帕布莉卡第二出 哭主
〔副净扮旗牌官[1]上〕汉阳烟树隔江滨，
影里青山画里人，
可惜城西佳绝处，
朝朝遮断马头尘。
在下宁南帅府一个旗牌官的便是，俺元帅收复武昌，功封侯爵。昨日又奉新恩，加了太傅[2]之衔；小爷左梦庚[3]，亦挂总兵之印，特差巡按御史黄澍[4]老爷到府宣旨。今日九江督抚袁继咸[5]老爷，又解粮三十船，亲来给发。元帅大喜，命俺设宴黄鹤楼，请两位老爷饮酒看江。
〔望介〕遥见晴川树底，芳草洲边[6]，万姓欢歌，三军嬉笑，好一段太平景象也。远远喝道[7]之声，元帅将到，不免设起席来。
〔台上挂黄鹤楼匾〕
〔副净设席安座介〕
〔杂扮军校旗仗鼓吹引导〕
〔小生扮左良玉戎装上〕
【声声慢】
逐人春色，
入眼晴光，
连江芳草青青。
百尺楼高，
吹笛落梅风景。
领着花间小乘[8]，
载行厨，
带缓衣轻；
便笑咱将军好武，
也爱儒生。
咱家左良玉，今日设宴黄鹤楼，请袁、黄两公饮酒看江，只得早候。
〔吩咐介〕大小军卒楼下伺候。
〔众应下〕
〔作登楼介兰〕三春云物归胸次[9]，
万里风烟到眼中。
〔望介〕你看浩浩洞庭，苍苍云梦[10]，控西南之险，当江汉之冲[11]；俺左良玉镇此名邦，好不壮哉！
〔坐呼介〕旗牌官何在？
〔副净跪介〕有。
〔小生〕酒席齐备不曾？
〔副净〕齐备多时了。
〔小生〕怎么两位老爷还不见到？
〔副净〕连请数次，袁老爷正在江岸盘粮，黄老爷又往龙华寺[12]拜客，大约傍晚才来。
〔小生〕在此久候，岂不困倦。叫左右速接柳相公上楼，闲谈拨闷。
〔杂跪禀介〕柳相公现在楼下。
〔小生〕快请。
〔杂请介〕
〔丑扮柳敬亭上〕气吞云梦泽，声撼岳阳楼。
〔见介〕
〔小生〕敬亭为何早来了。
〔丑〕晚生知道元帅闷坐，特来奉陪的。
〔小生〕这也奇了，你如何晓得。
〔丑〕常言“秀才会课，点灯告坐[13]”。天生文官，再不能爽快的。
〔小生笑介〕说得有理。
〔指介〕你看天才午转，几时等到点灯也。
〔丑〕若不嫌聒噪呵，把昨晚说的“秦叔宝见姑娘”，再接上一回罢。
〔小生〕极妙了。
〔问介〕带有鼓板么？
〔丑〕自古“官不离印，货不离身”，老汉管着做甚的。
〔取出鼓板介〕
〔小生〕叫左右泡开岕片[14]，安下胡床。咱要纱帽隐囊[15]，清谈消遣哩。
〔杂设床、泡茶，小生更衣坐，杂捶背搔痒介〕
〔丑旁坐敲鼓板说书介〕
大江滚滚浪东流，
淘尽兴亡古渡头；
屈指英雄无半个，
从来遗恨是荆州。
按下新诗，还提旧话。且说人生最难得的是乱离之后，骨肉重逢。总是地北天南，时移物换，经几番凶荒战斗，怎免得梗泛萍漂[16]。可喜秦叔宝解到罗公帅府，枷锁连身，正在候审；遇着嫡亲姑娘，卷帘下阶，抱头大哭。当时换了新衣，设席款待，一个候死的囚徒，登时上了青天。这叫作“运去黄金减价，时来顽铁生光”。
〔拍醒木介〕
〔小生掩泪介〕咱家也都经过了。
〔丑〕再说那罗公问及叔宝的武艺，满心欢喜，特地要夸其本领，即日放炮传操。下了教场，雄兵十万，雁翅排开。罗公独坐当中，一呼百诺，掌着生杀之权。秦叔宝站在旁边，点头赞叹，口里不言，心中暗道：大丈夫定当如此！
〔拍醒木介〕
〔小生作骄态，笑介〕俺左良玉也不枉为人一世矣。
〔丑〕那罗公眼看叔宝，高声问道：“秦琼，看你身材高大，可曾学些武艺么？”叔宝慌忙跪下，应答如流：“小人会使双锏[17]。”罗公即命家人，将自己用的两条银锏，抬将下来。那两条银锏，共重六十八斤，比叔宝所用铁锏，轻了一半。叔宝是用过重锏的人，接在手中，如同无物。跳下阶来，使尽身法，左轮右舞，恰似玉蟒缠身，银龙护体。玉蟒缠身，万道毫光台下落；银龙护体，一轮月影面前悬。罗公在中军帐里，大声喝采道：“好呀！”那十万雄兵，一齐答应。
〔作喊介〕如同山崩雷响，十里皆闻。
〔拍醒木介〕
〔小生照镜镊鬓介〕俺左良玉立功边塞，万夫不当，也是天下一个好健儿。如今白发渐生，杀贼未尽，好不恨也。
〔副净上〕禀元帅爷，两位老爷俱到楼了。
〔丑暗下〕
〔小生换冠带、杂撤床排席介〕
〔外扮袁继咸，末扮黄澍，冠带喝道上〕
〔外〕长湖落日气苍茫，
黄鹤楼高望故乡。
〔末〕吹笛仙人称地主，
临风把酒喜洋洋。
〔小生迎揖介〕二位老先生俯临敝镇，曷胜光荣；聊设杯酒，同看春江。
〔外、末〕久钦威望，喜近节麾，高楼盛设，大快生平。
〔安席坐，斟酒欲饮介〕
〔净扮塘报[18]人急上〕忙将覆地翻天事，
