鑄劍 Forging the Swords

眉間尺剛和他的母親睡下，老鼠便出來咬鍋蓋，使他听得發煩。No sooner had Meijianchi lain down with his mother than the rats came out and began gnawing the pot lid, vexing him with the noise.他輕輕地叱了幾聲，最初還有些效驗，后來是簡直不理他了，格支格支地徑自咬。He hissed softly at them several times; at first this had some effect, but later they ignored him altogether and went right on gnawing, scritch-scratch.他又不敢大聲赶，怕惊醒了白天做得勞乏，晚上一躺就睡著了的母親。He dared not drive them away loudly, for fear of waking his mother, who had toiled all day and fallen asleep the moment she lay down at night.

眉间尺刚和他的母亲睡下，老鼠便出来咬锅盖，使他听得发烦。他轻轻地叱了几声，最初还有些效验，后来是简直不理他了，格支格支地径自咬。他又不敢大声赶，怕惊醒了白天做得劳乏，晚上一躺就睡著了的母亲。

許多時光之后，平靜了；After a long while, all was quiet;他也想睡去。he too was about to fall asleep.忽然，扑通一聲，惊得他又睜開眼。Suddenly there came a splash, startling his eyes open again.同時听到沙沙地響，是爪子抓著瓦器的聲音。At the same time he heard a scraping sound—the sound of claws scratching against earthenware.

许多时光之后，平静了；他也想睡去。忽然，扑通一声，惊得他又睁开眼。同时听到沙沙地响，是爪子抓著瓦器的声音。

“好！“Good!該死！”他想著，心里非常高興，一面就輕輕地坐起來。Serves you right!” he thought, exceedingly pleased, as he quietly sat up.

“好！该死！”他想著，心里非常高兴，一面就轻轻地坐起来。

他跨下床，借著月光走向門背后，摸到鑽火家伙，點上松明，向水瓮里一照。He stepped down from the bed and, by the moonlight, went behind the door, felt for the fire-making tools, lit a pine torch, and shone it into the water jar.果然，一匹很大的老鼠落在那里面了；Sure enough, a very large rat had fallen in;但是，存水已經不多，爬不出來，只沿著水瓮內壁，抓著，團團地轉圈子。but there was little water left, and it could not climb out; it merely clung to the inside wall of the jar and went round and round.

他跨下床，借著月光走向门背后，摸到钻火家伙，点上松明，向水瓮里一照。果然，一匹很大的老鼠落在那里面了；但是，存水已经不多，爬不出来，只沿著水瓮内壁，抓著，团团地转圈子。

“活該！”他一想到夜夜咬家具，鬧得他不能安穩睡覺的便是它們，很覺得暢快。“Serves you right!” When he thought that it was these creatures that gnawed the furniture night after night and kept him from sleeping soundly, he felt thoroughly gratified.他將松明插在土牆的小孔里，賞玩著；He stuck the pine torch into a small hole in the earthen wall and watched for pleasure;然而那圓睜的小眼睛，又使他發生了憎恨，伸手抽出一根蘆柴，將它直按到水底去。yet the rat’s little eyes, staring round and wide, aroused his hatred again, and he reached for a reed stalk and pressed it straight down to the bottom of the water.過了一會，才放手，那老鼠也隨著浮了上來，還是抓著瓮壁轉圈子。Only after a while did he let go; the rat floated up with it and again clung to the wall of the jar, circling round.只是抓勁已經沒有先前似的有力，眼睛也淹在水里面，單露出一點尖尖的通紅的小鼻子，咻咻地急促地喘气。But its grip was no longer as strong as before, and its eyes were submerged; only the tip of its pointed, bright-red little nose showed as it wheezed in quick, desperate breaths.

“活该！”他一想到夜夜咬家具，闹得他不能安稳睡觉的便是它们，很觉得畅快。他将松明插在土墙的小孔里，赏玩著；然而那圆睁的小眼睛，又使他发生了憎恨，伸手抽出一根芦柴，将它直按到水底去。过了一会，才放手，那老鼠也随著浮了上来，还是抓著瓮壁转圈子。只是抓劲已经没有先前似的有力，眼睛也淹在水里面，单露出一点尖尖的通红的小鼻子，咻咻地急促地喘气。

他近來很有點不大喜歡紅鼻子的人。Of late, he had taken rather a dislike to people with red noses.但這回見了這尖尖的小紅鼻子，卻忽然覺得它可怜了，就又用那蘆柴，伸到它的肚下去，老鼠抓著，歇了一回力，便沿著蘆幹爬了上來。But at the sight of this pointed little red nose, he suddenly pitied it; he slipped the reed stalk under its belly again, and the rat clung to it, rested for a while to recover its strength, then climbed up along the stalk.待到他看見全身，——濕淋淋的黑毛，大的肚子，蚯蚓似的尾巴，——便又覺得可恨可憎得很，慌忙將蘆柴一抖，扑通一聲，老鼠又落在水瓮里，他接著就用蘆柴在它頭上搗了幾下，叫它赶快沉下去。But when he saw its whole body—the dripping black fur, the swollen belly, the earthworm-like tail—he found it hateful and repulsive again, and hastily shook the reed stalk; with a splash, the rat fell back into the water jar, whereupon he prodded its head several times with the stalk to make it sink quickly.

他近来很有点不大喜欢红鼻子的人。但这回见了这尖尖的小红鼻子，却忽然觉得它可怜了，就又用那芦柴，伸到它的肚下去，老鼠抓著，歇了一回力，便沿著芦干爬了上来。待到他看见全身，——湿淋淋的黑毛，大的肚子，蚯蚓似的尾巴，——便又觉得可恨可憎得很，慌忙将芦柴一抖，扑通一声，老鼠又落在水瓮里，他接著就用芦柴在它头上捣了几下，叫它赶快沉下去。

換了六回松明之后，那老鼠已經不能動彈，不過沉浮在水中間，有時還向水面微微一跳。By the time he had changed the pine torch six times, the rat could no longer move, but merely hung suspended in the water, sinking and floating, though now and then it still gave a slight leap toward the surface.眉間尺又覺得很可怜，隨即折斷蘆柴，好容易將它夾了出來，放在地面上。Meijianchi pitied it again, and at once broke the reed stalk in two; with great difficulty he pinched the rat between the pieces, lifted it out, and laid it on the ground.老鼠先是絲毫不動，后來才有一點呼吸；At first the rat did not move in the slightest; only later did it begin to breathe a little.又許多時，四只腳運動了，一翻身，似乎要站起來逃走。After another long while, its four feet began to move; it turned over, seemingly about to rise and flee.這使眉間尺大吃一惊，不覺提起左腳，一腳踏下去。This gave Meijianchi a tremendous fright, and without thinking he lifted his left foot and stamped down.只听得吱的一聲，他蹲下去仔細看時，只見口角上微有鮮血，大概是死掉了。He heard only a squeak; when he squatted down and looked closely, he saw a trace of fresh blood at the corners of its mouth—it was probably dead.

换了六回松明之后，那老鼠已经不能动弹，不过沉浮在水中间，有时还向水面微微一跳。眉间尺又觉得很可怜，随即折断芦柴，好容易将它夹了出来，放在地面上。老鼠先是丝毫不动，后来才有一点呼吸；又许多时，四只脚运动了，一翻身，似乎要站起来逃走。这使眉间尺大吃一惊，不觉提起左脚，一脚踏下去。只听得吱的一声，他蹲下去仔细看时，只见口角上微有鲜血，大概是死掉了。

他又覺得很可怜，仿佛自己作了大惡似的，非常難受。He pitied it again and felt terribly distressed, as though he himself had committed some great evil.他蹲著，呆看著，站不起來。He remained squatting there, staring blankly, unable to rise.

他又觉得很可怜，仿佛自己作了大恶似的，非常难受。他蹲著，呆看著，站不起来。

“尺兒，你在做什么？”他的母親已經醒來了，在床上問。“Chi’er, what are you doing?” His mother had awakened and called to him from the bed.

“尺儿，你在做什么？”他的母亲已经醒来了，在床上问。

“老鼠……。”他慌忙站起，回轉身去，卻只答了兩個字。“A rat....” He hurriedly stood up and turned around, but answered with only those two words.

“老鼠……。”他慌忙站起，回转身去，却只答了两个字。

“是的，老鼠。“Yes, a rat.這我知道。That I know.可是你在做什么？But what are you doing?殺它呢，還是在救它？”Killing it, or saving it?”

“是的，老鼠。这我知道。可是你在做什么？杀它呢，还是在救它？”

他沒有回答。He did not answer.松明燒盡了；The pine torch burned out;他默默地立在暗中，漸看見月光的皎洁。he stood silently in the darkness, as the bright moonlight gradually became visible.

他没有回答。松明烧尽了；他默默地立在暗中，渐看见月光的皎洁。

“唉！”他的母親歎息說，“一交子時，你就是十六歲了，性情還是那樣，不冷不熱地，一點也不變。“Alas!” his mother sighed. “Once midnight strikes, you will be sixteen, yet your nature is still the same—neither cold nor hot, not changed in the least.看來，你的父親的仇是沒有人報的了。”It seems there will be no one to avenge your father.”

“唉！”他的母亲叹息说，“一交子时，你就是十六岁了，性情还是那样，不冷不热地，一点也不变。看来，你的父亲的仇是没有人报的了。”

他看見他的母親坐在灰白色的月影中，仿佛身体都在顫動；He saw his mother sitting in the ashen moonlight, her whole body seemingly trembling;低微的聲音里，含著無限的悲哀，使他冷得毛骨悚然，而一轉眼間，又覺得熱血在全身中忽然騰沸。her low voice held boundless sorrow, chilling him until his hair stood on end; then, in the blink of an eye, he felt the hot blood suddenly seethe throughout his body.

他看见他的母亲坐在灰白色的月影中，仿佛身体都在颤动；低微的声音里，含著无限的悲哀，使他冷得毛骨悚然，而一转眼间，又觉得热血在全身中忽然腾沸。

“父親的仇？“Avenge Father?父親有什么仇呢？”他前進幾步，惊急地問。What wrong was done to Father?” He stepped forward, asking in alarm and urgency.

“父亲的仇？父亲有什么仇呢？”他前进几步，惊急地问。

“有的。“There was a wrong.還要你去報。And you must avenge it.我早想告訴你的了；I have long meant to tell you;只因為你太小，沒有說。I did not because you were too young.現在你已經成人了，卻還是那樣的性情。Now you have come of age, yet your nature is still the same.這教我怎么辦呢？What am I to do?你似的性情，能行大事的么？”With a nature like yours, can you accomplish a great deed?”

“有的。还要你去报。我早想告诉你的了；只因为你太小，没有说。现在你已经成人了，却还是那样的性情。这教我怎么办呢？你似的性情，能行大事的么？”

“能。“I can.說罷，母親。Tell me, Mother.我要改過……。”I will mend my ways....”

“能。说罢，母亲。我要改过……。”

“自然。“Naturally.我也只得說。I have no choice but to tell you.你必須改過……。You must mend your ways....那么，走過來罷。”Come over here, then.”

“自然。我也只得说。你必须改过……。那么，走过来罢。”

他走過去；He went over;他的母親端坐在床上，在暗白的月影里，兩眼發出閃閃的光芒。his mother sat upright on the bed, her eyes flashing in the dim white moonlight.

