第一回　　　甄士隱夢幻識通靈　賈雨村風塵懷閨秀 Zhen Shiyin in a Dream Perceives the Spirit Jade; Jia Yucun Amid the Dust Longs for a Fair Maiden

作者自：因曾歷過一番夢幻之後，故將真事隱去，而借通靈之說，撰此《石頭記》一書也。The author states: Having passed through a dream-like illusion, I concealed the true events and, borrowing the tale of the Stone's spiritual communication, composed this book, The Story of the Stone.故曰「甄士隱夢幻識通靈」。Hence it is called 'Zhen Shiyin, in a Dream, Perceives the Divine Jade.'但書中所記何事，又因何而撰是書哉？But what events does this book record, and for what reason was it written?自又：今風塵碌碌，一事無成，忽念及當日所有之女子，一一細推了去，覺其行止見識，皆出於我之上。The author further states: Now, drifting through the dusty world, having accomplished nothing, I suddenly thought of all the women I once knew, and going over them one by one in detail, I realized that their conduct and understanding all surpassed my own.何我堂堂之鬚眉，曾不若彼裙釵哉！How is it that I, a strapping man, should prove not even the equal of those women in skirts and hairpins!實愧則有餘，悔又無益之大無可奈何之日也！Truly, shame overflows in me, yet regret is of no use — such is the day of utter helplessness!當此時，則自欲將已往所賴，上賴天恩，下承祖德，錦衣紈絝之時、飫甘饜美肥之日，背父母教育之恩，負師兄規訓之德，已至今日一事無成、半生潦倒之罪，編述一記，以告普天下人。At this time, I wished to record — how in the past I relied above on Heaven's grace and below on my ancestors' virtue, through those days clad in silk and fine brocade, gorging on rich delicacies, yet turned my back on my parents' teaching and betrayed the guidance of my teachers and elders, until I arrived at today's crime of having accomplished nothing and squandered half a lifetime in poverty and failure — I wished to compile this account to tell all the world.我之罪固不能免，然閨閣中本自歷歷有人，萬不可因我之不肖，自護其短，則一併使其泯滅也。My own guilt can certainly not be excused, but within the women's chambers there were, in truth, many remarkable persons one by one, and it would never do, out of my own unworthiness in trying to hide my own faults, to let them all be forgotten along with me.雖今日之茆椽蓬牖，瓦灶繩床，其風晨月夕，階柳庭花，亦未有傷於我之襟懷筆墨者。Although today I live under thatched rafters and reed-woven windows, with a tile stove and a rope bed, still the morning breezes and evening moons, the willows by the steps and flowers in the courtyard, have done no harm to my heart's sentiments or to my brush and ink.雖我未學，下筆無文，何爲不用假語村言，敷演出一段故事來，以悅人之耳目哉。Though I am unlearned and my writing lacks literary polish, why should I not make use of fictional words and rustic language to spin out a tale, so as to delight the ears and eyes of others?故曰「風塵懷閨秀」，乃是第一回題綱正義也。Hence it is called 'Amid the Dust of the World, Cherishing the Memory of Fair Maidens' — this is the true meaning outlined in the title of the first chapter.開卷即「風塵懷閨秀」，則知作者本意原爲記述當日閨友閨情，並非怨世駡時之書矣。Opening the book with 'Amid the Dust of the World, Cherishing the Memory of Fair Maidens,' one knows that the author's original intent was simply to record the friendships and feelings of those women of his day, and that this is by no means a book that rails against the world or curses the age.雖一時有涉於世態，然亦不得不叙者，但非其本旨耳，閱者切記之。Although at times it touches on the ways of the world, this could not be avoided in the telling, but it is not the book's original purpose — let the reader keep this well in mind.詩曰：A poem says:

作者自：因曾历过一番梦幻之后，故将真事隐去，而借通灵之说，撰此《石头记》一书也。故曰「甄士隐梦幻识通灵」。但书中所记何事，又因何而撰是书哉？自又：今风尘碌碌，一事无成，忽念及当日所有之女子，一一细推了去，觉其行止见识，皆出于我之上。何我堂堂之须眉，曾不若彼裙钗哉！实愧则有余，悔又无益之大无可奈何之日也！当此时，则自欲将已往所赖，上赖天恩，下承祖德，锦衣纨绔之时、饫甘餍美肥之日，背父母教育之恩，负师兄规训之德，已至今日一事无成、半生潦倒之罪，编述一记，以告普天下人。我之罪固不能免，然闺阁中本自历历有人，万不可因我之不肖，自护其短，则一并使其泯灭也。虽今日之茆椽蓬牖，瓦灶绳床，其风晨月夕，阶柳庭花，亦未有伤于我之襟怀笔墨者。虽我未学，下笔无文，何为不用假语村言，敷演出一段故事来，以悦人之耳目哉。故曰「风尘怀闺秀」，乃是第一回题纲正义也。开卷即「风尘怀闺秀」，则知作者本意原为记述当日闺友闺情，并非怨世骂时之书矣。虽一时有涉于世态，然亦不得不叙者，但非其本旨耳，阅者切记之。诗曰：

浮生着甚苦奔忙？For what bitter toil does this fleeting life go rushing about?盛席華筵終散場。Even the grandest banquet, the most splendid feast, must in the end break up.

浮生着甚苦奔忙？盛席华筵终散场。

悲喜千般同幻渺，古今一夢盡荒唐。A thousand sorrows and joys are all alike illusion and mist; past and present alike are but one absurd dream.

悲喜千般同幻渺，古今一梦尽荒唐。

謾言紅袖啼痕重，更有情痴抱恨長。Idle talk it is, that red sleeves bear heavy traces of tears — yet there are also those besotted by love who nurse their regret long.

谩言红袖啼痕重，更有情痴抱恨长。

字字看來皆是血，十年辛苦不尋常！[1]Read word by word, each one is written in blood — ten years of toil, no ordinary labor![1]

字字看来皆是血，十年辛苦不寻常！[1]

列位看官，你道此書從何而來？Gentle readers, do you wonder whence this book came?說起根由雖近荒唐，細諳則深有趣味。Speaking of its origin, it may seem close to absurd, yet examined closely it holds a deep fascination.待在下將此來歷注明，方使聞者了然不惑。Allow this humble writer to set down its history clearly, so that those who hear it may understand fully and harbor no doubts.

列位看官，你道此书从何而来？说起根由虽近荒唐，细谙则深有趣味。待在下将此来历注明，方使闻者了然不惑。

原來，當年女媧氏煉石補天之時，於大荒山無稽崖煉成高經[2]十二丈，方經[3]二十四丈頑石三萬六千五百零一塊。It happened that, in the years when the Goddess Nüwa smelted stones to mend the sky, at Baseless Cliff on Great Waste Mountain, she smelted 36,501 blocks of crude stone, each twelve zhang[2] in height and twenty-four zhang[3] square.媧皇氏只用了三萬六千五百塊，只單單剩了一塊未用，便棄在此山青埂峰下。The Goddess Nüwa used only 36,500 of them, leaving just a single one unused, which she cast aside beneath Blue Ridge Peak on this mountain.誰知此石自經煅煉[4]之後，靈性已通，因見眾石俱得補天，獨自己無材不堪入選，遂自怨自嗟，日夜悲號[5]慚愧。Who could have known that, once this stone had been through the tempering and smelting[4], it had already gained spiritual understanding — and seeing that all the other stones had been used to mend the sky while it alone, lacking talent, had not been fit for selection, it fell to resenting and lamenting itself, weeping and crying[5] in shame day and night.

原来，当年女娲氏炼石补天之时，于大荒山无稽崖炼成高经[2]十二丈，方经[3]二十四丈顽石三万六千五百零一块。娲皇氏只用了三万六千五百块，只单单剩了一块未用，便弃在此山青埂峰下。谁知此石自经煅炼[4]之后，灵性已通，因见众石俱得补天，独自己无材不堪入选，遂自怨自嗟，日夜悲号[5]惭愧。

一日，正當嗟悼之餘，俄見一僧一道遠遠而來，生得骨骼不凡，豐神迥异，說說笑笑來至峰下，坐於石邊高談快論。One day, just as it was grieving, it suddenly saw a monk and a Daoist approaching from afar, of extraordinary bearing and remarkable spirit, talking and laughing as they came to the foot of the peak, and sitting down beside the stone to converse animatedly.先是說些雲山霧海神僊玄幻之事，後便說到紅塵中榮華富貴。At first they spoke of misty mountains and cloud-wrapped seas, of the mysterious and marvelous affairs of immortals, but then went on to speak of the glory, splendor, and riches of the world of red dust.此石聽了，不覺打動凡心，也想要到人間去享一享這榮華富貴，但自恨粗蠢，不得已，便口吐人言，向那僧道說道：「大師，弟子蠢物，不能見禮了。Hearing this, the stone could not help having its mortal heart stirred, and it too wished to go down to the human world to enjoy such glory and riches for a while; but grieving over its own crude stupidity, and having no other choice, it spoke aloud in human speech, saying to the monk and the Daoist: 'Great Masters, your disciple is a stupid creature and cannot properly greet you.適聞二位談那人世間榮耀繁華，心切慕之。Just now I heard the two of you speaking of the glory and splendor of the human world, and my heart earnestly longs for it.弟子質雖粗蠢，性卻稍通，況見二師仙形道體，定非凡品，必有補天濟世之材，利物濟人之德。Your disciple, though crude in substance, has some slight understanding, and moreover, seeing the two masters' immortal forms and Daoist bearing, I know you are surely no ordinary beings, but must possess the talent to mend Heaven and aid the world, the virtue to benefit all things and help mankind.如蒙發一點慈心，攜帶弟子得入紅塵，在那富貴場中，溫柔鄉裏受享幾年，自當永佩洪恩，萬劫不忘也。」二仙師聽畢，齊憨笑道：「善哉，善哉！If you would kindly show a bit of compassion and take your disciple along into the world of red dust, letting me enjoy a few years amid scenes of wealth and splendor, in a tender and gentle land, I would forever cherish your great kindness and never forget it through ten thousand ages of transformation.' Having heard this, the two immortal masters laughed heartily together and said: 'Well said, well said!那紅塵中有卻有些樂事，但不能永遠依恃。In that world of red dust there are indeed some pleasures, but they cannot be relied upon forever.況又有美中不足、好事多魔八個字緊相連屬，瞬息間則又樂极悲生，人非物換，究竟是到頭一夢，萬境歸空，倒不如不去的好。」這石凡心已熾，那[6]裏聽得進這話去，乃复苦求再四。Moreover, there are the eight words 'imperfection amid beauty' and 'good things beset by many demons' closely bound together with it; in the blink of an eye joy turns to extreme grief, people change and things alter, and in the end it is all but a single dream, with all realms returning to emptiness — it would be far better not to go at all.' But the stone's mortal heart was already ablaze, and it could not[6] take these words to heart, so it pleaded earnestly again and again.二仙知不可強制，乃歎道：「此亦靜極思動，無中生有之數也。The two immortals, knowing it could not be forcibly restrained, sighed and said: 'This too is a case of stillness carried to its extreme giving rise to a longing for motion, of something arising out of nothing — it is fated to be so.既如此，我們便攜你去受享受享，只是到不得意時，切莫後悔。」石道：「自然，自然。」那僧又道：「若說你性靈，卻又如此質蠢，并更無奇貴之處。Since that is so, we will take you along to enjoy yourself for a while; only, when things go amiss, you must by no means feel regret.' The stone said: 'Of course, of course.' The monk then said further: 'As for your spiritual nature, and yet your substance is so crude and stupid, with nothing remarkable or precious about it.如此也只好踮腳而已。As things stand, you would only manage to tag along on tiptoe, so to speak.也罷，我如今大施佛法助你助，待劫終之日，复還本質，以了此案。Very well then, I shall now exert great Buddhist power to help you along, and when the kalpa comes to its end, you shall return to your original nature, so that this matter may be brought to a close.你道好否？」石頭聽了，感謝不盡。What do you say to that?' Hearing this, the stone was endlessly grateful.那僧便念咒書符，大展幻術，將一塊大石登時變成一塊鮮明瑩洁的美玉，且又縮成扇墜大小的可佩可拿。The monk then recited incantations and traced talismans, displaying great magical arts, and instantly transformed the large stone into a piece of bright, lustrous, and pure jade, and further shrank it down to the size of a fan pendant, small enough to be worn or carried.那僧托於掌上，笑道：「形体倒也是個寶物了！The monk held it in his palm and said with a smile: 'In form, you have indeed become a treasure!還只沒有實在的好處，須得再鐫上數字[7]，使人一見便知是奇物方妙。Still, you lack any real substance of merit — I must engrave a few characters[7] on you, so that anyone who sees you at a glance will know you are a wondrous object; only then will it be perfect.然後攜你到那昌明隆盛之邦，詩禮簪纓之族，花錦繁華之地，溫柔富貴之鄉去安身樂業。」石頭聽了，喜不能禁，乃問：「不知弟子那幾件奇處，又不知携了弟子到何處？Then I shall take you to that land of enlightened prosperity, to a clan versed in poetry and ritual, of official rank and refinement, to a place of splendor and flourishing beauty, to a tender and wealthy realm, there to settle and take your ease.' Hearing this, the stone was overjoyed beyond measure, and asked: 'I do not know what wondrous qualities your disciple possesses, nor where your disciple is to be taken.望乞明示，使弟子不惑。」那僧笑道：「你且莫問，日後自然明白的。」說着，便袖了那石，同那道人飄然而去，竟不知投奔何方何舍。I beg you to explain clearly, so that your disciple may harbor no doubts.' The monk said with a smile: 'Do not ask for now — in time you will naturally understand.' So saying, he tucked the stone into his sleeve, and together with the Daoist, drifted away, and no one knew to what place or dwelling they had gone.