报与勤王救主人。
禀元帅爷，不好了，不好了！
〔众惊起介〕有甚么紧急军情，这等喊叫？
〔净急白介〕禀元帅爷：
大伙流贼[19]北犯，层层围住神京[20]；
三天不见救援兵，暗把城门开禁。
放火焚烧宫阙，持刀杀害生灵。
〔拍地介〕可怜圣主好崇祯，
〔哭说介〕缢死煤山树顶。
〔众惊问介〕有这等事，是那一日来？
〔净喘介〕就是这、这、这三月十九日。
〔众望北叩头，大哭介〕
〔小生起，搓手跳哭介〕我的圣上呀！我的崇祯主子呀！我的大行皇帝[21]呀！孤臣左良玉，远在边方，不能一旅勤王，罪该万死了。
【胜如花】
高皇帝在九京[22]，
不管亡家破鼎[23]，
那知他圣子神孙，
反不如飘蓬断梗。
十七年忧国如病，
呼不应天灵祖灵，
调不来亲兵救兵；
白练无情，
送君王一命。
伤心煞煤山私幸[24]，
独殉了社稷苍生，
独殉了社稷苍生！
〔众又大哭介〕
〔外摇手喊介〕且莫举哀，还有大事相商。
〔小生〕有何大事？
〔外〕既失北京，江山无主，将军若不早建义旗，顷刻乱生，如何安抚。
〔末〕正是。〔指介〕这江汉荆襄，亦是西南半壁，万一失守，恢复无及矣。
〔小生〕小弟滥握兵权，实难辞责，也须两公努力，共保边疆。
〔外、末〕敢不从事。
〔小生〕既然如此，大家换了白衣，对着大行皇帝在天之灵，恸哭拜盟一番。
〔唤介〕左右可曾备下缞衣[25]么？
〔副净〕一时不能备及，暂借附近民家素衣三领，白布三条。
〔小生〕也罢，且穿戴起来。
〔吩咐介〕大小三军，亦各随拜。
〔小生、外、末穿衣裹布介〕
〔领众齐拜，举哀介〕我那先帝呀，
【前腔】〔合〕
宫车出[26]，庙社倾，
破碎中原费整。
养文臣帷幄无谋[27]，
豢武夫疆场不猛；
到今日山残水剩，
对大江月明浪明，
满楼头呼声哭声。
〔又哭介〕这恨怎平，
有皇天作证：
从今后戮力奔命[28]，
报国仇早复神京，
报国仇早复神京。
〔小生〕我等拜盟之后，义同兄弟；临侯督师，仲霖监军，我左昆山操兵练马，死守边方。倘有太子诸王，中兴定鼎，那时勤王北上，恢复中原，也不负今日一番义举。
〔外、末〕领教了。
〔副净禀介〕禀元帅，满城喧哗，似有变动之意，快请下楼，安抚民心。
〔俱下楼介〕
〔小生〕二位要向那里去？
〔外〕小弟还回九江。
〔末〕小弟要到襄阳。
〔小生〕这等且各分手，请了。〔别介〕
〔小生呼介〕转来，若有国家要事，还望到此公议。
〔外、末〕但寄片纸，无不奔赴。请了。
〔外、末下〕
〔小生〕呵呀呀！不料今日天翻地覆，吓死俺也！
飞花送酒不曾擎，
片语传来满座惊，
黄鹤楼中人哭罢，
江昏月暗夜三更。
〔下〕
注释：
[1]旗牌官：替主将掌管令旗、令牌的官，地位跟中军官相近。
[2]太傅：明代称太师、太傅、太保作三公。
[3]左梦庚：左良玉的儿子。
[4]巡按御史黄澍：黄澍，字仲霖，曾被派到湖广任巡按御史，监左良玉的军队。
[5]督抚袁继咸：督抚即总督。袁继咸，字临侯，明末人，崇祯十二年任兵部侍郎，总督江、楚、赣、皖等地，曾代吕大器督左良玉军队。左梦庚降清时，他不屈而死。
[6]“晴川树底”二句：唐人崔颢《黄鹤楼》诗：“晴川历历汉阳树，芳草萋萋鹦鹉洲。”芳草洲指在汉阳西南长江中的鹦鹉洲。
[7]喝道：过去官僚出行时，前列仪仗及卫士高声呵喝，禁止行人，称“喝道”。
[8]小乘：小车。
[9]胸次：胸中。
[10]云梦：泽名，在今湖北安陆县内。
[11]冲：指险要的地方。
[12]龙华寺：在武昌宾阳门内。
[13]“秀才会课”二句：意说秀才们约会做功课，往往要到点灯时才到齐。
[14]岕（jiè）片：岕茶，产于浙江长兴县境罗岕山，故此得名。
[15]隐囊：即靠褥。
[16]梗泛萍漂：意指像断梗、浮萍似的在水面上东漂西泛。
[17]锏：通“简”，是一种鞭类的兵器。
[18]塘报：提塘邸报，是由都城发出的一种情报。
[19]流贼：当时对李自成等起义军的蔑称。
[20]神京：京师，这里指北京。
[21]大行皇帝：古时称刚死而未有谥号的天子作大行皇帝。
[22]九京：这里指九泉，即地下。
[23]破鼎：亡国。
[24]煤山私幸：古时天子出行叫巡幸。煤山私幸，就是说崇祯皇帝私下跑到煤山去。
[25]缞（cuī）衣：丧服。
[26]宫车出：古时为了忌讳，一般称皇帝死为“宫车晏出”，即宫车迟出的意思。
[27]帷幄无谋：帷幄，军中的帐幕。帷幄无谋是指谋士无用。
