采薇 Gathering Vetch

一I

這半年來，不知怎的連養老堂裡也不大平靜了，一部分的老頭子，也都交頭接耳，跑進跑出的很起勁。For the past six months, no one knew why, but even the Home for the Aged had grown rather unsettled; some of the old men, too, were forever whispering together and bustling in and out with great enthusiasm.只有伯夷最不留心閒事，秋涼到了，他又老的很怕冷，就整天的坐在階沿上曬太陽，縱使聽到匆忙的腳步聲，也決不抬起頭來看。Only Boyi paid no attention at all to idle affairs. The autumn chill had set in, and in his old age he was terribly afraid of the cold, so he spent the whole day sitting on the edge of the steps, basking in the sun; even when he heard hurried footsteps, he never raised his head to look.

这半年来，不知怎的连养老堂里也不大平静了，一部分的老头子，也都交头接耳，跑进跑出的很起劲。只有伯夷最不留心闲事，秋凉到了，他又老的很怕冷，就整天的坐在阶沿上晒太阳，纵使听到匆忙的脚步声，也决不抬起头来看。

“大哥！”“Elder Brother!”

一聽聲音自然就知道是叔齊。From the voice, he naturally knew at once that it was Shuqi.伯夷是向來最講禮讓的，便在抬頭之前，先站起身，把手一擺，意思是請兄弟在階沿上坐下。Boyi had always been most punctilious about courtesy and deference, so before even raising his head, he first stood up and waved a hand, meaning to invite his younger brother to sit on the edge of the steps.

一听声音自然就知道是叔齐。伯夷是向来最讲礼让的，便在抬头之前，先站起身，把手一摆，意思是请兄弟在阶沿上坐下。

“大哥，時局好像不大好！”叔齊一面並排坐下去，一面氣喘吁籲的說，聲音有些發抖。“Elder Brother, the situation seems rather bad!” Shuqi said breathlessly as he sat down beside him, his voice trembling a little.

“大哥，时局好像不大好！”叔齐一面并排坐下去，一面气喘吁吁的说，声音有些发抖。

“怎麼了呀？”伯夷這才轉過臉去看，只見叔齊的原是蒼白的臉色，好像更加蒼白了。“What has happened?” Only then did Boyi turn to look, and saw that Shuqi’s naturally pallid face seemed paler still.

“怎么了呀？”伯夷这才转过脸去看，只见叔齐的原是苍白的脸色，好像更加苍白了。

“您聽到過從商王那裡，逃來兩個瞎子的事了罷。”“You have heard about the two blind men who fled here from the King of Shang, haven’t you?”

“您听到过从商王那里，逃来两个瞎子的事了罢。”

“唔，前幾天，散宜生好像提起過。“Mm. A few days ago, Sanyi Sheng seemed to mention it.我沒有留心。”I wasn’t paying attention.”

“唔，前几天，散宜生好像提起过。我没有留心。”

“我今天去拜訪過了。“I went to visit them today.一個是太師疵，一個是少師強，還帶來許多樂器。One is the Grand Music Master Ci, the other the Junior Music Master Qiang, and they brought a great many musical instruments with them.聽說前幾時還開過一個展覽會，參觀者都‘嘖嘖稱美’，——不過好像這邊就要動兵了。”I hear they even held an exhibition a while ago, and all the visitors ‘clicked their tongues in admiration’—but it seems this side is about to send out troops.”

“我今天去拜访过了。一个是太师疵，一个是少师强，还带来许多乐器。听说前几时还开过一个展览会，参观者都‘啧啧称美’，——不过好像这边就要动兵了。”

“為了樂器動兵，是不合先王之道的。”伯夷慢吞吞的說。“To send out troops over musical instruments would not accord with the Way of the Former Kings,” Boyi said slowly.

“为了乐器动兵，是不合先王之道的。”伯夷慢吞吞的说。

“也不單為了樂器。“It is not only about the instruments.您不早聽到過商王無道，砍早上渡河不怕水冷的人的腳骨，看看他的骨髓，挖出比干王爺的心來，看它可有七竅嗎？Surely you heard long ago that the King of Shang had forsaken the Way: that he chopped open the shinbones of a man who crossed a river in the morning without fearing the cold, to examine his marrow, and cut out Prince Bigan’s heart to see whether it had seven apertures?先前還是傳聞，瞎子一到，可就證實了。Before, these were only rumors, but the blind men’s arrival has confirmed them.況且還切切實實的證明了商王的變亂舊章。What is more, they have furnished solid proof that the King of Shang has subverted the ancient statutes.變亂舊章，原是應該征伐的。Subverting the ancient statutes does warrant a punitive campaign.不過我想，以下犯上，究竟也不合先王之道……”But then, I think that for an inferior to rise against his superior does not, after all, accord with the Way of the Former Kings either…”

“也不单为了乐器。您不早听到过商王无道，砍早上渡河不怕水冷的人的脚骨，看看他的骨髓，挖出比干王爷的心来，看它可有七窍吗？先前还是传闻，瞎子一到，可就证实了。况且还切切实实的证明了商王的变乱旧章。变乱旧章，原是应该征伐的。不过我想，以下犯上，究竟也不合先王之道……”

“近來的烙餅，一天一天的小下去了，看來確也像要出事情，”伯夷想了一想，說。 “但我看你還是少出門，少說話，仍舊每天練你的太極拳的好！”“Lately the flatbreads have been getting smaller day by day, so it does indeed look as if something is about to happen,” Boyi said after some thought. “But in my view, you had better go out less, talk less, and keep practicing your taijiquan every day as before!”

“近来的烙饼，一天一天的小下去了，看来确也像要出事情，”伯夷想了一想，说。 “但我看你还是少出门，少说话，仍旧每天练你的太极拳的好！”

“是……”叔齊是很悌的，應了半聲。“Yes…” Shuqi was a most dutiful younger brother, and gave a halfhearted assent.

“是……”叔齐是很悌的，应了半声。

“你想想看，”伯夷知道他心裡其實並不服氣，便接著說。 “我們是客人，因為西伯肯養老，呆在這裡的。“Just think,” Boyi continued, knowing that in his heart Shuqi was not really convinced. “We are guests, staying here because Xibo was willing to provide for the aged.烙餅小下去了，固然不該說什麼，就是事情鬧起來了，也不該說什麼的。”Even if the flatbreads have grown smaller, we ought of course to say nothing; and even if trouble breaks out, we ought to say nothing then either.”

“你想想看，”伯夷知道他心里其实并不服气，便接著说。 “我们是客人，因为西伯肯养老，呆在这里的。烙饼小下去了，固然不该说什么，就是事情闹起来了，也不该说什么的。”

“那麼，我們可就成了為養老而養老了。”“In that case, we shall have become old-age pensioners merely for the sake of being pensioners.”

“那么，我们可就成了为养老而养老了。”

“最好是少說話。“It is best to say less.我也沒有力氣來聽這些事。”Nor do I have the strength to listen to such things.”

“最好是少说话。我也没有力气来听这些事。”

伯夷咳了起來，叔齊也不再開口。Boyi began to cough, and Shuqi said no more.咳嗽一止，萬籟寂然，秋末的夕陽，照著兩部白鬍子，都在閃閃的發亮。When the coughing stopped, all creation was silent; the late-autumn sunset shone upon their two white beards, making both glitter brightly.

伯夷咳了起来，叔齐也不再开口。咳嗽一止，万籁寂然，秋末的夕阳，照著两部白胡子，都在闪闪的发亮。

二II

然而這不平靜，卻總是滋長起來，烙餅不但小下去，粉也粗起來了。Yet the unrest continued to grow: not only did the flatbreads shrink, but the flour grew coarser too.養老堂的人們更加交頭接耳，外​​面只聽得車馬行走聲，叔齊更加喜歡出門，雖然回來也不說什麼話，但那不安的神色，卻惹得伯夷也很難閒適了：他似乎覺得這碗平穩飯快要吃不穩。The people in the Home for the Aged whispered together more than ever, while outside nothing could be heard but the passage of carts and horses. Shuqi became still fonder of going out, and though he said nothing when he returned, the uneasiness in his face made it hard for Boyi to remain at ease: he seemed to feel that this secure livelihood of theirs would soon be secure no longer.

然而这不平静，却总是滋长起来，烙饼不但小下去，粉也粗起来了。养老堂的人们更加交头接耳，外​​面只听得车马行走声，叔齐更加喜欢出门，虽然回来也不说什么话，但那不安的神色，却惹得伯夷也很难闲适了：他似乎觉得这碗平稳饭快要吃不稳。

十一月下旬，叔齊照例一早起了床，要練太極拳，但他走到院子裡，聽了一聽，卻開開堂門，跑出去了。Late in the eleventh month, Shuqi rose early as usual to practice taijiquan; but when he went into the courtyard, he paused to listen, then opened the main door and ran outside.約摸有烙十張餅的時候，這才氣急敗壞的跑回來，鼻子凍得通紅，嘴裡一陣一陣的噴著白蒸氣。After about as long as it takes to bake ten flatbreads, he came rushing back in a frantic state, his nose red with cold and white steam puffing from his mouth.

十一月下旬，叔齐照例一早起了床，要练太极拳，但他走到院子里，听了一听，却开开堂门，跑出去了。约摸有烙十张饼的时候，这才气急败坏的跑回来，鼻子冻得通红，嘴里一阵一阵的喷著白蒸气。

“大哥！“Elder Brother!你起來！Get up!出兵了！”他恭敬的垂手站在伯夷的床前，大聲說，聲音有些比平常粗。The troops have marched!” he cried loudly, standing respectfully with his hands at his sides before Boyi’s bed, his voice somewhat rougher than usual.

“大哥！你起来！出兵了！”他恭敬的垂手站在伯夷的床前，大声说，声音有些比平常粗。

伯夷怕冷，很不願意這麼早就起身，但他是非常友愛的，看見兄弟著急，只好把牙齒一咬，坐了起來，披上皮袍，在被窩裡慢吞吞的穿褲子。Boyi feared the cold and was most reluctant to rise so early; but he was an exceedingly loving elder brother, and seeing Shuqi so agitated, he could only grit his teeth, sit up, throw on his fur robe, and slowly put on his trousers beneath the covers.

伯夷怕冷，很不愿意这么早就起身，但他是非常友爱的，看见兄弟著急，只好把牙齿一咬，坐了起来，披上皮袍，在被窝里慢吞吞的穿裤子。

“我剛要練拳，”叔齊等著，一面說。 “卻聽得外面有人馬走動，連忙跑到大路上去看時——果然，來了。“I was just about to practice my boxing,” Shuqi said as he waited. “But I heard men and horses moving outside, so I hurried to the highway to look—and sure enough, there they came.首先是一乘白彩的大轎，總該有八十一人抬著罷，裡面一座木主，寫的是‘大周文王之靈位’；First came a great sedan draped in white, carried by what must have been eighty-one men; inside stood a wooden spirit tablet inscribed, ‘Spirit Seat of King Wen of the Great Zhou.’後面跟的都是兵。All those following behind were soldiers.我想：這一定是要去伐紂了。I thought: they must be going to punish Zhouxin.現在的周王是孝子，他要做大事，一定是把文王抬在前面的。The present King of Zhou is a filial son; when he undertakes a great enterprise, he is sure to carry King Wen at the head of it.看了一會，我就跑回來，不料我們養老堂的牆外就貼著告示……”After watching for a while, I ran back, only to find a proclamation pasted right outside the wall of our Home for the Aged…”

“我刚要练拳，”叔齐等著，一面说。 “却听得外面有人马走动，连忙跑到大路上去看时——果然，来了。首先是一乘白彩的大轿，总该有八十一人抬著罢，里面一座木主，写的是‘大周文王之灵位’；后面跟的都是兵。我想：这一定是要去伐纣了。现在的周王是孝子，他要做大事，一定是把文王抬在前面的。看了一会，我就跑回来，不料我们养老堂的墙外就贴著告示……”

伯夷的衣服穿好了，弟兄倆走出屋子，就覺得一陣冷氣，趕緊縮緊了身子。By then Boyi was dressed. The brothers stepped out of the room and at once felt a blast of cold air, making them hastily hunch themselves up.伯夷向來不大走動，一出大門，很看得有些新鮮。Boyi ordinarily moved about very little, so once outside the main gate, he found the sights quite novel.不幾步，叔齊就伸手向牆上一指，可真的貼著一張大告示：They had gone only a few steps when Shuqi pointed at the wall, and there indeed was a large proclamation pasted upon it:

伯夷的衣服穿好了，弟兄俩走出屋子，就觉得一阵冷气，赶紧缩紧了身子。伯夷向来不大走动，一出大门，很看得有些新鲜。不几步，叔齐就伸手向墙上一指，可真的贴著一张大告示：

“照得今殷王紂，乃用驛婦人之言，自絕於天，毀壞其三正，離逷其王父母弟。“Whereas the present King Zhouxin of Yin has heeded the words of a post-station woman, cut himself off from Heaven, destroyed the Three Rectitudes, and cast off and banished his royal uncles and brothers;乃斷棄其先祖之樂；has severed himself from and discarded the music of his ancestors;乃為淫聲，用變亂正聲，怡說婦人。has created licentious sounds, using them to corrupt proper music and delight a woman;故今予發，維共行天罰。therefore I, Fa, shall now reverently carry out Heaven’s punishment.勉哉夫子，不可再，不可三！Take courage, gentlemen! This chance will not come again, nor yet a third time!此示。”Let all take notice.”