一日，正当嗟悼之余，俄见一僧一道远远而来，生得骨骼不凡，丰神迥异，说说笑笑来至峰下，坐于石边高谈快论。先是说些云山雾海神僊玄幻之事，后便说到红尘中荣华富贵。此石听了，不觉打动凡心，也想要到人间去享一享这荣华富贵，但自恨粗蠢，不得已，便口吐人言，向那僧道说道：「大师，弟子蠢物，不能见礼了。适闻二位谈那人世间荣耀繁华，心切慕之。弟子质虽粗蠢，性却稍通，况见二师仙形道体，定非凡品，必有补天济世之材，利物济人之德。如蒙发一点慈心，携带弟子得入红尘，在那富贵场中，温柔乡里受享几年，自当永佩洪恩，万劫不忘也。」二仙师听毕，齐憨笑道：「善哉，善哉！那红尘中有却有些乐事，但不能永远依恃。况又有美中不足、好事多魔八个字紧相连属，瞬息间则又乐极悲生，人非物换，究竟是到头一梦，万境归空，倒不如不去的好。」这石凡心已炽，那[6]里听得进这话去，乃复苦求再四。二仙知不可强制，乃叹道：「此亦静极思动，无中生有之数也。既如此，我们便携你去受享受享，只是到不得意时，切莫后悔。」石道：「自然，自然。」那僧又道：「若说你性灵，却又如此质蠢，并更无奇贵之处。如此也只好踮脚而已。也罢，我如今大施佛法助你助，待劫终之日，复还本质，以了此案。你道好否？」石头听了，感谢不尽。那僧便念咒书符，大展幻术，将一块大石登时变成一块鲜明莹洁的美玉，且又缩成扇坠大小的可佩可拿。那僧托于掌上，笑道：「形体倒也是个宝物了！还只没有实在的好处，须得再镌上数字[7]，使人一见便知是奇物方妙。然后携你到那昌明隆盛之邦，诗礼簪缨之族，花锦繁华之地，温柔富贵之乡去安身乐业。」石头听了，喜不能禁，乃问：「不知弟子那几件奇处，又不知携了弟子到何处？望乞明示，使弟子不惑。」那僧笑道：「你且莫问，日后自然明白的。」说着，便袖了那石，同那道人飘然而去，竟不知投奔何方何舍。

後來，又不知過了幾世幾劫，因有個空空道人訪道求仙，忽從這大荒山無稽崖青埂峰下經過，忽見一大塊石上字跡分明，編述歷歷。Afterward, who knows how many ages and kalpas passed, when a Daoist named Vanitas, in his quest for the Way and immortality, happened to pass beneath Blue Ridge Peak at Baseless Cliff on Great Waste Mountain, and suddenly saw a large stone with characters clearly inscribed upon it, recounting a story in full detail.空空道人乃從頭一看，原來就是無材補天，幻形入世，蒙茫茫大士，渺渺真人攜入紅塵，歷盡離合悲歡炎涼世態的一段故事。Vanitas the Daoist read it through from the beginning, and it turned out to be the tale of a stone lacking the talent to mend Heaven, transformed in form to enter the world, carried into the dust of the world by the Boundless Buddhist and the Ethereal Daoist, and having passed through all the partings and reunions, joys and sorrows, and the fickle warmth and coldness of worldly ways.後面又有一首偈：At the end there was also a gatha:

后来，又不知过了几世几劫，因有个空空道人访道求仙，忽从这大荒山无稽崖青埂峰下经过，忽见一大块石上字迹分明，编述历历。空空道人乃从头一看，原来就是无材补天，幻形入世，蒙茫茫大士，渺渺真人携入红尘，历尽离合悲欢炎凉世态的一段故事。后面又有一首偈：

無材可與補蒼天，枉入紅塵若許年！Lacking the talent to mend the azure sky, I entered the dust of the world in vain for all these years!

无材可与补苍天，枉入红尘若许年！

此係身前身後事，倩誰寄去作神傳？These are the events of my life before and after — whom shall I ask to send them forth as a marvelous tale?

此系身前身后事，倩谁寄去作神传？

詩後便是此石墜落之鄉，投胎之處，親自經歷的一段陳跡故事。After the verses came an account of the very traces of events that this stone had personally experienced, in the land where it fell and the place of its incarnation.其中家庭閨閣瑣事，以及閒情詩詞倒還全備，或可适趣解悶，然朝代年紀，地輿邦國，卻反失落無考。Within it, the trivial matters of the household and women's chambers, along with idle verses and poems, were all recorded in full and might serve to amuse and relieve boredom, but the dynasty and era, the geography and country, were, on the contrary, missing and beyond verification.

诗后便是此石坠落之乡，投胎之处，亲自经历的一段陈迹故事。其中家庭闺阁琐事，以及闲情诗词倒还全备，或可适趣解闷，然朝代年纪，地舆邦国，却反失落无考。

空空道人遂向石頭說道：「石兄，你這一段故事，据你自己說有些趣味，故編寫在此，意欲問世傳奇。Vanitas the Daoist then said to the stone: 'Brother Stone, this tale of yours — by your own account it has some charm, and so it has been set down here, with the intent of being published to the world as a marvelous tale.据我看來，第一件，無朝代年紀可考，第二件，并無大賢大忠理朝廷治風俗的善政，其中只不過幾個异樣女子，或情或痴，或小才微善，亦無班姑，蔡女之德能。But as I see it, in the first place, there is no dynasty or era to be verified; in the second place, there is no account of great worthies or great loyal ministers governing the court and reforming customs with good policy — it contains nothing but a few extraordinary women, some given to love, some to infatuation, some possessing a little talent or minor virtue, without even the moral capability of a Ban Zhao or a Cai Wenji.我縱抄去，恐世人不愛看呢。」石頭笑答道：「我師何太痴耶！Even if I were to copy it out, I fear the world would not care to read it.' The stone answered with a laugh: 'How foolish you are, my master!若無朝代可考，今我師竟假借漢唐等年紀添綴，又有何難？If there is no dynasty to verify, what difficulty would there be for you, my master, simply to borrow the eras of Han or Tang and append them for embellishment?但我想，歷來野史，皆蹈一轍，莫如我這不借此套者，反倒新奇別致，不過只取其事体情理罷了，又何必拘拘於朝代年紀哉！But I think that unofficial histories through the ages have all followed the same rut, and it would be better not to borrow that convention at all — it would instead prove novel and distinctive, since all that matters is to capture the substance of events and human feeling and reason; why then be so bound by dynasty and era!再者，市井俗人喜看理治之書者甚少，愛适趣閒文者特多。Moreover, among the common folk of the marketplace, few enjoy reading books about statecraft and governance, while a great many love entertaining and leisurely writings.歷來野史，或訕謗君相，或貶人妻女，奸淫凶惡，不可胜數。Unofficial histories through the ages either slander rulers and ministers, or defame other men's wives and daughters, full of adultery and viciousness beyond count.更有一种風月筆墨，其淫穢污臭，屠毒筆墨，坏人子弟，又不可胜數。There is, moreover, a kind of writing on romance and dalliance, so lewd, filthy, and foul, its poisonous brush corrupting the sons and daughters of good families, again beyond count.至若佳人才子等書，則又千部共出一套，且其中終不能不涉於淫濫，以致滿紙潘安、子建、西子、文君，不過作者要寫出自己的那兩首情詩艷賦來，故假擬出男女二人名姓，又必旁出一小人其間撥亂，亦如劇中之小丑然。As for books about beautiful maidens and talented scholars, a thousand volumes all follow one single pattern, and moreover they can never avoid touching on excess and lewdness, so that the pages are filled with names like Pan An, Zi Jian, Xi Zi, and Wen Jun — all simply because the author wished to display his own pair of love poems and amorous rhapsodies, and so invented fictitious names for a man and a woman, and then inevitably had to insert some petty villain to stir up trouble between them, just like the clown figure in a play.且鬟婢開口即者也之乎，非文即理。And even the maidservants, the moment they open their mouths, spout formal classical particles, speaking either in stilted literary language or in moralizing precepts.故逐一看去，悉皆自相矛盾，大不近情理之話，竟不如我半世親睹親聞的這幾個女子，雖不敢說強似前代書中所有之人，但事跡原委，亦可以消愁破悶，也有幾首歪詩熟話，可以噴飯供酒。So, examined one by one, they are all self-contradictory, full of talk that is far from plausible or reasonable — truly not as good as these few women whom I myself have seen and heard of over half a lifetime; though I would not dare say they surpass all the people in the books of former ages, still the full particulars of their stories can serve to dispel sorrow and break tedium, and there are a few rough verses and familiar sayings that can make one spit out one's rice with laughter or serve as an accompaniment to wine.至若離合悲歡，興衰際遇，則又追蹤躡跡，不敢稍加穿鑿，徒為供人之目而反失其真傳者。As for partings and reunions, joys and sorrows, rises and declines of fortune, I have followed the actual traces closely and dared not force or contrive the smallest detail merely to please the reader's eye, at the cost of losing the true account.今之人，貧者日為衣食所累，富者又怀不足之心，縱一時稍閒，又有貪淫戀色，好貨尋愁之事，那裏去有工夫看那理治之書？People today — the poor are burdened day after day with worries over food and clothing, while the rich harbor hearts of insatiable desire; even should they have a moment's leisure, there are still matters of lust and craving for beauty, of covetousness for wealth and courting of vexation — where would they find the time to read books on statecraft and governance?所以我這一段故事，也不願世人稱奇道妙，也不定要世人喜悅檢讀，只願他們當那醉淫飽臥之時，或避世去愁之際，把此一玩，豈不省了些壽命筋力？And so with this tale of mine, I do not wish for the world to praise it as marvelous or wondrous, nor do I insist that people take joy in reading it closely; I only wish that, at times when they are drunk with pleasure or lying replete after a meal, or when they wish to escape the world and cast off care, they might take it up as a diversion — would that not spare them some measure of vitality and strength?就比那謀虛逐妄，卻也省了口舌是非之害，腿腳奔忙之苦。Compared with scheming after emptiness and chasing after illusion, it would also spare them the harm of gossip and disputes, and the toil of rushing about on their own two feet.再者，亦令世人換新眼目，不比那些胡牽亂扯，忽離忽遇，滿紙才人淑女，子建文君紅娘小玉等通共熟套之舊稿。Moreover, it would also give the world a fresh perspective, unlike those tales that drag in absurd, disconnected episodes, suddenly parting and suddenly meeting, filling every page with talented scholars and virtuous maidens, all the tired, formulaic old drafts about the likes of Zi Jian, Wen Jun, Hongniang, and Xiaoyu.我師意為何如？」What does my master think of this?'

