奔月 Flight to the Moon

一I

聰明的牲口确乎知道人意，剛剛望見宅門，那馬便立刻放緩腳步了，并且和它背上的主人同時垂了頭，一步一頓，像搗米一樣。Intelligent beasts truly understand human intentions: the moment the horse caught sight of the gate, it slowed at once and, together with its master on its back, lowered its head, proceeding one halting step at a time, like a pestle pounding rice.

聪明的牲口确乎知道人意，刚刚望见宅门，那马便立刻放缓脚步了，并且和它背上的主人同时垂了头，一步一顿，像捣米一样。

暮靄籠罩了大宅，鄰屋上都騰起濃黑的炊煙，已經是晚飯時候。Evening mist shrouded the great house, and thick black cooking smoke rose from all the neighboring roofs: it was already suppertime.家將們听得馬蹄聲，早已迎了出來，都在宅門外垂著手直挺挺地站著。Hearing the hoofbeats, the retainers had long since come out to meet him and stood stiffly outside the gate, hands hanging at their sides.羿在垃圾堆邊懶懶地下了馬，家將們便接過韁繩和鞭子去。Yi dismounted languidly beside the rubbish heap, and the retainers took his reins and whip.他剛要跨進大門，低頭看看挂在腰間的滿壺的簇新的箭和网里的三匹烏老鴉和一匹射碎了的小麻雀，心里就非常躊躕。Just as he was about to step through the gate, he lowered his eyes to the full quiver of brand-new arrows at his waist, and to the three black crows and one little sparrow shot to pieces in his net bag, and he hesitated greatly.但到底硬著頭皮，大踏步走進去了；But in the end he steeled himself and strode inside;箭在壺里豁朗豁朗地響著。the arrows clattered in the quiver.

暮霭笼罩了大宅，邻屋上都腾起浓黑的炊烟，已经是晚饭时候。家将们听得马蹄声，早已迎了出来，都在宅门外垂著手直挺挺地站著。羿在垃圾堆边懒懒地下了马，家将们便接过缰绳和鞭子去。他刚要跨进大门，低头看看挂在腰间的满壶的簇新的箭和网里的三匹乌老鸦和一匹射碎了的小麻雀，心里就非常踌蹰。但到底硬著头皮，大踏步走进去了；箭在壶里豁朗豁朗地响著。

剛到內院，他便見嫦娥在圓窗里探了一探頭。No sooner had he reached the inner courtyard than he saw Chang’e poke her head out through the round window.他知道她眼睛快，一定早瞧見那幾匹烏鴉的了，不覺一嚇，腳步登時也一停，——但只得往里走。He knew how sharp her eyes were and that she must already have spotted those crows; he gave an involuntary start and stopped dead—but had no choice but to go on in.使女們都迎出來，給他卸了弓箭，解下网兜。The maids all came out to meet him, taking off his bow and arrows and untying the net bag.他仿佛覺得她們都在苦笑。He fancied that they were all smiling ruefully.

刚到内院，他便见嫦娥在圆窗里探了一探头。他知道她眼睛快，一定早瞧见那几匹乌鸦的了，不觉一吓，脚步登时也一停，——但只得往里走。使女们都迎出来，给他卸了弓箭，解下网兜。他仿佛觉得她们都在苦笑。

“太太……。”他擦過手臉，走進內房去，一面叫。“Madam...” he called as he entered the inner chamber after washing his hands and face.

“太太……。”他擦过手脸，走进内房去，一面叫。

嫦娥正在看著圓窗外的暮天，慢慢回過頭來，似理不理的向他看了一眼，沒有答應。Chang’e was gazing through the round window at the evening sky; slowly she turned her head, gave him a half-indifferent glance, and made no reply.

嫦娥正在看著圆窗外的暮天，慢慢回过头来，似理不理的向他看了一眼，没有答应。

這种情形，羿倒久已習慣的了，至少已有一年多。Yi, for his part, had long been accustomed to this treatment—for more than a year, at least.他仍舊走近去，坐在對面的舖著脫毛的舊豹皮的木榻上，搔著頭皮，支支梧梧地說——He went over nonetheless and sat on the wooden couch opposite, which was spread with an old, mangy leopard skin; scratching his head, he stammered—

这种情形，羿倒久已习惯的了，至少已有一年多。他仍旧走近去，坐在对面的铺著脱毛的旧豹皮的木榻上，搔著头皮，支支梧梧地说——

“今天的運气仍舊不見佳，還是只有烏鴉……。”“My luck was no better today: still nothing but crows...”

“今天的运气仍旧不见佳，还是只有乌鸦……。”

“哼！”嫦娥將柳眉一揚，忽然站起來，風似的往外走，嘴里咕嚕著，“又是烏鴉的炸醬麵，又是烏鴉的炸醬麵！“Hmph!” Chang’e arched her willow-leaf brows, suddenly rose, and swept out like the wind, grumbling, “Crow-meat noodles with fried bean sauce again, crow-meat noodles with fried bean sauce again!你去問問去，誰家是一年到頭只吃烏鴉肉的炸醬麵的？Go and ask around: whose family eats nothing but noodles with crow-meat sauce all year long?我真不知道是走了什么運，竟嫁到這里來，整年的就吃烏鴉的炸醬麵！”I truly don’t know what sort of luck brought me here as your wife, to eat noodles with crow-meat sauce the whole year through!”

“哼！”嫦娥将柳眉一扬，忽然站起来，风似的往外走，嘴里咕噜著，“又是乌鸦的炸酱面，又是乌鸦的炸酱面！你去问问去，谁家是一年到头只吃乌鸦肉的炸酱面的？我真不知道是走了什么运，竟嫁到这里来，整年的就吃乌鸦的炸酱面！”

“太太，”羿赶緊也站起，跟在後面，低聲說，“不過今天倒還好，另外還射了一匹麻雀，可以給你做菜的。“Madam,” Yi hurriedly rose as well and followed her, saying softly, “Still, today was not so bad: I also shot a sparrow, which can be cooked as a dish for you.女辛！”他大聲地叫使女，“你把那一匹麻雀拿過來請太太看！”Nüxin!” he called loudly to a maid. “Bring that sparrow over and let Madam see it!”

“太太，”羿赶紧也站起，跟在后面，低声说，“不过今天倒还好，另外还射了一匹麻雀，可以给你做菜的。女辛！”他大声地叫使女，“你把那一匹麻雀拿过来请太太看！”

野味已經拿到廚房里去了，女辛便跑去挑出來，兩手捧著，送在嫦娥的眼前。The game had already been taken to the kitchen, so Nüxin ran to pick it out and brought it before Chang’e, holding it in both hands.

野味已经拿到厨房里去了，女辛便跑去挑出来，两手捧著，送在嫦娥的眼前。

“哼！”她瞥了一眼，慢慢地伸手一捏，不高興地說，“一團糟！“Hmph!” She glanced at it, slowly reached out and pinched it, then said unhappily, “What a mess!不是全都粉碎了么？Hasn’t it all been smashed to bits?肉在那里？”Where is the meat?”