他走过去；他的母亲端坐在床上，在暗白的月影里，两眼发出闪闪的光芒。

“听哪！”她嚴肅地說，“你的父親原是一個鑄劍的名工，天下第一。“Listen!” she said gravely. “Your father was a renowned swordsmith, the finest under heaven.他的工具，我早已都賣掉了來救了窮了，你已經看不見一點遺跡；I sold all his tools long ago to relieve our poverty, so you can no longer see the slightest trace of them;但他是一個世上無二的鑄劍的名工。but he was a matchless master swordsmith.二十年前，王妃生下了一塊鐵，听說是抱了一回鐵柱之后受孕的，是一塊純青透明的鐵。Twenty years ago, the Queen gave birth to a lump of iron; it was said that she had conceived after embracing an iron pillar, and the iron was pure blue and transparent.大王知道是异寶，便決計用來鑄一把劍，想用它保國，用它殺敵，用它防身。The King knew it was a rare treasure and resolved to have it forged into a sword, intending to use it to safeguard his realm, slay his enemies, and defend himself.不幸你的父親那時偏偏入了選，便將鐵捧回家里來，日日夜夜地鍛煉，費了整三年的精神，煉成兩把劍。Unfortunately, your father happened to be selected; he carried the iron home and forged and tempered it day and night, devoting three full years of his spirit and strength to making two swords.

“听哪！”她严肃地说，“你的父亲原是一个铸剑的名工，天下第一。他的工具，我早已都卖掉了来救了穷了，你已经看不见一点遗迹；但他是一个世上无二的铸剑的名工。二十年前，王妃生下了一块铁，听说是抱了一回铁柱之后受孕的，是一块纯青透明的铁。大王知道是异宝，便决计用来铸一把剑，想用它保国，用它杀敌，用它防身。不幸你的父亲那时偏偏入了选，便将铁捧回家里来，日日夜夜地锻炼，费了整三年的精神，炼成两把剑。

“當最末次開爐的那一日，是怎樣地駭人的景象呵！“What a terrifying sight it was on the day the furnace was opened for the last time!嘩拉拉地騰上一道白气的時候，地面也覺得動搖。When a stream of white vapor surged upward with a roar and clatter, even the ground seemed to tremble.那白气到天半便變成白雲，罩住了這處所，漸漸現出緋紅顏色，映得一切都如桃花。Halfway to the heavens, the white vapor turned into white clouds that shrouded this place, gradually taking on a crimson hue and casting everything in the color of peach blossoms.我家的漆黑的爐子里，是躺著通紅的兩把劍。Inside our pitch-black furnace lay two red-hot swords.你父親用井華水慢慢地滴下去，那劍嘶嘶地吼著，慢慢轉成青色了。Your father slowly dripped first-drawn well water over them; the swords hissed and roared, slowly turning blue.這樣地七日七夜，就看不見了劍，仔細看時，卻還在爐底里，純青的，透明的，正像兩條冰。After seven days and seven nights of this, the swords could no longer be seen; but when one looked closely, they were still there at the bottom of the furnace, pure blue and transparent, exactly like two strips of ice.

“当最末次开炉的那一日，是怎样地骇人的景象呵！哗拉拉地腾上一道白气的时候，地面也觉得动摇。那白气到天半便变成白云，罩住了这处所，渐渐现出绯红颜色，映得一切都如桃花。我家的漆黑的炉子里，是躺著通红的两把剑。你父亲用井华水慢慢地滴下去，那剑嘶嘶地吼著，慢慢转成青色了。这样地七日七夜，就看不见了剑，仔细看时，却还在炉底里，纯青的，透明的，正像两条冰。

“大歡喜的光采，便從你父親的眼睛里四射出來；“Rays of great rejoicing streamed from your father’s eyes in all directions;他取起劍，拂拭著，拂拭著。he picked up the swords and wiped them, wiped them again and again.然而悲慘的皺紋，卻也從他的眉頭和嘴角出現了。Yet lines of misery also appeared between his brows and at the corners of his mouth.他將那兩把劍分裝在兩個匣子里。He placed the two swords separately in two cases.

“大欢喜的光采，便从你父亲的眼睛里四射出来；他取起剑，拂拭著，拂拭著。然而悲惨的皱纹，却也从他的眉头和嘴角出现了。他将那两把剑分装在两个匣子里。

“‘你只要看這幾天的景象，就明白無論是誰，都知道劍已煉就的了。’他悄悄地對我說。‘一到明天，我必須去獻給大王。“‘You need only look at the signs of these past few days to understand that everyone, no matter who, knows the swords have been forged,’ he whispered to me. ‘Tomorrow I must go and present one to the King.但獻劍的一天，也就是我命盡的日子。But the day I present the sword will also be the day my life ends.怕我們從此要長別了。’I fear we are to be parted forever.’

“‘你只要看这几天的景象，就明白无论是谁，都知道剑已炼就的了。’他悄悄地对我说。‘一到明天，我必须去献给大王。但献剑的一天，也就是我命尽的日子。怕我们从此要长别了。’

“‘你……。’我很駭异，猜不透他的意思，不知怎么說的好。“‘You....’ I was horrified, unable to fathom his meaning or think what to say.我只是這樣地說：‘你這回有了這么大的功勞……。’All I could say was, ‘But this time you have rendered such great service....’

“‘你……。’我很骇异，猜不透他的意思，不知怎么说的好。我只是这样地说：‘你这回有了这么大的功劳……。’

“‘唉！“‘Alas!你怎么知道呢！’他說。‘大王是向來善于猜疑，又极殘忍的。How could you understand?’ he said. ‘The King has always been suspicious and exceedingly cruel.這回我給他煉成了世間無二的劍，他一定要殺掉我，免得我再去給別人煉劍，來和他匹敵，或者超過他。’Now that I have forged him a sword without equal in the world, he will surely kill me, lest I forge another for someone else that may rival or surpass his own.’

“‘唉！你怎么知道呢！’他说。‘大王是向来善于猜疑，又极残忍的。这回我给他炼成了世间无二的剑，他一定要杀掉我，免得我再去给别人炼剑，来和他匹敌，或者超过他。’

“我掉淚了。“I shed tears.

“我掉泪了。

“‘你不要悲哀。“‘Do not grieve.這是無法逃避的。There is no escaping this.眼淚決不能洗掉運命。Tears can never wash away fate.我可是早已有准備在這里了！’他的眼里忽然發出電火隨的光芒，將一個劍匣放在我膝上。 ‘這是雄劍。’他說。‘你收著。But I made preparations for it long ago!’ His eyes suddenly flashed like lightning, and he placed one of the sword cases on my knees. ‘This is the male sword,’ he said. ‘Keep it.明天，我只將這雌劍獻給大王去。Tomorrow I shall present only the female sword to the King.倘若我一去竟不回來了呢，那是我一定不再在人間了。If I go and never return, then I shall certainly be no longer among the living.你不是怀孕已經五六個月了么？Are you not already five or six months with child?不要悲哀；Do not grieve;待生了孩子，好好地撫養。when the child is born, raise him well.一到成人之后，你便交給他這雄劍，教他砍在大王的頸子上，給我報仇！’”Once he comes of age, give him this male sword and tell him to strike the King’s neck with it and avenge me!’”

“‘你不要悲哀。这是无法逃避的。眼泪决不能洗掉运命。我可是早已有准备在这里了！’他的眼里忽然发出电火随的光芒，将一个剑匣放在我膝上。 ‘这是雄剑。’他说。‘你收著。明天，我只将这雌剑献给大王去。倘若我一去竟不回来了呢，那是我一定不再在人间了。你不是怀孕已经五六个月了么？不要悲哀；待生了孩子，好好地抚养。一到成人之后，你便交给他这雄剑，教他砍在大王的颈子上，给我报仇！’”

“那天父親回來了沒有呢？”眉間尺赶緊問。“Did Father come home that day?” Meijianchi asked hastily.

“那天父亲回来了没有呢？”眉间尺赶紧问。

“沒有回來！”她冷靜地說。“我四處打听，也杳無消息。“He did not!” she said calmly. “I made inquiries everywhere, but there was not the slightest news.后來听得人說，第一個用血來飼你父親自己煉成的劍的人，就是他自己——你的父親。Later I heard it said that the first man whose blood fed the sword your father himself had forged was your father himself.還怕他鬼魂作怪，將他的身首分埋在前門和後苑了！”And for fear that his ghost might make trouble, they buried his head and body separately, one at the front gate and the other in the rear garden!”

“没有回来！”她冷静地说。“我四处打听，也杳无消息。后来听得人说，第一个用血来饲你父亲自己炼成的剑的人，就是他自己——你的父亲。还怕他鬼魂作怪，将他的身首分埋在前门和后苑了！”

眉間尺忽然全身都如燒著猛火，自己覺得每一枝毛髮上都仿佛閃出火星來。Meijianchi suddenly felt as though his whole body were ablaze with raging fire, as though sparks were shooting from every hair upon him.他的雙拳，在暗中捏得格格地作響。In the darkness, his clenched fists crackled.

眉间尺忽然全身都如烧著猛火，自己觉得每一枝毛发上都仿佛闪出火星来。他的双拳，在暗中捏得格格地作响。

他的母親站起了，揭去床頭的木板，下床點了松明，到門背后取過一把鋤，交給眉間尺道：“掘下去！”His mother rose, removed the plank at the head of the bed, got down and lit a pine torch, then fetched a hoe from behind the door and handed it to Meijianchi, saying, “Dig!”

他的母亲站起了，揭去床头的木板，下床点了松明，到门背后取过一把锄，交给眉间尺道：“掘下去！”

眉間尺心跳著，但很沉靜的一鋤一鋤輕輕地掘下去。Meijianchi’s heart pounded, but he calmly dug on, stroke after gentle stroke.掘出來的都是黃土，約到五尺多深，土色有些不同了，隨乎是爛掉的材木。Everything he dug out was yellow earth; at a depth of a little more than five feet, the color of the soil changed somewhat, and there seemed to be rotted timber.

眉间尺心跳著，但很沉静的一锄一锄轻轻地掘下去。掘出来的都是黄土，约到五尺多深，土色有些不同了，随乎是烂掉的材木。

“看罷！“Look!要小心！”他的母親說。Be careful!” his mother said.

“看罢！要小心！”他的母亲说。

眉間尺伏在掘開的洞穴旁邊，伸手下去，謹慎小心地撮開爛樹，待到指尖一冷，有如触著冰雪的時候，那純青透明的劍也出現了。Meijianchi lay beside the opened pit and reached down, carefully brushing aside the decayed wood; when his fingertips suddenly felt cold, as though they had touched ice or snow, the pure-blue, transparent sword appeared.他看清了劍靶，捏著，提了出來。He made out the hilt, grasped it, and lifted the sword out.

眉间尺伏在掘开的洞穴旁边，伸手下去，谨慎小心地撮开烂树，待到指尖一冷，有如触著冰雪的时候，那纯青透明的剑也出现了。他看清了剑靶，捏著，提了出来。

窗外的星月和屋里的松明隨乎都驟然失了光輝，惟有青光充塞宇內。The stars and moon outside the window and the pine torch within seemed suddenly to lose all their radiance; blue light alone filled the whole space.那劍便溶在這青光中，看去好像一無所有。The sword itself dissolved into that blue light and seemed to be nothing at all.眉間尺凝神細視，這才仿佛看見長五尺餘，卻并不見得怎樣鋒利，劍口反而有些渾圓，正如一片韭葉。Meijianchi peered at it intently, and only then could he dimly make out that it was more than five feet long; yet it did not look particularly sharp—indeed, its edge was somewhat rounded, just like a blade of Chinese chive.

窗外的星月和屋里的松明随乎都骤然失了光辉，惟有青光充塞宇内。那剑便溶在这青光中，看去好像一无所有。眉间尺凝神细视，这才仿佛看见长五尺余，却并不见得怎样锋利，剑口反而有些浑圆，正如一片韭叶。

“你從此要改變你的优柔的性情，用這劍報仇去！”他的母親說。“From now on, you must change your irresolute nature and go avenge us with this sword!” his mother said.

“你从此要改变你的优柔的性情，用这剑报仇去！”他的母亲说。

“我已經改變了我的优柔的性情，要用這劍報仇去！”“I have already changed my irresolute nature, and I will go avenge us with this sword!”

