Full Yuan Opera: Volume 11

Author: Chief Editor: Wang Jisi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-02-01
Features: Excerpt: Chu Kai Zong (Last Appearance, White)
West River Moon
Autumn moon, spring flowers, like flowing water,
In vain, the youth's hair turns white.
No traces remain of the Jade River and Golden Valley,
The Han and Tang mausoleums have lost their original mounds.
Raise wine and sing with generosity,
Enjoy the scene and roam freely.
The red dust rolls, confusing carriages and horses,
Let's drink to oblivion before the wine cup. (Dialogue resumes) (Last Appearance, White)
A good merchant, Feng Shang, with a virtuous wife, Jin Shi, lived in Jiangxia for generations.
Their wealth was vast, yet at forty, they had no son.
Jin Shi worried about no heir and persuaded her husband to take a concubine, traveling to the capital for trade.
Feng Shang, a man of justice, relieved the poor and helped the needy, often showing compassion.
Reluctantly following his wife's advice, he packed his belongings and set off.
Upon arrival, he sought a matchmaker to arrange a marriage with a beautiful woman.
Coincidentally, Zhang Gong was in misfortune, selling his daughter to settle debts, thus fulfilling the auspicious match.
The virtuous woman felt sorrow, but Feng Shang, valuing justice, could not keep her, sending her back quickly.
He took nothing from the original engagement fee, generously giving the marriage certificate.
Even returning the inn's deposit and falsely claiming to have stolen a horse, he secretly performed meritorious deeds, which Heaven surely witnessed.
Deeply blessed by Heaven, he was granted a fine son.
The young man excelled in the imperial examinations, gaining fame in his hometown. (Below)
[1] Annotations [1] "Below" was originally absent but added according to convention. The same applies below, no further annotations.
The second act celebrates a birthday (The Scholar enters and sings) Full Court Fragrance
Floral mist gathers fragrance, willow smoke divides light,
A bountiful spring scene is worthy of praise.
The oriole's song adjusts the rhythm,
The swallow's tail cuts fragrant mud,
The world is full of lovely scenery.
Where the heart finds joy, poetry, wine, music, and chess,
On the jade steps, rare flowers and plants bloom—
When will a rare appear? (White)
The Song of the Cuckoo
A family of poetry and rites celebrates abundant blessings,
Dressed in elegance, they uphold Confucian traditions.
Fields stretch endlessly, paths and fields connected,
Granaries overflow, red rice stacked high.
Heart moved, but relying on nothing,
How often I gaze up at the blue sky.
Inheriting the family, I have no peaceful heir,
I often worry in my heart. (White)
My name is Feng Shang, styled Minmo, from Jiangxia, Hubei.
Blessed by my ancestors, I have accumulated wealth.
I conduct myself with humility, treating my clan with respectful courtesy;
I help others with virtue, showing small kindnesses to my neighbors.
My wife, Jin Shi, is a suitable match, trustworthy as a guardian.
Her appearance is elegant and restrained, like the posture of pines and cypresses;
Her character is steadfast, like the unyielding of jade and stone.
Today is my birthday, and yesterday, my wife arranged a birthday banquet, which must be ready.
Let's go to the Everlasting Spring Pavilion to enjoy ourselves—how nice.
Wife, please come early. (The Young Lady enters and sings)