[28]奔命：哪里有使命就赶到哪里。
Scene 2 The Emperor’s Death
(Enter an Officer on Duty.)
Officer(Singing):By riverside loom mist-veiled trees,
In picturesque blue hills men stay.
Though scenic spots in west town please,
War steeds raise dust from day to day.
I am an officer on duty in Marshal Zuo’s camp.Since the recovery of the lost land,our general is promoted to the rank of marshal and ennobled as marquees.His son is also appointed officer in charge of a town.The imperial edict will be announced by Advisor Huang Shu,who will come to our marshal’s camp today.Besides,Governor Yuan Jixian has come from Jiujiang with thirty ships loaded with food supply.Our marshal,highly delighted,orders me to prepare a banquet at Yellow Crane Tower so that he may invite the governor and the advisor to feast on wine and on the scenic beauty by the riverside.
(Gazing)I see from afar by the riverside,in the shade of trees,on the carpet of grass,people and soldiers are making merry.What a peaceful sight!The trumpets announce the arrival of our marshal.I must get the banquet ready.(Arranging the seats in the tower)
(Enter soldiers,flag in hands,playing music with bugles and drums.)
(Enter Marshal Zuo in military array.)
Zuo(Singing to the Slow,Slow Tune):
The charming spring
Makes my eyes sing
By riverside overgrown with grass sweet.
In tower high
The flute is played and flowers fly.
Coming along the path in cabs with cooks,
In light dress and loose belt we meet.
People may laugh and say
A general should love military array.
But I am also fond of books.
I invite Governor Yuan and Advisor Huang to a banquet in Yellow Crane Tower in order to entertain them with wine and scenic beauty.I must come early to attend to them.
(Giving orders)Sergeants and soldiers,wait on us downstaris.