“我已经改变了我的优柔的性情，要用这剑报仇去！”

“但愿如此。“Let us hope so.你穿了青衣，背上這劍，衣劍一色，誰也看不分明的。Wear blue clothes and carry this sword on your back; with clothes and sword the same color, no one will be able to distinguish it.衣服我已經做在這里，明天就上你的路去罷。I have already made the clothes and put them here; set out on your journey tomorrow.不要記念我！”她向床後的破衣箱一指，說。Do not think of me!” she said, pointing to the battered clothes chest behind the bed.

“但愿如此。你穿了青衣，背上这剑，衣剑一色，谁也看不分明的。衣服我已经做在这里，明天就上你的路去罢。不要记念我！”她向床后的破衣箱一指，说。

眉間尺取出新衣，試去一穿，長短正很合式。Meijianchi took out the new clothes and tried them on; they fitted him perfectly in length and size.他便重行疊好，裹了劍，放在枕邊，沉靜地躺下。He folded them neatly again, wrapped the sword in them, placed it beside his pillow, and calmly lay down.他覺得自己已經改變了优柔的性情；He felt that he had already changed his irresolute nature;他決心要并無心事一般，倒頭便睡，清晨醒來，毫不改變常態，從容地去尋他不共戴天的仇讎。he resolved to behave as though he had nothing on his mind at all: to lay his head down and sleep, wake at dawn, preserve his usual manner in every respect, and calmly set out to seek the mortal enemy with whom he could not live beneath the same sky.但他醒著。But he was awake.他翻來复去，總想坐起來。He tossed and turned, again and again wanting to sit up.他听到他母親的失望的輕輕的長歎。He heard his mother's soft, long sigh of disappointment.他听到最初的雞鳴；He heard the first cock-crow;他知道已交子時，自己是上了十六歲了。he knew it was already past midnight, and that he had turned sixteen.

眉间尺取出新衣，试去一穿，长短正很合式。他便重行叠好，裹了剑，放在枕边，沉静地躺下。他觉得自己已经改变了优柔的性情；他决心要并无心事一般，倒头便睡，清晨醒来，毫不改变常态，从容地去寻他不共戴天的仇雠。但他醒著。他翻来复去，总想坐起来。他听到他母亲的失望的轻轻的长叹。他听到最初的鸡鸣；他知道已交子时，自己是上了十六岁了。

二II

當眉間尺腫著眼眶，頭也不回的跨出門外，穿著青衣，背著青劍，邁開大步，徑奔城中的時候，東方還沒有露出陽光。When Meijianchi, his eyes swollen, strode out the door without looking back, dressed in black, the black sword on his back, taking great strides straight toward the city, the sun had not yet risen in the east.杉樹林的每一片葉尖，都挂著露珠，其中隱藏著夜气。On the tip of every leaf in the fir forest hung a dewdrop, and hidden within them was the chill air of night.但是，待到走到樹林的那一頭，露珠里卻閃出各樣的光輝，漸漸幻成曉色了。But by the time he reached the far end of the forest, the dewdrops were flashing with all sorts of colors, gradually turning into the light of dawn.遠望前面，便依稀看見灰黑色的城牆和雉堞。Looking far ahead, he could dimly make out the gray-black city walls and battlements.

当眉间尺肿著眼眶，头也不回的跨出门外，穿著青衣，背著青剑，迈开大步，径奔城中的时候，东方还没有露出阳光。杉树林的每一片叶尖，都挂著露珠，其中隐藏著夜气。但是，待到走到树林的那一头，露珠里却闪出各样的光辉，渐渐幻成晓色了。远望前面，便依稀看见灰黑色的城墙和雉堞。

和挑蔥賣菜的一同混入城里，街市上已經很熱鬧。Mingling in among the vendors carrying scallions and vegetables to sell, he entered the city, where the streets and markets were already bustling.男人們一排一排的呆站著；Men stood about blankly in rows;女人們也時時從門里探出頭來。and women, too, kept poking their heads out from their doorways.她們大半也腫著眼眶；Most of them also had swollen eyes;蓬著頭；their hair disheveled;黃黃的臉，連脂粉也不及涂抹。their faces sallow, not even having had time to put on rouge and powder.

和挑葱卖菜的一同混入城里，街市上已经很热闹。男人们一排一排的呆站著；女人们也时时从门里探出头来。她们大半也肿著眼眶；蓬著头；黄黄的脸，连脂粉也不及涂抹。

眉間尺預覺到將有巨變降臨，他們便都是焦躁而忍耐地等候著這巨變的。Meijianchi sensed beforehand that some great upheaval was about to descend, and they were all waiting for this upheaval, anxious yet patient.

眉间尺预觉到将有巨变降临，他们便都是焦躁而忍耐地等候著这巨变的。

他徑自向前走；He walked straight on;一個孩子突然跑過來，幾乎碰著他背上的劍尖，使他嚇出了一身汗。a child suddenly ran up to him, almost bumping into the tip of the sword on his back, giving him such a fright that he broke out in a sweat.轉出北方，离王宮不遠，人們就擠得密密層層，都伸著脖子。Turning north, not far from the royal palace, the crowd grew packed layer upon layer, everyone craning their necks.人叢中還有女人和孩子哭嚷的聲音。From within the crowd came the sound of women and children crying and shouting.他怕那看不見的雄劍傷了人，不敢擠進去；Fearing that the invisible male sword might injure someone, he dared not push his way in;然而人們卻又在背后擁上來。yet people kept pressing forward from behind.他只得宛轉地退避；He had no choice but to twist and turn his way back out of the crush;面前只看見人們的背脊和伸長的脖子。before him he could see nothing but people's backs and outstretched necks.

他径自向前走；一个孩子突然跑过来，几乎碰著他背上的剑尖，使他吓出了一身汗。转出北方，离王宫不远，人们就挤得密密层层，都伸著脖子。人丛中还有女人和孩子哭嚷的声音。他怕那看不见的雄剑伤了人，不敢挤进去；然而人们却又在背后拥上来。他只得宛转地退避；面前只看见人们的背脊和伸长的脖子。

忽然，前面的人們都陸續跪倒了；Suddenly, the people up ahead began, one after another, to kneel down;遠遠地有兩匹馬并著跑過來。far off, two horses came running side by side.此后是拿著木棍、戈、刀、弓弩、旌旗的武人，走得滿路黃塵滾滾。After them came soldiers carrying cudgels, halberds, swords, bows and crossbows, and banners, raising clouds of yellow dust that rolled along the whole road.又來了一輛四匹馬拉的大車，上面坐著一隊人，有的打鐘擊鼓，有的嘴上吹著不知道叫什么名目的勞什子。Then came a great carriage drawn by four horses, on which sat a row of people, some striking bells and drums, others blowing into their mouths some contraption whose name nobody knew.此后又是車，里面的人都穿畫衣，不是老頭子，便是矮胖子，個個滿臉油汗。After that came more carriages, in which the men all wore embroidered robes, and were either old men or short, fat men, every one of them with a greasy, sweaty face.接著又是一隊拿刀槍劍戟的騎士。Next came a troop of horsemen bearing swords, spears, and halberds.跪著的人們便都伏下去了。The kneeling people all prostrated themselves to the ground.這時眉間尺正看見一輛黃蓋的大車馳來，正中坐著一個畫衣的胖子，花白胡子，小腦袋；Just then Meijianchi saw a great carriage with a yellow canopy come racing up, in the very center of which sat a fat man in an embroidered robe, with a grizzled beard and a small head;腰間還依稀看見佩著和他背上一樣的青劍。and at his waist could be dimly seen, hanging, a black sword just like the one on his own back.

忽然，前面的人们都陆续跪倒了；远远地有两匹马并著跑过来。此后是拿著木棍、戈、刀、弓弩、旌旗的武人，走得满路黄尘滚滚。又来了一辆四匹马拉的大车，上面坐著一队人，有的打钟击鼓，有的嘴上吹著不知道叫什么名目的劳什子。此后又是车，里面的人都穿画衣，不是老头子，便是矮胖子，个个满脸油汗。接著又是一队拿刀枪剑戟的骑士。跪著的人们便都伏下去了。这时眉间尺正看见一辆黄盖的大车驰来，正中坐著一个画衣的胖子，花白胡子，小脑袋；腰间还依稀看见佩著和他背上一样的青剑。

他不覺全身一冷，但立刻又灼熱起來，像是猛火焚燒著。Without realizing it, he went cold all over, but at once burned hot again, as though a fierce fire were scorching him.他一面伸手向肩頭捏住劍柄，一面提起腳，便從伏著的人們的脖子的空處跨出去。Even as he reached a hand to his shoulder to grip the sword's hilt, he lifted his foot and stepped forward through the gaps left by the necks of the prostrate people.

他不觉全身一冷，但立刻又灼热起来，像是猛火焚烧著。他一面伸手向肩头捏住剑柄，一面提起脚，便从伏著的人们的脖子的空处跨出去。

但他只走得五六步，就跌了一個倒栽蔥，因為有人突然捏住了他的一只腳。But he had gone only five or six steps when he fell head over heels, for someone had suddenly grabbed hold of one of his feet.這一跌又正壓在一個乾癟臉的少年身上；This fall landed him squarely on top of a shrivel-faced youth;他正怕劍尖傷了他，吃惊地起來看的時候，肋下就挨了很重的兩拳。just as he, fearing the tip of the sword might have hurt the youth, was scrambling up in alarm to look, he took two hard punches to the ribs.他也不暇計較，再望路上，不但黃蓋車已經走過，連擁護的騎士也過去了一大陣了。He had no time to argue the point, and when he looked again at the road, not only had the yellow-canopied carriage already passed, but the escorting horsemen too had gone by, a good while ago.

但他只走得五六步，就跌了一个倒栽葱，因为有人突然捏住了他的一只脚。这一跌又正压在一个干瘪脸的少年身上；他正怕剑尖伤了他，吃惊地起来看的时候，肋下就挨了很重的两拳。他也不暇计较，再望路上，不但黄盖车已经走过，连拥护的骑士也过去了一大阵了。

路旁的一切人們也都爬起來。All the people along the road were climbing back to their feet as well.乾癟臉的少年卻還扭住了眉間尺的衣領，不肯放手，說被他壓坏了貴重的丹田，必須保險，倘若不到八十歲便死掉了，就得抵命。The shrivel-faced youth, however, still had Meijianchi's collar twisted in his grip and would not let go, saying that Meijianchi had crushed his precious cinnabar field, and that he must guarantee compensation — if he should die before reaching eighty, Meijianchi must pay with his life.閒人們又即刻圍上來，呆看著，但誰也不開口；Idle onlookers at once crowded round, staring blankly, but no one said a word;后來有人從旁笑罵了幾句，卻全是附和乾癟臉少年的。later someone standing to the side made a few mocking remarks, but they were all in support of the shrivel-faced youth.眉間尺遇到了這樣的敵人，真是怒不得，笑不得，只覺得無聊，卻又脫身不得。Meeting with such an adversary, Meijianchi could neither grow angry nor laugh; he felt only how tiresome it all was, yet could not free himself.這樣地經過了煮熟一鍋小米的時光，眉間尺早已焦躁得渾身發火，看的人卻仍不見減，還是津津有味隨的。In this way about the time it takes to cook a pot of millet passed, and Meijianchi was already so agitated that his whole body burned with irritation, yet the onlookers showed no sign of thinning out, still watching with relish.

