蘇六娘 • Sou-lak-nie • Tie-lo (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-tienn). (吳林榮)
安人 • ang-zing • Mrs Sou, mother of lak-nie. (吳麗君)
族長 • tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou, senior member of the sou clan; he was involved in arranging the match between sou-lak-nie and ienn-siu-tsai. (郭石梅)
楊秀才 • ienn-siu-tsai • Scholar Ien, a young man of the ienn 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-hienn • One of the maids in the sou household.
乳娘 • zu-nie • The nursemaid of ienn-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

tshenn-suann lek-tsui phuann ua lieng
青山綠水伴我臉
Green hills and blue water keep me company.

tshiann-hi tshiu-ping zu surng-peh
且喜鬚鬢如霜白
Even if I were to be glad about my snowy-white whiskers,

iu tik ur-nang kiann 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 ainn 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.

lur tshik-tsa poih-tsa, ainn khur ti-ko hann?
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-iann kuann-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 ainn hue-ke, ing-tshur ang-zing meng ua tsoinn-uang sai-lou, tsih-hue nie-kiann
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, tann 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 tsiann to phu, tsung kou-puk-kurng 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-kiann thurng-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

ur? a? o? lur tsia kui-kiann, sang-mak li bo thoinn-tsung, tann pau-hok [mo?] pung-tsui lau-khur 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, tann lai-tsih
伯啊，旦來接
Uncle, now catch it for real.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ai-ia, kang-kang si lur-kai pa-hi
哎呀，剛剛是汝個把戲
Aiyah, this was all just your game.

tann 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!

lur tsia kui-kiann, bo-kau-bo-tai
汝者鬼囝，無交無代
You little devil, without giving any warning,

tsie-senn tsiu piann-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, lur [mo] ho tsienn-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, tann 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.

lur ho-m tshiang tiou-kua lai kip a-peh thiann-thiann 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, lur mo ia-si (?) tshiu tshiang-kua-kiann, ainn 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 ainn tsiu lai!
鬥歌？哎呀愛就來！
A song duel? If you want to, bring it on!

hur, lur mai thoinn 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-kiann kau tua-lua
我個歌囝到大籮
I have a whole basket full of songs

tsek-tshoinn poih-peh kang-lur tau, tau-kau lur u-khau m-kann 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 lur soinn, lur soinn
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, lur soinn
勿，汝先
No, you first.

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

huann ainn ua soinn? ia ho, lur lai thiann
還愛我先？也好，汝來聽
You even want me to go first? That’s just as well. Listen:

• tsiann-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 tsienn-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 lur 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 ur sing-tsienn
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-pinn 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 lur 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!

• sann-gueh inn sang-pue, inn-ia inn 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 inn-tsur liang-thau-ke, lur pi inn-tsur 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 lur-phou khur iu-hue, loi-ia loi khur iu-hue
西蘆呂浦去又回，～呀～去又回
From sai-lou to lur-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 lur-phou 呂浦 is the hometown of sou lak-nie.

The place name lur-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-tsur?] kuann-tsui tsienn kik-ieng, lur pi [lou-tsur?] to ki tsienn
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-ienn.

• 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-thiann, tse nai oi-tik khur 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-nurng zu kiann-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 nurng-kung hah lur i?
哪個郎君合汝意？
Which young gentleman will catch your fancy?

• a-peh tso bue lai tiann-hung, loi-ia loi lai tiann-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 thinn-si, su-a su thinn-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-tsienn kak li-ki, ng u li-ki tsur-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-sann-ngou-nie, where 黃五娘 ng ngou-nie tossed a lychee branch from her balcony to 陳三 tang-sann as a sign of her love.

• mieng-eng a-peh lur 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 sienn 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 khur 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, lur 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, lur 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 tsur-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-senn lai, hau-senn kai sim-sur 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 oinn-sur 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, lur khia ho, thai a-peh lai loh hiang tsienn. 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-tsoinn tok tim-leng
小立花前獨沉呤
TODO

• pie-hiann 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 kinn 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

sienn-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-tshur 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 lur mong-tseng
繡球花！繡球拋給呂蒙正
A hydrangea blossom! Toss the hydrangea to lur 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 soinn-ua zur-lai
哦，原來是表妹先我而來
Oh, so my cousin has arrived before me.

mue-mue, tshur-hue kak-tik ho, kho-sieh puk-to tshai-lau tsoinn
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-hiann, 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-hiann 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-hiann ur lur 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 ur lur 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

tsiann-si, mue ia ni inn 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 tsur-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-hiann, ngueng tsok-lur tsek-kur 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 lur 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

tsiann-si
正是
Yes it was

（繼春）• ki-tshung

mue-mue, tse gek-tui ho-tshienn si ua zi-si sang-kip lur 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 ur-tshur?
爲何失落與此？
How did it get lost?

（六娘）• lak-nie

tse peh gek-tui tsiann-si pie-hiann 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-pinn
妹時刻帶在身邊
I wore it constantly on my person,

sek-tshai puk-kak, tiou-hia to-tshur
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, tshenn-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, lur-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, lur kha ki-tik: zi-si lur ainn 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-tsienn tse-tshiu khur-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-hiann a!
哎呀，記得，記得！表兄啊！
Ah, I remember, I remember! Cousin Gi-cung!

• tsai siem-siann ki-tou mueh-hueng tshenn-i
知蟬聲幾度物換星移
I recognize the sound of cicadas. Things change and the stars move.

