第十七回　　會芳園試才題對額　賈寶玉機敏動諸賓 In Fragrant Garden Talents Are Tested on Couplets; Jia Baoyu's Wit Impresses the Guests

話說秦鐘既死，寶玉痛哭不已，李貴等好容易勸解半日方住，歸時猶是凄惻哀痛。The story goes that after Qin Zhong died, Baoyu wept without stopping, and it was only after Li Gui and the others had spent half a day coaxing and consoling him that he calmed down at all, and on the way home he was still overcome with sorrow and grief.賈母幫了幾十兩銀子，外又另備奠儀，寶玉去吊紙。Grandmother Jia contributed several tens of taels of silver, and separately prepared funeral offerings besides, and Baoyu went to burn paper money in mourning.七日後便送殯掩埋了，別無述記。Seven days later the coffin was carried out and buried, and there is nothing further to record of it.只有寶玉日日思慕感悼，然亦無可如何了。Only Baoyu, day after day, longed for him and grieved, but there was nothing to be done about it either.又不知歷幾何時，這日賈珍等來回賈政：“園內工程俱已告竣，大老爺已瞧過了，只等老爺瞧了，或有不妥之處，再行改造，好題匾額對聯的。”賈政聽了，沉思一回，說道：“這匾額對聯倒是一件難事。It is not known how much time passed after that; on this day Jia Zhen and the others came to report to Jia Zheng: "All the construction work in the garden has now been completed. Our elder master has already inspected it; we are only waiting for you, sir, to take a look, so that if there is anything unsuitable it can be redone, and then the plaques and couplets can be inscribed." When Jia Zheng heard this, he pondered a while and said, "These plaques and couplets are indeed a difficult matter.論理該請貴妃賜題才是，然貴妃若不親睹其景，大約亦必不肯妄擬，若直待貴妃游幸過再請題，偌大景致，若干亭榭，無字標題，也覺寥落無趣，任有花柳山水，也斷不能生色。”眾清客在旁笑答道：“老世翁所見极是。By rights we ought to invite the Imperial Consort to bestow the inscriptions herself, but if the Consort has not personally seen the scenery, she will surely be unwilling to compose them at random; yet if we wait until after the Consort's visit to request the titles, then with so vast a landscape and so many pavilions and kiosks bearing no inscriptions at all, it would seem bleak and without charm, and however fine the flowers, willows, hills, and waters might be, they could never come to life." The assembled hangers-on standing by smilingly replied, "What our venerable host thinks is exactly right.如今我們有個愚見：各處匾額對聯斷不可少，亦斷不可定名。We have a foolish suggestion for the moment: plaques and couplets for each spot certainly cannot be dispensed with, but they certainly need not be fixed as final either.如今且按其景致，或兩字，三字，四字，虛合其意，擬了出來，暫且做燈匾聯懸了。For now, in keeping with the scenery of each place, using two, three, or four characters that loosely fit the meaning, we could draft something and hang it up temporarily as a lantern-plaque couplet.待貴妃游幸時，再請定名，豈不兩全？”賈政等聽了，都道：“所見不差。Then when the Consort comes on her visit, we may ask her to settle the final names — would that not serve both purposes?" Jia Zheng and the others, hearing this, all said, "What you propose is not wrong.我們今日且看看去，只管題了，若妥當便用，不妥時，然後將雨村請來，令他再擬。”眾人笑道：“老爺今日一擬定佳，何必又待雨村。”賈政笑道：“你們不知，我自幼于花鳥山水題詠上就平平，如今上了年紀，且案牘勞煩，于這怡情悅性文章上更生疏了。Let us go and have a look today, and simply go ahead and inscribe things; if they turn out fitting, we shall use them, and if not, then afterward we can invite Yucun and have him try again." Everyone said with a laugh, "If you yourself compose them today, sir, they will surely be excellent — why wait for Yucun?" Jia Zheng said with a smile, "You don't understand. Ever since I was young I have only been mediocre at composing verses on flowers, birds, mountains and streams, and now that I am getting on in years and worn out with official paperwork besides, I have grown even rustier at this sort of writing meant to please the heart and delight the spirit.縱擬了出來，不免迂腐古板，反不能使花柳園亭生色，似不妥協，反沒意思。”眾清客笑道：“這也無妨。Even if I managed to compose something, it could hardly avoid being pedantic and stiff, and instead of bringing the flowering groves and garden pavilions to life, it would seem ill-fitting and rather pointless." The assembled hangers-on said with a laugh, "That is no matter.我們大家看了公擬，各舉其長，优則存之，劣則刪之，未為不可。”賈政道：“此論极是。Let all of us look at the scene and compose drafts together, each contributing his own strengths; what is good we keep, what is poor we discard — surely there is no harm in that." Jia Zheng said, "That view is quite right.且喜今日天氣和暖，大家去逛逛。”說著起身，引眾人前往。And happily the weather today is mild and warm; let us all go and stroll about." So saying, he rose and led everyone off toward the garden.

