岸 還了 遠
To-hue, it will be some time before we reach the other bank.

lṳ ho-m tshiang tiou-kua lai kip a-peh thiaⁿ-thiaⁿ tsek-e
汝 好唔 唱 條歌 來 給 阿伯 聽聽 一下
Come sing some songs for Uncle to listen.

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh a, lṳ mo ia-si (?) tshiu tshiang-kua-kiaⁿ, aiⁿ li tsiu-lai tau-kua
伯 啊，汝 ［麼］ 也是 X 手 唱歌囝，愛 哩 就來 鬥歌
Uncle, you are also a good singer, if you want we could have a singing competition.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

tau kua? ai-ia aiⁿ tsiu lai!
鬥歌？哎呀 愛 就 來！
A song duel? If you want to, bring it on!

hṳ, lṳ mai thoiⁿ ua lau-nang boi tshiang-kua
許，汝 勿 睇我 老人 𠁞 唱歌
Don’t think that this old man can’t sing.

ua-kai kua-kiaⁿ kau tua-lua
我個 歌囝 到 大籮
I have a whole basket full of songs

tsek-tshoiⁿ poih-peh kang-lṳ tau, tau-kau lṳ u-khau m-kaⁿ khua
一千八百 共汝 鬥，鬥到 汝 有口 唔敢 誇
I have a thousand eight hundred songs to compete with yours, we’ll compete until you have nothing to say.

lai, ua tsek-ming kho, tsek-ming tshiang, a lṳ soiⁿ, lṳ soiⁿ
來，我 一面 舸，一面 唱，啊 汝先， 汝先
Come, I’ll row and sing at the same time. You go first.

（桃花）• tho-hue

mai, lṳ soiⁿ
勿，汝 先
No, you first.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

huaⁿ aiⁿ ua soiⁿ? ia ho, lṳ lai thiaⁿ
還 愛 我 先？也好，汝 來 聽
You even want me to go first? That’s just as well. Listen:

• tsiaⁿ-gueh peh-hue khai, peh-ia peh-hue khai
正月 百花開，百 呀 百花 開
In the first month, a hundred flowers bloom, a hundred o hundred flowers bloom.

• peh-hue khai lai phang-tiep khuang
百花 開來 蜂蝶 狂
A hundred flowers bloom and the butterflies go into a frenzy.

• tsa-me kai hng-mung bo tsieⁿ-so
昨暝 個 園門 無 上鎖
Last night, the gate to the garden was not locked.

• tho-hue thau-tsau lai tou-kang, loi-ia loi lai tou-kang
桃花 偷走 來 渡江，～呀～ 來 渡江
To-hue sneaked off to cross the river, loi-ia-loi to cross the river.

（桃花）• tho-hue

o, phieng me ua, thai ua lai
哦，騙 罵 我，待 我來
Oh, so you are pretending to scold me. Just wait for my turn.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

tieh lṳ ia
着 汝 也
It’s your turn.

（桃花）• tho-hue

• zi-gueh bak-mi-hue, bak-a bak-mi-hue
二月 木棉花，木呀 木棉花
In the second month, the kapok flowers bloom, the kapok o kapok flowers bloom.

• ang-hue khui-liou khui peh-hue, peh-hue hue-loh ṳ sing-tsieⁿ
紅花 開了 開 白花，白花 花落 與 身上
After the red flowers come the white ones, the white flowers fall on one’s body.

• tung-piⁿ hiah-kak ho ang-ke, loi-ia loi ho ang-ke
脣邊 額角 好 安家，～呀～ 好 安家
Cheeks and forehead show that it’s good to settle down, loi-ia-loi good to settle down.

loi-ia-loi - onomatopoeic expression

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

o, (?)-lai pai-tshai ua lau-nang
哦，X 來 擺踩 我 老人
So, you’ve come to make fun of an old man.

e-zik bo-nang lai tho-tso lṳ tsiu tsai ia hng!
下日 無人 來 討坐 汝 就 知 呀 哼！
If no one wants to come on board tomorrow, you’ll have to answer for it!

• saⁿ-gueh iⁿ sang-pue, iⁿ-ia iⁿ sang-pue
三月 燕 雙飛，燕呀 燕 雙飛
In the third month, the swallows fly in pairs, the swallows o the swallows fly in pairs.

• sang-pue iⁿ-tsṳ liang-thau-ke, lṳ pi iⁿ-tsṳ m-seng-tui
雙飛 燕子 兩頭家，汝 比 燕子 唔成對
A pair of flying swallows make a couple, unlike the swallows you don’t have a partner.

• sai-lou lṳ-phou khṳ iu-hue, loi-ia loi khṳ iu-hue
西蘆 呂浦 去 又回，～呀～ 去 又回
From sai-lou to lṳ-phou you go to and fro, loi-ia-loi you go to and fro.

sai-lou 西蘆 is the hometown of kueh ki-tshung 郭繼春, the lover of sou lak-nie, whereas lṳ-phou 呂浦 is the hometown of sou lak-nie.

The place name lṳ-phou is written as 呂浦 in the Ming-era edition, but also given as li-phou 荔浦 in some publications.

（桃花）• tho-hue

• si-gueh hou-mieng-mieng, hou-a hou-mieng-mieng
四月 雨綿綿，雨啊 雨綿綿
In the fourth month, the rain is continuously falling, the rain o the rain is continuously falling.

• [lou-tsṳ?] kuaⁿ-tsui tsieⁿ kik-ieng, lṳ pi [lou-tsṳ?] to ki tsieⁿ
鸕鶿 趕水 上 揭陽，汝 比 鸕鶿 多 枝 槳
The cormorants race across the water to kik-ieng, unlike the cormorants you have an oar.

揭陽 kik-ieng, one of the counties of 潮州 tie-tsiu subprefecture, is usually pronounced today as kik-ieⁿ.

• tsek-ni si-khui siu kang-pieng, loi-ia loi siu kang-pieng
一年 四季 守 江邊，～呀～ 守 江邊
Through the four seasons in a year you keep watch at the river bank, loi-ia-loi keep watch at the river bank.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

tse, zu-pi zu-mo-thiaⁿ, tse nai oi-tik khṳ a?
這，愈比 愈孬聽，這 奈 會得 去 啊？
As this goes on it sounds even worse on the ear, how can I let this slide?

• ngou-gueh pe leng-tsung, ang-lam lek-nṳng zu kiaⁿ-hung
五月 扒 龍船，紅男綠女 如 行 雲
In the fifth month, the dragon boats come out to race. The youth turn out as if walking on clouds.

• na-kai nṳng-kung hah lṳ i?
哪個 郎君 合 汝 意？
Which young gentleman will catch your fancy?

• a-peh tso bue lai tiaⁿ-hung, loi-ia loi lai tiaⁿ-hung
阿伯 做 媒 來 定婚，～呀～ 來 定婚
Uncle will play matchmaker and find you a match, loi-ia-loi find you a match.

（桃花）• tho-hue

• lak-gueh su thiⁿ-si, su-a su thiⁿ-si
六月 署 天時，署啊 署 天時
In the sixth month, the weather is hot, hot o hot is the weather.

• ngou-nie lau-tsieⁿ kak li-ki, ng u li-ki tsṳ-ki kak
五娘 樓上 捔 荔枝，阮 有 荔枝 自己 捔
Fifth Lady casts down a lychee branch from the tower. We can cast down a lychee branch by ourselves.

An allusion to the story of 陳三五娘 tang-saⁿ-ngou-nie, where 黃五娘 ng ngou-nie tossed a lychee branch from her balcony to 陳三 tang-saⁿ as a sign of her love.

• mieng-eng a-peh lṳ hui sim-ki, loi-ia loi hui sim-ki
免用 阿伯 汝 費 心機，～呀～ 費 心機
We don’t need you, Uncle, to waste your effort, loi-ia-loi to waste your effort.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

tshik-gueh si…
七月 時……
In the seventh month…

（桃花）• tho-hue

tshik-gueh tso-ni? tso m-tshiang?
七月 做呢？做 唔唱？
What happens in the seventh month? Why did you stop singing?

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ai-ia, m-tui ia, bo sieⁿ tsui-lau to tua
哎呀，唔對 呀，無 想 水流 在 大
Aiyah, something’s wrong, I did not expect the current to be so strong.

tsiah-tsung hiem-hiem pung-i phu-kau sang-koi tshui
隻船 險險 分伊 浮到 雙溪 嘴
The boat was almost carried away to the mouth of the river.

雙溪 - This could be a “false cognate” loan word from Malay sungai (“river”)

（桃花）• tho-hue

ai-ia, peh a, me-me tshuk-lak, tsung pe hue-lai khṳ a
哎呀，伯 啊，猛猛 出力，船 扒 回來 去 啊
Aiyah, Uncle, put more effort into it, row the boat back on course.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho ho, lṳ to khia-ho, khia-ho a
好好，汝 在 徛好，徛好 啊
Alright, alright, stand fast where you are, stand fast!

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh a, lṳ meng-khi tsa se, lai tsi-tou-thau teng ua
伯 啊，汝 明起 早 些，來 只 渡頭 等 我
Uncle, do come somewhat earlier tomorrow, and wait for me at the river bank.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

tsi-kai tsṳ-zieng oi, ha ha ha ha ha
只個 自然 ～，哈哈哈哈哈
Of course, haha!

• ua lau-nang ia tshong hau-seⁿ lai, hau-seⁿ kai sim-sṳ ua oi tsai
我 老人 也 從 後生 來，後生 個 心事 我 會 知
This old man was young once; I know how young people think.

（桃花）• tho-hue

• nang kau-lau lai [su?]-hok lau, kueng-nang oiⁿ-sṳ ia puk-kai
儂 到老 來 ［舒？］服 老，管人 閒事 也 不該
When one is old, [one should be comfortable in one’s old age?] and not bother about other people’s business.

tshuk-lak a!
出力 啊！
Row hard!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho, lṳ khia ho, thai a-peh lai loh hiang tsieⁿ. khia ho a!
好，汝 徛好，待 阿伯 來 落向 槳。徛好 啊！
Alright, you stand fast, and wait for me to row. Stand fast!

This version of the opera cuts off this scene at the seventh month. In other versions, tho-hue and the boatman continue taking turns until the boatman begins with the “thirteenth month” and loses the competition because there is no thirteenth month (see Helga Werle, “Notes on Chiuchow Opera”, J. Royal Asiatic Soc. Hong Kong Branch (1975) vol. 15, pp. 71-87).

Werle writes of this scene: “This is a most delightful scene, a fully choreographed dance with the music based on Chiuchow [Teochew] folk tunes. The music and the dance are fresh and cheerful. This opening shows characteristic features of Chiuchow opera; it is beautiful, lighthearted and full of songs and dances.”

第二出 • Scene 2

Video 1: 12:06

（六娘）• lak-nie

• tshung-huang tsieng-ieh kau hng-lim
春風 踐約 到 園林
In the winds of Spring, I keep an engagement in the garden

• sie-lip hue-tsoiⁿ tok tim-leng
小立 花前 獨 沉 呤
TODO

• pie-hiaⁿ hiou ua ui ho-ku
表兄 邀 我 爲 何故
For what reason has Cousin Gi-cung asked me here?

• tsueng-kue-liou tang-li hue-phou lai-kau sui-liu-im
轉過了 東籬花圃 來到 垂柳蔭
Past the Eastern fence of the garden, to the weeping willow’s shade

• tang kiⁿ na teng sia sok-sok
但 見 那 亭 榭 寂寂
But seeing that lonely pavilion

• sim ueng-iu
甚 緣由
What reason

• sim ueng-iu u-ieh puk lai-lim?
甚 緣由 有約 不 來臨
What reason keeps him from his appointment?

（繼春）• ki-tshung

sieⁿ-kik tang-sim-kik, ki-tou khai-khau lang
想結 同心結，幾度 開口 難
TODO

tshung-huang u-ieh au-hng tang
春風 有約 後園 中
With the Spring wind there is an appointment in the back garden

tse-tsek-tshṳ tsai-mo tsho-kue liang-ueng
這一次 再莫 錯過 良緣
This time I cannot again miss the opportunity to meet my future partner

mue-mue hueng bue-lai
妹妹 還 未來
Sister is not yet here

siu-kiu-hue! siu-kiu phau-kip lṳ mong-tseng
繡球花！繡球 拋給 呂蒙正
A hydrangea blossom! Toss the hydrangea to lṳ mong-tseng!

呂蒙正 : Reference to the love story of 呂蒙正 and 月娥

tsing-si kia-tiou, kia-tiou!
真是 佳兆，佳兆！
A good omen indeed!

o, ngueng-lai si pie-mue soiⁿ-ua zṳ-lai
哦，原來 是 表妹 先我 而來
Oh, so my cousin has arrived before me.

mue-mue, tshṳ-hue kak-tik ho, kho-sieh puk-to tshai-lau tsoiⁿ
妹妹，此花 捔得 好，可惜 不在 彩樓 前
Sister, these flowers are beautiful, but it is a pity they are not growing before the flowery tower.

（六娘）• lak-nie

pie-hiaⁿ, hie mai lueng-kang
表兄，～勿 亂講
Cousin Gi-cung, don’t speak foolishly about these things

（繼春）• ki-tshung

seng-ka liou
承教 了
I accept your criticism.

（六娘）• lak-nie

pie-hiaⁿ ieh-hiou, bue-sek u ho-ka-ngang?
表兄 約邀，未識 有 何教言？
Cousin, you asked to meet. Is there something you want to tell me?

（繼春）• ki-tshung

mue-mue, ui-hiaⁿ ṳ lṳ tang-hak kui-ni
妹妹，爲兄 與 汝 同學 幾年
Sister, you and I were educated together for many years.

zu-kim khue-khi tsiang-tsi, pik-su ṳ lṳ tsiem-piek
如今 科期 將至，必須 與 汝 暫別
Now the examination season is approaching, and I must take my leave from you.

（六娘）• lak-nie

tsiem-piek?
暫別？
Take your leave?

（繼春）• ki-tshung

tsiaⁿ-si, mue ia ni iⁿ kip-ki
正是，妹 也 年 已 及笄
Yes, sister you are already of marrigeable age,

khiong-pha puk-leng ku-tsu sai-lou
恐怕 不能 久住 西蘆
I fear you cannot stay much longer in Sai-lou.

西蘆 : Lak-nie was sent to be brought up in the household of her maternal uncle and aunt at Sai-lou, but now that she is of marrigeable age will soon be returned to her parents who will decide on whom she shall marry.

tsek-piek tsṳ-au, tsiu puk-tsai tsai-hue ho-khi liou
一別 之後，就 不知 再會 何期 了
After we say goodbye, I don’t know when we will ever see each other again.

（六娘）• lak-nie

pie-hiaⁿ, ngueng tsok-lṳ tsek-kṳ seng-mia
表兄，願 祝你 一舉 成名
Cousin, I wish you success in the official examinations.

（繼春）• ki-tshung

sia-sia mue-mue, tang-si…
謝謝 妹妹，但是……
Thank you Sister, but…

mue-mue, tse peh gek-tui si lṳ tiou-hia ti moh?
妹妹，這 白玉墜 是 汝 掉下 的 麼？
Sister, was it you who dropped this white jade pendant?

（六娘）• lak-nie

tsiaⁿ-si
正是
Yes it was

（繼春）• ki-tshung

mue-mue, tse gek-tui ho-tshieⁿ si ua zi-si sang-kip lṳ ti
妹妹，這 玉墜 好像 是 我 兒時 送給 汝 的
Sister, this jade pendant looks like the one I gave to you when we were children.

ui-ho sik-loh ṳ-tshṳ?
爲何 失落 與此？
How did it get lost?

（六娘）• lak-nie

tse peh gek-tui tsiaⁿ-si pie-hiaⁿ so-tsang
這 白玉墜 正是 表兄 所 贈
This white jade pendant was indeed the one that Cousin Gi-cung gifted me.

mue si-khek tua to sing-piⁿ
妹 時刻 帶 在 身邊
I wore it constantly on my person,

sek-tshai puk-kak, tiou-hia to-tshṳ
適才不覺，掉下 在此
but without realizing it, I dropped it here just now.

（繼春）• ki-tshung

hue-ek thong-ni, tsheⁿ-bue tek-be
回憶 童年，青梅 竹馬
Thinking back to our childhood years, those innocent sweetheart years.

青梅竹馬 - idiom, lit. “green plums and bamboo (hobby) horse”

tseng-ki ho-si, lṳ-ua tsiu tsiang-tai seng-zing liou
曾 幾 何時，你我 就 長大 成人 了
In not much time, you and I have grown into adulthood.

mue-mue, lṳ kha ki-tik: zi-si lṳ aiⁿ meng-siem
妹妹，汝 豈 記得，兒時 汝 愛 鳴蟬
Sister, do you remember how you loved chirping cicadas as a child?

ua tsiu phang-tsieⁿ tse-tshiu khṳ-tshok, hiem-se tiek-hia-lai
我 就 攀上 這樹 去捉，險些 跌下來
So I climbed up this tree to catch some, and almost fell down from it.

（六娘）• lak-nie

ai-ia, ki-tik, ki-tik! pie-hiaⁿ a!
哎呀，記得，記得！表兄 啊！
Ah, I remember, I remember! Cousin Gi-cung!

• tsai siem-siaⁿ ki-tou mueh-hueng tsheⁿ-i
知 蟬聲 幾度 物換星移
I recognize the sound of cicadas. Things change and the stars move.

• zim tsheⁿ-i mueh-hueng, nang-liang sim-siang-aiⁿ bo khiong-khi
任 星移物換，俺倆 心相愛 無 窮期
Although the stars move and things change, our feelings for each other do not wane.

pie-hiaⁿ, lṳ thoiⁿ
表兄，汝 睇
Cousin, look,

• tseng ki na
曾 記 那
do you remember…

• tseng ki na si-kang liu-im e tang sui-[ieh]
曾 記 那 時間 柳蔭 下 同垂（約？）
do you remember that time when we met in the shade of the willow tree?

（繼春）• ki-tshung

• tang sieⁿ iu-hṳ sang pi-mak
同 賞 游魚 雙 比目
And enjoyed watching the fish swim, like a pair of flatfish.

比目 : Flatfish or flounder, symbol of marital love.