“哼！”她瞥了一眼，慢慢地伸手一捏，不高兴地说，“一团糟！不是全都粉碎了么？肉在那里？”

“是的，”羿很惶恐，“射碎的。“Yes,” said Yi, thoroughly alarmed. “It was shot to pieces.我的弓太強，箭頭太大了。”My bow is too powerful, and the arrowhead too large.”

“是的，”羿很惶恐，“射碎的。我的弓太强，箭头太大了。”

“你不能用小一點的箭頭的么？”“Couldn’t you use a smaller arrowhead?”

“你不能用小一点的箭头的么？”

“我沒有小的。“I don’t have any small ones.自從我射封豕長蛇……。”Ever since I shot the giant boar and the great serpent...”

“我没有小的。自从我射封豕长蛇……。”

“這是封豕長蛇么？”她說著，一面回轉頭去對著女辛道，“放一碗湯罷！”便又退回房里去了。“Is this a giant boar or a great serpent?” she said, turning to Nüxin. “Just serve a bowl of soup!” Then she withdrew into the room again.

“这是封豕长蛇么？”她说著，一面回转头去对著女辛道，“放一碗汤罢！”便又退回房里去了。

只有羿呆呆地留在堂屋里，靠壁坐下，听著廚房里柴草爆炸的聲音。Yi alone remained in the main hall, sitting dazed against the wall and listening to the firewood crackling in the kitchen.他回憶當年的封豕是多么大，遠遠望去就像一坐小土岡，如果那時不去射殺它，留到現在，足可以吃半年，又何用天天愁飯菜。He recalled how enormous the giant boar had been in those days: from afar it had looked like a small hillock; if only he had not shot it then but had kept it until now, it would have fed them for half a year, and there would have been no need to worry about their meals every day.還有長蛇，也可以做羹喝……。And the great serpent could have been made into soup...

只有羿呆呆地留在堂屋里，靠壁坐下，听著厨房里柴草爆炸的声音。他回忆当年的封豕是多么大，远远望去就像一坐小土冈，如果那时不去射杀它，留到现在，足可以吃半年，又何用天天愁饭菜。还有长蛇，也可以做羹喝……。

女乙來點燈了，對面牆上挂著的彤弓，彤矢，盧弓，盧矢，弩机，長劍，短劍，便都在昏暗的燈光中出現。Nüyi came in to light the lamp, and on the opposite wall the vermilion bow and arrows, the black bow and arrows, the crossbow mechanism, the long swords, and the short swords all emerged in the dim lamplight.羿看了一眼，就低了頭，歎一口气；Yi glanced at them, then lowered his head and sighed;只見女辛搬進夜飯來，放在中間的案上，左邊是五大碗白麵；he saw Nüxin carry in the evening meal and set it on the table in the middle: on the left were five large bowls of plain wheat noodles;右邊兩大碗，一碗湯；on the right, two large bowls, one of them containing soup;中央是一大碗烏鴉肉做的炸醬。and in the center, a large bowl of fried sauce made with crow meat.

女乙来点灯了，对面墙上挂著的彤弓，彤矢，卢弓，卢矢，弩机，长剑，短剑，便都在昏暗的灯光中出现。羿看了一眼，就低了头，叹一口气；只见女辛搬进夜饭来，放在中间的案上，左边是五大碗白面；右边两大碗，一碗汤；中央是一大碗乌鸦肉做的炸酱。

羿吃著炸醬麵，自己覺得确也不好吃；As Yi ate the noodles with fried sauce, he himself found that they truly did not taste good;偷眼去看嫦娥，她炸醬是看也不看，只用湯泡了麵，吃了半碗，又放下了。he stole a glance at Chang’e, but she would not even look at the sauce, merely soaked her noodles in soup, ate half a bowl, and put it down.他覺得她臉上仿佛比往常黃瘦些，生怕她生了病。Her face seemed sallower and thinner than usual, and he was terribly afraid that she might be ill.

羿吃著炸酱面，自己觉得确也不好吃；偷眼去看嫦娥，她炸酱是看也不看，只用汤泡了面，吃了半碗，又放下了。他觉得她脸上仿佛比往常黄瘦些，生怕她生了病。

到二更時，她似乎和气一些了，默坐在床沿上喝水。By the second watch, she seemed somewhat more amiable and sat silently on the edge of the bed, drinking water.羿就坐在旁邊的木榻上，手摩著脫毛的舊豹皮。Yi sat on the wooden couch beside her, stroking the old, mangy leopard skin.

到二更时，她似乎和气一些了，默坐在床沿上喝水。羿就坐在旁边的木榻上，手摩著脱毛的旧豹皮。

“唉，”他和藹地說，“這西山的文豹，還是我們結婚以前射得的，那時多么好看，全体黃金光。”他于是回想當年的食物，熊是只吃四個掌，駝留峰，其餘的就都賞給使女和家將們。“Ah,” he said gently, “this patterned leopard from the Western Hills—I shot it before we were married. How beautiful it was then, golden all over.” He thereupon recalled the food of those days: of a bear they ate only the four paws, and of a camel they kept the hump; all the rest was bestowed on the maids and retainers.後來大動物射完了，就吃野豬兔山雞；Later, when all the large animals had been shot away, they ate wild boars, rabbits, and pheasants;射法又高強，要多少有多少。“唉，”他不覺歎息，“我的箭法掌太巧妙了，竟射得遍地精光。and his marksmanship was so superb that he could have as many as he wanted. “Ah,” he sighed despite himself, “my archery was altogether too masterful: I shot the whole countryside bare.那時誰料到只剩下烏鴉做菜……。”Who could have guessed then that only crows would be left to cook?...”

“唉，”他和蔼地说，“这西山的文豹，还是我们结婚以前射得的，那时多么好看，全体黄金光。”他于是回想当年的食物，熊是只吃四个掌，驼留峰，其余的就都赏给使女和家将们。后来大动物射完了，就吃野猪兔山鸡；射法又高强，要多少有多少。“唉，”他不觉叹息，“我的箭法掌太巧妙了，竟射得遍地精光。那时谁料到只剩下乌鸦做菜……。”

“哼。”嫦娥微微一笑。“Hmph.” Chang’e smiled faintly.

“今天總還要算運气的，”羿也高興起來，“居然獵到一只麻雀。“Still, today must count as lucky,” Yi brightened too. “I actually managed to hunt a sparrow.這是遠繞了三十里路才找到的。”I had to make a thirty-li detour before I found it.”

“今天总还要算运气的，”羿也高兴起来，“居然猎到一只麻雀。这是远绕了三十里路才找到的。”

“你不能走得更遠一點的么？！”“Couldn’t you go a little farther?!”

“你不能走得更远一点的么？！”

“對。“Yes.太太。Madam.我也這樣想。I think so too.明天我想起得早些。Tomorrow I mean to get up earlier.倘若你醒得早，那就叫醒我。If you wake early, then wake me.我準備再遠走五十里，看看可有些獐子兔子。……I plan to go another fifty li farther and see whether there might be some muntjacs or rabbits...但是，怕也難。But I’m afraid even that will be difficult.當我射封豕長蛇的時候，野獸是那么多。When I shot the giant boar and the great serpent, there were so many wild animals.你還該記得罷，丈母的門前就常有黑熊走過，叫我去射了好幾回……。”You ought to remember: black bears often passed right before your mother’s gate, and she called me over to shoot them several times...”