话说秦钟既死，宝玉痛哭不已，李贵等好容易劝解半日方住，归时犹是凄恻哀痛。贾母帮了几十两银子，外又另备奠仪，宝玉去吊纸。七日后便送殡掩埋了，别无述记。只有宝玉日日思慕感悼，然亦无可如何了。又不知历几何时，这日贾珍等来回贾政：“园内工程俱已告竣，大老爷已瞧过了，只等老爷瞧了，或有不妥之处，再行改造，好题匾额对联的。”贾政听了，沉思一回，说道：“这匾额对联倒是一件难事。论理该请贵妃赐题才是，然贵妃若不亲睹其景，大约亦必不肯妄拟，若直待贵妃游幸过再请题，偌大景致，若干亭榭，无字标题，也觉寥落无趣，任有花柳山水，也断不能生色。”众清客在旁笑答道：“老世翁所见极是。如今我们有个愚见：各处匾额对联断不可少，亦断不可定名。如今且按其景致，或两字，三字，四字，虚合其意，拟了出来，暂且做灯匾联悬了。待贵妃游幸时，再请定名，岂不两全？”贾政等听了，都道：“所见不差。我们今日且看看去，只管题了，若妥当便用，不妥时，然后将雨村请来，令他再拟。”众人笑道：“老爷今日一拟定佳，何必又待雨村。”贾政笑道：“你们不知，我自幼于花鸟山水题咏上就平平，如今上了年纪，且案牍劳烦，于这怡情悦性文章上更生疏了。纵拟了出来，不免迂腐古板，反不能使花柳园亭生色，似不妥协，反没意思。”众清客笑道：“这也无妨。我们大家看了公拟，各举其长，优则存之，劣则删之，未为不可。”贾政道：“此论极是。且喜今日天气和暖，大家去逛逛。”说著起身，引众人前往。

賈珍先去園中知會眾人。Jia Zhen went ahead to the garden first to inform everyone there.可巧近日寶玉因思念秦鐘，憂戚不盡，賈母常命人帶他到園中來戲耍。It happened that in recent days Baoyu, grieving endlessly over his longing for Qin Zhong, had often been sent by Grandmother Jia's order with someone to the garden to play and distract himself.此時亦才進去，忽見賈珍走來，向他笑道：“你還不出去，老爺就來了。”寶玉聽了，帶著奶娘小廝們，一溜煙就出園來。He had only just gone in this time when he suddenly saw Jia Zhen come up and say to him with a smile, "Aren't you coming out yet? The master is about to arrive." When Baoyu heard this, he took his wet-nurses and page-boys and slipped out of the garden in a flash.方轉過彎，頂頭賈政引眾客來了，躲之不及，只得一邊站了。He had just turned a corner when, head-on, Jia Zheng came leading the guests in; there was no time to hide, so he had no choice but to stand aside.賈政近因聞得塾掌稱贊寶玉專能對對聯，雖不喜讀書，偏倒有些歪才情似的，今日偶然撞見這机會，便命他跟來。Jia Zheng had recently heard the tutor praise Baoyu as being especially skilled at composing couplets — that although he had no liking for study, he seemed to have a certain crooked talent for it — and today, chancing upon this opportunity, he ordered Baoyu to come along.寶玉只得隨往，尚不知何意。Baoyu had no choice but to follow along, still not knowing what this was about.

