帕布莉卡第二出 修札
〔丑扮柳敬亭上〕老子江湖漫自夸，
收今贩古是生涯[1]。
年来怕作朱门客，
闲坐街坊吃冷茶。
〔笑介〕在下柳敬亭，自幼无藉[2]，流落江湖，虽则为谈词之辈，却不是饮食之人[3]。
〔拱介〕列位看我像个甚的，好像一位阎罗王，掌着这本大账簿，点了没数的鬼魂名姓[4]；又像一尊弥勒佛，腆着这副大肚皮，装了无限的世态炎凉。鼓板轻敲，便有风雷雨露；舌唇才动，也成月旦春秋。这些含冤的孝子忠臣，少不得还他个扬眉吐气；那班得意的奸雄邪党，免不了加他些人祸天诛；此乃补救[5]之微权，亦是褒讥[6]之妙用。
〔笑介〕俺柳麻子信口胡谈，却也燥脾[7]。昨日河南侯公子，送到茶资，约定今日午后来听平话[8]，且把鼓板取出，打个招客的利市。
〔取出鼓板敲唱介〕
无事消闲扯淡，
就中滋味酸甜；
古来十万八千年，
一霎飞鸿去远。
几阵狂风暴雨，
各家虎帐龙船，
争名夺利片时喧，
让他陈抟睡扁。
〔生上〕
芳草烟中寻粉黛[9]，
斜阳影里说英雄。
今日来听老柳平话，里面鼓板铿锵，早已有人领教。
〔相见大笑介〕看官俱未到，独自在此，说与谁听。
〔丑〕这说书是老汉的本业，譬如相公闲坐书斋，弹琴吟诗，都要人听么？
〔生笑介〕讲的有理。
〔丑〕请问今日要听那一朝故事？
〔生〕不拘何朝，你只拣着热闹爽快的说一回罢。
〔丑〕相公不知，那热闹局就是冷淡的根芽，爽快事就是牵缠的枝叶；倒不如把些剩水残山，孤臣孽子[10]，讲他几句，大家滴些眼泪罢。
〔生叹介〕咳！不料敬老你也看到这个田地，真可虑也！
〔末扮杨文骢急上〕
休教铁锁沈江底，
怕有降旗出石头。
下官杨文骢，有紧急大事，要寻侯兄计议；一路问来，知在此处，不免竟入。〔见介〕
〔生〕来得正好，大家听敬老平话。
〔末急介〕目下何等时候，还听平话。
〔生〕龙老为何这样惊慌。
〔末〕兄还不知么，左良玉领兵东下，要抢南京，且有窥伺北京之意。本兵熊明遇[11]束手无策，故此托弟前来，恳求妙计。
〔生〕小弟有何计策？
〔末〕久闻尊翁老先生乃宁南之恩帅，若肯发一手谕，必能退却。
不知足下主意若何？
〔生〕这样好事，怎肯不做；但家父罢政林居[12]，纵肯发书，未必有济。且往返三千里，何以解目前之危?
〔末〕吾兄素称豪侠，当此国家大事，岂忍坐视。何不代写一书，且救目前；另日禀明尊翁，料不见责也。
〔生〕应急权变，倒也可行；待我回寓起稿，大家商量。
〔末〕事不宜迟，即刻发书，还恐无及，那里等的商量。
〔生〕既是如此，就此修书便了。
〔写书介〕
【一封书】
老夫愚不揣，
劝将军自忖裁，
旌旗且慢来，
兵出无名道路猜。
高帝留都陵树在，
谁敢轻将马足[13]；
乏粮柴，
善安排，
一片忠心穷莫改。
〔写完，末看介〕妙，妙！写的激切婉转，有情有理，叫他不好不依，又不敢不依，足见世兄经济[14]。
〔生〕虽如此说，还该送与熊大司马，细加改正，方为万妥。
〔末〕不必烦扰，待小弟说与他便了。
〔愁介〕只是一件，书虽有了，须差一妥当家人早寄为妙。
〔生〕小弟轻装薄游，只带两个童子，那能下的书来。
〔末〕这样密书，岂是生人可以去得。
〔生〕这却没法了。
〔丑〕不必着忙，让我老柳走一遭，何如？
〔末〕敬老肯去，妙得狠了；只是一路盘诘，也不是当耍的。
〔丑〕不瞒老爷说，我柳麻子本姓曹，虽则身长九尺，却不肯食粟而已。那些随机应变的口头，左冲右挡的膂力，都还有些儿。
〔生〕闻得左良玉军门严肃，山人[15]游客，一概不容擅入。你这般老态，如何去的？
〔丑〕相公又来激俺了，这是俺说书的熟套子。我老汉要去就行，不去就止，那在乎一激之力。
〔起唱介〕
【北斗鹌鹑】
你那里笔下诌文[16]，
我这里胸中画策[17]。
舌战群雄，
让俺不才；
柳毅传书，
何妨下海。
丢却俺的痴，
用着俺的诙谐，
悄去明来，
万人喝采。
〔末〕果然好个本领，只是书中意思，
还要你明白解说，才能有济。
【紫花儿序】〔丑〕
书中意不须细解，
何用明白，费俺唇腮。
一双空手，也去当差，
也会挝乖[18]。
凭着俺舌尖儿把他的人马骂开，
仍倒回八百里外。
〔生〕你怎的骂他?