“照得今殷王纣，乃用驿妇人之言，自绝于天，毁坏其三正，离逷其王父母弟。乃断弃其先祖之乐；乃为淫声，用变乱正声，怡说妇人。故今予发，维共行天罚。勉哉夫子，不可再，不可三！此示。”

兩人看完之後，都不作聲，徑向大路走去。After the two had finished reading, neither spoke, and they went straight toward the highway.只見路邊都擠滿了民眾，站得水洩不通。They saw that both sides of the road were crammed with people, packed so tightly that not even water could pass through.兩人在後面說一聲“借光”，民眾回頭一看，見是兩位白須老者，便照文王敬老的上諭，趕忙閃開，讓他們走到前面。From the rear the two called, “Please make way.” The people turned and, seeing two white-bearded old men, hastily moved aside in obedience to King Wen’s edict honoring the aged, allowing them to reach the front.這時打頭的木主早已​​望不見了，走過去的都是一排一排的甲士，約有烙三百五十二張大餅的工夫，這才見別有許多兵丁，肩著九旒雲罕旗，彷彿五色雲一樣。By then the spirit tablet at the head of the procession had long since vanished from sight, and rank after rank of armored soldiers filed past. Only after about as long as it takes to bake three hundred and fifty-two large flatbreads did many other troops appear, bearing nine-streamered banners patterned with clouds, like multicolored clouds in the sky.接著又是甲士，後面一大隊騎著高頭大馬的文武官員，簇擁著一位王爺，紫糖色臉，絡腮鬍子，左捏黃斧頭，右拿白牛尾，威風凜凜：這正是“恭行天罰”的周王發。More armored soldiers followed; behind them came a great company of civil and military officials mounted on tall horses, surrounding a prince with a face the color of brown sugar and a full beard, clutching a yellow axe in his left hand and holding a white oxtail in his right, majestic and awe-inspiring: this was Fa, King of Zhou, who would ‘reverently carry out Heaven’s punishment.’

两人看完之后，都不作声，径向大路走去。只见路边都挤满了民众，站得水泄不通。两人在后面说一声“借光”，民众回头一看，见是两位白须老者，便照文王敬老的上谕，赶忙闪开，让他们走到前面。这时打头的木主早已​​望不见了，走过去的都是一排一排的甲士，约有烙三百五十二张大饼的工夫，这才见别有许多兵丁，肩著九旒云罕旗，彷佛五色云一样。接著又是甲士，后面一大队骑著高头大马的文武官员，簇拥著一位王爷，紫糖色脸，络腮胡子，左捏黄斧头，右拿白牛尾，威风凛凛：这正是“恭行天罚”的周王发。

大路兩旁的民眾，個個肅然起敬，沒有人動一下，沒有人響一聲。The people on both sides of the highway were filled with solemn reverence; not one moved, and not one uttered a sound.在百靜中，不提防叔齊卻拖著伯夷直撲上去，鑽過幾個馬頭，拉住了周王的馬嚼子，直著脖子嚷起來道：Amid the utter stillness, Shuqi suddenly seized Boyi and charged straight forward, wormed his way past several horses’ heads, caught hold of the King of Zhou’s bridle, craned his neck, and shouted:

大路两旁的民众，个个肃然起敬，没有人动一下，没有人响一声。在百静中，不提防叔齐却拖著伯夷直扑上去，钻过几个马头，拉住了周王的马嚼子，直著脖子嚷起来道：

“老子死了不葬，倒來動兵，說得上‘孝’嗎？“Your father is dead and you leave him unburied, yet march off to war—can that be called ‘filial’?臣子想要殺主子，說得上‘仁’嗎？……”A subject seeks to kill his sovereign—can that be called ‘benevolent’?…”

“老子死了不葬，倒来动兵，说得上‘孝’吗？臣子想要杀主子，说得上‘仁’吗？……”

開初，是路旁的民眾，駕前的武將，都嚇得呆了；At first, both the people beside the road and the generals before the royal carriage were stunned with fright;連周王手裡的白牛尾巴也歪了過去。even the white oxtail in the King of Zhou’s hand tilted askew.但叔齊剛說了四句話，卻就听得一片嘩啷聲響，有好幾把大刀從他們的頭上砍下來。But Shuqi had scarcely spoken these four phrases when a great clatter rang out, and several broadswords came slashing down toward their heads.

开初，是路旁的民众，驾前的武将，都吓得呆了；连周王手里的白牛尾巴也歪了过去。但叔齐刚说了四句话，却就听得一片哗啷声响，有好几把大刀从他们的头上砍下来。

“且住！”“Hold!”

誰都知道這是姜太公的聲音，豈敢不聽，便連忙停了刀，看著這也是白須白髮，然而胖得圓圓的臉。Everyone knew that this was Jiang Taigong’s voice; who would dare disobey? They hurriedly stayed their blades and looked toward a man who likewise had white hair and a white beard, but whose face was plump and round.

谁都知道这是姜太公的声音，岂敢不听，便连忙停了刀，看著这也是白须白发，然而胖得圆圆的脸。

“義士呢。“Righteous men, these.放他們去罷！”Let them go!”

“义士呢。放他们去罢！”

武將們立刻把刀收回，插在腰帶上。The generals immediately drew back their swords and thrust them into their belts.一面是走上四個甲士來，恭敬的向伯夷和叔齊立正，舉手，之後就兩個挾一個，開正步向路旁走過去。Meanwhile, four armored soldiers came forward, respectfully stood at attention before Boyi and Shuqi, and saluted; then, two taking hold of each man, they goose-stepped toward the roadside.民眾們也趕緊讓開道，放他們走到自己的背後去。The people also hurriedly opened a path, allowing the soldiers to take the two men behind them.

武将们立刻把刀收回，插在腰带上。一面是走上四个甲士来，恭敬的向伯夷和叔齐立正，举手，之后就两个挟一个，开正步向路旁走过去。民众们也赶紧让开道，放他们走到自己的背后去。

到得背後，甲士們便又恭敬的立正，放了手，用力在他們倆的脊樑上一推。Once they had reached the rear, the armored soldiers again respectfully stood at attention, released them, and gave each of them a mighty shove in the back.兩人只叫得一聲“阿呀”，蹌蹌踉踉的顛了周尺一丈路遠近，這才撲通的倒在地面上。With a single cry of “Aiya!” the two staggered and pitched forward for about one zhang by the Zhou measure before falling to the ground with a thud.叔齊還好，用手支著，只印了一臉泥；Shuqi fared fairly well: he caught himself with his hands and merely got a faceful of mud;伯夷究竟比較的有了年紀，腦袋又恰巧磕在石頭上，便暈過去了。but Boyi was, after all, rather older, and as his head happened to strike a stone, he fainted.

到得背后，甲士们便又恭敬的立正，放了手，用力在他们俩的脊梁上一推。两人只叫得一声“阿呀”，跄跄踉踉的颠了周尺一丈路远近，这才扑通的倒在地面上。叔齐还好，用手支著，只印了一脸泥；伯夷究竟比较的有了年纪，脑袋又恰巧磕在石头上，便晕过去了。

三III

大軍過去之後，什麼也不再望得見，大家便換了方向，把躺著的伯夷和坐著的叔齊圍起來。After the army had passed and there was nothing more to see, everyone turned around and gathered about Boyi, who lay on the ground, and Shuqi, who was sitting up.有幾個是認識他們的，當場告訴人們，說這原是遼西的孤竹君的兩位世子，因為讓位，這才一同逃到這裡，進了先王所設的養老堂。Several people knew who they were and explained on the spot that these were the two crown princes of Lord Guzhu in western Liaoxi; each had yielded the throne to the other, and so they had fled here together and entered the Home for the Aged founded by the late king.這報告引得眾人連聲讚歎，幾個人便蹲下身子，歪著頭去看叔齊的臉，幾個人回家去燒薑湯，幾個人去通知養老堂，叫他們快抬門板來接了。This report drew repeated cries of admiration from the crowd. Several people squatted down and tilted their heads to peer into Shuqi’s face; several went home to make ginger broth; and several went to notify the Home for the Aged, telling them to hurry and bring a door plank to carry the men back.

大军过去之后，什么也不再望得见，大家便换了方向，把躺著的伯夷和坐著的叔齐围起来。有几个是认识他们的，当场告诉人们，说这原是辽西的孤竹君的两位世子，因为让位，这才一同逃到这里，进了先王所设的养老堂。这报告引得众人连声赞叹，几个人便蹲下身子，歪著头去看叔齐的脸，几个人回家去烧姜汤，几个人去通知养老堂，叫他们快抬门板来接了。

大約過了烙好一百零三四張大餅的工夫，現狀並無變化，看客也漸漸的走散；After about as long as it takes to bake a hundred and three or four large flatbreads, the situation remained unchanged, and the onlookers gradually dispersed;又好久，才有兩個老頭子抬著一扇門板，一拐一拐的走來，板上面還鋪著一層稻草：這還是文王定下來的敬老的老規矩。only much later did two old men come hobbling along with a door plank, upon which they had even spread a layer of straw: this, too, was an old rule for honoring the aged laid down by King Wen.板在地上一放，空嚨一聲，震得伯夷突然張開了眼睛：他甦醒了。The plank was dropped to the ground with a hollow boom, and the shock made Boyi suddenly open his eyes: he had regained consciousness.叔齊驚喜的發一聲喊，幫那兩個人一同輕輕的把伯夷扛上門板，抬向養老堂裡去；Shuqi cried out in delighted surprise and helped the two men gently lift Boyi onto the door plank and carry him toward the Home for the Aged;自己是在旁邊跟定，扶住了掛著門板的麻繩。he himself followed close beside them, steadying the hemp rope looped around the plank.

大约过了烙好一百零三四张大饼的工夫，现状并无变化，看客也渐渐的走散；又好久，才有两个老头子抬著一扇门板，一拐一拐的走来，板上面还铺著一层稻草：这还是文王定下来的敬老的老规矩。板在地上一放，空咙一声，震得伯夷突然张开了眼睛：他甦醒了。叔齐惊喜的发一声喊，帮那两个人一同轻轻的把伯夷扛上门板，抬向养老堂里去；自己是在旁边跟定，扶住了挂著门板的麻绳。

走了六七十步路，聽得遠遠地有人在叫喊：They had gone sixty or seventy paces when they heard someone calling in the distance:

走了六七十步路，听得远远地有人在叫喊：

“您哪！“Sirs!等一下！Wait!薑湯來哩！”望去是一位年青的太太，手裡端著一個瓦罐子，向這面跑來了，大約怕薑湯潑出罷，她跑得不很快。Here is the ginger broth!” Looking back, they saw a young woman running toward them with an earthenware pot in her hands; probably for fear of spilling the broth, she was not running very fast.