空空道人遂向石头说道：「石兄，你这一段故事，据你自己说有些趣味，故编写在此，意欲问世传奇。据我看来，第一件，无朝代年纪可考，第二件，并无大贤大忠理朝廷治风俗的善政，其中只不过几个异样女子，或情或痴，或小才微善，亦无班姑，蔡女之德能。我纵抄去，恐世人不爱看呢。」石头笑答道：「我师何太痴耶！若无朝代可考，今我师竟假借汉唐等年纪添缀，又有何难？但我想，历来野史，皆蹈一辙，莫如我这不借此套者，反倒新奇别致，不过只取其事体情理罢了，又何必拘拘于朝代年纪哉！再者，市井俗人喜看理治之书者甚少，爱适趣闲文者特多。历来野史，或讪谤君相，或贬人妻女，奸淫凶恶，不可胜数。更有一种风月笔墨，其淫秽污臭，屠毒笔墨，坏人子弟，又不可胜数。至若佳人才子等书，则又千部共出一套，且其中终不能不涉于淫滥，以致满纸潘安、子建、西子、文君，不过作者要写出自己的那两首情诗艳赋来，故假拟出男女二人名姓，又必旁出一小人其间拨乱，亦如剧中之小丑然。且鬟婢开口即者也之乎，非文即理。故逐一看去，悉皆自相矛盾，大不近情理之话，竟不如我半世亲睹亲闻的这几个女子，虽不敢说强似前代书中所有之人，但事迹原委，亦可以消愁破闷，也有几首歪诗熟话，可以喷饭供酒。至若离合悲欢，兴衰际遇，则又追踪蹑迹，不敢稍加穿凿，徒为供人之目而反失其真传者。今之人，贫者日为衣食所累，富者又怀不足之心，纵一时稍闲，又有贪淫恋色，好货寻愁之事，那里去有工夫看那理治之书？所以我这一段故事，也不愿世人称奇道妙，也不定要世人喜悦检读，只愿他们当那醉淫饱卧之时，或避世去愁之际，把此一玩，岂不省了些寿命筋力？就比那谋虚逐妄，却也省了口舌是非之害，腿脚奔忙之苦。再者，亦令世人换新眼目，不比那些胡牵乱扯，忽离忽遇，满纸才人淑女，子建文君红娘小玉等通共熟套之旧稿。我师意为何如？」

空空道人聽如此說，思忖半晌，將《石頭記》再檢閱一遍，因見上面雖有些指奸責佞貶惡誅邪之語，亦非傷時罵世之旨，及至君仁臣良父慈子孝，凡倫常所關之處，皆是稱功頌德，眷眷無窮，實非別書之可比。Hearing this, Vanitas the Daoist pondered for a good while, and looked over The Story of the Stone once more; and finding that, although it contained some words pointing out treachery and rebuking flattery, condemning evil and denouncing wickedness, these were not meant to wound the age or curse the world, and that wherever matters touched on the bonds of human relations — a ruler benevolent and his ministers upright, fathers kind and sons filial — the book everywhere praised virtue and lauded merit with boundless devotion, truly beyond comparison with other books.雖其中大旨談情，亦不過實錄其事，又非假擬妄稱，一味淫邀艷約，私訂偷盟之可比。Although its main theme was love, this too was no more than a faithful record of actual events, and by no means comparable to those books that fabricate and falsely claim things, indulging solely in lewd invitations and amorous trysts, secret pledges and stolen vows.因毫不干涉時世，方從頭至尾抄錄回來，問世傳奇。Since it did not in the least trespass upon the affairs of the age, he therefore copied it out from beginning to end and brought it forth to be published to the world as a marvelous tale.從此空空道人因空見色，由色生情，傳情入色，自色悟空，遂易名為情僧，改《石頭記》為《情僧錄》，至吳玉峰題曰《紅樓夢》，東魯孔梅溪則題曰《風月寶鑒》。From this, Vanitas the Daoist, through emptiness beholding form, through form giving rise to feeling, transmitting feeling into form, and from form awakening to emptiness, thereupon changed his name to the Passionate Monk, and changed the title The Story of the Stone to The Record of the Passionate Monk; then Wu Yufeng titled it Dream of the Red Chamber, and Kong Meixi of Eastern Lu titled it The Mirror of Romance.後因曹雪芹於悼紅軒中披閱十載，增刪五次，纂成目錄，分出章回，則題曰《金陵十二釵》，并題一絕：Later, because Cao Xueqin, in his Nostalgia Studio, spent ten years reading it over, adding and deleting five times over, compiled a table of contents and divided it into chapters, he titled it The Twelve Beauties of Jinling, and appended a quatrain:

空空道人听如此说，思忖半晌，将《石头记》再检阅一遍，因见上面虽有些指奸责佞贬恶诛邪之语，亦非伤时骂世之旨，及至君仁臣良父慈子孝，凡伦常所关之处，皆是称功颂德，眷眷无穷，实非别书之可比。虽其中大旨谈情，亦不过实录其事，又非假拟妄称，一味淫邀艳约，私订偷盟之可比。因毫不干涉时世，方从头至尾抄录回来，问世传奇。从此空空道人因空见色，由色生情，传情入色，自色悟空，遂易名为情僧，改《石头记》为《情僧录》，至吴玉峰题曰《红楼梦》，东鲁孔梅溪则题曰《风月宝鉴》。后因曹雪芹于悼红轩中披阅十载，增删五次，纂成目录，分出章回，则题曰《金陵十二钗》，并题一绝：

滿紙荒唐言，一把辛酸淚！Pages full of seemingly absurd words, a handful of bitter tears!

满纸荒唐言，一把辛酸泪！

都作者痴，誰解其中味？All call the author foolish — who can grasp the flavor hidden within?

都作者痴，谁解其中味？

當日地陷東南，這東南一隅有處曰姑蘇，有城曰閶門者，最是紅塵中一二等富貴風流之地。In those days, when the earth sank in the southeast, in that southeastern corner there was a place called Gusu, with a city gate called Chang Gate, which was among the very finest places of wealth and romance in the whole dusty world.這閶門外有個十里街，街內有個仁清巷，巷內有個古廟，因地方窄狹，人皆呼作葫蘆廟。Outside this Chang Gate there was a Ten-Li Street, and on that street there was a Renqing Lane, and in that lane there was an old temple, which, because the place was narrow and cramped, everyone called Gourd Temple.廟旁住着一家鄉宦，姓甄，名費，字士隱。Beside the temple lived a family of retired local gentry, surnamed Zhen, given name Fei, styled Shiyin.嫡妻封氏，情性賢淑，深明禮義。His principal wife, née Feng, was of a virtuous and gentle disposition, and deeply understood propriety and righteousness.家中雖不甚富貴，然本地便也推他為望族了。Although the family was not especially wealthy or eminent, the local people nonetheless regarded them as a prominent clan.因這甄士隱稟性恬淡，不以功名為念，每日只以觀花修竹，酌酒吟詩為樂，倒是神仙一流人品。Because this Zhen Shiyin was by nature calm and unambitious, giving no thought to rank or fame, and spent his days finding pleasure only in viewing flowers, tending bamboo, sipping wine, and chanting poetry, he was truly a person of an immortal, transcendent character.只是一件不足：如今年已半百，膝下無兒，只有一女，乳名喚作英蓮，年方三歲。There was only one thing lacking: now, at the age of fifty, he had no son beneath his knee, only a daughter, whose infant name was Yinglian, just three years old.

