Pipa Ji: English-Chinese Parallel Translation

Author: Gao Ming
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-09-01
Features: The Pipa is a rare gem in the field of classical Chinese opera. It embodies the excellent qualities of the Chinese nation, such as diligence, courage, simplicity, kindness, and unwavering perseverance, while also possessing a rich sense of life and a unique national flavor. The beautiful and devoted heroine, Zhao Wuniang, marries Cai Bojia, a talented scholar renowned for his exceptional appearance and fame. The couple lives happily together. However, due to their father's strict order to force Cai Bojia to take the imperial examination in the capital, the newlywed couple is forced to part tearfully. After arriving in the capital, Cai Bojia passes the exam and becomes a famous scholar. He is appointed as an official and later chosen by the Minister of State, Niu, who forces him to marry into the minister's family. Cai Bojia remains in the capital for six years without returning, though he is constantly tormented by pain and conflict. After Cai Bojia leaves, Zhao Wuniang bravely takes on the burden of life. Unfortunately, her hometown suffers a severe drought and years of famine. Zhao Wuniang pawns all her jewelry and secretly eats coarse grains, enduring countless hardships. Her father and mother pass away tragically. Zhao Wuniang "cuts her hair to buy a coffin" and "wraps the soil with a coarse skirt" to bury her in-laws. She sets off on a long journey, seeking her husband in the capital, enduring countless dangers along the way. Her story of serving her in-laws and her unwavering loyalty moves Niu's daughter, leading to a reunion of one husband and two wives. They return home to mourn and live harmoniously, becoming a celebrated tale in the world. The plot of The Pipa is intricate, the language is simple yet vivid, and the characters are brought to life, especially Zhao Wuniang, whose image shines brightly, becoming a typical tragic artistic figure in literature, still cherished in the hearts of the people today. The Pipa is hailed as the ancestor of Southern Opera due to its exceptional artistic charm. It has had a profound and far-reaching influence on the creation of opera, particularly in the works of playwrights like Li Yu and Zhu Suichen during the early Ming Dynasty, whose artistic styles closely resemble The Pipa . The play was translated into French as early as 1841, making it one of the earliest Chinese opera scripts translated into a foreign language. Excerpt: Harmony prevails in their home, and they entrust their fate to destiny, wishing only to live peacefully in their own home, tending to fields and books, serving their parents and sharing the joys of family. Seeing his son's unwavering determination, Cai Gong finds it hard to object. However, it is the year of the imperial examination, and the spring exam is approaching. The county recommends Cai Bojia again, and the official document arrives. Cai Bojia excuses himself on the grounds of elderly parents and a weak wife, sending the official away secretly. Fortunately, Cai Gong is old and slow-witted, blind and deaf, and does not notice the truth. Although Zhao Wuniang knows a little, being newly married to Cai Bojia and deeply devoted to him, she refuses to let him leave. She keeps silent. On this day, it is the mid-spring season, with warm sunshine and gentle breezes. Cai Bojia, having nothing to do, walks in the courtyard with a book in hand. He sees clear streams winding around, winding paths crisscrossing, peach and plum trees covering the sky, and willows brushing the ground. Bamboo fences divide the garden into plots, where exotic flowers, vegetables, and radishes grow. The scene is lush and vibrant, with flowers blooming in abundance, bees and butterflies fluttering, and orioles and orioles singing. Though lacking in luxury, it is full of rural charm. Cai Bojia feels at ease, and recalls the line from the Book of Songs, "For this spring wine, may you live long," thinking to himself, "Although my parents are old, they are healthy. On such a fine day, why not prepare some rice wine to celebrate their birthday?" Thinking this, he turns around to see Zhao Wuniang sitting alone under the flowers, embroidering. Zhao Wuniang is naturally beautiful, and with green silk brushing her neck and fallen petals around her, she looks even more radiant than a lotus emerging from water or as tranquil as a orchid in a secluded valley. Cai Bojia finds her increasingly charming; seeing her embroidery of a couple of mandarin ducks playing in the water, his heart sweetens even more. He watches her with a smile and then shares his thoughts with her. Here, Cai Bojia happily returns to the hall, massaging his parents' backs and legs while telling them some folk tales. The old couple laughs heartily. Just then, Zhao Wuniang says, "Husband, the wine and food are ready." Cai Bojia agrees and helps his parents to the flowers, where a round table painted red is set with cups, plates, and utensils, and a table of rice wine and dishes. Though not lavish, the food is fragrant and tempting. Seeing this, the old couple becomes even happier. Cai Gong squints and asks, "Why did my son prepare so much wine and food?" Cai Bojia quickly replies, "I have always been nurtured by my parents, whose kindness is as great as the mountains. I often worry that I cannot repay even a tiny part of their favor. I hope to be like Lai Ziyi, wearing colorful clothes and bringing joy to my parents' knees. Today, with the spring sun shining brightly, I asked my wife to prepare some light wine to celebrate my parents' birthday." Saying this, he guides his parents to the table, takes the cup from Zhao Wuniang, and raises it in a toast, saying, "Wishing my parents eternal happiness and longevity!" Cai Gong is overjoyed and says, "Good, good, good! It is rare to see such filial piety in my son." Cai Po, even happier, laughs and says, "My son and daughter-in-law, please join us. Let us drink together and enjoy the spring sunshine." Zhao Wuniang quickly fills their cups, smiling shyly and saying, "I am unworthy, but thanks to my parents' kindness, I have been paired with a worthy husband. Though married for only two months, we are deeply in love. Today, I have prepared some light wine to express my feelings. I hope you will enjoy it."