帕布莉卡第三出 却奁
【夜行船】〔末〕
人宿平康深柳巷，
惊好梦门外花郎[1]。
绣户未开，
帘钩才响，
春阻十层纱帐。
下官杨文骢，早来与侯兄道喜。你看院门深闭，侍婢无声，想是高眠未起。
〔唤介〕保儿，你到新人窗外，说我早来道喜。
〔杂〕昨夜睡迟了，今日未必起来哩。老爷请回，明日再来罢。
〔末笑介〕胡说！快快去问。
〔小旦内问介〕保儿！来的是那一个？
〔杂〕是杨老爷道喜来了。
〔小旦忙上〕
倚枕春宵短，
敲门好事多。
〔见介〕多谢老爷，成了孩儿一世姻缘。
〔末〕好说。
〔问介〕新人起来不曾？
〔小旦〕昨晚睡迟，都还未起哩。
〔让坐介〕老爷请坐，待我去催他。
〔末〕不必，不必。〔小旦下〕
【步步娇】〔末〕
儿女浓情如花酿，
美满无他想，
黑甜共一乡[2]。
可也亏了俺帮衬，
珠翠辉煌，
罗绮飘荡，
件件助新妆，
悬出风流榜。
〔小旦上〕好笑，好笑！两个在那里交扣丁香[3]，并照菱花[4]，梳洗才完，穿戴未毕。请老爷同到洞房，唤他出来，好饮扶头卯酒。
〔末〕惊却好梦，得罪不浅。
〔同下〕
〔生、旦艳妆上〕
【沉醉东风】〔生、旦〕
这云情接着雨况[5]，
刚搔了心窝奇痒，
谁搅起睡鸳鸯。
被翻红浪，
喜匆匆满怀欢畅。
枕上余香，
帕上余香，
消魂滋味，
才从梦里尝。
〔末、小旦上〕
〔末〕果然起来了，恭喜，恭喜！
〔一揖，坐介〕
〔末〕昨晚催妆拙句，可还说的入情么。
〔生揖介〕多谢！
〔笑介〕妙是妙极了，只有一件。
〔末〕那一件？
〔生〕香君虽小，还该藏之金屋[6]。
〔看袖介〕小生衫袖，如何着得下？
〔俱笑介〕
〔末〕夜来定情，
必有佳作。
〔生〕草草塞责，不敢请教。
〔末〕诗在那里？
〔旦〕诗在扇头。
〔旦向袖中取出扇介〕
〔末接看介〕是一柄白纱宫扇。
〔嗅介〕香的有趣。
〔吟诗介〕妙，妙！只有香君不愧此诗。
〔付旦介〕还收好了。
〔旦收扇介〕
【园林好】〔末〕
正芬芳桃香李香，
都题在宫纱扇上；
怕遇着狂风吹荡，
须紧紧袖中藏，
须紧紧袖中藏。
〔末看旦介〕你看香君上头之后，更觉艳丽了。
〔向生介〕世兄有福，消此尤物[7]。
〔生〕香君天姿国色，今日插了几朵珠翠，
穿了一套绮罗，十分花貌，
又添二分，果然可爱。
〔小旦〕这都亏了杨老爷帮衬哩。
【江儿水】
送到缠头锦，
百宝箱，
珠围翠绕流苏帐[8]，
银烛笼纱通宵亮，
金杯劝酒合席唱。
今日又早早来看，
恰似亲生自养，
赔了妆奁，
又早敲门来望。
〔旦〕俺看杨老爷，虽是马督抚[9]至亲，却也拮据作客，为何轻掷金钱，来填烟花之窟？在奴家受之有愧，在老爷施之无名；今日问个明白，以便图报。
〔生〕香君问得有理，小弟与杨兄萍水相交[10]，昨日承情太厚，也觉不安。
〔末〕既蒙问及，小弟只得实告了。这些妆奁酒席，约费二百余金，皆出怀宁[11]之手。
〔生〕那个怀宁？
〔末〕曾做过光禄的阮圆海。
〔生〕是那皖人阮大铖么？
〔末〕正是。
〔生〕他为何这样周旋？
〔末〕不过欲纳交足下之意。
【五供养】〔末〕
羡你风流雅望，
东洛才名，西汉文章[12]。
逢迎随处有，
争看坐车郎[13]。
秦淮妙处，
暂寻个佳人相傍，
也要些鸳鸯被、
芙蓉妆；
你道是谁的，
是那南邻大阮，
嫁衣全忙。
〔生〕阮圆老原是敝年伯，小弟鄙其为人，绝之已久。他今日无故用情，令人不解。
〔末〕圆老有一段苦衷，欲见白于足下。
〔生〕请教。
〔末〕圆老当日曾游赵梦白[14]之门，原是吾辈。后来结交魏党，只为救护东林，不料魏党一败，东林反与之水火[15]。近日复社诸生，倡论攻击，大肆殴辱，岂非操同室之戈[16]乎？圆老故交虽多，因其形迹可疑，亦无人代为分辩。每日向天大哭，说道：“同类相残，伤心惨目，非河南侯君，不能救我。”所以今日谆谆纳交。
〔生〕原来如此，俺看圆海情辞迫切，亦觉可怜。就便真是魏党，悔过来归，亦不可绝之太甚，况罪有可原乎。定生、次尾，皆我至交，明日相见，即为分解。
〔末〕果然如此，吾党之幸也。
〔旦怒介〕官人是何说话，阮大铖趋附权奸，廉耻丧尽；妇人女子，无不唾骂。他人攻之，官人救之，官人自处于何等也?