• zim tshenn-i mueh-hueng, nang-liang sim-siang-ainn 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-hiann, lur thoinn
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 sienn iu-hur 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

• oinn-si tseng to tse thang-pieng, hi sia tsur-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-sienn 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 lur ainn 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 lur 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 hiann-mue tshie-gur 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 tsur-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

tsuann-pi lur, kui-thau kui-nau, heh-tik nang-sim kiann-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!

lur m-to-ke, hong-si ang-zing, khiak lai-tshur ho-sur?
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-tshur ang-zing meng pi tsih lur hue-khur
因此安人命婢接汝回去
So Mrs Sou sent me to bring you back.

ang-zing sueh-tau: meng-thinn 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, lur 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, kinn-si lang
別時容易，見時難
Parting is easy, meeting is difficult

（繼春）• ki-tshung

• mue kui lur-phou, hiann 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

• ainn-sienn bueng-khuang sienn-sur tse
愛償萬頃相思債
Love makes up for the longing of ten thousand moments

• huann-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 khurng-lur, 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-sur 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-kiann u tiann-tsheng tsur-mueh sang lur!
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-kiann 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-turng 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, tshur-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-tienn 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-kiann tsienn-turng 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ha ha ha ha… si-so, kue-suann u kie, hong-tsui seng-tsung, surng-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, tshiann-tso, tshiann-tso
叔公，請坐，請坐
Great Uncle, please sit, please sit.

（族長）• tsok-tienn • 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, nurng-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

nurng-zi tsa-thinn 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

si-so, tiek-nurng kai hi-sur lai-liou, inn-au puk-ainn tsai pung tha khur 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 nurng 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ha ha ha ha! tse-tshur ua ur si-hiann tsienn-siann phah kuann-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-tuann kuann-si phah-iann, huann-u kah ning toh kai seng-leng kiann-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 nurng-sai si sui?
叔公，未知女婿是誰？
Great Uncle, who is this prospective son-in-law?

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

tsiu-si hu-ge lai tsur-ia tsur tsur ienn tsur-liang siu-tsai
就是府衙內書爺之子楊子良秀才
It is the licentiate ienn tsur-liang, son of the scholar-official of the prefecture yamen.

tha mua-pak bung-tshai, tshui-tsiem pik-lai, ieng-kurng 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.

tsiann-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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

sia ua si puk-tsho ti, ziak-bo ua ui bue tshuek-hah, na leng-tik seng kuann-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?

tann ning lau hu-tshi tshiann-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 ur 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 tshiann-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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ha ha ha ha, ho-me ning phah-iann kuann-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, tsiann kai tshiann 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-tiann lai, tsek-tiann kau
暢飲幾杯，我一定來，一定到
I will certainly come to drink with you.

ho ho, tsur-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, ienn-ke nurng-sai lur kha-tseng kinn-kue?
員外，楊家女婿汝豈曾見過？
Husband, have you ever met this prospective son-in-law from the ienn family?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tshieh-ang tsur-tsienn, tshing-ming kinn-kue, siang-mau tau ia kue-tik khur
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-tshur, ua tsiu uann-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

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

ueng-gua, lur 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

ienn-ke mung-toinn, nurng-sai kong-mia
楊家門第，女婿功名
The ienn family is of high status, our son-in-law has a good name.

tsiann-si tsek-mung thi-ming kuann-tshing, ui-ho sueh ua bo ta-surng?
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 tshur-nurng, 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

ur!
噁！
Ugh!

sok-tau bo-lam kou-nurng, 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-inn seng-tsiu, sai-puk-tik ia-ainn 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-suann mang hiang-tsoinn
拋下了針線忙向前
So I cast down my embroidery and head outside.

• me-zieng-kang tsi-kinn tia-nie tshung-suann 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 kiann 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-kiann, lur-pe tshur-tshur tsienn-siann
我囝，你父此次上城
My child, your father was up in the city,

tsiang-lur tsong-sing hur-phue ziou-pheng ienn sur-ia tsur tsur,
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 ienn of ziou-pheng,

ienn tsur-liang siu-tsai liou.
楊子良秀才了。
The licentiate ienn tsur-liang.

（六娘）• lak-nie

tsa-sueh? tia-tia tsiang nurng-zi hur-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

tsiann 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-hiann tsa-hia gek kiann-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 soinn 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, tshur-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

nurng-zi!
女兒！
Daughter!

（六娘）• lak-nie

bo-tshing!
母親！
Mother!

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

nurng-zi, ui-ho zu-tshur?
女兒，爲何如此？
Daughter, what is this?

（六娘）• lak-nie

tia-tia, nurng-zi puk-ke, nurng-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 turng-hung, nurng-tsiang turng-ke, tsa-moh ho-sueh puk-ke hann?
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 tsur-iunn 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

lur mua-pak sim-moh?
你滿腹什麼？
What is your chest full of?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

nurng-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-sur…
滿懷心事……
Chest full of matters of the heart…

（桃花）• tho-hue

nie-kiann…
娘囝……
Miss…

（六娘）• lak-nie

• sung-mung tho-hue sur 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

tsur uek-thak uek-m-sienn-ienn, tsing-tsing kha-u-tshur-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 tsienn-lai!
桃花，快快上來！
tho-hue, come here!