“您哪！等一下！姜汤来哩！”望去是一位年青的太太，手里端著一个瓦罐子，向这面跑来了，大约怕姜汤泼出罢，她跑得不很快。

大家只得停住，等候她的到來。They had no choice but to stop and wait for her to arrive.叔齊謝了她的好意。Shuqi thanked her for her kindness.她看見伯夷已經自己醒來了，似乎很有些失望，但想了一想，就勸他仍舊喝下去，可以暖​​暖胃。When she saw that Boyi had already come to by himself, she seemed rather disappointed; but after thinking it over, she urged him to drink it anyway, saying it would warm his stomach.然而伯夷怕辣，一定不肯喝。Boyi, however, was afraid of anything pungent and absolutely refused to drink.

大家只得停住，等候她的到来。叔齐谢了她的好意。她看见伯夷已经自己醒来了，似乎很有些失望，但想了一想，就劝他仍旧喝下去，可以暖​​暖胃。然而伯夷怕辣，一定不肯喝。

“這怎麼辦好呢？“What are we to do, then?還是八年陳的老薑熬的呀。And it was brewed from ginger aged eight years.別人家還拿不出這樣的東西來呢。No other household could produce anything like it.我們的家裡又沒有愛吃辣的人……”她顯然有點不高興。Besides, there is no one in our family who likes pungent things…” She was plainly somewhat displeased.

“这怎么办好呢？还是八年陈的老姜熬的呀。别人家还拿不出这样的东西来呢。我们的家里又没有爱吃辣的人……”她显然有点不高兴。

叔齊只得接了瓦罐，做好做歹的硬勸伯夷喝了一口半，餘下的還很多，便說自己也正在胃氣痛，統統喝掉了。Shuqi had no choice but to take the earthenware pot and, coaxing and cajoling, compel Boyi to drink a mouthful and a half. As there was still a great deal left, he said that he himself happened to have a stomachache and drank it all.眼圈通紅的，恭敬的誇讚了薑湯的力量，謝了那太太的好意之後，這才解決了這一場大糾紛。His eyes red-rimmed, he respectfully extolled the power of the ginger broth and thanked the woman for her kindness; only then was this great dispute finally resolved.

叔齐只得接了瓦罐，做好做歹的硬劝伯夷喝了一口半，余下的还很多，便说自己也正在胃气痛，统统喝掉了。眼圈通红的，恭敬的夸赞了姜汤的力量，谢了那太太的好意之后，这才解决了这一场大纠纷。

他們回到養老堂裡，倒也並沒有什麼餘病，到第三天，伯夷就能夠起床了，雖然前額上腫著一大塊——然而胃口壞。Once back at the Home for the Aged, they suffered no lingering ailments, and by the third day Boyi was able to rise, though a large lump remained on his forehead—but his appetite was poor.官民們都不肯給他們超然，時時送來些攪擾他們的消息，或者是官報，或者是新聞。Officials and commoners alike refused to leave them in peace, constantly bringing news to disturb them, whether official bulletins or popular reports.十二月底，就听說大軍已經渡了盟津，諸侯無一不到。Late in the twelfth month came word that the great army had already crossed at Mengjin and that every one of the feudal lords had answered the summons.不久也送了武王的《太誓》的鈔本來。Before long, a copy of King Wu’s ‘Great Declaration’ was sent to them as well.

他们回到养老堂里，倒也并没有什么余病，到第三天，伯夷就能够起床了，虽然前额上肿著一大块——然而胃口坏。官民们都不肯给他们超然，时时送来些搅扰他们的消息，或者是官报，或者是新闻。十二月底，就听说大军已经渡了盟津，诸侯无一不到。不久也送了武王的《太誓》的钞本来。

這是特別鈔給養老堂看的，怕他們眼睛花，每個字都寫得有核桃一般大。It had been specially copied out for the Home for the Aged; for fear that their sight was failing, each character was written as large as a walnut.不過伯夷還是懶得看，只聽叔齊朗誦了一遍，別的倒也並沒有什麼，但是“自棄其先祖肆祀不答，昏棄其家國……”這幾句，斷章取義，卻好像很傷了自己的心。But Boyi was still too indolent to read it and merely listened while Shuqi recited it aloud. Most of it was nothing in particular, but the phrases ‘he has abandoned the sacrifices ordained by his ancestors and makes no response; in benightedness he has cast away his house and realm…,’ taken out of context, seemed to wound his own heart deeply.

这是特别钞给养老堂看的，怕他们眼睛花，每个字都写得有核桃一般大。不过伯夷还是懒得看，只听叔齐朗诵了一遍，别的倒也并没有什么，但是“自弃其先祖肆祀不答，昏弃其家国……”这几句，断章取义，却好像很伤了自己的心。

傳說也不少：有的說，周師到了牧野，和紂王的兵大戰，殺得他們屍橫遍野，血流成河，連木棍也浮起來，彷彿水上的草梗一樣；There were many rumors too: some said that when the Zhou army reached Muye, it fought a great battle with King Zhouxin’s troops, slaughtering them until corpses lay everywhere and blood flowed in rivers, so deep that even wooden clubs floated like stalks of grass upon the water;有的卻道紂王的兵雖然有七十萬，其實並沒有戰，一望見姜太公帶著大軍前來，便迴轉身，反替武王開路了。others said that although Zhouxin’s army numbered seven hundred thousand, it had not really fought at all: the moment the soldiers saw Jiang Taigong approaching with the great army, they turned around and cleared a path for King Wu instead.

传说也不少：有的说，周师到了牧野，和纣王的兵大战，杀得他们尸横遍野，血流成河，连木棍也浮起来，彷佛水上的草梗一样；有的却道纣王的兵虽然有七十万，其实并没有战，一望见姜太公带著大军前来，便回转身，反替武王开路了。

這兩種傳說，固然略有些不同，但打了勝仗，卻似乎確實的。The two accounts differed somewhat, of course, but it did seem certain that a victory had been won.此後又時時聽到運來了鹿台的寶貝，巨橋的白米，就更加證明了得勝的確實。After that, they heard frequent reports that the treasures of Lutai and the white rice from Juqiao were being brought in, further confirming the certainty of the victory.傷兵也陸陸續續的回來了，又好像還是打過大仗似的。Wounded soldiers also returned one after another, which made it seem that a great battle had indeed been fought after all.凡是能夠勉強走動的傷兵，大抵在茶館，酒店，理髮鋪，以及人家的簷前或門口閒坐，講述戰爭的故事，無論那裡，總有一群人眉飛色舞的在聽他。Those wounded soldiers still barely able to walk generally sat about in teahouses, taverns, barbershops, or beneath people’s eaves and beside their doorways, telling stories of the war; wherever they were, a crowd always listened with animated faces.春天到了，露天下也不再覺得怎麼涼，往往到夜裡還講得很起勁。Spring arrived, and it no longer felt particularly chilly outdoors; they would often continue their lively storytelling far into the night.

这两种传说，固然略有些不同，但打了胜仗，却似乎确实的。此后又时时听到运来了鹿台的宝贝，巨桥的白米，就更加证明了得胜的确实。伤兵也陆陆续续的回来了，又好像还是打过大仗似的。凡是能够勉强走动的伤兵，大抵在茶馆，酒店，理发铺，以及人家的簷前或门口闲坐，讲述战争的故事，无论那里，总有一群人眉飞色舞的在听他。春天到了，露天下也不再觉得怎么凉，往往到夜里还讲得很起劲。

伯夷和叔齊都消化不良，每頓總是吃不完應得的烙餅；Boyi and Shuqi both suffered from indigestion and could never finish their allotted flatbreads at any meal;睡覺還照先前一樣，天一暗就上床，然而總是睡不著。they still went to bed as soon as it grew dark, just as before, yet they could never fall asleep.伯夷只在翻來复去，叔齊聽了，又煩躁，又心酸，這時候，他常是重行起來，穿好衣服，到院子裡去走走，或者練一套太極拳。Boyi merely tossed and turned; hearing him, Shuqi felt both irritable and heartsick. At such times he would often get up again, dress, and walk about the courtyard, or go through a set of taijiquan forms.

伯夷和叔齐都消化不良，每顿总是吃不完应得的烙饼；睡觉还照先前一样，天一暗就上床，然而总是睡不著。伯夷只在翻来复去，叔齐听了，又烦躁，又心酸，这时候，他常是重行起来，穿好衣服，到院子里去走走，或者练一套太极拳。

有一夜，是有星無月的夜。One night, the sky was starry but moonless.大家都睡得靜靜的了，門口卻還有人在談天。Everyone had settled into quiet sleep, yet there were still people chatting by the entrance.叔齊是向來不偷聽人家談話的，這一回可不知怎的，竟停了腳步，同時也側著耳朵。Shuqi had never been one to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations, but this time, for some reason, he actually stopped in his tracks and cocked an ear.

有一夜，是有星无月的夜。大家都睡得静静的了，门口却还有人在谈天。叔齐是向来不偷听人家谈话的，这一回可不知怎的，竟停了脚步，同时也侧著耳朵。

“媽的紂王，一敗，就奔上鹿台去了，”說話的大約是回來的傷兵。 “媽的，他堆好寶貝，自己坐在中央，就點起火來。”“That damned King Zhouxin—once he was defeated, he fled up to Lutai,” said a voice, probably that of a returned wounded soldier. “Damn him, he piled up all his treasures, sat himself down in the middle, and set fire to the place.”

“妈的纣王，一败，就奔上鹿台去了，”说话的大约是回来的伤兵。 “妈的，他堆好宝贝，自己坐在中央，就点起火来。”

“阿唷，這可多麼可惜呀！”這分明是管門人的聲音。"Ai-yo, what a pity that is!" This was clearly the gatekeeper's voice.

“阿唷，这可多么可惜呀！”这分明是管门人的声音。

“不慌！"No hurry!只燒死了自己，寶貝可沒有燒哩。Only he himself was burned to death — the treasures weren't burned at all.咱們大王就帶著諸侯，進了商國。Our Great King then led the feudal lords and entered the state of Shang.他們的百姓都在郊外迎接，大王叫大人們招呼他們道：‘納福呀！’他們就都磕頭。Their people all came out to the outskirts to welcome him, and the Great King had his officials greet them, saying: 'May you enjoy good fortune!' And they all kowtowed.一直進去，但見門上都貼著兩個大字道：‘順民’。He went straight in, and saw that on every gate were pasted two big characters: 'Obedient Subjects.'大王的車子一徑走向鹿台，找到紂王自尋短見的處所，射了三箭……”The Great King's carriage went straight to Deer Terrace, found the spot where King Zhou had taken his own life, and shot three arrows into him......"

“不慌！只烧死了自己，宝贝可没有烧哩。咱们大王就带著诸侯，进了商国。他们的百姓都在郊外迎接，大王叫大人们招呼他们道：‘纳福呀！’他们就都磕头。一直进去，但见门上都贴著两个大字道：‘顺民’。大王的车子一径走向鹿台，找到纣王自寻短见的处所，射了三箭……”

“為什麼呀？"Why was that?怕他沒有死嗎？”別一人問道。Afraid he wasn't really dead?" another person asked.

“为什么呀？怕他没有死吗？”别一人问道。

“誰知道呢。"Who knows.可是射了三箭，又拔出輕劍來，一砍，這才拿了黃斧頭，嚓！But after shooting three arrows, he drew out his light sword and gave a slash, and only then took up the yellow battle-axe — chop!砍下他的腦袋來，掛在大白旗上。”— cut off his head and hung it on the great white banner."

“谁知道呢。可是射了三箭，又拔出轻剑来，一砍，这才拿了黄斧头，嚓！砍下他的脑袋来，挂在大白旗上。”

叔齊吃了一驚。Shuqi gave a start.