贾珍先去园中知会众人。可巧近日宝玉因思念秦钟，忧戚不尽，贾母常命人带他到园中来戏耍。此时亦才进去，忽见贾珍走来，向他笑道：“你还不出去，老爷就来了。”宝玉听了，带著奶娘小厮们，一溜烟就出园来。方转过弯，顶头贾政引众客来了，躲之不及，只得一边站了。贾政近因闻得塾掌称赞宝玉专能对对联，虽不喜读书，偏倒有些歪才情似的，今日偶然撞见这机会，便命他跟来。宝玉只得随往，尚不知何意。

賈政剛至園門前，只見賈珍帶領許多執事人來，一旁侍立。Just as Jia Zheng reached the garden gate, he saw Jia Zhen leading many attendants in charge of duties, standing waiting to one side.賈政道：“你且把園門都關上，我們先瞧了外面再進去。”賈珍聽說，命人將門關了。Jia Zheng said, "Close all the garden gates for now; let us look at the outside first before going in." On hearing this, Jia Zhen ordered the gates shut.賈政先秉正看門。Jia Zheng first stood squarely and examined the gate.只見正門五間，上面桶瓦泥鰍脊，那門欄窗槅，皆是細雕新鮮花樣，并無朱粉涂飾，一色水磨群牆，下面白石台磯，鑿成西番草花樣。He saw that the main gate had five bays, above with barrel tiles and a ridge like a loach's back; the door frames and lattice windows were all finely carved with fresh new patterns, without any red or white paint applied; the surrounding walls were all a uniform water-polished gray brick, and below, white stone foundation steps had been carved in the pattern of Western foreign grass-flowers.左右一望，皆雪白粉牆，下面虎皮石，隨勢砌去，果然不落富麗俗套，自是歡喜。Looking left and right, he saw snow-white plastered walls everywhere, with tiger-skin stone below laid following the natural contours of the ground — indeed it did not fall into the vulgar convention of ostentatious splendor, and he was naturally pleased.遂命開門，只見迎面一帶翠嶂擋在前面。He then ordered the gate opened, and saw before him, right in front, a screen of kingfisher-green crags blocking the way.眾清客都道：“好山，好山！”賈政道：“非此一山，一進來園中所有之景悉入目中，則有何趣。”眾人道：“极是。All the hangers-on exclaimed, "What fine hills, what fine hills!" Jia Zheng said, "Were it not for this one hill, then upon entering, all the scenery within the garden would meet the eye at once — what charm would there be in that?" Everyone said, "Quite right.非胸中大有邱壑，焉想及此。”說畢，往前一望，見白石峻嶒，或如鬼怪，或如猛獸，縱橫拱立，上面苔蘚成斑，藤蘿掩映，其中微露羊腸小徑。Unless one has great valleys and ravines already in one's breast, how could one think of such a thing?" Having said this, they looked ahead and saw jagged white stones, some like ghosts and monsters, some like fierce beasts, arrayed criss-cross in arching stances, with moss growing in patches upon them and creeping vines and wisteria half concealing them, and among them a narrow sheep-gut path faintly showing through.賈政道：“我們就從此小徑游去，回來由那一邊出去，方可遍覽。”Jia Zheng said, "Let us go by this little path now, and come back out by the other side, so that we may take in the whole view."

贾政刚至园门前，只见贾珍带领许多执事人来，一旁侍立。贾政道：“你且把园门都关上，我们先瞧了外面再进去。”贾珍听说，命人将门关了。贾政先秉正看门。只见正门五间，上面桶瓦泥鳅脊，那门栏窗槅，皆是细雕新鲜花样，并无朱粉涂饰，一色水磨群墙，下面白石台矶，凿成西番草花样。左右一望，皆雪白粉墙，下面虎皮石，随势砌去，果然不落富丽俗套，自是欢喜。遂命开门，只见迎面一带翠嶂挡在前面。众清客都道：“好山，好山！”贾政道：“非此一山，一进来园中所有之景悉入目中，则有何趣。”众人道：“极是。非胸中大有邱壑，焉想及此。”说毕，往前一望，见白石峻嶒，或如鬼怪，或如猛兽，纵横拱立，上面苔藓成斑，藤萝掩映，其中微露羊肠小径。贾政道：“我们就从此小径游去，回来由那一边出去，方可遍览。”