〔丑〕则问他防贼自作贼，该也不该。
〔生〕好，好，好！比俺的书字还说得明白。
〔末〕你快进去收拾行李，俺替你送盘缠来，今夜务必出城才好。
〔丑〕晓得，晓得！
〔拱手介〕不得奉陪了。
〔竟下〕
〔末〕竟不知柳敬亭是个有用之才。
〔生〕我常夸他是我辈中人，说书乃其余技耳。
【尾声】
一封书信权宜代，
仗柳生舌尖口快，
阻回那莽元帅万马晨霜，
保住这好江城三山暮霭[19]。
〔末〕一纸贤于汗马才[20]，
〔生〕荆州无复战船开；
〔末〕从来名士夸江左[21]，
〔生〕挥尘今登拜将台。
〔众下〕
注释：
[1]收今贩古是生涯：以演说古今故事过生活。
[2]无藉：没有依靠。
[3]饮食之人：只知吃喝，毫无用处的人。
[4]没数的鬼魂名姓：指他话本里记载着的许多古今人姓名。
[5]补救：指对世道人心的补救。
[6]褒讥：褒，表扬；讥，讽刺。
[7]燥脾：快意、开心之意。
[8]平话：说书。
[9]粉黛：本是妇女的化妆品，这里借指美女。
[10]孽子：在封建社会，凡不是正妻生的儿子都称作孽子，他在家庭里一般是受到歧视的。
[11]本兵熊明遇：熊明遇，字良孺，江西进贤人，是当时东林党里的重要人物。这时他正任兵部尚书，因此杨龙友称他本兵。
[12]林居：退隐林下。
[13]：践踏。
[14]经济：古时称有应付政治问题的实际才能的人为经济之才。这经济是经世济民的意思，跟现代所说的经济含义不同。
[15]山人：是当时社会上的人物名色。他们大都是读书人，没有功名官职，靠着书画鉴赏或其他属于“雅道”的玩艺儿来流浪江湖混饭吃。
[16]你那里笔下诌文：指上文侯方域代侯恂写的信。诌文，意即弄文。
[17]画策：划策。
[18]挝（zhuā）乖：乖字在俗语里一般有机灵之意。挝乖，抓住窍门。
[19]好江城三山暮霭：指南京。
[20]一纸贤于汗马才：意说这封信的力量胜过战场上立的功。汗马是指打仗时战马跑出了汗。
[21]从来名士夸江左：历史上所称江左，指长江下游金陵一带。五胡之乱，北方许多名士纷纷渡江南来，集中金陵一带，建立东晋王朝。“从来名士夸江左”，即指东晋说的。
Scene 2 The Message
(Enter Liu Jingting.)
Liu(Singing):I am a braggart roving by waterside,
Talking about ancient and modern far and wide.
A visitor to rich mansions I would not be,
At leisure I would drink a cup of cold tea.
(Laughing)I am Liu Jingting,homeless since my youthful days and roaming here and there by the waterside.Fond of talking about verse and prose,I am an eater or drinker in rich families.
(Saluting the audience with clasped hands)Dear spectators,what do you think I look like?A Satan or a Buddha?A Satan for I talk about spirits and demons as if they were under me;a Buddha for I have seen so many ups and downs.Hearing my clappers,you may see wind and rain;seeing my lips and tongue,you may feel spring pass as autumn.I will right the wrong done to filial sons and loyal officers,and punish evildoers and unfair partisans.That is my way to remedy the injustice of the world and render justice by praise and blame.
(Laughing)I,pockmarked Liu,talk at random to please my dear spectators.Master Hou told me yesterday that he would come to hear me tell tales this afternoon.So I must take out my clappers and get ready for my random talk.
(Taking out the clappers)
(Singing to the tune of the Moon on the West River):
I try to pass my leisure
By seeking bitter sweet pleasure.
Thousands of years have passed
Just as wild geese at last.
Furious wind and rain running riot
Disturb generals’camps and boats quiet.
You strive for fame or wealth as you will.
But immortals will sleep their fill.
(Enter Master Hou.)
Hou(Singing):I tread on sweet green grass for the beautiful one;
You talk about heroes under the sinking sun.
I come today to hear Master Liu tell his tales accompanied by his clappers.Has he already begun?
(Saluting Liu in laughter)Your audience has not yet come.Why are you using your clappers alone?
Liu: My job is to tell tales just as yours is to read and write,to croon your verse and play on your lute.You do not care if there is any listener,nor do I.
Hou(Smiling): You are right.
Liu: You want to hear tales,but of which dynasty?