（六娘）• lak-nie

• oiⁿ-si tseng to tse thang-pieng, hi sia tsṳ-ue ti tsak-tsieng
閒時 曾 在 這 溏邊，戲 寫 書畫 地 作 箋
We spent our leisure beside this pond, tracing out words and pictures in the dirt.

• kueng-lai kueng-sieⁿ ti-tang ho
倦來 觀賞 池中 荷
When we got tired we admired the lotus in the pond.

• teng-teng-gek-lip kho-nang-lieng
亭亭玉立 可儂憐
Slender and elegant, that we could love.

亭亭玉立 : idiom

（繼春）• ki-tshung

• na si-kang lṳ aiⁿ noi-hue ua tiah-tsang
那 時間 汝 愛 蓮花 我 摘贈
At that time, when you wanted a lotus flower I ventured out

• tsang lṳ tsek-ki peng-ti lieng
贈 汝 一枝 並蒂 蓮
and plucked a double-headed lotus blossom for you.

蓮開並蒂 : idiom referring to marital love; lotus flowers are usually single headed.

mue-mue, nang liang-nang kho-u tsek-pi
妹妹，俺 兩人 可有 一比
Sister, there is one thing that we could be compared to.

（六娘）• lak-nie

pi-tsoh sim-moh?
比作 什麼？
Compared to what?

（繼春）• ki-tshung

• hue-khai peng-ti kho-nang-lieng
花開 並蒂 可人憐
A double-headed flower is a desirable thing,

• ho-pi nang hiaⁿ-mue tshie-gṳ peng-kiang
好比 俺 兄妹 笑語 並肩
Like us cousins sitting side by side, happily chatting,

（六娘）• lak-nie

• iu ho-pi tsheng-hue hu-tiep sang-sang bu
又 好比 穿花 蝴蝶 雙雙 舞
And like butterflies fluttering in pairs amongst the flowers.

（繼春）• ki-tshung

• nang tse-li puk-tiep nang-zi bu sang-sang
俺 這裏 抔蝶 人兒 舞 雙雙
We chased butterflies here, dancing in pairs.

（六娘）• lak-nie

• hu-tiep ni-ni hue-kang bu
蝴蝶 年年 花間 舞
The butterflies dance every year in the flowers.

（繼春）• ki-tshung

• ngueng puk-tiep nang-zi iong seng-sang
願 抔蝶 人兒 永 成雙
I wish that those who catch butterflies shall forever be a couple.

（桃花）• tho-hue

• puk-tsho, tui-ia, hu-tiep tsṳ-eng sang-sang bu
不錯，對呀，蝴蝶 自應 雙雙 舞
That is right, butterflies naturally dance in pairs,

• puk-tiep nang-zi iong seng-sang
抔蝶 人兒 永 成雙
Those who catch butterflies shall forever be together.

（六娘）• lak-nie

tsuaⁿ-pi lṳ, kui-thau kui-nau, heh-tik nang-sim kiaⁿ-meh thiou
賤婢 汝，鬼頭 鬼腦，吓得 人心 經脈 跳
Stupid wench! You clumsy head! You startled me out of my skin!

lṳ m-to-ke, hong-si ang-zing, khiak lai-tshṳ ho-sṳ?
汝 唔在家，奉侍 安人，卻 來此 何事？
Why are you not at home serving my mother? What business do you have here?

（桃花）• tho-hue

tsi ing ueng-gua lai-sing sueh-tau, puk-zik hue-ke
只因 員外 來信 說道，不日 回家
It is only because Mr Sou sent word that you should return home,

ing-tshṳ ang-zing meng pi tsih lṳ hue-khṳ
因此 安人 命 婢 接 汝 回去
So Mrs Sou sent me to bring you back.

ang-zing sueh-tau: meng-thiⁿ kik-zik tsiu su khi-theng
安人 說道：明天 吉日 就 須 啓程
Mrs Sou said that tomorrow is an auspicious day for it.

（繼春）• ki-tshung

mue-mue, lṳ meng-zik hue-ke, ua iu tsiang hu-tshi
妹妹，汝 明日 回家，我 又 將 赴試
Sister, you will return to your own household tomorrow, and I will go off to the examinations.

tsek-piek tsai-piek, au-hue ho-khi?
一別 再別，後會 何期？
A farewell upon a farewell, when shall we see each other again?

（六娘）• lak-nie

• kang-lam kang-pak
江南 江北
Jiangnan and Jiangbei

• kang-lam kang-pak tsek-khoi tsui
江南 江北 一溪 水
Between Jiangnan and Jiangbei is the River

• piek-si iong-i, kiⁿ-si lang
別時 容易，見時 難
Parting is easy, meeting is difficult

（繼春）• ki-tshung

• mue kui lṳ-phou, hiaⁿ hu-tshi
妹 歸 呂浦，兄 赴試
I return to Lv-pou, brother you go to the examinations

• tsek-piek tsai-piek tshou keng-tsiang
一別 再別 愁 更長
A farewell upon a farewell, makes it even more sorrowful

（桃花）• tho-hue

• aiⁿ-sieⁿ bueng-khuang sieⁿ-sṳ tse
愛償 萬頃 相思 債
Love makes up for the longing of ten thousand moments

• huaⁿ-su kip-tsa kip-tsa teng liang-ueng
還須 及早 及早 訂 良緣
TODO

pie-siou-ia,
表少爺，
Young master,

• ua khṳng-lṳ, hue-khai kham-tsih hueng-su tsih
我 勸你，花開 堪折 還須 折
I urge you, when the flowers bloom they have to be plucked,

• mo-thai bo-hue khong tsih ki
莫待 無花 空 折 枝
Do not wait too long lest the branch becomes bare again.

• nang-sṳ tshong-tshong to pieng-hue
人事 匆匆 多 變化
Human affairs are busy and full of change,

• tsa thoh liang-bue pa tshing thi
早 託 良媒 把 親 提
Do not delay in finding a matchmaker soon to come propose a match.

（六娘）• lak-nie

tho-hue, kue-lai
桃花，過來
tho-hue, come here.

（桃花）• tho-hue

pie-siou-ia, ho-liou a, nie-kiaⁿ u tiaⁿ-tsheng tsṳ-mueh sang lṳ!
表少爺，好了 啊，娘囝 有 定情 之物 送 汝！
Young master, look, Miss has a token of her love for you!

（繼春）• ki-tshung

to na-li? khuai na-lai!
在 哪裏？快 拿來！
Where is it? Hand it over!

（桃花）• tho-hue

ai! siu-tsai ho bo-li, nie-kiaⁿ tsheng-tshim ngi-tong
唉！秀才 好 無理，娘囝 情深 義重
Ai! Sir you are impatient. Miss has deep feelings and sincere emotion.

tho-hue tshong-tṳng bue-tshiep, ia bo tsek-ngang tau-sia
桃花 充當 媒妾，也 無 一言 道謝
Although I act as a go-between there is not a word of thanks for me.

（繼春）• ki-tshung

o… sia-sia tho-hue-tse seng-tshueng
哦，謝謝 桃花姐 成全
Oh, thank you Sister tho-hue for your help,

sie-seng tse-li u li
小生 這裏 有 禮
I owe you a debt of gratitude.

（桃花）• tho-hue

• u tau si, liang-khim toh kia-bak
有 道 是，良禽 擇 佳木
The principle is that virtuous beasts choose a fine woodland.

• kim-tsieh zu tsheng-kieng, tshṳ-tang u tshim-i
金石 喻 情堅，此中 有 深意
Gold is like firm devotion, the feelings therein are deep.

• iong-ieng mo siang-buang
永遠 莫 相忘
It will not ever be forgotten.

（繼春）• ki-tshung

sia-sia mue-mue liou!
謝謝 妹妹 了！
Thank you, sister!

o, tho-hue, tho-hue a!
哦，桃花，桃花 啊！
O tho-hue!

第三出 • Scene 3

Video 1: 27:33

（僕人）• pok-zing • Servant

ping ang-zing, ueng-gua tsok-tieⁿ kau-liou
稟 安人，員外 族長 到了
Mrs Sou: Mr Sou and the clan elder have arrived.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

o kau-liou, lip-tsiek thong-tsai nie-kiaⁿ tsieⁿ-tṳng ing-tsih tia-tia
哦 到了，立即 通知 娘囝 上堂 引接 爹爹
Since they have arrived, go at once to call my daughter up to the hall to welcome her father.

（梅香）

si
是
Yes.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsek-kong, ueng-gua hue-lai, tsek-lou sing-khou a!
叔公、員外 回來，一路 辛苦 啊！
Great Uncle, husband, you are back, it must have been an arduous journey!

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ha ha ha ha… si-so, kue-suaⁿ u kie, hong-tsui seng-tsung, sṳng-tik si-mih sing-khou? ha ha ha ha
哈哈哈哈…… 四嫂，過山 有 轎，逢水 乘船，算得 是乜 辛苦？哈哈哈哈
Haha, Fourth Sister-in-law, we rode a sedan chair over the hills, took a boat across the water… can that be called arduous? Haha!

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsek-kong, tshiaⁿ-tso, tshiaⁿ-tso
叔公，請坐，請坐
Great Uncle, please sit, please sit.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

o, tso tso tso tso
哦，坐坐坐坐
Ah yes, let’s all sit down.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ang-zing, nṳng-zi kha-tseng hue-ke?
安人，女兒 豈 曾 回家？
My wife, has our daughter come home?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

nṳng-zi tsa-thiⁿ tshong sai-lou hue-lai liou
女兒 昨天 從 西蘆 回來 了
She came back yesterday from sai-lou.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

hue-lai tsiu ho
回來 就好
That is good to hear.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

si-so, tiek-nṳng kai hi-sṳ lai-liou, iⁿ-au puk-aiⁿ tsai pung tha khṳ sai-lou pa
四嫂，侄女 個 喜事 來了，以後 不愛 再 分 她 去 西蘆 吧
Sister-in-law, my niece’s wedding date is approaching. In the future it would be best not to send her to sai-lou again.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsek-kong, ua nṳng hi to ho-lai?
叔公，我 女 喜 在 何來？
Great Uncle, how did my daughter come to have a wedding date?

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ha ha ha ha! tse-tshṳ ua ṳ si-hiaⁿ tsieⁿ-siaⁿ phah kuaⁿ-si
哈哈哈哈！這次 我 與 四兄 上城 拍 官司
Haha! This time when Fourth Brother and I went up to the city for the court hearing,

m-tuaⁿ kuaⁿ-si phah-iaⁿ, huaⁿ-u kah ning toh kai seng-leng kiaⁿ-sai
唔單 官司 拍贏，還有 佮 恁 擇 個 乘龍 囝婿
Not only did we win the case, but we also arranged a good match for your daughter.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsek-kong, bue-tsai nṳng-sai si sui?
叔公，未知 女婿 是誰？
Great Uncle, who is this prospective son-in-law?

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

tsiu-si hu-ge lai tsṳ-ia tsṳ tsṳ ieⁿ tsṳ-liang siu-tsai
就是 府衙 內 書爺 之 子 楊子良 秀才
It is the licentiate ieⁿ tsṳ-liang, son of the scholar-official of the prefecture yamen.

tha mua-pak bung-tshai, tshui-tsiem pik-lai, ieng-kṳng kai-tsai
他 滿腹 文才，嘴尖 筆利，遠近 皆知
He has a breast full of learning, a mouth sharp with wit, and knowledge of things near and far.

tsiaⁿ-si tsek-kai khuai-sai
正是 一個 快婿
He will be a good son-in-law.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

sia-sia tsek-kong liou
謝謝 叔公 了
Thank you, Great Uncle.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

sia ua si puk-tsho ti, ziak-bo ua ui bue tshuek-hah, na leng-tik seng kuaⁿ-tshing?
謝我 是 不錯 的，若無 我 爲 媒 撮合，那 能得 成 官親？
It’s not wrong to thank me. If not for me acting as a go-between, how would you have gotten an official family for in-laws?

taⁿ ning lau hu-tshi tshiaⁿ-tso, ua kau-si liou
旦 恁 老夫妻 請坐，我 告辭 了
Now, please remain seated, I will take my leave.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsek-kong, ning ṳ ueng-gua ieng-tau hue-lai
叔公，恁 與 員外 遠道 回來
Great Uncle, you and my husband have traveled a long way home.

kim-mung tsiu tshiaⁿ-lai im-pue poh-tsiu
今晚 就 請來 飲 杯 薄酒
Please come by tonight for a drink of wine.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ha ha ha ha, ho-me ning phah-iaⁿ kuaⁿ-si, iu tik-liou khuai-sai
哈哈哈哈，XX 恁 打贏 官司，又 得了 快婿
Haha, you have not only won the court case, but have gained a son-in-law.

sang-hi ling-mung, tsiaⁿ kai tshiaⁿ ua lai tso tang-ik-ui
雙喜 臨門，正 該 請我 來坐 東一位
Twin successes have come to your door, so you invite me to sit at the place of honor as you should.

thiang-im ki-pue, ua tsek-tiaⁿ lai, tsek-tiaⁿ kau
暢飲 幾杯，我 一定 來，一定 到
I will certainly come to drink with you.

ho ho, tsṳ-ke-nang mieng sang-liou
呵呵，自家人 免 送了
Ha ha, we are all family, there’s no need to get up to see me to the door.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ueng-gua, ieⁿ-ke nṳng-sai lṳ kha-tseng kiⁿ-kue?
員外，楊家 女婿 汝 豈曾 見過？
Husband, have you ever met this prospective son-in-law from the ieⁿ family?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tshieh-ang tsṳ-tsieⁿ, tshing-ming kiⁿ-kue, siang-mau tau ia kue-tik khṳ
席宴 之上，親面 見過，相貌 倒也 過得 去
Before the banquet I met him face-to-face. He appears to be good enough.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

zu-tshṳ, ua tsiu uaⁿ-sim liou
如此，我 就 安心 了
If so, my heart is at rest.

tha si na-li nang?
他 是 哪裏 人？
Where is he from?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tha tsia-kueng ziou-pheng
他 籍貫 饒平
His native place is ziou-pheng.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

haⁿ?! ziou-pheng?
X，饒平？
What? ziou-pheng?

ueng-gua, lṳ tsing thai-bo ta-siou liou a
員外，你 真 太無 打數 了 啊
Husband, you didn’t think this over at all!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ieⁿ-ke mung-toiⁿ, nṳng-sai kong-mia
楊家 門第，女婿 功名
The ieⁿ family is of high status, our son-in-law has a good name.

tsiaⁿ-si tsek-mung thi-ming kuaⁿ-tshing, ui-ho sueh ua bo ta-sṳng?
正是 一門 體面 官親，爲何 說 我 無 打算？
This is a proper official family that we are marrying our daughter to. What do you mean I haven’t thought this over?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

nang tsi-u tshṳ-nṳng, tsa-zim pa tha hng-ke?
俺 只有 此女，怎忍 把 她 遠嫁？
We only have this one daughter, how could you bear to marry her off to a family so far away?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

mung-kueng siang-tui, sui-hng ho huang
門冠 相對，雖遠 何 妨
If the match is good, distance is not a consideration.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ṳ!
噁！
Ugh!

sok-tau bo-lam kou-nṳng, hng-ke ziou-pheng, zu-ho sai-tik?
俗道 無男靠女，遠嫁 饒平，如何 使得？
The proverb says: If there is no son, rely on the daughter. If she is far away in ziou-pheng, what are we to do?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

zu-kim bak-iⁿ seng-tsiu, sai-puk-tik ia-aiⁿ sai-tik liou
如今 木已成舟，使不得 也欲 使得了
The lumber has already been made into a boat. We shall just have to make do.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tse zu-ho si ho?
這 如何 是 好？
What good is this?

第四出 • Scene 4

Video 1: 31:48

（六娘）• lak-nie

• bung-tau tia-tia kui-lai
聞道 爹爹 歸來
I hear that Father has returned,

• phau-hia liou tsam-suaⁿ mang hiang-tsoiⁿ
拋下了針線忙向前
So I cast down my embroidery and head outside.

• me-zieng-kang tsi-kiⁿ tia-nie tshung-suaⁿ so
猛然間 只見 爹娘 春山鎖
Only to see Father and Mother furrowing their brows in worry.

• sim tsheng-iu
甚 情由
What is the matter?

• sim tsheng-iu sai-nang hui gi-tshai
甚 情由 使人 費 疑猜
What is the matter that causes you concern?

tia-nie bueng-hok
爹娘 萬福
Many blessings, Father and Mother.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ua kiaⁿ puk-eng, tso-hia
我囝 不用，坐下
There’s no need, my child. Sit down.

（六娘）• lak-nie

si
是
Yes.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ua-kiaⁿ, lṳ-pe tshṳ-tshṳ tsieⁿ-siaⁿ
我囝，你父 此次 上城
My child, your father was up in the city,

tsiang-lṳ tsong-sing hṳ-phue ziou-pheng ieⁿ sṳ-ia tsṳ tsṳ,
將你 終身 許配 饒平 楊師爺 之子，
And has found you a match, a life partner, the son of Master ieⁿ of ziou-pheng,

ieⁿ tsṳ-liang siu-tsai liou.
楊子良 秀才 了。
The licentiate ieⁿ tsṳ-liang.

（六娘）• lak-nie

tsa-sueh? tia-tia tsiang nṳng-zi hṳ-phue nang liou moh?
怎說？爹爹 將 女兒 許配 人 了 麽？
What do you mean? Father you have betrothed your daughter to him?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsiaⁿ si
正是
Yes, that is so.

（六娘）• lak-nie

i…
哎……
Ah…

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

zi a, mih (…)
兒 啊，乜 XX
Child, what is the matter?

（六娘）• lak-nie

• sik tsi-mo piou-hiaⁿ tsa-hia gek kiaⁿ-thai
實 指望 表兄 早下 玉鏡臺
In truth, I had hoped to be betrothed to my cousin.

玉鏡臺 : Metaphor for betrothal, allusion to the story of Wen Jiao of Jin 晉溫嶠

• tsa… tsa tsai-tau tia-tia soiⁿ pa ueng-phou tsho ang-pai?
怎…… 怎知道 爹爹 先把 鴛譜 錯 安排？
How… how was I to know that Father had already promised me to the wrong person?

• pheng-ti huang-po tsou-khi, tshṳ-tsheng lang ai
平地 風波 驟起，此情 難 挨
Strong winds whip up across the plains. This is a difficult matter!