当日地陷东南，这东南一隅有处曰姑苏，有城曰阊门者，最是红尘中一二等富贵风流之地。这阊门外有个十里街，街内有个仁清巷，巷内有个古庙，因地方窄狭，人皆呼作葫芦庙。庙旁住着一家乡宦，姓甄，名费，字士隐。嫡妻封氏，情性贤淑，深明礼义。家中虽不甚富贵，然本地便也推他为望族了。因这甄士隐禀性恬淡，不以功名为念，每日只以观花修竹，酌酒吟诗为乐，倒是神仙一流人品。只是一件不足：如今年已半百，膝下无儿，只有一女，乳名唤作英莲，年方三岁。

一日，炎夏永晝，士隱於書房閒坐，至手倦拋書，伏少憩，不覺朦朧睡去。One day, during a long summer day of blazing heat, Shiyin sat idly in his study, until his hand grew weary and he set down his book, and leaning down for a brief rest, drifted unawares into a hazy sleep.夢至一處，不辨是何地方。In his dream he arrived at a place, unable to tell what place it was.忽見那廂來了一僧一道，且行且談。He suddenly saw a monk and a Daoist coming from over there, walking along and talking.只聽道人問道：「你攜了這蠢物，意欲何往？」那僧笑道：「你放心，如今現有一段風流公案正該了結，這一干風流冤家，尚未投胎入世。He heard only the Daoist ask: 'Carrying that stupid creature along, where do you intend to go?' The monk said with a smile: 'Set your mind at ease — there is now a romantic karmic affair that must be resolved, and this whole group of romantic destined foes has not yet been incarnated into the world.趁此機會，就將此蠢物夾帶於中，使他去經歷經歷。」那道人道：「原來近日風流冤孽又將造劫歷世去不成？Taking this opportunity, I shall slip this stupid creature in among them, so that it may go and experience life for itself.' The Daoist said: 'So it seems that some romantic karmic debt of recent days is again about to bring about a kalpa and pass through the world, is it not?但不知落於何方何處？」那僧笑道：「此事說來好笑，竟是千古未聞的罕事。But I wonder where it is to fall, in what place?' The monk said with a smile: 'This matter, told out, is quite amusing — indeed a rare affair unheard of through all the ages.只因西方靈河岸上三生石畔，有絳珠草一株，時有赤瑕宮神瑛侍者，日以甘露灌溉，這絳珠草始得久延歲月。It is simply that on the bank of the Sacred River in the West, beside the Stone of Three Lives, there grows a single Crimson Pearl Herb, and there was at that time an attendant of the Palace of Red Flaw named Divine Luster, who each day watered it with sweet dew, so that this Crimson Pearl Herb was thus able to prolong its years for a long time.後來既受天地精華，复得雨露滋養，遂得脫卻草胎木質，得換人形，僅修成個女体，終日游於離恨天外，饑則食蜜青果為膳，渴則飲灌愁海水為湯。Later, having received the essence of heaven and earth, and further nourished by rain and dew, it was able to shed its grass-like, woody form, and take on human shape, cultivating itself finally into a female body, roaming all day beyond the Heaven of Parted Grief; when hungry it ate the fruit of Secret Sorrow for food, and when thirsty it drank the waters of the Sea of Brimming Sorrow as its drink.只因尚未酬報灌溉之德，故其五內便郁結着一段纏綿不盡之意。Only because it had not yet repaid the kindness of that watering, there remained knotted within its innermost being an endless tangle of unresolved feeling.恰近日這神瑛侍者凡心偶熾，乘此昌明太平朝世，意欲下凡造歷幻緣，已在警幻仙子案前挂了號。It happens that recently this attendant Divine Luster had his mortal heart chance to flare up, and, taking advantage of this age of enlightened peace, wished to descend into the mortal world to undergo an illusory predestined bond, and has already registered his name before the desk of the Fairy Disenchantment.警幻亦曾問及，灌溉之情未償，趁此倒可了結的。Disenchantment also once asked about it — that since the debt of watering had not yet been repaid, this occasion might serve well to settle it.那絳珠仙子道：『他是甘露之惠，我并無此水可還。That Crimson Pearl Fairy said: 'He gave the kindness of sweet dew; I have no such water with which to repay him.他既下世為人，我也去下世為人，但把我一生所有的眼淚還他，也償還得過他了。』因此一事，就勾出多少風流冤家來，陪他們去了結此案。」那道人道：「果是罕聞。Since he is going down into the world to be born as a man, I too will go down into the world to be born a woman, and simply repay him with all the tears of my whole life — that will be repayment enough for him.' Because of this one matter, ever so many romantic destined foes have been drawn out, to accompany them down and settle this affair.' The Daoist said: 'This is truly a rare thing to hear.實未聞有還淚之說。I have truly never before heard of repaying kindness with tears.想來這一段故事，比歷來風月事故更加瑣碎細膩了。」那僧道：「歷來幾個風流人物，不過傳其大概以及詩詞篇章而已，至家庭閨閣中一飲一食，總未述記。I imagine this story must be even more minutely detailed than the romantic affairs handed down through the ages.' The monk said: 'The few romantic figures handed down through the ages have had only the general outline of their lives, along with their poems and writings, passed on; as for the daily meals and drinks within the household and women's chambers, these have never been recorded at all.再者，大半風月故事，不過偷香竊玉，暗約私奔而已，并不曾將兒女之真情發泄一二。Moreover, the greater part of romantic tales amount to no more than stealing fragrance and pilfering jade, secret trysts and elopements, and have never once given vent to even a fraction of the true feelings of young men and women.想這一干人入世，其情痴色鬼，賢愚不肖者，悉與前人傳述不同矣。」那道人道：「趁此何不你我也去下世度脫幾個，豈不是一場功德？」那僧道：「正合吾意，你且同我到警幻仙子宮中，將蠢物交割清楚，待這一干風流孽鬼下世已完，你我再去。I think that when this whole group enters the world, their infatuations with love and lust, and whether they are worthy, foolish, or unworthy, will all be quite unlike what former writers have recounted.' The Daoist said: 'Taking this opportunity, why should you and I not also go down into the world and deliver a few of them — would that not be an act of merit?' The monk said: 'That agrees exactly with my own thought. Come with me first to the palace of the Fairy Disenchantment, and let us settle the matter of handing over this stupid creature clearly; once this whole group of romantic sinful spirits has finished descending into the world, you and I shall go too.如今雖已有一半落塵，然猶未全集。」道人道：「既如此，便隨你去來。」Although as of now about half of them have already fallen into the dust of the world, they are still not all assembled.' The Daoist said: 'Since that is so, I shall go along with you.'

一日，炎夏永昼，士隐于书房闲坐，至手倦抛书，伏少憩，不觉朦胧睡去。梦至一处，不辨是何地方。忽见那厢来了一僧一道，且行且谈。只听道人问道：「你携了这蠢物，意欲何往？」那僧笑道：「你放心，如今现有一段风流公案正该了结，这一干风流冤家，尚未投胎入世。趁此机会，就将此蠢物夹带于中，使他去经历经历。」那道人道：「原来近日风流冤孽又将造劫历世去不成？但不知落于何方何处？」那僧笑道：「此事说来好笑，竟是千古未闻的罕事。只因西方灵河岸上三生石畔，有绛珠草一株，时有赤瑕宫神瑛侍者，日以甘露灌溉，这绛珠草始得久延岁月。后来既受天地精华，复得雨露滋养，遂得脱却草胎木质，得换人形，仅修成个女体，终日游于离恨天外，饥则食蜜青果为膳，渴则饮灌愁海水为汤。只因尚未酬报灌溉之德，故其五内便郁结着一段缠绵不尽之意。恰近日这神瑛侍者凡心偶炽，乘此昌明太平朝世，意欲下凡造历幻缘，已在警幻仙子案前挂了号。警幻亦曾问及，灌溉之情未偿，趁此倒可了结的。那绛珠仙子道：『他是甘露之惠，我并无此水可还。他既下世为人，我也去下世为人，但把我一生所有的眼泪还他，也偿还得过他了。』因此一事，就勾出多少风流冤家来，陪他们去了结此案。」那道人道：「果是罕闻。实未闻有还泪之说。想来这一段故事，比历来风月事故更加琐碎细腻了。」那僧道：「历来几个风流人物，不过传其大概以及诗词篇章而已，至家庭闺阁中一饮一食，总未述记。再者，大半风月故事，不过偷香窃玉，暗约私奔而已，并不曾将儿女之真情发泄一二。想这一干人入世，其情痴色鬼，贤愚不肖者，悉与前人传述不同矣。」那道人道：「趁此何不你我也去下世度脱几个，岂不是一场功德？」那僧道：「正合吾意，你且同我到警幻仙子宫中，将蠢物交割清楚，待这一干风流孽鬼下世已完，你我再去。如今虽已有一半落尘，然犹未全集。」道人道：「既如此，便随你去来。」

卻說甄士隱俱聽得明白，但不知所「蠢物」系何東西。Now, to return to the story: Zhen Shiyin had heard all of this quite clearly, but did not know what this 'stupid creature' actually was.遂不禁上前施禮，笑問道：「二仙師請了。」那僧道也忙答禮相問。He could not help stepping forward and making a bow, and asked with a smile: 'Greetings, you two immortal masters.' The monk and the Daoist likewise hastily returned the bow and asked after him.士隱因說道：「适聞仙師所談因果，實人世罕聞者。Shiyin then said: 'What I have just heard the immortal masters discuss of cause and effect is truly something rarely heard in the human world.但弟子愚濁，不能洞悉明白，若蒙大開痴頑，備細一聞，弟子則洗耳諦聽，稍能警省，亦可免沉倫之苦。」二仙笑道：「此乃玄機不可預泄者。But I am ignorant and dull, and cannot fully grasp its meaning; if you would kindly enlighten my foolish stubbornness and let me hear the full particulars, I would wash my ears and listen attentively, and might thereby gain some awakening and be spared the suffering of sinking into the mortal round.' The two immortals said with a smile: 'This is a mystery of Heaven that must not be divulged beforehand.到那時不要忘我二人，便可跳出火坑矣。」士隱聽了，不便再問。When that time comes, do not forget the two of us, and you will then be able to leap free of the pit of fire.' Hearing this, Shiyin found it inconvenient to ask further.因笑道：「玄機不可預泄，但适『蠢物』，不知為何，或可一見否？」那僧道：「若問此物，倒有一面之緣。」說着，取出遞與士隱。So he said with a smile: 'The mystery of Heaven may not be divulged beforehand, but as for that "stupid creature" you spoke of just now, I do not know what it is — might I perhaps be allowed a look at it?' The monk said: 'If you ask about this object, you do indeed have a predestined chance to meet it once.' So saying, he took it out and handed it to Shiyin.士隱接了看時，原來是塊鮮明美玉，上面字跡分明，鐫着「通靈寶玉」四字，後面還有幾行小字。Shiyin took it and looked, and found it was a piece of bright and beautiful jade, with characters clearly inscribed upon it, engraved with the four words 'Precious Jade of Spiritual Understanding,' and with a few more lines of small characters on the back.正欲細看時，那僧便說已到幻境，便強從手中奪了去，與道人竟過一大石牌坊，上書四個大字，乃是「太虛幻境」。Just as he was about to examine it closely, the monk said they had already reached the Land of Illusion, and forcibly snatched it from his hand, and together with the Daoist went straight past a great stone memorial archway, upon which were written four large characters: 'The Land of Illusion.'兩邊又有一幅對聯，道是：On either side there was also a pair of scrolls, which read:

却说甄士隐俱听得明白，但不知所「蠢物」系何东西。遂不禁上前施礼，笑问道：「二仙师请了。」那僧道也忙答礼相问。士隐因说道：「适闻仙师所谈因果，实人世罕闻者。但弟子愚浊，不能洞悉明白，若蒙大开痴顽，备细一闻，弟子则洗耳谛听，稍能警省，亦可免沉伦之苦。」二仙笑道：「此乃玄机不可预泄者。到那时不要忘我二人，便可跳出火坑矣。」士隐听了，不便再问。因笑道：「玄机不可预泄，但适『蠢物』，不知为何，或可一见否？」那僧道：「若问此物，倒有一面之缘。」说着，取出递与士隐。士隐接了看时，原来是块鲜明美玉，上面字迹分明，镌着「通灵宝玉」四字，后面还有几行小字。正欲细看时，那僧便说已到幻境，便强从手中夺了去，与道人竟过一大石牌坊，上书四个大字，乃是「太虚幻境」。两边又有一幅对联，道是：

假作真時真亦假，無為有處有還無。When the false is taken for the true, the true becomes false as well; where nothing is taken for something, something reverts once more to nothing.

