No longer busy, I live at leisure,
Thinking over where I can find pleasure.
Writing heartbreaking verse by day,
What of love can a lover say?
Sitting in my hall day and night,
The fair scene beautifies my verse
Even in candlelight,
For better or worse,
If you are worthy of her love,
You'd win a new life from above.
Governor Du Bao had a daughter fair,
Fond of treading on the green here and there.
She was lovesick of a young scholar she
Dreamed of who'd break for her a twig off a willow tree.
Leaving a portrait, she died,
Buried lonely by mume flowers' side.
After three years,
The scholar dreaming of mume flowers appears
And brings her back to life.
They soon become man and wife.
He takes the court exam at the capital,
For honor first of all.
But rebels rise,
And take Governor Du's town by surprise.
The scholar coming to inquire
Is taken for a liar.
Fortunately the decree comes down:
He has won the laurel crown.
The fair maiden died, leaving her portrait fair.
Her father freed the town of rebels there.
The Dreamer won the fair coming to life again.
How could he not of unjust punishment complain?