（桃花）• tho-hue

tsiu-lai
就來
Yes.

pi-tsur khau-kinn 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-tsur tsai
婢子在
I am here.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

nie-kiann kur-hung puk-ke, kau-toinn 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-kiann tsong-sing tai-sur
稟員外安人，這是娘囝終身大事
Master, Mistress, this is Miss’s big day

ke ur puk-ke, pi-tsur 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-kiann tshing-khau sueh-tau, sim-sur zui-u lur 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.

lur 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

huann-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-kiann sim-sur, pi-tsur 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

tsuann-pi! huann-kann 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-hienn, tshu ke-huap tsienn-lai, tshu ke-huap tsienn-lai!
梅香，取家法上來，取家法上來！
bue-hienn, 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, sur kau zu-kim pi-tsur 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 thiann-turng tsur-tsienn, seng-khiong ngang tsur 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-hienn tho-hia
梅香退下
bue-hienn, 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-sur 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 tsur-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-kiann u-kim kann khang-meng, tsur-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 tsur-iunn kia-thak ku-ke, tsai-tsur 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-tienn 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-hiann ke-kui ngiem-sok, sui-kann zia-si senn-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 sur-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-sur keng-to sie-tshienn tsur-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-puann 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-kiann ur 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

hann?! tha liang-nang tso sim-moh?
～？！他兩人做什麼？
Huh?! What did they do?

（桃花）• tho-hue

tha liang-nang tsur-iunn thong-theng kang-inn
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-tsur ti-kang
又使桃花傳書遞柬
And instructed me to pass letters back and forth between them.

ti-kang thueng-tsur tshoinn-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-nurng zu-tshur 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

• thoinn khi-lai tou-si lur
睇起來都是你
It looks like it was all your fault.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

• tou-si lur khang-tsam ing-suann 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-tsur ti-kang pa sur-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 lur 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 senn-ui tsek si-pi, nie-kiann 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 senn-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 tsur tsha-tsho ang-pai
一念之差錯安排
Making arrangements without thinking them over.

• kha puk-bung, nurng-tsur 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 lur
娼你
You immoral woman

• sui-sur ua tsou-pe kong-tsur, 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-inn, kou-pie tang-theng, ia puk-kai
梁祝化蝶因同硯，姑表同窗也不該
TODO

• tse-sur 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 lur, tshur-bo pai-zi, tsong-iong khur sai-lou iu-hak
都是你，慈母敗兒，縱容去西蘆遊學

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

ur!
□！

turng-si lur ia ngueng-i, zu-kim keng thui-to lau-sing sing-tsienn
當時你也願意，如今竟推在老身身上

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

• uek-sur uek-sienn uek-nau-khi
越思越想越惱氣

• tiann ainn tshe-kiu tshur sur-tueng
定愛查究此事端

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

mang, lur si lau-hu-thu liou
慢，你是老糊塗了

sur inn tsi-tshur, hueng-sienn tsiang-iang?
事已至此，還想張揚？

lur 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, ienn-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, tshiann-thiann sie-pi tsek-ngang
員外安人，請聽小婢一言

• sou-ke bo-tsur khong u-tshai, tshing-tsienn kia-tshing li tsiann kai
蘇家無子空有財，親上加親理正該

• kou-pie lieng-hung tsur-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-tshur liem-thau, tsi-si nurng-zi puk-kho tsau bo-lou
我非無此念頭，只是女兒不可走母路

khuang-tshiann zu-kim hung-ing inn tiann-liou
況且如今婚姻已定了

（桃花）• tho-hue

ang-zing a
安人啊

• tshang-lo siang-tshiann ui-kiann si, kuk-nek ng-ainn ho-zing kuah-khai?
田螺尚且爲囝死，骨肉恩愛何認割開？

• nurng-zi ke-kau tshoinn-li-gua, tai-kang tang-khur 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 lur tsia lau puk-si haunn phah kuann-si
是啊，都是你者老不是好拍官司

tsiang tsek-kai tshing-senn nurng-zi ke-kau tshoinn-li gua
將一個親生女兒嫁到千里外

lur lang-tau zing-sim tik-khur
你難道忍心得去

zur-tshiann 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, tshoinn-ueng bueng-ueng, tou-si tsok-tsienn tse-kai lau-huai-tang
哎□，千怨萬怨，都是族掌這個老壞蛋

phieng-phieng tshok-seng tshur-tshing a
偏偏觸成此親啊

（桃花）• tho-hue

ueng-gua ang-zing, nie-kiann ur pie-siou-ia inn tang-theng kang-inn
員外安人，娘囝與表少爺已同窗共硯

zik-ku senn-ainn, tse-si nang-tsheng tsur sienn
日久生愛，這是人情之常

ning kim khiang-toh tha si, hur phue ienn-ke, kie tha zu-ho thiann-tshong, zu-ho thiann-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 ienn-ke tshing-sur 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？

• hounn si lau-phue nang lau-mia, hur-hung tho-hung pai ke-siann
虎死留皮人留名，許婚退婚敗家聲

• khuang-iu tsok-tienn ui bue-ieh, hounn-su lang-puek koi lang-kiann, koi lang-kiann!
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-kiann iu-si tik-penn
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 tshur-nurng, ziak-kuann zu tho-hue so-ngang,
哎呀！二老只有此女，若果如桃花所言，

tsiang-lai lur-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-hounn lang-hia, tsi-u sie-sim kueng-huang, tsai-sienn 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, lur su sie-sim hok-si nie-kiann
桃花，你須小心服侍娘囝

（桃花）• tho-hue

pi-tsur tshong-meng!
婢子從命！

第五出 • Scene 5

Video 1: 47:48

（楊秀才）

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

（乳娘）

ho, lai kiann
好，來行
Alright, let’s go.

