By SONG Jie, SUN Tuo
Translated by CHE Xiao
Villain in a Turbulent Time was first created in 2011 for the 2nd Global Alliance of Theater Schools International Theater Festival held in Beijing, which designated one Shakespearean play, Richard III for that year, to be performed by several outstanding theater schools in the world. The Chinese Opera Directing Class of Shanghai Theater Academy adapted Richard III into Peking opera and performed it as their graduation piece in 2012. Professor SONG Jie and his student SUN Tuo wrote the script. It was premiered at Shanghai Theater Academy, and later attended several international theater festivals, with this translation projected as the subtitle. The play was well received by the audience.
In order to turn this Shakespearean historical play into a Chinese story, the adaptors put the characters in the historical era of China’s Five Hu and Sixteen Kingdoms (304-439 A.D.). This era was characterized by power struggle, sibling murder, and incest, quite similar to the period of Wars of the Roses of Richard III. Based upon the real history of the three generations of the Shi family during the later Zhao period (319-351 A.D.) competing with each other for the imperial throne, the adaptors turned Richard III into a real historical figure Shi Zun, one of the emperors of the period. In order to perform the long monologues describing the character’s mind in the Shakespearean play, the adaptors divided Shi Zun into two characters A and B, who wear the same face patterns and costumes. A mainly sings and speaks, and B mainly dances and does acrobatics. In order to make the play more colorful and entertaining, the adaptation also staged those actions of female roles that were merely described in the Shakespearean play, such as Richard III’s murdering of Lady Anne and rape of his niece. It cut repetitive scenes and those characters unrelated with the main plot, such as Elizabeth, Duchess of York, citizens, scrivener, etc. The lyrics and spoken parts were written as similar to the Shakespearean language style as possible, with the rhymes and meters of Chinese opera. The acrobatic fights in the prologue and epilogue parallel with each other in order to compensate for the lack of fighting in spoken drama.
Since this play was written in the rhymes and meters of Chinese operatic language, modeling upon the archaic Shakespearean language, it’s hard for translations to remain in the same poetic style. Also, plain language is better for the audience to understand and digest during performance. So in my translation, I delivered the meaning of each sentence as faithfully as possible, using direct and simple modern English.
SONG Jie is a professor and director at Shanghai Theater Academy, where he founded Chinese Opera Directing as a discipline in 2002. His works were performed in the US in 1981 and 2000 and Japan in 2001, where he gave lectures as well. In the 1970s he wrote scripts of Chinese opera, and since 1990 he directed Peking opera plays, which won several prestigious national awards. He published two books on the directing of Chinese opera and an essay that won the national drama essay award in 2006. In 2004, 2006, and 2009, he was honored as an outstanding teacher by the Shanghai municipal government. Since 2005, he has led his Chinese opera directing classes to adapt foreign plays and traditional Chinese operas into full-length modern Chinese operas, which were also performed as students’ graduation pieces.
SUN Tuo graduated from the affiliated Chinese Opera School of Shanghai Theater Academy in 2008, majoring in Spoken Drama, Film and TV. In 2012, she got her BA degree in Chinese Opera Directing from the College of Chinese Opera of Shanghai Theater Academy. Now she teaches at the Shanghai TV Station Little Screen Stars Art School. When studying at Shanghai Theater Academy, she won student fellowships and an award for her script of Chinese opera, and performed in and directed several spoken dramas and Chinese opera plays.
CHE Xiao, translator, was a postdoctoral fellow of performance studies at Shanghai Theater Academy between 2011-2014. After getting her MA degree in American and English Literature from Beijing University in 2003, she won a prestigious fellowship to study theater arts at University of California, Santa Barbara, where she received her PhD degree in 2010. Her research and teaching include theater, dance, film, literature, and cultural studies, and she has published and presented papers in leading international and Chinese journals and conferences. She has taught at University of California, Santa Barbara, San Diego State University, and Shanghai Theater Academy. She has written, directed, and acted in plays and films, and has done lots of translation and interpretation for theater and film studies and productions.
Villain in a Turbulent Time
Script Adaptors: SONG Jie, SUN Tuo
Translator: CHE Xiao
上海戏剧学院戏曲学院演出
Presented by The College of Chinese Opera,
Shanghai Theater Academy
实验音乐京歌舞剧《乱世枭雄》
Experimental Peking Opera Musical Villain in a Turbulent Time
根据莎士比亚《理查三世》改编
Adapted from Shakespeare’s Richard III
艺术顾问 孙惠柱
Artistic Consultant: Sun Huizhu
指导老师 宋捷 郑稳 李丽来（10级MFA研究生） 滕孝晓（11级MFA研究生）
Instructors: Song Jie, Zheng Wen, Li Lilai (MFA graduate student of 2010), Teng
Xiaoxiao (MFA graduate student of 2011)
出品人 郭宇
Producer: Guo Yu
监制 王立军 钱平安 田蔓莎
Supervisors: Wang Lijun, Qian Ping’an, Tian Mansha
统筹 黄暾炜 赵群 于翔
Coordinators: Huang Tunwei, Zhao Qun, Yu Xiang
展演筹划 上海戏剧学院演艺中心
Performance Organizer: Shanghai Theater Academy Performing Arts Center
演出运作 马俊峰 滕孝晓
Performance Operation: Ma Junfeng, Teng Xiaoxiao
剧本改编 宋捷 孙庹
Script Adaptors: Song Jie, Sun Tuo
导演（按姓氏笔画排列） 于天虹 马莹 闪烁 孙庹
齐乐 余东泽 房卉 贺敬庄 柳菁 康睿 鞠沛霖
Directors (in order of surname strokes): Yu Tianhong, Ma Ying, Shan Shuo, Sun Tuo, Qi Yue, Yu Dongze, Fang Hui, He Jingzhuang, Liu Jing, Kang Rui, Ju Peilin
作曲 王为 王美敬
Composers: Wang Wei, Wang Meijing
音乐制作 王为
Music Production: Wang Wei
打击乐设计 何群
Percussion Design: He Qun
灯光设计 叶皛
Lighting Design: Ye Jing
服装设计 俞俭
Costume Design: Yu Jian
造型设计 信晓丹
Image Design: Xin Xiaodan
翻译 车骁
Translator: CHE Xiao
演员表
The Cast
(出场先后为序)
(in order of entrance)
石遵 高 挺 饰演
Shi Zun: by Gao Ting
石遵乙 李名扬 饰演
Shi Zun B: by Li Mingyang
石世 张博恩 饰演
Shi Shi: by Zhang Bo’en
石斌 王飞智 饰演
Shi Bin: by Wang Feizhi
张柴 鞠沛霖 饰演
Zhang Chai: by Ju Peilin
安姬 陆艺君 饰演
An Ji: by Lu Yijun
凶手甲 范旭航 饰演
Murderer A: by Fan Xuhang
凶手乙 肖 遥 饰演
Murderer B: by Xiao Yao
皇后 柳 菁 饰演
Empress: by Liu Jing
柏金汉 冉鹏程 饰演
Bo Jinhan: by Ran Pengcheng
海世勋 董炳义 饰演
Hai Shixun: by Dong Bingyi
凯慈 鲁佳亮 饰演
Kai Ci: by Lu Jialiang
李福斯 戴思绪 饰演
Li Fusi: by Dai Sixu
葛雷 宋金钊 饰演
Ge Lei: by Song Jinzhao
普兰 何 奕 饰演
Pu Lan: by He Yi
众兵 学生饰演
Soldiers: by students
板鼓 何群
Ban’gu (small drum for marking time): played by He Qun
京胡 王美敬
Jinghu (a Chinese instrument with bowed string): played by Wang Meijing
舞台监督：贺敬庄 鞠沛霖
Stage Managers: He Jingzhuang, Ju Peilin
序
Prelude
伴唱起：
Chorus:
皇冠一顶金煌煌，
A shining golden crown,
千古斑驳刻沧桑；
Mottled by the vicissitudes of millions of years;
铁骨铮铮响！
The iron bone clanks!
皇权擎天上。
The imperial power lifts up heaven.
哪管得腥风血雨，
Who cares about bloody war,
说什么兄弟阋墙。
Who talks about brothers’ alienation.
英雄成败亦绝唱，
Hero’s victories and defeats are all masterpieces,
滚滚浪涛掩兴亡。
Rolling waves cover rise and fall.
众兵将：晋兵大败！
Generals and Soldiers: The Jin army is seriously defeated!
众 将：恭贺我主重夺王位！
Generals: Congratulations, our lord has regained the crown!
正 帝：哈哈哈哈……我们羯族石氏又得天下，
Emperor Zheng: Hahahaha …… our Jiezushi family have regained the world.
狼烟尽扫众卿之功，二弟——
We all depended on you to eliminate enemies. Second Brother—
石 斌：臣。
Shi Bin: Yes.
正 帝：封你为保国公兼大丞相。
Emperor Zheng: I grant you Lord Protector and Grand Prime Minister.
石 斌：谢陛下。
Shi Bin: Thank Your Majesty.
正 帝：三弟——
Emperor Zheng: Third Brother—
石 遵：臣。
Shi Zun: Yes
正 帝：封你为护国公兼大将军。
Emperor Zheng: I grant you Lord Protector and Grand General.
石 遵：谢陛下。
Shi Zun: Thank Your Majesty.
正 帝：御外甥张柴——
Emperor Zheng: My nephew Zhang Chai—
石 遵：臣启陛下，张柴战死。
Shi Zun: I report to Your Majesty, Zhang Chai was killed in the war.
正 帝：什么？
Emperor Zheng: What?