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

nṳng-zi!
女兒！
Daughter!

（六娘）• lak-nie

bo-tshing!
母親！
Mother!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

nṳng-zi, ui-ho zu-tshṳ?
女兒，爲何 如此？
Daughter, what is this?

（六娘）• lak-nie

tia-tia, nṳng-zi puk-ke, nṳng-zi puk-ngueng ke ia
爹爹，女兒 不嫁，女兒 不願 嫁 呀
Father, I do not want to marry, I don’t want to marry him.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

e! lam-tua tṳng-hung, nṳng-tsiang tṳng-ke, tsa-moh ho-sueh puk-ke haⁿ?
啞！男大 當婚，女長 當嫁，怎麼 好說 不嫁 X？
What? When men and women come off age they are to be married. How can you say that you do not want to marry?

（六娘）• lak-nie

• ui-zi tsṳ-iuⁿ hak si-li
爲兒 自幼 學 詩禮
Your child has studied the classics of poetry and rites from a young age.

• ia-tsai hung-ing su iu tia tsu-tshai, a
也知 婚姻 須 由 爹 主裁，啊
I know that fathers should decide on matters of matrimony.

tsa-nai ua mua-pak…
怎奈 我 滿腹……
But my chest is full…

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

lṳ mua-pak sim-moh?
你 滿腹 什麼？
What is your chest full of?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

nṳng-zi, tsa-moh iu puk-sueh liou?
女兒，怎麼 又 不說 了？
Daughter, why have you stopped talking?

（六娘）• lak-nie

mua-huai sim-sṳ…
滿懷 心事……
Chest full of matters of the heart…

（桃花）• tho-hue

nie-kiaⁿ…
娘囝……
Miss…

（六娘）• lak-nie

• sung-mung tho-hue sṳ pieng-tsai
詢問 桃花 事 便知
Ask tho-hue, she knows

（桃花）• tho-hue

ha? mung ua?
哈？問 我？
What? Ask me?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsṳ uek-thak uek-m-sieⁿ-ieⁿ, tsing-tsing kha-u-tshṳ-li?!
書 越讀 越唔像樣，真真 豈有此理？！
The more books you read the more improper you become. What is the meaning of this?!

tho-hue, khuai-khuai tsieⁿ-lai!
桃花，快快 上來！
tho-hue, come here!

（桃花）• tho-hue

tsiu-lai
就來
Yes.

pi-tsṳ khau-kiⁿ ueng-gua ang-zing
婢子 叩見 員外 安人
Greetings to Master and Mistress.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-phang!
一旁！
TODO

tho-hue!
桃花！
tho-hue!

（桃花）• tho-hue

pi-tsṳ tsai
婢子 在
I am here.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

nie-kiaⁿ kṳ-hung puk-ke, kau-toiⁿ so-ui ho-ing?
娘囝 拒婚 不嫁，到底 所爲 何因？
What is the reason that Miss refuses to marry?

（桃花）• tho-hue

ping ueng-gua ang-zing, tse-si nie-kiaⁿ tsong-sing tai-sṳ
稟 員外 安人，這是 娘囝 終身大事
Master, Mistress, this is Miss’s big day

ke ṳ puk-ke, pi-tsṳ ho-tshong tik-tsai?
嫁 與 不嫁，婢子 何從 得知？
As a servant, I would not know why she wants to marry or not.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

hu-sueh! nie-kiaⁿ tshing-khau sueh-tau, sim-sṳ zui-u lṳ tsai
胡說！娘囝 親口 說道，心事 唯有 你知
Nonsense! She said herself that only you know what is in her heart.

lṳ su ho-ho sik-sueh, huang-mieng siu-tseh, huang-mieng siu-tseh liou a
你 須 好好 實說，方免受責，方免受責 了 啊
You’d better speak the truth if you don’t want to be punished!

（桃花）• tho-hue

i…
哎……
Ai…

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

huaⁿ-puk khuai-khuai sueh-tshuk ha?
還不 快快 說出 哈？
Still not going to tell the truth quickly?

（桃花）• tho-hue

ueng-gua a, ang-zing
員外 啊，安人
Master, Mistress…

nie-kiaⁿ sim-sṳ, pi-tsṳ sik-si puk-tsai, hueng-khiu khueng-su, hueng-khiu khueng-siu
娘囝 心事，婢子 實是 不知，還求 寬恕，還求 寬恕
What Miss has in her heart, I truly do not know. I beg your forgiveness!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsuaⁿ-pi! huaⁿ-kaⁿ kau-nai, kha-leng siang-iong a
賤婢！還敢 狡賴，豈能 相容 啊
Stupid wench! You dare to be evasive? Can this be tolerated?

bue-hieⁿ, tshu ke-huap tsieⁿ-lai, tshu ke-huap tsieⁿ-lai!
梅香，取 家法 上來，取 家法 上來！
bue-hieⁿ, bring the rod!

家法 : Lit. “family discipline”, figuratively punishments used on children or servants.

khuai sueh!
快說！
Speak up!

（桃花）• tho-hue

ping ueng-gua ang-zing, sṳ kau zu-kim pi-tsṳ mua ia puk-tik
稟 員外 安人，事 到 如今 婢子 瞞 也 不得
Master, Mistress, things have come to a head, I cannot hide anything.

tsi-si thiaⁿ-tṳng tsṳ-tsieⁿ, seng-khiong ngang tsṳ puk-pieng
只是 廳堂 之上，誠恐 言 之 不便
I only fear that it would not be opportune for me to speak openly in the receiving hall.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

bue-hieⁿ tho-hia
梅香 退下
bue-hieⁿ, you may leave

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

khuai-sueh, khuai-sueh!
快說，快說！
Speak up, speak up!

（桃花）• tho-hue

iong-ping
容稟
Alright,

• hung-ing tai-sṳ sui leng mieng
婚姻 大事 誰 能 免
Who can avoid the calling of matrimony?

• pe-bo tsu-hung, pe-bo tsu-hung tsṳ-kou so kai-zieng
父母 主婚，父母主婚 自古 所 皆然
The parents decide on the match, this has been the way since ancient times.

• nie-kiaⁿ u-kim kaⁿ khang-meng, tsṳ-u ueng-iu to khi-tang
娘囝 于今 敢 抗命，自有 緣由 在 其中
Miss dares to resist this only because she has her reasons for doing so.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tha tsṳ-iuⁿ kia-thak ku-ke, tsai-tsṳ tak-li
她 自幼 寄讀 舅家，知書 達理
She has been raised and educated in her uncle’s household since she was an infant. She knows the classics and observes the law.

na u sim-moh ueng-iu?
那有 什麼 緣由？
What reasons could these be?

（桃花）• tho-hue

ang-zing oi, tsiu-si tse-kai kia-thak ku-ke, tshai-u tse-tieⁿ huang-po li
安人 ～，就是 這個 寄讀 舅家，纔有 這場 風波 哩
Madam, it is precisely this time in her uncle’s household, that has stirred up this trouble.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ua-hiaⁿ ke-kui ngiem-sok, sui-kaⁿ zia-si seⁿ-hui?
我兄 家規 嚴肅，誰敢 惹是生非？
My brother’s house rules are strict. Who dares flout them?

（桃花）• tho-hue

kueh-hu mung-theng tshim sṳ-hai
郭府 門庭 深 似海
The Gueh household’s reputation is as deeply established as the ocean.

sui-tsai huang-liu ung-sṳ keng-to sie-tshieⁿ tsṳ-tong
誰知 風流 韻事 竟在 小牆 之中？
Who knew that the trigger for amorous intentions could stir up within those walls?

ku lau-ia ti-ke ngiem lai-gua
舅老爺 治家 嚴 內外
Mr Gueh governs his household strictly, within and without.

lau hu-zing sieh-sung, lai-gua tsek-puaⁿ thong
老夫人 惜孫，內外 一般 同
Mrs Gueh loves her niece, within and without.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ho-khuang nang-ke nie-kiaⁿ ṳ pie-siou-ia
何況 俺家 娘囝 與 表少爺
To say nothing of our daughter and her cousin…

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

haⁿ?! tha liang-nang tso sim-moh?
～？！他兩人 做 什麼？
Huh?! What did they do?

（桃花）• tho-hue

tha liang-nang tsṳ-iuⁿ thong-theng kang-iⁿ
他兩人 自幼 同窗共硯
The two were raised together in the same household.

tse siou-gueh tshiou-sek siang i-pang
這 數月 朝夕 相 依傍
These many months and seasons they have been each others’ companions.

iu sai tho-hue thueng-tsṳ ti-kang
又使 桃花 傳書 遞柬
And instructed me to pass letters back and forth between them.

ti-kang thueng-tsṳ tshoiⁿ-peh-phieng
遞柬傳書 千百遍
These have been hundreds and thousands of letters.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ai-ia, tse, tse hueng liou-tik
哎呀，這 還 了得？
Alas, is that all?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ai-ia, kho-nau, kho-nau!
哎呀，可惱，可惱！
Alas, how vexing, how vexing!

• hng ngek-nṳng zu-tshṳ mong-long, puk-siu kui-hung pai ke-hong
遠 逆女 如此 朦朧，不守 閨訓 敗 家風
This rebellious girl has been so foolish, she has offended against propriety and soiled the family name.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

• thoiⁿ khi-lai tou-si lṳ
睇 起來 都是 你
It looks like it was all your fault.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

• tou-si lṳ khang-tsam ing-suaⁿ lueng kui-koh
都是 你 牽針 引線 亂 閨閣
You were the one who led her astray.

• ui im-bue thueng-tsṳ ti-kang pa sṳ-thong
爲 淫媒 傳書 遞柬 把 私通
In the manner of a matchmaker, passing secret messages back and forth.

ua khi tsiang khi-lai tsiang lṳ phah
我 氣 將 起來 將你 拍
I am so angry that I will hit you.

（桃花）• tho-hue

ta-tik nang, thang tsho lang ai
打得 人，痛 楚 難 挨
TODO

• ta-tik nang thong tsho lang ai
打得 人 痛 楚 難 挨
TODO

• tho-hue seⁿ-ui tsek si-pi, nie-kiaⁿ u-meng tsa thui-khai
桃花 生爲 一 侍婢，娘囝 有命 怎 推開
I am just a servant, how could I refuse Miss’s orders?

• meng-si ning seⁿ-ui pe-bo bo ieng-kieng
明是 恁 生爲 父母 無 遠見
It is you as her parents who lacked foresight,

• tsek-liem tsṳ tsha-tsho ang-pai
一念 之 差錯 安排
Making arrangements without thinking them over.

• kha puk-bung, nṳng-tsṳ bo-tshai pieng-si tek
豈 不聞，女子 無才 便是 德
Have you not heard the idiom: “a woman without talent is a virtuous woman.”

• sai-lou kia-thak ui-ho lai?
西蘆 寄讀 爲何 來？
Who sent these letters from Sai-lou?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tshiang lṳ
娼 你
You immoral woman

• sui-sṳ ua tsou-pe kong-tsṳ, nai-si ke-hak, u-ho puk-kho?
隨師 我 祖父 功書，乃是 家學，有何 不可？
TODO

（桃花）• tho-hue

• kou u nie-tsok hue-tiep
古 有 梁祝 化蝶
TODO

• nie-tsok hue-tiep ing tang-iⁿ, kou-pie tang-theng, ia puk-kai
梁祝 化蝶 因 同硯，姑表 同窗 也 不該
TODO

• tse-sṳ si ning tsho tsu-i, kuai-tseh tho-hue li-ho-lai?
這事 是 恁 錯 主意，怪責 桃花 理何來？
TODO

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tou-si lṳ, tshṳ-bo pai-zi, tsong-iong khṳ sai-lou iu-hak
都是 你，慈母 敗兒，縱容 去 西蘆 遊學

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ṳ!
□！

tṳng-si lṳ ia ngueng-i, zu-kim keng thui-to lau-sing sing-tsieⁿ
當時 你 也 願意，如今 竟 推在 老身身上

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

• uek-sṳ uek-sieⁿ uek-nau-khi
越思 越想 越惱氣

• tiaⁿ aiⁿ tshe-kiu tshṳ sṳ-tueng
定愛 查究 此 事端

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

mang, lṳ si lau-hu-thu liou
慢，你是 老糊塗 了

sṳ iⁿ tsi-tshṳ, hueng-sieⁿ tsiang-iang?
事 已 至此，還想 張揚？

lṳ lang-tau tsiu puk-pha zok-liou mung-hong, zok-liou mung-hong moh!
你 難道 就 不怕 辱了 門風，辱了 門風 麼！

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ziak-puk tui-kiu, ieⁿ-ke tsek-tang lai tshu, na-si tsiang zu-ho si ho?
若不 追究，楊家 一旦 來 娶，那是 將 如何 是 好？

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

o, tse-tsiu tsing-tho liang-lang liou a
哦，這就 進退 兩難 了 啊

（桃花）• tho-hue

ueng-gua ang-zing, tshiaⁿ-thiaⁿ sie-pi tsek-ngang
員外 安人，請聽 小婢 一言

• sou-ke bo-tsṳ khong u-tshai, tshing-tsieⁿ kia-tshing li tsiaⁿ kai
蘇家 無子 空 有財，親上 加親 理 正 該

• kou-pie lieng-hung tsṳ-kou u, tsa-pa ing-ueng khiang thiah-khai?
姑表 聯婚 自古 有，怎把 姻緣 強 拆開？

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ua hui bo-tshṳ liem-thau, tsi-si nṳng-zi puk-kho tsau bo-lou
我 非 無此 念頭，只是 女兒 不可 走 母路

khuang-tshiaⁿ zu-kim hung-ing iⁿ tiaⁿ-liou
況且 如今 婚姻 已 定了

（桃花）• tho-hue

ang-zing a
安人 啊

• tshang-lo siang-tshiaⁿ ui-kiaⁿ si, kuk-nek ng-aiⁿ ho-zing kuah-khai?
田螺 尚且 爲囝 死，骨肉 恩愛 何認 割開？

• nṳng-zi ke-kau tshoiⁿ-li-gua, tai-kang tang-khṳ lang tsai-lai
女兒 嫁到 千里外，大江 東去 難 再來

• bueng-ik gek-iong tsiou-tshui sung
萬一 玉容 憔翠 損

• ning no-nang siou-tiou mo-keng tsheng kho-ai
恁 二人 蕭條 暮景 情 可哀

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

si-a, tou-si lṳ tsia lau puk-si hauⁿ phah kuaⁿ-si
是啊，都是 你 者 老 不是 好 拍 官司

tsiang tsek-kai tshing-seⁿ nṳng-zi ke-kau tshoiⁿ-li gua
將 一個 親生 女兒 嫁 到 千里 外

lṳ lang-tau zing-sim tik-khṳ
你 難道 忍心 得去

zṳ-tshiaⁿ zik-au tse bueng-kueng ke-tshai, kie-sui seng-siu, kie-sui seng-siu?
而且 日後 這 萬貫 家財，叫誰 承受，叫誰承受？

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ai-oi, tshoiⁿ-ueng bueng-ueng, tou-si tsok-tsieⁿ tse-kai lau-huai-tang
哎□，千怨萬怨，都是 族掌 這個 老壞蛋

phieng-phieng tshok-seng tshṳ-tshing a
偏偏 觸成 此親 啊

（桃花）• tho-hue

ueng-gua ang-zing, nie-kiaⁿ ṳ pie-siou-ia iⁿ tang-theng kang-iⁿ
員外 安人，娘囝 與 表少爺 已 同窗 共硯

zik-ku seⁿ-aiⁿ, tse-si nang-tsheng tsṳ sieⁿ
日久 生愛，這是 人情 之常

ning kim khiang-toh tha si, hṳ phue ieⁿ-ke, kie tha zu-ho thiaⁿ-tshong, zu-ho thiaⁿ-tshong?
恁 今 強奪 他勢，許 配 楊家，叫他 如何 聽從，如何 聽從？

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tho-hue sueh-tik u-li, ho-puk pa ieⁿ-ke tshing-sṳ tho-liou?
桃花 說得 有禮，何不 把 楊家 親事 退了？

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tho-hung?
退婚？

• houⁿ si lau-phue nang lau-mia, hṳ-hung tho-hung pai ke-siaⁿ
虎死 留皮 人 留名，許婚 退婚 敗 家聲

• khuang-iu tsok-tieⁿ ui bue-ieh, houⁿ-su lang-puek koi lang-kiaⁿ, koi lang-kiaⁿ!
況又 族長 爲 媒妁，虎須 難拔 計 難行，計 難行！

（桃花）• tho-hue

ueng-gua ki-bo tsu-i, nie-kiaⁿ iu-si tik-peⁿ
員外 既無 主意，娘囝 又是 得病

tse-tsiu lang-mieng long-tshuk hua lai
這就 難免 弄出 禍 來

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ai-ia! no-lau tsi-u tshṳ-nṳng, ziak-kuaⁿ zu tho-hue so-ngang,
哎呀！二老 只有 此女，若果 如 桃花 所言，

tsiang-lai lṳ-ua so-kou ho-nang, so-kou ho-nang?
將來 你我 所靠 何人，所靠 何人？

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

khia-houⁿ lang-hia, tsi-u sie-sim kueng-huang, tsai-sieⁿ liang-tsheh pa
奇虎 難下，只有 小心 觀防，再想 良策 吧

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tho-hue, lṳ su sie-sim hok-si nie-kiaⁿ
桃花，你 須 小心 服侍 娘囝

（桃花）• tho-hue

pi-tsṳ tshong-meng!
婢子 從命！

第五出 • Scene 5

Video 1: 47:48

（楊秀才）

a-ni kiaⁿ-khi!
阿妮 行起！
Let’s go, Nanny!

（乳娘）

ho, lai kiaⁿ
好，來行
Alright, let’s go.

（楊秀才）

• tang-hua-lau tsieⁿ teng hung-ing
東華樓 上 訂 婚姻
A marital match made at the Eastern Flowery Tower

• saⁿ-thui si-tho kṳ seng-tshing
三推四托 拒 成親
Many times have excuses been given for not following through

• a-ni oi!
阿妮 ⿰口會！
O Nanny!

（乳娘）

• siu-tsai oi!
秀才 ⿰口會！
O Young Master!