假作真时真亦假，无为有处有还无。

士隱意欲也跟了過去，方舉步時，忽聽一聲霹靂，有若山崩地陷。Shiyin wished to follow them across as well, but just as he lifted his foot to step forward, he suddenly heard a clap of thunder, as if mountains were crumbling and the earth caving in.士隱大叫一聲，定睛一看，只見烈日炎炎，芭蕉冉冉，所夢之事便忘了大半。Shiyin cried out loudly, and steadying his gaze to look, saw only the blazing sun burning fiercely and the banana leaves swaying gently, and the events of his dream were already more than half forgotten.又見奶母正抱了英蓮走來。He then saw the wet-nurse coming along, carrying Yinglian in her arms.士隱見女兒越發生得粉妝玉琢，乖覺可喜，便伸手接來，抱在怀內，鬥他頑耍一回，又帶至街前，看那過會的熱鬧。Seeing that his daughter had grown ever more delicately lovely, as if powdered and carved of jade, clever and delightful, Shiyin reached out to take her, held her in his arms, played and teased with her for a while, and then carried her out to the street in front to watch the bustle of a passing festival procession.方欲進來時，只見從那邊來了一僧一道：那僧則癩頭跣腳，那道則跛足蓬頭，瘋瘋癲癲，揮霍談笑而至。Just as he was about to go back inside, he saw a monk and a Daoist coming from over there: the monk with a scabby head and bare feet, the Daoist lame of foot and disheveled of hair, both behaving like madmen, gesturing wildly and talking and laughing as they approached.及至到了他門前，看見士隱抱着英蓮，那僧便大哭起來，又向士隱道：「施主，你把這有命無運，累及爹娘之物，抱在怀內作甚？」士隱聽了，知是瘋話，也不去睬他。When they reached his gate and saw Shiyin holding Yinglian in his arms, the monk burst out weeping loudly, and said to Shiyin: 'Benefactor, why do you hold in your arms this creature who has life but no fortune, one destined to bring hardship upon her father and mother?' Hearing this, Shiyin took it for mad ravings and paid him no heed.那僧還說：「舍我罷，舍我罷！」士隱不耐煩，便抱女兒撤身要進去，那僧乃指着他大笑，口內念了四句言詞道：The monk went on saying: 'Give her to me, give her to me!' Shiyin, growing impatient, turned to carry his daughter back inside, whereupon the monk pointed at him and laughed loudly, reciting from his mouth four lines of verse:

士隐意欲也跟了过去，方举步时，忽听一声霹雳，有若山崩地陷。士隐大叫一声，定睛一看，只见烈日炎炎，芭蕉冉冉，所梦之事便忘了大半。又见奶母正抱了英莲走来。士隐见女儿越发生得粉妆玉琢，乖觉可喜，便伸手接来，抱在怀内，斗他顽耍一回，又带至街前，看那过会的热闹。方欲进来时，只见从那边来了一僧一道：那僧则癞头跣脚，那道则跛足蓬头，疯疯癫癫，挥霍谈笑而至。及至到了他门前，看见士隐抱着英莲，那僧便大哭起来，又向士隐道：「施主，你把这有命无运，累及爹娘之物，抱在怀内作甚？」士隐听了，知是疯话，也不去睬他。那僧还说：「舍我罢，舍我罢！」士隐不耐烦，便抱女儿撤身要进去，那僧乃指着他大笑，口内念了四句言词道：

慣養嬌生笑你痴，菱花空對雪澌澌。Raised in pampered indulgence, I laugh at your foolishness — the mirror-flower gazes in vain upon the melting snow.

惯养娇生笑你痴，菱花空对雪澌澌。

好防佳節元宵後，便是煙消火滅時！Best beware, after the Lantern Festival's happy season has passed, for that will be the moment when the smoke clears and the flame goes out!

好防佳节元宵后，便是烟消火灭时！

士隱聽得明白，心下猶豫，意欲問他們來歷。Shiyin heard this quite clearly, and hesitated in his heart, wishing to ask them about their origins.只聽道人說道：「你我不必同行，就此分手，各幹營生去罷。He heard only the Daoist say: 'You and I need not travel together any further — let us part ways here, and each go about our own business.'三劫後，我在北邙山等你，會齊了同往太虛幻境銷號。」那僧道：「最妙，最妙！」說畢，二人一去，再不見個蹤影了。"After three kalpas, I will wait for you at Mount Beimang; once we are gathered together we shall go together to the Land of Illusion to have our names struck from the roll." The monk said, "Excellent, excellent!" With that, the two of them departed, and no trace of them was ever seen again.士隱心中此時自忖：這兩個人必有來歷，該試一問，如今悔卻晚也。At this Shiyin thought to himself: these two men must have some extraordinary history behind them; he ought to have tried asking them about it — but now it was too late for regret.

士隐听得明白，心下犹豫，意欲问他们来历。只听道人说道：「你我不必同行，就此分手，各干营生去罢。三劫后，我在北邙山等你，会齐了同往太虚幻境销号。」那僧道：「最妙，最妙！」说毕，二人一去，再不见个踪影了。士隐心中此时自忖：这两个人必有来历，该试一问，如今悔却晚也。

這士隱正痴想，忽見隔壁葫蘆廟內寄居的一個窮儒-姓賈名化，表字時飛，別號雨村者走了出來。While Shiyin was lost in this reverie, he suddenly saw a poor scholar lodging next door in the Hulu Temple come walking out — a man surnamed Jia, given name Hua, courtesy name Shifei, and by-name Yucun.這賈雨村原系胡州人氏，也是詩書仕宦之族，因他生於末世，父母祖宗根基已盡，人口衰喪，只剩得他一身一口，在家鄉無益，因進京求取功名，再整基業。This Jia Yucun was originally a native of Huzhou, likewise from a family of scholars and officials; but having been born in a declining age, he found that his parents' and ancestors' foundation had been exhausted and the family's numbers had dwindled away, leaving him alone in the world with no one to depend on. Seeing no advantage in remaining in his native place, he had gone up to the capital to seek office and rank, hoping to rebuild the family fortunes.自前歲來此，又淹蹇住了，暫寄廟中安身，每日賣字作文為生，故士隱常與他交接。Since arriving here the year before last, he had again been stranded and delayed, and was staying temporarily at the temple to get by, earning his living day by day by selling his calligraphy and writing compositions for others — which was why Shiyin often had dealings with him.當下雨村見了士隱，忙施禮陪笑道：「老先生倚門佇望，敢是街市上有甚新聞否？」士隱笑道：「非也。Yucun, seeing Shiyin, hastened to bow and said with a smile, "Venerable sir, standing here gazing out at your gate — might there be some news abroad in the street?" Shiyin laughed and said, "No, nothing of the kind.适因小女啼哭，引他出來作耍，正是無聊之甚，兄來得正妙，請入小齋一談，彼此皆可消此永晝。」說着，便令人送女兒進去，自與雨村攜手來至書房中。It happened that my little daughter was crying, so I brought her out to amuse her — I was feeling utterly bored, and you, brother, have come at just the right moment. Please step into my humble study for a talk; we can while away this long day together." So saying, he had someone take his daughter back inside, and himself walked hand in hand with Yucun to the study.小童獻茶。A young houseboy served tea.方談得三五句話，忽家人飛報：「嚴老爺來拜。」士隱慌的忙起身謝罪道：「恕誑駕之罪，略坐，弟即來陪。」雨村忙起身亦讓道：「老先生請便。They had scarcely exchanged a few words when a servant rushed in to announce, "Master Yan has come to call." Shiyin, flustered, rose at once and apologized, saying, "Forgive me for being so rude as to leave you sitting alone — please be seated a moment, and I shall come back to keep you company shortly." Yucun likewise rose hastily and said, "Venerable sir, please attend to your business.晚生乃常造之客，稍候何妨。」說着，士隱已出前廳去了。I am but a frequent visitor here — what harm is there in my waiting a little?" Even as he spoke, Shiyin had already gone out to the front hall.

这士隐正痴想，忽见隔壁葫芦庙内寄居的一个穷儒-姓贾名化，表字时飞，别号雨村者走了出来。这贾雨村原系胡州人氏，也是诗书仕宦之族，因他生于末世，父母祖宗根基已尽，人口衰丧，只剩得他一身一口，在家乡无益，因进京求取功名，再整基业。自前岁来此，又淹蹇住了，暂寄庙中安身，每日卖字作文为生，故士隐常与他交接。当下雨村见了士隐，忙施礼陪笑道：「老先生倚门伫望，敢是街市上有甚新闻否？」士隐笑道：「非也。适因小女啼哭，引他出来作耍，正是无聊之甚，兄来得正妙，请入小斋一谈，彼此皆可消此永昼。」说着，便令人送女儿进去，自与雨村携手来至书房中。小童献茶。方谈得三五句话，忽家人飞报：「严老爷来拜。」士隐慌的忙起身谢罪道：「恕诳驾之罪，略坐，弟即来陪。」雨村忙起身亦让道：「老先生请便。晚生乃常造之客，稍候何妨。」说着，士隐已出前厅去了。