石 遵：张柴战死！
Shi Zun: Zhang Chai was killed in the war!
正 帝：为孤江山，又失心腹大将啊……
Emperor Zheng: I lost another confidant general to protect my kingdom……
石 斌：陛下不必伤痛，早登龙位要紧。
Shi Bin: Your Majesty, please be not sad. It is important for you to ascend the throne early.
请驾还朝，举国上下恭贺吾皇登基大典！
Please return to the palace so that the whole kingdom can celebrate Your Majesty’s enthronement ceremony!
石 遵：二哥，你身当保国公大丞相，一人之下，万人之上，
Shi Zun: Second Brother, as Lord Protector Prime Minister, you’re under one person but above millions of others.
日后对小弟要多加指教。
In the future, please give more instructions to your younger brother.
石 斌：你我弟兄同心。
Shi Bin: As brothers, you and I are in the same mind.
正 帝：三弟，按国礼厚葬张柴将军。
Emperor Zheng: Third Brother, bury General Zhang Chai in glorious state ceremony.
石 遵：领旨。唉……
Shi Zun: Receive the decree. Ai …….
（唱）我的好外甥啊！
(Sing) My good nephew!
第 一 场
Scene One
石 遵：（唱）叹赵国失去一位将军——神勇无敌；
Shi Zun: (Sing) I regret that Zhao Kingdom has lost a general—brave and invincible;
我为你哭泣……
I cry for you ……
石遵乙：（唱）你、你、你……真是好演技。
Shi Zun B: (Sing) You, you, you …… really have great acting skill.
石 遵：（唱）哪一个人生不在演戏？
Shi Zun: (Sing) Who is not acting in life?
不过是在比、在拼、在PK……
Only competing, struggling, and PK ……
石遵乙：（唱）PK演技的高与低！
Shi Zun B: (Sing) PK who has better acting skill!
你趁战乱一剑杀死了张柴——除去了皇上的膀臂，
You took advantage of the chaos of the war to stab Zhang Chai to death—got rid of a reliable assistant of the emperor.
石 遵：（唱）他本是我将来大业一宿敌。
Shi Zun: (Sing) He is the enemy of my great career in the future.
石遵乙：（唱）哈哈哈……你对我还不敢抛心底？
Shi Zun B: (Sing) Ha, ha, ha …… you are afraid of telling the truth even to me?
你更想以此霸占他的妻。
You even want to take his wife by this.
石 遵：（唱）哈哈……你何不仔细看看自己？
Shi Zun: (Sing) Ha, ha …… why don’t you take a close look at yourself?
石遵乙：（唱）左肩高来右肩低，
Shi Zun B: (Sing) Your left shoulder is higher than your right shoulder,
一瘸一拐，残缺不全，
You limp, and are distorted,
娘胎里造就一副陋相形畸，
Born with an ugly appearance and a deformed shape.
石 遵：你是在嘲笑我？
Shi Zun: Are you laughing at me?
石遵乙：我说的难道不是实际？
Shi Zun B: Didn’t I tell the truth?
别说是人，就是狗见到了咱们，
Not only human being, even when a dog saw us,
汪汪！汪！狂吠乱叫也把调门提。
Wang Wang! Wang! It barked and yelped louder.
石 遵：（唱）天哪，父母啊！为何给了我这残形废体？
Shi Zun: (Sing) Heaven, my parents! Why did you give me such a disabled shape and useless body?
偏偏降生皇族以貌比高低！
Born into an imperial family, who are competing with their looks!
论机谋——
In terms of scheme—
石遵乙：没人能和咱们比；
Shi Zun B: No one can compete with us;
石 遵：（唱）：论战功——
Shi Zun: (Sing) In terms of exploits of war—
石遵乙：咱们数第一；
Shi Zun B: We’re number one;
石 遵：（唱）我争强——
Shi Zun: (Sing) I tried to gain the upper hand—
石遵乙：争强遭人妒忌；
Shi Zun B: Gaining the upper hand caused envy;
石 遵：（唱）我鞠躬尽瘁——
Shi Zun: (Sing) I devoted myself—
石遵乙：还是为了他人做嫁衣！
Shi Zun B: Still for the sake of others!
石 遵：（唱）为皇室贡献我的青春我的爱——
Shi Zun: (Sing) I contributed my youth and my love to the imperial family—
石遵乙：（唱）嗨，别提啦，
Shi Zun B: (Sing) Hi, don’t mention it,
要怪就咱的娘啊——
We should blame our mother—
她不为咱整形美容，
She did not give us a plastic surgery,
便把咱抛进——人间来喘息，
Before throwing us into—this human world to breathe,
调情弄爱——谁能看中这幅身躯，
Flirting for love—who can like this body,
从来没享受过对着含情的明镜宠幸讨取；
I never enjoyed asking for favor from a bright mirror filled with feelings;
比不上爱神的风采，
Cannot compare with the grace of Eros,
怎能凭空在嫋娜的仙姑面前阔步移；
How can I stride in front of a gentle, elegant, fairy lady?
既不能春心奔放、卖弄风情、韶光洋溢，
Since I cannot be bold with passion, or coquette, or shine splendidly,
就只好打定主意以歹徒自许，
I can only make up my mind to become a scoundrel.
石 遵：（唱）老天爷——既然造就我丑陋身体，
Shi Zun: (Sing) Heaven—since you made me such an ugly body,
索性造就个邪恶的心灵表里统一。
Simply make me an evil heart to match my appearance,
我要把皇冠玩在我手里，
I want to play with the imperial crown,
石遵乙：我这就去干！
Shi Zun B: I will go to do it immediately!
石 遵：（唱）不，这出好戏先从女人……，
Shi Zun: (Sing) No, this good play starts with women first……,
石遵乙：（唱）女人？
Shi Zun B: (Sing) Women?
石 遵：（唱）从女人身上唱起！
Shi Zun: (Sing) Starts with women!
石遵乙：（白）这件事我去搞定！
Shi Zun B: (Speak) I will go to get it!
石 遵：（白）这种事用不着你。
Shi Zun: (Speak) It does not need you.
石遵乙：（白）那、那我干什么？
Shi Zun B: (Speak) Then, then what should I do?
石 遵：（白）还有件事比这更重要，
Shi Zun: (Speak) There is another thing more important than this,
石遵乙：（白）你是说？
Shi Zun B: (Speak) You mean?
石 遵：（白）有人他在挡我的道，挡道的人就得让他死……
Shi Zun: (Speak) Someone is blocking my way. Whoever blocks my way, I must make him die ……
石遵乙：（白）我还是想干前面的事，面对女人多有情调啊！那杀人的事……
Shi Zun B: (Speak) I still want to do the first thing. How romantic it is to deal with women! But for murder……
石 遵：（白）谁让你杀人啦？你去托梦，散谣言，吹阴风……看！
Shi Zun: (Speak) Who told you to murder? You pretend to be in dream, to spread rumors, and to blow wind from the hell ……. Look!
石遵乙： “奸佞兴风……”
Shi Zun B: “Treacherous people dominate the world ……”
石 遵：不让你念，而是去托梦？
Shi Zun: I’m not asking you to speak, but to pretend to be in dream!
石遵乙：托梦——哦，盗梦空间……我懂！
Shi Zun B: Being in dream—oh, steal someone’s dream space …… I understand!
石 遵：必须让皇上大哥和丞相二哥之间结下生死仇恨，
Shi Zun: I must make Big Brother Emperor and Second Brother Prime Minister become fatal enemies towards each other,
让人人传说刚刚打下的江山就有个名中有斌字的人要弑君篡位……
and make everyone spread the rumor that in the new kingdom, someone whose name includes character “bin” is going to kill the emperor and usurp the crown ……
只要大哥相信，管叫他今天就把我那丞相二哥囚进大牢。
As long as Big Brother believes it, I will surely make him imprison Second Brother Prime Minister.
（唱）皇上懦弱本性多疑；
(Sing) The emperor is cowardly and suspicious;
他又拖着病体，
He is ill,
我要让让皇冠在我头上举，
I must put the crown on my head,
只要我动动心机——
As long as I play the scheme—
搬弄是非、用尽诳言、毁谤、梦呓，挑唆欺诈一个一个施毒计，
Spread scandal, exhaust extravagant language, slander, flapdoodle, instigate,
cheat, and execute poisonous tricks,
牢牢抓住时机！
Firmly grasp the opportunity!
安 姬：夫君！
Lady An: Husband!
石遵乙：明白，第一幕好戏就要开场了！我这就去……
Shi Zun B: I understand. Act One of a wonderful play is going to begin! I’m going ……
第 二 场
Scene Two
安 姬：（白）夫君，夫君！我的夫君！
Lady An: (Speak) Husband, husband! My husband!
（唱）啊……我的夫君啊！
(Sing) Ah …… my husband！
皇族血统成枯骨，
The imperial family becomes skeletons,
圣体如冰血流干；
The sacred body is like ice and blood drains dry;
祸首背后穿心剑，
The culprit stabbed a sword from his back through his heart,
心毒胜过那蛇、虺、蛛、蛊、蟾！
More poisonous than snakes, spiders, poison, and toads!
千万遍将夫君来呼唤，
I call for my husband millions of times,
可叹你英灵含恨无人雪冤。
I regret that your heroic soul swallows anger and no one wipes out rancor for you.
石 遵：夫人，切莫如此伤心，这人已经死了，哭坏了身体，不值当啊。
Shi Zun: Madam, please be not so sad. This person is dead. It is not worthy to ruin your health.
安 姬：是哪个恶鬼来阻挡人间忠爱的大事？
Lady An: Which devil comes to obstruct the loyal love in the human world?