（丑、阿妮）

• nang kim sok-kau lṳ-phou khṳ, thoiⁿ tha lai-tang ho-ngueng-ing
俺 今 速到 呂浦 去，睇 他 內中 何原因
We speed along to lṳ-phou, to find out what the reason could be

• thoiⁿ tha lai-tang ho-ngueng-ing
睇 他 內中 何原因
What the reason could be

（楊秀才）

tsṳ-tshong tang-hua-lau tiaⁿ-tshing, lu-tshṳ khṳ-sing tshui-tshu,
自從 東華樓 定親，屢次 去信 催娶，
Ever since the match was agreed on at the Eastern Flower Tower, we have sent many letters urging for the wedding to be organized

sou-ke tsong-si tho-saⁿ-ieng-si
蘇家 總是 托三延四
But the sou family keep delaying

kim-zik tshing-tua zu-nie, kau kik-ieⁿ tshui-tshing
今日 親帶 乳孃，到 揭陽 催親
Today I go personally with my Nanny to kik-ieⁿ to press the matter

揭陽 : Province in Teochew where Sai-lou is located.

a-ni, khuai-se lai kiaⁿ-khi
阿妮，快些 來 行起
Quick Nanny, let’s go!

（乳娘）

ho, lai-kiaⁿ, lai-kiaⁿ
好，來行 來行
Alright, let’s go

（丑、阿妮）

• aiⁿ-kiaⁿ tsiu lai kiaⁿ, nang kiaⁿ-kiaⁿ iu kiaⁿ-kiaⁿ
欲行 就來 行，俺 行行 又 行行
We will go, we will go along our way,

• puk-kak lai-kau tie-tsiu-siaⁿ
不覺 來到 潮州城
Without realizing it we come to Teochew City

（楊秀才）

a-ni, kau tie-tsiu-siaⁿ
阿妮，到 潮州城
Nanny, we are at Teochew City

（乳娘）

ha, kau-liou tie-tsiu-siaⁿ liou
哈，到了 潮州城 了
Oh, we have arrived at Teochew City

ṳ, siu-tsai oi, lṳ thoiⁿ tse-kai suaⁿ, kie-tso sim-moh suaⁿ?
噁，秀才 ⿰口會，你 睇 這個 山，叫做 什麼 山？
O Young Scholar, look at that mountain, what is its name?

（楊秀才）

hang-suaⁿ!
韓山！
Mount Han!

（乳娘）

suaⁿ-kha[?] tsek tua-tshu, sim-moh tshu?
山腳 一 大厝，什麼 厝？
That large building at its foot, what is it called?

（楊秀才）

hang-sṳ!
韓祠！
Han Temple!

（乳娘）

suaⁿ-e hṳ-tiou khoi ne?
山下 許條 溪 呢？
And the river flowing by the mountain?

（楊秀才）

hang-kang, hang-kang
韓江，韓江
The Han River!

（乳娘）

a, siu-tsai, tso-ni long-tsong si hang?
啊，秀才，做呢 攏總 是 韓？
Young Scholar, why are they all called “Han”?

（楊秀才）

a-ni…
阿妮……
Nanny…

（乳娘）

oi
⿰口會
Ay?

（楊秀才）

• hang-bung-kong phue phing-kau tie-ieⁿ, tshong-tshṳ tie-tsiu tshuk hau-hieng
韓文公 被 貶到 潮陽，從此 潮州 出 豪賢
After Han Yu was despatched to this region, Teochew has produced many worthy talents.

韓文公 : Han Yu 韩愈 (768–824 CE), Tang era scholar-official who was sent away to a post in faraway Teochew province after writing an essay critical of the Emperor. While in Teochew he promoted education and good governance and is hence commemorated by many place names today.

TODO: Check pronunciation of 潮陽 in video

• au-si tie-zing kam seng-tek, sui pa kang-suaⁿ koi seⁿ hang
後世 潮人 感 盛德，遂 把 江山 改 姓 韓
Succeeding generations of Teochew people were grateful for his contribution, and renamed the river and mountain as Han.

sek-bue?
識未？
Do you understand?

（乳娘）

siu-tsai, lṳ ṳ lau-ia si-puk-si hang-bung-kong ti mung-seng?
秀才，你 與 老爺 是不是 韓文公 的 門生？
Young Scholar, are you and your father disciples of Han Yu?

（楊秀才）

puk-si, tha si thang-tsiou nang, li mak-tsoiⁿ kui-peh-ni liou
不是，他 是 唐朝 人，離 目前 幾百年 了
No, he was a man of the Tang period, which was several hundred years ago.

（乳娘）

o, puk-zieng a si thak-kue tha-ti tsṳ
哦，不然 啊 是 讀過 他的 書
Oh, but you have read his books.

（楊秀才）

ha ha ha! thak-kue, thak-kue. a-ni, lṳ ui-ho mung-khi tse-sṳ ni?
哈哈哈！讀過，讀過。阿妮，你 爲何 問起 這事 呢？
Haha! Yes I have read them. Nanny, why do you ask about this matter?

（乳娘）

ua si thoiⁿ lṳ ṳ lau-ia ti pung-nia hua hang-bung-kong tsek-ieⁿ e
我 是 睇 你 與 老爺 的 本領 和 韓文公 一樣 啞
I see that you and your father are talented like Han Yu.

（楊秀才）

ho, lṳ tshong-ho kiⁿ-tik?
呵，你 從何 見得？
Why do you say so?

（乳娘）

hang-bung-kong lai tie-tsiu tso-kuaⁿ
韓文公 來 潮州 做官
Han Yu came to serve as an official in Teochew.

tsiang nang-ke ti suaⁿ a, kang a, sṳ-thang a tou iⁿ kueng-tsiaⁿ liou
將 人家 的 山 啊，江 啊，祠堂 啊 都 已 管正 了
And took over people’s mountains, rivers, and even shrines.

lṳ ṳ lau-ia kueng-tsiaⁿ nang-ke ti tshang a, tshu a, huang-tsui a, mueh-ngiep a, ia tou puk-tsie
你 與 老爺 管正 人家 的 田 啊，厝 啊，風水 啊，物業 啊，也 都 不少
You and your father have taken over people’s fields, houses, land, things, and more.

kha puk-si pung-nia ṳ tha tsek-ieⁿ?
豈 不是 本領 與 他 一樣？
Isn’t that because you are as talented as he?

（楊秀才）

hiuⁿ-iou luang-kang! kiaⁿ kiaⁿ kiaⁿ!
休要亂講！行行行！
Enough with the idle talk, keep walking!

（乳娘）

a, o-lo tieh suah seⁿ-khi
啊，～～ 着 ～ 生氣
What, why are you angry at being praised?

o-lo – “to praise” suah – “then, however”

（楊秀才）

• hang-kang kung-kung tang-lam liu, hang siang-tsṳ hieng-siaⁿ pa kie siu
韓江 滾滾 東南 流，韓湘子 顯聖 把 橋 修
The Han River churns as it flows to the South-East. hang siang-tsṳ appears to fix the bridge.

韓湘子 : According to legend, the nephew of Han Yu, who later became one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism.

• tsap-poih (?) , no-tsiah seⁿ-gu tsek-tsiah liu
十八［梭船廿四州］，兩隻 鉎牛 一隻 溜
Eighteen boats and twenty-four islets; two brown cows, one of which is stolen.

（乳娘）

ai-oi, bo-kue nang taⁿ, nang taⁿ tse tua ti-hng tsing-si ho huang-keng
哎⿰口會，無過 人呾，人呾 這 大 地方 真是 好 風景
Ah, it is as they say, this place really has great scenery.

（楊秀才）

a-ni oi, ua li tho-tshing sim-kip, lṳ li ku-tieh thoiⁿ huang-keng
阿妮 ⿰口會，我 哩 討親 心急，你 哩 顧着 睇 風景
Nanny, here I am worried about my coming marriage, while you admire the scenery.

hueng-si tsek-ming kiaⁿ tsek-ming thoiⁿ, mai tam-gou si-kang
還是 一面 行 一面 睇，勿 耽誤 時間
Let’s look while walking, and not waste time.

（乳娘）

ho, tsek-ming lai kiaⁿ, tsek-ming lai thoiⁿ
好，一面 來 行，一面 來 睇
Alright, look while walking.

（楊秀才）

kiaⁿ kiaⁿ kiaⁿ
行行行
Let’s go!

第六出 • Scene 6

Video 1: 52:50

（乳娘）

a! ṳ! a! tse-se tong-si aiⁿ-sueh si mung, li bo tshu!
啊！噁！啊！這些 東西 欲說 是 門，哩 無 厝！
Ah! I’d like to say that this is a doorway, but there is no building!

aiⁿ-sueh si hou-teng, li bo tsia-hou!
欲說 是 雨亭，哩 無 遮雨！
I’d like to say it is a rain shelter, but it doesn’t block out the rain!

（楊秀才）

iu-lai, iu-lai! tse-si teng, tse-si teng!
又來 又來！這是 亭，這是 亭！
Oh not again. It is a pavilion!

（乳娘）

teng?
亭？
Pavilion?

（楊秀才）

si tsak-hu-teng
是 節婦亭
It is a pavilion for virtuous widows.

節婦 : Widows who do not remarry after the death of their husbands were considered to be virtuous and loyal.

（乳娘）

tsak-hu-teng
節婦亭
Pavilion for virtuous widows.

（楊秀才）

hu si puk-ke tsheng tsak-hu, kuaⁿ-hu ui-tha lip pai-huang
夫 死 不嫁 稱 節婦，官府 爲他 立 牌坊
When a woman’s husband dies, but she does not remarry, she is called a virtuous widow. The state will build a memorial for her.

（乳娘）

lip pai-huang
立 牌坊
Build a memorial

（楊秀才）

a-ni, na lṳ si ua-kai zu-nie, siu-tsak puaⁿ-seng
阿妮，那 你 是 我個 乳孃，守節 半生
Nanny, you were my wet nurse, and have devoted half your life looking after me.

thai-ua tsiang-lai tso tua-kuaⁿ ne, tsṳ-zieng ṳ-lṳ kieng kai tsak-hu-teng
待我 將來 做 大官 呢，自然 與你 建 個 節婦亭
When I become a great official, I will naturally build you a memorial to your virtue!

（乳娘）

ai-ia ho-no ho-no
哎呀 好𰇇 好𰇇
Oh that would be nice

（楊秀才）

kiaⁿ!
行
Let’s go!

（乳娘）

ṳ…
噁……
Oh…

（楊秀才）

a-ni, lṳ ui-ho thi-khau?
阿妮，你 爲何 啼哭？
Nanny, why are you weeping?

（乳娘）

ua tou boi-khau, lṳ taⁿ khṳ-mung a-tia tsiu tsai
我 都 𠁞哭，你 旦 去問 阿爹 就知
You had better ask your father why.

The nurse is implying that she is not a virtuous widow because his father has had his way with her.

（楊秀才）

mung ung a-pa? kiaⁿ kiaⁿ kiaⁿ kiaⁿ kiaⁿ
問 阮 阿爸？行行行行行
Ask my father? Let’s keep walking…

（乳娘）

siu-tsai oi, thai-ua tsek-e…
秀才 ⿰口會，待我 一下……
Young Scholar, wait for me…

（楊秀才）

• aiⁿ tsiah ho-he peh-pak-tshieⁿ, aiⁿ tshu kiou-tshi sou-lak-nie
欲食 好蝦 白腹䱽，欲娶 嬌妻 蘇六娘
I will eat good prawns and white-bellied pomfret; I will marry the beautiful maiden sou lak-nie!

• sim-tang huaⁿ-hi puk-kak ieng, puaⁿ-suaⁿ kue-nia tsieⁿ kik-ieⁿ!
心中 歡喜 不覺 遠，盤山 過嶺 上 揭陽！
If one is happy one does not mind the distance. Across the mountain and the pass we go to kik-ieⁿ!

（乳娘）

siu-tsai oi, mai na (?) me a, thai-ua tsek-e a!
秀才 ⿰口會，勿 那 X 猛 啊，待我 一下 啊！
Young Scholar, don’t be so fast, wait for me!

第七出 • Scene 7

Video 2: 0:02

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

• koi-kha ti mua-si, saⁿ-kṳ ta tieh-tshi
雞腳 纏 麻絲，衫裾 搭 着刺
When a chicken tries to sew with its claws, the clothes will be full of holes.

• piaⁿ li piaⁿ-m-khui, tsau li tsau-m-li
拚 哩 拚唔開，走 哩 走唔離
Making no headway, unable to find a way out.

• zu-kim ieⁿ-ke lai tho-tshua, koi khiem-tsieⁿ sok-si
如今 楊家 來 討𡥘，計歉上 孰是
Today, the ieⁿ family has come to demand its bride, what excuse can we make?

• sai ua kha-mang tshiu-lueng, bo-liou tsu-i!
使我 腳忙手亂，無了 主意！
I’m all worked up, and out of ideas!

• hng tsi hng na lau-tshiang bo-ho ka-si
恨 只恨 那 老娼 無好 教示
I can only blame that old immoral woman for not having taught her proper values.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

• lau-kau sueh-ue bo-tau-li, ueng-thiⁿ ueng-ti hueng-su ueng tsṳ-ki
老狗 說話 無道理，怨天 怨地 還須 怨 自己
What an old dog yaps makes no sense. One may blame Heaven and Earth, but still has to blame oneself.

• lṳ tsong-zik tsiah-pa bo-sṳ tso, tsueng-mung tshue-phah kuaⁿ-si
你 終日 食飽 無事 做，專門 揣打 官司
All your days you have been looking for trouble, launching suits against others.

• ui-liou hong-ngieng kuaⁿ-hu, puk-ku tshing-seⁿ nṳng-zi
爲了 奉迎 官府，不顧 親生 女兒
Because you want to curry favor with the officials, you have not paid attention to your own daughter.

• zu-kim hua-sṳ lim-thau, thoiⁿ lṳ tso-ni si!
如今 禍事 臨頭，睇你 做呢 死！
This dilemma we face today is all caused by you!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

lau-tshiang, lṳ hueng-lai hue-tsieⁿ ke-iu a!
老娼，你 還來 火上加油 啊！
Immoral woman, you dare to add fuel to the fire?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

lau-kau, sui kie-lṳ lueng-pui?
老狗，誰 叫你 亂吠？
Old dog, who asked you to yap nonsense?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tse-kai ho-nai a?
這個 何奈 啊？
How can I put up with this?

（僕人）

ping ueng-gua ang-zing, tsok-tieⁿ hua ieⁿ-kou-ia lai-liou
稟 員外 安人，族長 和 楊姑爺 來了
Master, Mistress, the Clan Elder and Mr ieⁿ are here.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

haⁿ? lai-liou? ngieng-tsih ngieng-tsih ngieng-tsih
～？來了？迎接 迎接 迎接
What? They are already here? Receive them, receive them.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

zui-hu mung-siaⁿ ua u-tseh, kueng-ka tshai-ńṳng kui tshai-n̂ṳng
維護 門聲 我 有責，管教 才女 歸 才郎
I am charged with protecting our clan’s good name, to see to the education of worthy ladies and gentlemen.

（楊秀才）

sai-thiⁿ-huk puk-zu thou-ti-peh, tshueng-tsiang tsok-tieⁿ tso tsu-tsiang
西天佛 不如 土地伯，全仗 族長 做 主張
The Buddha of the Western Paradise does not compare to the Earth God. We all depend on you, Clan Elder, for your guidance.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ho-ue, ho-ue
好話，好話
Well said, well said.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-kong, siu-tsai
叔公，秀才
Great Uncle, Young Scholar.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

siu-tsai, ngak-pe lṳ kiⁿ-kue, tse-ui tsiu-si lṳ ngak-bo
秀才，岳父 你 見過，這位 就是 你 岳母
Young Scholar, you have met your father-in-law. This is your mother-in-law.

（楊秀才）

ho, ho! ngak-pe ngak-bo to-tsieⁿ, sie-sai u-li
好好！岳父 岳母 在上，小婿 有禮
Good, good! Parents-in-law have the place of honor, their humble son-in-law pays his respects.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

mieng-li, tshiaⁿ-tso tshiaⁿ-tso
免禮，請坐 請坐
There’s no need to stand on ceremony, please sit.

（楊秀才）

tso tso tso tso
坐坐坐坐
Let’s all sit.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

tso tso tso tso
坐坐坐坐
Let’s all sit.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

siu-tsai, tshing-lim hang-sia u-ho kui-kang?
秀才，親臨 寒舍 有何 貴幹？
Scholar, what noble purpose brings your esteemed self to our humble abode?

（楊秀才）

khai-khau siu-tsai, pi-khau siu-tsai, mung ua u-ho kui-kang
開口 秀才，閉口 秀才，問我 有何 貴幹
You flatter me by calling me Scholar and speaking of my noble purpose.

khṳk-lai ke-tshi tsak-ngai, hng!
卻來 假癡 作呆，哼！
Let’s drop the pretence and stop playing dumb!

lai lai lai, ngak-pe, tṳng-zik tang-hua-lau siah-tsieⁿ tiaⁿ-tshing, si lṳ tshing-khau tap-eng
來來來，岳父，當日 東華樓 席上 定親，是你 親口 答應
Come on, father-in-law. That day at the Eastern Flowery Tower we agreed on a match, and it was you who promised personally.

tsok-tieⁿ ui-bue, ui-ho saⁿ-thui si-ieng, puk-tsiang ngieng-tshu?
族長 爲媒，爲何 三推 四延，不將 迎娶？
Clan Elder was the go-between. Why do you constantly delay, and not arrange the wedding ceremony?

kim-zik sie-sai teng-mung, tsiu-si kau-lai ngieng-tshing
今日 小婿 登門，就是 到來 迎親
Today, your son-in-law has come to your door to get his bride.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tse…
這……
This…

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

a? si-hiaⁿ, ua ṳ-lṳ sueh-kue ki-tshṳ liou
啊？四兄，我 與你 說過 幾次 了
Ah? Fourth Brother, we have spoken about this many times.

lṳ tsong-si sueh hau tseh kik-zik
你 總是 說 候擇 吉日
You always tell me that you are looking for an auspicious date.

zu-kim siu-tsai si teng-mung lai tshu-tshing ti
如今 秀才 是 登門 來 娶親 的
Today, the Scholar has come to get married.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-kong, lṳ u-so m-tsai, tsi-ing ng no-lau tuaⁿ-seⁿ tshṳ-nṳng
叔公，你 有所 唔知，只因 阮 二老 單生 此女
Great Uncle, you may not know, this is because we are an old couple with only this one daughter.

ni-ki siang-iuⁿ, puk-sim pang-sim, ku-tshṳ tshiaⁿ-khiu ieng-mang
年紀 尚幼，不甚 放心，故此 請求 延慢
She is still young, and we are uneasy, and ask for more time.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

si-a, khuang-tshia tsuang-liem bue-pi, siu-tsai ui-ho zu-tshṳ kip-tshiek?
是啊，況且 妝簾 未備，秀才 爲何 如此 急切？
Yes, after all the bridal goods are not yet ready. What is the rush, Scholar?