“对。太太。我也这样想。明天我想起得早些。倘若你醒得早，那就叫醒我。我准备再远走五十里，看看可有些獐子兔子。……但是，怕也难。当我射封豕长蛇的时候，野兽是那么多。你还该记得罢，丈母的门前就常有黑熊走过，叫我去射了好几回……。”

“是么？”嫦娥似乎不大記得。“Did they?” Chang’e did not seem to remember very well.

“是么？”嫦娥似乎不大记得。

“誰料到現在竟至于精光的呢。“Who could have foreseen that by now they would be utterly gone?想起來，真不知道將來怎么過日子。When I think of it, I truly don’t know how we are to live in the future.我呢，倒不要緊，只要將那道士送給我的金丹吃下去，就會飛升。As for me, it doesn’t matter: I need only swallow the elixir that Daoist gave me, and I shall ascend to heaven.但是我第一先得替你打算，……But first of all I must make provision for you...所以我決計明天再走得遠一點……。”So I have decided to go farther tomorrow...”

“谁料到现在竟至于精光的呢。想起来，真不知道将来怎么过日子。我呢，倒不要紧，只要将那道士送给我的金丹吃下去，就会飞升。但是我第一先得替你打算，……所以我决计明天再走得远一点……。”

“哼。”嫦娥已經喝完水，慢慢躺下，合上眼睛了。“Hmph.” Chang’e had finished her water; she slowly lay down and closed her eyes.殘膏的燈火照著殘妝，粉有些褪了，眼圈顯得微黃，眉毛的黛色也仿佛兩邊不一樣。The lamp, its oil nearly spent, shone upon makeup worn away: some of the powder had faded, the rings beneath her eyes looked faintly yellow, and even the dark pigment on her brows seemed uneven from one side to the other.但嘴唇依然紅得如火；But her lips were still as red as fire;雖然并不笑，頰上也還有淺淺的酒窩。and though she was not smiling, shallow dimples still showed in her cheeks.

“哼。”嫦娥已经喝完水，慢慢躺下，合上眼睛了。残膏的灯火照著残妆，粉有些褪了，眼圈显得微黄，眉毛的黛色也仿佛两边不一样。但嘴唇依然红得如火；虽然并不笑，颊上也还有浅浅的酒窝。

“唉唉，這樣的人，我就整年地只給她吃烏鴉的炸醬麵……。”羿想著，覺得慚愧，兩頰連耳根都熱起來。“Ah, a woman like this, and all year long I give her nothing but noodles with crow-meat sauce...” Yi thought; overcome with shame, he felt his cheeks grow hot clear to the roots of his ears.

“唉唉，这样的人，我就整年地只给她吃乌鸦的炸酱面……。”羿想著，觉得惭愧，两颊连耳根都热起来。

二II

過了一夜就是第二天。One night passed, and it was the next day.

过了一夜就是第二天。

羿忽然睜開眼睛，只見一道陽光斜射在西壁上，知道時候不早了；Yi suddenly opened his eyes and saw a shaft of sunlight slanting onto the western wall; he knew it was already late.看看嫦娥，兀自攤開了四肢沉睡著。He looked at Chang’e, who was still fast asleep with all four limbs sprawled out.他悄悄地披上衣服，爬下豹皮榻，躃出堂前，一面洗臉，一面叫女庚去吩咐王升備馬。Quietly he threw on his clothes, climbed down from the leopard-skin couch, and limped out before the hall; while washing his face, he called to Nügeng to tell Wang Sheng to ready the horse.

羿忽然睁开眼睛，只见一道阳光斜射在西壁上，知道时候不早了；看看嫦娥，兀自摊开了四肢沉睡著。他悄悄地披上衣服，爬下豹皮榻，躃出堂前，一面洗脸，一面叫女庚去吩咐王升备马。

他因為事情忙，是早就廢止了朝食的；Because he was always busy, he had long since done away with breakfast;女乙將五個炊餅，五株蔥和一包辣醬都放在网兜里，并弓箭一齊替他繫在腰間。Nüyi put five flatbreads, five stalks of scallion, and a packet of chili sauce into the net bag, then fastened it at his waist together with his bow and arrows.他將腰帶緊了一緊，輕輕地跨出堂外面，一面告訴那正從對面進來的女庚道——He tightened his belt, stepped softly out of the hall, and told Nügeng, who was just coming in from across the courtyard—

他因为事情忙，是早就废止了朝食的；女乙将五个炊饼，五株葱和一包辣酱都放在网兜里，并弓箭一齐替他系在腰间。他将腰带紧了一紧，轻轻地跨出堂外面，一面告诉那正从对面进来的女庚道——

“我今天打算到遠地方去尋食物去，回來也許晚一些。“Today I mean to go far afield in search of food, so I may return rather late.看太太醒後，用過早點心，有些高興的時候，你便去稟告，說晚飯請她等一等，對不起得很。After Madam wakes and has had her morning snack, wait until she is in a somewhat better humor, then report to her that I beg her to wait a while for supper, and that I am very sorry.記得么？Do you remember?你說：對不起得很。”Say: I am very sorry.”

“我今天打算到远地方去寻食物去，回来也许晚一些。看太太醒后，用过早点心，有些高兴的时候，你便去禀告，说晚饭请她等一等，对不起得很。记得么？你说：对不起得很。”

他快步出門，跨上馬，將站班的家將們扔在腦後，不一會便跑出村庄了。He strode out, mounted his horse, left the retainers standing on duty behind him, and before long had ridden out of the village.前面是天天走熟的高粱田，他毫不注意，早知道什么也沒有的。Ahead lay the sorghum fields he passed through every day; he paid them no attention, knowing full well that there was nothing there.加上兩鞭，一徑飛奔前去，一气就跑了六十里上下，望見前面有一簇很茂盛的樹林，馬也喘气不迭，渾身流汗，自然慢下去了。He gave the horse two more lashes and galloped straight ahead, covering some sixty li in a single run, until he saw a dense grove in the distance; the horse too was panting ceaselessly and streaming with sweat, and naturally slowed down.大約又走了十多里，這才接近樹林，然而滿眼是胡蜂，粉蝶，螞蟻，蚱蜢，那里有一點禽獸的蹤跡。After another ten-odd li he finally drew near the grove, but everywhere he looked there were only hornets, white butterflies, ants, and grasshoppers—not the slightest trace of bird or beast.他望見這一塊新地方時，本以為至少總可以有一兩匹狐儿兔儿的，現在才知道又是夢想。When he first saw this unfamiliar place, he had supposed there would surely be at least a fox or rabbit or two; only now did he realize that this too had been a vain dream.他只得繞出樹林，看那後面卻又是碧綠的高粱田，遠處散點著幾間小小的土屋。He had no choice but to ride around the grove; beyond it, however, there were yet more emerald-green sorghum fields, with a few tiny mud houses scattered in the distance.風和日暖，鴉雀無聲。The breeze was mild and the sun warm; not a crow or sparrow made a sound.