石 遵：夫人仁恕要紧，莫这样恶言恶语。
Shi Zun: Oh, Madam, it is important to be kind and benevolent. Please do not use bad words.
讲仁恕就要以善报恶，以德报怨。
To be benevolent we should return kindness for evil and return virtue for grievances.
安 姬：你还说什么仁恕？
Lady An: You are talking about benevolence to me?
你既不懂天理，也不顾人情！
You do not understand justice, nor consider human feelings!
你从背后杀死了我的夫君。
You killed my husband from his back!
石 遵：我知道夫人此刻的悲痛，
Shi Zun: Oh, Madam. I understand your grievances at the present.
可不要给我假设虚构的罪名，
Please do not impose imaginary accusations upon me.
夫人冤枉我了。
You wronged me.
安 姬：有几十双明亮的眼睛看到你的罪恶行径！
Lady An: There are dozens of bright eyes who saw your criminal action!
石 遵：夫人横眉怒目娇媚可爱，
Shi Zun: Oh, your angry eyes make you so lovely.
丽质天生叫我夸不完，
I can never praise enough your natural beauty.
将来会有充分时日让我充分向你表白。
I will have enough days to express my feelings to you.
安 姬：滚开！（唱）
Lady An: Go away! (Sing)
你是个人间地狱的凶孽障，
You are a ferociously evil creature in the human hell,
残害我夫君一命身亡。
injured my husband to death.
你让人间悲声放，
You made the human world cry,
快乐世界被你涂抹得暗淡无光！
You smeared a happy world bleak!
你看一看——
You take a look—
看忠良含恨双眼
see how the loyal and the kind swallow angry feelings in their eyes.
被人暗杀喊冤枉，怒目仰面对天上，
Murdered and crying grievances, they face the sky with fury eyes,
见到你血管又喷张！
Seeing you their veins blow again!
伤口裂，血又趟，
With wounds cracking and blood flowing again,
诅咒灵魂恶豺狼，
They curse the wolf with an evil soul,
悖逆上天兴逆浪。
who goes against heaven to blow inverse waves.
心毒貌丑乱世流氓！
With an evil heart and an ugly face, you’re a rogue in times of chaos!
上天哪，雷击罪犯轰鸣响，
Heaven, use your thunder and lightning to hit criminals,
大地呀，地裂吞噬罪恶还我一片白茫茫。
Earth, split to swallow crimes and return a pure world to me.
石 遵：一片白茫茫……你纯洁的心境照得我无地自容，
Shi Zun: A pure world …… Your pure heart leaves me no place to stay.
我不能再欺骗你，我要向你请罪，
I cannot cheat you anymore. I want to plead guilty to you.
夫人，我，我是凶手。
Madam, I, I am the murderer.
安 姬：我的夫君啊，你真的是在这个恶魔的刀下成了野鬼孤魂！
Lady An: My husband, you really became a lonely soul and a wild ghost at the sword of this devil!
石 遵：夫人，逝者已去，让他走好。
Shi Zun: Madam, the dead is dead. Let him leave peacefully.
他上了天比留在人间更加快活自在。
He is more happy and at ease in heaven than on earth.
安 姬：你这个禽兽，你应该下十八层地狱。
Lady An: You devil, you should go to the deepest hell.
石 遵：夫人，除了十八层地狱我还有好去处。
Shi Zun: Madam. Apart from the deepest hell I have a better place to go.
安 姬：哼 你这样的人，还有更好的去处！
Lady An: Humph! A person like you has a better place to go!
石 遵：那就是夫人的闺房！
Shi Zun: That’s Madam’s boudoir!
安 姬：无耻之徒！
Lady An: Shameless rogue!
石 遵：夫人，你真的不明白，王室挣杀，犯下滔天罪行的祸根是什么吗？
Shi Zun: Madam. You really do not know, what is the root of heinous crimes in imperial palace?
安 姬：祸根就是你那豺狼之心！
Lady An: The root is your wolfish heart!
石 遵：错！看得见的刀光剑影，而根源在于……夫人……
Shi Zun: Wrong! The visible war comes from …… Madam ……
安 姬：我？
Lady An: I?
石 遵：夫人！
Shi Zun: Madam!
（唱）原是你的天姿国色惹争端，
(Sing) It was your utmost beauty that caused all the trouble,
夫人的姿色在我梦中纠缠，
Your beauty entangled so much in my dream,
直叫我顾不得天下生灵涂炭，
That I was unable to care for the loss of lives in the world,
一心只想在你的酥胸边取得一刻温暖。
I only want to acquire a moment of warmth beside your soft breasts.
安 姬:（唱）早知如此，我一定亲手抓破我的红颜。
Lady An: (Sing) If I knew it earlier, I would definitely scratch my face with my own hands.
石遵乙：（念）别，别，别，夫人你一时冲动——
Shi Zun: (Speak) No, no, no, Madam you get excited at the moment—
一时冲动将留下千古遗憾，
a moment of impulse will lead to regrets for millions of years.
上天造就红颜美色，如同太阳带给世界啊——五彩斑斓……
Heaven creates beauty, like the sun brings to the world—all colors……
安 姬：（唱） 无非亦是红颜美色只为人间添灾难
Lady An: (Sing) Beauty only adds disasters to the human world.
石 遵：（唱） 这一切都是天性使然。
Shi Zun: (Sing) All these come from human nature.
石遵乙：（念） 天下的男人谁不爱美女呀？
Shi Zun B: (Speak) Among all men in the world, who does not love beautiful women?
争夺美女千万别用是非、
In competing for women never judge according to the principle of right and wrong,
别用是非来分辨。
Never according to the principle of right and wrong.
安 姬：（唱）男子野心争天下，
Lady An: (Sing) All men are so ambitious to compete for the world,
挡箭牌，是红颜，
Women’s shield is their appearance,
安姬宁愿毁容貌，
I would rather ruin my appearance,
不为后世做笑谈。
Than become the laughing stock for the world.
石遵乙：（念） 三国时曹操灭了袁绍，
Shi Zun B: (Speak) During Three Kingdoms Cao Cao eliminated Yuan Shao,
腥风血雨来征战。
They fought a bloody war.
父子们都是为了美色垂涎，
Father and son all fought for a beautiful woman,
甄宓多情人人称赞，
Everyone praised Zhen Fu as affectionate,
上天封她“洛神”千古流传。
Heaven entitled her “The Goddess of Luo Water” to be remembered for millions of years.
石 遵：（唱）“洛神”美名千古流传。
Shi Zun: (Sing) The good reputation of “The Goddess of Luo Water” has been circulated for millions of years.
安 姬：（唱）我不要美色传千古，
Lady An: (Sing) I do not want my beauty to be known for millions of years,
宁愿随夫一死赴黄泉。
I would rather follow my husband to the lower world.
石遵乙：不——不——不！你不能死啊！
Shi Zun B: No—No—No! You cannot die!
（念） 夫人若赴黄泉路，
(Speak) If Madam goes to the lower world,
男人的世界塌了天。
The world of men collapses.
石 遵：（唱）夫人难释心愤懑，
Shi Zun: (Sing) If Madam is unable to release your anger inside,
罢，罢，罢！杀了我即可报仇冤
Fine, Fine, Fine! Kill me then you can revenge your wrongs
石 遵：请你用这匕首刺进我这赤诚的胸膛！
Shi Zun: Please use this dagger to stab into my sincere heart!
石遵乙：解脱我这向你膜拜的心灵！
Shi Zun B: Release my devoted heart!
石 遵：了结我这条生命。
Shi Zun: To end my life.
安 姬：（白）若是你死了到好，能替我的亡夫报仇雪恨。
Lady An: (Speak) It is best if you die. I can revenge for my dead husband.
石 遵：（白） 为了你这美人我死也值得！
Shi Zun: (Speak) It is worthy for me to die for a beauty like you!
（唱） 我只要看你秋波一转，
(Sing) As long as I see your eyes,
就是死也能更痛快。
I feel happier even dead.
你那双迷人的眼睛像大海，
Your charming eyes look like ocean,
看得我泪珠盈盈像童孩；
Make me cry like a child.
我对权力虎视眈眈，
I eye for power,
却对你美色无法忘怀，
But cannot forget your beauty,
你若叫我死也照办，
If you want me to die, I will,
只要让我亲一亲吻一吻夫人的香腮。
As long as I can kiss Madam’s sweet cheek.
安 姬：（唱）我……用手举起匕首剑
Lady An: (Sing) I …… raise my dagger and sword
叹女人关键时刻抉择难——
I sigh that at crucial moments it is difficult for women to make choices—
难，难，难！
difficult, difficult, difficult!
石遵乙：夫人，剑掉了。
Shi Zun B: Madam, your sword dropped.
安 姬：我不想做你的刽子手。
Lady An: I do not want to be your executioner.
石 遵：那末吩咐我自杀，我自己动手！
Shi Zun: Then order me to commit suicide. I will do it myself!
安 姬：我已经说过，不想做你的刽子手。
Lady An: I already told you that I did not want to be your executioner.
石遵乙：杀吧，杀吧！此刻向心窝插上一刀。
Shi Zun B: Kill, kill! Right now stab a knife into my heart.
安 姬：我倒很想看看你这颗心。
Lady An: I really want to see your heart.
石遵乙：我的心就挂在我的嘴唇边。
Shi Zun B: My heart hangs on my lips.
安 姬：我怕你竟是心口全非。
Lady An: I am afraid your heart and your words are completely different.
石遵乙：那世上就没有一个真心人了。
Shi Zun B: Then there is not a single honest person in the world.