（楊秀才）

• tang-hua-lau tsienn teng hung-ing
東華樓上訂婚姻
A marital match made at the Eastern Flowery Tower

• sann-thui si-tho kur 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 lur-phou khur, thoinn tha lai-tang ho-ngueng-ing
俺今速到呂浦去，睇他內中何原因
We speed along to lur-phou, to find out what the reason could be

• thoinn tha lai-tang ho-ngueng-ing
睇他內中何原因
What the reason could be

（楊秀才）

tsur-tshong tang-hua-lau tiann-tshing, lu-tshur khur-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-sann-ieng-si
蘇家總是托三延四
But the sou family keep delaying

kim-zik tshing-tua zu-nie, kau kik-ienn tshui-tshing
今日親帶乳孃，到揭陽催親
Today I go personally with my Nanny to kik-ienn to press the matter

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

a-ni, khuai-se lai kiann-khi
阿妮，快些來行起
Quick Nanny, let’s go!

（乳娘）

ho, lai-kiann, lai-kiann
好，來行來行
Alright, let’s go

（丑、阿妮）

• ainn-kiann tsiu lai kiann, nang kiann-kiann iu kiann-kiann
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-siann
不覺來到潮州城
Without realizing it we come to Teochew City

（楊秀才）

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

（乳娘）

ha, kau-liou tie-tsiu-siann liou
哈，到了潮州城了
Oh, we have arrived at Teochew City

ur, siu-tsai oi, lur thoinn tse-kai suann, kie-tso sim-moh suann?
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-suann!
韓山！
Mount Han!

（乳娘）

suann-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-sur!
韓祠！
Han Temple!

（乳娘）

suann-e hur-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-ienn, tshong-tshur 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-suann koi senn 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, lur ur 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-tsoinn 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 tsur
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, lur ui-ho mung-khi tse-sur 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 thoinn lur ur lau-ia ti pung-nia hua hang-bung-kong tsek-ienn 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, lur tshong-ho kinn-tik?
呵，你從何見得？
Why do you say so?

（乳娘）

hang-bung-kong lai tie-tsiu tso-kuann
韓文公來潮州做官
Han Yu came to serve as an official in Teochew.

tsiang nang-ke ti suann a, kang a, sur-thang a tou inn kueng-tsiann 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.

lur ur lau-ia kueng-tsiann 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 ur tha tsek-ienn?
豈不是本領與他一樣？
Isn’t that because you are as talented as he?

（楊秀才）

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

（乳娘）

a, o-lo tieh suah senn-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-tsur hieng-siann 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-tsur 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 senn-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 tann, nang tann 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, lur li ku-tieh thoinn 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 kiann tsek-ming thoinn, 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 kiann, tsek-ming lai thoinn
好，一面來行，一面來睇
Alright, look while walking.

（楊秀才）

kiann kiann kiann
行行行
Let’s go!

第六出 • Scene 6

Video 1: 52:50

（乳娘）

a! ur! a! tse-se tong-si ainn-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!

ainn-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, kuann-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 lur si ua-kai zu-nie, siu-tsak puann-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-kuann ne, tsur-zieng ur-lur 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）

kiann!
行
Let’s go!

（乳娘）

ur…
噁……
Oh…

（楊秀才）

a-ni, lur ui-ho thi-khau?
阿妮，你爲何啼哭？
Nanny, why are you weeping?

（乳娘）

ua tou boi-khau, lur tann khur-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? kiann kiann kiann kiann kiann
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）

• ainn tsiah ho-he peh-pak-tshienn, ainn 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 huann-hi puk-kak ieng, puann-suann kue-nia tsienn kik-ienn!
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-ienn!

（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, sann-kur 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.

• piann li piann-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 ienn-ke lai tho-tshua, koi khiem-tsienn sok-si
如今楊家來討𡥘，計歉上孰是
Today, the ienn 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-thinn ueng-ti hueng-su ueng tsur-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.

• lur tsong-zik tsiah-pa bo-sur tso, tsueng-mung tshue-phah kuann-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 kuann-hu, puk-ku tshing-senn nurng-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-sur lim-thau, thoinn lur 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, lur hueng-lai hue-tsienn 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-lur 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-tienn hua ienn-kou-ia lai-liou
稟員外安人，族長和楊姑爺來了
Master, Mistress, the Clan Elder and Mr ienn are here.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

hann? 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

zui-hu mung-siann ua u-tseh, kueng-ka tshai-núrng kui tshai-nûrng
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-thinn-huk puk-zu thou-ti-peh, tshueng-tsiang tsok-tienn 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-tienn • 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

siu-tsai, ngak-pe lur kinn-kue, tse-ui tsiu-si lur 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-tsienn, 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, tshiann-tso tshiann-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-tienn • 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.

khurk-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, turng-zik tang-hua-lau siah-tsienn tiann-tshing, si lur 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-tienn ui-bue, ui-ho sann-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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

a? si-hiann, ua ur-lur sueh-kue ki-tshur liou
啊？四兄，我與你說過幾次了
Ah? Fourth Brother, we have spoken about this many times.

lur 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, lur u-so m-tsai, tsi-ing ng no-lau tuann-senn tshur-nurng
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-iunn, puk-sim pang-sim, ku-tshur tshiann-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-tshur 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-ainn ni inn kip-ki, khueng tiann-hung inn 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-ainn kurng-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

henn, pu-kui nang-ke, hung-ing tai-sur, 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 tiann-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 sann-thui-si-pek, tiann sim-moh ienn-tsur?
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 tsur sienn, 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

henn, pek ia-ho, puk-pek ia-ho, ung no-lau tsi-u tshur-nurng
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.

ainn zu-tsienn tsienn-tu, mak-tsoinn 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.

