A
曲牌 fixes a melody and line pattern, so many operas reuse the same one. In this aria
杜丽娘 sees the spring garden for the first time and sings
原来姹紫嫣红开遍 'so all the purples and reds have bloomed', only to be left to broken wells and crumbling walls. Its lines
良辰美景奈何天 and
赏心乐事谁家院 are quoted on their own.