【川拨棹】
不思想，
把话儿轻易讲。
要与他消释灾殃，
要与他消释灾殃，
也提防旁人短长[17]。
官人之意，不过因他助俺妆奁，便要徇私废公；那知道这几件钗钏衣裙，原放不到我香君眼里。
〔拔簪脱衣介〕脱裙衫，
穷不妨；
布荆[18]人，
名自香。
〔末〕阿呀！香君气性，忒也刚烈[19]。
〔小旦〕把好好东西，都丢一地，可惜，可惜！
〔拾介〕
〔生〕好，好，好！这等见识，我倒不如，真乃侯生畏友也。
〔向末介〕老兄休怪，
弟非不领教，但恐为女子所笑耳。
【前腔】
〔生〕平康巷，
他能将名节讲；
偏是咱学校朝堂，
偏是咱学校朝堂，
混贤奸不问青黄[20]。
那些社友平日重俺侯生者，也只为这点义气；我若依附奸邪，那时群起来攻，自救不暇，焉能救人乎。
节和名，
非泛常；
重和轻，
须审详。
〔末〕圆老一段好意，也还不可激烈。
〔生〕我虽至愚，亦不肯从井救人[21]。
〔末〕既然如此，小弟告辞了。
〔生〕这些箱笼，原是阮家之物，香君不用，留之无益，还求取去罢。
〔末〕正是
“多情反被无情恼，
乘兴而来兴尽还。”
〔下〕
〔旦恼介〕
〔生看旦介〕俺看香君天姿国色，摘了几朵珠翠，脱去一套绮罗，十分容貌，又添十分，更觉可爱。
〔小旦〕虽如此说，舍了许多东西，到底可惜。
【尾声】
金珠到手轻轻放，
惯成了娇痴模样，
辜负俺辛勤做老娘。
〔生〕些须东西，何足挂念，
小生照样赔来。
〔小旦〕这等才好。
〔小旦〕花钱粉钞[22]费商量，
〔旦〕裙布钗荆也不妨；
〔生〕只有湘君能解佩，
〔旦〕风标不学世时妆。
注释：
[1]花郎：指卖花人。
[2]黑甜共一乡：一齐睡熟。
[3]丁香：丁香结，本是丁香的花蕾，这里指衣服的纽扣。
[4]菱花：镜子。古代的镜子是铜的，一面磨光，另一面铸成各种图案。最普通的图案是菱花，因此往往以菱花作为镜子的别称。
[5]云情、雨况：指男女交欢时的情况。
[6]金屋：意指极华贵的房子。
[7]尤物：本指特殊的人物，一般用以称有特殊姿色的美人。
[8]流苏帐：流苏是和丝绦类似的一种装饰品。流苏帐是用流苏装饰四周的帐子。
[9]马督抚：马士英，当时任凤阳督抚。
[10]萍水相交：以浮萍在水面漂流，比喻偶然相遇、交情短浅的朋友。
[11]怀宁：阮大铖。大铖，怀宁人。
[12]“东洛才名”二句：这是比喻侯方域的才名大，文章写得好。东洛才名暗用晋代左思写《三都赋》的故事。西汉文章是指西汉时代一些伟大作家，如司马迁、司马相如等人的作品。
[13]争看坐车郎：相传潘岳貌美，每坐车出游，妇女争看他。
[14]赵梦白：赵南星。
[15]水火：表示彼此不相容之意。
[16]操同室之戈：同室操戈本指兄弟间自相残杀，这里意指同类人自相攻击。
[17]旁人短长：意指旁人评论。
[18]布荆：布衣、荆钗。
[19]忒也刚烈：过于刚烈。忒，意同太。
[20]不问青黄：不管是非黑白的意思。
[21]从井救人：意说不能救起别人，却害了自己。
[22]花钱粉钞：指花费在花粉装饰等上面的钱钞。
Scene 3 Dowry Rejected
(Enter Yang Wencong[Longyou])
Yang(Singing to the tune of Night Sailing Boat):
Sleeping in the willow bower,
The lover wakes to hear“Buy my flower!”