路旁的一切人们也都爬起来。干瘪脸的少年却还扭住了眉间尺的衣领，不肯放手，说被他压坏了贵重的丹田，必须保险，倘若不到八十岁便死掉了，就得抵命。闲人们又即刻围上来，呆看著，但谁也不开口；后来有人从旁笑骂了几句，却全是附和干瘪脸少年的。眉间尺遇到了这样的敌人，真是怒不得，笑不得，只觉得无聊，却又脱身不得。这样地经过了煮熟一锅小米的时光，眉间尺早已焦躁得浑身发火，看的人却仍不见减，还是津津有味随的。

前面的人圈子動搖了，擠進一個黑色的人來，黑鬚黑眼睛，瘦得如鐵。The ring of people in front stirred, and a black-clad man squeezed his way in — black-bearded, black-eyed, thin as iron.他并不言語，只向眉間尺冷冷地一笑，一面舉手輕輕地一撥乾癟臉少年的下巴，并且看定了他的臉。He said nothing, only gave Meijianchi a cold smile, and at the same time raised his hand and gently flicked the shrivel-faced youth's chin, fixing his gaze steadily on the youth's face.那少年也向他看了一會，不覺慢慢地松了手，溜走了；The youth looked back at him for a while, and without realizing it slowly loosened his grip and slipped away;那人也就溜走了；the black man too then slipped away;看的人們也都無聊地走散。and the onlookers, finding it all tedious, dispersed as well.只有幾個人還來問眉間尺的年紀，住址，家里可有姊姊。Only a few people still came up to ask Meijianchi his age, his address, and whether he had an elder sister at home.眉間尺都不理他們。Meijianchi ignored them all.

前面的人圈子动摇了，挤进一个黑色的人来，黑须黑眼睛，瘦得如铁。他并不言语，只向眉间尺冷冷地一笑，一面举手轻轻地一拨干瘪脸少年的下巴，并且看定了他的脸。那少年也向他看了一会，不觉慢慢地松了手，溜走了；那人也就溜走了；看的人们也都无聊地走散。只有几个人还来问眉间尺的年纪，住址，家里可有姊姊。眉间尺都不理他们。

他向南走著；He walked south;心里想，城市中這么熱鬧，容易誤傷，還不如在南門外等候他回來，給父親報仇罷，那地方是地曠人稀，實在很便于施展。thinking to himself that the city was so crowded it would be easy to injure the wrong person, and that it would be better to wait outside the south gate for the king's return and avenge his father there, since the ground was open and the people few, truly convenient for carrying it out.這時滿城都議論著國王的游山，儀仗，威嚴，自己得見國王的榮耀，以及俯伏得有怎么低，應該采作國民的模范等等，很像蜜蜂的排衙。By now the whole city was abuzz, discussing the king's excursion to the mountains, his retinue, his majesty, the glory of having beheld the king, and how low one ought to have prostrated oneself as a model for the citizenry to follow, and so on — very much like bees swarming in ranks before their queen.直至將近南門，這才漸漸地冷靜。Only as he neared the south gate did things gradually grow quiet.

他向南走著；心里想，城市中这么热闹，容易误伤，还不如在南门外等候他回来，给父亲报仇罢，那地方是地旷人稀，实在很便于施展。这时满城都议论著国王的游山，仪仗，威严，自己得见国王的荣耀，以及俯伏得有怎么低，应该采作国民的模范等等，很像蜜蜂的排衙。直至将近南门，这才渐渐地冷静。

他走出城外，坐在一株大桑樹下，取出兩個饅頭來充了饑；He walked outside the city and sat down beneath a large mulberry tree, taking out two steamed buns to satisfy his hunger;吃著的時候忽然記起母親來，不覺眼鼻一酸，然而此后倒也沒有什么。as he ate, he suddenly thought of his mother, and without realizing it his eyes and nose stung with tears, but after that it passed and nothing more came of it.周圍是一步一步地靜下去了，他至于很分明地听到自己的呼吸。All around him grew quieter step by step, until he could distinctly hear his own breathing.

他走出城外，坐在一株大桑树下，取出两个馒头来充了饥；吃著的时候忽然记起母亲来，不觉眼鼻一酸，然而此后倒也没有什么。周围是一步一步地静下去了，他至于很分明地听到自己的呼吸。

天色愈暗，他也愈不安，盡目力望著前方，毫不見有國王回來的影子。As the sky grew darker, he grew more uneasy, straining his eyes to look ahead, but there was not the slightest sign of the king returning.上城賣菜的村人，一個個挑著空擔出城回家去了。The village folk who had gone into the city to sell vegetables came out one by one, carrying their empty loads, heading home.

天色愈暗，他也愈不安，尽目力望著前方，毫不见有国王回来的影子。上城卖菜的村人，一个个挑著空担出城回家去了。

人跡絕了許久之后，忽然從城里閃出那一個黑色的人來。“走罷，眉間尺！Long after every trace of people had vanished, suddenly, out from the city flashed that black-clad man. "Come away, Meijianchi!國王在捉你了！”他說，聲音好像鴟梟。The king is hunting you down!" he said, his voice like an owl's.

人迹绝了许久之后，忽然从城里闪出那一个黑色的人来。“走罢，眉间尺！国王在捉你了！”他说，声音好像鸱枭。

眉間尺渾身一顫，中了魔似的，立即跟著他走；Meijianchi's whole body shuddered, and as though under a spell, he at once followed him;后來是飛奔。then they broke into a run.他站定了喘息許多時，才明白已經到了杉樹林邊。He stood still, panting for a long while, before he realized they had already reached the edge of the fir forest.后面遠處有銀白的條紋，是月亮已從那邊出現；Far behind, a silvery-white band of light appeared — the moon had risen there;前面卻僅有兩點磷火一般的那黑色人的眼光。but ahead there were only two points of light like will-o'-the-wisps — the black man's eyes.

眉间尺浑身一颤，中了魔似的，立即跟著他走；后来是飞奔。他站定了喘息许多时，才明白已经到了杉树林边。后面远处有银白的条纹，是月亮已从那边出现；前面却仅有两点磷火一般的那黑色人的眼光。

“你怎么認識我？……”他极其惶駭地問。"How do you know me?..." he asked, utterly terrified.

“你怎么认识我？……”他极其惶骇地问。

“哈哈！"Ha ha!我一向認識你。”那人的聲音說。“我知道你背著雄劍，要給你的父親報仇，我也知道你報不成。I have always known you," said the man's voice. "I know you carry the male sword on your back, meaning to avenge your father, and I also know you cannot succeed.豈但報不成；Not only can you not succeed;今天已經有人告密，你的仇人早從東門還宮，下令捕拿你了。”this very day someone has already informed on you — your enemy returned to the palace long ago by the east gate, and has given orders for your capture."

“哈哈！我一向认识你。”那人的声音说。“我知道你背著雄剑，要给你的父亲报仇，我也知道你报不成。岂但报不成；今天已经有人告密，你的仇人早从东门还宫，下令捕拿你了。”

眉間尺不覺傷心起來。Meijianchi could not help feeling grief-stricken.

眉间尺不觉伤心起来。

“唉唉，母親的歎息是無怪的。”他低聲說。"Ah, ah — my mother's sighs were not without reason," he said in a low voice.

“唉唉，母亲的叹息是无怪的。”他低声说。

“但她只知道一半。"But she knows only half of it.她不知道我要給你報仇。”She does not know that I mean to avenge you."

“但她只知道一半。她不知道我要给你报仇。”

“你么？"You?你肯給我報仇么，義士？”Are you willing to avenge me, righteous knight?"

“你么？你肯给我报仇么，义士？”

“阿，你不要用這稱呼來冤枉我。”"Ah, do not wrong me with such a title."

“阿，你不要用这称呼来冤枉我。”

“那么，你同情于我們孤儿寡婦？……”"Then, do you pity us — the orphan and the widow?..."

“那么，你同情于我们孤儿寡妇？……”

“唉，孩子，你再不要提這些受了污辱的名稱。”他嚴冷地說，“仗義，同情，那些東西，先前曾經乾淨過，現在卻都成了放鬼債的資本。"Ah, child, do not speak again of these names that have been so defiled," he said, stern and cold. "Chivalry, sympathy — such things were once pure, but now they have all become capital for usurers of ghost-debts.我的心里全沒有你所謂的那些。In my heart there is none of what you speak of.我只不過要給你報仇！”I only mean to avenge you!"

“唉，孩子，你再不要提这些受了污辱的名称。”他严冷地说，“仗义，同情，那些东西，先前曾经干净过，现在却都成了放鬼债的资本。我的心里全没有你所谓的那些。我只不过要给你报仇！”

“好。"Good.但你怎么給我報仇呢？”But how will you avenge me?"

“好。但你怎么给我报仇呢？”

“只要你給我兩件東西。”兩粒磷火下的聲音說。“那兩件么？"Only give me two things," said the voice beneath the two points of will-o'-the-wisp light. "What two things?你听著：一是你的劍，二是你的頭！”Listen: first, your sword; second, your head!"

“只要你给我两件东西。”两粒磷火下的声音说。“那两件么？你听著：一是你的剑，二是你的头！”

眉間尺雖然覺得奇怪，有些狐疑，卻并不吃惊。Though Meijianchi found this strange, and felt some suspicion, he was not startled.他一時開不得口。For a moment he could not open his mouth to speak.

眉间尺虽然觉得奇怪，有些狐疑，却并不吃惊。他一时开不得口。

“你不要疑心我將騙取你的性命和寶貝。”暗中的聲音又嚴冷地說。“這事全由你。"Do not suspect that I mean to cheat you of your life and your treasure," the voice in the dark said again, stern and cold. "This matter rests entirely with you.你信我，我便去；If you trust me, I will go;你不信，我便住。”if you do not trust me, I will stay."

“你不要疑心我将骗取你的性命和宝贝。”暗中的声音又严冷地说。“这事全由你。你信我，我便去；你不信，我便住。”

“但你為什么給我去報仇的呢？"But why should you go to avenge me?你認識我的父親么？”Did you know my father?"

“但你为什么给我去报仇的呢？你认识我的父亲么？”

“我一向認識你的父親，也如一向認識你一樣。"I have always known your father, just as I have always known you.但我要報仇，卻并不為此。But that is not why I wish to take revenge.聰明的孩子，告訴你罷。Clever child, let me tell you.你還不知道么，我怎么地善于報仇。Do you still not know how skilled I am at avenging wrongs?你的就是我的；What is yours is mine;他也就是我。and he too is me.我的魂靈上是有這么多的，人我所加的傷，我已經憎惡了我自己！”On my soul there are so many wounds, inflicted by others and by myself, that I have come to loathe myself!"

“我一向认识你的父亲，也如一向认识你一样。但我要报仇，却并不为此。聪明的孩子，告诉你罢。你还不知道么，我怎么地善于报仇。你的就是我的；他也就是我。我的魂灵上是有这么多的，人我所加的伤，我已经憎恶了我自己！”

暗中的聲音剛剛停止，眉間尺便舉手向肩頭抽取青色的劍，順手從后項窩向前一削，頭顱墜在地面的青苔上，一面將劍交給黑色人。No sooner had the voice in the dark fallen silent than Meijianchi raised his hand to his shoulder, drew out the black sword, and with the same motion sliced forward from the nape of his neck — his head dropped onto the moss on the ground — while with his other hand he handed the sword to the black man.

暗中的声音刚刚停止，眉间尺便举手向肩头抽取青色的剑，顺手从后项窝向前一削，头颅坠在地面的青苔上，一面将剑交给黑色人。

“呵呵！”他一手接劍，一手捏著頭髮，提起眉間尺的頭來，對著那熱的死掉的嘴唇，接吻兩次，并且冷冷地尖利地笑。"Ho ho!" With one hand he took the sword, and with the other gripped the hair, lifting up Meijianchi's head; pressing his lips against the still-warm dead lips, he kissed them twice, and laughed a cold, shrill laugh.

“呵呵！”他一手接剑，一手捏著头发，提起眉间尺的头来，对著那热的死掉的嘴唇，接吻两次，并且冷冷地尖利地笑。

笑聲即刻散布在杉樹林中，深處隨著有一群磷火似的眼光閃動，倏忽臨近，听到咻咻的餓狼的喘息。The laughter at once spread through the fir forest, and from its depths a cluster of eyes like will-o'-the-wisps flickered in response, drawing suddenly near, until the panting breath of hungry wolves could be heard.第一口撕盡了眉間尺的青衣，第二口便身体全都不見了，血痕也頃刻舔盡，只微微听得咀嚼骨頭的聲音。At the first bite they tore Meijianchi's black robe entirely away; at the second bite his whole body had vanished; in an instant even the bloodstains were licked clean, and only the faint sound of bones being chewed could be heard.