安 姬: 好啦，好啦，把你的匕首收起来。
Lady An: Fine, fine, take your dagger away.
石 遵：夫人不舍得了，拾起那把刀来，不然就搀我起来。
Shi Zun: Madam. You’re reluctant to kill me. Pick up that knife, otherwise raise me up.
石 遵：那末就算是和解了。
Shi Zun: That means reconciliation.
石 遵： 我这有一块玉，我将它赠了于你。
Shi Zun: I have a jade here, and I want to present it to you as a gift.
石 遵：夫人，你拿了这块玉就是将我心拿了去，
Shi Zun: Madam, if you take this jade away, it is as if you take my heart away.
我还要请求你答应我一件事。
I also want to ask you a favor.
安 姬：什么事？
Lady An: What?
石 遵：愿你允我来办理这场葬礼，
Shi Zun: Please allow me to handle this funeral.
我的罪孽深重，必应赎罪。
I have committed a serious crime, so I must atone for my crime.
安 姬: 我能看见你这样深悔前非，我心里也十分喜悦。我得走了。
Lady An: I feel very happy to see you repent so deeply. I must go.
石 遵：夫人倒是向我道别一声哪。
Shi Zun: Madam, please bid farewell to me.
安 姬：你既教了我如何待你和善，不妨就假想我已道别过了。
Lady An: Since you taught me how to treat you well, you can imagine I already bid you farewell.
石 遵：来，将棺具抬往法门寺院，待我请来高僧超度张柴将军亡灵，国礼安葬。
Shi Zun: Come, carry the coffin to Fa’men Temple. Wait until I ask an eminent monk to save the soul of General Zhang Chai and bury him in state funeral.
兵 士：闲人闪开！
Soldiers: Make a way!
石 遵：你……你不是二哥么？
Shi Zun: You …… aren’t you Second Brother?
石 斌：三弟！
Shi Bin: Third Brother!
石 遵：二哥！你为何身披枷锁？
Shi Zun: Second Brother! Why did you put shackles on your body?
石 斌：三弟呀！，石斌的名字害愚兄，
Shi Bin: Third Brother! My name harms me.
皇兄与皇嫂昨晚同做一梦，
The Emperor and the Empress had the same dream last night.
梦中天神显圣，丢下籖语一篇在枕边
In their dream, God appears and leaves a prophecy at their bedside.
石 遵：什么籤语？
Shi Zun: What prophecy?
石 斌：“奸佞兴风，篡位弑兄，
Shi Bin: “A treacherous person dominates the world. He will usurp the crown and kill his brothers.
有文有武即是名，
His name comprises character wen and character wu.
特留籖语示警。”
This prophecy is left as a warning.”
皇兄、皇嫂即刻惊醒枕边果然有这张籤语！
The emperor and the empress immediately woke up and really found this prophecy at their bedside!
石 遵：待我看来！ “有文有武即是名”……
Shi Zun: Let me look! “His name comprises character wen and character wu” ……
石 斌：“有文有武”乃是个“斌”字，就是我的名字，
Shi Bin: “Character wen and character wu” equalize character “bin”, which is my name.
愚兄千思万想理不清，难道这籤语——就定下了愚兄的罪名嘛！？
I think about it numerous times. This prophecy—does it declare me guilty!?
石 遵：皇兄与皇嫂同做一梦？
Shi Zun: The emperor and the empress had the same dream?
枕边留下籖语一篇？
A prophecy was left at their bedside?
石 斌：是啊……
Shi Bin: Yes ……
石 遵：难道兄长还不明白吗？
Shi Zun: Don’t you already understand?
石 斌：明白什么？
Shi Bin: What do I understand?
石 遵：男子受了女人的统治，
Shi Zun: The man is manipulated by the woman.
不是皇兄有心把你关进牢狱，
It is not our Emperor Brother who wants to imprison you.
而是他的妻后——皇嫂的指使！
It is his wife—at the empress’s instigation!
我们大赵王国的外戚向我们羯族石氏动手了……
In our Zhao Kingdom, the empress’s relatives start to handle our Shi family of Jie nationality ……
第一是你，第二就是我……恐怖啊！
First, it is you; second it is me …… How horrible it is!
石 斌：三弟，你要为大赵国效忠啊。
Shi Bin: Third Brother. You must devote your allegiance to serve our Zhao Kingdom.
石 遵：三哥暂受一时牢狱之苦，
Shi Zun: Second Brother endures the imprisonment temporarily.
我就去见兄皇；
I am going to meet our Emperor Brother;
不管什么事，只要你吩咐我去办，
Whatever the issue, as long as you order me,
即使让我向那恶毒的皇嫂和那帮为虎作伥的外戚低三下四也好，
I will do it even if I must lower myself to that evil empress and her reckless relatives.
那奇耻大辱——
That huge insult—
（唱）我也得忍受，
(Sing) I must endure it,
只要能为你换取自由……
As long as I can exchange freedom for you ……
这兄弟阋墙的滋味啊——
This feeling of brothers turning into enemies—
如血滴滴落心头；
Drops like blood on my heart;
我舍身也要把你救，
I must save you even if I must sacrifice myself,
宰相的大位为你留！
I will leave you the eminent position of the Prime Minister!
石 斌：（唱）终究是一母同胞情意厚，
Shi Bin: (Sing) At least we have strong brotherhood with the same mother.
为国为民我们弟兄志同酬；
For the country and the people we cherish the same goal;
好兄弟呀……
My good brother ……
兵 士：宰相大人，您该走了！
Soldiers: Prime Minister. It is time for you to go!
石 斌：为兄的去了……唉！
Shi Bin: Your brother goes now …… Hi!
（唱）我走，走，走！
(Sing) I go, go, go!
石 遵：（唱）走上你那万劫不复的路莫回头，
Shi Zun: (Sing) Go straight forward beyond redemption, not turning your head,
好一个同胞兄长纯净不藏污垢，
He is such a pure brother without filth,
面对着他我怎能心灵无忧，
How can I be worry-free in front of him,
狭路相逢妇人之仁才会罢手——
Encountering on a narrow road, only womanly benevolence will lead to giving up—
石遵乙：（唱）雇来了刽子手杀人的魔头。
Shi Zun B: (Sing) The Satan of murderers is employed.
石 遵：你们人生的哲学是什么？
Shi Zun: What is the philosophy of your lives?
凶手甲：守法朝朝忧闷，
Killer A: Feel depressed everyday if keeping the law,
凶手乙：强梁夜夜欢歌；
Killer B: Sing happily every night if tyrannous and violent.
凶手甲：损人利己骑马骡，
Killer A: Enjoy a grand lifestyle if selfish,
凶手乙：正直公平挨饿。
Killer B: Famish if upright and fair.
凶手甲：修桥补路瞎眼，
Killer A: Be blind if repair bridges and roads
凶手乙：杀人放火儿子多，
Killer B: Many sons if murder and arson.
凶手甲：我到西天问我佛，
Killer A: I went to the Western Paradise to ask my Buddha,
凶手乙：佛说：
Killer B: Buddha said:
二人同：佛说：我也没辙！
Killer A and B: I also have no way!
石 遵：好！我很看得上你俩；快去干起来；去，去，快去。
Shi Zun: Good! I like you two very much; go to do it quick; Go, go, hurry.
石遵乙：下手必须敏捷，尤其要心如石铁。
Shi Zun B: You must do it quick. Your heart especially must be like stone and iron.
凶手甲：我们不讲空话，
Killer A: We do not give empty talk.
凶手乙：“做他伊”用手不用嘴巴。
Killer B: We do it with hands not words.
石 遵：对，眼里要落石块，傻子才滴傻泪。
Shi Zun: Yes, your eyes must be like stones. Only fools drop foolish tears.
凶手甲：“做他伊”虽然不用嘴，
Killer A: Although we do it without words,
凶手乙：提前支付的佣金要加倍。
Killer B: Our prepaid commission must double.
石遵乙：现代人都这样。
Shi Zun B: Modern people are all like this.
石 遵：十万。
Shi Zun: One hundred thousand.
凶手甲：不够养老钱。
Killer A: Not enough for retirement pension.
石遵乙：二十万。
Shi Zun B: Two hundred thousand.
凶手乙：刚够买个卫生间。
Killer B: Just enough to buy a restroom.
石 遵：干完活再来领赏钱！
Shi Zun: Come for gratuity after finishing your work!
石遵乙：哼，世风日下！
Shi Zun B: Humph! Moral degeneration in our time!
凶手同：正是：
Killer A and B: It is like this:
凶手甲：我到西天问我佛，
Killer A: I went to the Western Paradise to ask my Buddha.
凶手乙：佛说：
Killer B: Buddha said:
二人同：佛说：我也没辙！
Killer A and B: Buddha said: I also have no way!
第三场
Scene Three
正 帝：（唱）昏沉沉卧龙榻病夺三魂……
Emperor Zheng: (Sing) I feel so dizzy that I lay on bed. My sickness robs my soul ……
众臣同：陛下醒来！
All Officials: Wake up, Your Majesty!
正 帝：（唱）强睁双眼对群臣；
Emperor Zheng: (Sing) Force my eyes open to see my officials;
众臣同：龙体珍重了！
All Officials: Please treasure Your Majesty’s health!
正 帝：（唱）三件事未了心不定——
Emperor Zheng: (Sing) Cannot settle down my mind due to three unfinished issues.
海世勋：这第一件？
Hai Shixun: The first one?
正 帝：（唱）孤病重太子还没有回帝京。
Emperor Zheng: (Sing) I am sick but my Crown prince has not returned to the capital.
