Outtake from Scene 3, "Interrupted Dream"

Clip from Mudanting

This is one of the most famous scenes of Peony Pavilion. In this outtake, from the second half of the scene, Du Liniang, the heroine, is in her garden. The Flower God enters, escorting a dream lover for her. Liniang and the man, holding a willow branch signifying spring, back into each other. When they turn around, they regard each other with astonishment. Liniang inquires shyly how he has managed to find her. Holding her sleeve, he addresses her a Jiejie (literally, "older sister" or "respected sister") and confides that he has been looking for her all along. They consummate their love in the Peony Pavilion as flower fairies arrive to provide them cover.

Subtitle for the Interrupted Dream clip

何不作诗一首	Why not compose an ode,
以赏此柳枝乎	In praise of this willow branch.
那生素昧平生因何到此	I have never met that man; why is he here?
姐姐	Lady,
咱一片闲情爱煞你哩	My heart is filled with love for you.
[山桃红]
则为你如花美眷	For your beauty that flowers
似水流年	with the flowing river of time.
是答儿闲寻遍	I sought you everywhere,
在幽闺自怜	but you languish in your chamber.
姐姐	Lady,
和你那答儿讲话去	Let’s talk over there.
哪里去　喏	Where? Well….
转过这芍药栏前	Around this peony lattice,
紧靠着湖山石边	Tight by the pond side hill;
和你把领扣松　衣带宽	Undo our collar button, and loosen our sash.
袖梢儿搵着牙儿苫也	Bite the ends of your sleeve,
则待你忍耐温存一晌眠	And bear with this tender sleep.
是那处曾相见	Have we met somewhere before?
相看俨然	Gazing at each other,
早难道好处相逢无一言	As we come together, wordless, in this wonderful place.
[画眉序]
好景艳阳天	Shining sky over glorious scene,
万紫千红尽开遍	Myriad purple and red in bloom.
满雕栏宝砌	Like jewels set in latticed railing.
云簇霞鲜	Colored clouds surrounding all.
督春工珍护芳菲	To oversee the guarding of flowers,
免被那晓风吹颤	Less they are scattered, by morning breezes.
使佳人才子少系念	Let beauty and gallant
梦儿中也十分欢忭	Rejoice in their dream.
[滴溜子]
湖山畔　湖山畔	The pond side hill, pond side hill,
云缠雨绵	Veiled by clouds and misty rain.
雕栏外　雕栏外	Beyond latticed railing, latticed railing
红翻翠骈	Red and green gowns turn in pairs,
惹下蜂愁蝶恋	Rousing restless bees and courting butterflies.
三生石上缘　非因梦幻	Destiny of the ‘thrice born stone,’ is not only a dream; but a
一枕华胥　两下蘧然	Dream of fairyland, taking both by joyous surprise

Talk by Kenneth Pai at Peking University (in Chinese), April 18, 2005

古典美学与现代意识白先勇谈《牡丹亭》(视频)

Published: Friday, September 29, 2006

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