笑声即刻散布在杉树林中，深处随著有一群磷火似的眼光闪动，倏忽临近，听到咻咻的饿狼的喘息。第一口撕尽了眉间尺的青衣，第二口便身体全都不见了，血痕也顷刻舔尽，只微微听得咀嚼骨头的声音。

最先頭的一匹大狼就向黑色人扑過來。The foremost of the great wolves lunged at the black man.他用青劍一揮，狼頭便墜在地面的青苔上。With one sweep of the black sword he brought the wolf's head down onto the moss on the ground.別的狼們第一口撕盡了它的皮，第二口便身体全都不見了，血痕也頃刻舔盡，只微微听得咀嚼骨頭的聲音。The other wolves, at their first bite, tore off all its hide; at the second bite its whole body had vanished; in an instant even the bloodstains were licked clean, and only the faint sound of bones being chewed could be heard.

最先头的一匹大狼就向黑色人扑过来。他用青剑一挥，狼头便坠在地面的青苔上。别的狼们第一口撕尽了它的皮，第二口便身体全都不见了，血痕也顷刻舔尽，只微微听得咀嚼骨头的声音。

他已經掣起地上的青衣，包了眉間尺的頭，和青劍都背在背脊上，回轉身，在暗中向王城揚長地走去。He had already snatched up the black robe from the ground, wrapped Meijianchi's head in it, slung it together with the black sword onto his back, turned around, and strode off through the darkness toward the royal city.

他已经掣起地上的青衣，包了眉间尺的头，和青剑都背在背脊上，回转身，在暗中向王城扬长地走去。

狼們站定了，聳著肩，伸出舌頭，咻咻地喘著，放著綠的眼光看他揚長地走。The wolves stood still, shoulders hunched, tongues lolling out, panting heavily, their eyes gleaming green as they watched him stride away.

狼们站定了，耸著肩，伸出舌头，咻咻地喘著，放著绿的眼光看他扬长地走。

他在暗中向王城揚長地走去，發出尖利的聲音唱著歌：He strode off through the darkness toward the royal city, singing in a shrill voice:

他在暗中向王城扬长地走去，发出尖利的声音唱著歌：

哈哈愛兮愛乎愛乎！Ha ha, love, ah, love, oh love!

哈哈爱兮爱乎爱乎！

愛青劍兮一個仇人自屠。I love the black sword, ah — one enemy slaughters himself.

爱青剑兮一个仇人自屠。

夥頤連翩兮多少一夫。Multitudes in succession, ah — how many, one man.

伙颐连翩兮多少一夫。

一夫愛青劍兮嗚呼不孤。One man loves the black sword, ah — alas, not alone.

一夫爱青剑兮呜呼不孤。

頭換頭兮兩個仇人自屠。Head for head, ah — two enemies slaughter themselves.

头换头兮两个仇人自屠。

一夫則無兮愛乎嗚呼！The one man is no more, ah — love, alas!

一夫则无兮爱乎呜呼！

愛乎嗚呼兮嗚呼阿呼，Love, alas, ah — alas, oh, ah, oh,

爱乎呜呼兮呜呼阿呼，

阿呼嗚呼兮嗚呼嗚呼！Ah-hu, wu-hu! Wu-hu, wu-hu!

阿呼呜呼兮呜呼呜呼！

三III

游山并不能使國王覺得有趣；The excursion in the hills had failed to amuse the king;加上了路上將有刺客的密報，更使他掃興而還。and a secret report that an assassin would be lying in wait along the road had spoiled his pleasure still further and sent him home.那夜他很生气，說是連第九個妃子的頭髮，也沒有昨天那樣的黑得好看了。That night he was furious, saying that even his ninth consort’s hair was not so beautifully black as it had been yesterday.幸而她撒嬌坐在他的御膝上，特別扭了七十多回，這才使龍眉之間的皺紋漸漸地舒展。Fortunately, she sat coaxingly on his royal knees and wriggled more than seventy times before the furrows between his dragon brows gradually smoothed away.

游山并不能使国王觉得有趣；加上了路上将有刺客的密报，更使他扫兴而还。那夜他很生气，说是连第九个妃子的头发，也没有昨天那样的黑得好看了。幸而她撒娇坐在他的御膝上，特别扭了七十多回，这才使龙眉之间的皱纹渐渐地舒展。

午後，國王一起身，就又有些不高興，待到用過午膳，簡直現出怒容來。The next afternoon, the king was somewhat displeased as soon as he rose; by the time he had eaten his midday meal, his face was positively wrathful.

午后，国王一起身，就又有些不高兴，待到用过午膳，简直现出怒容来。

“唉唉！“Alas!無聊！”他打一個大呵欠之后，高聲說。What tedium!” he cried loudly after an enormous yawn.上自王后，下至弄臣，看見這情形，都不覺手足無措。From the queen down to the court jester, all who saw him like this were at a loss what to do.白鬚老臣的講道，矮胖侏儒的打諢，王是早已听厭的了；The king had long since tired of the white-bearded old ministers’ homilies and the short, fat dwarfs’ buffoonery;近來便是走索，緣竿，拋丸，倒立，吞刀，吐火等等奇妙的把戲，也都看得毫無意味。and lately even such marvelous feats as tightrope walking, pole climbing, ball juggling, handstands, sword swallowing, and fire breathing had become utterly meaningless to him.他常常要發怒；He was forever on the verge of anger;一發怒，便按著青劍，總想尋點小錯處，殺掉幾個人。and whenever anger seized him, he would lay his hand upon his azure sword, always seeking some trifling fault for which he might kill a few people.

“唉唉！无聊！”他打一个大呵欠之后，高声说。上自王后，下至弄臣，看见这情形，都不觉手足无措。白须老臣的讲道，矮胖侏儒的打诨，王是早已听厌的了；近来便是走索，缘竿，抛丸，倒立，吞刀，吐火等等奇妙的把戏，也都看得毫无意味。他常常要发怒；一发怒，便按著青剑，总想寻点小错处，杀掉几个人。

偷空在宮外閒游的兩個小宦官，剛剛回來，一看見宮里面大家的愁苦的情形，便知道又是照例的禍事臨頭了，一個嚇得面如土色；Two young eunuchs who had stolen some free time to idle outside the palace had just returned; the moment they saw the misery on everyone’s faces within, they knew that the customary calamity was upon them again, and one turned ashen with fright;一個卻像是大有把握一般，不慌不忙，跑到國王的面前，俯伏著，說道：but the other, looking as though he had everything well in hand, calmly hurried before the king, prostrated himself, and said:

偷空在宫外闲游的两个小宦官，刚刚回来，一看见宫里面大家的愁苦的情形，便知道又是照例的祸事临头了，一个吓得面如土色；一个却像是大有把握一般，不慌不忙，跑到国王的面前，俯伏著，说道：

“奴才剛才訪得一個异人，很有异術，可以給大王解悶，因此特來奏聞。”“Your slave has just discovered a man of extraordinary powers, possessed of wondrous arts with which he can relieve Your Majesty’s boredom; therefore I have come especially to report it.”

“奴才刚才访得一个异人，很有异术，可以给大王解闷，因此特来奏闻。”

“什么？！”王說。“What?!” said the king.他的話是一向很短的。His utterances were invariably brief.

“什么？！”王说。他的话是一向很短的。

“那是一個黑瘦的，乞丐似的男子。“He is a dark, thin man, like a beggar.穿一身青衣，背著一個圓圓的青包裹；He wears azure clothes and carries a round azure bundle on his back;嘴里唱著胡謅的歌。and he sings nonsensical songs.人問他。People questioned him.他說善于玩把戲，空前絕后，舉世無雙，人們從來就沒有看見過；He said he was skilled in marvelous performances, unprecedented and unrepeatable, unequaled in all the world, such as no one had ever seen before;一見之後，便即解煩釋悶，天下太平。once witnessed, they would dispel all vexation and tedium, and bring peace to the realm.但大家要他玩，他卻又不肯。But when everyone asked him to perform, he refused.說是第一須有一條金龍，第二須有一個金鼎。……”He said that first there must be a golden dragon, and second, a golden cauldron.…”

“那是一个黑瘦的，乞丐似的男子。穿一身青衣，背著一个圆圆的青包裹；嘴里唱著胡诌的歌。人问他。他说善于玩把戏，空前绝后，举世无双，人们从来就没有看见过；一见之后，便即解烦释闷，天下太平。但大家要他玩，他却又不肯。说是第一须有一条金龙，第二须有一个金鼎。……”

“金龍？“A golden dragon?我是的。I am one.金鼎？A golden cauldron?我有。”I have one.”

“金龙？我是的。金鼎？我有。”

“奴才也正是這樣想。……”“Your slave thought precisely the same.…”

“奴才也正是这样想。……”

“傳進來！”“Bring him in!”

“传进来！”

話聲未絕，四個武士便跟著那小宦官疾趨而出。Before the words had died away, four warriors hurried out after the young eunuch.上自王后，下至弄臣，個個喜形於色。From the queen down to the court jester, everyone’s face lit up with joy.他們都愿意這把戲玩得解愁釋悶，天下太平；They all hoped the performance would dispel care and boredom and bring peace to the realm;即使玩不成，這回也有了那乞丐似的黑瘦男子來受禍，他們只要能挨到傳了進來的時候就好了。even if the performance failed, this time there would at least be the dark, thin, beggar-like man to suffer disaster in their stead: they had only to hold out until he was brought in.

话声未绝，四个武士便跟著那小宦官疾趋而出。上自王后，下至弄臣，个个喜形于色。他们都愿意这把戏玩得解愁释闷，天下太平；即使玩不成，这回也有了那乞丐似的黑瘦男子来受祸，他们只要能挨到传了进来的时候就好了。

并不要許多工夫，就望見六個人向金階趨進。Before long, six men could be seen hurrying toward the golden steps.先頭是宦官，后面是四個武士，中間夾著一個黑色人。The eunuch came first and the four warriors behind, with a dark figure held between them.待到近來時，那人的衣服卻是青的，鬚眉頭髮都黑；When the man drew near, however, his clothes proved to be azure, while his beard, eyebrows, and hair were all black;瘦得顴骨，眼圈骨，眉棱骨都高高地突出來。he was so thin that his cheekbones, eye sockets, and brow ridges all jutted sharply out.他恭敬地跪著俯伏下去時，果然看見背上有一個圓圓的小包袱，青色布，上面還畫上一些暗紅色的花紋。When he respectfully knelt and prostrated himself, a small round bundle could indeed be seen on his back, made of azure cloth and patterned with dark-red designs.

并不要许多工夫，就望见六个人向金阶趋进。先头是宦官，后面是四个武士，中间夹著一个黑色人。待到近来时，那人的衣服却是青的，须眉头发都黑；瘦得颧骨，眼圈骨，眉棱骨都高高地突出来。他恭敬地跪著俯伏下去时，果然看见背上有一个圆圆的小包袱，青色布，上面还画上一些暗红色的花纹。

“奏來！”王暴躁地說。“Make your report!” the king said irritably.他見他家伙簡單，以為他未必會玩什么好把戲。Seeing how simple the man’s equipment was, he doubted that he could perform any worthwhile marvel.

“奏来！”王暴躁地说。他见他家伙简单，以为他未必会玩什么好把戏。

“臣名叫宴之敖者；“Your servant is named Yan Zhi’ao;生長汶汶鄉。I was born and raised in Wenwen Village.少無職業；In my youth I had no occupation;晚遇明師，教臣把戲，是一個孩子的頭。later I met an enlightened master, who taught me a performance involving the head of a child.這把戲一個人玩不起來，必須在金龍之前，擺一個金鼎，注滿清水，用獸炭煎熬。This performance cannot be given by one person alone: a golden cauldron must be set before the golden dragon, filled with clear water, and heated over beast-shaped charcoal.于是放下孩子的頭去，一到水沸，這頭便隨波上下，跳舞百端，且發妙音，歡喜歌唱。The child’s head is then put in; as soon as the water boils, it bobs up and down upon the waves, performs a hundred dances, and utters wondrous sounds in joyful song.這歌舞為一人所見，便解愁釋悶，為万民所見，便天下太平。”Seen by one man, this song and dance dispels care and boredom; seen by the whole people, it brings peace to the realm.”