（楊秀才）

ai, leng-aiⁿ ni iⁿ kip-ki, khueng tiaⁿ-hung iⁿ ku
哎，令愛 年 已 及笄，況 定婚 已 久
Your dear one has already come of age, and the match has been long made.

笄 - lit. “hairpin”, fig. girl who has come of age

令愛 - “your daughter” (polite)

ngak-pe, ngak-bo, sueh-ue su-aiⁿ kṳng-li se-se!
岳父、岳母，說話 須欲 近理 些些！
Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please be reasonable!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

si-a, si-a
是啊，是啊
Yes, yes.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

heⁿ, pu-kui nang-ke, hung-ing tai-sṳ, su kang pai-tshiang
吓，富貴 人家，婚姻 大事 須講 排場
A wealthy family should take time to arrange the wedding ceremony.

sui-si tiaⁿ-hung, tang thiu-pi bue-siu
雖是 定婚，但 籌備 未收
Although a match has been agreed upon, the preparations are not yet complete.

tsiu-lai saⁿ-thui-si-pek, tiaⁿ sim-moh ieⁿ-tsṳ?
就來 三推四逼，定 什麼 樣子？
How does it appear when you are pushy and insistent?

（楊秀才）

a! ngak-bo, tho-tshing ia-si nang-tshing tsṳ sieⁿ, tsa ho-sueh si thui-pek?
啊！岳母，討親 也是 人親 之常，怎 好說 是 推逼？
Mother-in-law, to seek one’s bride is a natural thing in human affairs. How can this be called pushiness?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

heⁿ, pek ia-ho, puk-pek ia-ho, ung no-lau tsi-u tshṳ-nṳng
吓，逼 也好，不逼 也好，阮 兩老 只有 此女，
Pushy or not, this old couple has only this one daughter.

aiⁿ zu-tsieⁿ tsieⁿ-tu, mak-tsoiⁿ bue-kam ziang tha tshuk-koh
愛 如掌上珠，目前 未甘 讓 他 出閣
We love her like a pearl in the hand, and at the moment we do not have the heart to have her leave the house.

lṳ ki pek puk-kip thai, tsiu tshiaⁿ-khṳ leng-tshim sok-nṳng
你 既 迫不及待，就 請去 另尋 淑女。
If you are unwilling to wait, then you are welcome to go find another bride.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tshṳ-ngang tsa-kang?
此言 怎講？
What did you say?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

leng-tshim sok-nṳng
另尋 淑女
Find another bride

（楊秀才）

ai-tsa! kho-nau, kho-nau!
哎咋！可惱，可惱！
How vexing!

• bung ngang-gṳ khi tshong-thiⁿ, bung ngang-gṳ khi tshong-thiⁿ
聞 言語 氣 沖天，聞 言語 氣 沖天
On hearing this my anger rises to the sky, to the sky!

• tho-hung hueng-hung ho tau-li?
退婚 緩婚 何 道理？
Withdrawing a match, where is the principle in this?

• ngueng-lai ning lu-tshṳ siang thui-tho
原來 恁 屢次 相 推托
So your repeated delays

• si thiok-i hue-hung pa nang khi, pa nang khi!
是 蓄意 悔婚 把 人 欺，把 人 欺！
Were intentionally meant to break the promise of marriage and to cheat me!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ho ho, siu-tsai, hu-zing-ke puk-hiou si-bu, siu-tsai mo kuai
好好，秀才，婦人家 不曉 世務，秀才 孬怪
Alright, Scholar, women are not schooled in wordly affairs, please don’t blame her

sou-si khiang-tsong seng-tsok, na-u hṳ-hung tho-hung tsṳ-li ṳ?
蘇氏 強宗盛族，那有 許婚退婚 之理 噁？
The sou clan is renowned and strong: what breaking of marriage promises is there?

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

tsek-kong, siu-tsai
叔公，秀才
Uncle, Scholar

（楊秀才）

tsing-tsing kha-u-tshṳ-li
真真 豈有此理
What is the meaning of this?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

mai khi, mai khi, taⁿ taⁿ taⁿ taⁿ
勿氣 勿氣，呾呾呾呾……
Don’t be angry, come now…

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

• uang no-lau kiaⁿ-ni kue puaⁿ-peh, tshek-e zui-u tshṳ nṳng-zi
阮 兩老 行年 過 半百，膝下 唯有 此 女兒
These two elders are each over fifty, and have only this one daughter

• tsi-kak li-nek sim-thau thiaⁿ, kuk-nek siang-lieng lang kuah-li
指甲 離肉 心頭 痛，骨肉 相連 難 割離
The pain of parting is like pulling out fingernails, or separating flesh from bone.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

• tang-kue sui-tua huaⁿ-si tshai, sie-nṳng ni-iuⁿ siang bo-ti
冬瓜 雖大 還是 菜，小女 年幼 尚 無知
A winter melon, even if it is large, is still just a vegetable. A young girl is most ignorant

• khiu tsek-kong, hueng tshiaⁿ tsek-kong lai tso-tsu
求 叔公，煩 請 叔公 來 做主
Please, Great Uncle, be the judge in this matter

• pa hung-khi ieng-mang thai lai-ni
把 婚期 延慢 待 來年
Delay the marriage until next year.

（楊秀才）

ha, sieⁿ ning tse-ieⁿ siek-tsing kui-koi, ia-si uang-hui sim-ki
哈，像 恁 這樣 設盡 詭計，也是 枉費 心機
This scheming and plotting of yours is just a waste of time.

lau-sik sueh, gu-kak m-tsiem m-kaⁿ kue-nia
老實 說，牛角 唔尖 唔敢 過嶺
To be frank, if the bull’s horns are not sharp, it wouldn’t dare to cross the mountain pass.

ua kim-zik teng-mung, pieng aiⁿ ngieng-tshing
我 今日 登門，便愛 迎親
I came here today to fetch my bride.

ziak tsai kṳ-hung, tsiu tshiaⁿ kong-tṳng siang-kiⁿ, kong-tṳng siang-kiⁿ!
若 再 拒婚，就請 公堂 相見，公堂 相見！
If you once again reject me, we shall see each other in court!

（桃花）• tho-hue

kim-thiⁿ tṳng-tsieⁿ kiⁿ kou-ia, ho-sṳ tseng-kong tsieⁿ kuaⁿ-thiaⁿ
今天 堂上 見 姑爺，好似 諍公 上 官廳
Meeting you sir here today, has been just like meeting you in the courthouse.

姑爺 : husband of an aunt, here used as an honorific by tho-hue to refer to her mistress’s husband-to-be.

（楊秀才）

haⁿ? lṳ tse ia-thau, tsṳ-ngang-tsṳ-gṳ sueh-se sim-moh ne?
哈？你 這 丫頭，自言自語 說些 什麼 呢？
What? You servant girl, what are you muttering to yourself about?

（桃花）• tho-hue

ua sueh kou-ia lṳ
我 說 姑爺 你
I was speaking of you, sir.

（楊秀才）

kou-ia tso-ni?
姑爺 做呢？
What about me?

（桃花）• tho-hue

• kou-ia kim-zik tsek tsing-mung, siaⁿ-siaⁿ sueh aiⁿ po kong-tṳng
姑爺 今日 一 進門，聲聲 說 愛 報 公堂
From the moment you came in here today, sir, everything you have said has been as if you were arguing a legal case.

• tshing-ke bue-seng ueng-ke soiⁿ-tso, tiem-tsiu bue-im soiⁿ pieng sṳng
親家 未成 冤家 先做，甜酒 未飲 先 變 酸
Before becoming a relation by marriage, you have already become a plaintiff. Before the drinking sweet wine, it has already turned sour.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

a tse tse tse…
啊 這這這……
This…

（楊秀才）

tsu-zing thai kheh, pi-nṳng kaⁿ lai to-ngang? tsing-tsing tshueng-bo loi-ngi
主人 待客，婢女 敢來 多言？真真 全無 禮儀
Your master is receiving a guest. How dare you as a servant girl interject? This is most improper!

（桃花）• tho-hue

• kou-ia ki-si thak-tsṳ hiou loi-ngi
姑爺 既是 讀書 曉 禮儀
Sir you have learned propriety from reading books.

• tṳng tsai zing-lung tsṳ tau, tieⁿ-iuⁿ tsung-pui
當知 人倫 之 道，長幼 尊卑
You know the principles of human relations, the positions of senior and junior,

• thiⁿ to tsieⁿ, thiⁿ to tsieⁿ, su-aiⁿ ngiang thau mo, ti to e, aiⁿ thoiⁿ pa thau ti
天 在 上，天 在 上，須愛 仰頭 望，地 在 下，愛 看 把 頭 低
That Heaven is above all; to see Heaven above, one has to raise one’s head, to see the Earth below, one has to lower one’s head.

• nap tshing tṳng-tsoiⁿ su-tsip phiaⁿ-li, tsa-kho siaⁿ-siaⁿ ku-ku ta kuaⁿ-si?
納親 當前 須 執 聘禮，怎可 聲聲句句 打 官司？
To take a wife, you have to first send betrothal gifts. How can you threaten a lawsuit with every word?

（楊秀才）

thoiⁿ ning tse-ieⁿ so-ui, lai-tang tiaⁿ u tsheng-mik
睇 恁 這樣 所爲，內中 定 有 情密
From what you are dong, there must be some secret love affair going on.

（桃花）• tho-hue

tshiaⁿ-mung u ho tsheng-mik?
請問 有 何 情密？
What secret love afffair?

（楊秀才）

• mok-hui si tsek-nṳng ṳ no-sai, mok-hui si ua-tshi ṳ-nang u sai-tsheng?
莫非 是 一女 與 二婿，莫非 是 我妻 與人 有 私情？
Could it be that one bride has been promised to two sons-in-law? Could it be that my wife has a secret lover?

（桃花）• tho-hue

siu-tsai ia, siu-tsai, uang lṳ thak-tsṳ meng-li, kim-zik keng sueh-tshuk tshṳ-ue
秀才 也 秀才，枉 你 讀書 明理，今日 竟 說出 此話
Scholar, you have studied books and morality in vain, that you could say something like this today.

thang-ziak nie-kiaⁿ bung-tsai, tsa-kheng ṳ-lṳ kang-hiuⁿ? ṳ-lṳ kang-hiuⁿ?
倘若 娘囝 聞知，怎肯 與你 干休？與你 干休？
If our Miss would have heard you, how could she tolerate it?

（楊秀才）

tsu-khau tsu-khau! lṳ tse hia-tsuaⁿ ia-thau!
住口 住口！你 這 下賤 丫頭！
Shut up! You low-class servant-girl!

kaⁿ-lai ṳ-ua tau-khau, ua sieⁿ m-sieⁿ a
敢來 與我 鬥口，我 想唔想 啊
How dare you talk back to me, I cannot imagine.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ai-ia mo-i-sṳ mo-i-sṳ, tso-la tso-la
哎呀 孬意思 孬意思，坐啦 坐啦
This is most embarrassing, please sit.

（桃花）• tho-hue

ṳ! kou-ia oi! mai-khi mai-khi, tho-hue nang tsuaⁿ li puk-tsuaⁿ
噁！姑爺 ～！勿氣 勿氣，桃花 人 賤 理 不賤
Sir! Don’t be angry. I may be low-class but morality is not.

sieⁿ ua seⁿ-ui nou-pi, tou-si zim-nang tshuk-khi
想 我 生爲 奴婢，都是 任人 出氣
As an indentured servant I am here for people to take out their temper on me.

tsi-si kou-ia kue-mung si kheh, puk-kho sik-loi
只是 姑爺 過門 是 客，不可 失禮
It is only that Sir you are here as a guest, I should not flout propriety.

iⁿ-au liang-ke tshai-ho tso-tshing, huaⁿ-mo kou-ia saⁿ-sṳ su-tsue a, su-tsue!
以後 兩家 才好 做親，還望 姑爺 三思 恕罪 啊，恕罪！
For the two families to be joined in marital relation, please forgive me, sir!

（楊秀才）

kho-nau a!
可惱 啊！
How vexing!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tho-hue a, lṳ si nou-pok, tsu-zing thai-kheh, ho-eng lṳ lai to-ngang a?
桃花 啊，你 是 奴僕，主人 待客，何用 你 來 多言 啊？
tho-hue, you are a servant. Your master is receiving a guest, why do you speak so much?

TODO check who is speaking

（桃花）• tho-hue

tsok-tieⁿ kong, sie-pi m-kaⁿ
族長 公，小婢 唔敢
Clan Elder, I do not dare.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

huaⁿ-puk khuai-khuai tho-hia khṳ a
還不 快快 退下 去 啊
Why are you not yet leaving?

TODO check who is speaking

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsok-tieⁿ kong kie lṳ hia-khṳ, lṳ tsu hia-khṳ
族長 公 叫你 下去，你 住 下去
If the Clan Elder asks you to go, you go.

（楊秀才）

kho-nau, kho-nau a!
可惱，可惱 啊！
How vexing!

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ho ho, tieⁿ-nang kiaⁿ-sai, ziang-liou m-kiaⁿ-ieⁿ
好好，丈人 囝婿，嚷了 唔 行樣
Well, it is most unseemly for parents-in-law and son-in-law to bicker.

siu-tsai, lṳ kho tsiem hue ua-ke, tse-sṳ hau ua ṳ si-hiaⁿ mang-mang siang-ngi
秀才，你可 暫 回 我家，這事 候 我 與 四兄 慢慢 商議
Scholar, why don’t you first go to my house for now. I will slowly talk this over with Fourth Brother.

（楊秀才）

ho, iu tha khṳ phah-sṳng
好，由他 去 拍算
Fine, let him deal with it.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ho, tshiaⁿ-hue tshiaⁿ hue
好，請回 請回
Yes, please return.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

lau-si, tshṳ-hung kha-si lṳ tshing-khau tap-eng
老四，此婚 豈是 你 親口 答應
Fourth Brother, this marriage is something that you promised yourself.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

si, si ua tshing-khau tap-eng
是，是 我 親口 答應
Yes, I did promise it myself.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ho-nang ui-bue?
何人 爲媒？
Who was the matchmaker?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsṳ-zieng si tsek-kong lṳ
自然 是 叔公 你
Naturally it was you, Great Uncle.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ho tsai-tau! ke-tsiang tsu-hung, tsok-tieⁿ ui-bue
好知道！家長 主婚，族長 爲媒
Good that you know! The head of the household decided on the match, and the head of the clan was the go-between.

kim-zik keng-kaⁿ thi-tshuk tho-hung no-zi
今日 竟敢 提出 退婚 二字
And today you dare speak of breaking the marriage promise?

sou-si seng-tsok, thi-ming ho-tshung, thi-ming ho-tshung a?
蘇氏 成族，體面 何存，體面 何存 啊？
Where is the Sou clan going to show its face?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsek-kong, ngang-tsṳ sui-si, tsi-si ua-nṳng ia-puk ngueng-i
叔公，言之 雖是，只是 我女 也不 願意
Great Uncle, be it as it may, my daughter is unwilling.

thang-u tsha-tsho, zu-ho si ho?
倘有 差錯，如何 是好？
If this was a mistake, what can be done?

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

eⁿ? thoiⁿ-lai lai-tang… tui a! ha ha ha
啞？睇來 內中…… 對啊！哈哈哈
Huh? TODO

si-so, hue kha-iong tsua-pau
四嫂，火 豈容 紙包
Fourth Sister-in-law, can you contain a fire in a paper bag?

lai-tang tsheng-pi, hueng-su meng-ngang, tshai-ho siek-huap koi-ui a
內中 情祕，還須 明言，纔可 設法 解圍 啊
If there is a truly a secret lover, then you should come clean. How else can we figure out a plan?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsek-kong, ke-mung puk-heng, na ngek-nṳng, ṳ ua tiek-zi ki-tshung…
叔公，家門 不幸，那 逆女，與 我 侄兒 繼春……
Great Uncle, our household is most unfortunate. That rebellious girl and my nephew ki-tshung…

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

haⁿ?! lak-nie ṳ ki-tshung? hng! lang-kuai, lang-kuai ia!
～？六娘 與 繼春？哼！難怪，難怪 呀！
What? lak-nie and ki-tshung? No wonder!

• pe-bo hung-iong nṳng puk-siou, pai-huai tsou-tsong zok mung-hong
父母 昏庸 女 不肖，敗壞 祖宗 辱 門風
Foolish parents and an unseemly daughter, have spoiled the good name of our ancestors.

• lang-kuai ning saⁿ-thui si-ieng, khiak ngueng-lai a
難怪 恁 三推 四延，卻 原來 啊
No wonder that you have repeatedly delayed, so this was the reason.

• tsong-nṳng im-lueng ṳ-nang sṳ-thong, sou-si si-to tsheng-peh tshong-tshṳ sang!
縱女 淫亂 與人 私通，蘇氏 世代 清白 從此 喪！
To permit your daughter to be promiscuous and have a secret affair, the clean reputation of the Sou clan has now been squandered!

• ke-kui tsok-huap ia puk-siang-iong, ua tiaⁿ aiⁿ tshui tha-mung tiaⁿ tsok-huap
家規 族法 不相容，我 定 欲 催 他們 定 族法
If family rules and clan law are not in alignment, then I have to enforce the clan law.