叔齐吃了一惊。

“之​​後就去找紂王的兩個小老婆。"After that they went to find King Zhou's two concubines.哼，早已統統吊死了。Humph, they'd both already hanged themselves.大王就又射了三箭，拔出劍來，一砍，這才拿了黑斧頭，割下她們的腦袋，掛在小白旗上。The Great King shot three more arrows, drew his sword, gave a slash, and only then took up the black battle-axe, cut off their heads, and hung them on the small white banner.這麼一來……”And so it went......"

“之​​后就去找纣王的两个小老婆。哼，早已统统吊死了。大王就又射了三箭，拔出剑来，一砍，这才拿了黑斧头，割下她们的脑袋，挂在小白旗上。这么一来……”

“那兩個姨太太真的漂亮嗎？”管門人打斷了他的話。"Were those two concubines really beautiful?" the gatekeeper broke in.

“那两个姨太太真的漂亮吗？”管门人打断了他的话。

“知不清。"Can't say for sure.旗桿子高，看的人又多，我那時金創還很疼，沒有擠近去看。”The flagpole was high and there were so many people watching, and my sword-wound was still hurting badly at the time, so I didn't squeeze in close to look."

“知不清。旗杆子高，看的人又多，我那时金创还很疼，没有挤近去看。”

“他們說那一個叫作妲己的是狐狸精，只有兩隻腳變不成人樣，便用布條子裹起來：真的？”"They say the one called Daji was a fox-spirit, and only her two feet couldn't turn into human shape, so she wrapped them up in strips of cloth — is that true?"

“他们说那一个叫作妲己的是狐狸精，只有两只脚变不成人样，便用布条子裹起来：真的？”

“誰知道呢。"Who knows.我也沒有看見她的腳。I didn't see her feet either.可是那邊的娘兒們卻真有許多把腳弄得好像豬蹄子的。”But there really are plenty of women over there who've made their feet look just like pig's trotters."

“谁知道呢。我也没有看见她的脚。可是那边的娘儿们却真有许多把脚弄得好像猪蹄子的。”

叔齊是正經人，一聽到他們從皇帝的頭，談到女人的腳上去了，便雙眉一皺，連忙掩住耳朵，返身跑進房裡去。Shuqi was a proper, upright man, and the moment he heard them go from the emperor's head to talking about women's feet, he frowned, quickly covered his ears, and turned and ran back into his room.伯夷也還沒有睡著，輕輕的問道：Boyi had not yet fallen asleep either, and asked softly:

叔齐是正经人，一听到他们从皇帝的头，谈到女人的脚上去了，便双眉一皱，连忙掩住耳朵，返身跑进房里去。伯夷也还没有睡著，轻轻的问道：

“你又去練拳了麼？”"Have you been off practicing boxing again?"

“你又去练拳了么？”

叔齊不回答，慢慢的走過去，坐在伯夷的床沿上，彎下腰，告訴了他剛才聽來的一些話。Shuqi did not answer, but walked over slowly, sat down on the edge of Boyi's bed, bent down, and told him some of what he had just overheard.這之後，兩人都沉默了許多時，終於是叔齊很困難的嘆一口氣，悄悄的說道：After this, the two of them were silent for a long while, until at last Shuqi, with great difficulty, heaved a sigh and said quietly:

叔齐不回答，慢慢的走过去，坐在伯夷的床沿上，弯下腰，告诉了他刚才听来的一些话。这之后，两人都沉默了许多时，终于是叔齐很困难的叹一口气，悄悄的说道：

“不料竟全改了文王的規矩……"Who would have thought they'd have changed King Wen's ways completely......你瞧罷，不但不孝，也不仁……Just look — not only unfilial, but unbenevolent too......這樣看來，這裡的飯是吃不得了。”The way things look, we can't go on eating the rice here."

“不料竟全改了文王的规矩……你瞧罢，不但不孝，也不仁……这样看来，这里的饭是吃不得了。”

“那麼，怎麼好呢？”伯夷問。"Then what's to be done?" Boyi asked.

“那么，怎么好呢？”伯夷问。

“我看還是走……”"I think we'd better leave......"

“我看还是走……”

於是兩人商量了幾句，就決定明天一早離開這養老堂，不再吃周家的大餅；So the two of them discussed it briefly and decided to leave this Home for the Aged first thing the next morning, and never again eat the House of Zhou's flatcakes;東西是什麼也不帶。they would take nothing at all with them.兄弟倆一同走到華山去，吃些野果和樹葉來送自己的殘年。The two brothers would walk together to Mount Hua, and live out their remaining years on wild fruit and leaves.況且“天道無親，常與善人”，或者竟會有蒼朮和茯苓之類也說不定。Besides, "Heaven's way plays no favorites, but always sides with the good" — perhaps there might even turn out to be things like atractylodes and poria root, who could say.

于是两人商量了几句，就决定明天一早离开这养老堂，不再吃周家的大饼；东西是什么也不带。兄弟俩一同走到华山去，吃些野果和树叶来送自己的残年。况且“天道无亲，常与善人”，或者竟会有苍术和茯苓之类也说不定。

打定主意之後，心地倒十分輕鬆了。Once their minds were made up, their hearts felt altogether lighter.叔齊重複解衣躺下，不多久，就听到伯夷講夢話；Shuqi undressed again and lay down, and before long he heard Boyi talking in his sleep;自己也覺得很有興致，而且彷彿聞到茯苓的清香，接著也就在這茯苓的清香中，沉沉睡去了。he himself felt quite in high spirits, and seemed to catch the delicate fragrance of poria root, and then, in that very fragrance of poria root, sank into a deep sleep.

打定主意之后，心地倒十分轻松了。叔齐重复解衣躺下，不多久，就听到伯夷讲梦话；自己也觉得很有兴致，而且彷佛闻到茯苓的清香，接著也就在这茯苓的清香中，沉沉睡去了。

四Four

第二天，兄弟倆都比平常醒得早，梳洗完畢，毫不帶什麼東西，其實也並無東西可帶，只有一件老羊皮長袍捨不得，仍舊穿在身上，拿了拄杖，和留下的烙餅，推稱散步，一徑走出養老堂的大門；The next day the two brothers both woke earlier than usual, and once they had washed and combed their hair, they brought nothing at all with them — though in truth there was nothing to bring anyway — except that they could not bear to part with one old sheepskin robe, which they kept on as before; taking their walking-sticks and the leftover flatcakes, and giving out that they were going for a stroll, they walked straight out through the gate of the Home for the Aged;心裡想，從此要長別了，便似乎還不免有些留戀似的，回過頭來看了幾眼。thinking to themselves that they were parting with it forever from now on, they seemed unable to help feeling a bit of attachment, and turned back to look at it several times.

第二天，兄弟俩都比平常醒得早，梳洗完毕，毫不带什么东西，其实也并无东西可带，只有一件老羊皮长袍舍不得，仍旧穿在身上，拿了拄杖，和留下的烙饼，推称散步，一径走出养老堂的大门；心里想，从此要长别了，便似乎还不免有些留恋似的，回过头来看了几眼。

街道上行人還不多；There were still not many people about on the streets;所遇見的不過是睡眼惺忪的女人，在井邊打水。all they met were drowsy-eyed women drawing water at the well.將近郊外，太陽已經高升，走路的也多起來了，雖然大抵昂看頭，得意洋洋的，但一看見他們，卻還是照例的讓路。By the time they neared the outskirts, the sun had already risen high, and more people were out walking; though most of them held their heads up, looking very pleased with themselves, still, the moment they caught sight of the two brothers, they made way for them as a matter of course.樹木也多起來了，不知名的落葉樹上，已經吐著新芽，一望好像灰綠的輕煙，其間夾著松柏，在矇矓中仍然顯得很蒼翠。Trees, too, grew more numerous; on the deciduous trees, whose names they did not know, new buds were already sprouting, looking from afar like a wisp of grayish-green smoke, with pines and cypresses mixed in among them, still showing a deep green even through the haze.

街道上行人还不多；所遇见的不过是睡眼惺忪的女人，在井边打水。将近郊外，太阳已经高升，走路的也多起来了，虽然大抵昂看头，得意洋洋的，但一看见他们，却还是照例的让路。树木也多起来了，不知名的落叶树上，已经吐著新芽，一望好像灰绿的轻烟，其间夹著松柏，在蒙眬中仍然显得很苍翠。

滿眼是闊大，自由，好看，伯夷和叔齊覺得彷彿年青起來，腳步輕鬆，心裡也很舒暢了。Everywhere they looked was spacious, free, and pleasing to the eye, and Boyi and Shuqi felt as though they had grown young again, their steps light and their hearts very much at ease.

满眼是阔大，自由，好看，伯夷和叔齐觉得彷佛年青起来，脚步轻松，心里也很舒畅了。

到第二天的午後，迎面遇見了幾條岔路，他們決不定走那一條路近，便檢了一個對面走來的老頭子，很和氣的去問他。By the afternoon of the second day, they came upon several forking roads, and unable to decide which way was shorter, they picked out an old man coming toward them from the opposite direction and asked him very politely.

到第二天的午后，迎面遇见了几条岔路，他们决不定走那一条路近，便检了一个对面走来的老头子，很和气的去问他。

“阿呀，可惜，”那老頭子說。 “您要是早一點，跟先前過去的那隊馬跑就好了。"Ah, what a pity," said the old man. "If you'd come a little earlier, you could have run along with that troop of horses that went by just now.現在可只得先走這條路。For now, you'll just have to go by this road first.前面岔路還多，再問罷。”There are more forks ahead — ask again there."

“阿呀，可惜，”那老头子说。 “您要是早一点，跟先前过去的那队马跑就好了。现在可只得先走这条路。前面岔路还多，再问罢。”

叔齊就記得了正午時分，他們的確遇見過幾個廢兵，趕著一大批老馬，瘦馬，跛腳馬，癩皮馬，從背後衝上來，幾乎把他們踏死，這時就趁便問那老人，這些馬是趕去做什麼的。Shuqi then remembered that around noon they had indeed run into several discharged soldiers driving a great herd of old horses, thin horses, lame horses, and mangy horses, which had come charging up from behind and nearly trampled them to death, and he took the chance to ask the old man what those horses were being driven off to do.

叔齐就记得了正午时分，他们的确遇见过几个废兵，赶著一大批老马，瘦马，跛脚马，癞皮马，从背后冲上来，几乎把他们踏死，这时就趁便问那老人，这些马是赶去做什么的。

“您還不知道嗎？”那人答道。 “我們大王已經‘恭行天罰’，用不著再來興師動眾，所以把馬放到華山腳下去的。"You don't know yet?" the man replied. "Our Great King has already 'reverently carried out Heaven's punishment,' and there's no more need to raise armies and stir up the masses, so the horses are being turned loose at the foot of Mount Hua.這就是‘歸馬於華山之陽’呀，您懂了沒有？This is what's meant by 'returning the horses to the sunny side of Mount Hua' — do you understand now?我們還在‘放牛於桃林之野’哩！We're also 'setting the oxen loose in the wilds of Taolin'!嚇，這回​​可真是大家要吃太平飯了。”Heh, this time it really looks like everyone's going to enjoy a peaceful life."

“您还不知道吗？”那人答道。 “我们大王已经‘恭行天罚’，用不著再来兴师动众，所以把马放到华山脚下去的。这就是‘归马于华山之阳’呀，您懂了没有？我们还在‘放牛于桃林之野’哩！吓，这回​​可真是大家要吃太平饭了。”

然而這竟是兜頭一桶冷水，使兩個人同時打了一個寒噤，但仍然不動聲色，謝過老人，向著他所指示的路前行。Yet this was like a bucket of cold water poured straight over their heads, and it made the two of them shiver at once; but they still kept their faces unmoved, thanked the old man, and went on along the road he had pointed out.無奈這“歸馬於華山之陽”，竟踏壞了他們的夢境，使兩個人的心裡，從此都有些七上八下起來。But there was no help for it — this "returning the horses to the sunny side of Mount Hua" had trampled their dream to pieces, and from then on the hearts of both of them were left somewhat unsettled.