海世勋：待臣前往鲁城迎接太子回京。
Hai Shixun: Wait until I go to City Lu to welcome the Crown prince back to the capital.
李福思：待臣前往鲁城迎接太子回京。
Li Fusi: Wait until I go to City Lu to welcome the Crown prince back to the capital.
海世勋：臣前去！
Hai Shixun: I will go!
李福思：臣前往！
Li Fusi: I will go!
正 帝：唉，皇后宣读诏书。
Emperor Zheng: Alas. Empress reads the decree.
皇 后：遵旨。（念）“父皇龙体病重，快马加鞭回京。”
Empress: Obey the order. (Read) “Father Emperor is sick. Return soon to the capital.”
正 帝：内侍，吩咐八百里快马鲁城传旨！
Emperor Zheng: Chamberlain. Order the express delivery of the order to City Lu.
李福思：敢问万岁第二件大事？
Li Fusi: Your Majesty. Can I ask for the second issue?
正 帝：（唱）第二件怕公侯不和江山难稳——
Emperor Zheng: (Sing) The second issue is that I am afraid there is no harmony among the princes so the kingdom will not remain stable—
李福思：皇天在上，臣李福思虽为娘娘外戚，
Li Fusi: I promise to heaven: although I Li Fusi is the Empress’s relative,
定要摒弃私怨恨，忠心为国，
I will certainly discard personal resentment for my loyalty to the country.
苍天可鉴。
Heaven can testify to it.
葛 雷：皇天在上，臣葛雷虽为娘娘外戚，
Ge Lei: I promise to heaven: although I Ge Lei is the Empress’s relative,
定要摒弃私怨恨，忠心为国，
I will certainly discard personal resentment for my loyalty to the country.
苍天可鉴。
Heaven can testify to it.
正 帝：夫人！
Emperor Zheng: Madam!
（唱）孤有遗言你且听：
(Sing) Please listen to my last words:
外戚有过莫护短，
If your relatives make mistakes, please do not justify for them,
公侯贵戚要和平。
There should be peace among princes and aristocrats.
皇 后：臣妾决不再记旧怨，
Empress: I will not remember old grudges any more.
愿意与满朝公侯将相同心协力共辅皇室，
I am willing to assist the imperial family with all the princes, ministers, and generals in the palace.
都愿陛下昌达！
We all wish Your Majesty well!
正 帝：海大人，柏将军？
Emperor Zheng: Lord Hai, and General Bo?
海世勋：御前大臣海世勋，抛弃前嫌，
Hai Shixun: Your Majesty’s minister Hai Shixun will discard previous grudges.
立誓精诚无欺！
I swear I’ll be sincere and honest!
柏金汉：我柏金汉如果有仇视皇后娘娘，或是不衷心拥戴娘娘的亲朋，
Bo Jinhan: If I Bo Jinhan has any friend or relative who hates the Empress or does not support the Empress loyally,
我愿受天罚！
I’m willing to be punished by heaven!
海世勋：愿娘娘千岁，千千岁！
Hai Shixun: Wish the Empress a long life, a long long life!
柏金汉：愿娘娘千岁，千千岁！
Bo Jinhan: Wish the Empress a long life, a long long life!
石 遵：护国公来也！
Shi Zun: Lord Protector comes!
石 遵：臣弟参见万岁！
Shi Zun: I come to pay my respect to Your Majesty!
正 帝：三弟呀！你看原有间隙的公侯将相之间，
Emperor Zheng: Third Brother! You see among the conflicting dukes, ministers, and generals,
干戈化成了玉帛，恨转为爱了。
war turns into friendship and hatred transforms to love.
石 遵：（唱）好好好，我真高兴，
Shi Zun: (Sing) Good good good, I am so happy.
皇兄听我表表忠心：
Emperor Brother, please listen to my expressing my loyalty:
消除隔阂最要紧，
The most important thing is to eliminate estrangement,
如有得罪我行礼赔小心；
If I offend anyone I will apologize;
愿我们都像初生的婴孩一样纯净，
Wish we’re all as pure as the new-born baby,
护国公永远谦恭待人。
Lord Protector will forever treat others with humility.
（白）皇兄，恕弟直言，
(Speak) Emperor Brother, please forgive my frankness.
皇兄病重小弟一直担忧，
I have been worrying about Your Majesty’s illness.
继位的大事关乎我大赵万年社稷……
The throne inheritance concerns the prolongation of our Zhao Kingdom……
正 帝:（白）我们弟兄想到一处了，
Emperor Zheng: (Speak) We have considered the same thing.
寡人要立继任王位的人选，
I would like to erect the throne candidate,
可是，怕他一时难以但当！
but I’m afraid he is unable to take the responsibility at the moment!
石 遵:（白）大哥放心，
Shi Zun: (Speak) Big brother, please settle down your mind.
您看中的人选必定是人中龙凤，
The candidate you’ve selected is certainly outstanding.
一定能承此大任！
He is certainly able to bear this great task!
正 帝:（白）御前大臣，你记下来，寡人要立……
Emperor Zheng: (Speak) Chancellor. You record it. I would like to erect ……
正 帝:（白）皇子昭为君王！继承寡人的江山！
Emperor Zheng: (Speak) Prince Zhao as emperor! He will inherit my kingdom!
正 帝：孤已传旨，
Emperor Zheng: I’ve already delivered the order.
太子不日就要从鲁城回京来了。
The Crown prince will soon return to the capital from City Lu.
皇 后：（唱）愿上天让人间裂痕补尽，
Empress: (Sing) Wish heaven will fill up the cracks in the human world.
求主君赦回二弟法外施恩。
Please pardon Second Brother and bestow extrajudicial grace upon him.
正 帝：是啊，太子登基全靠二弟、三弟辅佐，
Emperor Zheng: Yes. The prince’s enthronement all depends on the assistance of Second Brother and Third Brother.
二弟乃是托孤的重臣，
Second Brother is an important minister to support the orphan.
快快传旨，赦免二弟！
Soon deliver my order to pardon Second Brother!
石 遵：啊？难道皇上和文武众臣还不知道我那二哥他……
Shi Zun: Ah? Don’t Your Majesty and officials already know that my Second Brother ……
他已经在狱中归天了吗？
He is already dead in prison?
正 帝: 你……你说什么？
Emperor Zheng: What … what did you say?
石 遵：我刚才去探望二哥，
Shi Zun: Just now I went to visit my Second Brother.
狱官回禀：皇兄传下圣旨，赐死我那二哥啊……
The prison official reported: the Emperor has issued the order to grant death to my Second Brother ……
正 帝：哎呀！
Emperor Zheng: Ah!
（唱）闻言不啻惊雷轰，
(Sing) The news sounds like thunder booming,
孤何时定他死罪名？
When did I give him death penalty?
霎时昏沉血上涌……
I immediately feel dizzy and my blood rushes up ……
众（同）：陛下，万岁啊……
All (Together): Your Majesty, our Emperor ……
石 遵：唉！
Shi Zun: Ai!
（唱）我好悲伤……我那屈死的二兄长，
(Sing) I’m so sad …… my wronged Second Brother,
哭一声好兄王！
Cry for my Emperor Brother!
石遵乙：（白）佩服佩服！今年最佳男主角都是你的了！
Shi Zun B: (Speak) Admire admire! All Best Actors of the Year are yours!
（唱）暗杀二哥在先——干得漂亮，
(Sing) First you murdered Second Brother—you did it well,
糊弄大哥在后——冠冕堂皇，
Later you fooled Big Brother—you did it gloriously,
招招局局致命棋，
Every trick of yours is fatal,
石 遵：（唱）棋差一着路渺茫……
Shi Zun: (Sing) Lacking one trick, our road looks uncertain ……
他当众调回太子来继位，
In public he called the Crown prince back to inherit the throne,
我哭啊，
I cry,
石遵乙：（唱）啊……机关算尽……竹篮打水……
Shi Zun B: (Sing) Ah …… tricks are used up …… basket carrying water ……
石 遵：（唱）——空忙一场！
Shi Zun: (Sing) — have been busy for nothing!
石遵乙：这哪像成大业的英雄？
Shi Zun B: How can you be like a hero who can accomplish great cause?
兄皇已死，权势最大的是谁？
The Emperor Brother is already dead. Who has the greatest power?
看看识时务的来啦！
See here comes a person who fits the world!
柏金汉：（唱）痛哭声中藏动荡，
Bo Jinhan: (Sing) Cry hides turmoil,
凯 慈：（唱）关键时再不要过度悲伤；
Kai Ci: (Sing) At crucial moments don’t be too sad;
石 遵：（唱）也不知他二人是敌是友？
Shi Zun: (Sing) Wondering whether they are enemies or friends?
二人同：（唱）识时务背靠大树好乘凉。
Two Together: (Sing) To fit the world we rely upon a big tree to enjoy a good shade.
石遵乙：（唱）成大业还需左右臂膀，
Shi Zun B: (Sing) To accomplish great cause needs supporters.
一个好汉两个帮。
A good man needs the help of others.
石 遵：（白）感谢二位大人对我的关心，
Shi Zun: (Speak) I thank your attention to me.
皇兄临终前已使一朝众臣修好言和了，
My Emperor Brother has reconciled all court officials before he died.
不过我最想知道的是御前大臣海世勋此刻的心境。
But I most want to know Chancellor Hai Shixun’s feeling at the moment.
柏金汉：当然，御前大臣，举足轻重。
Bo Jinhan: Of course. Chancellor, is very important.
凯 慈：末将即刻前往海大人那里探听虚实。
Kai Ci: I’ll immediately go to Lord Hai to find the truth.