• pa-tsiang lṳ-nṳng tim kang-tong!
把將 你女 沉 江中！
And have your daughter thrown into the river!

ai-ia! lau-si a lau-si a
哎呀！老四 啊 老四 啊
Ah, Fourth Brother…

ua tsiek-si thong-tsai ieⁿ siu-tsai, i-huap khong-su
我 即時 通知 楊 秀才，依法 控訴
I have to inform Scholar ieⁿ, and following the law,

piaⁿ-kie tsek-sung pang-nang tim-kang, kueng-ka ning ke-phua nang-buang
併叫 叔孫 綁人 沉江，管教 恁 家破人亡
Denounce your daughter and have her bound and thrown into the river, to discipline and ruin your family.

pei!
呸！
Pah!

（員外、安人）

ai, tsek-kong tso-tsheng, tso-tsheng!
哎，叔公 做情 做情！
Great Uncle, be merciful!

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ia-pa, ziak-aiⁿ po-tshueng lṳ-nṳng seⁿ-mia, su i ua-ngang
亦罷，若欲 保全 你女 性命，須 依 我言
Just as well. If you want to save your daughter’s life, then do as I say.

（員外、安人）

tshiaⁿ tsek-kong si-meng
請 叔公 示明
Please instruct us, Great Uncle

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

peh-ku ngou-tsap sang
百句 五十雙
There’s no use wasting one’s breath

一百句 五十雙 : Idiom

ziak-si tap-eng ieⁿ-ke ngieng-tshu, pieng kho tṳng-tsoiⁿ puk-kiu
若是 答應 楊家 迎娶，便可 除前不究
If she accepts being married to the ieⁿ family, then we can forget about the past

ziak-kaⁿ puaⁿ-siaⁿ puk-si a…
若敢 半聲 不是 啊……
If she dares raise half a voice in objection…

ha ha! na-si hiuⁿ-kuai sie-lau liou, hiuⁿ-kuai sie-lau liou!
哈哈！那時 休怪 小老 了，休怪 小老 了！
When the time comes, don’t blame me!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-kong tsok-hu, ui-tiek tsṳ-tṳng tsung-meng
叔公 囑咐，爲侄 自當 尊命
Great-Uncle, I will do you as you say.

tsi-si na ngek-nṳng tsip-i puk-tshong, thang-ziak tsek-tsha no-tsho, zu-ho si ho?
只是 那 逆女 執意 不從，倘若 一差二錯，如何 是好？
But this disobedient girl simply will not obey, compounding her errors. What is to be done?

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

tse-kai…
這個……
This…

tau-ia puk-lang, hau ua meng-nang kau lṳ-ke po-hi
倒也 不難，候 我 命人 到 你家 報喜
This is not difficult either. Let me despatch someone to bring an announcement to your house,

sueh si sai-lou kueh-ke ku-pe iⁿ-ui ki-tshung pheng-tiaⁿ mia-mung
說是 西蘆 郭家 舅父 已爲 繼春 聘定 名門
Saying that the uncle of the kueh family of sai-lou has arranged a match for ki-tshung to a good family

tṳng-tsoh lak-nie tui ki-tshung tshi-tsheng
斷絕 六娘 對 繼春 癡情
This will break any affection that lak-nie has for ki-tshung

tha tsṳ-zieng kheng-ke ieⁿ-ke liou a
他 自然 肯嫁 楊家 了 啊
So that she will naturally want to marry into the ieⁿ family.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tse…
這……
This…

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

zu-ho?
如何？
What about it?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-kong, sṳ kau zu-kim… thiaⁿ-tshong lṳ tsiu si a
叔公，事 到 如今…… 聽從 你 就是 啊
Great Uncle, given how things have become, we shall do what you say.

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

thiaⁿ ua tsiu ho, ua tsiek thong-tsai ieⁿ-siu-tsai
聽 我 就 好，我 即 通知 楊秀才
It’s best to do as I say. I shall inform Scholar ieⁿ

au-thiⁿ pieng-lai ngieng-tshu
後天 便來 迎娶。
to come and take his bride the day after tomorrow.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ai-ia, tsai-ho tse-ieⁿ khuai?
哎呀，怎好 這樣 快？
Why such haste?

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

oi? me-tshiang-mang-to, tshong-sok-ui-miou, ua kau-si liou a!
～？夜長夢多，從速爲妙，我 告辭 了 啊！
A long night allows more dreaming, being quick is good. I take my leave!

me-ciang-mang-do, cong-sok-ui-miou – idiom, meaning that the more time is allowed, the more opportunities there are for things to go wrong.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsek-kong!
叔公！
Great Uncle!

第八出 • Scene 8

01:11:30

（桃花）• tho-hue

• ieⁿ-ke hiou-ak zu lang-houⁿ, tsok-tieⁿ ui houⁿ pa ek thiem
楊家 梟惡 如 狼虎，族長 爲 虎 把 翼添
The ieⁿ family is as ruthless and evil as wolves or tigers. Clan Elder has given the tiger wings.

• no-lau sui-zieng aiⁿ ziek-nṳng, im-ui tsṳ-e lang siang-liang
二老 雖然 愛 弱女，淫威 之下 難 商量
Although the old couple love their poor daughter, it is hard to bargain with such tyranny.

• im-ui tsṳ-e lang siang-liang!
淫威 之下 難 商量！
It is hard to bargain with such tyranny!

peh a! khuai-se theⁿ ua kue-kang a!
伯 啊！快些 撐 我 過江 啊！
Uncle, quick, row me across the river!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

tho-hue, ui-ho tsie-seⁿ huang-mang?
桃花，爲何 照生 慌忙？
tho-hue, why are you so flustered?

（桃花）• tho-hue

• tsi ing-ui ieⁿ-ke hue-kiou iⁿ ling-mung
只 因爲 楊家 花驕 已 臨門
It is because the bridal sedan from the ieⁿ family has reached our door

• iu-thueng kueh-hu tiaⁿ ing-tshing
又傳 郭府 定 姻親
And passed on news that the kueh household has made a marital match

• sok-kau sai-lou tham siou-sek
速到 西蘆 探 消息
I am speeding to sai-lou to find out more

• kang-siang miou-koi kiu gek-zing
共商 妙計 救 玉人

• hok-mo a-peh siang-tso lak
伏望 阿伯 相助 力
I hope for your help, Uncle

• tou ua kue-kang kam-ng tshim
渡 我 過江 感恩 深
I will be deeply grateful if you bring me across the river.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

a! ngueng-lai tse-teng. ho, khuai-se sui-ua loh-tsung
啊！原來 這等。好，快些 隨我 落船
So that is what the matter is. Quick, come with me on the boat.

第九出 • Scene 9

01:12:23

（六娘）• lak-nie

• tshou-hng mua-huai, tshou-hng mua-huai!
愁恨滿懷，愁恨滿懷！
Worry fills my breast, worry fills my breast!

• tshou-hng mua-huai, mung tshang-thieng bo-ngang
愁恨滿懷，問 蒼天 無言
Worry fills my breast, but no response comes when I beseech heaven.

• sai-lou ku-mang iⁿ lang-sang, puk-kham hue-siu kim-gek ueng
西蘆 舊夢 已 闌珊，不堪 回首 金玉緣
Memories of sai-lou are fading like an old dream, there is no chance of returning to the precious hopes of before.

• tshong-lai ho-sṳ to bua-tsih, tsṳ-kou poh-mia si ang-ngueng
從來 好事 多 磨折，自古 薄命 是 紅顏
TODO

• ieⁿ-ke tshui-pek sim tsheⁿ-hue, tsok-tieⁿ hiou-ak sṳ houⁿ-lang
楊家 催逼 甚 星火，族長 梟惡 似 虎狼
The ieⁿ family press us as urgently as a meteor trail, and the Clan Elder is as devious as a wolf or tiger.

急如星火 : idiom

• ai, tia-nie oi, ning ho zim-sim sia-nṳng sing ham lo-lang?
唉，爹娘 ～，恁 何 忍心 舍女 身 陷 牢籠？
Ah, Father and Mother, how can you bear to send your daughter off to be a prisoner?

• tho-hue sai-lou bue hue-hueng, tsing ka-ua tshou-tshiang kiem peh-kak
桃花 西蘆 未 回返，真 教我 愁腸 兼 百結
tho-hue has not yet returned from Sai-lou, piling anxieties on my worries.

• tshou-tshiang peh-kak sim tsiou phang
愁腸 百結 心 焦 盼
Anxiety and worry are all that I see.

（梅香）

ping nie-kiaⁿ, ueng-gua meng-ua teng kip nie-kiaⁿ tshu-lai i-sek
稟 娘囝，員外 命我 等 給 娘囝 取來 衣飾
Miss, Master has instructed me to bring you these clothes

tsung-pi meng-tsa tshuk-koh siu-tsuang
準備 明早 出閣 梳粧
And to do your hair and makeup for your wedding tomorrow morning.

（乳娘）

siu-tsai nie
秀才娘
Mrs Scholar

（六娘）• lak-nie

bue-hieⁿ, tshṳ si ho-nang?
梅香，此 是 何人？
bue-hieⁿ, who is that?

（梅香）

tse-si ieⁿ-ke zu-nie, kou-ia meng-tha lai phuaⁿ-pang ti
這是 楊家 乳娘，姑爺 命他 來 伴房 的
This is the ieⁿ family nanny, Sir has sent her to accompany you.

（乳娘）

si si si, ua si lai phuaⁿ-pang le
是是是，我 是 來 伴房 ～
Yes, I am here to accompany you.

na tso no
～ 坐 𰇇
I’ll sit myself down

siu-tsai-nie oi, lṳ ia-oi thak-tsṳ a?
秀才娘 ～，你 也會 讀書 啊？
Mrs Scholar, can you also read books?

hai-oi, ning tsia thak-tsṳ nang, tsing-si thiⁿ-teng u tsheⁿ, u hok-khi a!
～～，恁 者 讀書人，真是 天頂 有 星，有 福氣 啊！
Oh, you book readers are really like stars in the sky, truly blessed!

a siu-tsai ia-si thak-tsṳ-nang
阿 秀才 也是 讀書人
Our young Sir also reads books.

nang nang-ke lai tshiaⁿ-tha sia tsṳng pha kuaⁿ-si
俺 人家 來 請他 寫 狀 拍 官司
Those of our family ask him to write legal briefs for their lawsuits.

i-ki pik khieh khi-lai kau tsiu ueh leng a, ueh houⁿ a, liou gia nang khṳ ing-ing tsṳng-thau ho
伊枝 筆 挈 起來 到 就 畫 龍 啊，畫 虎 啊，了 ～ 人 去 印印 指頭 號
TODO

ai-oi, tsie-seⁿ, hia-ngṳng ke-ke tsiu tham zip-lai
哎～，照生，～銀 加加 就 貪 入來！

The nursemaid describes how her master uses his literacy in a vulgar way to make profit, which disgusts the high-minded Lak-nie

siu-tsai-nie oi, lṳ seⁿ-lai iu-ngia iu-gau
秀才娘 ～，你 生來 又雅 又𠢕

lai phue-pung ua siu-tsai, tsing-si tsek-tui ho ueng-ieⁿ a!
來 配分 我 秀才，真是 一對 好鴛鴦 啊！

（六娘）• lak-nie

bue-hieⁿ, lṳ tua zu-nie hue-pang khṳ uaⁿ-sui pa
梅香，你 帶 乳娘 回房 去 安睡 吧

（梅香）

si! zu-nie, tsau pa
是！乳娘，走吧

（乳娘）

ho, taⁿ kiaⁿ
好，旦 行

e… bue bue bue bue bue
～…… 未未未未未

siu-tsai-nie oi, siu-lieng li-to iu-si, tshah-hue li-to bau-si
秀才娘～，修臉 哩在 酉時，插花 哩在 卯時

酉時 – evening hours around dusk

卯時 – morning hours around dawn

ua si-kang tsai-lai kah-lṳ siu-tsuang, kah-lṳ siu-tsuang
我 時間 再來 甲你 梳粧，甲你 梳粧

ai-oi, seⁿ-lai ngia-tsai-tsai, ngia-tsai-tsai ia!
哎～，生來 雅哉哉，雅哉哉 呀！

• li-mue-buang-liang pek suah nang
魑魅魍魎 逼 煞 儂

• ua leng-si ia puk ke-kau lang-o tong
我 寧死 也 不 嫁到 狼窩 中

• kau zu-kim kui-mung kueng-thau iⁿ to-mo
到 如今 鬼門 關頭 已 在望

• kiu-tsheⁿ iu miou-u-hung bueng-khong
救星 猶 杳鳥雲 漫空

si tshṳ siu-sek pui iu hung!
視 此 首飾 悲 又 憤！

• phieng ka lak-nie im-hng tsong
偏 教 六娘 飲恨 終

tho-hue? o! bo-tshing!
桃花？哦！母親！

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

nṳng-zi, u-ue tshiaⁿ-sueh, hiuⁿ aiⁿ sieⁿ-sim
女兒，有話 請說，休欲 傷心

（六娘）• lak-nie

bo-tshing, lṳ tsing-ti zim-sim tsiang zi ke-kau ieⁿ-ke mo?
母親，汝 真的 忍心 將 兒 嫁到 楊家 孬？

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

nṳng-zi, hui-si ui bo…
女兒，非是 爲 母……

（六娘）• lak-nie

• zi si bo-tshing sim-thau-nek, tsiou-sek puk-li sui nie-sing
兒 是 母親 心頭肉，朝夕 不離 隨 娘身

• iⁿ-tsṳ ham ni ui aiⁿ-tsṳ, bo lṳ sim-pak ho-zim hia tsoh-tsheng?
燕子 銜泥 爲 愛子，母 汝 心腹 何忍 下 絕情？

• ai tshing-nie o, tshong-kim au
唉 親娘 哦，從今 後

• tshong-kim au ho-pi hong-tseng tueng-liou suaⁿ
從今 後 好比 風箏 斷了 綫

• iu ho-pi sik-tua phieng-tsiu tshang-hai zim phiou-leng
又 好比 失舵 扁舟 滄海 任 飄零

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

• ua meng-tsai zi pi noi-tsi sim keⁿ khou
我 明知 兒 比 蓮子 心 更 苦
I know that my child feels more bitterness than a lotus seed.

• tsa-tsai bo pi tsheⁿ-bue lui keⁿ sṳng
怎知 母 比 青梅 淚 更 酸
But know that mother’s tears are more sour than an unripe plum

• ui tho-hung tshing hiang tsok-tieⁿ khou ai-khiu
爲 退婚 親 向 族長 苦 哀求
TODO

• tsa nai hieⁿ-kui tsok-huap pek-tik nang tsing-tho bo-mung?
怎 柰 鄉規 族法 迫得 人 進退無門？

• ai-zi oi, kau zu-kim
愛兒 ～，到 如今

• kau zu-kim tai-tsho tsu-seng bak-iⁿ-seng-tsiu
到 如今 大錯 鑄成 木已成舟

• tang ngueng ning hu-tshi tang ng-aiⁿ
但 願 恁 夫妻 同 恩愛

• hu-tshi ng-aiⁿ kau peh-tshiu
夫妻 恩愛 到 白鬚

（六娘）• lak-nie

bo-tshing, tho-hue tsoiⁿ khṳ sai-lou, ing-ho tsi-kim bue hue?
母親，桃花 前 去 西蘆，因何 至今 未 回？

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

kik-zik zu-tshṳ kip-pek, ku-ke sṳ-tsoiⁿ puk-tsai
吉日 如此 急迫，舅家 事前 不知

ua tsou-bo tsek-hiang iu tong-aiⁿ lṳ, puk-mieng phoiⁿ se loi-mueh sang ke?
我 祖母 一向 又 疼愛 汝，不免 辦 些 禮物 送嫁？

khiong-phaⁿ tho-hue hui-kau thieng-liang puk-leng hue-lai
恐怕 桃花 非到 天亮 不能 回來

zi a, tho-hue bue-hue, ui-nie to-tshṳ ṳ-lṳ tsak-phuaⁿ
兒啊，桃花 未回，爲娘 在此 與汝 作伴

（六娘）• lak-nie

mieng-eng, zi aiⁿ tseⁿ-tso phieng-khek, tshiaⁿ bo-tshing hue-pang uaⁿ-sui
免用，兒 欲 靜坐 片刻，請 母親 回房 安睡

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

zu-tshṳ, meng-thiⁿ kik-khi, zi lṳ ia kai tsa-se uaⁿ-sui
如此，明天 吉期，兒 汝 也 該 早些 安睡

（六娘）• lak-nie

nṳng-zi tshong-meng
女兒 從命

zi-keⁿ liou!
二更 了！

• zi-keⁿ kou-siaⁿ tong tong
二更 鼓聲 咚咚

• tsek-siaⁿ-siaⁿ khiou-tik lang-sim thong
一聲聲 敲得 人心 痛

• lah-tsek u-sim huaⁿ sieh-piek, tsheⁿ-tsiou bo-tsheng sing lang thong
蠟燭 有心 還 惜別，青鳥 無情 信 難 通

• tho-hue oi aiⁿ pi oi, nie-kiaⁿ tsing-tsheng lṳ ia tsai
桃花～ 欲 婢 ～，娘囝 真情 汝 也 知

• zim kia-im ngak-ho ia kai tsa sang kui-tong
任 佳音 噩耗 也 該 早 送 閨中

si iⁿ zi-keⁿ, tho-hue iu-zieng puk-lai
時 已 二更，桃花 猶然 不來

mo-hui kuaⁿ-zu bo-tshing tsṳ ngang…
莫非 果如 母親 之 言……

puk-si, puk-si, tho-hue kuek bo-gou ua tai-sṳ
不是，不是，桃花 決 無誤 我 大事

• mok-puk-si oi bung-lieng iong nang puk-to (?)
莫不是 表兄 他 會 文聯 詠 人 不在

• tsiaⁿ ti tha puk-leng kip-si hue-tsueng
正 致 他 不能 及時 回轉

• mok-puk-si pie-hiaⁿ ing-ueng iⁿ leng-tiaⁿ
莫不是 表兄 姻緣 已 另定

• tshing meng lang-ngek hue-thieng bo-lak, tha liu-loh i-hieⁿ
親 命 難逆 回天 無力，他 流落 異鄉

• nou tse-li uek-sṳ uek-sieⁿ uek-tsiou-kip
奴 這裏 越思 越想 越焦急

• huang-sim bo-tsu lui lang-kang
芳心 無主 淚 難干

第十出 • Scene 10

[01:26:51]

（六娘）• lak-nie

saⁿ-keⁿ, saⁿ-keⁿ liou!
三更，三更了！
TODO

• bak-so ka-soh pou-pou king, keⁿ-kou tshui-meng hiang teng-tong
木梭 絞索 步步 緊，更鼓 催命 嚮 叮咚

• tho-hue im-sing iⁿ bo-mo, ka lak-nie ho-so sek-tshong?
桃花 音訊 已 無望，教 六娘 何所 適從

tho-hue lim-kiaⁿ, ua tseng tsok tha
桃花 臨行，我 曾 囑 他

thang-hok pie-hiaⁿ ing-ueng leng-tiaⁿ, tsiu kho puk-pik hue-lai
倘或 表兄 姻緣 另定，就 可 不必 回來

tshṳ-si miou-bo im-sing, sieⁿ pik tiaⁿ-hung tsṳ-sṳ si sik
此時 杳無 音訊，想 必 定婚 之事 是 實

• long-hung mik-pou huang-hou lai, tsek-ngai thieng-meng lang to tsai
濃雲 密布 風雨 來，一捱 天明 難 逃 災

• tang-tshieⁿ-thih-piah iⁿ bo-lou, tshṳ-tsheng tshṳ-keng sik lang-ngai
銅牆鐵壁 已 無路，此情 此景 實 難捱

pheng tsiang tsek-si tshiu ti-ki
拼 將 一死 酬 知己

• kang-po tshim-tshu hung tsiang mai
江波 深處 魂 長埋

tsoiⁿ-zik tou teng tiaⁿ-iak, thou-ti ui bue
前日 渡 亭 定約，土地 爲 媒

zu-kim iong-piek, hueng-su tsek-mo sai-lou
如今 永別，還須 一望 西蘆

puk-mieng lau-hia zui-tsṳ, tau iong-kang khṳ pa!
不免 留下 遺書，投 榕江 去 吧！

榕江 – name of the river

• tsua bue tiem-bak soiⁿ tiem-lui, kia-khui bue-kau kau si-khi
紙 未 沾墨 先 沾淚，佳期 未到 到 死期
Before the paper is wet with ink, it is wet with tears. Before I reach my wedding day, I reach my day of death.