Closed is the door,
Hooks ring no more.
Spring can’t be seen
Within curtain and screen.
I am Yang Wencong,coming early in the morning for congratulations of Master Hou’s happy wedding.But I find the door closed and the house quiet.Perhaps they are still lingering in their dreamland.
(Calling the maid):Maid,Will you go to tell the newly-weds inside the window screen that I am coming for congratula-tions?
Maid: Our master and mistress went to bed late last night,so they have not yet got up.Will you please go back and come tomorrow?
Yang(Smiling):Do not talk nonsense!Go and inform your master and mistress!
Mother Lee(Asking from within):Who is coming?
Maid: It is Master Yang coming for congratulations.
(Enter Mother Lee in haste.)
Mother(Singing):The nuptial night is short in spring;
A knock at the door would announce some happy thing.
(Saluting Yang)Many thanks for your dowry.Without you there could not have been such a happy wedding.
Yang: Well said.Are the newly-weds not yet up?
Mother: They went to bed late last night,so they cannot rise early.Will you please take a seat?I shall announce your arrival.
Yang: Please do not wake them from their sweet dream.
(Exit Mother Lee.)
(Singing to the tune of Charming Step by Step):
Their love is sweet as honey in the flower,
Sweeter from hour to hour.
They linger still in their dreamland.
But can it be without my helping hand?
Could they have pearls and jades so bright?
Could their silk dress sway left and right?
Pearls and jades adorn their dress new,
And make their love happy in view.
(Re-enter Mother Lee.)
Mother: It is funny to see them button up each other’s dress and gaze at each other in the mirror.They have not yet finished their make-up.Would you please go to their nuptial chamber and drink their wedding cup together with them?
Yang: How dare I disturb their sweet hour without bearing the blame?(Exeunt.)
(Enter Hou and Fragrant Lee in splendid dress.)
Hou & Fragrant(Singing to the tune of Intoxicated in the Eastern Breeze):
The cloud has brought fresh shower
For the itching flower.
Who should awake the love-birds’dream
When love flows like a rosy stream?
We have drunk happy wine to the fill,
When fragrance lingers on the pillow still.
When fragrance on the handkerchief is felt,
Our heart and soul are melt
In a dream we can’t belt.
(Re-enter Yang and Mother Lee.)
Yang: You are up now.Congratulations,congratulations!
(Saluting with clasped hands and then sitting down)
What do you think of my congratulatory poem of yesterday?
Hou(With clasped hands):Many thanks.
(Smiling)Your poem is very nice,but…
Yang: But what?
Hou: Fragrant is so tender.How could she be put into the sleeve slender?Would it not be better a golden bower to lend her?
(Both laugh.)
Yang: Out of love of last night,there must be some verse bright.
Hou: It is only an unfinished draft.How can I show it to you?
Yang: Where is it written?
Fragrant: It is written on a fan.
(Taking the fan from her sleeve.)
Yang: It is a fan of pure silk.
(Smelling at it)Fragrant and tasteful.
(Reading the poem)Very nice.Only Fragrant is worthy of the verse.You must keep it along.
(Giving it back)
(Fragrant puts the fan into her sleeve.)
Yang:(Singing to the tune of A Nice Garden):
See blooming peach and plum flowers
Leave shadows on the fan of palace bowers.
When the furious wind roars and grieves,
It should be hidden in the sleeves.
It should be hidden in the sleeves.
(Gazing at Fragrant)Fragrant looks all the more charming after she has dressed her hair.
(To Hou)What a felicity falls on you to have enjoyed the first night of such a beauty!
Hou: Fragrant was born a beauty.Now adorned with pearls and emerald and in a silk dress,her loveliness has increased.How can she not be adored!
Mother: We are grateful for Master Yang’s generous gift.
(Singing to the tune of A Running Stream):
The jewel box and the headdress,
Pearls and emeralds on the tress.
The candles bright
Illumine window screens all night.
The golden cups of wine
With sumptuous feast combine.
You come for congratulations at dawn,
As if she were the daughter of your own.
And the dowry you bring
Announces a happy spring.
Fragrant: So far as I know,Master Yang is only a relative of Minister Ma Dacheng.You are not a very rich official.How can you spend so much to prepare a dowry for unworthy me?I feel regretful not to have inquired into the matter.So I venture to ask you today in order to repay you the debt we owe you.