柏金汉：什么虚实？
Bo Jinhan: What truth?
凯 慈：末将心中明白的很。
Kai Ci: I understand it very well.
柏金汉：大人，如今重中之重把皇后那班目中无人的亲朋们和太子拆开！
Bo Jinhan: Your honor. Now the most important thing is to alienate the Empress’s arrogant relatives and friends from the Crown prince!
石 遵：太子？可惜这太子不是我大哥的亲生！
Shi Zun: The Crown prince? What a pity that this Crown prince is not the descendent of my big brother!
柏金汉：啊？此话从何说起？
Bo Jinhan: Ah? How did you reach this conclusion?
石 遵：柏大人你应当记得，我那皇嫂进宫不到八月就生下了这位“太子”。
Shi Zun: Lord Bo you should remember, our Empress gave birth to this “Crown prince” within 8 months.
柏金汉：如此说来太子是皇后带来的野种！
Bo Jinhan: So the Crown prince was the Empress’s bastard!
石 遵：我大哥伤了赵家皇室的脸面，惭愧……
Shi Zun: My big brother damaged the self-respect of the imperial Zhao family, ashamed …
柏金汉：当断不断，反受其乱，
Bo Jinhan: Who fails to make a necessary decision will be bothered by it.
最好的计策，待微臣快马赶到鲁城，将那个野种“太子”斩草除根。
The best strategy is to rush to City Lu, to kill that bastard “Crown prince”.
再将真情诏告天下。
Then announce the truth to the world.
石 遵：我的谘询大臣，我的神坛先知！
Shi Zun: My consultative official! My altar prophet!
我的好兄弟，等我成就大业，
My good brother, after I accomplish the great cause,
你就是御前大臣兼定国将军，领燕北封地。
You will become Chancellor and General Protector, with northern Yan as your territory.
柏金汉：谢殿下封赏！
Bo Jinhan: Thank Your Highness for your reward!
凯 慈：护国公！禀告护国公，
Kai Ci: Lord Protector! Report to Lord Protector,
御前大臣海世勋明日召集众臣，共议太子加冕。
Chancellor Hai Shixun will assemble officials tomorrow to discuss crowning the prince.
石 遵：啊？他竟不同我商议？这么着急为他加冕？
Shi Zun: Ah? He even didn’t discuss with me? So anxious to crown him?
又是串通皇后的阴谋，
This is another conspiracy with the Empress.
柏大人事不宜迟，快快赶到鲁城截太子斩草除根。
Lord Bo should not delay, hurry to City Lu to stop and exterminate the Crown prince.
柏金汉：我即刻快马启程。
Bo Jinhan: I will set out immediately on an express horse.
石 遵：凯慈将军，集合倾国兵马围住京城，
Shi Zun: General Kaici, assemble all army of the kingdom to surround the capital,
明日殿前议事听我号令行事，附耳上来！
In court tomorrow you follow my order to take action, come over here to listen!
第四场
Scene 4
海世勋：国无君主民不定，
Hai Shixun: In a country without a monarch people cannot settle down.
李福思、葛雷：谨遵遗嘱立新君。
Li Fusi & Ge Lei: Erect the new monarch according to the will.
海世勋：召集各位大人，就是为了议定加冕太子的吉日。
Hai Shixun: The purpose for convening you Lords is to decide an auspicious day to enthrone the Crown prince.
凯 慈：加冕盛典都准备好了吗？
Kai Ci: Is everything ready for the crowning ceremony?
李福思、葛雷：都齐备了；只等决定日期。
Li Fusi & Ge Lei: Everything is ready; we’re just waiting for the date.
海世勋：国不可一日无君，明日就是吉日。
Hai Shixun: A country cannot be without monarch even for a day. Tomorrow is the auspicious day.
凯 慈：不知护国公有什么高见？
Kai Ci: Wondering what opinion the Lord Protector has?
海世勋：昨日命你请护国公议会，为何不见到来？
Hai Shixun: Yesterday I ordered you to invite Lord Protector to the meeting. Why didn’t I see him come?
葛 雷：看，柏金汉大人来了！
Ge Lei: Look, Lord Bo Jinhan comes!
海世勋：姗姗来迟，你往哪里去了？
Hai Shixun: You’re late. Where have you been?
柏金汉：迎接太子去了。
Bo Jinhan: I went to welcome the Crown prince.
海世勋：太子现在哪里？
Hai Shixun: Where is the Crown prince now?
柏金汉：已然送他上西天了！
Bo Jinhan: I’ve sent him to death!
众 臣：啊？你竟敢反叛？
All Officials: Ah? You dare to rebel?
石 遵：柏金汉做得好！
Shi Zun: Bo Jinhan did a good thing!
这个太子不是我石家的血统，
This Crown prince is not the lineage of our Shi family,
我大赵的江山怎能让外姓继承？
how can we pass our Zhao Kingdom to another family?
凯 慈：护国公！启禀护国公，
Kai Ci: Lord Protector! Report to the Lord Protector,
末将在海大人后花园挖出一个木人，
I dug out a wooden puppet from the backyard garden of Mr. Hai,
有七隻绣花针钉住木人的七窍，
There are seven needles stuck into its seven apertures.
护国公请看！
Lord Protector please take a look!
石 遵：待我看来。
Shi Zun: Let me look.
石 遵：海大人，你把我的姓名、生辰写作木人身上，
Shi Zun: Lord Hai. You wrote my name and date of birth on the wooden puppet.
七窍钉针到底要干什么？
What did you want by nailing needles into its seven apertures?
海世勋：此事绝非老臣所为。
Hai Shixun: I absolutely did not do that.
柏金汉：这是妖人所用魔魘法，
Bo Jinhan: This is a sorcerer’s trick of magic nightmare.
分明要害护国公性命！
Obviously it intends to harm the life of the Lord Protector.
海世勋：太子加冕在即，你暗杀太子，图谋不轨！
Hai Shixun: The prince is going to be crowned. You murdered the prince and scheme rebellion!
柏金汉：你们加冕的是一个野种！
Bo Jinhan: What you intended to crown is a bastard!
侮辱了大赵国的皇族血统！
An insult to the imperial lineage of the Grand Zhao Kingdom!
石 遵：海大人，皇兄娶有孕的皇嫂进宫封后，
Shi Zun: Lord Hai, my Emperor Brother married the pregnant Empress into the palace and granted her the Queen.
不到八月就生下一子的事，你应当不会忘记吧？
She gave birth to a son within 8 months. You shouldn’t forget this, should you?
海世勋：皇后娘娘虽说先孕后进宫，
Hai Shixun: Although the Empress came into the palace with pregnancy.
所怀之子也是先帝的血统。
The son she conceived is the descendant of the late emperor.
李福思：皇后是正统的皇后！
Li Fusi: The Empress is the legitimate empress!
葛 雷：太子是正统的太子！
Ge Lei: The Crown prince is the legitimate prince!
海世勋：你们暗杀太子，意欲何为？
Hai Shixun: You murdered the Crown prince. What do you intend to do?
石 遵：怎么三位重臣，要结党谋反吗？
Shi Zun: You three important officials, are you cliquing to rebel?
我石遵还没让你们害死，
I Shi Zun have not been murdered by you yet.
大赵血统的皇族还没死绝呢！集结兵马！
The imperial family of Zhao lineage has not died out! Assemble the army!
海世勋：（唱）忠良无辜被刀裁，
Hai Shixun: (Sing) The loyal, the good, and the innocent are knifed.
血雨腥风滚滚来；
Bloody war comes;
悲惨邪恶的时代，
In a tragic and evil time,
英雄何惧断头台！
Heroes are not afraid of guillotine!
柏金汉：臣，柏金汉，恭请真龙天子登基。
Bo Jinhan: I, Bo Jinhan, respectfully ask the real dragon to ascend the throne.
凯 慈：臣，凯慈，恭请真龙天子登基。
Kai Ci: I, Kai Ci, respectfully ask the real dragon to ascend the throne.
众 同：臣等参拜！万岁！万岁，万万岁！
All together: We all pay our respect! Your Majesty! Your Majesty, Your Majesty!
皇 后：篡位的豺狼！
Empress: A wolf usurps the throne!
（唱）大骂石遵豺狼性，
(Sing) Curse Shi Zun’s wolfish nature,
杀死皇儿如刀剜我心！
Murdering my imperial son is like cutting out my heart with a knife!
先皇归天尸骨未冷，
The late emperor is dead but his body is not cold yet,
你、你……你杀太子、诛皇戚、
You, you …… you killed the Crown prince, murdered the royal,
残害忠臣
and harmed the loyal and the good.
桩桩罪恶天不容！
Your series of crimes are not tolerated by heaven!
石 遵：（白）天理不容第一件，
Shi Zun: (Speak) The first thing not tolerated by heaven:
你身怀野种嫁皇兄。
you married my Emperor Brother pregnant with a bastard child.
皇 后：（唱）未嫁时你兄已然强暴我，
Empress: (Sing) Your brother had violated me before the marriage.
石 遵：（白）这胎儿不是我大哥的种？
Shi Zun: (Speak) This fetus was not my brother’s seed!
皇 后：（唱）你污言作践我糟蹋我名声！
Empress: (Sing) You insulted me with dirty words and spoiled my reputation!
做皇后又跌落深渊唯叹女人遭恶运！
As an empress falling into abyss again, I can only sigh for women’s fate!
石 遵：（白）我已以正宗血统君临天下，
Shi Zun: (Speak) I already rule the country with my authentic lineage.
你可听一听臣民的忠心。
You can listen to subjects’ loyalty.
