Dramatis Personæ:
Niu Chau, a wandering tinker. Wang Niang, a young girl.
Scene: a Street.—[Niu Chau enters. Across his shoulder is a bamboo, to each end of which are suspended boxes containing the various tools and implements of his trade, and a small stool. He is dressed meanly; his face and head are painted and decorated in a fantastic manner.]
[Sings.] Seeking a livelihood by the work of my hands,
Daily do I traverse the streets of the city.
[Speaks.] Well, here I am, a mender of broken jars,
An unfortunate victim of ever-changing plans.
To repair old fractured jars
Is my sole occupation and support.
’Tis even so, I have no other employment.
[Takes his boxes from his shoulder, places them on the ground, sits beside them, and drawing out his fan, continues speaking.]