“臣名叫宴之敖者；生长汶汶乡。少无职业；晚遇明师，教臣把戏，是一个孩子的头。这把戏一个人玩不起来，必须在金龙之前，摆一个金鼎，注满清水，用兽炭煎熬。于是放下孩子的头去，一到水沸，这头便随波上下，跳舞百端，且发妙音，欢喜歌唱。这歌舞为一人所见，便解愁释闷，为万民所见，便天下太平。”

“玩來！”王大聲命令說。“Perform!” the king commanded loudly.

“玩来！”王大声命令说。

并不要許多工夫，一個煮牛的大金鼎便擺在殿外，注滿水，下面堆了獸炭，點起火來。Before long, a great golden cauldron large enough to boil an ox was set outside the hall and filled with water; beast-shaped charcoal was piled beneath it and set alight.那黑色人站在旁邊，見炭火一紅，便解下包袱，打開，兩手捧出孩子的頭來，高高舉起。The dark man stood beside it; when the coals glowed red, he took down his bundle, opened it, and with both hands brought forth a child’s head, raising it high.那頭是秀眉長眼，皓齒紅唇；The head had graceful brows and long eyes, gleaming teeth and crimson lips;臉帶笑容；its face wore a smile;頭髮蓬鬆，正如青煙一陣。its hair billowed loose, like a puff of azure smoke.黑色人捧著向四面轉了一圈，便伸手擎到鼎上，動著嘴唇說了幾句不知什么話，隨即將手一鬆，只听得扑通一聲，墜入水中去了。Holding it aloft, the dark man turned once toward all four quarters; then he extended his hands over the cauldron, moved his lips to speak a few unintelligible words, and abruptly let go: with a splash, it dropped into the water.水花同時濺起，足有五尺多高，此后是一切平靜。At once a jet of water shot more than five feet into the air; after that, all was still.

并不要许多工夫，一个煮牛的大金鼎便摆在殿外，注满水，下面堆了兽炭，点起火来。那黑色人站在旁边，见炭火一红，便解下包袱，打开，两手捧出孩子的头来，高高举起。那头是秀眉长眼，皓齿红唇；脸带笑容；头发蓬松，正如青烟一阵。黑色人捧著向四面转了一圈，便伸手擎到鼎上，动著嘴唇说了几句不知什么话，随即将手一松，只听得扑通一声，坠入水中去了。水花同时溅起，足有五尺多高，此后是一切平静。

許多工夫，還無動靜。A long while passed, yet nothing happened.國王首先暴躁起來，接著是王后和妃子，大臣，宦官們也都有些焦急，矮胖的侏儒們則已經開始冷笑了。The king was the first to grow impatient; then the queen and consorts, the ministers, and the eunuchs also became anxious, while the short, fat dwarfs had already begun to sneer.王一見他們的冷笑，便覺自己受愚，回顧武士，想命令他們就將那欺君的莠民擲入牛鼎里去煮殺。The moment the king saw their sneers, he felt himself duped; he turned toward the warriors, intending to order them to cast the vile deceiver of his sovereign into the ox cauldron and boil him to death.

许多工夫，还无动静。国王首先暴躁起来，接著是王后和妃子，大臣，宦官们也都有些焦急，矮胖的侏儒们则已经开始冷笑了。王一见他们的冷笑，便觉自己受愚，回顾武士，想命令他们就将那欺君的莠民掷入牛鼎里去煮杀。

但同時就听得水沸聲；But at that very moment came the sound of boiling water;炭火也正旺，映著那黑色人變成紅黑，如鐵的燒到微紅。the charcoal fire, too, was blazing fiercely, its light turning the dark man red-black, like iron heated to a dull glow.王剛又回過臉來，他也已經伸起兩手向天，眼光向著無物，舞蹈著，忽地發出尖利的聲音唱起歌來：The king had only just turned back when the man raised both hands to heaven, fixed his gaze upon empty space, and began to dance; suddenly, in a piercing voice, he sang:

但同时就听得水沸声；炭火也正旺，映著那黑色人变成红黑，如铁的烧到微红。王刚又回过脸来，他也已经伸起两手向天，眼光向著无物，舞蹈著，忽地发出尖利的声音唱起歌来：

哈哈愛兮愛乎愛乎！Ha-ha, love, ah! Love, oh, love, oh!

哈哈爱兮爱乎爱乎！

愛兮血兮兮誰乎獨無。Love, ah, blood, ah—who alone has none?

爱兮血兮兮谁乎独无。

民萌冥行兮一夫壺盧。The benighted people grope in darkness, ah; one man laughs aloud.

民萌冥行兮一夫壶卢。

彼用百頭顱，千頭顱兮用萬頭顱！He uses a hundred heads, a thousand heads—ah, ten thousand heads!

彼用百头颅，千头颅兮用万头颅！

我用一頭顱兮而無萬夫。I use a single head, ah, yet am worth ten thousand men.

我用一头颅兮而无万夫。

愛一頭顱兮血乎嗚呼！Love, one head, ah! Blood, oh, wu-hu!

爱一头颅兮血乎呜呼！

血乎嗚呼兮嗚呼阿呼，Blood, oh, wu-hu—wu-hu, ah-hu,

血乎呜呼兮呜呼阿呼，

阿呼嗚呼兮嗚呼嗚呼！Ah-hu, wu-hu! Wu-hu, wu-hu!

阿呼呜呼兮呜呼呜呼！

隨著歌聲，水就從鼎口涌起，上尖下廣，像一座小山，但自水尖至鼎底，不住地回旋運動。In time with the song, water surged from the cauldron, pointed above and broad below like a little mountain, while from its peak to the bottom of the cauldron it revolved ceaselessly.那頭即似水上上下下，轉著圈子，一面又滴溜溜自己翻筋斗，人們還可以隱約看見他玩得高興的笑容。The head seemed to ride up and down upon the water, circling round while turning nimble somersaults of its own; the spectators could still dimly discern its delighted smile.過了些時，突然變了逆水的游泳，打旋子夾著穿梭，激得水花向四面飛濺，滿庭洒下一陣熱雨來。After a while it suddenly began swimming against the current, wheeling and darting to and fro, lashing water in every direction until a shower of hot rain fell across the whole courtyard.一個侏儒忽然叫了一聲，用手摸著自己的鼻子。One dwarf suddenly cried out and clapped a hand to his nose.他不幸被熱水燙了一下，又不耐痛，終于免不得出聲叫苦了。He had unfortunately been scalded by the hot water and, unable to bear pain, could not help crying out in distress.

随著歌声，水就从鼎口涌起，上尖下广，像一座小山，但自水尖至鼎底，不住地回旋运动。那头即似水上上下下，转著圈子，一面又滴溜溜自己翻筋斗，人们还可以隐约看见他玩得高兴的笑容。过了些时，突然变了逆水的游泳，打旋子夹著穿梭，激得水花向四面飞溅，满庭洒下一阵热雨来。一个侏儒忽然叫了一声，用手摸著自己的鼻子。他不幸被热水烫了一下，又不耐痛，终于免不得出声叫苦了。

黑色人的歌聲才停，那頭也就在水中央停住，面向王殿，顏色轉成端庄。Only then did the dark man’s song cease; the head, too, stopped in the middle of the water, facing the royal hall, its expression becoming solemn.這樣的有十餘瞬息之久，才慢慢地上下抖動；It remained thus for more than ten moments before slowly bobbing up and down;從抖動加速而為起伏的游泳，但不很快，態度很雍容。the bobbing quickened into an undulating swim, though not a rapid one, and its bearing was most composed.繞著水邊一高一低地游了三匝，忽然睜大眼睛，漆黑的眼珠顯得格外精采，同時也開口唱起歌來：After swimming three circuits around the edge of the water, now high and now low, it suddenly opened its eyes wide; its jet-black pupils shone with extraordinary brilliance, and at the same time it opened its mouth and began to sing:

黑色人的歌声才停，那头也就在水中央停住，面向王殿，颜色转成端庄。这样的有十余瞬息之久，才慢慢地上下抖动；从抖动加速而为起伏的游泳，但不很快，态度很雍容。绕著水边一高一低地游了三匝，忽然睁大眼睛，漆黑的眼珠显得格外精采，同时也开口唱起歌来：

王澤流兮浩洋洋；The king’s bounty flows, ah, vast and mighty;

王泽流兮浩洋洋；

克服怨敵，怨敵克服兮，赫兮強！He conquers his foes—his foes are conquered, ah! Illustrious and strong!

克服怨敌，怨敌克服兮，赫兮强！

宇宙有窮止兮万壽無疆。The universe may have an end, ah, but may he live forever.

宇宙有穷止兮万寿无疆。

幸我來也兮青其光！Fortunate my coming, ah—the azure radiance!

幸我来也兮青其光！

青其光兮永不相忘。The azure radiance, ah, never to be forgotten.

异處异處兮堂哉皇！Wondrous place, wondrous place, ah! Majestic the sovereign!

异处异处兮堂哉皇！

堂哉皇哉兮噯噯唷，Majestic, the sovereign majestic, ah—ai-ai-yo,

堂哉皇哉兮嗳嗳唷，

嗟來歸來，嗟來陪來兮青其光！Come, return; come, accompany me, ah—the azure radiance!

嗟来归来，嗟来陪来兮青其光！

頭忽然升到水的尖端停住；The head suddenly rose to the tip of the water and stopped;翻了幾個筋斗之后，上下升降起來，眼珠向著左右瞥視，十分秀媚，嘴里仍然唱著歌：after turning several somersaults, it began rising and falling, its eyes glancing left and right with exquisite charm, while its mouth continued to sing:

头忽然升到水的尖端停住；翻了几个筋斗之后，上下升降起来，眼珠向著左右瞥视，十分秀媚，嘴里仍然唱著歌：

阿呼嗚呼兮嗚呼嗚呼，Ah-hu, wu-hu! Wu-hu, wu-hu,

阿呼呜呼兮呜呼呜呼，

愛乎嗚呼兮嗚呼阿呼！Love, oh, wu-hu! Wu-hu, ah-hu!

爱乎呜呼兮呜呼阿呼！

血一頭顱兮愛乎嗚呼。Blood, one head, ah! Love, oh, wu-hu.

血一头颅兮爱乎呜呼。

我用一頭顱兮而無萬夫！I use a single head, ah, yet am worth ten thousand men!

我用一头颅兮而无万夫！

彼用百頭顱，千頭顱……He uses a hundred heads, a thousand heads…

彼用百头颅，千头颅……

唱到這里，是沉下去的時候，但不再浮上來了；At this point in the song, it sank, but did not rise again;歌詞也不能辨別。nor could the words of the song be distinguished any longer.涌起的水，也隨著歌聲的微弱，漸漸低落，像退潮一般，終至到鼎口以下，在遠處什么也看不見。As the song faded, the surging water gradually subsided like an ebbing tide, until at last it sank below the rim of the cauldron and nothing could be seen from a distance.

唱到这里，是沉下去的时候，但不再浮上来了；歌词也不能辨别。涌起的水，也随著歌声的微弱，渐渐低落，像退潮一般，终至到鼎口以下，在远处什么也看不见。

“怎了？”等了一會，王不耐煩地問。“What has happened?” the king asked impatiently after waiting a while.

“怎了？”等了一会，王不耐烦地问。

“大王，”那黑色人半跪著說。“他正在鼎底里作最神奇的團圓舞，不臨近是看不見的。“Your Majesty,” said the dark man, half kneeling, “he is now performing the most marvelous dance of reunion at the bottom of the cauldron; it cannot be seen unless one goes close.臣也沒有法術使他上來，因為作團圓舞必須在鼎底裏。”Your servant has no magic capable of bringing him up, for the dance of reunion must be performed at the cauldron’s bottom.”