他快步出门，跨上马，将站班的家将们扔在脑后，不一会便跑出村庄了。前面是天天走熟的高粱田，他毫不注意，早知道什么也没有的。加上两鞭，一径飞奔前去，一气就跑了六十里上下，望见前面有一簇很茂盛的树林，马也喘气不迭，浑身流汗，自然慢下去了。大约又走了十多里，这才接近树林，然而满眼是胡蜂，粉蝶，蚂蚁，蚱蜢，那里有一点禽兽的踪迹。他望见这一块新地方时，本以为至少总可以有一两匹狐儿兔儿的，现在才知道又是梦想。他只得绕出树林，看那后面却又是碧绿的高粱田，远处散点著几间小小的土屋。风和日暖，鸦雀无声。

“倒楣！”他盡量地大叫了一聲，出出悶气。“Damn my luck!” he shouted at the top of his lungs to vent his frustration.

“倒楣！”他尽量地大叫了一声，出出闷气。

但再前行了十多步，他即刻心花怒放了，遠遠地望見一間土屋外面的平地上，的确停著一匹飛禽，一步一啄，像是很大的鴿子。But after going a dozen more paces, his heart instantly blossomed with joy: far off, on the open ground outside a mud house, there really was a bird standing there, pecking as it walked, like a very large pigeon.他慌忙拈弓搭箭，引滿弦，將手一放，那箭便流星般出去了。He hastily took up his bow and set an arrow to it, drew the string to the full, and released; the arrow flew off like a meteor.

但再前行了十多步，他即刻心花怒放了，远远地望见一间土屋外面的平地上，的确停著一匹飞禽，一步一啄，像是很大的鸽子。他慌忙拈弓搭箭，引满弦，将手一放，那箭便流星般出去了。

這是無須遲疑的，向來有發必中；There was no need for doubt: whenever he shot, he always hit his mark.他只要策馬跟著箭路飛跑前去，便可以拾得獵物。He need only spur his horse along the arrow’s path, and he could pick up his quarry.誰知道他將要臨近，卻已有一個老婆子捧著帶箭的大鴿子，大聲嚷著，正對著他的馬頭搶過來。But who would have thought that, just as he was drawing near, an old woman would come rushing straight at his horse’s head, clutching the great pigeon with the arrow in it and shouting at the top of her voice?

这是无须迟疑的，向来有发必中；他只要策马跟著箭路飞跑前去，便可以拾得猎物。谁知道他将要临近，却已有一个老婆子捧著带箭的大鸽子，大声嚷著，正对著他的马头抢过来。

“你是誰哪？“Who are you?怎么把我家的頂好的黑母雞射死了？Why did you shoot dead the finest black hen in my family?你的手怎的有這么閒哪？……”How did your hands come to be so idle?...”

“你是谁哪？怎么把我家的顶好的黑母鸡射死了？你的手怎的有这么闲哪？……”

羿的心不覺跳了一跳，赶緊勒住馬。Yi’s heart involuntarily gave a leap, and he hurriedly reined in his horse.

羿的心不觉跳了一跳，赶紧勒住马。

“阿呀！“Oh!雞么？A chicken?我只道是一只鵓鴣。”他惶恐地說。I took it for a turtledove,” he said in alarm.

“阿呀！鸡么？我只道是一只鹁鸪。”他惶恐地说。

“瞎了你的眼睛！“Are you blind?看你也有四十多歲了罷。”You look to be over forty already.”

“瞎了你的眼睛！看你也有四十多岁了罢。”

“是的。“Yes.老太太。Madam.我去年就有四十五歲了。”I turned forty-five last year.”

“是的。老太太。我去年就有四十五岁了。”

“你真是枉長白大！“You’ve certainly grown big for nothing!連母雞也不認識，會當作鵓鴣！You can’t even recognize a hen, and take it for a turtledove!你究竟是誰哪？”Who are you, anyway?”

“你真是枉长白大！连母鸡也不认识，会当作鹁鸪！你究竟是谁哪？”

“我就是夷羿。”他說著，看看自己所射的箭，是正貫了母雞的心，當然死了，末後的兩個字便說得不大響亮；“I am Yi the Archer,” he said, looking at the arrow he had shot: it had pierced the hen squarely through the heart, so of course it was dead, and thus he spoke the final two words rather softly;一面從馬上跨下來。at the same time, he dismounted from his horse.

“我就是夷羿。”他说著，看看自己所射的箭，是正贯了母鸡的心，当然死了，末后的两个字便说得不大响亮；一面从马上跨下来。

“夷羿？……“Yi the Archer?...誰呢？Who is that?我不知道。”她看著他的臉，說。I don’t know,” she said, looking at his face.

“夷羿？……谁呢？我不知道。”她看著他的脸，说。

“有些人是一听就知道的。“Some people know as soon as they hear the name.堯爺的時候，我曾經射死過幾匹野豬，幾條蛇……。”In Lord Yao’s time, I once shot dead several wild boars and several serpents...”

“有些人是一听就知道的。尧爷的时候，我曾经射死过几匹野猪，几条蛇……。”

“哈哈，騙子！"Ha, you liar!那是逢蒙老爺和別人合伙射死的。That one was shot dead by Master Feng Meng together with someone else.也許有你在內罷；Perhaps you were among them;但你倒說是你自己了，好不識羞！”but you go and claim it was you alone — how shameless!"

“哈哈，骗子！那是逢蒙老爷和别人合伙射死的。也许有你在内罢；但你倒说是你自己了，好不识羞！”

“阿阿，老太太。"Ah, ah, old madam.逢蒙那人，不過近幾年時常到我那里來走走，我并沒有和他合伙，全不相干的。”That Feng Meng fellow has merely taken to visiting my place fairly often these past few years — I never joined forces with him, it has nothing to do with him at all."

“阿阿，老太太。逢蒙那人，不过近几年时常到我那里来走走，我并没有和他合伙，全不相干的。”

“說誑。"Liar.近來常有人說，我一月就听到四五回。”People have been saying it a lot lately — I hear it four or five times a month."

“说诳。近来常有人说，我一月就听到四五回。”

“那也好。"Well, never mind that.我們且談正經事罷。Let's talk business.這雞怎么辦呢？”What's to be done about this chicken?"

“那也好。我们且谈正经事罢。这鸡怎么办呢？”

“賠。"Pay for it.這是我家最好的母雞，天天生蛋。This was the best hen in my house, laid an egg every day.你得賠我兩柄鋤頭，三個紡錘。”You owe me two hoes and three spindles for it."

“赔。这是我家最好的母鸡，天天生蛋。你得赔我两柄锄头，三个纺锤。”

“老太太，你瞧我這模樣，是不耕不織的，那里來的鋤頭和紡錘。"Old madam, look at me — I neither till the fields nor weave, where would I get hoes and spindles from?我身邊又沒有錢，只有五個炊餅，倒是白麵做的，就拿來賠了你的雞，還添上五株蔥和一包甜辣醬。And I have no money on me either, only five griddle-cakes — made of white flour, though — let me give you those for your hen, and throw in five scallions and a packet of sweet chili paste besides.你以為怎樣？……”他一只手去网兜里掏炊餅，伸出那一只手去取雞。What do you say?..." He reached one hand into his net bag to fish out the cakes, and stretched out the other to take the hen.