lur ki pek puk-kip thai, tsiu tshiann-khur leng-tshim sok-nurng
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

tshur-ngang tsa-kang?
此言怎講？
What did you say?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

leng-tshim sok-nurng
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-gur khi tshong-thinn, bung ngang-gur khi tshong-thinn
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-tshur 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 hur-hung tho-hung tsur-li ur?
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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

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

（楊秀才）

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

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

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

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

• uang no-lau kiann-ni kue puann-peh, tshek-e zui-u tshur nurng-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 thiann, 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 huann-si tshai, sie-nurng ni-iunn 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 tshiann 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, sienn ning tse-ienn 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-kann 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 ainn ngieng-tshing
我今日登門，便愛迎親
I came here today to fetch my bride.

ziak tsai kur-hung, tsiu tshiann kong-turng siang-kinn, kong-turng siang-kinn!
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-thinn turng-tsienn kinn kou-ia, ho-sur tseng-kong tsienn kuann-thiann
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）

hann? lur tse ia-thau, tsur-ngang-tsur-gur 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 lur
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, siann-siann sueh ainn po kong-turng
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 soinn-tso, tiem-tsiu bue-im soinn pieng surng
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-nurng kann 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-tsur hiou loi-ngi
姑爺既是讀書曉禮儀
Sir you have learned propriety from reading books.

• turng tsai zing-lung tsur tau, tienn-iunn 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,

• thinn to tsienn, thinn to tsienn, su-ainn ngiang thau mo, ti to e, ainn thoinn 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 turng-tsoinn su-tsip phiann-li, tsa-kho siann-siann ku-ku ta kuann-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）

thoinn ning tse-ienn so-ui, lai-tang tiann 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

tshiann-mung u ho tsheng-mik?
請問有何情密？
What secret love afffair?

（楊秀才）

• mok-hui si tsek-nurng ur no-sai, mok-hui si ua-tshi ur-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 lur thak-tsur meng-li, kim-zik keng sueh-tshuk tshur-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-kiann bung-tsai, tsa-kheng ur-lur kang-hiunn? ur-lur kang-hiunn?
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! lur tse hia-tsuann ia-thau!
住口住口！你這下賤丫頭！
Shut up! You low-class servant-girl!

kann-lai ur-ua tau-khau, ua sienn m-sienn 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-sur mo-i-sur, 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

ur! kou-ia oi! mai-khi mai-khi, tho-hue nang tsuann li puk-tsuann
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.

sienn ua senn-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.

inn-au liang-ke tshai-ho tso-tshing, huann-mo kou-ia sann-sur 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, lur si nou-pok, tsu-zing thai-kheh, ho-eng lur 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-tienn kong, sie-pi m-kann
族長公，小婢唔敢
Clan Elder, I do not dare.

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

huann-puk khuai-khuai tho-hia khur 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-tienn kong kie lur hia-khur, lur tsu hia-khur
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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ho ho, tienn-nang kiann-sai, ziang-liou m-kiann-ienn
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, lur kho tsiem hue ua-ke, tse-sur hau ua ur si-hiann 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 khur phah-surng
好，由他去拍算
Fine, let him deal with it.

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ho, tshiann-hue tshiann hue
好，請回請回
Yes, please return.

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

lau-si, tshur-hung kha-si lur 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

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

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsur-zieng si tsek-kong lur
自然是叔公你
Naturally it was you, Great Uncle.

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ho tsai-tau! ke-tsiang tsu-hung, tsok-tienn 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-kann 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-tsur sui-si, tsi-si ua-nurng 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

enn? thoinn-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-nurng, ur 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

hann?! lak-nie ur 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 nurng 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 sann-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-nurng im-lueng ur-nang sur-thong, sou-si si-to tsheng-peh tshong-tshur 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 tiann ainn tshui tha-mung tiann 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 lur-nurng 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 ienn siu-tsai, i-huap khong-su
我即時通知楊秀才，依法控訴
I have to inform Scholar ienn, and following the law,

piann-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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ia-pa, ziak-ainn po-tshueng lur-nurng senn-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）

tshiann tsek-kong si-meng
請叔公示明
Please instruct us, Great Uncle

（族長）• tsok-tienn • 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 ienn-ke ngieng-tshu, pieng kho turng-tsoinn puk-kiu
若是答應楊家迎娶，便可除前不究
If she accepts being married to the ienn family, then we can forget about the past

ziak-kann puann-siann puk-si a…
若敢半聲不是啊……
If she dares raise half a voice in objection…

ha ha! na-si hiunn-kuai sie-lau liou, hiunn-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 tsur-turng 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-nurng 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

tse-kai…
這個……
This…

tau-ia puk-lang, hau ua meng-nang kau lur-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 inn-ui ki-tshung pheng-tiann 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

turng-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 tsur-zieng kheng-ke ienn-ke liou a
他自然肯嫁楊家了啊
So that she will naturally want to marry into the ienn family.

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tse…
這……
This…

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

zu-ho?
如何？
What about it?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-kong, sur kau zu-kim… thiann-tshong lur 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

thiann ua tsiu ho, ua tsiek thong-tsai ienn-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 ienn

au-thinn 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-ienn khuai?
哎呀，怎好這樣快？
Why such haste?

（族長）• tsok-tienn • 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

• ienn-ke hiou-ak zu lang-hounn, tsok-tienn ui hounn pa ek thiem
楊家梟惡如狼虎，族長爲虎把翼添
The ienn family is as ruthless and evil as wolves or tigers. Clan Elder has given the tiger wings.