众 同：万岁！万岁，万万岁！
All Together: Your Majesty! Your Majesty, Your Majesty!
皇 后：（唱）天爷呀…你为何只顾沉眠，让他肆意施暴行！
Empress: (Sing) Heaven … why do you only sleep, and allow him to carry out atrocity!
这世道谁肯听我诉苦难？
In this world who is willing to listen to me telling my suffering?
石 遵：（白）“成者王侯败者贼”
Shi Zun: (Speak) “Victors become princes but losers are thieves.”
这定论从古传至今。
This conclusion is passed down to today from ancient times.
还是想一想怎样保住你皇族，尊贵……
Think about how to protect your royal family, honored ……
也保住你花容月貌的女儿。
also protect your beautiful daughter.
皇 后：（唱）听不懂这是什么弦外音？
Empress: (Sing) Cannot understand what implication it is?
我女儿普兰公主是你亲侄女，
My daughter Princess Pulan is your niece,
待字闺中玉洁冰清；
Unmarried, clean like jade and pure like ice,
只求你饶了她年青的生命！
I only beg you to have mercy on her young life!
哪怕是让我早早藏身埋骨入新坟。
Even if you ask me to die early.
石 遵：哪能啊！说实实在在的话，我爱皇嫂的美貌……还要保护你的名节，
Shi Zun: How could I! To be honest, I love your beauty ……I also want to protect your chastity.
所以我要娶你的女儿，我的侄女普兰公主为妻，
So I will marry your daughter, my niece Princess Pulan, as my wife.
封她为大赵皇后！
I will grant her the Queen of the grand Zhao!
皇 后：你……你这个畜生！
Empress: You …… you beast!
第 五 场
Scene 5
公 主：（念）父亡，兄死，刀光剑影，
Princess: (Speak) Father perished, and brother died. A war is going on.
悲痛，悲痛……
Sad, sad ……
有谁怜顾少女青春。
Who pities a young girl’s youth.
石 遵：（念）瘸腿，驼背，女人见了如见鬼，
Shi Zun: (Speak) Limped, humpbacked, a ghost in women’s eyes,
帝王，权位，
Emperor, power,
爱神眷顾给力加倍。
Eros’s bless gives double strength.
公 主：万岁。
Princess: Your Majesty.
石 遵：不要这样称呼我。
Shi Zun: Don’t address me like this.
公 主：叔王。
Princess: Uncle King.
石 遵：更不要叫叔王。
Shi Zun: Don’t call me Uncle King even more.
公 主：你本来是我的叔王啊！
Princess: You’re my Uncle King!
石 遵：怎么？你母亲下朝回来不曾向你说起吗？
Shi Zun: What? Didn’t your mother tell you after she returned from the royal court?
公 主：母亲下朝回来，抱住我痛苦……
Princess: After my mother came back from the court, she embraced me and cried.
石 遵：哭什么？
Shi Zun: What did she cry for?
公 主：哭父王，哭兄长……
Princess: Cried for my Father King, and for my brother ……
石 遵：难道她不曾关心你的婚姻么？
Shi Zun: Didn’t she care about your marriage?
公 主：我的婚姻？唉，父兄刚刚亡故，还谈什么我的婚姻？
Princess: My marriage? Hey, my father and brother just died. How can I talk about my marriage?
石 遵：有道是：逝者已矣，青春难再呀！
Shi Zun: There is such a saying: the dead already passed out, youth is hard to stay.
公 主：青春难再……，叔王，你是说侄女我么？
Princess: Youth is hard to stay …… Uncle King, are you referring to your niece me?
石 遵：是啊，普兰。假如我没记错，你今年一十七岁了。
Shi Zun: Yes, Pulan. If I remember correctly, you’re 17 this year.
公 主：唉，可怜生在帝王家，
Princes: Alas. What a pity to be born into a royal family.
宫冷只有甘寂寞。
I can only resign myself to the loneliness of the deserted palace.
石 遵：帝王最惜花开时，怎容普兰空自香。
Shi Zun: Emperor most cherish bloom. How can I let Pulan send out fragrance only for herself.
公 主：叔王，这是何意？
Princess: Uncle King, what do you mean?
石 遵：普兰，一十七岁普兰怒放，香气袭人，
Shi Zun: Pulan. Pulan at 17 blooms and sends out enchanting fragrance.
酷似你母当年，胜似你母当年，
You are exactly like your mother at that age, better than your mother at that age.
上天造就如此美色，难道你不该身居王后之位吗？
Heaven created such beauty. Shouldn’t you be the Queen?
公 主：叔王此言，侄女不甚明白……
Princess: Uncle King’s words, your niece cannot completely understand ……
石 遵：好了，好了，寡人初到后宫，还不曾见过你的闺房，
Shi Zun: Fine, fine, I just came to the inner palace and haven’t seen your boudoir yet.
还不请驾临幸？
Don’t you invite me to patronize it?
公 主：母亲说过，普兰的闺房，不准男子进入。
Princess: My mother told me that men were not allowed to enter Pulan’s boudoir.
石 遵：哈哈……，寡人乃万乘之君，难道君命比不过母命？
Shi Zun: Ha Ha …… I am the supreme ruler. Can’t my order overrule your mother’s order?
公 主：如此叔王……万岁请……
Princess: Then Uncle King …… Your Majesty please ……
皇 后：（唱）闻报禽兽内宫闯——
Empress: (Sing) I heard the report that the beast had rushed into the inner palace—
皇 后：（唱）心惊胆怕步慌慌；
Empress: (Sing) Scared and panic
天颜冷酷灾难降，
Heaven is cruel and sends out disaster,
求皇后救普兰你是好婶娘！
Ask the Queen to save Pulan you’re a good aunt!
安 姬：（唱）事不宜迟内宫往！
Lady An: (Sing) Cannot delay but hurry to the inner palace!
石 遵：（唱）初绽花朵分外香。
Shi Zun: (Sing) A flourishing flower is especially fragrant.
皇 后：你、你、你到我内宫做什么来了？
Empress: Why did you, you, you come to my inner palace?
石 遵：嫂嫂不从王命，寡人不得不亲自登门求爱。
Shi Zun: Sister-in-law did not follow your King’s order, so I had to come to woo by myself.
皇 后：你！……到我女儿内室做什么去了？
Empress: You! …… Why did you go to my daughter’s boudoir?
石 遵：普兰闺房清香可人！
Shi Zun: Pulan’s boudoir is graceful!
皇 后：女儿
Empress: Daughter
安 姬：禽兽！
Lady An: Beast!
（唱）人间败类廉耻丧尽，
(Sing) Human scum is shameless,
淫欲肆虐乱人伦；
Lust rages and causes chaos in human relations;
想当初甜言蜜语设陷阱，
Recollect how you trapped with your sweet talk at first,
坠你魔窟夜夜梦魇惊；
Falling into your snare I was awakened by nightmare every night;
驼背的蟾蜍瘸蛇蝎，
A humpbacked toad and a lame viper,
登上王位更狰狞！
More hideous after ascending the throne!
石 遵：（唱）上天给我畸形貌，
Shi Zun: (Sing) Heaven gave me an abnormal appearance,
我看世人心难平；
My mind is hard to calm down when I look at others;
就要报复这世界，
Want to revenge this world,
做尽恶人恶事不皱眉头铁铮铮！
Do all the evil things without scowl like iron clanks!
安 姬：（唱）你在地狱领使命，
Lady An: (Sing) You got your task in hell,
专为魔鬼卖灵魂；
You sold soul especially for the devil;
大地即崩裂，
Earth is going to split up,
炼狱烈焰喷；
Hell spouts out flames;
人神同呼号，
Humans and gods wail together,
共愤绞尔魂！
All are angry and hang your soul!
再不戴这皇后的金箍罪恶的顶！
No longer bear this evil golden hoop for the Queen!
石 遵：封普兰公主为大赵皇后！
Shi Zun: Grant Princess Pulan as the Queen of the Great Kingdom of Zhao!
皇 后：誓死抗旨！
Empress: Pledge your life to resist the order!
普 兰：母亲，我已经是他的人啦……
Pulan: Mother, I already belong to him ……
第 六 场
Scene 6
柏将军求见皇上！
General Bo asks to see the Emperor!
柏金汉：（唱）当初为他谋帝位，
Bo Jinhan: (Sing) At that time when we schemed the crown for him,
他许我御前大臣、定国将军封地在领北。
He promised me the positions of Chancellor and General Protector with my territory in the north.
年过半载无兑现，
Half a year has passed without fulfilling his promises,
该封不封用人太黑。
Not conferring his favor when should, he took advantage of people too severely.
柏金汉：皇上万岁！我听到了这个消息，我的君主。
Bo Jinhan: Long live the Emperor! I heard about this news, my lord.
石 遵：夜半进宫什么事？
Shi Zun: Why did you enter the palace at midnight?
柏金汉：石闵起兵了，来势很猛啊。
Bo Jinhan: Shi Min revolted, and his army comes fiercely.
石 遵：你做了什么部署？你的职责呢？
Shi Zun: What arrangement have you made? Where is your responsibility?
柏金汉：陛下，臣想皇上有一件重要的事忘记了。
Bo Jinhan: Your Majesty, I think Your Majesty has forgotten an important issue.
石 遵：是你胁迫我的皇上。
Shi Zun: You are coercing Your Majesty.
柏金汉：是，我请您，
Bo Jinhan: Yes, I am asking you.
万岁有诺言在先，一旦登上王位，
Your Majesty made a promise before, once you ascended the throne,
便封赐我御前大臣、定国将军，还有燕北的封地。
You would grant me Chancellor and General Protector, together with my territory in Northern Yan.