這裏雨村且翻弄書籍解悶。Left alone, Yucun passed the time leafing through some books to relieve his boredom.忽聽得窗外有女子嗽聲，雨村遂起身往窗外一看，原來是一個丫鬟，在那裏擷花，生得儀容不俗，眉目清明，雖無十分姿色，卻亦有動人之處。Suddenly he heard the sound of a woman coughing outside the window. Yucun rose and looked out, and found it was a maidservant picking flowers there — a girl of no ordinary bearing, with clear, fine brows and eyes; though not a beauty of the first rank, she nonetheless had something about her that was moving.雨村不覺看的呆了。Yucun found himself staring at her, quite entranced.那甄家丫鬟擷了花，方欲走時，猛抬頭見窗內有人，敝巾舊服，雖是貧窘，然生得腰圓背厚，面闊口方，更兼劍眉星眼，直鼻權腮。When the Zhen family's maid had finished picking her flowers and was about to leave, she suddenly looked up and saw a man behind the window — his cap was worn and his clothes old, and though he was clearly poor and in straitened circumstances, he had a stout waist and broad back, a wide face and square mouth, and moreover sword-like brows, bright starry eyes, a straight nose and full cheeks.這丫鬟忙轉身回避，心下乃想：「這人生的這樣雄壯，卻又這樣襤褸，想他定是我家主人常說的什麼賈雨村了，每有意幫助周濟，只是沒甚機會。The maid quickly turned away to avoid his gaze, thinking to herself: "This man is so strong and imposing in build, and yet so shabbily dressed — he must surely be that Jia Yucun my master so often speaks of, always meaning to help and assist him but never finding the opportunity.我家并無這樣貧窘親友，想定是此人無疑了。Our family has no relative or friend so poor and hard-pressed as this — it must certainly be him, without doubt.怪道又說他必非久困之人。」如此想來，不免又回頭兩次。No wonder my master also says he is bound not to remain in hardship for long." Thinking thus, she could not help turning her head to look back twice more.雨村見他回了頭，便自為這女子心中有意於他，便狂喜不盡，自為此女子必是個巨眼英雄，風塵中之知己也。Seeing her turn her head, Yucun took it to mean that the girl had taken a fancy to him in her heart, and was overjoyed beyond measure, telling himself that this girl must surely be a heroine of discerning eye, a true confidante amid the dust of the world.一時小童進來，雨村打聽得前面留飯，不可久待，遂從夾道中自便出門去了。Presently the houseboy came in, and Yucun learned that a meal was being kept for him out front, so that he could not stay much longer; he therefore let himself out through the side passage and went on his way.士隱待客既散，知雨村自便，也不去再邀。After Shiyin's guest had left, learning that Yucun had seen himself out, he did not go to invite him back again.

这里雨村且翻弄书籍解闷。忽听得窗外有女子嗽声，雨村遂起身往窗外一看，原来是一个丫鬟，在那里撷花，生得仪容不俗，眉目清明，虽无十分姿色，却亦有动人之处。雨村不觉看的呆了。那甄家丫鬟撷了花，方欲走时，猛抬头见窗内有人，敝巾旧服，虽是贫窘，然生得腰圆背厚，面阔口方，更兼剑眉星眼，直鼻权腮。这丫鬟忙转身回避，心下乃想：「这人生的这样雄壮，却又这样褴褛，想他定是我家主人常说的什么贾雨村了，每有意帮助周济，只是没甚机会。我家并无这样贫窘亲友，想定是此人无疑了。怪道又说他必非久困之人。」如此想来，不免又回头两次。雨村见他回了头，便自为这女子心中有意于他，便狂喜不尽，自为此女子必是个巨眼英雄，风尘中之知己也。一时小童进来，雨村打听得前面留饭，不可久待，遂从夹道中自便出门去了。士隐待客既散，知雨村自便，也不去再邀。

一日，早又中秋佳節。One day, it was already the Mid-Autumn Festival once more.士隱家宴已畢，乃又另具一席於書房，卻自己步月至廟中來邀雨村。After the family banquet at Shiyin's house was over, he had another table set separately in the study, and himself walked by moonlight to the temple to invite Yucun.原來雨村自那日見了甄家之婢曾回顧他兩次，自為是個知己，便時刻放在心上。It happened that ever since that day when Yucun had seen the Zhen family's maid turn to look at him twice, he had taken her for a true confidante and kept her constantly in his thoughts.今又正值中秋，不免對月有怀，因而口占五言一律：Now, with Mid-Autumn come again, he could not help being stirred by the sight of the moon, and so composed offhand a five-character regulated verse:

一日，早又中秋佳节。士隐家宴已毕，乃又另具一席于书房，却自己步月至庙中来邀雨村。原来雨村自那日见了甄家之婢曾回顾他两次，自为是个知己，便时刻放在心上。今又正值中秋，不免对月有怀，因而口占五言一律：

未卜三生願，頻添一段愁。Unknowing whether my wish of three lifetimes will be fulfilled, I find yet another sorrow added to my heart.

未卜三生愿，频添一段愁。

悶來時斂額，行去幾回頭。When melancholy comes I knit my brow; as I walk away I turn my head again and again.

闷来时敛额，行去几回头。

自顧風前影，誰堪月下儔？I look upon my own shadow before the wind — who is fit to be my companion beneath the moon?

自顾风前影，谁堪月下俦？

蟾光如有意，先上玉人樓。If the toad's light in the moon has any feeling, let it first climb to the tower of my fair one.

蟾光如有意，先上玉人楼。

雨村吟罷，因又思及平生抱負，苦未逢時，乃又搔首對天長歎，复高吟一聯曰：When Yucun had finished reciting this, his thoughts turned again to the ambitions of his whole life, bitter that he had not yet met with the right time; he scratched his head, sighed long at the sky, and once more recited aloud a couplet:

雨村吟罢，因又思及平生抱负，苦未逢时，乃又搔首对天长叹，复高吟一联曰：

玉在匵[8]中求善价，釵於奩內待時飛。The jade in its case awaits a good price; the hairpin in its box awaits the moment to fly.

玉在匵[8]中求善价，钗于奁内待时飞。

恰值士隱走來聽見，笑道：「雨村兄真抱負不淺也！」雨村忙笑道：「不過偶吟前人之句，何敢狂誕至此。」因問：「老先生何興至此？」士隱笑道：「今夜中秋，俗謂『團圓之節』，想尊兄旅寄僧房，不無寂寥之感，故特具小酌，邀兄到敝齋一飲，不知可納芹意否？」雨村聽了，并不推辭，便笑道：「既蒙厚愛，何敢拂此盛情。」說着，便同士隱复過這邊書院中來。Just then Shiyin came walking up and overheard this, and said with a laugh, "Brother Yucun, your ambitions are truly no small thing!" Yucun quickly said with a smile, "I was merely reciting by chance some lines of the ancients — how should I dare be so wildly presumptuous?" Then he asked, "What brings you here in such good spirits, venerable sir?" Shiyin said with a smile, "Tonight is Mid-Autumn, popularly called the 'Festival of Reunion,' and I thought that you, brother, lodging as a traveler in a monk's cell, could hardly be without some feeling of loneliness; so I have specially prepared a small feast to invite you to my humble study for a drink — I wonder if you will accept this trifling gesture?" On hearing this, Yucun did not decline at all, but said with a smile, "Since you favor me so kindly, how should I dare go against such generous feeling?" So saying, he went together with Shiyin back over to the study.須臾茶畢，早已設下杯盤，那美酒佳肴自不必說。In a little while, when the tea was finished, the cups and dishes had already been laid out — and of the fine wine and delicious food there is no need to speak in detail.二人歸坐，先是款斟漫飲，次漸談至興濃，不覺飛觥限斝起來。The two men took their seats, and at first poured and drank slowly and at leisure; then, as their talk gradually grew more animated, before they knew it the cups were flying and the wine-vessels being drained one after another.當時街坊上家家簫管，戶戶弦歌，當頭一輪明月，飛彩凝輝，二人愈添豪興，酒到杯乾。At that time, up and down the street every household had its flutes and pipes, every house its strings and songs; overhead a round bright moon cast its shimmering radiance, and the two men's spirits grew ever more expansive, so that whenever the wine came round, the cup was drained dry.雨村此時已有七八分酒意，狂興不禁，乃對月寓怀，口號一絕：By this time Yucun was already seven or eight parts drunk, and unable to restrain his wild exuberance; facing the moon and giving vent to his feelings, he recited aloud a quatrain:

恰值士隐走来听见，笑道：「雨村兄真抱负不浅也！」雨村忙笑道：「不过偶吟前人之句，何敢狂诞至此。」因问：「老先生何兴至此？」士隐笑道：「今夜中秋，俗谓『团圆之节』，想尊兄旅寄僧房，不无寂寥之感，故特具小酌，邀兄到敝斋一饮，不知可纳芹意否？」雨村听了，并不推辞，便笑道：「既蒙厚爱，何敢拂此盛情。」说着，便同士隐复过这边书院中来。须臾茶毕，早已设下杯盘，那美酒佳肴自不必说。二人归坐，先是款斟漫饮，次渐谈至兴浓，不觉飞觥限斝起来。当时街坊上家家箫管，户户弦歌，当头一轮明月，飞彩凝辉，二人愈添豪兴，酒到杯干。雨村此时已有七八分酒意，狂兴不禁，乃对月寓怀，口号一绝：

時逢三五便團圓，滿把晴光護玉欄。The season comes to the fifteenth, and all is round and full; a whole handful of clear light guards the jade balustrade.

时逢三五便团圆，满把晴光护玉栏。

天上一輪才捧出，人間萬姓仰頭看。In the heavens a single disc has just been lifted forth; on earth the countless people raise their heads to gaze.