• no-lau sui-zieng ainn ziek-nurng, im-ui tsur-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 tsur-e lang siang-liang!
淫威之下難商量！
It is hard to bargain with such tyranny!

peh a! khuai-se thenn 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-senn huang-mang?
桃花，爲何照生慌忙？
tho-hue, why are you so flustered?

（桃花）• tho-hue

• tsi ing-ui ienn-ke hue-kiou inn ling-mung
只因爲楊家花驕已臨門
It is because the bridal sedan from the ienn family has reached our door

• iu-thueng kueh-hu tiann 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 inn 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-sur to bua-tsih, tsur-kou poh-mia si ang-ngueng
從來好事多磨折，自古薄命是紅顏
TODO

• ienn-ke tshui-pek sim tshenn-hue, tsok-tienn hiou-ak sur hounn-lang
楊家催逼甚星火，族長梟惡似虎狼
The ienn 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-nurng 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-kiann, ueng-gua meng-ua teng kip nie-kiann 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-hienn, tshur si ho-nang?
梅香，此是何人？
bue-hienn, who is that?

（梅香）

tse-si ienn-ke zu-nie, kou-ia meng-tha lai phuann-pang ti
這是楊家乳娘，姑爺命他來伴房的
This is the ienn family nanny, Sir has sent her to accompany you.

（乳娘）

si si si, ua si lai phuann-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, lur ia-oi thak-tsur a?
秀才娘～，你也會讀書啊？
Mrs Scholar, can you also read books?

hai-oi, ning tsia thak-tsur nang, tsing-si thinn-teng u tshenn, 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-tsur-nang
阿秀才也是讀書人
Our young Sir also reads books.

nang nang-ke lai tshiann-tha sia tsurng pha kuann-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 hounn a, liou gia nang khur ing-ing tsurng-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-senn, hia-ngurng 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, lur senn-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-ienn a!
來配分我秀才，真是一對好鴛鴦啊！

（六娘）• lak-nie

bue-hienn, lur tua zu-nie hue-pang khur uann-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, tann kiann
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-lur siu-tsuang, kah-lur siu-tsuang
我時間再來甲你梳粧，甲你梳粧

ai-oi, senn-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 inn to-mo
到如今鬼門關頭已在望

• kiu-tshenn iu miou-u-hung bueng-khong
救星猶杳鳥雲漫空

si tshur 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

nurng-zi, u-ue tshiann-sueh, hiunn ainn sienn-sim
女兒，有話請說，休欲傷心

（六娘）• lak-nie

bo-tshing, lur tsing-ti zim-sim tsiang zi ke-kau ienn-ke mo?
母親，汝真的忍心將兒嫁到楊家孬？

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

nurng-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

• inn-tsur ham ni ui ainn-tsur, bo lur 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 suann
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 kenn 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 tshenn-bue lui kenn surng
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-tienn khou ai-khiu
爲退婚親向族長苦哀求
TODO

• tsa nai hienn-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-inn-seng-tsiu
到如今大錯鑄成木已成舟

• tang ngueng ning hu-tshi tang ng-ainn
但願恁夫妻同恩愛

• hu-tshi ng-ainn kau peh-tshiu
夫妻恩愛到白鬚

（六娘）• lak-nie

bo-tshing, tho-hue tsoinn khur 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-tshur kip-pek, ku-ke sur-tsoinn puk-tsai
吉日如此急迫，舅家事前不知

ua tsou-bo tsek-hiang iu tong-ainn lur, puk-mieng phoinn se loi-mueh sang ke?
我祖母一向又疼愛汝，不免辦些禮物送嫁？

khiong-phann 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-tshur ur-lur tsak-phuann
兒啊，桃花未回，爲娘在此與汝作伴

（六娘）• lak-nie

mieng-eng, zi ainn tsenn-tso phieng-khek, tshiann bo-tshing hue-pang uann-sui
免用，兒欲靜坐片刻，請母親回房安睡

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

zu-tshur, meng-thinn kik-khi, zi lur ia kai tsa-se uann-sui
如此，明天吉期，兒汝也該早些安睡

（六娘）• lak-nie

nurng-zi tshong-meng
女兒從命

zi-kenn liou!
二更了！

• zi-kenn kou-siann tong tong
二更鼓聲咚咚

• tsek-siann-siann khiou-tik lang-sim thong
一聲聲敲得人心痛

• lah-tsek u-sim huann sieh-piek, tshenn-tsiou bo-tsheng sing lang thong
蠟燭有心還惜別，青鳥無情信難通

• tho-hue oi ainn pi oi, nie-kiann tsing-tsheng lur 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 inn zi-kenn, tho-hue iu-zieng puk-lai
時已二更，桃花猶然不來

mo-hui kuann-zu bo-tshing tsur ngang…
莫非果如母親之言……

puk-si, puk-si, tho-hue kuek bo-gou ua tai-sur
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

• tsiann ti tha puk-leng kip-si hue-tsueng
正致他不能及時回轉

• mok-puk-si pie-hiann ing-ueng inn leng-tiann
莫不是表兄姻緣已另定

• tshing meng lang-ngek hue-thieng bo-lak, tha liu-loh i-hienn
親命難逆回天無力，他流落異鄉

• nou tse-li uek-sur uek-sienn 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

sann-kenn, sann-kenn liou!
三更，三更了！
TODO

• bak-so ka-soh pou-pou king, kenn-kou tshui-meng hiang teng-tong
木梭絞索步步緊，更鼓催命嚮叮咚