“老太太，你瞧我这模样，是不耕不织的，那里来的锄头和纺锤。我身边又没有钱，只有五个炊饼，倒是白面做的，就拿来赔了你的鸡，还添上五株葱和一包甜辣酱。你以为怎样？……”他一只手去网兜里掏炊饼，伸出那一只手去取鸡。

老婆子看見白麵的炊餅，倒有些愿意了，但是定要十五個。At the sight of the white-flour cakes the old woman seemed rather willing, but insisted on fifteen.磋商的結果，好容易才定為十個，約好至遲明天正午送到，就用那射雞的箭作抵押。After much haggling they finally settled, with difficulty, on ten, agreeing they be delivered by noon tomorrow at the latest, with the arrow that had killed the hen left as security.羿這時才放了心，將死雞塞進网兜里，跨上鞍鞽，回馬就走，雖然肚餓，心里卻很喜歡，他們不喝雞湯實在已經有一年多了。Only then did Yi feel at ease; he stuffed the dead hen into his net bag, swung up into the saddle, and turned his horse for home. Hungry as he was, his heart was glad — it had truly been over a year since they had last tasted chicken broth.

老婆子看见白面的炊饼，倒有些愿意了，但是定要十五个。磋商的结果，好容易才定为十个，约好至迟明天正午送到，就用那射鸡的箭作抵押。羿这时才放了心，将死鸡塞进网兜里，跨上鞍鞒，回马就走，虽然肚饿，心里却很喜欢，他们不喝鸡汤实在已经有一年多了。

他繞出樹林時，還是下午，于是赶緊加鞭向家里走；When he came out of the woods it was still afternoon, so he hurried, whipping the horse on toward home;但是馬力乏了，剛到走慣的高粱田近旁，已是黃昏時候。but the horse's strength was spent, and by the time he reached the sorghum fields he knew so well, it was already dusk.只見對面遠處有人影子一閃，接著就有一枝箭忽地向他飛來。Suddenly a human shadow flickered in the distance opposite, and the next instant an arrow came whizzing straight at him.

他绕出树林时，还是下午，于是赶紧加鞭向家里走；但是马力乏了，刚到走惯的高粱田近旁，已是黄昏时候。只见对面远处有人影子一闪，接著就有一枝箭忽地向他飞来。

羿并不勒住馬，任它跑著，一面卻也拈弓搭箭，只一發，只听得錚的一聲，箭尖正触著箭尖，在空中發出幾點火花，兩枝箭便向上擠成一個“人”字，又翻身落在地上了。Yi did not rein in the horse, letting it run on, but at the same time nocked an arrow to his bow; with a single shot there came a sharp clang — arrowhead met arrowhead exactly, striking a few sparks in midair, and the two arrows, pressed together, formed the shape of the character "人" before tumbling to the ground.第一箭剛剛相触，兩面立刻又來了第二箭，還是錚的一聲，相触在半空中。No sooner had the first arrows collided than a second pair came from both sides, and again with a clang they met head-on in midair.那樣地射了九箭，羿的箭都用盡了；Nine arrows were loosed in this fashion, and Yi's arrows were all used up;但他這時已經看清逢蒙得意地站在對面，卻還有一枝箭搭在弦上正在瞄准他的咽喉。but by now he could see clearly that Feng Meng stood opposite him, looking pleased with himself, with one more arrow still nocked on the string, aimed straight at his throat.

羿并不勒住马，任它跑著，一面却也拈弓搭箭，只一发，只听得铮的一声，箭尖正触著箭尖，在空中发出几点火花，两枝箭便向上挤成一个“人”字，又翻身落在地上了。第一箭刚刚相触，两面立刻又来了第二箭，还是铮的一声，相触在半空中。那样地射了九箭，羿的箭都用尽了；但他这时已经看清逢蒙得意地站在对面，却还有一枝箭搭在弦上正在瞄准他的咽喉。

“哈哈，我以為他早到海邊摸魚去了，原來還在這些地方幹這些勾當，怪不得那老婆子有那些話……。”羿想。"Ha, I thought he'd gone off to the seaside to fish long ago — so he's still up to these tricks around here. No wonder the old woman said those things..." Yi thought.

“哈哈，我以为他早到海边摸鱼去了，原来还在这些地方干这些勾当，怪不得那老婆子有那些话……。”羿想。

那時快，對面是弓如滿月，箭似流星。Quick as thought, opposite him the bow bent full as the moon and the arrow flew like a shooting star.颼的一聲，徑向羿的咽喉飛過來。With a whoosh it came straight for Yi's throat.也許是瞄准差了一點了，卻正中了他的嘴；Perhaps the aim was off just slightly, for it struck him square in the mouth instead;一個筋斗，他帶箭掉下馬去了，馬也就站住。he turned a somersault and fell from the horse with the arrow still in him, and the horse came to a stop.

那时快，对面是弓如满月，箭似流星。飕的一声，径向羿的咽喉飞过来。也许是瞄准差了一点了，却正中了他的嘴；一个筋斗，他带箭掉下马去了，马也就站住。

逢蒙見羿已死，便慢慢地躃過來，微笑著去看他的死臉，當作喝一杯胜利的白干。Seeing that Yi was dead, Feng Meng crept slowly toward him in a crouch, smiling as he went to gaze upon the dead man's face, as though sipping a cup of victorious spirits.

逢蒙见羿已死，便慢慢地躃过来，微笑著去看他的死脸，当作喝一杯胜利的白干。

剛在定睛看時，只見羿張開眼，忽然直坐起來。Just as he fixed his eyes to look, Yi's eyes opened, and he suddenly sat bolt upright.

刚在定睛看时，只见羿张开眼，忽然直坐起来。

“你真是白來了一百多回。”他吐出箭，笑著說，“難道連我的‘嚙鏃法’都沒有知道么？"You really have made over a hundred trips here for nothing," he said, spitting out the arrow and laughing. "Don't tell me you still don't know my 'arrow-biting technique'?這怎么行。This won't do at all.你鬧這些小玩藝儿是不行的，偷去的拳頭打不死本人，要自己練練才好。”Fooling around with little tricks like this won't get you anywhere — a stolen fist can't kill the one it was stolen from; you'd best go practice on your own."

“你真是白来了一百多回。”他吐出箭，笑著说，“难道连我的‘啮镞法’都没有知道么？这怎么行。你闹这些小玩艺儿是不行的，偷去的拳头打不死本人，要自己练练才好。”

“即以其人之道，反諸其人之身……。”胜者低聲說。"Turn a man's own method back upon himself..." the victor muttered under his breath.