說畢，命賈珍在前引導，自己扶了寶玉，逶迤進入山口。Having said this, he had Jia Zhen lead the way ahead, and himself, supporting Baoyu, wound his way into the mouth of the hill.抬頭忽見山上有鏡面白石一塊，正是迎面留題處。Looking up, he suddenly saw on the hill a slab of mirror-smooth white stone, exactly the spot facing the entrance meant for an inscription.賈政回頭笑道：“諸公請看，此處題以何名方妙？”眾人聽說，也有說該題“疊翠”二字，也有說該提“錦嶂”的，又有說“賽香爐”的，又有說“小終南”的，种种名色，不止幾十個。Jia Zheng turned his head and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, please look — what name would suit this spot best?" On hearing this, some among them said it should be titled "Layered Jade-Green," others said it should be "Brocade Crags," still others said "Rivaling the Incense Burner," and others "Little Zhongnan" — all sorts of names, no fewer than several dozen.原來眾客心中早知賈政要試寶玉的功業進益如何，只將些俗套來敷衍。It turned out that in their hearts, all the guests already knew that Jia Zheng meant to test how far Baoyu's studies had progressed, and so they merely tossed out these hackneyed conventional names to fill the time.寶玉亦料定此意。Baoyu, too, had guessed as much.賈政聽了，便回頭命寶玉擬來。When Jia Zheng heard them, he turned and told Baoyu to come up with something.寶玉道：“嘗聞古人有云：‘編新不如述舊，刻古終胜雕今。’況此處并非主山正景，原無可題之處，不過是探景一進步耳。Baoyu said, "I have heard it said by the ancients: 'Better to recount the old than to compile the new; engraving the ancient in the end surpasses carving the present.' Moreover, this spot is not the main hill's principal view — there is really nothing here that calls for an inscription in the first place; it is merely a first step in exploring the scenery.莫若直書‘曲徑通幽處’這句舊詩在上，倒還大方氣派。”眾人聽了，都贊道：“是极！It would be best simply to write out the old line of poetry 'A winding path leads to a secluded place' here — that would still have a fine, generous air to it." On hearing this, everyone praised him, saying, "Excellent indeed!二世兄天分高，才情遠，不似我們讀腐了書的。”賈政笑道：“不可謬獎。The second young master's natural gifts are high and his talent far-reaching — quite unlike us who have grown stale from reading." Jia Zheng said with a smile, "Do not praise him so extravagantly and wrongly.他年小，不過以一知充十用，取笑罷了。He is young yet, and has merely stretched one bit of knowledge to serve ten purposes — it is only good for a laugh.再俟選擬。”Let us wait and choose something else later."

说毕，命贾珍在前引导，自己扶了宝玉，逶迤进入山口。抬头忽见山上有镜面白石一块，正是迎面留题处。贾政回头笑道：“诸公请看，此处题以何名方妙？”众人听说，也有说该题“叠翠”二字，也有说该提“锦嶂”的，又有说“赛香炉”的，又有说“小终南”的，种种名色，不止几十个。原来众客心中早知贾政要试宝玉的功业进益如何，只将些俗套来敷衍。宝玉亦料定此意。贾政听了，便回头命宝玉拟来。宝玉道：“尝闻古人有云：‘编新不如述旧，刻古终胜雕今。’况此处并非主山正景，原无可题之处，不过是探景一进步耳。莫若直书‘曲径通幽处’这句旧诗在上，倒还大方气派。”众人听了，都赞道：“是极！二世兄天分高，才情远，不似我们读腐了书的。”贾政笑道：“不可谬奖。他年小，不过以一知充十用，取笑罢了。再俟选拟。”