• tho-hue im-sing inn 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-kiann, ua tseng tsok tha
桃花臨行，我曾囑他

thang-hok pie-hiann ing-ueng leng-tiann, tsiu kho puk-pik hue-lai
倘或表兄姻緣另定，就可不必回來

tshur-si miou-bo im-sing, sienn pik tiann-hung tsur-sur 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-tshienn-thih-piah inn bo-lou, tshur-tsheng tshur-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

tsoinn-zik tou teng tiann-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-tsur, tau iong-kang khur pa!
不免留下遺書，投榕江去吧！

榕江 – name of the river

• tsua bue tiem-bak soinn 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-tsur ziak-tsieh mia zu si, tang-huang khiang-pau lang ki-thenn
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-tshur 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-sur to-sim ming puk-tik, puk-zu tsing-pang khur zur 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 sienn 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 suann-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? 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 tshiann 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 kiann-theng, mo-surng mo-surng
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-sur?
何事？
What is it?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tse-si nurng-zi tsoh-mia-tsur a!
這是女兒絕命書啊！
This is our daughter’s suicide note!

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tse-si nurng-zi tsoh-mia-tsur?
這是女兒絕命書？
This is our daughter’s suicide note?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsiann-si
正是
Yes it is

（乳娘）

tsham-liou a, siu-tsai-nie khur 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-kiann 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-kiann pik-si tau hiang kang-pinn
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

sienn ua lak-nie, kim-senn 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-senn 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-sur, kuai-sur a
怪事，怪事啊
This is terrible, terrible

• (?) sik-tsong, kiann u khiou-khi
［有加一夜？］失蹤，驚有蹺蹊 TODO

• kie-siann siu-tsai mai tam-koh, sok-sok tui-tshim kau kang-pinn
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

• sienn na-zik…
想那日……
TODO

• sienn na-zik, tou-teng sieh-piek i-i, liang-tsheng meh-meh hah sur liu-si
想那日，渡亭惜別依依，兩情脉脉合似柳絲

• tshoinn-ngang bueng-gur…
千言萬語……

• tshoinn-ngang bueng-gur tsok-hu tsek-ku-ku to sim-thau kurng-ki
千言萬語囑咐一句句在心頭謹記

• ai, pie-hiann oi, ua ur lur 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-kiann!
娘囝！
Miss!

（繼春）

mue-mue!
妹妹！
Sister!

（六娘）• lak-nie

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

• mo-hui ua-sing to mang li, liou-kau kim-senn lang siang-kinn
莫非我身在夢里，料到今生難相見
TODO

• sienn-si tsui-sing siang lieng-mieng, khieng ua hung-phek lai-kau hiann lur sing-pinn
想是水神相憐憫，遣我魂魄來到兄汝身邊

（繼春）

mue-mue, si ui-hiann to-tshur
妹妹，是爲兄在此

（六娘）• lak-nie

ak-mang tshenn iu pui, hiann ho tho-hue ui-ho tshur-khek tshai kau-tse?
惡夢醒又悲，兄和桃花爲何此刻才到這？

• hai-tik ua turng-kuann tshung-tshung lih
害得我腸肝寸寸裂

（繼春）

• piek-au sur kung tsek-penn tshim, ainn tsieng ueng-meng hui tim-ngim
別後思君一病深，欲踐鴛盟費沉吟

• huk-thueng hiong-sing kiann ainn tsoh, tshim-sur 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 kiann 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-tshur siang lieng-me sur-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-kiann ing-ho ia kau-tshur?
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-khur bo siou-sek, siou-tsing kenn-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,

• sienn pik-si hiann lur ing-ueng inn leng-tiann
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 ienn-ke-hu, ing-tshur siang lau zui-tsur 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 ienn 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 tshur-si siang-ngo, kha puk-gou liou tai-sur!
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, lur ho-pik zu-tshur khing-senn
妹妹，汝何必如此輕生
Sister, why do you treat your life so lightly?

ui-hiann kha-si puk-siu sing-ngi tsur nang?
爲兄豈是不守信義之人？
Is your brother such an unfaithful person?

（六娘）• lak-nie

pie-hiann, ui-mue peng puk-kuai lur, 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,

ainn 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, senn-senn 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-tsienn, 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）

sur-kip liou, tsi-ho zu-tshur, tho-hue, lur tsiu ur 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-siann siep-lou, kie-ua zu-ho tann-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 kiann-gi, sienn tshur-khek kenn-lang me-tsenn, 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 tsienn-kiann 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 ienn-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-toinn hue-lai, tshenn-bi inn-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 thinn, tsi-ainn ueng-gua kann tshuk-tsinn
況將路頭翹起堵着天，只欲員外敢出錢
TODO

tsok-tienn kai tshui tsiu hah-mi, kau na-si, ho-tsenn-hou-hiah, tshueng-kai bo-kinn
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, lur tsi-kai sim-sur 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-kiann, khuai-khur 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? lur ainn tang-khur 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-kiann ki-si lau-hia tsoh-mia-tsur, tsiu-ainn 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-kiann, lur kho thuk-khur siu-oi, thai-ua pai to kang-pinn
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, sur-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 tsur-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, lur ui-ho tse-si tshai hue-lai? kha-u thoinn-kinn nie-kiann?
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 kuann hue-lai sang nie-kiann 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-kiann 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-kiann lau-hia tsoh-mia-tsur, thau-khui au-hng-mung tshuk-lai tau kang tsur-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? kuann-u tshur-sur?
怎說？果有此事？
What? Could such a thing happen?

（安人）• ang-zing • Mrs Sou

tsiann-si, lur tsek-lou zur-lai, kha-u kinn 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

tiann-zieng si-liou… ai, nie-kiann!
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-tienn • 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

lau-si, sur-tsheng tsa-ienn?
老四，事情怎樣？
Fourth Brother, how is the situation?