“即以其人之道，反诸其人之身……。”胜者低声说。

“哈哈哈！”他一面大笑，一面站了起來，“又是引經据典。"Ha ha ha!" He laughed loudly as he got to his feet. "Quoting the classics again.但這些話你只可以哄哄老婆子，本人面前搗什么鬼？But that kind of talk will only fool old women — what tricks do you think you're playing in front of me?俺向來就只是打獵，沒有弄過你似的剪徑的玩藝儿……。”他說著，又看看网兜里的母雞，倒并沒有壓坏，便跨上馬，徑自走了。I've always been nothing but a hunter, I've never gone in for that highway-robbery business of yours..." As he spoke he glanced again at the hen in his net bag — it hadn't been crushed after all — then mounted his horse and rode off without another word.

“哈哈哈！”他一面大笑，一面站了起来，“又是引经据典。但这些话你只可以哄哄老婆子，本人面前捣什么鬼？俺向来就只是打猎，没有弄过你似的剪径的玩艺儿……。”他说著，又看看网兜里的母鸡，倒并没有压坏，便跨上马，径自走了。

“……"......你打了喪鐘！……”遠遠地還送來叫罵。You've rung your own death-knell!..." the cursing carried after him from far behind.

“……你打了丧钟！……”远远地还送来叫骂。

“真不料有這樣沒出息。"I really never expected such a worthless creature.青青年紀，倒學會了詛咒，怪不得那老婆子會那么相信他。”羿想著，不覺在馬上絕望地搖了搖頭。Still so young, and already he's learned to curse people — no wonder that old woman trusted him so." So thinking, Yi shook his head in despair on horseback, without even realizing it.

“真不料有这样没出息。青青年纪，倒学会了诅咒，怪不得那老婆子会那么相信他。”羿想著，不觉在马上绝望地摇了摇头。

三Three

還沒有走完高粱田，天色已經昏黑；Before he had finished crossing the sorghum fields, the sky had already grown dark;藍的空中現出明星來，長庚在西方格外燦爛。bright stars appeared in the blue expanse, and the Evening Star shone especially brilliant in the west.馬只能認著白色的田塍走，而且早已筋疲力竭，自然走得更慢了。The horse could only make its way by following the pale ridges between the fields, and being already exhausted, it naturally went slower still.幸而月亮卻在天際漸漸吐出銀白的清輝。Fortunately the moon was gradually beginning to shed its clear silver-white light along the horizon.

还没有走完高粱田，天色已经昏黑；蓝的空中现出明星来，长庚在西方格外灿烂。马只能认著白色的田塍走，而且早已筋疲力竭，自然走得更慢了。幸而月亮却在天际渐渐吐出银白的清辉。

“討厭！”羿听到自己的肚子里骨碌骨碌地響了一陣，便在馬上焦躁了起來。“偏是謀生忙，便偏是多碰到些無聊事，白費工夫！”他將兩腿在馬肚子上一磕，催它快走，但馬卻只將後半身一扭，照舊地慢騰騰。"Damn it!" Yi heard his own stomach rumble and grumble, and grew impatient on the horse's back. "Just when I'm rushed off my feet earning a living, I run into all this pointless nonsense — a sheer waste of time!" He dug his heels into the horse's belly to urge it on, but the horse only gave its hindquarters a twist and plodded on just as slowly as before.

“讨厌！”羿听到自己的肚子里骨碌骨碌地响了一阵，便在马上焦躁了起来。“偏是谋生忙，便偏是多碰到些无聊事，白费工夫！”他将两腿在马肚子上一磕，催它快走，但马却只将后半身一扭，照旧地慢腾腾。

“嫦娥一定生气了，你看今天多么晚。”他想。“說不定要裝怎樣的臉給我看哩。"Chang'e must be angry — look how late it is today," he thought. "There's no telling what kind of face she'll put on for me.但幸而有這一只小母雞，可以引她高興。But luckily there's this little hen, which ought to cheer her up.我只要說：太太，這是我來回跑了二百里路才找來的。I'll just say: my dear, I rode two hundred li there and back to find this for you.不，不好，這話似乎太逞能。”No, that won't do, it sounds too much like boasting."

“嫦娥一定生气了，你看今天多么晚。”他想。“说不定要装怎样的脸给我看哩。但幸而有这一只小母鸡，可以引她高兴。我只要说：太太，这是我来回跑了二百里路才找来的。不，不好，这话似乎太逞能。”

他望見人家的燈火已在前面，一高興便不再想下去了。He caught sight of the lamplight of home up ahead, and, cheered by it, thought no further on the matter.馬也不待鞭策，自然飛奔。The horse too needed no whip, and broke into a gallop of its own accord.圓的雪白的月亮照著前途，涼風吹臉，真是比大獵回來時還有趣。The round, snow-white moon lit the road ahead, a cool breeze blew against his face — it was truly more delightful even than coming home from a great hunt.

他望见人家的灯火已在前面，一高兴便不再想下去了。马也不待鞭策，自然飞奔。圆的雪白的月亮照著前途，凉风吹脸，真是比大猎回来时还有趣。

馬自然而然地停在垃圾堆邊；The horse came to a stop of its own accord beside the rubbish heap;羿一看，仿佛覺得异樣，不知怎地似乎家里亂毿毿。and as Yi looked around, something seemed strange to him — somehow the household seemed to be in disarray.迎出來的也只有一個趙富。The only one who came out to greet him was Zhao Fu.

马自然而然地停在垃圾堆边；羿一看，仿佛觉得异样，不知怎地似乎家里乱毵毵。迎出来的也只有一个赵富。

“怎的？"What's this?王升呢？”他奇怪地問。Where's Wang Sheng?" he asked, puzzled.

“怎的？王升呢？”他奇怪地问。

“王升到姚家找太太去了。”"Wang Sheng has gone to the Yao family's to look for the mistress."

“什么？"What?太太到姚家去了么？”羿還呆坐在馬上，問。The mistress has gone to the Yao family's?" Yi asked, still sitting dazed on his horse.

“什么？太太到姚家去了么？”羿还呆坐在马上，问。

“喳……。”他一面答應著，一面去接馬韁和馬鞭。"Yes, sir..." he answered, going to take the reins and whip.羿這才爬下馬來，跨進門，想了一想，又回過頭去問道——Only then did Yi climb down from the horse and step through the gate; after a moment's thought he turned back and asked—

“喳……。”他一面答应著，一面去接马缰和马鞭。羿这才爬下马来，跨进门，想了一想，又回过头去问道——

“不是等不迭了，自己上飯館去了么？”"She hasn't simply gotten tired of waiting and gone off to a restaurant by herself, has she?"

“不是等不迭了，自己上饭馆去了么？”

“喳。"No, sir.三個飯館，小的都去問過了，沒有在。”I've been round to all three restaurants and asked — she isn't at any of them."

“喳。三个饭馆，小的都去问过了，没有在。”

羿低了頭，想著，往里面走，三個使女都惶惑地聚在堂前。Yi lowered his head, thinking, and walked on inside; the three maidservants were all gathered anxiously before the hall.他便很詫异，大聲的問道——He was quite astonished, and asked loudly—

羿低了头，想著，往里面走，三个使女都惶惑地聚在堂前。他便很诧异，大声的问道——

“你們都在家么？"You're all here at home?姚家，太太一個人不是向來不去的么？”The mistress has never once gone to the Yao family's alone before, has she?"