“大王，”那黑色人半跪著说。“他正在鼎底里作最神奇的团圆舞，不临近是看不见的。臣也没有法术使他上来，因为作团圆舞必须在鼎底里。”

王站起身，跨下金階，冒著炎熱立在鼎邊，探頭去看。The king rose, descended the golden steps, and, braving the heat, stood beside the cauldron and bent his head to look in.只見水平如鏡，那頭仰面躺在水中間，兩眼正看著他的臉。The water lay level as a mirror; the head floated face upward in its midst, both eyes fixed upon the king’s face.待到王的眼光射到他臉上時，他便嫣然一笑。When the king’s gaze fell upon its face, it smiled sweetly.這一笑使王覺得似曾相識，卻又一時記不起是誰來。That smile seemed familiar to the king, though for the moment he could not recall whose it was.剛在惊疑，黑色人已經掣出了背著的青色的劍，只一揮，閃電般從後項窩直劈下去，扑通一聲，王的頭就落在鼎里了。Just as he wavered in startled suspicion, the dark man had already drawn the azure sword from his back; with a single sweep, it flashed down like lightning through the hollow at the nape of the king’s neck, and with a splash the king’s head fell into the cauldron.

王站起身，跨下金阶，冒著炎热立在鼎边，探头去看。只见水平如镜，那头仰面躺在水中间，两眼正看著他的脸。待到王的眼光射到他脸上时，他便嫣然一笑。这一笑使王觉得似曾相识，却又一时记不起是谁来。刚在惊疑，黑色人已经掣出了背著的青色的剑，只一挥，闪电般从后项窝直劈下去，扑通一声，王的头就落在鼎里了。

仇人相見，本來格外眼明，況且是相逢狹路。When mortal enemies meet, their eyes are naturally keenest—especially when they meet on a narrow road.王頭剛到水面，眉間尺的頭便迎上來，狠命在他耳輪上咬了一口。The instant the king’s head reached the surface, Meijianchi’s head surged forward and bit fiercely into the rim of his ear.鼎水即刻沸涌，澎湃有聲；The water in the cauldron immediately seethed and surged with a roaring sound;兩頭即在水中死戰。the two heads fought to the death in the water.約有二十回合，王頭受了五個傷，眉間尺的頭上卻有七處。After some twenty exchanges, the king’s head had suffered five wounds, while Meijianchi’s had seven.王又狡猾，總是設法繞到他的敵人的後面去。The king was cunning, too, and constantly contrived to circle behind his enemy.眉間尺偶一疏忽，終于被他咬住了後項窩，無法轉身。At one careless moment, Meijianchi was finally bitten in the hollow at the nape and could not turn around.這一回王的頭可是咬定不放了，他只是連連蚕食進去；This time the king’s head clamped on and would not let go, gnawing steadily farther in;連鼎外面也仿佛听到孩子的失聲叫痛的聲音。even outside the cauldron, they seemed to hear the child’s involuntary cries of pain.

仇人相见，本来格外眼明，况且是相逢狭路。王头刚到水面，眉间尺的头便迎上来，狠命在他耳轮上咬了一口。鼎水即刻沸涌，澎湃有声；两头即在水中死战。约有二十回合，王头受了五个伤，眉间尺的头上却有七处。王又狡猾，总是设法绕到他的敌人的后面去。眉间尺偶一疏忽，终于被他咬住了后项窝，无法转身。这一回王的头可是咬定不放了，他只是连连蚕食进去；连鼎外面也仿佛听到孩子的失声叫痛的声音。

上自王后，下至弄臣，駭得凝結著的神色也應聲活動起來，似乎感到暗無天日的悲哀，皮膚上都一粒一粒地起粟；From the queen down to the court jester, the horror frozen upon every face stirred at the sound; all seemed to feel a grief as black as endless night, and gooseflesh rose grain by grain upon their skin;然而又夾著秘密的歡喜，瞪了眼，像是等候著什么似的。yet mingled with it was a secret delight, and they stared wide-eyed as though awaiting something.

上自王后，下至弄臣，骇得凝结著的神色也应声活动起来，似乎感到暗无天日的悲哀，皮肤上都一粒一粒地起粟；然而又夹著秘密的欢喜，瞪了眼，像是等候著什么似的。

黑色人也仿佛有些惊慌，但是面不改色。The dark man, too, seemed somewhat alarmed, but his expression did not change.他從從容容地伸開那捏著看不見的青劍的臂膊，如一段枯枝；He calmly stretched out the arm that grasped the invisible blue sword, like a withered branch;伸長頸子，如在細看鼎底。He craned his neck, as if peering closely at the bottom of the cauldron.臂膊忽然一彎，青劍便驀地從他後面劈下，劍到頭落，墜入鼎中，怦的一聲，雪白的水花向著空中同時四射。Suddenly his arm bent, and the blue sword slashed down from behind him — the sword arrived and the head fell, dropping into the cauldron; with a splash, snow-white spray shot out in all directions into the air at the same instant.

黑色人也仿佛有些惊慌，但是面不改色。他从从容容地伸开那捏著看不见的青剑的臂膊，如一段枯枝；伸长颈子，如在细看鼎底。臂膊忽然一弯，青剑便蓦地从他后面劈下，剑到头落，坠入鼎中，怦的一声，雪白的水花向著空中同时四射。

他的頭一入水，即刻直奔王頭，一口咬住了王的鼻子，幾乎要咬下來。The instant his head entered the water, it rushed straight for the king's head and bit down on the king's nose, almost biting it off.王忍不住叫一聲“阿唷”，將嘴一張，眉間尺的頭就乘机掙脫了，一轉臉倒將王的下巴下死勁咬住。The king could not help crying out "Ow!" and as his mouth opened, Mei Jianchi's head seized the chance to break free, and turning, sank its teeth fiercely into the king's chin instead.他們不但都不放，還用全力上下一撕，撕得王頭再也合不上嘴。Not only did neither let go, but they wrenched with all their strength up and down, tearing until the king's head could no longer close its mouth.于是他們就如餓雞啄米一般，一頓亂咬，咬得王頭眼歪鼻塌，滿臉鱗傷。Then, like starving chickens pecking at grain, they bit wildly and repeatedly, until the king's head had crooked eyes, a crushed nose, and a face covered with wounds.先前還會在鼎裏面四處亂滾，后來只能躺著呻吟，到底是一聲不響，只有出气，沒有進气了。At first it could still roll about wildly inside the cauldron, but later it could only lie there groaning, and finally fell silent altogether — only breath going out, none coming in.

他的头一入水，即刻直奔王头，一口咬住了王的鼻子，几乎要咬下来。王忍不住叫一声“阿唷”，将嘴一张，眉间尺的头就乘机挣脱了，一转脸倒将王的下巴下死劲咬住。他们不但都不放，还用全力上下一撕，撕得王头再也合不上嘴。于是他们就如饿鸡啄米一般，一顿乱咬，咬得王头眼歪鼻塌，满脸鳞伤。先前还会在鼎里面四处乱滚，后来只能躺著呻吟，到底是一声不响，只有出气，没有进气了。

黑色人和眉間尺的頭也慢慢地住了嘴，离開王頭，沿鼎壁游了一匝，看他可是裝死還是真死。The black-clad man's head and Mei Jianchi's head also slowly stopped biting, left the king's head, and swam once around along the wall of the cauldron, to see whether he was feigning death or truly dead.待到知道了王頭确已斷气，便四目相視，微微一笑，隨即合上眼睛，仰面向天，沉到水底裏去了。Once they knew for certain that the king's head had stopped breathing, the two of them looked at each other, smiled faintly, then closed their eyes, turned their faces up toward the sky, and sank down to the bottom of the water.

黑色人和眉间尺的头也慢慢地住了嘴，离开王头，沿鼎壁游了一匝，看他可是装死还是真死。待到知道了王头确已断气，便四目相视，微微一笑，随即合上眼睛，仰面向天，沉到水底里去了。

四IV

煙消火滅；The smoke cleared and the fire died out;水波不興。the water's surface grew still, without a ripple.特別的寂靜倒使殿上殿下的人們警醒。The unusual silence, instead, startled the people both above and below the hall into alertness.他們中的一個首先叫了一聲，大家也立刻迭連惊叫起來；One of them cried out first, and at once everyone else began crying out in alarm one after another;一個邁開腿向金鼎走去，大家便爭先恐後地擁上去了。one strode forward toward the golden cauldron, and everyone else crowded after him, each striving to be first.有擠在後面的，只能從人脖子的空隙間向裏面窺探。Those squeezed toward the back could only peer inside through the gaps between people's necks.

烟消火灭；水波不兴。特别的寂静倒使殿上殿下的人们警醒。他们中的一个首先叫了一声，大家也立刻迭连惊叫起来；一个迈开腿向金鼎走去，大家便争先恐后地拥上去了。有挤在后面的，只能从人脖子的空隙间向里面窥探。

熱气還炙得人臉上發燒。The heat still scorched people's faces until they burned.鼎里的水卻一平如鏡，上面浮著一層油，照出許多人臉孔：王后，王妃，武士，老臣，侏儒，太監。……Yet the water in the cauldron was as smooth as a mirror, with a film of oil floating on its surface, reflecting the many faces looking in: the queen, the royal consorts, warriors, elder ministers, dwarfs, eunuchs. ...

热气还炙得人脸上发烧。鼎里的水却一平如镜，上面浮著一层油，照出许多人脸孔：王后，王妃，武士，老臣，侏儒，太监。……

“阿呀，天哪！"Oh, heavens!咱們大王的頭還在里面哪，唉唉唉！”第六個妃子忽然發狂似的哭嚷起來。Our king's head is still in there, ai, ai, ai!" the sixth consort suddenly cried out wailing as if gone mad.

“阿呀，天哪！咱们大王的头还在里面哪，唉唉唉！”第六个妃子忽然发狂似的哭嚷起来。

上自王后，下至弄臣，也都恍然大悟，倉皇散開，急得手足無措，各自轉了四五個圈子。From the queen down to the court jesters, everyone suddenly understood, and scattered in a panic, so flustered they did not know what to do with their hands and feet, each spinning about in circles four or five times.一個最有謀略的老臣獨又上前，伸手向鼎邊一摸，然而渾身一抖，立刻縮了回來，伸出兩個指頭，放在口邊吹個不住。One elder minister, the most resourceful of them, alone stepped forward again and reached out to touch the rim of the cauldron, but his whole body shuddered and he snatched his hand back at once, holding out two fingers and blowing on them without stop.

上自王后，下至弄臣，也都恍然大悟，仓皇散开，急得手足无措，各自转了四五个圈子。一个最有谋略的老臣独又上前，伸手向鼎边一摸，然而浑身一抖，立刻缩了回来，伸出两个指头，放在口边吹个不住。

大家定了定神，便在殿門外商議打撈辦法。Once everyone had steadied themselves, they gathered outside the hall doors to discuss how to fish out the heads.約略費去了煮熟三鍋小米的工夫，總算得到一种結果，是：到大廚房去調集了鐵絲勺子，命武士協力撈起來。After roughly the time it takes to cook three pots of millet, they finally arrived at a plan: to gather wire ladles from the great kitchen and order the warriors to join forces in fishing the heads out.