• poh-tsṳ ziak-tsieh mia zu si, tang-huang khiang-pau lang ki-theⁿ
薄姿 弱質 命 如 絲，東風 強暴 難 支撐
Weak and frail, life like a silk thread, it is hard to resist the violent East Wind

• kau-thang ni-mai sui hong-thi, ngang liem kip-tshṳ puk seng pui
高堂 年邁 誰 奉持，言 念 及此 不 勝悲
Who will support one’s parents in their old age? These words cannot overcome sorrow.

tia-nie!
爹娘！
Father, mother!

第十一出 • Scene 11

[01:30:02]

（乳娘）

u-sṳ to-sim ming puk-tik, puk-zu tsing-pang khṳ zṳ tsuang
有事 在心 眠 不得，不如 進房 去 女妝
I cannot sleep with things on my mind; why not go to the lady’s chamber to prepare her makeup?

tse-si sieⁿ pik ia-to khi-sing liou
這時 想 必 也在 起身 了
I suppose she must already be up at this time

a! kai pang-mung suaⁿ-khui to-ko
啊！個 房門 散開 在塊
Ah! The door is standing open

siu-tsai-nie oi, lai siu-tsuang oi
秀才娘 會，來 梳妝 ～
Missus, it’s time to do your makeup

siu-tsai-nie oi, lai siu-tsuang oi
秀才娘 會，來 梳妝 ～
Missus, it’s time to do your makeup

siu-tsai-nie? siu-tsai-nie? siu-tsai-nie?
秀才娘，秀才娘，秀才娘？
Missus? Missus? Missus?

pang-tang bo-nang, tse tsiu khi liou
房中 無人，這 就 奇 了
No one is in the room, that is strange

ai tieh, puk-mieng tshiaⁿ tshing-ong tshing-m tshuk-lai mung kai meng-peh
哎 着，不免 請 親翁 親姆 出來 問個 明白
Aye, let’s ask Master and Mistress to figure out what’s going on

huang mieng zik-kua gou-liou kiaⁿ-theng, mo-sṳng mo-sṳng
方 免 日～ 誤了 行程，孬耍 孬耍
We don’t want any mixups to ruin the big day; let’s not play around

tshing-ong oi!
親翁 ～！
Master!

第十二出 • Scene 12

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

huai-liou, huai-liou a!
壞了，壞了 啊！
All is lost, all is lost!

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ho-sṳ?
何事？
What is it?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tse-si nṳng-zi tsoh-mia-tsṳ a!
這是 女兒 絕命書 啊！
This is our daughter’s suicide note!

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tse-si nṳng-zi tsoh-mia-tsṳ?
這是 女兒 絕命書？
This is our daughter’s suicide note?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsiaⁿ-si
正是
Yes it is

（乳娘）

tsham-liou a, siu-tsai-nie khṳ si, me-me po-tsai siu-tsai a
慘了 啊，秀才娘 去 死，猛猛 報知 秀才 啊
This is terrible, Missus is going to die, I must rush to tell Sir

（僕人）

ping ueng-gua ang-zing, nie-kiaⁿ bo-tsong, au-hng-mung tang-khai
稟 員外 安人，娘囝 無蹤，後園門 洞開
Master, Mistress, we have found no trace of Miss, the rear gate to the garden is wide open

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

au-hng-mung tang-khai? nie-kiaⁿ pik-si tau hiang kang-piⁿ
後園門 洞開？娘囝 必是 投 向 江邊
The rear garden gate is open? She must be headed towards the river bank

sok-sok pi-hue tui-tshim!
速速 備 火 追尋！
Quick, get torches and pursue her!

（僕人）

tsung-meng!
尊命！
Yes sir!

第十三出 • Scene 13

[01:31:51]

（六娘）• lak-nie

• kip-mang hu tong liu
急忙 赴 中 流
Make haste, to float in the current

sieⁿ ua lak-nie, kim-seⁿ puk-leng seng teng hue-kie ke kue-hu
想 我 六娘，今生 不能 乘 頂 花轎 嫁 過府
Since I in this life cannot ride the bridal sedan across the threshold

si-au ngueng thoh kang-tong hu sai-lou
死後 願 托 江中 赴 西蘆
I shall float in death in the river towards Sai-lou

• kim-seⁿ puk-ui kueh-ke-hu, tsek-mo sai-lou si bo-iu
今生 不爲 郭家婦，一望 西蘆 死 無憂
In this life I will not be a wife of the Gueh family, with a glance at Sai-lou I shall die without regrets

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

kuai-sṳ, kuai-sṳ a
怪事，怪事 啊
This is terrible, terrible

• (?) sik-tsong, kiaⁿ u khiou-khi
［有加一夜？］失蹤， 驚 有 蹺蹊 TODO

• kie-siaⁿ siu-tsai mai tam-koh, sok-sok tui-tshim kau kang-piⁿ
叫聲 秀才 勿 耽閣，速速 追尋 到 江邊

（桃花）• tho-hue

pe a, khuai-se a!
伯啊，快些 啊！
Uncle, hurry!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho, ua lai, ning khia-ho
好，我來，恁 企好
Right, leave it to me, hold on tight

（六娘）• lak-nie

• sieⁿ na-zik…
想 那日……
TODO

• sieⁿ na-zik, tou-teng sieh-piek i-i, liang-tsheng meh-meh hah sṳ liu-si
想 那日，渡亭 惜別 依依，兩情 脉脉 合 似 柳絲

• tshoiⁿ-ngang bueng-gṳ…
千言萬語……

• tshoiⁿ-ngang bueng-gṳ tsok-hu tsek-ku-ku to sim-thau kṳng-ki
千言萬語 囑咐 一句句 在 心頭 謹記

• ai, pie-hiaⁿ oi, ua ṳ lṳ puk-tsak pi ek tsiou
唉，表兄 ～，我 與 汝 不作 比 翼 鳥

• lai-si ngueng-ui lieng-li-ki
來世 願爲 連理枝
In the next life, I hope that we will grow as interlocking branches

連理 – idiom, metaphor for a loving married couple

tia-nie, sang-tshing… tia-nie, pa!
爹娘，雙親…… 爹娘，罷！
Father, mother, my parents… father, mother, bah!

（桃花）• tho-hue

nie-kiaⁿ!
娘囝！
Miss!

（繼春）

mue-mue!
妹妹！
Sister!

（六娘）• lak-nie

mue-mue? a? pie-hiaⁿ!
妹妹？啊？表兄！
Sister? Who? Cousin!

• mo-hui ua-sing to mang li, liou-kau kim-seⁿ lang siang-kiⁿ
莫非 我身 在 夢 里，料到 今生 難 相見
TODO

• sieⁿ-si tsui-sing siang lieng-mieng, khieng ua hung-phek lai-kau hiaⁿ lṳ sing-piⁿ
想是 水神 相 憐憫，遣 我 魂魄 來到 兄 汝 身邊

（繼春）

mue-mue, si ui-hiaⁿ to-tshṳ
妹妹，是 爲兄 在此

（六娘）• lak-nie

ak-mang tsheⁿ iu pui, hiaⁿ ho tho-hue ui-ho tshṳ-khek tshai kau-tse?
惡夢 醒 又 悲，兄 和 桃花 爲何 此刻 才 到這？

• hai-tik ua tṳng-kuaⁿ tshung-tshung lih
害得 我 腸肝 寸寸 裂

（繼春）

• piek-au sṳ kung tsek-peⁿ tshim, aiⁿ tsieng ueng-meng hui tim-ngim
別後 思 君 一病 深，欲 踐 鴛盟 費 沉吟

• huk-thueng hiong-sing kiaⁿ aiⁿ tsoh, tshim-sṳ tsong hu piou tshung sim
忽傳 凶訊 驚 欲 絕，尋思 踵 府 表 寸 心

• mok nai-ho, ke-ka siem-ngiem kiaⁿ puk-tik
莫 奈何，家教 森嚴 行 不得
What was to be done? The family rules are stringent, and I could not leave

• ing-tshṳ siang lieng-me sṳ-phung kau lai-ling
因此 上 連夜 私奔 到 來臨
Hence I fled secretly through the night to come here

（桃花）• tho-hue

• nie-kiaⁿ ing-ho ia kau-tshṳ?
娘囝 因何 也 到此？
Why has Miss also come here?

（六娘）• lak-nie

• tsi ing-ui…
只 因爲……
It is only because…

• tho-hue tsek-khṳ bo siou-sek, siou-tsing keⁿ-thiu tueng-tsing tsiang
桃花 一去 無 消息，數盡 更籌 斷盡 脹
tho-hue left for so long without any news, my mind churned through and could only conclude the worst,

• sieⁿ pik-si hiaⁿ lṳ ing-ueng iⁿ leng-tiaⁿ
想 必是 兄 汝 姻緣 已 另定
I thought you must have been engaged to be married to another,

• zim-lieng ui-mue to khou-hai tieng-lieng
忍念 爲妹 在 苦海 顛連
Leaving your sister to drift alone on the sea of bitterness.

• puk-kam ke-tsoh ieⁿ-ke-hu, ing-tshṳ siang lau zui-tsṳ li kui-koh
不甘 嫁作 楊家婦，因此 上 留 遺書 離 閨閣
Not content to be a wife of the ieⁿ family, I hence left a note and escaped my chamber,

• pheng tsiang tsek-si tau iong-kang
拼將 一死 投 榕江
Planning to drown myself in the Iong River.

（桃花）• tho-hue

ai-ia, ziak-hui tshṳ-si siang-ngo, kha puk-gou liou tai-sṳ!
哎呀，若非 此時 相遇，豈 不誤 了大事！
Ah! If we had not met just now, there would have been a great tragedy!

（繼春）

mue-mue, lṳ ho-pik zu-tshṳ khing-seⁿ
妹妹，汝 何必 如此 輕生
Sister, why do you treat your life so lightly?

ui-hiaⁿ kha-si puk-siu sing-ngi tsṳ nang?
爲兄 豈是 不守 信義 之 人？
Is your brother such an unfaithful person?

（六娘）• lak-nie

pie-hiaⁿ, ui-mue peng puk-kuai lṳ, tsi-si zu-kim sui tik siang-hong
表兄，爲妹 並 不怪 汝，只是 如今 雖 得 相逢
Brother, your sister doesn’t blame you, it is just that, even though we have now run into each other,

aiⁿ uang ho-tshu?
欲 往 何處？
Where are we to go next?

（繼春）

tse…
這……
This…

（桃花）• tho-hue

ping siou-ia, tou-tsung tsing peh, seⁿ-seⁿ hau-suang
稟 少爺，渡船 進 伯，生性 豪爽
Young Master, the old boatman is a straightforward man.

thai-ua ing-ning kau tha tsung-tsieⁿ, khiu-tha tua ning kau tha-ke tsiem-tsu
待我 引恁 到 他 船上， 求他 帶 恁 到 他家 暫住
Let me bring you to his boat, and ask him to let you stay for the while at his home.

pi-kue hong-thau, tsai-tsak koi-ka
避過 風頭，再作 計較
Once things blow over, we can make new plans.

（繼春）

sṳ-kip liou, tsi-ho zu-tshṳ, tho-hue, lṳ tsiu ṳ tha siang-liang pa
事急 了，只好 如此，桃花，汝 就 與 他 商量 吧
Time is pressing, we have no choice. To-hue, go and negotiate with him.

（桃花）• tho-hue

si
是
Yes.

peh a, peh a
伯 啊，伯 啊
Uncle, Uncle!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho tau-si ho, tsek-lai huang-siaⁿ siep-lou, kie-ua zu-ho taⁿ-tik-khi kang-hi?
好 倒是 好，一來 風聲 泄露，叫我 如何 擔得起 干係？
Fine is fine, but once the word gets out, will I be responsible for everything?

zi-lai, zik-au zu-ho tshuk-tshu a?
二來，日後 如何 出處 啊？
Secondly, how will they emerge from hiding the next day?

（桃花）• tho-hue

a-peh mieng kiaⁿ-gi, sieⁿ tshṳ-khek keⁿ-lang me-tseⁿ, sui-nang tsai-ki?
阿伯 免 驚疑，想 此刻 更闌 夜靜，誰人 知機？
Uncle don’t be afraid, if we go in the dead of night, who will know?

zu-kim khue-khi to-tsiek, kie-tha sang-sang tsieⁿ-kiaⁿ hu-tshi
如今 科期 在即，叫他 雙雙 上京 赴試
The examination season is close; have him go to the capital to sit the exam.

thang-ziak tik-teng kau-ti, ho-pha ieⁿ-ke khueng-si?
倘若 得定 高第，何怕 楊家 權勢？
If he scores his degree, there will be nothing to fear from the Gueh family.

tsiu-tsoh loh-toiⁿ hue-lai, tsheⁿ-bi iⁿ-keng sek-pung
就作 落第 回來，到 那時，生米 已經 熟飯
Even if he fails and comes back, by that time, the uncooked rice will be cooked,

khuang-tsiang lou-thau khiou-khi tu-tieh thiⁿ, tsi-aiⁿ ueng-gua kaⁿ tshuk-tsiⁿ
況將 路頭 翹起 堵着 天，只欲 員外 敢 出錢
TODO

tsok-tieⁿ kai tshui tsiu hah-mi, kau na-si, ho-tseⁿ-hou-hiah, tshueng-kai bo-kiⁿ
族長 個 嘴 就 合咪，到 那時，河靜雨歇，全個 無見

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ha-ha-ha-ha, lṳ tsi-kai sim-sṳ thang a, ho, me-me kie-i loh-lai
哈哈哈哈，汝 只個 心事 桶 啊，好，猛猛 叫伊 落來
Ha ha! You wily creature, fine, call them down.

（桃花）• tho-hue

ua tsai
我知
I know

siou-ia nie-kiaⁿ, khuai-khṳ hia-tsung
少爺 娘囝，快去 下船
Young Master, Miss, quick, go to the boat.

（繼春、六娘）

kam-sia peh-peh kiu-mia tai-ng!
感謝 伯伯 救命 大恩！
Deep thanks, Uncle, for mercifully saving our lives!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

mieng-eng, mieng-eng
免用，免用
There’s no need

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh a, khuai-khuai khui-tsung a
伯 啊，快快 開船 啊
Uncle, quickly start rowing!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho, khui-tsung liou
好，開船 了
Setting off now!

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh-peh, mang-khui, mang-khui a!
伯伯 慢開，慢開 啊！
Wait, Uncle, don’t set off yet!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

e? lṳ aiⁿ tang-khṳ a m-si?
啞？汝 欲 同去 啊 唔是？
Huh? Do you want to come along too?

（桃花）• tho-hue

m-si ah. nie-kiaⁿ ki-si lau-hia tsoh-mia-tsṳ, tsiu-aiⁿ ke tik-siou
唔是 啊。娘囝 既是 留下 絕命書，就欲 假 得肖
No I don’t. Since Miss left behind a suicide note, we should make it seem like she has drowned.

nie-kiaⁿ, lṳ kho thuk-khṳ siu-oi, thai-ua pai to kang-piⁿ
娘囝，你 可 脫去 繡鞋，待我 擺 在 江邊
Miss, could you take off one of your shoes, and let me place it on the river bank.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho! tsek-thau keng-kue tsek-thau a!
好！一套 經過 一套 啊！
Fantastic! Each plan is better then last!

（六娘）• lak-nie

tho-hue, sṳ-tsheng zu-ho, su tieh-lai po a
桃花，事情 如何，須 着來 報 啊
To-hue, you have to come and tell us what happens

（桃花）• tho-hue

tse-kai tsṳ-zieng, khuai-khuai khui-tsung
這個 自然，快快 開船
Of course, now quick, go!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

khui o!
開 哦！
Let’s go!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tho-hue
桃花
To-hue

（桃花）• tho-hue

ueng-gua ang-zing
員外 安人
Master, Madam

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tho-hue, lṳ ui-ho tse-si tshai hue-lai? kha-u thoiⁿ-kiⁿ nie-kiaⁿ?
桃花，汝 爲何 這時 才 回來？豈有 睇見 娘囝？
To-hue, why are you only back now? Did you see Miss?