然而这竟是兜头一桶冷水，使两个人同时打了一个寒噤，但仍然不动声色，谢过老人，向著他所指示的路前行。无奈这“归马于华山之阳”，竟踏坏了他们的梦境，使两个人的心里，从此都有些七上八下起来。

心裡忐忑，嘴裡不說，仍是走，到得傍晚，臨近了一座並不很高的黃土岡，上面有一些樹林，幾間土屋，他們便在途中議定，到這裡去借宿。Uneasy at heart but saying nothing aloud, they kept on walking, and by evening they had come near a yellow-earth ridge that was not very high, with some woods on it and a few earthen huts, and along the way they agreed to go there and ask for a night's lodging.

心里忐忑，嘴里不说，仍是走，到得傍晚，临近了一座并不很高的黄土冈，上面有一些树林，几间土屋，他们便在途中议定，到这里去借宿。

離土岡腳還有十幾步，林子里便竄出五個彪形大漢來，頭包白布，身穿破衣，為首的拿一把大刀，另外四個都是木棍。While they were still a dozen-odd paces from the foot of the ridge, five burly men suddenly sprang out of the woods, their heads wrapped in white cloth and their bodies clad in tattered clothes; the one in the lead carried a broadsword, and the other four all had wooden cudgels.一到岡下，便一字排開，攔住去路，一同恭敬的點頭，大聲吆喝道：As soon as they reached the foot of the ridge, the men lined up in a row, blocking the way, and all together nodded respectfully, shouting loudly:

离土冈脚还有十几步，林子里便窜出五个彪形大汉来，头包白布，身穿破衣，为首的拿一把大刀，另外四个都是木棍。一到冈下，便一字排开，拦住去路，一同恭敬的点头，大声吆喝道：

“老先生，您好哇！”"Good day to you, venerable sirs!"

他們倆都嚇得倒退了幾步，伯夷竟發起抖來，還是叔齊能幹，索性走上前，問他們是什麼人，有什麼事。The two of them were so startled they backed up several steps, and Boyi actually began to tremble; but Shuqi, being the more capable of the two, simply stepped forward and asked who they were and what they wanted.

他们俩都吓得倒退了几步，伯夷竟发起抖来，还是叔齐能干，索性走上前，问他们是什么人，有什么事。

“小人就是華山大王小窮奇，”那拿刀的說，“帶了兄弟們在這裡，要請您老賞一點買路錢！”"Your humble servant is none other than Xiao Qiongqi, King of Mount Hua," said the one with the broadsword, "and I've brought my brothers here to ask you, venerable sir, to be so kind as to grant us a bit of road-toll money!"

“小人就是华山大王小穷奇，”那拿刀的说，“带了兄弟们在这里，要请您老赏一点买路钱！”

“我們那裡有錢呢，大王。”叔齊很客氣的說。 “我們是從養老堂裡出來的。”"Where would we have any money, Your Majesty?" Shuqi said very politely. "We've come from the Home for the Aged."

“我们那里有钱呢，大王。”叔齐很客气的说。 “我们是从养老堂里出来的。”

“阿呀！”小窮奇吃了一驚，立刻肅然起敬，“那麼，您兩位一定是‘天下之大老也’了。"Ah!" Xiao Qiongqi gave a start, and at once became reverent and respectful. "Then you two gentlemen must surely be the 'Great Elders of All Under Heaven'!小人們也遵先王遺教，非常敬老，所以要請您老留下一點紀念品……”他看見叔齊沒有回答，便將大刀一揮，提高了聲音道：“如果您老還要謙讓，那可小人們只好恭行天搜，瞻仰一下您老的貴體了！”We too follow the teachings bequeathed by the former kings, and hold the aged in the greatest respect, and so we must ask you, venerable sirs, to leave us some small keepsake......" Seeing that Shuqi gave no answer, he gave his broadsword a flourish and raised his voice: "If you, venerable sirs, still insist on modestly declining, then we shall have no choice but to reverently carry out a search from Heaven, and take a look at your honored persons!"

“阿呀！”小穷奇吃了一惊，立刻肃然起敬，“那么，您两位一定是‘天下之大老也’了。小人们也遵先王遗教，非常敬老，所以要请您老留下一点纪念品……”他看见叔齐没有回答，便将大刀一挥，提高了声音道：“如果您老还要谦让，那可小人们只好恭行天搜，瞻仰一下您老的贵体了！”

伯夷叔齊立刻擎起了兩隻手；Boyi and Shuqi at once raised both hands into the air;一個拿木棍的就來解開他們的皮袍，棉襖，小衫，細細搜檢了一遍。one of the men with a cudgel came and undid their leather robes, padded jackets, and undershirts, searching them carefully from head to toe.

伯夷叔齐立刻擎起了两只手；一个拿木棍的就来解开他们的皮袍，棉袄，小衫，细细搜检了一遍。

“兩個窮光蛋，真的什麼也沒有！”他滿臉顯出失望的顏色，轉過頭去，對小窮奇說。"Two paupers — they really haven't got a thing!" His whole face showed disappointment as he turned and said to Xiao Qiongqi.

“两个穷光蛋，真的什么也没有！”他满脸显出失望的颜色，转过头去，对小穷奇说。

小窮奇看出了伯夷在發抖，便上前去，恭敬的拍拍他肩膀，說道：Xiao Qiongqi noticed that Boyi was trembling, and so stepped forward and patted his shoulder respectfully, saying:

小穷奇看出了伯夷在发抖，便上前去，恭敬的拍拍他肩膀，说道：

“老先生，請您不要怕。"Venerable sir, please don't be afraid.海派會‘剝豬玀’，我們是文明人，不干這玩意兒的。It's the Shanghai sort who go in for 'stripping the hog' — we are civilized men, and we don't do that kind of thing.什麼紀念品也沒有，只好算我們自己晦氣。Since there's no keepsake of any kind to be had, we'll just chalk it up to our own bad luck.現在您只要滾您的蛋就是了！”Now you can just get the hell out of here!"

“老先生，请您不要怕。海派会‘剥猪猡’，我们是文明人，不干这玩意儿的。什么纪念品也没有，只好算我们自己晦气。现在您只要滚您的蛋就是了！”

伯夷沒有話好回答，連衣服也來不及穿好，和叔齊邁開大步，眼看著地，向前便跑。Boyi had no answer to make; without even taking time to put his clothes back on properly, he and Shuqi strode off, eyes fixed on the ground, and ran on ahead.這時五個人都已經站在旁邊，讓出路來了。By now all five men were standing off to the side, having cleared the way.看見他們在面前走過，便恭敬的垂下雙手，同聲問道：Seeing the two of them pass by in front, they respectfully dropped both hands to their sides and asked in unison:

伯夷没有话好回答，连衣服也来不及穿好，和叔齐迈开大步，眼看著地，向前便跑。这时五个人都已经站在旁边，让出路来了。看见他们在面前走过，便恭敬的垂下双手，同声问道：

“您走了？"Leaving already?您不喝茶了麼？”Won't you stay for some tea?"

“您走了？您不喝茶了么？”

“不喝了，不喝了……”伯夷和叔齊且走且說，一面不住的點著頭。"No, no, we won't......" said Boyi and Shuqi, walking and talking at once, nodding their heads over and over.

“不喝了，不喝了……”伯夷和叔齐且走且说，一面不住的点著头。

五Five

“歸馬於華山之陽”和華山大王小窮奇，都使兩位義士對華山害怕，於是從新商量，轉身向北，討著飯，曉行夜宿，終於到了首陽山。Both "returning the horses to the sunny side of Mount Hua" and Xiao Qiongqi, King of Mount Hua, made the two righteous men afraid of Mount Hua, and so they took counsel anew, turned around and headed north, begging for food along the way, traveling by day and resting by night, until at last they reached Mount Shouyang.

“归马于华山之阳”和华山大王小穷奇，都使两位义士对华山害怕，于是从新商量，转身向北，讨著饭，晓行夜宿，终于到了首阳山。

這確是一座好山。This truly was a fine mountain.既不高，又不深，沒有大樹林，不愁虎狼，也不必防強盜：是理想的幽棲之所。It was neither high nor deep, had no great forests, so there was no need to fear tigers or wolves, nor any need to guard against bandits — it was an ideal place of quiet retreat.兩人到山腳下一看，只見新葉嫩碧，土地金黃，野草里開著些紅紅白白的小花，真是連看看也賞心悅目。When the two of them reached the foot of the mountain and looked around, they saw fresh leaves of tender green, earth of golden yellow, and little red and white flowers blooming among the wild grass — truly, even just to look at it was a delight to the eye and heart.他們就滿心高興，用拄杖點著山徑，一步一步的挨上去，找到上面突出一片石頭，好像岩洞的處所，坐了下來，一面擦著汗，一面喘著氣。Full of joy, they made their way up the mountain path step by step, tapping with their walking-sticks, and found up above a jutting slab of rock, in a spot rather like a cave, and sat themselves down, wiping the sweat away and gasping for breath.

这确是一座好山。既不高，又不深，没有大树林，不愁虎狼，也不必防强盗：是理想的幽栖之所。两人到山脚下一看，只见新叶嫩碧，土地金黄，野草里开著些红红白白的小花，真是连看看也赏心悦目。他们就满心高兴，用拄杖点著山径，一步一步的挨上去，找到上面突出一片石头，好像岩洞的处所，坐了下来，一面擦著汗，一面喘著气。

這時候，太陽已經西沉，倦鳥歸林，啾啾唧唧的叫著，沒有上山時候那麼清靜了，但他們倒覺得也還新鮮，有趣。By this time the sun had already sunk toward the west, and tired birds were returning to the woods, twittering and chirping — it was not as quiet as when they had been climbing up, but they found it fresh and interesting all the same.在鋪好羊皮袍，準備就睡之前，叔齊取出兩個大飯糰，和伯夷吃了一飽。Before spreading out their sheepskin robes and getting ready to sleep, Shuqi took out two large rice balls, and he and Boyi ate their fill.這是沿路討來的殘飯，因為兩人曾經議定，“不食週粟”，只好進了首陽山之後開始實行，所以當晚把牠吃完，從明天起，就要堅守主義，絕不通融了。These were leftover scraps of food they had begged along the way; since the two of them had agreed beforehand on the principle of "not eating the grain of Zhou," they could only put it into practice once they had actually entered Mount Shouyang, and so that night they finished it off entirely — from the next day on, they would hold firmly to their principle, with absolutely no compromise.

这时候，太阳已经西沉，倦鸟归林，啾啾唧唧的叫著，没有上山时候那么清静了，但他们倒觉得也还新鲜，有趣。在铺好羊皮袍，准备就睡之前，叔齐取出两个大饭团，和伯夷吃了一饱。这是沿路讨来的残饭，因为两人曾经议定，“不食周粟”，只好进了首阳山之后开始实行，所以当晚把牠吃完，从明天起，就要坚守主义，绝不通融了。

他們一早就被烏老鴉鬧醒，後來重又睡去，醒來卻已是上午時分。They were woken early by the noisy crows, then fell back asleep, and by the time they woke again it was already mid-morning.伯夷說腰痛腿酸，簡直站不起；Boyi said his back ached and his legs were sore, and he simply could not get up;叔齊只得獨自去走走，看可有可吃的東西。so Shuqi had no choice but to go off walking by himself, to see if there was anything to be found to eat.他走了一些時，竟發見這山的不高不深，沒有虎狼盜賊，固然是其所長，然而因此也有了缺點：下面就是首陽村，所以不但常有砍柴的老人或女人，並且有進來玩耍的孩子，可吃的野果子之類，一顆也找不出，大約早被他們摘去了。After walking for a while, he discovered that this mountain's being neither high nor deep, and free of tigers, wolves, or bandits, was indeed its strength, but it also, precisely because of this, had a drawback: right below lay Shouyang Village, so that not only were there often old men or women coming to cut firewood, but children came in to play as well, and as for edible wild fruit and the like, he could not find a single one — most likely they had all been picked already.