关键就在此；您所允许的海瑞福德伯爵爵位和那些动产都应该归我了。
The key is here: the title of Lord Hairuiford and those properties you’ve promised should all belong to me.
石 遵：燕北的封地……那不正是石闵起兵的地方？
Shi Zun: The territory in Northern Yan …… Isn’t that the place where Shi Min revolted?
你该当何罪。
You’ve committed a crime.
柏金汉：皇上还没有把燕北之地封给我。臣无罪。
Bo Jinhan: Your Majesty has not granted me the territory of Northern Yan. I’m innocent.
陛下对我的正当请求怎么说？
What would Your Majesty say to my proper request?
石 遵：这个石闵，孤记得孤为大赵打天下时,
Shi Zun: This Shi Min. I remember when I conquered the world for Kingdom Zhao,
石闵还不过是个顽皮的孩童。也许——
Shi Min was only a naughty child. Maybe—
柏金汉：您的令誉和信义要维护。
Bo Jinhan: Your reputation and credit should be protected.
石 遵：我当初为什么没有杀死他的呢？
Shi Zun: Why didn’t I kill him at that time?
柏金汉：万岁，您答应封赐我的爵位——
Bo Jinhan: Your Majesty, the titles you promised to me—
石 遵：我需要你到燕北去看看虚实。
Shi Zun: I need you to take a look at the situation of Northern Yan.
柏金汉：皇上。
Bo Jinhan: Your Majesty.
石 遵： 唉，什么时间了？
Shi Zun: Ai. What time is it?
柏金汉：臣斗胆请万岁回忆一下您当初对臣的诺言。
Bo Jinhan: I dare to ask Your Majesty to recollect your promise to me at that time.
石 遵：唔，可是什么时间了？
Shi Zun: Well. What time is it?
柏金汉：三更了。
Bo Jinhan: Three-shift.
石 遵：好，让它敲吧。
Shi Zun: Fine, let it beat.
柏金汉：为什么让它敲？
Bo Jinhan: Why do you let it beat?
石 遵：因为一面你在乞求，一面我要默想，
Shi Zun: Because at one hand you’re begging, at another hand I need to meditate.
而你却像那更夫手中的梆鼓更锣当当敲个不停。
But you beat nonstop like the watchman’s rattle, drum, and gong.
我今天无心封赏。
Today I’m not in the mood of granting a reward.
柏金汉：那就请决定万岁再次承诺。
Bo Jinhan: Then I ask Your Majesty to make another promise.
石 遵：你真麻烦，我此刻心情不对头。
Shi Zun: You really bother too much. Now my mood is not right.
柏金汉：啊？！
Bo Jinhan: Ah?!
（唱）利用我时许封赏，
(Sing) When using me you promised me reward,
一旦登基踹一旁；
Once ascending the throne you kicked me aside;
拥戴这样的君王哪有下场？
Where will I end by supporting such a monarch?
倒不如战场复仇枪对枪。
Worse than revenging on the battlefield spear to spear.
士 兵：大将军石闵兴兵讨伐石遵！
Soldier: General Shi Min raises an army to crusade against Shi Zun!
士 兵：大将军石闵为正义而战！
Soldier: General Shi Min fights for justice!
凯 慈：大赵皇帝御驾亲征，讨伐叛将石闵！
Kai Ci: The Emperor of Grand Zhao himself sets out to crusade against Rebel Shi Min!
第 七 场
Scene 7
石 遵：（白）把灯点上，把灯点上。
Shi Zun: (Speak) Lit the light, lit the light.
（唱）夜半噩梦惊醒，
(Sing) At midnight I was awakened by a nightmare,
一双双枯瘦的手指掐我脖颈。
Pairs of skinny fingers pinched my neck.
王位征途荆棘满地，
The journey to the throne is laid with thorns,
我是无所畏惧的大英雄。
I’m a fearless big hero.
安 姬：（白）夫君，夫君。
Lady An: (Speak) Husband, husband.
石 遵：（白）你…你…你
Shi Zun: (Speak) You … you … you
安 姬：（唱）杀我夫君在先，
Lady An: (Sing) At first you killed my husband,
骗我嫁你为妻；
Then you cheated me to become your wife;
从未在你枕边有过片刻的安睡，
Never had a moment of peaceful sleep beside you,
篡王位杀了我鲜血尚滴……
Usurping the throne you killed me my blood still dropping ……
此刻叫你翻来覆去，
Now make you turn over and over again,
战场上叫你钝刀落地魂无所依！
On battlefield knock down your dull knife with your soul having no place to go!
石 遵：不，杀你是柏金汉的主意。
Shi Zun: No. It is Bo Jinhan’s idea to kill you.
柏金汉：我的主意？
Bo Jinhan: My idea?
柏金汉：（白）你这个黑心肠的暴君！
Bo Jinhan: (Speak) You black-hearted tyrant!
（唱）我拥戴你加冕；
(Sing) I supported you to be crowned;
你对我施淫威。
You executed despotic power to me.
噩梦中让胆裂心碎，
In nightmare make your gall split and your heart break,
战场上让你绝望昏厥！
On battlefield make you despair and faint!
安 姬：黄泉路上多寂寞，夫君你快来陪我！
Lady An: The journey to the lower world is lonely. Husband you come quick to accompany me!
张 柴：（白）你还记得我吗？
Zhang Chai: (Speak) Do you still remember me?
（唱）背后穿心剑夺我命。
(Sing) The heart-piercing sword from my back took my life.
尸骨未寒娶我妻。
My body still warm you married my wife.
黄泉路上多寂寞。
The journey to the lower world is lonely.
你也来领略阴间寒与凄！
You also come to experience the cold and desolation in the underworld!
三幽灵：（白）黄泉路上多寂寞，
Three Spirits: (Speak) The journey to the lower world is lonely.
拉你石遵来陪我！
Drag you Shi Zun to accompany us!
石 遵：（白）不…不…不……
Shi Zun: (Speak) No…no…no……
（唱）野鬼拉我去做伴，
(Sing) Wild ghosts drag me to accompany them,
黄泉路上喊孤单。
Cry lonely on the way to the lower world.
（接唱）蓦然睁双眼，
(Continue singing) Suddenly opening my eyes,
蓝色的微光闪，死沉沉的午夜寒，
Blue glimmer sparkles, and lifeless midnight is cold,
只见这汗珠挂在皮肉上抖抖颤颤，
See sweat hanging on my flesh and shaking,
好吓人的梦魇！
What a scary nightmare!
难道说我也怕？
Am I afraid as well?
良心把我苦苦纠缠；
Conscience deeply troubles me;
良心惊扰得我心乱，
Conscience disturbs me until my heart frets,
伸出了千万条舌头吐怒言；
Millions of tongues stretch out to spit out angry words;
控诉我伪誓罪，罪无可恕；
Accused me of the crime of perjury, a crime unforgivable;
谋杀罪，血迹斑斑；
The crime of murder, bloody;
乱伦罪，罪欺天地，
The crime of incest, bullying the world,
种种罪行，大大小小，拥上公堂，
All kinds of crimes, big and small, all crowded to the courtroom,
齐声嚷“有罪！有罪！”罪恶滔天！
Shouting together “Guilty! Guilty!” Crimes are heinous!
我恨自己……我爱自己……
I hate myself …… I love myself ……
丑形残躯半世相为伴，
An ugly form and a deformed shape have accompanied me half my life,
恨又那堪爱又那堪！
How am I worthy of hatred and worthy of love!
又何必让良心是懦夫惊扰得心惊胆战，
Why should I make my conscience a coward disturbed and frightened,
我靠自己换来这至高无上的皇冠，
I got this supreme crown by myself,
我高高站立在大赵国权在手——
I stand highly upon the Great Zhao Kingdom, with power in hand—
开弓没有回头箭，
A flying arrow has no way to return,
只有勇往冲向前，
I can only rush forward with courage,
莫说回头是蠢汉，
Don’t mention that a repented man is a fool,
一身残缺有谁怜？
Who pities me for my deformity?
孤注一掷决胜负，
Desperate I determine victory or defeat.
千古成败亦空谈；
Through the ages success or failure is all empty talk;
战场上只要给我一匹马，
As long as give me a horse on the battlefield,
我还要报复大地报复天！
I still will revenge earth and revenge heaven!
侍 卫：报！
Guard: Report!
石 遵：说！
Shi Zun: Speak!
侍 卫：石闵将军率军入宫，兵临城下！
Guard: General Shi Min led the army into the palace. The city is under siege!
石 遵：带马，平叛！
Shi Zun: Bring me the horse! Suppress rebellion!
石 遵：一匹马！一匹马！我的王位换一匹马！
Shi Zun: A horse! A horse! My throne exchanges a horse!
伴 唱：一匹马！一匹马！我的王位换一匹马！
Chorus: A horse! A horse! My throne exchanges a horse!
伴 唱：皇冠一顶金煌煌，
Chorus: A shining golden crown,
刀丛剑影梦一场；
Knives and Swords are like a dream;
铁骨空自响，
Iron bone clanks for nothing,
正道是沧桑；
The right way is full of vicissitudes;
不要那腥风血雨，
Do not want those bloody wars,
不要那邪恶猖狂；
Do not want those evils and furies;
美丑善恶有天鉴，
Beauty, ugliness, good, and evil are judged by heaven,
滚滚浪涛掩兴亡。
Rolling waves cover rise and fall.
剧终
The End
The Mercurian 
Pingback: Editor’s Note 5.2 | The Mercurian