(Exeunt soldiers.)
Zuo(Going upstairs and singing):
Before my breast late spring clouds rise,
The breeze brings smoke into my eyes.
(Looking out)Behold!How vast is the Dongting Lake!So green is the Dreaming Cloud.Commanding the southwest region and controlling the two rivers,what an important post do I hold!It should be occupied by none other than a hero.
(Calling)Officer on Duty!
Officer(Kneeling):Here,sir.
Zuo: Is the banquet ready?
Officer:It is ready for a long time.
Zuo:Why have Governor Yuan and Advisor Huang not yet come?
Officer:On inquiry,Governor Yuan is busy with food supply by the riverside,and Advisor Huang is visiting the Dragon Temple.They cannot be here till dusk.
Zuo:I am tired of waiting here so long.Ask Master Liu to come upstairs so that we may while away the time.
Servant(Kneeling):Master Liu is downstairs.
Zuo:Invite him to come upstairs.
(Enter Liu Jingting.)
Liu(Singing):Clouds rise from Dreaming Lake;
My voice makes towers shake.
(Saluting Zuo)
Zuo:Why are you here so early?
Liu:I come early to beguile your leisure with my tales.
Zuo:How could you know I am at leisure?
Liu:It is said a story-teller is as good as a fortune-teller.What is there that a story-teller does not know?
Zuo:You are right.(Pointing skywards)It is past noon.How long shall we wait for dusk to come?
Liu:My story may make a long day short.If you are not displeased with it,I shall tell you the story of Qin Qiong meeting his aunt.
Zuo:It would be interesting.Have you brought your clappers with you?
Liu:I cannot go out without my clappers just as an official cannot leave his seal.
(Taking out the clappers)
Zuo:Let tea be served and seats be provided.I will while away this afternoon in civilian dress.
(Seats are arranged and tea served.Zuo changes his dress and takes his seat,an attendant is doing massage.)
Liu(Taking his seat at a table and telling his tale to the rhythm of his clappers and singing):
The great river rolls its endless waves to the east,
The old ferry has witnessed rise and fall at least.
Have any heroes outlived the river flowing down?
All their regret is to have lost the southwest town.
What more felicity can fall to a creature than to meet one near and dear to you in time of trouble?I shall continue to tell you the story of Qin Qiong,a hero defeated after furious battles,captured and sent in fetters to Marshal Luo’s camp.What was not his joy when,as a prisoner waiting for trial,he was discovered to be a nephew-in-law of the marshal.When his aunt rolled up the curtain,came down from the hall,held him in warm embrace and shed copious tears,he seemed to have flown up from the hell to the paradise.Having changed his dress,he was entertained with a high feast.Like the iron with rust rubbed off,he appeared even brighter than gold.
(Striking the table with a slab)
Zuo(Shedding tears):That is my personal experience.
Liu:When Marshal Luo asked Qin about his skills in using weapons,he was delighted to learn Qin’s craft and he would give him a chance to show his skills.So by his order,the booming of the cannon announced the manoeuvre on the parade ground and the army spread out two wings in display.The marshal took his seat in the centre while Qin stood by his side in admiration.That is what a hero should do,said Qin to himself.(Striking the table with a slab)
Zuo(In proud laughter):What I have done is not unworthy of a heroic generalship.
Liu:Marshal Luo,looking at Qin in the face,asked him:“Bright and brave as you looked,have you learned how to use weapons?”At once Qin answered on his knee,“I have learned to wield two iron clubs.”The marshal ordered the attendant to bring the two silver clubs of sixty-eight jin which he used himself,but which were not so weighty as Qin’s iron clubs.So Qin brandished the weapons up and down,left and right,as two jade serpents or silver dragons which shed brilliance here and there like moonbeams which dazzled the eyes.The marshal applauded in the central seat and the army burst in thunderous echoes heard far and near.(Striking the table with a slab)
Zuo(Looking at his white hair in the mirror):Irresistible on the frontier,I am also a hero who has won victory on victory.But now age begins to snow white hair on my forehead,while the foe is not yet vanquished.What a deep regret!
(Enter an Officer in Charge.)
Officer:Governor Yuan and Advisor Huang have arrived at the tower.
(Exit Liu unobserved.)
(General Zuo puts on his official dress,while the table and the seat for the story-teller are removed and the banquet seats are arranged.)
(Enter Governor Yuan and Advisor Huang in official dress.)
Yuan(Singing):The boundless lake at sunset takes a crimson dye.