他们一早就被乌老鸦闹醒，后来重又睡去，醒来却已是上午时分。伯夷说腰痛腿酸，简直站不起；叔齐只得独自去走走，看可有可吃的东西。他走了一些时，竟发见这山的不高不深，没有虎狼盗贼，固然是其所长，然而因此也有了缺点：下面就是首阳村，所以不但常有砍柴的老人或女人，并且有进来玩耍的孩子，可吃的野果子之类，一颗也找不出，大约早被他们摘去了。

他自然就想到茯苓。Naturally, his thoughts turned to poria root.但山上雖然有松樹，卻不是古松，都好像根上未必有茯苓；But although there were pine trees on the mountain, they were not old pines, and none of them looked as though they were likely to have poria growing at their roots;即使有，自己也不帶鋤頭，沒有法子想。and even if there were, he had brought no hoe with him, so there was nothing to be done about it.接著又想到蒼朮，然而他只見過蒼朮的根，毫不知道那葉子的形狀，又不能把滿山的草都拔起來看一看，即使蒼朮生在眼前，也不能認識。Next he thought of atractylodes, but he had only ever seen its root, and had no idea at all what shape its leaves were, nor could he pull up every plant on the whole mountain to look at it, so that even if atractylodes were growing right in front of him, he would not be able to recognize it.心裡一暴躁，滿臉發熱，就亂抓了一通頭皮。A sudden irritation rose in him, his whole face grew hot, and he scratched wildly at his scalp for a while.

他自然就想到茯苓。但山上虽然有松树，却不是古松，都好像根上未必有茯苓；即使有，自己也不带锄头，没有法子想。接著又想到苍术，然而他只见过苍术的根，毫不知道那叶子的形状，又不能把满山的草都拔起来看一看，即使苍术生在眼前，也不能认识。心里一暴躁，满脸发热，就乱抓了一通头皮。

但是他立刻平靜了，似乎有了主意，接著就走到松樹旁邊，摘了一衣兜的松針，又往溪邊尋了兩塊石頭，砸下松針外面的青皮，洗過，又細細的砸得好像麵餅，另尋一片很薄的石片，拿著回到石洞去了。But he calmed down at once, as though an idea had come to him, and went over to a pine tree, picked a pocketful of pine needles, then went to the streamside and found two stones, pounded off the green outer skin of the pine needles, washed them, and pounded them fine until they were like dough for a cake; then he found a very thin flat stone, and carrying it, went back to the stone cave.

但是他立刻平静了，似乎有了主意，接著就走到松树旁边，摘了一衣兜的松针，又往溪边寻了两块石头，砸下松针外面的青皮，洗过，又细细的砸得好像面饼，另寻一片很薄的石片，拿著回到石洞去了。

“三弟，有什麼撈兒沒有？"Third Brother, did you manage to fish up anything?我是肚子餓的咕嚕咕嚕響了好半天了。”伯夷一望見他，就問。My stomach's been growling for the longest while now." Boyi asked the moment he caught sight of him.

“三弟，有什么捞儿没有？我是肚子饿的咕噜咕噜响了好半天了。”伯夷一望见他，就问。

“大哥，什麼也沒有。"Elder Brother, there's nothing at all.試試這玩意兒罷。”Let's just try this thing here."

“大哥，什么也没有。试试这玩意儿罢。”

他就近拾了兩塊石頭，支起石片來，放上松針面，聚些枯枝，在下面生了火。Close by he picked up two stones, propped up the flat stone on them, laid the pine-needle paste on top, gathered some dry twigs, and lit a fire underneath.實在是許多工夫，才聽得濕的松針面有些吱吱作響，可也發出一點清香，引得他們倆嚥口水。It really took a long while before the damp pine-needle paste began to sizzle faintly, giving off a bit of a fragrant smell that made both of them swallow their spit.叔齊高興得微笑起來了，這是姜太公做八十五歲生日的時候，他去拜壽，在壽筵上聽來的方法。Shuqi smiled with pleasure — this was a method he had heard of at the birthday banquet when he went to offer congratulations on Jiang Taigong's eighty-fifth birthday.

他就近拾了两块石头，支起石片来，放上松针面，聚些枯枝，在下面生了火。实在是许多工夫，才听得湿的松针面有些吱吱作响，可也发出一点清香，引得他们俩咽口水。叔齐高兴得微笑起来了，这是姜太公做八十五岁生日的时候，他去拜寿，在寿筵上听来的方法。

發香之後，就發泡，眼見它漸漸的干下去，正是一塊糕。After it gave off its fragrance, it began to bubble, and before their eyes it gradually dried out, until it was just like a cake.叔齊用皮袍袖子裹著手，把石片笑嘻嘻的端到伯夷的面前。Shuqi wrapped his hand in the sleeve of his leather robe and, beaming, carried the flat stone over in front of Boyi.伯夷一面吹，一面拗，終於拗下一角來，連忙塞進嘴裡去。Boyi blew on it while breaking off a piece, and at last snapped off a corner, which he hastily stuffed into his mouth.

发香之后，就发泡，眼见它渐渐的干下去，正是一块糕。叔齐用皮袍袖子裹著手，把石片笑嘻嘻的端到伯夷的面前。伯夷一面吹，一面拗，终于拗下一角来，连忙塞进嘴里去。

他愈嚼，就愈皺眉，直著脖子咽了幾咽，倒哇的一聲吐出來了，訴苦似的看著叔齊道：The more he chewed, the more he frowned, and craning his neck he swallowed several times, then with a great "waah" spat it out, and looked at Shuqi as though lodging a complaint, saying:

他愈嚼，就愈皱眉，直著脖子咽了几咽，倒哇的一声吐出来了，诉苦似的看著叔齐道：

“苦……"Bitter......粗……”Coarse......"

這時候，叔齊真好像落在深潭里，什麼希望也沒有了。At that moment, Shuqi felt truly as though he had fallen into a deep pool, with not a shred of hope left.抖抖的也拗了一角，咀嚼起來，可真也毫沒有可吃的樣子：苦……Trembling, he too broke off a corner and began chewing it, and indeed it seemed not the least bit edible: bitter......粗……Coarse......

这时候，叔齐真好像落在深潭里，什么希望也没有了。抖抖的也拗了一角，咀嚼起来，可真也毫没有可吃的样子：苦……粗……

叔齊一下子失了銳氣，坐倒了，垂了頭。All at once Shuqi's spirit failed him; he sank down and hung his head.然而還在想，掙扎的想，彷彿是在爬出一個深潭去。And yet he went on thinking, thinking with a struggle, as though he were trying to crawl his way out of a deep pool.爬著爬著，只向前。Crawling and crawling, only forward.終於似乎自己變了孩子，還是孤竹君的世子，坐在保姆的膝上了。At last it seemed as if he himself had turned into a child again, still the young heir of the Lord of Guzhu, sitting on his nurse's lap.這保姆是鄉下人，在和他講故事：黃帝打蚩尤，大禹捉無支祁，還有鄉下人荒年吃薇菜。This nurse was a country woman, telling him stories: the Yellow Emperor fighting Chiyou, Yu the Great capturing Wuzhiqi, and how country folk ate vetch in famine years.

叔齐一下子失了锐气，坐倒了，垂了头。然而还在想，挣扎的想，彷佛是在爬出一个深潭去。爬著爬著，只向前。终于似乎自己变了孩子，还是孤竹君的世子，坐在保姆的膝上了。这保姆是乡下人，在和他讲故事：黄帝打蚩尤，大禹捉无支祁，还有乡下人荒年吃薇菜。

他又記得了自己問過薇菜的樣子，而且山上正見過這東西。He also remembered having asked what vetch looked like, and that he had indeed seen the thing on the mountain.他忽然覺得有了氣力，立刻站起身，跨進草叢，一路尋過去。He suddenly felt his strength return, stood up at once, stepped into the grass, and went searching along the way.

他又记得了自己问过薇菜的样子，而且山上正见过这东西。他忽然觉得有了气力，立刻站起身，跨进草丛，一路寻过去。

果然，這東西倒不算少，走不到一里路，就摘了半衣兜。Sure enough, the stuff was not scarce at all; before he had gone a full li, he had picked half a pocketful.他還是在溪水里洗了一洗，這才拿回來；He still rinsed it in the stream before bringing it back;還是用那烙過松針面的石片，來烤薇菜。and still used that same stone slab, on which he had toasted pine-needle flour, to roast the vetch.葉子變成暗綠，熟了。The leaves turned a dark green — done.但這回再不敢先去敬他的大哥了，撮起一株來，放在自己的嘴裡，閉著眼睛，只是嚼。But this time he no longer dared offer the first bit to his elder brother — he pinched up a stalk, put it straight into his own mouth, closed his eyes, and just chewed.

果然，这东西倒不算少，走不到一里路，就摘了半衣兜。他还是在溪水里洗了一洗，这才拿回来；还是用那烙过松针面的石片，来烤薇菜。叶子变成暗绿，熟了。但这回再不敢先去敬他的大哥了，撮起一株来，放在自己的嘴里，闭著眼睛，只是嚼。

“怎麼樣？”伯夷焦急的問。"How is it?" Bo Yi asked anxiously.

“怎么样？”伯夷焦急的问。

“鮮的！”"It's fresh-tasting!"

“鲜的！”

兩人就笑嘻嘻的來嘗烤薇菜；The two of them then, smiling broadly, set to tasting the roasted vetch;伯夷多吃了兩撮，因為他是大哥。Bo Yi ate two pinches more, because he was the elder brother.

两人就笑嘻嘻的来尝烤薇菜；伯夷多吃了两撮，因为他是大哥。

他們從此天天采薇菜。From then on they gathered vetch every day.先前是叔齊一個人去採，伯夷煮；At first it was Shu Qi alone who went to gather it, while Bo Yi did the cooking;後來伯夷覺得身體健壯了一些，也出去采了。later, Bo Yi, feeling his body had grown somewhat stronger, went out to gather it too.做法也多起來：薇湯，薇羹，薇醬，清燉薇，原湯燜薇芽，生曬嫩薇葉……The ways of preparing it multiplied too: vetch soup, vetch broth, vetch paste, clear-stewed vetch, vetch sprouts braised in their own broth, sun-dried tender vetch leaves...

他们从此天天采薇菜。先前是叔齐一个人去采，伯夷煮；后来伯夷觉得身体健壮了一些，也出去采了。做法也多起来：薇汤，薇羹，薇酱，清炖薇，原汤焖薇芽，生晒嫩薇叶……

然而近地的薇菜，卻漸漸的採完，雖然留著根，一時也很難生長，每天非走遠路不可了。But the vetch nearby was gradually picked clean; though the roots were left, they were hard to grow back quickly, and so every day they had no choice but to walk further.搬了幾回家，後來還是一樣的結果。They moved house several times, but in the end it always came to the same result.而且新住處也逐漸的難找了起來，因為既要薇菜多，又要溪水近，這樣的便當之處，在首陽山上實在也不可多得的。And new dwelling-places grew harder to find too, for a spot with plenty of vetch and a stream close by — such convenient places were, on Mount Shouyang, truly not easy to come by.叔齊怕伯夷年紀太大了，一不小心會中風，便竭力勸他安坐在家裡，仍舊單是擔任煮，讓自己獨自去采薇。Shu Qi, afraid that Bo Yi, being so old, might suffer a stroke if he wasn't careful, did his utmost to persuade him to sit quietly at home, still taking charge only of the cooking, while he himself went alone to gather the vetch.