天上一轮才捧出，人间万姓仰头看。

士隱聽了，大叫：「妙哉！Hearing this, Shiyin cried out, "Splendid!吾每謂兄必非久居人下者，今所吟之句，飛騰之兆已見，不日可接履於雲霓之上矣。I have always said that you, brother, would surely not remain long beneath others — and now, in the lines you have just recited, the omen of your soaring rise is already plain to see; before long you will be treading the very clouds and rainbows.可賀，可賀！」乃親斟一斗為賀。This calls for congratulation, for congratulation!" And he personally poured out a full measure of wine in celebration.雨村因乾過，歎道：「非晚生酒後狂言，若論時尚之學，晚生也或可去充數沽名，只是目今行囊路費一概無措，神京路遠，非賴賣字撰文即能到者。」士隱不待說完，便道：「兄何不早言。Yucun drained the cup and then sighed, saying, "It is not the wild talk of a man in his cups — if we speak of the learning fashionable in these times, I might perhaps make up the numbers and gain some small name for myself; only at present I have absolutely no means for the funds and provisions of the journey, and the road to the capital is far — it is not a distance one can cover merely by selling one's calligraphy and writing compositions." Before he had finished speaking, Shiyin broke in, "Brother, why did you not say so sooner?愚每有此心，但每遇兄時，兄并未談及，愚故未敢唐突。I have often had this thought myself, but each time we met, you never brought up the matter, and so I dared not presume to bring it up first.今既及此，愚雖不才，『義利』二字卻還識得。Now that it has come up, unworthy though I am, I still know the meaning of the two words 'duty' and 'gain.'且喜明歲正當大比，兄宜作速入都，春闈一戰，方不負兄之所學也。And what is more, it happens that next year is a year of the great examinations — you ought to make haste to go up to the capital, so that in the spring examination hall you may do battle and not let your learning go to waste.其盤費餘事，弟自代為處置，亦不枉兄之謬識矣！」當下即命小童進去，速封五十兩白銀，并兩套冬衣。As for the travel expenses and other such matters, I shall see to them on your behalf — so that your mistaken good opinion of me will not have been in vain!" He at once ordered the houseboy to go in and quickly wrap up fifty taels of silver, together with two suits of winter clothing.又：「十九日乃黃道之期，兄可即買舟西上，待雄飛高舉，明冬再晤，豈非大快之事耶！」雨村收了銀衣，不過略謝一語，并不介意，仍是吃酒談笑。He added, "The nineteenth is an auspicious day — you may buy passage on a boat and set off westward at once. When you have soared aloft like a mighty bird, we shall meet again next winter — will that not be a most delightful thing!" Yucun accepted the silver and the clothing, offering only a brief word of thanks and giving it no further thought, and went on drinking and talking merrily as before.那天已交了三更，二人方散。By the time night had reached the third watch, the two men finally parted.士隱送雨村去後，回房一覺，直至紅日三竿方醒。After Shiyin had seen Yucun off, he returned to his room and slept soundly, not waking until the red sun stood three poles high.因思昨夜之事，意欲再寫兩封荐書與雨村帶至神都，使雨村投謁個仕宦之家為寄足之地。Recalling the affair of the night before, he thought he would write a couple of letters of introduction for Yucun to carry to the capital, so that Yucun might call upon some official family there as a place to establish himself.因使人過去請時，那家人去了回來說：「和尚說，賈爺今日五鼓已進京去了，也曾留下話與和尚轉達老爺，說『讀書人不在黃道黑道，總以事理為要，不及面辭了。』」士隱聽了，也只得罷了。So he sent someone over to invite Yucun to come, but the servant came back and reported, "The monk said that Master Jia already set off for the capital at the fifth watch this morning; he also left word with the monk to pass on to you, sir, saying, 'A scholar need not fuss over lucky or unlucky days — what matters above all is reason and circumstance; I have not time to take proper leave in person.'" Hearing this, Shiyin had no choice but to let the matter drop.真是閒處光陰易過，倏忽又是元霄佳節矣。Truly, time passes easily enough when one has nothing pressing to do, and in the twinkling of an eye it was already the Lantern Festival again.士隱命家人霍啟抱了英蓮去看社火花燈，半夜中，霍啟因要小解，便將英蓮放在一家門檻上坐着。Shiyin had his servant Huo Qi carry Yinglian in his arms to watch the festival bonfires and lanterns; in the middle of the night, Huo Qi, needing to relieve himself, set Yinglian down to sit upon the threshold of a certain house.待他小解完了來抱時，那有英蓮的蹤影？When he had finished and came back to pick her up again, where was any trace of Yinglian to be found?急得霍啟直尋了半夜，至天明不見，那霍啟也就不敢回來見主人，便逃往他鄉去了。Huo Qi, frantic with worry, searched all through the rest of the night, and when dawn came and she was still not found, he no longer dared go back to face his master, and so fled to some other place.那士隱夫婦，見女兒一夜不歸，便知有些不妥，再使幾人去尋找，回來皆音響皆無。When Shiyin and his wife saw that their daughter had not come home all night, they knew at once that something was amiss, and sent several more people out to search for her, but they all came back with no news whatsoever.夫妻二人，半世只生此女，一旦失落，豈不思想，因此晝夜啼哭，幾乎不曾尋死。The couple, having had only this one daughter in all their half a lifetime, could hardly help grieving now that she was lost; and so they wept day and night, and very nearly took their own lives from sorrow.看看的一月，士隱先就得了一病，當時封氏孺人也因思女构疾，日日請醫療治。In the course of about a month, Shiyin first fell ill from it, and at the same time his wife, Madame Feng, also fell sick from grieving over their daughter, so that physicians were called in day after day to treat them.

士隐听了，大叫：「妙哉！吾每谓兄必非久居人下者，今所吟之句，飞腾之兆已见，不日可接履于云霓之上矣。可贺，可贺！」乃亲斟一斗为贺。雨村因干过，叹道：「非晚生酒后狂言，若论时尚之学，晚生也或可去充数沽名，只是目今行囊路费一概无措，神京路远，非赖卖字撰文即能到者。」士隐不待说完，便道：「兄何不早言。愚每有此心，但每遇兄时，兄并未谈及，愚故未敢唐突。今既及此，愚虽不才，『义利』二字却还识得。且喜明岁正当大比，兄宜作速入都，春闱一战，方不负兄之所学也。其盘费余事，弟自代为处置，亦不枉兄之谬识矣！」当下即命小童进去，速封五十两白银，并两套冬衣。又：「十九日乃黄道之期，兄可即买舟西上，待雄飞高举，明冬再晤，岂非大快之事耶！」雨村收了银衣，不过略谢一语，并不介意，仍是吃酒谈笑。那天已交了三更，二人方散。士隐送雨村去后，回房一觉，直至红日三竿方醒。因思昨夜之事，意欲再写两封荐书与雨村带至神都，使雨村投谒个仕宦之家为寄足之地。因使人过去请时，那家人去了回来说：「和尚说，贾爷今日五鼓已进京去了，也曾留下话与和尚转达老爷，说『读书人不在黄道黑道，总以事理为要，不及面辞了。』」士隐听了，也只得罢了。真是闲处光阴易过，倏忽又是元霄佳节矣。士隐命家人霍启抱了英莲去看社火花灯，半夜中，霍启因要小解，便将英莲放在一家门槛上坐着。待他小解完了来抱时，那有英莲的踪影？急得霍启直寻了半夜，至天明不见，那霍启也就不敢回来见主人，便逃往他乡去了。那士隐夫妇，见女儿一夜不归，便知有些不妥，再使几人去寻找，回来皆音响皆无。夫妻二人，半世只生此女，一旦失落，岂不思想，因此昼夜啼哭，几乎不曾寻死。看看的一月，士隐先就得了一病，当时封氏孺人也因思女构疾，日日请医疗治。

不想這日三月十五，葫蘆廟中炸供，那些和尚不加小心，致使油鍋火逸，便燒着窗紙。Unexpectedly, on the fifteenth of the third month, the monks of Hulu Temple were frying offerings and, being careless, let the oil in the pan catch fire, which spread and set the paper window alight.此方人家多用竹篱木壁者，大抵也因劫數，於是接二連三，牽五挂四，將一條街燒得如火焰山一般。Since most of the houses in that area were built with bamboo fences and wooden walls, and this too was no doubt part of some preordained calamity, the fire spread from one house to the next, dragging in one after another, until it had burned the whole street into something like a mountain of flame.彼時雖有軍民來救，那火已成了勢，如何救得下？Although soldiers and townsfolk came at the time to fight the fire, the flames had already gained such force that how could they possibly be put out?直燒了一夜，方漸漸的熄去，也不知燒了幾家。It burned straight through the night before it gradually died down, and no one even knew how many households had been burned.只可怜甄家在隔壁，早已燒成一片瓦礫場了。Pitifully, the Zhen family, living right next door, had already been burned into nothing but a stretch of rubble.只有他夫婦并幾個家人的性命不曾傷了。Only the lives of the husband and wife and a few of their servants were spared.急得士隱惟跌足長歎而已。Shiyin, in his distress, could do nothing but stamp his feet and sigh long and deep.只得與妻子商議，且到田庄上去安身。He had no choice but to consult with his wife, and decided that for the time being they would go and settle at their farm in the country.偏值近年水旱不收，鼠盜蜂起，無非搶田奪地，鼠竊狗偷，民不安生，因此官兵剿捕，難以安身。As ill luck would have it, in recent years there had been floods and droughts and poor harvests, and bandits had risen up like swarms, doing nothing but seizing fields and land, thieving and pilfering, so that the common people could not live in peace; because of this, government troops were out suppressing them, and it was difficult to find a settled place to live.士隱只得將田庄都折變了，便攜了妻子與兩個丫鬟投他岳丈家去。Shiyin had no choice but to sell off all his farmland at whatever price it would fetch, and took his wife and two maidservants to go and seek refuge with his father-in-law's family.

不想这日三月十五，葫芦庙中炸供，那些和尚不加小心，致使油锅火逸，便烧着窗纸。此方人家多用竹篱木壁者，大抵也因劫数，于是接二连三，牵五挂四，将一条街烧得如火焰山一般。彼时虽有军民来救，那火已成了势，如何救得下？直烧了一夜，方渐渐的熄去，也不知烧了几家。只可怜甄家在隔壁，早已烧成一片瓦砾场了。只有他夫妇并几个家人的性命不曾伤了。急得士隐惟跌足长叹而已。只得与妻子商议，且到田庄上去安身。偏值近年水旱不收，鼠盗蜂起，无非抢田夺地，鼠窃狗偷，民不安生，因此官兵剿捕，难以安身。士隐只得将田庄都折变了，便携了妻子与两个丫鬟投他岳丈家去。

他岳丈名喚封肅，本貫大如州人氏，雖是務農，家中都還殷實。His father-in-law was named Feng Su, a native of Daru Prefecture; though he made his living by farming, his household was still fairly well-off.今見女婿這等狼狽而來，心中便有些不樂。Seeing his son-in-law arrive in such a sorry, wretched state, he felt somewhat displeased at heart.幸而士隱還有折變田地的銀子未曾用完，拿出來托他隨分就价薄置些須房地，為後日衣食之計。Fortunately Shiyin still had some silver left over from the sale of his land that had not yet been used, and he brought it out and entrusted it to Feng Su, asking him to use it as best he could to buy some small house and plot of land, as a provision for food and clothing in the days ahead.那封肅便半哄半賺，些須與他些薄田朽屋。Feng Su, half cheating and half deceiving him, gave him in return only a little poor land and a few dilapidated rooms.士隱乃讀書之人，不慣生理稼穡等事，勉強支持了一二年，越覺窮了下去。Shiyin, being a man of books and learning, was unused to matters of trade and farming, and though he managed to hold on for a year or two, he found himself growing poorer and poorer as time went on.封肅每見面時，便說些現成話，且人前人後又怨他們不善過活，只一味好吃懶作等語。Whenever Feng Su saw him, he would offer some ready-made platitudes, and moreover, both to his face and behind his back, would complain that they did not know how to manage a household, saying only that they were fond of eating well and too lazy to work, and the like.士隱知投人不着，心中未免悔恨，再兼上年驚唬，急忿怨痛，已有積傷，暮年之人，貧病交攻，竟漸漸的露出那下世的光景來。Shiyin, realizing he had thrown himself on the wrong person, could not help feeling regret and resentment in his heart; and added to this were the terror and shock of the year before, along with pent-up anger, grief, and pain that had already done him lasting harm — so that, being a man now advanced in years, beset by both poverty and illness, he gradually began to show the signs of one nearing the end of his life.