Hou: I do not care which dynasty.Just tell what is interesting and moving.
Liu: No tale is interesting unless you are interested,nor is it moving if you are not moved.So I shall try to make you burst into laughter or move you to tears.
Hou(Sighing):Ah!I do not expect you to see things in this way.You make me worry all the more.
(Enter Yang Wencong in haste.)
Yang(Singing):The iron chains could not stop warships coming down.
How can we not surrender the capital town?
I am Yang Wencong coming on an urgent mission for consultation with Master Hou.On inquiry I am told he is here,So I must intrude on him.(Saluting Hou)
Hou: You have just come in time to listen to Master Liu tell tales.
Yang(Anxious):How can you be interested in tales in such an urgent time?
Hou: Why are you coming in such an alarm?
Yang: Don’t you know that General Zuo’s army would come to occupy the Southern Capital and then march on the north?Governor Xiong of Nanjing is at his wit’s end,so he sends me to consult with you about how to deal with this urgent matter.
Hou: How can I know what to do?
Yang: I am told that your respectable father was teacher of General Zuo.If he would write a letter to dissuade the general from marching eastward,then the safety of Nanjing might not be endangered.
Hou: It is a good idea.But my old father is a retired marshal living in the countryside a thousand miles away.How could he write a message to preserve the safety of Nanjing?
Yang: You are a renowned patriot.Now the state is at stake.Could you stand idly by without extending a helping hand?Why could you not write a letter in your father’s name to preserve the town’s safety and then report to your father later on?I do not think he will lay blame on you anyhow.
Hou: It is a workable idea on this urgent situation.So let me go back to write a draft for discussion.
Yang: This message can bear no delay.How can we wait for you to go back and then write the draft?It would be far better to write this message at once without further discussion.
Hou: Since such is the case,I must write this message right now.(Writing the letter)
(Singing to the tune of A Message):
Although unwise,
I would advise
Your generalship to think over again
Before you make your eastward campaign.
Your army cannot march down
Without the authorization of the crown.
The way for you is hard,
For here extends the imperial graveyard.
How dare you let your forces
Tramp on the royal tombs their horses?
If you lack food supply,
You should solve your difficulty nearby.
Do not forget to hold your royal banner high!
Yang(Reading the message):Well written,well written!It appeals to General Zuo’s heart and mind.How could he do otherwise than in compliance with the advice?How dare he defy the imperial sovereignty!From this message we can see your remarkable talent to handle state affairs.
Hou: It would be better to submit the message to Governor Xiong for approval.
Yang: You need not worry about that,for it is my job.The question is who will send this message to General Zuo.
Hou (Worried): I am only a visitor here,followed by two attendants.I am afraid I cannot send the message by myself.
Yang: Who then can take such an urgent charge?
Hou: I wonder…
Liu: Do not worry!I will take the charge.
Yang: Oh,yes,no one can take this charge better than you.But could you pass so many sentinels along the way?
Liu: To tell you the truth,though my face is pockmarked,I am tall of stature and strong enough to defend myself.Besides,I have ready wit to reply to any interrogation.
Hou: It is said General Zuo’s camp gate is of difficult access,and visitors cannot have free entrance.Old as you are,how can you get access to the general?
Liu: My dear Master Hou,you need not stimulate a tale-teller who is used to stimulations.Heaven will help one who helps himself.I will go of my own will.
(Standing up)
(Singing to the tune of Fight of Quails):
You may well write
With your pen bright,
While I will fight
With my tongue quick to bite.
To send a letter,I am free
To go uphill or down the sea.
I will not play my clownish part
But use my wit to win the heart.
I may come in light or at dark,
And win applause of those who hark.
Yang: You are indeed eloquent.But do you think it necessary to make clear the hidden meaning of the message?
Liu(Singing to the tune of Violet Flower):
The meaning of the message is plain:
There is no need for me to explain.
I may go with bare hand,
My lips will make people understand.
My sharp tongue will persuade the army to stay
Eight hundred li away.
Hou: What would you say?
Liu:I’ll ask the general if it’s his pleasure
To rob himself of his own treasure.
Hou: A very sharp question!Better said than written.
Yang: Go and pack your baggage as soon as possible.I will get ready the money for your expenditure on the way.It would be better for you to leave the Southern Capital tonight.
Liu: You need not tell me that.
(With clasped hands)I will not delay any longer.
(Exit.)
Yang: I did not know that pockmarked Liu is so versatile.
Hou: He is one of our compeers,not merely a story-teller.
(Singing the Epilogue):
To send the message to General Zuo,who is fit?
Pockmarked Liu has sharp tongue and quick wit
To stop the general’s thousand steeds from marchingdown
And to preserve the mountain-girt riverside town.
Yang:A message may dissuade war steeds from running down,
Hou:And warships from leaving Jingzhou the western town.
Yang:No talent can outshine those on the eastern shore.
Hou:A story-teller mounts the tower all adore.
(Exeunt.)