Hou: It is right to make this inquiry.For on my part,I am afraid not to be on such intimate terms with you as to justify such a generous donation.
Yang: Since you want further information,I cannot but tell you the truth:the dowry and the feast cost two hundred gold coins in all,and they are all the donation of Huaining.
Hou: Who is Huaining?
Yang: It is none other than Secretary Ruan.
Hou: You mean Ruan Dacheng?
Yang: Yes,it is he.
Hou: Why should he give me such a generous donation?
Yang: He just wishes to build up a close relationship with you.
(Singing to the tune of Cultivations):
He admires your literary renown
Wide spread east and west,up and down.
You are admired here and there,
In a carriage or in a chair.
Now in Qinhuai you abide,
You need a beauty by your side,
And a love-bird quilt to caress
Your beauty in lotus dress.
Who would spend so much gold for you,
But Secretary Ruan who thinks it his due.
Hou: Ruan Dacheng is a senior scholar whose behavior is not praiseworthy,so we are not on friendly terms.I do not know why he should be so generous to me.
Yang: There is some misunderstanding between Secretary Ruan and the Recovery Society,which he wishes to explain to you.
Hou: Please explain it.
Yang: Secretary Ruan was a disciple of Zhao Mengbai,who is on friendly terms with the Recovery Society.When Wei Zhong-xian the eunuch persecuted the Society,Secretary Ruan tried to dissuade the eunuch but failed.Now the eunuch is deprived of power,but the Society mistakes the secretary for their persecuter,so all rise to attack him.The secretary cannot defend himself and plead his innocence,so he wishes to rely on you to rehabilitate his reputation.
Hou: If such is the case,I think Secretary Ruan is pitiable and might win over our sympathy.Even if he belongs to the eunuch’s party,he should not be rejected if he really regrets and repents.So you need not worry too much.Since Dingsheng and Ciwei of the Society are my good friends,I shall try to explain for him when I see them.
Yang: If you could succeed to rescue Secretary Ruan,I do not know how to express the gratitude of our party.
Fragrant(Angry):How could you do anything to the rescue of the eunuch’s party,my dear?Do you not know that Ruan Dacheng is a shameless traitor blamed even by common people and housewives?How can you make any effort to rescue one who bears the blame of so many?
(Singing to the tune of Boat on the Stream):
How can you say anything nice
Without pondering twice!
How could you rid him of shame!
How could you rid him of blame!
Do you not know it will undo your fame?
If I am not mistaken,you mean to rescue Ruan Dacheng so as to repay him the dowry he has provided for us.But do you not know that I care for our fame much more than for the dowry?
(Removing the headdress and the new dress.)
I take off my dress new.
To be poor is our due.
Though in plain simple dress,
We are famed nonetheless.
Yang: Why should Fragrant be so angry?
Mother: Why should you scatter the new dress and the head-dress on the ground?Is it not a pity!
(Trying to pick them up.)
Hou: Bravo!My dear Fragrant,you have a deeper insight than we men.I think you are incomparable for me.
(To Yang)Excuse us for not accepting the gift.For I would not be held to ridicule by my dear Fragrant.
(Singing to the previous tune)
People without a name
Care for honor and fame.
How can we officials and scholars bright,
How can we officials and scholars bright
Not tell good from vice,black from white!
If the Recovery Society values me highly,it is for my lofty morality.If I adhere to those of doubtful morality,I can hardly defend myself against the reproach of my friends.
How can I defend and rescue others?
Honor and fame
Should be free from blame.
Know right from wrong,
And short from long.
Yang: You should not belie Secretary Ruan’s good intention.
Hou: I am not so foolish as to plunge into a well to rescue the drowned.
Yang: If such is the case,I have nothing more to say but goodbye.
Hou: These boxes are the dowry given by Secretary Ruan.Since Fragrant has no need of them,would you please take them back?
Yang: The lover comes in spirits high.
Rejected,what can he say but goodbye?
(Exit.)
(Fragrant looks vexed.)
Hou(Gazing at her) : You are a born beauty.Without the rich attire,you look all the more beautiful and lovely.
Mother: It is regrettable to forsake such a rich dowry.
(Singing the Epilogue):
Why should you give up pearls and gold?
Spoiled,you don’t care for your mother old.
Hou: You need not regret for the trifling thing.
On my order it will come on the wing.
Mother: All is well that ends well.
Do not lose what you gain!
Fragrant: In plain dress,fair I still remain.
Hou: Unadorned,you’re fair still.
Fragrant: Be yourself if you will!