他岳丈名唤封肃，本贯大如州人氏，虽是务农，家中都还殷实。今见女婿这等狼狈而来，心中便有些不乐。幸而士隐还有折变田地的银子未曾用完，拿出来托他随分就价薄置些须房地，为后日衣食之计。那封肃便半哄半赚，些须与他些薄田朽屋。士隐乃读书之人，不惯生理稼穑等事，勉强支持了一二年，越觉穷了下去。封肃每见面时，便说些现成话，且人前人后又怨他们不善过活，只一味好吃懒作等语。士隐知投人不着，心中未免悔恨，再兼上年惊唬，急忿怨痛，已有积伤，暮年之人，贫病交攻，竟渐渐的露出那下世的光景来。

可巧這日拄了拐杖掙挫到街前散散心時，忽見那邊來了一個跛足道人，瘋癲落脫，麻屣鶉衣，口內念着幾句言詞，道是：It so happened that one day, leaning on his cane, he struggled out to the street in front to take his mind off things a little, when suddenly he saw a lame Daoist priest coming toward him, wild and unkempt in manner, wearing hemp sandals and ragged, patched clothes, chanting a few lines as he went, which ran:

可巧这日拄了拐杖挣挫到街前散散心时，忽见那边来了一个跛足道人，疯癫落脱，麻屣鹑衣，口内念着几句言词，道是：

世人都曉神仙好，惟有功名忘不了；All men of the world know that the life of an immortal is good, yet it is fame and rank alone they cannot forget;古今將相在何方，荒冢一堆草沒了。where are the generals and ministers of ages past and present now? Only a mound of a wild grave, buried beneath the grass.

世人都晓神仙好，惟有功名忘不了；古今将相在何方，荒冢一堆草没了。

世人都曉神仙好，只有金銀忘不了；All men of the world know that the life of an immortal is good, yet it is gold and silver alone they cannot forget;終朝只恨聚無多，及到多時眼閉了。all their days they resent that they have not gathered enough, and by the time they have gathered plenty, their eyes have already closed in death.

世人都晓神仙好，只有金银忘不了；终朝只恨聚无多，及到多时眼闭了。

世人都曉神仙好，只有嬌妻忘不了；All men of the world know that the life of an immortal is good, yet it is a lovely wife alone they cannot forget;君生日日說恩情，君死又隨人去了。while you are alive she speaks daily of love and devotion, but once you are dead she follows another man away.

世人都晓神仙好，只有娇妻忘不了；君生日日说恩情，君死又随人去了。

世人都曉神仙好，只有兒孫忘不了；All men of the world know that the life of an immortal is good, yet it is sons and grandsons alone they cannot forget;痴心父母古來多，孝順子孫誰見了。foolishly devoted parents there have been in plenty since ancient times, but who has ever seen a truly filial son or grandson?

世人都晓神仙好，只有儿孙忘不了；痴心父母古来多，孝顺子孙谁见了。

士隱聽了，便迎上來道：「你滿口說些什麼？Hearing this, Shiyin went up to meet him and said, "What is all this you're going on about?只聽見些『好』『了』『好』『了』。All I hear is 'good,' 'done,' 'good,' 'done.'"那道人笑道：「你若果聽見『好』『了』二字，還算你明白。The Daoist laughed and said, "If you have indeed heard the two words 'good' and 'done,' then you may count yourself a man of understanding.可知世上萬般，好便是了，了便是好。For you should know that of all the myriad things in this world, 'good' is precisely 'done,' and 'done' is precisely 'good.'若不了，便不好，若要好，須是了。If a thing is not done, it cannot be good; if you want it to be good, it must be done.我這歌兒，便名《好了歌》。」士隱本是有宿慧的，一聞此言，心中早已徹悟。This song of mine is therefore called the 'Song of Good and Done.'" Shiyin, being a man of innate wisdom from a former life, had already grasped its meaning thoroughly in his heart the moment he heard these words.因笑道：「且住！So he said with a smile, "Wait a moment!待我將你這《好了歌》解注出來何如？」道人笑道：「你解，你解。」士隱乃說道：Let me try to gloss and explain this 'Song of Good and Done' of yours — how would that be?" The Daoist laughed and said, "Go on, explain it, explain it." And Shiyin then spoke as follows:

士隐听了，便迎上来道：「你满口说些什么？只听见些『好』『了』『好』『了』。那道人笑道：「你若果听见『好』『了』二字，还算你明白。可知世上万般，好便是了，了便是好。若不了，便不好，若要好，须是了。我这歌儿，便名《好了歌》。」士隐本是有宿慧的，一闻此言，心中早已彻悟。因笑道：「且住！待我将你这《好了歌》解注出来何如？」道人笑道：「你解，你解。」士隐乃说道：

陋室空堂、當年笏滿床，衰草枯楊、曾為歌舞場；Shabby rooms, empty halls — in years past the beds were piled with courtiers' tablets; withered grass, dry poplars — this was once a place of song and dance.蛛絲兒結滿雕梁，綠紗今又糊在蓬窗上。Spiders' webs now cover the carved rafters completely; green gauze is once again pasted over the tumbledown windows.說什麼脂正濃、粉正香，如何兩鬢又成霜；What talk was there of rouge so rich and powder so fragrant — how is it that both temples have already turned to frost?昨日黃土隴頭送白骨，今宵紅燈帳底臥鴛鴦。Yesterday, white bones were sent off beneath the yellow earth of the burial mound; tonight, mandarin ducks lie beneath red lantern-lit bed-curtains.金滿箱、銀滿箱，轉眼乞丐人皆謗；Chests full of gold, chests full of silver — in the blink of an eye he is a beggar whom everyone reviles.正嘆他人命不長，那知自己歸來喪。Just as he sighs that another's life was too short, how could he know that he himself would return home to his own funeral?訓有方，保不定日後作強梁；He teaches his son with proper method, yet there is no guarantee the boy will not turn to banditry in later days;擇膏粱，誰承望流落在煙花巷。he chooses a rich and privileged match for his daughter, yet who would have expected she would end up adrift in the pleasure quarters.因嫌紗帽小，致使鎖枷扛；Because he thought his official's cap too small, he ends up shouldering the cangue and chains instead;昨憐破襖寒，今嫌紫蟒長。yesterday he pitied his own tattered coat for being too thin against the cold, today he complains that his purple python robe is too long.亂哄哄你方唱罷我登場，反認他鄉是故鄉；In all this noisy confusion, no sooner has one man finished his song than another takes the stage, and men mistake another's homeland for their own;甚荒唐，到頭來都是為他人作嫁衣裳。how utterly absurd it all is — in the end, everyone is only making wedding clothes for someone else.

陋室空堂、当年笏满床，衰草枯杨、曾为歌舞场；蛛丝儿结满雕梁，绿纱今又糊在蓬窗上。说什么脂正浓、粉正香，如何两鬓又成霜；昨日黄土陇头送白骨，今宵红灯帐底卧鸳鸯。金满箱、银满箱，转眼乞丐人皆谤；正叹他人命不长，那知自己归来丧。训有方，保不定日后作强梁；择膏粱，谁承望流落在烟花巷。因嫌纱帽小，致使锁枷扛；昨怜破袄寒，今嫌紫蟒长。乱哄哄你方唱罢我登场，反认他乡是故乡；甚荒唐，到头来都是为他人作嫁衣裳。

那瘋跛道人聽了，拍掌笑道：「解得切，解得切！」士隱便說一聲「走罷！」將道人肩上褡褳搶了過來背着，竟不回家，同了瘋道人飄飄而去。On hearing this, the mad, lame Daoist clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "Well explained, well explained indeed!" Shiyin simply said the words, "Let's go, then!" and, snatching the bag from the Daoist's shoulder to carry it himself, went off without even returning home, drifting away together with the mad Daoist.

那疯跛道人听了，拍掌笑道：「解得切，解得切！」士隐便说一声「走罢！」将道人肩上褡裢抢了过来背着，竟不回家，同了疯道人飘飘而去。

當下烘動街坊，眾人當作一件新聞傳說。This at once stirred up the whole neighborhood, and everyone talked of it as a piece of extraordinary news.封氏聞得此信，哭個死去活來，只得與父親商議，遣人各處訪尋，那討音信？When Madame Feng heard this news, she wept until she nearly died and came back to life again, and had no choice but to consult with her father and send people to search everywhere for him — but where was any news of him to be had?無奈何，少不得依靠着他父母度日。There being nothing else to be done, she had no choice but to depend on her parents to get through her days.幸而身邊還有兩個舊日的丫鬟伏侍，主僕三人，日夜作些針線發賣，幫着父親用度。Fortunately, she still had at her side the two maidservants of former days to wait upon her, and the three of them, mistress and servants together, worked at needlework day and night to sell, helping to support her father's household expenses.那封肅雖然日日抱怨，也無可奈何了。Feng Su, though he complained day after day, could likewise do nothing about it.

当下烘动街坊，众人当作一件新闻传说。封氏闻得此信，哭个死去活来，只得与父亲商议，遣人各处访寻，那讨音信？无奈何，少不得依靠着他父母度日。幸而身边还有两个旧日的丫鬟伏侍，主仆三人，日夜作些针线发卖，帮着父亲用度。那封肃虽然日日抱怨，也无可奈何了。

這日，那甄家大丫鬟在門前買線，忽聽街上喝道之聲，眾人都說新太爺到任。One day, the senior maid of the Zhen household was buying thread in front of the gate when she suddenly heard the shouts of outriders clearing the street, and everyone said that a new magistrate was arriving to take up his post.丫鬟於是隱在門內看時，只見軍牢快手，一對一對的過去，俄而大轎抬着一個烏帽猩袍的官府過去。The maid accordingly hid herself just inside the gate to watch, and saw the guards and runners passing by two by two; presently a great sedan chair went past, bearing an official in a black cap and scarlet robe.丫鬟倒發了個怔，自思這官好面善，倒象在那裏見過的。The maid was quite taken aback, thinking to herself that this official's face looked strangely familiar, as though she had seen him somewhere before.於是進入房中，也就丟過不在心上。She then went back into the house, and let the matter drop from her mind without giving it further thought.至晚間，正待歇息之時，忽聽一片聲打的門響，許多人亂嚷，說：「本府太爺差人來傳人問話。」封肅聽了，唬得目瞪口呆，不知有何禍事，且聽下回分解。When evening came and she was just about to retire for the night, she suddenly heard a great pounding at the gate, with many voices shouting in confusion, saying, "The magistrate of this prefecture has sent men to summon someone for questioning." Hearing this, Feng Su was so terrified that his eyes stared and his mouth hung open, not knowing what calamity this might portend — but that must be told in the chapter that follows.

这日，那甄家大丫鬟在门前买线，忽听街上喝道之声，众人都说新太爷到任。丫鬟于是隐在门内看时，只见军牢快手，一对一对的过去，俄而大轿抬着一个乌帽猩袍的官府过去。丫鬟倒发了个怔，自思这官好面善，倒象在那里见过的。于是进入房中，也就丢过不在心上。至晚间，正待歇息之时，忽听一片声打的门响，许多人乱嚷，说：「本府太爷差人来传人问话。」封肃听了，唬得目瞪口呆，不知有何祸事，且听下回分解。

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