故事講述的是富家子弟宋(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)因家道中落而落魄(po),為(wei)船(chuan)戶(hu)所收留。船(chuan)家女宜(yi)春(chun)與(yu)宋(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)漸生情愫(su)并終成眷(juan)屬(shu)。不久,宋(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)肺(fei)癆病發,船(chuan)家夫(fu)(fu)婦(fu)騙其上岸,棄其于荒野,又逼女兒宜(yi)春(chun)再嫁。宜(yi)春(chun)不從(cong)父(fu)母之(zhi)命(ming),一直等待丈夫(fu)(fu)。宋(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)大難不死,反而暴(bao)富,尋找宜(yi)春(chun)。宜(yi)春(chun)與(yu)宋(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)重(zhong)逢,欣喜之(zhi)余卻覺得宋(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)心事已非(fei),于是忍痛駕(jia)舟而去。