然而近地的薇菜，却渐渐的采完，虽然留著根，一时也很难生长，每天非走远路不可了。搬了几回家，后来还是一样的结果。而且新住处也逐渐的难找了起来，因为既要薇菜多，又要溪水近，这样的便当之处，在首阳山上实在也不可多得的。叔齐怕伯夷年纪太大了，一不小心会中风，便竭力劝他安坐在家里，仍旧单是担任煮，让自己独自去采薇。

伯夷遜讓了一番之後，倒也應允了，從此就較為安閒自在，然而首陽山上是有人蹟的，他沒事做，脾氣又有些改變，從沉默成了多話，便不免和孩子去搭訕，和樵夫去扳談。After demurring for a while, Bo Yi actually agreed, and from then on lived rather more at ease; but Mount Shouyang was not without human traces, and with nothing to do, his temperament changed somewhat — from taciturn he became talkative, and could not help striking up chats with children and gossiping with woodcutters.也許是因為一時高興，或者有人叫他老乞丐的緣故罷，他竟說出了他們倆原是遼西的孤竹君的兒子，他老大，那一個是老三。Perhaps it was because he was in a good mood for the moment, or perhaps because someone had called him an old beggar, but he actually let it out that the two of them were originally sons of the Lord of Guzhu of Liaoxi, that he was the eldest, and the other one the third.父親在日原是說要傳位給老三的，一到死後，老​​三卻一定向他讓。While their father was alive he had said he meant to pass the throne to the third son, but once he died, the third son insisted on yielding it to him instead.他遵父命，省得麻煩，逃走了。He, obeying his father's command and to avoid trouble, ran away.不料老三也逃走了。Unexpectedly, the third son ran away too.兩人在路上遇見，便一同來找西伯——文王，進了養老堂。The two of them met on the road, and together went to seek out the Earl of the West — King Wen — and entered the Home for the Aged.又不料現在的周王竟“以臣弒君”起來，所以只好不食週粟，逃上首陽山，吃野菜活命……And then, unexpectedly again, the present King of Zhou had actually gone and "as a subject murdered his sovereign," so they had no choice but to refuse to eat the grain of Zhou, flee up Mount Shouyang, and keep themselves alive on wild greens...等到叔齊知道，怪他多嘴的時候，已經傳播開去，沒法挽救了。By the time Shu Qi found out and blamed him for talking too much, it had already spread abroad, and there was no way to retrieve it.但也不敢怎麼埋怨他；Still, he did not dare reproach him too much;只在心裡想：父親不肯把位傳給他，可也不能不說很有些眼力。he only thought to himself: their father's refusal to pass the throne to this brother could not, after all, be said to lack discernment.

伯夷逊让了一番之后，倒也应允了，从此就较为安闲自在，然而首阳山上是有人迹的，他没事做，脾气又有些改变，从沉默成了多话，便不免和孩子去搭讪，和樵夫去扳谈。也许是因为一时高兴，或者有人叫他老乞丐的缘故罢，他竟说出了他们俩原是辽西的孤竹君的儿子，他老大，那一个是老三。父亲在日原是说要传位给老三的，一到死后，老​​三却一定向他让。他遵父命，省得麻烦，逃走了。不料老三也逃走了。两人在路上遇见，便一同来找西伯——文王，进了养老堂。又不料现在的周王竟“以臣弑君”起来，所以只好不食周粟，逃上首阳山，吃野菜活命……等到叔齐知道，怪他多嘴的时候，已经传播开去，没法挽救了。但也不敢怎么埋怨他；只在心里想：父亲不肯把位传给他，可也不能不说很有些眼力。

叔齊的預料也並不錯：這結果壞得很，不但村里時常講到他們的事，也常有特地上山來看他們的人。Shu Qi's forebodings proved quite correct: the result was very bad indeed — not only did the village constantly talk of their affairs, but people often came up the mountain specially to look at them.有的當他們名人，有的當他們怪物，有的當他們古董。Some treated them as celebrities, some as freaks, some as antiques.甚至於跟著看怎樣採，圍著看怎樣吃，指手畫腳，問長問短，令人頭昏。Some even followed along to watch how they picked the vetch, crowded round to watch how they ate it, pointed and gestured, asked endless questions, until it made one's head spin.而且對付還須謙虛，倘使略不小心，皺一皺眉，就難免有人說是“發脾氣”。And in dealing with them one still had to be modest — if one were the least bit careless and frowned, it was hard to avoid someone saying one was "losing one's temper."

叔齐的预料也并不错：这结果坏得很，不但村里时常讲到他们的事，也常有特地上山来看他们的人。有的当他们名人，有的当他们怪物，有的当他们古董。甚至于跟著看怎样采，围著看怎样吃，指手画脚，问长问短，令人头昏。而且对付还须谦虚，倘使略不小心，皱一皱眉，就难免有人说是“发脾气”。

不過輿論還是好的方面多。Still, public opinion leaned mostly to the favorable side.後來連小姐太太，也有幾個人來看了，回家去都搖頭，說是“不好看”，上了一個大當。Later even a few young ladies and matrons came to look, and going home they all shook their heads, saying it was "not worth seeing" — that they had been badly taken in.

不过舆论还是好的方面多。后来连小姐太太，也有几个人来看了，回家去都摇头，说是“不好看”，上了一个大当。

終於還引動了首陽村的第一等高人小丙君。In the end it even stirred the interest of Xiao Bingjun, the foremost man of distinction in Shouyang village.他原是妲己的舅公的干女婿，做著祭酒，因為知道天命有歸，便帶著五十車行李和八百個奴婢，來投明主了。He had originally been the adopted son-in-law of Daji's great-uncle, holding the office of Libationer, and knowing that the Mandate of Heaven had found its rightful recipient, had brought fifty cartloads of baggage and eight hundred slaves and bondmaids to go over to the enlightened sovereign.可惜已在會師盟津的前幾天，兵馬事忙，來不及好好的安插，便留下他四十車貨物和七百五十個奴婢，另外給子兩頃首陽山下的肥田，叫他在村里研究八卦學。Unfortunately, this was only a few days before the armies mustered at Mengjin, and with troops and horses in a bustle, there was no time to place him properly, so they simply left him forty cartloads of goods and seven hundred and fifty slaves, and besides granted him two qing of fertile land at the foot of Mount Shouyang, telling him to study the Eight Trigrams in the village.他也喜歡弄文學，村中都是文盲，不懂得文學概論，氣悶已久，便叫家丁打轎，找那兩個老頭子，談談文學去了；He was also fond of dabbling in literature, but the whole village was illiterate and knew nothing of the principles of literature, so he had long been stifled for want of company; he therefore had his household servants get out the sedan chair and went to find the two old men, to talk literature with them;尤其是詩歌，因為他也是詩人，已經做好一本詩集子。poetry especially, since he was himself a poet and had already composed a whole volume of verse.

终于还引动了首阳村的第一等高人小丙君。他原是妲己的舅公的干女婿，做著祭酒，因为知道天命有归，便带著五十车行李和八百个奴婢，来投明主了。可惜已在会师盟津的前几天，兵马事忙，来不及好好的安插，便留下他四十车货物和七百五十个奴婢，另外给子两顷首阳山下的肥田，叫他在村里研究八卦学。他也喜欢弄文学，村中都是文盲，不懂得文学概论，气闷已久，便叫家丁打轿，找那两个老头子，谈谈文学去了；尤其是诗歌，因为他也是诗人，已经做好一本诗集子。

然而談過之後，他一上轎就搖頭，回了家，竟至於很有些氣憤。But after the conversation, the moment he got into the sedan chair he shook his head, and by the time he got home he was actually rather indignant.他以為那兩個傢伙是談不來詩歌的。He considered that those two fellows were simply incapable of talking poetry.第一、是窮：謀生之不暇，怎麼做得出好詩？First, they were poor: with no leisure even to make a living, how could they possibly produce good poetry?第二、是“有所為”，失了詩的“敦厚”；Second, their verse was written "with a purpose," which lost poetry's quality of "generous warmth";第三、是有議論，失了詩的“溫柔”。Third, it contained argument and opinion, which lost poetry's quality of "gentleness."尤其可議的是他們的品格，通體都是矛盾。What was most objectionable of all was their character, which was riddled through and through with contradiction.於是他大義凜然的斬釘截鐵的說道：Whereupon, with stern righteousness and in tones that brooked no argument, he declared:

然而谈过之后，他一上轿就摇头，回了家，竟至于很有些气愤。他以为那两个家伙是谈不来诗歌的。第一、是穷：谋生之不暇，怎么做得出好诗？第二、是“有所为”，失了诗的“敦厚”；第三、是有议论，失了诗的“温柔”。尤其可议的是他们的品格，通体都是矛盾。于是他大义凛然的斩钉截铁的说道：

“‘普天之下，莫非王土’，難道他們在吃的薇，不是我們聖上的嗎！”"'Under the whole of Heaven, there is no land that is not the King's' — can it be that the vetch they are eating is not our sovereign's own!"

“‘普天之下，莫非王土’，难道他们在吃的薇，不是我们圣上的吗！”

這時候，伯夷和叔齊也在一天一天的瘦下去了。By this time, Bo Yi and Shu Qi too were growing thinner day by day.這並非為了忙於應酬，因為參觀者倒在逐漸的減少。This was not because they were kept busy entertaining visitors, for the sightseers had in fact been gradually dwindling.所苦的是薇菜也已經逐漸的減少，每天要找一捧，總得費許多力，走許多路。What plagued them was that the vetch too had gradually grown scarce; to find a single handful each day now always took great effort and a long walk.

这时候，伯夷和叔齐也在一天一天的瘦下去了。这并非为了忙于应酬，因为参观者倒在逐渐的减少。所苦的是薇菜也已经逐渐的减少，每天要找一捧，总得费许多力，走许多路。

然而禍不單行。But misfortunes never come singly.掉在井裡面的時候，上面偏又來了一塊大石頭。When one has fallen into a well, on top of it a great boulder comes tumbling down besides.

然而祸不单行。掉在井里面的时候，上面偏又来了一块大石头。

有一天，他們倆正在吃烤薇菜，不容易找，所以這午餐已在下午了。One day the two of them were just eating roasted vetch — it had not been easy to find, so this midday meal had already slipped into the afternoon.忽然走來了一個二十來歲的女人，先前是沒有見過的，看她模樣，好像是闊人家​​裡的婢女。Suddenly a woman of about twenty came walking up, one they had never seen before; from her look, she seemed to be a maidservant from some wealthy household.

有一天，他们俩正在吃烤薇菜，不容易找，所以这午餐已在下午了。忽然走来了一个二十来岁的女人，先前是没有见过的，看她模样，好像是阔人家​​里的婢女。

“您吃飯嗎？”她問。"Are you having your meal?" she asked.

“您吃饭吗？”她问。

叔齊仰起臉來，連忙陪笑，點點頭。Shu Qi lifted his face, hastened to smile ingratiatingly, and nodded.

叔齐仰起脸来，连忙陪笑，点点头。

“這是什麼玩意兒呀？”她又問。"What sort of thing is that?" she asked again.

“这是什么玩意儿呀？”她又问。

“薇。”伯夷說。"Vetch," said Bo Yi.

“薇。”伯夷说。

“怎麼吃著這樣的玩意兒的呀？”"How come you're eating a thing like that?"

“怎么吃著这样的玩意儿的呀？”

“因為我們是不食週粟……”"Because we do not eat the grain of Zhou..."

“因为我们是不食周粟……”

伯夷剛剛說出口，叔齊趕緊使一個眼色，但那女人好像聰明得很，已經懂得了。No sooner had Bo Yi got the words out than Shu Qi hastily shot him a warning look, but the woman seemed very sharp indeed, and had already understood.她冷笑了一下，於是大義凜然的斬釘截鐵的說道：She gave a cold laugh, and then, with stern righteousness and in tones that brooked no argument, declared:

伯夷刚刚说出口，叔齐赶紧使一个眼色，但那女人好像聪明得很，已经懂得了。她冷笑了一下，于是大义凛然的斩钉截铁的说道：

“‘普天之下，莫非王土’，你們在吃的薇，難道不是我們聖上的嗎！”"'Under the whole of Heaven, there is no land that is not the King's' — can it be that the vetch you're eating is not our sovereign's own!"

“‘普天之下，莫非王土’，你们在吃的薇，难道不是我们圣上的吗！”

伯夷和叔齊聽得清清楚楚，到了末一句，就好像一個大霹靂，震得他們發昏；Bo Yi and Shu Qi heard every word distinctly, and by the last sentence it was as if a great thunderclap had struck, jolting them into a daze;待到清醒過來，那鴉頭已經不見了。by the time they came to their senses, the servant-girl had already vanished.薇，自然是不吃，也吃不下去了，而且連看看也害羞，連要去搬開它，也抬不起手來，覺得彷彿有好幾百斤重。As for the vetch, naturally they no longer ate it, indeed could no longer swallow it at all; they were even ashamed to look at it, and when they tried to push it aside they could not even lift their hands, as though it weighed several hundred catties.