I can’t see my home on Yellow Crane Tower high.
Huang(Singing):The immortal flutist invites us to his land.
How happy we’re to drink in the breeze,cup in hand!
Zuo(Saluting them):What a great honor for me to invite Your Excellencies to dinner by the riverside,where scenic splendor is as enjoyable as wine!
Yuan & Huang:What a great pleasure for us to be invited by Your Generalship to such a sumptuous feast on this lofty tower!(Taking their seats and ready to drink)
(Enter a messenger.)
Messenger(Singing):The empire is turned upside down.
I shall report to the commander of the town.
Alas!Dire news!Dire news!Your Generalship.
Zuo(Startled):What urgency makes you shout with such alarm!
Messenger(In tears):I come to report to Your Generalship.
(Singing):The rebels surrounded the helpless capital,
And in three days they broke into the city wall.
They set fire to imperial palace hall,
And killed defenceless people and plundered all.
(Stamping on the ground)
Alas!The emperor could not be free.
(Weeping)He hanged himself upon a tree.
All(Astonished):How could it be so!Do you know when did it take place?
Messenger(Out of breath):It was on the nineteenth day of the third month.
(All kowtowing to the north and bursting into tears)
Zuo(Rising,stamping on the ground and crying):Alas!Your Majesty!My dear emperor!
Your humble servant is so far away from the capital that we could not come to your rescue.How could I be exempted from condemnation!
(Singing to the tune of Better than Flower):
The emperor in the celestial town
Could not foretell the empire would be overthrown.
How could he know his sons and grandsons
Would become shelterless wandering ones!
Worried for the empire for seventeen years,
Without the help of holy spirits on high
Nor rescue armies coming far and nigh,
He hanged himself with white silk stained with tears.
With broken heart the hill feels sad and drear
To see the empire lose its emperor dear,
To see the empire lose its emperor dear!
(All weeping in hot tears)
Yuan(Waving the hand):There is something more important than going into mourning.
Zuo:What is it?
Yuan:Since the Northern Capital is lost,the empire has no sovereign.If your generalship does not raise the royal flag,who could pacify the empire if disorder should break out?
Huang:You are right.(Pointing outwards)This riverside town is the most important land in the southwest.If it were lost to the rebels,the empire’s recovery would be more difficult.
Zuo:As commander-in-chief of the Southwestern armies,I cannot shirk my responsibility.But I still need the support of Your Excellencies.
Yuan & Huang:Glad to be at your service.
Zuo:Let us then put on mourning and declare alliance to console the emperor’s holy spirit in Heaven.
(To Attendant)Is the mourning dress ready?
Attendant:We have no time to get it ready.But here are some white suits of civilian dress.
Zuo:All right,we shall wear them in mourning.
(Giving orders)Let all officers and soldiers attend the mourning service.
(Zuo,Yuan and Huang put on mourning dress and kneel down with officers and soldiers.)
All:Repose in Heaven,Your Majesty!
(Singing to the previous tune):
Imperial carriages overturned
And ancestral temples burned,
Destroyed is the Central Plain.
Ministers have no plan in hand,
Soldiers cannot guard the land,
But barren mountains and shallow rivers remain.
We only see the waves and the moon shine,
And hear in Yellow Crane Tower but cry and whine.
(Weeping)How can we calm our revengeful mind down!
We make a vow
To Heaven now:
We will do our best to revenge for the crown
And to recapture Northern Capital town!
And to recapture Northern Capital town!
Zuo:Since our alliance is formed,we should cooperate like brothers.I shall drill the army to guard the frontier and wait for the heir to the throne to lead our northern expedition.Then we shall recapture the Central Plain to console the emperor’s holy spirit in Heaven.
Yuan & Huang: We are ever at your service.
Officer:The whole city is in uproar for the emperor’s death.Will Your Generalship go down to pacify the people?
(All go downstairs.)
Zuo(To Yuan & Huang):Where are Your Excellencies going?
Yuan:I am going back to Jiujiang.
Huang:I am leaving for Xiangyang in the west.
Zuo:Then let us part here.Adieu!(They bid adieux.)But wait a minute.Will you please come here again if something important should happen?
Yuan & Huang:We are ever at your order.
(Exeunt.)
Zuo:Alas!What disaster!How could the empire be turned thus!(Singing)
Before we drink,all flowers fly down;
Words come about the death of the crown.
In Yellow Crane Tower tears turn into blood red;
On midnight River sad moonbeams are shed.
(Exit.)