“你们都在家么？姚家，太太一个人不是向来不去的么？”

她們不回答，只看看他的臉，便來給他解下弓袋和箭壺和裝著小母雞的网兜。They did not answer, only glanced at his face, then came forward to help him off with his bow-case, quiver, and the net bag holding the little hen.羿忽然心惊肉跳起來，覺得嫦娥是因為气忿尋了短見了，便叫女庚去叫趙富來，要他到後園的池里樹上去看一遍。Yi's heart suddenly began to pound with fright — it occurred to him that Chang'e might have taken her own life out of anger — and he told the maid Geng to fetch Zhao Fu, so that he could go and search the pond and the trees in the back garden.但他一跨進房，便知道這推測是不确的了：房里也很亂，衣箱是開著，向床里一看，首先就看出失少了首飾箱。But the moment he stepped into the room, he knew this guess was wrong: the room too was in disarray, the clothes chest stood open, and glancing toward the bed, the first thing he noticed was that the jewelry box was missing.他這時正如頭上淋了一盆冷水，金珠自然不算什么，然而那道士送給他的仙藥，也就放在這首飾箱里的。At that moment it was as though a basin of cold water had been poured over his head — the gold and pearls were of course nothing, but the elixir the Daoist had given him had also been kept in that very jewelry box.

她们不回答，只看看他的脸，便来给他解下弓袋和箭壶和装著小母鸡的网兜。羿忽然心惊肉跳起来，觉得嫦娥是因为气忿寻了短见了，便叫女庚去叫赵富来，要他到后园的池里树上去看一遍。但他一跨进房，便知道这推测是不确的了：房里也很乱，衣箱是开著，向床里一看，首先就看出失少了首饰箱。他这时正如头上淋了一盆冷水，金珠自然不算什么，然而那道士送给他的仙药，也就放在这首饰箱里的。

羿轉了兩個圓圈，才看見王升站在門外面。Yi turned around in a full circle twice before he noticed Wang Sheng standing outside the door.

羿转了两个圆圈，才看见王升站在门外面。

“回老爺，”王升說，“太太沒有到姚家去；"Reporting to you, my lord," said Wang Sheng, "the mistress did not go to the Yao family's;他們今天也不打牌。”and they aren't playing cards today either."

“回老爷，”王升说，“太太没有到姚家去；他们今天也不打牌。”

羿看了他一眼，不開口。Yi glanced at him but said nothing.王升就退出去了。Wang Sheng withdrew.

羿看了他一眼，不开口。王升就退出去了。

“老爺叫？……”趙富上來，問。"You called for me, my lord?..." Zhao Fu came forward and asked.

“老爷叫？……”赵富上来，问。

羿將頭一搖，又用手一揮，叫他也退出去。Yi shook his head and waved his hand, motioning for him to withdraw as well.

羿将头一摇，又用手一挥，叫他也退出去。

羿又在房里轉了幾個圈子，走到堂前，坐下，仰頭看著對面壁上的彤弓，彤矢，盧弓，盧矢，弩机，長劍，短劍，想了些時，才問那呆立在下面的使女們道——Yi paced round the room a few more times, then went out to the hall, sat down, and lifted his head to look at the vermilion bow, the vermilion arrows, the black bow, the black arrows, the crossbow trigger, the long sword, and the short sword hanging on the wall opposite. After thinking for a while, he finally asked the maidservants standing dumbstruck below—

羿又在房里转了几个圈子，走到堂前，坐下，仰头看著对面壁上的彤弓，彤矢，卢弓，卢矢，弩机，长剑，短剑，想了些时，才问那呆立在下面的使女们道——

“太太是什么時候不見的？”"When was it the mistress was last seen?"

“太太是什么时候不见的？”

“掌燈時候就不看見了，”女乙說，“可是誰也沒見她走出去。”"She was gone by the time the lamps were lit," said the maid Yi, "but no one saw her walk out."

“掌灯时候就不看见了，”女乙说，“可是谁也没见她走出去。”

“你們可見太太吃了那箱里的藥沒有？”"Did any of you see the mistress take the medicine from that box?"

“你们可见太太吃了那箱里的药没有？”

“那倒沒有見。"No, we didn't see that.但她下午要我倒水喝是有的。”But she did have me pour her some water to drink in the afternoon."

“那倒没有见。但她下午要我倒水喝是有的。”

羿急得站了起來，他似乎覺得，自己一個人被留在地上了。Yi sprang to his feet in agitation; he seemed to feel that he alone had been left behind on the earth.

羿急得站了起来，他似乎觉得，自己一个人被留在地上了。

“你們看見有什么向天上飛升的么？”他問。"Did any of you see anything rise up flying into the sky?" he asked.

“你们看见有什么向天上飞升的么？”他问。

“哦！”女辛想了一想，大悟似的說，“我點了燈出去的時候，的确看見一個黑影向這邊飛去的，但我那時万想不到是太太……。”于是她的臉色蒼白了。"Oh!" The maid Xin thought for a moment, then said as though suddenly enlightened, "When I went out with the lamp lit, I did see a black shadow flying off in that direction, but at the time I never dreamed it could be the mistress..." And with that her face turned pale.

“哦！”女辛想了一想，大悟似的说，“我点了灯出去的时候，的确看见一个黑影向这边飞去的，但我那时万想不到是太太……。”于是她的脸色苍白了。

“一定是了！”羿在膝上一拍，即刻站起，走出屋外去，回頭問著女辛道，“那邊？”"That must be it!" Yi slapped his knee and rose at once, striding outside; then, turning back, he asked the maid Xin, "Which way?"

“一定是了！”羿在膝上一拍，即刻站起，走出屋外去，回头问著女辛道，“那边？”

女辛用手一指，他跟著看去時，只見那邊是一輪雪白的圓月，挂在空中，其中還隱約現出樓臺，樹木；The maid Xin pointed with her hand, and following her gesture, Yi saw a round, snow-white moon hanging in the sky, within which towers, terraces, and trees dimly appeared;當他還是孩子時候祖母講給他听的月宮中的美景，他依稀記得起來了。and he recalled, hazily, the beautiful scenes of the palace in the moon that his grandmother used to tell him about when he was a child.他對著浮游在碧海里似的月亮，覺得自己的身子非常沉重。Gazing at the moon, which seemed to float in a sea of blue, he felt his own body grow extraordinarily heavy.

女辛用手一指，他跟著看去时，只见那边是一轮雪白的圆月，挂在空中，其中还隐约现出楼台，树木；当他还是孩子时候祖母讲给他听的月宫中的美景，他依稀记得起来了。他对著浮游在碧海里似的月亮，觉得自己的身子非常沉重。

他忽然憤怒了。Suddenly he was overcome with fury.從憤怒里又發了殺机，圓睜著眼睛，大聲向使女們叱吒道——Out of his fury rose a murderous impulse; his eyes opened wide and round, and he shouted fiercely at the maidservants—

他忽然愤怒了。从愤怒里又发了杀机，圆睁著眼睛，大声向使女们叱咤道——

“拿我的射日弓來！"Bring me my sun-shooting bow!和三枝箭！”And three arrows!"

