《投筆記》,最早是(shi)明朝(chao)著錄的傳奇劇(ju)本,作者尚不(bu)明確。從其他文獻看(kan)來,明朝(chao)昆劇(ju)也(ye)(ye)有同名劇(ju)本。另(ling)外湖南省戲曲工作室也(ye)(ye)有同名湘劇(ju)高腔劇(ju)本。劇(ju)本情節都是(shi)描寫東漢班(ban)固投筆從戎的故(gu)事。
傳(chuan)奇劇(ju)本(ben)(ben),明祁(qi)彪(biao)佳(jia)《遠(yuan)山堂曲(qu)品》著(zhu)錄(lu)為(wei)華山居士作(zuo),清(qing)無名氏《古(gu)人傳(chuan)奇總目(mu)》著(zhu)錄(lu)為(wei)明人丘濬作(zuo),恐(kong)非。現存明萬(wan)(wan)歷三十(shi)八年三槐堂本(ben)(ben),題《新鐫徽版(ban)音釋評(ping)林全(quan)像班(ban)(ban)超投(tou)筆記》,以(yi)及(ji)明萬(wan)(wan)歷存誠堂本(ben)(ben),題《新刻魏仲雪先生(sheng)批評(ping)投(tou)筆記》,三十(shi)八出(chu),《古(gu)本(ben)(ben)戲曲(qu)叢(cong)刊》初集據之影印。劇(ju)作(zuo)取(qu)材于《后漢(han)書(shu)》的《班(ban)(ban)超傳(chuan)》和《班(ban)(ban)昭傳(chuan)》,劇(ju)譜東漢(han)班(ban)(ban)超文武(wu)全(quan)才,在(zai)任(ren)(ren)尚幕下(xia)任(ren)(ren)職,受(shou)任(ren)(ren)府家(jia)院侮辱,憤(fen)而投(tou)筆從戎(rong)。時(shi)竇(dou)固元帥欲通西域(yu)、伐匈奴(nu)(nu),招募天下(xia)豪杰;班(ban)(ban)投(tou)竇(dou),竇(dou)認為(wei)班(ban)(ban)可(ke)以(yi)“仗絕域(yu)立邊功,清(qing)海寧(ning)靖羌戎(rong)”,任(ren)(ren)班(ban)(ban)為(wei)司馬,出(chu)使西域(yu)至(zhi)鄯(shan)善國。班(ban)(ban)在(zai)鄯(shan)善國備受(shou)厚待,漢(han)使李邑嫉班(ban)(ban)才,誣(wu)陷之;漢(han)武(wu)帝受(shou)騙抄班(ban)(ban)家(jia),逮班(ban)(ban)母、班(ban)(ban)妻下(xia)獄。后班(ban)(ban)超破北匈奴(nu)(nu)軍,斬北匈奴(nu)(nu)王(wang)首級獻鄯(shan)善國王(wang),鄯(shan)善國王(wang)因之臣服于漢(han)。班(ban)(ban)派(pai)人帶書(shu)信回(hui)(hui)漢(han),被(bei)誣(wu)陷一事(shi)真相(xiang)大白,封為(wei)定遠(yuan)侯(hou),班(ban)(ban)師回(hui)(hui)朝,合家(jia)團圓。劇(ju)作(zuo)寫班(ban)(ban)超投(tou)筆從戎(rong),立大功于異域(yu)的同(tong)時(shi),也(ye)寫了班(ban)(ban)妻鄧二娘(niang)在(zai)家(jia)歷盡艱辛力行孝道的事(shi)跡。明呂天成《曲(qu)品》評(ping)此劇(ju)說:“詞(ci)平(ping)常,音不葉,俱以(yi)事(shi)佳(jia)而傳(chuan)耳”。但祁(qi)彪(biao)佳(jia)《遠(yuan)山堂曲(qu)品》評(ping)云:“詞(ci)雖(sui)平(ping)實,局亦正大。投(tou)筆出(chu)關處,想見(jian)古(gu)人慷慨之概。‘無語依(yi)南樓’一曲(qu),歌(ge)者(zhe)盛習之。”