大家定了定神，便在殿门外商议打捞办法。约略费去了煮熟三锅小米的工夫，总算得到一种结果，是：到大厨房去调集了铁丝勺子，命武士协力捞起来。

器具不久就調集了，鐵絲勺，漏勺，金盤，擦桌布，都放在鼎旁邊。The implements were soon assembled — wire ladles, colanders, gold platters, and table cloths were all placed beside the cauldron.武士們便揎起衣袖，有用鐵絲勺的，有用漏勺的，一齊恭行打撈。The warriors rolled up their sleeves — some using wire ladles, some using colanders — and reverently set about the fishing all together.有勺子相触的聲音，有勺子刮著金鼎的聲音；There was the sound of ladles clinking against one another, the sound of ladles scraping against the golden cauldron;水是隨著勺子的攪動而旋繞著。the water swirled round and round with the stirring of the ladles.好一會，一個武士的臉色忽而很端庄了，极小心地兩手慢慢舉起了勺子，水滴從勺孔中珠子一般漏下，勺里面便顯出雪白的頭骨來。After quite a while, one warrior's expression suddenly turned very solemn; with both hands he lifted his ladle slowly and with great care, water drops falling from its holes like beads, and inside the ladle appeared a snow-white skull.大家惊叫了一聲；Everyone cried out in alarm;他便將頭骨倒在金盤里。and he tipped the skull out onto the gold platter.

器具不久就调集了，铁丝勺，漏勺，金盘，擦桌布，都放在鼎旁边。武士们便揎起衣袖，有用铁丝勺的，有用漏勺的，一齐恭行打捞。有勺子相触的声音，有勺子刮著金鼎的声音；水是随著勺子的搅动而旋绕著。好一会，一个武士的脸色忽而很端庄了，极小心地两手慢慢举起了勺子，水滴从勺孔中珠子一般漏下，勺里面便显出雪白的头骨来。大家惊叫了一声；他便将头骨倒在金盘里。

“阿呀！"Oh!我的大王呀！”王后，妃子，老臣，以至太監之類，都放聲哭起來。My king!" The queen, the consorts, the elder ministers, and even the eunuchs, all burst out weeping aloud.但不久就陸續停止了，因為武士又撈起了一個同樣的頭骨。But before long they stopped one by one, for the warrior fished up another skull just like it.

“阿呀！我的大王呀！”王后，妃子，老臣，以至太监之类，都放声哭起来。但不久就陆续停止了，因为武士又捞起了一个同样的头骨。

他們淚眼模胡地四顧，只見武士們滿臉油汗，還在打撈。With tear-blurred eyes they looked about, and saw only that the warriors, faces covered in oily sweat, were still fishing.此后撈出來的是一團糟的白頭髮和黑頭髮；After that, what they fished out was a tangled mess of white hair and black hair;還有幾勺很短的東西，隨乎是白胡鬚和黑胡鬚。and also several ladlefuls of very short things, which seemed to be white whiskers and black whiskers.此後又是一個頭骨。After that came another skull.此后是三枝簪。After that, three hairpins.

他们泪眼模胡地四顾，只见武士们满脸油汗，还在打捞。此后捞出来的是一团糟的白头发和黑头发；还有几勺很短的东西，随乎是白胡须和黑胡须。此后又是一个头骨。此后是三枝簪。

直到鼎里面只剩下清湯，才始住手；Only when nothing but clear broth remained in the cauldron did they finally stop;將撈出的物件分盛了三金盤：一盤頭骨，一盤鬚髮，一盤簪。the fished-out objects were divided among three gold platters: one of skulls, one of whiskers and hair, one of hairpins.

直到鼎里面只剩下清汤，才始住手；将捞出的物件分盛了三金盘：一盘头骨，一盘须发，一盘簪。

“咱們大王只有一個頭。"Our king had only one head.那一個是咱們大王的呢？”第九個妃子焦急地問。Which one is our king's?" the ninth consort asked anxiously.

“咱们大王只有一个头。那一个是咱们大王的呢？”第九个妃子焦急地问。

“是呵……。”老臣們都面面相覷。"Indeed..." The elder ministers all looked at one another.

“是呵……。”老臣们都面面相觑。

“如果皮肉沒有煮爛，那就容易辨別了。”一個侏儒跪著說。"If the skin and flesh hadn't boiled away, it would be easy to tell them apart," said a dwarf, kneeling.

“如果皮肉没有煮烂，那就容易辨别了。”一个侏儒跪著说。

大家只得平心靜气，去細看那頭骨，但是黑白大小，都差不多，連那孩子的頭，也無從分辨。Everyone had no choice but to calm themselves and examine the skulls closely, but in color and size they were all much the same, and even the boy's head could not be told apart from the others.王后說王的右額上有一個疤，是做太子時候跌傷的，怕骨上也有痕跡。The queen said that the king had a scar on his right forehead, from a fall he had suffered as crown prince, and that there might still be a trace of it on the bone.果然，侏儒在一個頭骨上發見了：大家正在歡喜的時候，另外的一個侏儒卻又在較黃的頭骨的右額上看出相仿的瘢痕來。Sure enough, a dwarf discovered such a mark on one skull; but just as everyone was rejoicing, another dwarf spotted a similar scar on the right forehead of a somewhat yellower skull.

大家只得平心静气，去细看那头骨，但是黑白大小，都差不多，连那孩子的头，也无从分辨。王后说王的右额上有一个疤，是做太子时候跌伤的，怕骨上也有痕迹。果然，侏儒在一个头骨上发见了：大家正在欢喜的时候，另外的一个侏儒却又在较黄的头骨的右额上看出相仿的瘢痕来。

“我有法子。”第三個王妃得意地說，“咱們大王的龍准是很高的。”"I have a way," the third consort said proudly. "Our king's royal nose bridge was very high."

“我有法子。”第三个王妃得意地说，“咱们大王的龙准是很高的。”

太監們即刻動手研究鼻准骨，有一個确也似乎比較地高，但究竟相差無幾；The eunuchs at once set to examining the nose bones; one indeed did seem comparatively higher, but the difference was slight after all;最可惜的是右額上卻并無跌傷的瘢痕。and most unfortunately, there was no scar of a fall on its right forehead.

太监们即刻动手研究鼻准骨，有一个确也似乎比较地高，但究竟相差无几；最可惜的是右额上却并无跌伤的瘢痕。

“況且，”老臣們向太監說，“大王的後枕骨是這么尖的么？”"Besides," the elder ministers said to the eunuchs, "was the king's occipital bone as pointed as this?"

“况且，”老臣们向太监说，“大王的后枕骨是这么尖的么？”

“奴才們向來就沒有留心看過大王的後枕骨……。”"This servant has never paid attention to the king's occipital bone..."

“奴才们向来就没有留心看过大王的后枕骨……。”

王后和妃子們也各自回想起來，有的說是尖的，有的說是平的。The queen and the consorts likewise tried each to recall, some saying it was pointed, some saying it was flat.叫梳頭太監來問的時候，卻一句話也不說。When the eunuch in charge of dressing the king's hair was summoned and asked, he did not say a single word.

王后和妃子们也各自回想起来，有的说是尖的，有的说是平的。叫梳头太监来问的时候，却一句话也不说。

當夜便開了一個王公大臣會議，想決定那一個是王的頭，但結果還同白天一樣。That very night a council of princes and ministers was convened to decide which was the king's head, but the outcome was the same as during the day.并且連鬚髮也發生了問題。Moreover, even the whiskers and hair had become a problem.白的自然是王的，然而因為花白，所以黑的也很難處置。The white ones were naturally the king's, but since his hair had been streaked with grey, the black ones too were hard to dispose of.討論了小半夜，只將幾根紅色的胡子選出；They discussed it for the better part of the night, and managed only to pick out a few reddish whiskers;接著因為第九個王妃抗議，說她确曾看見王有幾根通黃的胡子，現在怎么能知道決沒有一根紅的呢。but then, because the ninth consort protested, saying she had indeed once seen the king had a few whiskers of pure yellow, so how could they now be sure there was not a single red one among his?于是也只好重行歸并，作為疑案了。so in the end they had no choice but to lump them all back together and treat it as an unresolved case.

当夜便开了一个王公大臣会议，想决定那一个是王的头，但结果还同白天一样。并且连须发也发生了问题。白的自然是王的，然而因为花白，所以黑的也很难处置。讨论了小半夜，只将几根红色的胡子选出；接著因为第九个王妃抗议，说她确曾看见王有几根通黄的胡子，现在怎么能知道决没有一根红的呢。于是也只好重行归并，作为疑案了。

到后半夜，還是毫無結果。By the latter half of the night, still nothing had been resolved.大家卻居然一面打呵欠，一面繼續討論，直到第二次雞鳴，這才決定了一個最慎重妥善的辦法，是：只能將三個頭骨都和王的身体放在金棺里落葬。Yet everyone, yawning all the while, went on discussing, until the second crowing of the cocks, when at last they settled on the most prudent and proper solution: that the only thing to do was to place all three skulls together with the king's body in the golden coffin for burial.

到后半夜，还是毫无结果。大家却居然一面打呵欠，一面继续讨论，直到第二次鸡鸣，这才决定了一个最慎重妥善的办法，是：只能将三个头骨都和王的身体放在金棺里落葬。

七天之后是落葬的日期，合城很熱鬧。Seven days later was the day of the burial, and the whole city was full of excitement.城里的人民，遠處的人民，都奔來瞻仰國王的“大出喪”。People from the city, and people from far away, all hurried to come and view the king's grand funeral procession.天一亮，道上已經擠滿了男男女女；As soon as it grew light, the roads were already packed with men and women;中間還夾著許多祭桌。and among them were interspersed many sacrificial tables.待到上午，清道的騎士才緩轡而來。Not until midmorning did the mounted outriders clearing the road come ambling along at last.又過了不少工夫，才看見儀仗，什么旌旗，木棍，戈戟，弓弩，黃鉞之類；A good while more passed before the ceremonial guard of honor came into view — banners and pennants, wooden staffs, halberds and spears, bows and crossbows, yellow battle-axes, and the like;此后是四輛鼓吹車。after that came four carriages of drummers and pipers.再后面是黃蓋隨著路的不平而起伏著，并且漸漸近來了，于是現出靈車，上載金棺，棺里面藏著三個頭和一個身体。Further behind, a yellow canopy rose and dipped with the unevenness of the road, drawing gradually nearer, and then the hearse came into view, bearing the golden coffin, within which lay hidden three heads and one body.

七天之后是落葬的日期，合城很热闹。城里的人民，远处的人民，都奔来瞻仰国王的“大出丧”。天一亮，道上已经挤满了男男女女；中间还夹著许多祭桌。待到上午，清道的骑士才缓辔而来。又过了不少工夫，才看见仪仗，什么旌旗，木棍，戈戟，弓弩，黄钺之类；此后是四辆鼓吹车。再后面是黄盖随著路的不平而起伏著，并且渐渐近来了，于是现出灵车，上载金棺，棺里面藏著三个头和一个身体。

百姓都跪下去，祭桌便一列一列地在人叢中出現。The common people all knelt down, and the sacrificial tables appeared row after row among the crowds.幾個義民很忠憤，咽著淚，怕那兩個大逆不道的逆賊的魂靈，此時也和王一同享受祭禮，然而也無法可施。A few righteous commoners, loyal and indignant, choked back their tears, fearing that the souls of those two treasonous rebels were now sharing the sacrificial honors together with the king, yet there was nothing to be done about it.

百姓都跪下去，祭桌便一列一列地在人丛中出现。几个义民很忠愤，咽著泪，怕那两个大逆不道的逆贼的魂灵，此时也和王一同享受祭礼，然而也无法可施。

此後是王后和許多王妃的車。After that came the carriages of the queen and the many consorts.百姓看她們，她們也看百姓，但哭著。The common people looked at them, and they looked back at the common people, but weeping all the while.此後是大臣，太監，侏儒等輩，都裝著哀戚的顏色。After that came the ministers, eunuchs, dwarfs, and the like, all putting on expressions of grief.只是百姓已經不看他們，連行列也擠得亂七八糟，不成樣子了。Only by now the common people no longer looked at them, and even the procession had been jostled into utter disarray, no longer keeping any proper form.

此后是王后和许多王妃的车。百姓看她们，她们也看百姓，但哭著。此后是大臣，太监，侏儒等辈，都装著哀戚的颜色。只是百姓已经不看他们，连行列也挤得乱七八糟，不成样子了。

一九二六年十月作。Written in October, 1926.