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

tsek-kong siu-tsai, sie-nurng mi-sik bo-tsong, tsi-u lau-hia tsoh-mia-tsur
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）

hann? tsoh-mia-tsur? tsoh-mia-tsur to na-li? na-lai thoinn!
～？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-nurng poh-tsur ziak-tsi, mia poh zu si
「妾女薄姿弱質，命薄如絲 TODO

• tang-huang khuang-pau, lang inn tsur-thi
東風狂暴，難以自持

• mung-senn tsui-poh, kau-turng sui-thi?
門生水泊，高堂誰持

• ngang liem kip-tshur, pui puk tsur-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-nurng, ue-pi hur-pik
迫我弱女，慰被漁筆

• kung zu u-leng, pik tsiang theng tsur
君如有靈，必將懲之

• poh-mia-nurng lak-nie tsoh-pik
薄命女六娘絕筆」
The ill-fated girl Lak-nie puts own her pen.

[Ends recitation]

tsur-tang sueh ua pek-si tha-sing, puk-mieng tsiang tsur 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-kurng
方免留下禍根
TODO

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

siu-tsai, ui-ho tsiang tsur tshang-khi?
秀才，爲何將書藏起？
Scholar, why do you conceal the letter?

（楊秀才）

tse kai… ua mung lur
這個……我問汝
This… let me ask you instead

（員外）• ueng-gua • Landlord Sou

ho-sur?
何事？
What about?

（楊秀才）

ua thoinn tshur-tsur lai-tang tiann u khiou-khi
我睇此書內中定有蹺蹊
I see that there must be strange in this letter.

tshiann-mung lur-nurng pheng-zik u-bo ur-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-puann 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-nurng tsek-siang kiann-ui tueng-tsiann
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-hienn nang-nang tsai-tau ti
全鄉人人知道的
Everyone in the village knows this.

（楊秀才）

ki-si kiann-ui tueng-tsiann, 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 tsur-tshim to-kinn 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 nurng-tsur 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 thiann pe-bo tsur meng
婚姻須聽父母之命
and should marry whom her parents choose for her.

bue-iak tsur ngang, ning no-lau tsur sienn 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 nurng 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 ienn

meng si lur tho-tshing pek-turng, ti khi tshur-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-kiann tsoh-mia-tsur meng-meng sueh lur 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

lur ui-ho tshang-tsur mik-tseng, hueng-zur 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-tienn tsoh-mia-tsur ua ia tshing-mak thoinn-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 khur!
開去！
Shoo!

tuann-pheng tsek-hong tsoh-mia-tsur, 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-kur, tsiu-si ke-tsur tshang-nurng
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

tiann ainn ning tsiang nurng hieng-tshuk!
定欲恁將女顯出！
I demand that you present her!

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ai-ia! puk-eng tsenn-pieng, zui-tsur ki sueh tau-kang tsur-tsing, khuai kau kang-pinn thoinn-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-kur, tueng puk ur ning kang-hiunn
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-pinn
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-pinn 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）

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

（乳娘）

tsi-e tshua bo nang khur tshua tso-kai kui hur-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 ainn kue-tou?
～，衆人豈是欲過渡？
Hey, do you all want to cross the river?

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

lai, thenn-tou ti, tsa-kang kha-u nang to-tshur tsoinn-au tau-kang tsur-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-kenn si-hau, ua to tsung-tsienn ta-sui, thiann-kinn 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 surng-tshie, bo khur 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-ienn sueh tsiang khi-lai, tsing-ti si u-nang tau-kang tsur-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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

ai-ia, nang-mia kueng-thinn sur-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, thoinn ning huann-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 tuann-senn tshur-nurng, 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-kiann tsek-hiang to sai-lou tsiang-tai, ku-lau-ia ur lau-hu-zing ainn 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 kuann, tsiou-tang kuann-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 tshur-sur, kha kheng kang-hiunn?
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 tuann-tok tshur nurng-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 ainn ur-lur kinn 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 khur, tshiann-khiu ua-hiann 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-senn kuk-nek pi pek-si, bueng-kueng ke-tsur 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-tienn tsur 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 sur, ur 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-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

tso-tshing si ning ngueng, ho-tai ning tsur-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-inn, kueng-senn 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-thinn, hui-tang zi-hi, tiann-ainn ur-ning, kong-thang sienn-kinn!
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 piann senn-si, piann senn-si ia!
把老命拚生死，拚生死呀！
TK

（族長）• tsok-tienn • Clan Elder Sou

tshiann bue a, ho ia-si ning tienn-nang kiann-sai, mo ia-si ning tienn-nang kiann-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 kuann-si, ur ua bo-kueng, ning tshiann ua turng
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 suann? sur to ning hienn-li huek-senn
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 sur, ning ka-ki khur 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 turng-hng, kiann-thiann iu turng, 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, ainn 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, lur kah nie-kiann tann, ua meng-thinn…
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-tsienn, lur tann me-me turng-khur, meng-thinn 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-ienn kau-keng mieng
雲擁明月水擁天，花間鴛鴦交頸眠
TODO

ki-tshung lak-nie sienn-sui tsau, tho-hue ing-lou to tsoinn-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, tshiann, tshiann!
伯啊，請，請！
Old man, farewell!

（渡公）• tou-kong • Boatman

ho, ho, tshiann tshiann tshiann! ha ha ha ha ha ha!
好好，請請請！哈哈哈哈哈哈！
Good, good. Farewell! Hahaha!