“拿我的射日弓来！和三枝箭！”

女乙和女庚從堂屋中央取下那強大的弓，拂去塵埃，并三枝長箭都交在他手里。The maids Yi and Geng took down the mighty bow from the middle of the hall, brushed the dust from it, and placed it, together with three long arrows, into his hands.

女乙和女庚从堂屋中央取下那强大的弓，拂去尘埃，并三枝长箭都交在他手里。

他一手拈弓，一手捏著三枝箭，都搭上去，拉了一個滿弓，正對著月亮。With one hand he grasped the bow, with the other he gripped the three arrows; he nocked them all at once, drew the bow to the full, and aimed straight at the moon.身子是岩石一般挺立著，眼光直射，閃閃如岩下電，鬚髮開張飄動，像黑色火，這一瞬息，使人仿佛想見他當年射日的雄姿。His body stood rigid as a rock, his gaze shot straight ahead, flashing like lightning beneath a cliff, his beard and hair spread and streamed like black flame — in that instant one could almost picture the heroic figure he had cut in the days when he shot down the suns.

他一手拈弓，一手捏著三枝箭，都搭上去，拉了一个满弓，正对著月亮。身子是岩石一般挺立著，眼光直射，闪闪如岩下电，须发开张飘动，像黑色火，这一瞬息，使人仿佛想见他当年射日的雄姿。

颼的一聲，——只一聲，已經連發了三枝箭，剛發便搭，一搭又發，眼睛不及看清那手法，耳朵也不及分別那聲音。With a whoosh — just one whoosh — all three arrows had already been loosed in succession; no sooner was one shot than the next was nocked, and the next nocked than shot again, too fast for the eye to make out the motion or the ear to distinguish the sounds.本來對面是雖然受了三枝箭，應該都聚在一處的，因為箭箭相銜，不差絲髮。By rights, the target opposite, though struck by three arrows, should have had them all cluster in a single spot, since each arrow followed the last without the slightest deviation.但他為必中起見，這時卻將手微微一動，使箭到時分成三點，有三個傷。But to make certain of a hit, he had this time moved his hand very slightly, so that the arrows struck at three separate points, making three wounds.

飕的一声，——只一声，已经连发了三枝箭，刚发便搭，一搭又发，眼睛不及看清那手法，耳朵也不及分别那声音。本来对面是虽然受了三枝箭，应该都聚在一处的，因为箭箭相衔，不差丝发。但他为必中起见，这时却将手微微一动，使箭到时分成三点，有三个伤。

使女們發一聲喊，大家都看見月亮只一抖，以為要掉下來了，——但卻還是安然地懸著，發出和悅的更大的光輝，似乎毫無傷損。The maids all cried out together; everyone saw the moon give a single shudder, and thought it was about to fall — but it still hung there safely, giving off an even greater, gentler radiance, as though entirely unharmed.

使女们发一声喊，大家都看见月亮只一抖，以为要掉下来了，——但却还是安然地悬著，发出和悦的更大的光辉，似乎毫无伤损。

“呔！”羿仰天大喝一聲，看了片刻；"Hah!" Yi gave a great shout up at the sky, and gazed at it for a while;然而月亮不理他。but the moon paid him no heed.他前進三步，月亮便退了三步；He stepped forward three paces, and the moon retreated three paces;他退三步，月亮卻又照數前進了。he stepped back three paces, and the moon advanced the same number in turn.

“呔！”羿仰天大喝一声，看了片刻；然而月亮不理他。他前进三步，月亮便退了三步；他退三步，月亮却又照数前进了。

他們都默著，各人看各人的臉。Both fell silent, each gazing at the other's face.

他们都默著，各人看各人的脸。

羿懶懶地將射日弓靠在堂門上，走進屋里去。Wearily, Yi leaned the sun-shooting bow against the hall door and went back inside.使女們也一齊跟著他。The maidservants all followed him in together.

羿懒懒地将射日弓靠在堂门上，走进屋里去。使女们也一齐跟著他。

“唉，”羿坐下，歎一口气，“那么，你們的太太就永遠一個人快樂了。"Ah," said Yi, sitting down with a sigh, "so your mistress will now be happy alone forever.她竟忍心撇了我獨自飛升？Could she really bear to abandon me and fly up there all by herself?莫非看得我老起來了？Could it be that she thinks I've grown old?但她上月還說：并不算老，若以老人自居，是思想的墮落。”But just last month she herself said: she wasn't old at all — to consider oneself old would be a degeneration of one's thinking.

“唉，”羿坐下，叹一口气，“那么，你们的太太就永远一个人快乐了。她竟忍心撇了我独自飞升？莫非看得我老起来了？但她上月还说：并不算老，若以老人自居，是思想的堕落。”

“這一定不是的。”女乙說，“有人說老爺還是一個戰士。”"That can't be it," said Maid Yi. "Some say the master is still a warrior."

“这一定不是的。”女乙说，“有人说老爷还是一个战士。”

“有時看去簡直好像藝術家。”女辛說。"Sometimes he looks quite like an artist, too," said Maid Xin.

“有时看去简直好像艺术家。”女辛说。

“放屁！——不過烏老鴉的炸醬麵确也不好吃，難怪她忍不住……。”"Nonsense! — Though it's true the crow noodles with fried sauce really aren't very good; no wonder she couldn't stand it any longer..."

“放屁！——不过乌老鸦的炸酱面确也不好吃，难怪她忍不住……。”

“那豹皮褥子脫毛的地方，我去剪一點靠牆的腳上的皮來補一補罷，怪不好看的。”女辛就往房里走。"That spot on the leopard-skin mat where the fur's rubbed off — let me go cut a little hide from the corner against the wall to patch it up, it looks quite unsightly." So Maid Xin started off toward the room.

“那豹皮褥子脱毛的地方，我去剪一点靠墙的脚上的皮来补一补罢，怪不好看的。”女辛就往房里走。

“且慢，”羿說著，想了一想，“那倒不忙。"Wait a moment," said Yi, pausing to think. "That's not urgent.我實在餓极了，還是赶快去做一盤辣子雞，烙五斤餅來，給我吃了好睡覺。I'm truly starving — better hurry and make a plate of chili chicken, and bake five jin of flatbread, so I can eat and get some sleep.明天再去找那道士要一服仙藥，吃了追上去罷。Tomorrow I'll go find that Taoist priest again for a dose of the immortal elixir — I'll take it and go after her.女庚，你去吩咐王升，叫他量四升白豆喂馬！”Maid Geng, go tell Wang Sheng to measure out four sheng of white beans to feed the horse!"

“且慢，”羿说著，想了一想，“那倒不忙。我实在饿极了，还是赶快去做一盘辣子鸡，烙五斤饼来，给我吃了好睡觉。明天再去找那道士要一服仙药，吃了追上去罢。女庚，你去吩咐王升，叫他量四升白豆喂马！”

一九二六年十二月December, 1926