（桃花）• tho-hue

bo a, ua si seng-me kuaⁿ hue-lai sang nie-kiaⁿ tshuk-koh ti
無啊，我 是 乘夜 趕 回來 送 娘囝 出閣 的
No, I rushed through the night to come back to see Miss off for her betrothal.

zu-kim ui-ho hueng mung-khi nie-kiaⁿ ne?
如今 爲何 反 問起 娘囝 呢？
Why do you now ask me about Miss?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

nie-kiaⁿ lau-hia tsoh-mia-tsṳ, thau-khui au-hng-mung tshuk-lai tau kang tsṳ-tsing a
娘囝 留下 絕命書，偷開 後園門 出來 投 江 自盡 啊
Miss left behind a suicide note; she stole out of the rear gate to drown herself in the river

（桃花）• tho-hue

tsa-sueh? kuaⁿ-u tshṳ-sṳ?
怎說？果有 此事？
What? Could such a thing happen?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsiaⁿ-si, lṳ tsek-lou zṳ-lai, kha-u kiⁿ tha?
正是，汝 一路 而來，豈有 見 他？
Indeed, you were on the road coming here, did you see her?

（桃花）• tho-hue

tiaⁿ-zieng si-liou… ai, nie-kiaⁿ!
定然 死了…… 唉，娘囝！
She is dead for sure… Ah, Miss!

（員外、安人）

nou a…
孥 啊……
My child…

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

lau-si a
老四 啊
Fourth Brother

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-kong, ua to-tse
叔公，我 在這
Uncle, I am here

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

lau-si, sṳ-tsheng tsa-ieⁿ?
老四，事情 怎樣？
Fourth Brother, how is the situation?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-kong siu-tsai, sie-nṳng mi-sik bo-tsong, tsi-u lau-hia tsoh-mia-tsṳ
叔公 秀才，小女 迷失 無蹤，只有 留下 絕命書
Uncle, Siu-zai, our daughter is lost without a trace, she only left behind a suicide note

（楊秀才）

haⁿ? tsoh-mia-tsṳ? tsoh-mia-tsṳ to na-li? na-lai thoiⁿ!
～？絕命書？絕命書 在 那裏？拿來 睇
What? A suicide note? Where is it? Let us see it

khuai-se na tshuk-lai, me leh!
快些 拿 出來，猛～！
Bring it out; quick!

[Reciting]

• tshiep-nṳng poh-tsṳ ziak-tsi, mia poh zu si
「妾女 薄姿 弱質，命 薄 如絲 TODO

• tang-huang khuang-pau, lang iⁿ tsṳ-thi
東風 狂暴，難 以 自持

• mung-seⁿ tsui-poh, kau-tṳng sui-thi?
門生 水泊，高堂 誰持

• ngang liem kip-tshṳ, pui puk tsṳ-i
言 念 及此，悲 不 自已

• hng-pi khiang-thu, si-khueng i-si
［遠避］ 強徒，施權 倚勢

• pek ua ziak-nṳng, ue-pi hṳ-pik
迫 我 弱女，慰被 漁筆

• kung zu u-leng, pik tsiang theng tsṳ
君 如 有靈，必 將 懲 之

• poh-mia-nṳng lak-nie tsoh-pik
薄命女 六娘 絕筆」
The ill-fated girl Lak-nie puts own her pen.

[Ends recitation]

tsṳ-tang sueh ua pek-si tha-sing, puk-mieng tsiang tsṳ tshang mua
書中 說 我 逼死 他身，不免 將 書 藏麻
This letter says that I pressured her to kill herself, I should hide it away.

huang-mieng lau-hia hua-kṳng
方免 留下 禍根
TODO

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

siu-tsai, ui-ho tsiang tsṳ tshang-khi?
秀才，爲何 將 書 藏起？
Scholar, why do you conceal the letter?

（楊秀才）

tse kai… ua mung lṳ
這個……我 問 汝
This… let me ask you instead

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ho-sṳ?
何事？
What about?

（楊秀才）

ua thoiⁿ tshṳ-tsṳ lai-tang tiaⁿ u khiou-khi
我 睇 此書 內中 定 有 蹺蹊
I see that there must be strange in this letter.

tshiaⁿ-mung lṳ-nṳng pheng-zik u-bo ṳ-nang sai-tsheng?
請問 汝女 平日 有無 與人 思情？
Did your daughter have any secret feelings for anybody?

ui-ho tse-puaⁿ khing-seng?
爲何 這般 輕生？
Why did she treat her life so lightly?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

siu-tsai, tshiek-mai lueng-sueh! siou-nṳng tsek-siang kiaⁿ-ui tueng-tsiaⁿ
秀才，切勿 亂說！ 小女 一向 行爲 端正
Don’t spout nonsense! My child was always proper in her behavior.

tshueng-hieⁿ nang-nang tsai-tau ti
全鄉 人人 知道 的
Everyone in the village knows this.

（楊秀才）

ki-si kiaⁿ-ui tueng-tsiaⁿ, ui-ho lim-ke tshim-si?
既是 行爲 端正，爲何 臨家 尋死？
If she was so proper, why did she flee the betrothal and kill herself?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tha si tui tse hung-ing puk-mua, tshai tsṳ-tshim to-kiⁿ ti
他 是 對 這 婚姻 不滿，才 自尋 短見 的
She was unhappy with the match, and so made a rash decision.

（楊秀才）

ai, ngak-pe ngak-bo, kou-tau nṳng-tsṳ to-ke tshong-pe
哎，岳父 岳母，古道 女子 在家 從父
Ah… father-in-law, mother-in-law, the saying goes that a girl at home follows her father’s wishes,

hung-ing su thiaⁿ pe-bo tsṳ meng
婚姻 須 聽 父母 之 命
and should marry whom her parents choose for her.

bue-iak tsṳ ngang, ning no-lau tsṳ sieⁿ hue-hung
媒約 之 言，恁 兩老 自 想 悔婚
After the proposal was made, you two old people started to have second thoughts,

ka nṳng puk-lak, i-ti hua-pieng
教 女 不力，以致 禍變
you were not strict in teaching your daughter, leading to this tragedy.

ning khak-sik lang-si-khi-kiu, lang-si-khi-kiu!
恁 確實 難辭其咎，難辭其咎！
You truly cannot escape the blame!

難辭其咎 – idiom

（桃花）• tho-hue

ai! siu-tsai a siu-tsai
唉！秀才 啊 秀才
Ah! Scholar ieⁿ

meng si lṳ tho-tshing pek-tṳng, ti khi tshṳ-hua
明 是 汝 討親 逼堂， 致 起 此禍
It was clearly you that pressured the family into accepting the proposal, and caused all this

nie-kiaⁿ tsoh-mia-tsṳ meng-meng sueh lṳ pek-si tha-sing
娘囝 絕命書 明明 說 汝 逼死 他身
In her suicide note, she clearly said that you pestered her into taking her life

lṳ ui-ho tshang-tsṳ mik-tseng, hueng-zṳ ham-hueh-phung-nang?
汝 爲何 藏書 滅證，反而 含血噴人？
Why did you try to hide away the letter, and try to smear other people instead?

含血噴人 – idiom

（乳娘）

a-ti oi, tsi-tieⁿ tsoh-mia-tsṳ ua ia tshing-mak thoiⁿ-kue o
阿弟 ～，只張 絕命書 我 也 親目 睇過 哦
I saw this letter with my own eyes too.

（楊秀才）

khui khṳ!
開去！
Shoo!

tuaⁿ-pheng tsek-hong tsoh-mia-tsṳ, mueh-tseng puk-tsok
單憑 一封 絕命書，物證 不足
All this is based on a suicide note, there is no other evidence

ki bo-nang tseng, iu bo-si tseng, ang-tsai lai-tang u-bo kang-pi?
既 無人 證，又 無屍 證，安知 內中 有無 奸祕？
Since neither she nor her corpse is here to prove anything, who knows if you are trying to play some tricks?

ning zu bo tshong-tsok tseng-kṳ, tsiu-si ke-tsṳ tshang-nṳng
恁 如 無 充足 證據，就是 假書 藏女
If you don’t have any real proof, then you must have faked the note and are hiding her

tiaⁿ aiⁿ ning tsiang nṳng hieng-tshuk!
定 欲 恁 將 女 顯出！
I demand that you present her!

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ai-ia! puk-eng tseⁿ-pieng, zui-tsṳ ki sueh tau-kang tsṳ-tsing, khuai kau kang-piⁿ thoiⁿ-kai kiu-keng
哎呀！不用 爭辯，遺書 既 說 投江 自盡，快 到 江邊 睇 個 究竟
Aiyah! There’s no need to debate it. Since it says that she wanted to jump into the river to drown herself, go to the river bank and find out for yourself.

（楊秀才）

ho, ziak-si tshe bo sik-kṳ, tueng puk ṳ ning kang-hiuⁿ
好，若是 查 無 實據，斷 不 與 恁 干休
Fine, if I cannot find any real traces, then I will not let this matter rest!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ho, hung-hu ke-zing sok kau kang-piⁿ
好，吩咐 家人 速 到 江邊
Fine, tell the servants to go to the river bank now

（僕人）

tsung-meng!
遵命
Yes sir!

ping ueng-gua ang-zing, kang-piⁿ u sie-tse siu-oi tsek-sang
稟 員外 安人，江邊 有 小姐 繡鞋 一雙
Master, Mistress, there is a pair of Miss’s brocade shoes on the river bank

（員外、安人）

nṳng-zi! ua-kiaⁿ! ai! khou!
女兒！我囝！唉！苦！
Daughter! My child! Alas, how cruel!

（乳娘）

tsi-e tshua bo nang khṳ tshua tso-kai kui hṳ-a…
只下 𡥘 無 人 去 𡥘 做個 鬼 噓啊……
We went to get a woman but ended up getting a ghost…

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

oi, tseng-nang kha-si aiⁿ kue-tou?
～，衆人 豈是 欲 過渡？
Hey, do you all want to cross the river?

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

lai, theⁿ-tou ti, tsa-kang kha-u nang to-tshṳ tsoiⁿ-au tau-kang tsṳ-tsing bo?
來，撐渡 的，早間 豈有 人 在此 前後 投江 自盡 無？
Come, boatman, was there anyone who threw themselves into the river here in the early hours?

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

tau-kang? ngueng-lai tsing-sik si tau-kang
投江？原來 真實 是 投江
Threw themselves into the river? So it really was a suicide

（楊秀才）

u a bo? ui-ho puk-sueh?
有 亞 無？爲何 不說？
Was there or not? Why don’t you speak?

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

si-keⁿ si-hau, ua to tsung-tsieⁿ ta-sui, thiaⁿ-kiⁿ u-nang to khau
四更 時候，我在 船上 打睡，聽見 有人 在 哭
At the fourth watch, I was sleeping in my boat, when I heard someone crying.

ua gou-tsoh si sṳng-tshie, bo khṳ li i
我 誤作 是 耍笑，無去 理 伊
I thought someone was trying to prank me, so I ignored it.

huk-zieng tsui-ming kong tsek-kie
忽然 水面 攻 一叫
Suddenly I heard a crash in the water

tse-ieⁿ sueh tsiang khi-lai, tsing-ti si u-nang tau-kang tsṳ-tsing a
這樣 說 將 起來，真的 是 有人 投江 自盡 啊
Now that I put it all together, there really was someone who jumped into the river

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

si-liou… nou!
死了……孥！
She really is dead, my child!

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

ai-ia, nang-mia kueng-thiⁿ sṳ-tsheng puk-siou a
哎呀，人命 關天 事情 不小 啊
Life and death is decided by heaven, this is no trivial business

（桃花）• tho-hue

ai, zu-kim nang tseng-mueh tseng-ku khi, thoiⁿ ning huaⁿ-u ho-sueh a?
哎，如今 人 證物 證據 齊，睇 恁 還有 好說 啊？
Now that we have witnesses and evidence, do you have anything left to say?

ueng-gua ang-zing tuaⁿ-seⁿ tshṳ-nṳng, zu-kim pi ning pek-si
員外 安人 單生 此女，如今 被 恁 逼死
Master and Mistress have only one daugther, today she was driven to death by you

nie-kiaⁿ tsek-hiang to sai-lou tsiang-tai, ku-lau-ia ṳ lau-hu-zing aiⁿ zu meng-tsu
娘囝 一向 在 西蘆 長大，舅老爺 與 老婦人 愛 如 明珠
Miss grew up in Sai-lou, where her Uncle and Aunt loved her like their own daughter

ku-lau-ia ia tseng-ui kuaⁿ, tsiou-tang kuaⁿ-tshing sim-to
舅老爺 也 曾爲 官，朝中 官親 甚多
Uncle was also once an official, and has many relatives in the court

bung-tsai tshṳ-sṳ, kha kheng kang-hiuⁿ?
聞知 此事，豈 肯 干休？
Once he hears about this, could he let the matter rest?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

puk-tsho, uang no-lau tuaⁿ-tok tshṳ nṳng-zi, zu-kim pi pek puk-meng si
不錯，阮 兩老 單獨 此 女兒，如今 被 逼 不明 死
That’s right, we two old people have only this one daughter, who was driven to her death today.

ke-tshai tsong-zieng lai phua tsing, ia aiⁿ ṳ-lṳ kiⁿ kau-ti
家財 縱然 來 破 盡，也 欲 與汝 見 到底
Even if we deplete our whole fortune, we will pursue you to the end.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsiek-si pieng kau sai-lou khṳ, tshiaⁿ-khiu ua-hiaⁿ tso tsu-i
即時 便 到 西蘆 去，請求 我兄 做 主意
We shall go immediately to Sai-lou, and ask my brother to make a plan

tshing-seⁿ kuk-nek pi pek-si, bueng-kueng ke-tsṳ u ho-khi?
親生 骨肉 被 迫死，萬貫 家資 有 好奇？
My own flesh and blood has been driven to suicide; what use is great wealth?

（楊秀才）

hung-ing peng bue tseng, tsok-tieⁿ tsṳ tsu-thi
婚姻 憑 媒 證，族長 自 主持
A marriage is arranged by the match-maker. Clan Elder, you oversaw this,

si ning tsok-lai sṳ, ṳ ua bo kueng-hi!
是 恁 族內 事，與 我 無 關係！
and it is the internal business of your clan. Not my responsibility!

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

tso-tshing si ning ngueng, ho-tai ning tsṳ-li
做親 是 恁 願，好歹 恁 自理
You wanted to make a match. This unhappy business is for you to settle.

bue-nang khang nang-iⁿ, kueng-seⁿ bo kueng-si
媒人 牽 人圓，管生 無 管死
A matchmaker brings people together and is responsible for life, not for death.

（桃花）• tho-hue

nang-mia kueng-thiⁿ, hui-tang zi-hi, tiaⁿ-aiⁿ ṳ-ning, kong-thang sieⁿ-kiⁿ!
人命 關天，非同 兒戲，定愛 與恁，公堂 相見！
Human life is a matter for Heaven, and is not child’s play; we shall see you in the courthouse!

（員外、安人）

pa lau-mia piaⁿ seⁿ-si, piaⁿ seⁿ-si ia!
把 老命 拚 生死，拚 生死 呀！
TK

（族長）• tsok-tieⁿ • Clan Elder Sou

tshiaⁿ bue a, ho ia-si ning tieⁿ-nang kiaⁿ-sai, mo ia-si ning tieⁿ-nang kiaⁿ-sai
且未啊，好 也是 恁 丈人 囝婿，孬 也是 恁 丈人 囝婿
Not so fast. Good times or bad, you are father-in-law and son-in-law,

ua tso bue-nang, tsi-u tiem-tiem thau, sueh-sueh hah
我 做 媒人，只有 點點 頭，說說 合
I was the matchmaker, all I did was to nod my head and propose the match.

po-kau kuaⁿ-si, ṳ ua bo-kueng, ning tshiaⁿ ua tṳng
報告 官司，與 我 無關，恁 請 我 轉
Any court case is no business of mine. I take my leave!

（楊秀才）

bo tsam na-leng ing-tik suaⁿ? sṳ to ning hieⁿ-li huek-seⁿ
無 針 那能 引得 線？事 在 恁 鄉里 發生
How can a thread be sewn without a needle? This all happened in your village,

tsiu-si ning tsok-lai kai sṳ, ning ka-ki khṳ li
就是 恁 族內 個 事，恁 家己 去 理
and is the internal business of your clan, so you should be responsible for sorting it out.

ua lou tṳng-hng, kiaⁿ-thiaⁿ iu tṳng, a-ni a, tsau a!
我 路 長遠，行程 又 長，阿奶 啊，走 啊！
I have a long journey head to go home. Nanny, let’s go!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

oi, aiⁿ kie-nang lau-si a-mai a? o! ha ha ha ha ha!
喂，愛 叫人 撈屍 啊勿 啊？哦！哈哈哈哈哈哈！
Hey, do you need someone to go dredging for the corpse? Oh! Hahaha!

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh a, lṳ kah nie-kiaⁿ taⁿ, ua meng-thiⁿ…
伯 啊，汝 甲 娘囝 呾，我 明天……
Old man, please tell my mistress that tomorrow, I will…

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho, to ua sing-tsieⁿ, lṳ taⁿ me-me tṳng-khṳ, meng-thiⁿ tsa-se lai ho! ha ha ha ha ha!
好，在 我 身上，汝 旦 猛猛 轉去，明天 早些 來 好！哈哈哈哈哈哈！
Very well, I’ll take care of it. Go home quickly now, and come early tomorrow. Hahaha!

第十四出 • Scene 14

[1:50:01]

hung iong meng-gueh tsui iong thieng, hue-kang ueng-ieⁿ kau-keng mieng
雲 擁 明月 水 擁 天，花間 鴛鴦 交頸 眠
TODO

ki-tshung lak-nie sieⁿ-sui tsau, tho-hue ing-lou to tsoiⁿ-pieng
繼春 六娘 相隨 走，桃花 引路 在 前邊

tshung-huang ngieng-nang tsiou hia li, tsing peh tshie-koi liang-ping sueng
春風 迎人 朝 霞 里，進 伯 笑解 兩鬢 霜

（桃花）• tho-hue

peh-a, tshiaⁿ, tshiaⁿ!
伯 啊，請，請！
Old man, farewell!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho, ho, tshiaⁿ tshiaⁿ tshiaⁿ! ha ha ha ha ha ha!
好好，請 請 請！哈哈哈哈哈哈！
Good, good. Farewell! Hahaha!