伯夷和叔齐听得清清楚楚，到了末一句，就好像一个大霹雳，震得他们发昏；待到清醒过来，那鸦头已经不见了。薇，自然是不吃，也吃不下去了，而且连看看也害羞，连要去搬开它，也抬不起手来，觉得彷佛有好几百斤重。

六Six

樵夫偶然發見了伯夷和叔齊都縮做一團，死在山背後的石洞裡，是大約這之後的二十天。It was about twenty days after this that a woodcutter happened to discover Bo Yi and Shu Qi, both curled up into a ball, dead in a stone cave behind the mountain.並沒有爛，雖然因為瘦，但也可見死的並不久；They had not yet rotted; though they were emaciated, this also showed that they had not been dead long;老羊皮袍卻沒有墊著，不知道弄到那裡去了。but the old sheepskin robe was nowhere under them — no one knew where it had got to.這消息一傳到村子裡，又哄動了一大批來看的人，來來往往，一直鬧到夜。The moment this news reached the village, it stirred up another great crowd of sightseers, coming and going, and the commotion lasted until nightfall.結果是有幾個多事的人，就地用黃土把他們埋起來，還商量立一塊石碑，刻上幾個字，給後來好做古蹟。In the end a few busybodies buried them on the spot with yellow earth, and further discussed setting up a stone tablet with a few characters carved on it, so that in later times it might serve nicely as a historic site.

樵夫偶然发见了伯夷和叔齐都缩做一团，死在山背后的石洞里，是大约这之后的二十天。并没有烂，虽然因为瘦，但也可见死的并不久；老羊皮袍却没有垫著，不知道弄到那里去了。这消息一传到村子里，又哄动了一大批来看的人，来来往往，一直闹到夜。结果是有几个多事的人，就地用黄土把他们埋起来，还商量立一块石碑，刻上几个字，给后来好做古迹。

然而合村里沒有人能寫字，只好去求小丙君。But in the whole village there was no one who could write, so they had no choice but to go and ask Xiao Bingjun.

然而合村里没有人能写字，只好去求小丙君。

然而小丙君不肯寫。But Xiao Bingjun refused to write it.

然而小丙君不肯写。

“他們不配我來寫，”他說。 “都是昏蛋。"They don't deserve to have me write for them," he said. "They were both muddleheaded fools.跑到養老堂裡來，倒也罷了，可又不肯超然；Running off to the Home for the Aged — well, that would have been fine, but then they wouldn't stay detached from the world;跑到首陽山里來，倒也罷了，可是還要做詩；running off to Mount Shouyang — well, that too would have been fine, but then they had to go writing poetry;做詩倒也罷了，可是還要發感慨，不肯安分守己，‘為藝術而藝術’。writing poetry — well, even that would have been fine, but then they had to go venting their feelings, refusing to keep to their proper place and hold to 'art for art's sake.'你瞧，這樣的詩，可是有永久性的：上那西山呀採它的薇菜，強盜來代強盜呀不知道這的不對。Just look — is this the sort of poetry with any lasting worth: 'Up that western hill we go, gathering its vetch, one band of robbers replacing another, and not knowing this is wrong.'神農虞夏一下子過去了，我又那裡去呢？'Shennong, Yu, and Xia are gone in a flash — where then am I to go?'唉唉死罷，命裡註定的晦氣！'Ah, ah, let me die then — such is the ill fortune fated for me!'

“他们不配我来写，”他说。 “都是昏蛋。跑到养老堂里来，倒也罢了，可又不肯超然；跑到首阳山里来，倒也罢了，可是还要做诗；做诗倒也罢了，可是还要发感慨，不肯安分守己，‘为艺术而艺术’。你瞧，这样的诗，可是有永久性的：上那西山呀采它的薇菜，强盗来代强盗呀不知道这的不对。神农虞夏一下子过去了，我又那里去呢？唉唉死罢，命里注定的晦气！

“你瞧，這是什麼話？"Just look — what kind of talk is that?溫柔敦厚的才是詩。Only what is gentle and generous-hearted is poetry.他們的東西，卻不但‘怨’，簡直‘罵’了。What they produced was not merely 'resentment' — it was outright 'cursing.'沒有花，只有刺，尚且不可，何況只有罵。To have no flowers and only thorns is bad enough — how much worse to have nothing but abuse.即使放開文學不談，他們撇下祖業，也不是什麼孝子，到這裡又譏訕朝政，更不像一個良民……Even setting literature aside, in abandoning their ancestral estate they were no filial sons either, and coming here to mock the government besides, they were even less like law-abiding subjects...我不寫！……”I will not write it!......"

“你瞧，这是什么话？温柔敦厚的才是诗。他们的东西，却不但‘怨’，简直‘骂’了。没有花，只有刺，尚且不可，何况只有骂。即使放开文学不谈，他们撇下祖业，也不是什么孝子，到这里又讥讪朝政，更不像一个良民……我不写！……”

文盲們不大懂得他的議論，但看見聲勢洶洶，知道一定是反對的意思，也只好作罷了。The illiterate villagers did not much understand his arguments, but seeing how fierce and blustering he was, they knew it must mean he refused, and so had no choice but to let the matter drop.伯夷和叔齊的喪事，就這樣的算是告了一段落。And so the funeral affairs of Bo Yi and Shu Qi were, in this way, brought to a close.

文盲们不大懂得他的议论，但看见声势汹汹，知道一定是反对的意思，也只好作罢了。伯夷和叔齐的丧事，就这样的算是告了一段落。

然而夏夜納涼的時候，有時還談起他們的事情來。Yet on summer nights, when people sat out cooling themselves, they would sometimes still talk of the two men's affairs.有人說是老死的，有人說是病死的，有人說是給搶羊皮袍子的強盜殺死的。Some said they had died of old age, some said they had died of illness, some said they had been killed by robbers who wanted their sheepskin robe.後來又有人說其實恐怕是故意餓死的，因為他從小丙君府上的鴉頭阿金姐那裡聽來：這之前的十多天，她曾經上山去奚落他們了幾句，傻瓜總是脾氣大，大約就生氣了，絕了食撒賴，可是撒賴只落得一個自己死。Later still someone said that actually, it was probably that they had starved themselves to death on purpose, for he had heard it from Sister Ah Jin, the servant-girl at Xiao Bingjun's household: more than ten days before that, she had gone up the mountain and mocked them with a few words; fools always have a big temper, so probably they had taken offense, refused to eat, and made a spiteful show of it — but such spite ended only in their own deaths.

然而夏夜纳凉的时候，有时还谈起他们的事情来。有人说是老死的，有人说是病死的，有人说是给抢羊皮袍子的强盗杀死的。后来又有人说其实恐怕是故意饿死的，因为他从小丙君府上的鸦头阿金姐那里听来：这之前的十多天，她曾经上山去奚落他们了几句，傻瓜总是脾气大，大约就生气了，绝了食撒赖，可是撒赖只落得一个自己死。

於是許多人就非常佩服阿金姐，說她很聰明，但也有些人怪她太刻薄。Many people therefore admired Sister Ah Jin greatly, saying she was very clever, though some others blamed her for being too harsh.

于是许多人就非常佩服阿金姐，说她很聪明，但也有些人怪她太刻薄。

阿金姐卻並不以為伯夷叔齊的死掉，是和她有關係的。Sister Ah Jin herself, however, did not think the deaths of Bo Yi and Shu Qi had anything to do with her.自然，她上山去開了幾句玩笑，是事實，不過這僅僅是推笑。Of course, that she had gone up the mountain and made a few jokes was a fact, but that was merely joking around.那兩個傻瓜發脾氣，因此不吃薇菜了，也是事實，不過並沒有死，倒招來了很大的運氣。That the two fools had lost their tempers and so stopped eating vetch was also a fact, but they had not died from it — instead it had brought them a stroke of very great luck.

阿金姐却并不以为伯夷叔齐的死掉，是和她有关系的。自然，她上山去开了几句玩笑，是事实，不过这仅仅是推笑。那两个傻瓜发脾气，因此不吃薇菜了，也是事实，不过并没有死，倒招来了很大的运气。

“老天爺的心腸是頂好的，”她說。 “他看見他們的撒賴，快要餓死了，就吩咐母鹿，用它的奶去餵他們。"Old Heaven's heart is the very best there is," she said. "He saw them making their spiteful fuss, about to starve to death, and so ordered a doe to feed them with her milk.您瞧，這不是頂好的福氣嗎？Just think, isn't that the very best of good fortune?用不著種地，用不著砍柴，只要坐著，就天天有鹿奶自己送到你嘴裡來。No need to till the fields, no need to chop wood — just sit there, and every day the doe's milk comes right to your mouth on its own.可是賤骨頭不識抬舉，那老三，他叫什麼呀，得步進步，喝鹿奶還不夠了。But it's the nature of the lowborn not to know a good thing when it's given them — that third son, whatever his name was, pushed his luck further and further, until drinking the doe's milk was no longer enough for him.他喝著鹿奶，心裡想，‘這鹿有這麼胖，殺牠來吃，味道一定是不壞的。’一面就慢慢的伸開臂膊，要去拿石片。As he drank the milk he thought to himself, 'This deer is so fat — if I killed it and ate it, the taste surely wouldn't be bad.' And so, even as he thought this, he slowly stretched out his arm to reach for the stone slab.可不知​​道鹿是通靈的東西，它已經知道了人的心思，立刻一溜煙逃走了。But little did he know that the deer was a creature of spiritual insight — it had already read the man's thoughts, and in a flash it fled away.老天爺也討厭他們的貪嘴，叫母鹿從此不要去。Old Heaven too grew disgusted with their greed, and thereafter forbade the doe to go to them again.您瞧，他們還不只好餓死嗎？You see, after that, wasn't starving to death all that was left for them?那裡是為了我的話，倒是為了自己的貪心，貪嘴呵！……”It was hardly because of anything I said — it was their own greed, their own gluttony!......"

“老天爷的心肠是顶好的，”她说。 “他看见他们的撒赖，快要饿死了，就吩咐母鹿，用它的奶去喂他们。您瞧，这不是顶好的福气吗？用不著种地，用不著砍柴，只要坐著，就天天有鹿奶自己送到你嘴里来。可是贱骨头不识抬举，那老三，他叫什么呀，得步进步，喝鹿奶还不够了。他喝著鹿奶，心里想，‘这鹿有这么胖，杀牠来吃，味道一定是不坏的。’一面就慢慢的伸开臂膊，要去拿石片。可不知​​道鹿是通灵的东西，它已经知道了人的心思，立刻一溜烟逃走了。老天爷也讨厌他们的贪嘴，叫母鹿从此不要去。您瞧，他们还不只好饿死吗？那里是为了我的话，倒是为了自己的贪心，贪嘴呵！……”

聽到這故事的人們，臨末都深深的嘆一口氣，不知怎的，連自己的肩膀也覺得輕鬆不少了。Those who heard this story, by the end, all heaved a deep sigh, and somehow, even their own shoulders felt considerably lighter.即使有時還會想起伯夷叔齊來，但恍恍忽忽，好像看見他們蹲在石壁下，正在張開白鬍子的大口，拚命的吃鹿肉。Even if, at times, they still thought of Bo Yi and Shu Qi, it was all hazy and dim, as though they could see the two crouched beneath a stone cliff, their white-bearded mouths gaping wide, gorging themselves desperately on venison.

听到这故事的人们，临末都深深的叹一口气，不知怎的，连自己的肩膀也觉得轻松不少了。即使有时还会想起伯夷叔齐来，但恍恍忽忽，好像看见他们蹲在石壁下，正在张开白胡子的大口，拼命的吃鹿肉。

一九三五年十二月December 1935