說著，進入石洞來。So saying, they went on into the stone cave.只見佳木蘢蔥，奇花閃灼，一帶清流，從花木深處曲折瀉于石隙之下。They saw fine trees lush and green, rare flowers gleaming brightly, and a stretch of clear water winding out from deep among the flowers and trees, cascading down through a crevice in the rocks.再進數步，漸向北邊，平坦寬豁，兩邊飛樓插空，雕甍繡檻，皆隱于山坳樹杪之間。Going a few steps further, gradually heading north, the ground grew level and open, with soaring towers on either side rising into the sky, their carved ridge-beams and ornamented balustrades all half-hidden among the hollows of the hills and the treetops.俯而視之，則清溪瀉雪，石磴穿云，白石為欄，環抱池沿，石橋三港，獸面銜吐。Looking down, they saw a clear stream cascading like snow, stone steps piercing through the clouds, white stone forming the balustrades that encircled the pond's edge, and a three-arched stone bridge with beast-face carvings from whose mouths water seemed to pour.橋上有亭。On the bridge there was a pavilion.賈政與諸人上了亭子，倚欄坐了，因問：“諸公以何題此？”諸人都道：“當日歐陽公《醉翁亭記》有云：‘有亭翼然’，就名‘翼然’。”賈政笑道：“‘翼然’雖佳，但此亭壓水而成，還須偏于水題方稱。Jia Zheng and the others climbed up into the pavilion and sat leaning on the railing, and then asked, "Gentlemen, what name would you give this?" Everyone said, "In the past, Ouyang Xiu's 'Account of the Old Drunkard's Pavilion' had the line 'There is a pavilion, wings outspread' — let us simply name it 'Wings Outspread.'" Jia Zheng said with a smile, "'Wings Outspread' is fine, but this pavilion is built pressing down upon the water, so the name ought still to lean toward the water to be fitting.依我拙裁，歐陽公之‘瀉出于兩峰之間’，竟用他這一個‘瀉’字。”有一客道：“是极，是极。By my humble judgment, in Ouyang Xiu's line 'gushing forth from between the two peaks,' we might simply make use of that one word 'gushing.'" One guest said, "Just so, just so.竟是‘瀉玉’二字妙。”賈政拈髯尋思，因抬頭見寶玉侍側，便笑命他也擬一個來。The two characters 'Gushing Jade' would indeed be wonderful." Jia Zheng twisted his whiskers in thought, and then, looking up and seeing Baoyu attending at his side, told him with a smile to try composing one as well.寶玉聽說，連忙回道：“老爺方才所議已是。On hearing this, Baoyu hastily replied, "What you, sir, have just proposed is already fitting.但是如今追究了去，似乎當日歐陽公題釀泉用一‘瀉’字，則妥，今日此泉若亦用‘瀉’字，則覺不妥。But if we trace it back carefully, it seems that when Ouyang Xiu inscribed the Brewing Spring using the word 'gushing,' that was fitting, but if today this spring is also given the word 'gushing,' it seems unfitting.況此處雖云省親駐蹕別墅，亦當入于應制之例，用此等字眼，亦覺粗陋不雅。Moreover, although this place is called a temporary imperial lodge for the Consort's visit home, it should still fall under the category of writing meant for imperial use, and using such a common word would seem crude and inelegant.求再擬較此蘊籍含蓄者。”賈政笑道：“諸公聽此論若何？I beg you to choose something more suggestive and restrained than this instead." Jia Zheng said with a smile, "Gentlemen, what do you think of this argument?方才眾人編新，你又說不如述古，如今我們述古，你又說粗陋不妥。A moment ago, when everyone was composing something new, you said it would be better to recount the old; now that we are recounting the old, you say it is crude and unfitting.你且說你的來我聽。”寶玉道：“有用‘瀉玉’二字，則莫若‘沁芳’二字，豈不新雅？”賈政拈髯點頭不語。Just tell me what you would use, and let me hear it." Baoyu said, "If we are to use the two characters 'Gushing Jade,' then nothing could be better than the two characters 'Qinfang' [Steeping Fragrance] — would that not be fresh and elegant?" Jia Zheng twisted his whiskers and nodded, saying nothing.眾人都忙迎合，贊寶玉才情不凡。Everyone hastened to agree, praising Baoyu's talent as extraordinary.賈政道：“匾上二字容易。Jia Zheng said, "The two characters for the plaque are easy enough.再作一副七言對聯來。”寶玉聽說，立于亭上，四顧一望，便机上心來，乃念道：Now compose a seven-character couplet to go with it." On hearing this, Baoyu stood in the pavilion, looked all around in every direction, and then, an idea coming readily to mind, recited:

说著，进入石洞来。只见佳木茏葱，奇花闪灼，一带清流，从花木深处曲折泻于石隙之下。再进数步，渐向北边，平坦宽豁，两边飞楼插空，雕甍绣槛，皆隐于山坳树杪之间。俯而视之，则清溪泻雪，石磴穿云，白石为栏，环抱池沿，石桥三港，兽面衔吐。桥上有亭。贾政与诸人上了亭子，倚栏坐了，因问：“诸公以何题此？”诸人都道：“当日欧阳公《醉翁亭记》有云：‘有亭翼然’，就名‘翼然’。”贾政笑道：“‘翼然’虽佳，但此亭压水而成，还须偏于水题方称。依我拙裁，欧阳公之‘泻出于两峰之间’，竟用他这一个‘泻’字。”有一客道：“是极，是极。竟是‘泻玉’二字妙。”贾政拈髯寻思，因抬头见宝玉侍侧，便笑命他也拟一个来。宝玉听说，连忙回道：“老爷方才所议已是。但是如今追究了去，似乎当日欧阳公题酿泉用一‘泻’字，则妥，今日此泉若亦用‘泻’字，则觉不妥。况此处虽云省亲驻跸别墅，亦当入于应制之例，用此等字眼，亦觉粗陋不雅。求再拟较此蕴籍含蓄者。”贾政笑道：“诸公听此论若何？方才众人编新，你又说不如述古，如今我们述古，你又说粗陋不妥。你且说你的来我听。”宝玉道：“有用‘泻玉’二字，则莫若‘沁芳’二字，岂不新雅？”贾政拈髯点头不语。众人都忙迎合，赞宝玉才情不凡。贾政道：“匾上二字容易。再作一副七言对联来。”宝玉听说，立于亭上，四顾一望，便机上心来，乃念道：

繞堤柳借三篙翠，隔岸花分一脈香。"Willows along the embankment lend three punt-poles' worth of green; flowers across the bank share out a single vein of fragrance."

绕堤柳借三篙翠，隔岸花分一脉香。

賈政聽了，點頭微笑。When Jia Zheng heard this, he nodded and smiled faintly.眾人先稱贊不已。Everyone else at once broke into unstinting praise.于是出亭過池，一山一石，一花一木，莫不著意觀覽。Then they left the pavilion and crossed the pond, and there was not a single hill or stone, not a single flower or tree, that they did not take care to view.忽抬頭看見前面一帶粉垣，里面數楹修舍，有千百竿翠竹遮映。Suddenly, looking up, they saw ahead a stretch of white plastered wall, within which stood several bays of a trim dwelling, shaded and set off by hundreds of stalks of kingfisher-green bamboo.眾人都道：“好個所在！”于是大家進入，只見入門便是曲折游廊，階下石子漫成甬路。Everyone said, "What a fine spot!" So they all went in, and saw that just inside the gate was a winding covered gallery, and below the steps a paved path made of pebbles.上面小小兩三間房舍，一明兩暗，里面都是合著地步打就的床幾椅案。Above, there were two or three small rooms, one bright central room flanked by two dim ones, and inside, all the beds, tables, chairs, and desks had been made to fit the exact dimensions of the space.從里間房內又得一小門，出去則是後院，有大株梨花兼著芭蕉。From the inner room there was also a small door leading out to a rear courtyard, where there were large pear trees together with plantains.又有兩間小小退步。There were also two small recessed rooms.後院牆下忽開一隙，得泉一派，開溝僅尺許，灌入牆內，繞階緣屋至前院，盤旋竹下而出。Under the rear courtyard wall, a gap had suddenly been opened, through which a stream of spring water flowed; a channel barely a foot wide had been cut, letting the water in through the wall, winding along the steps and past the house to the front courtyard, and circling out again beneath the bamboo.

贾政听了，点头微笑。众人先称赞不已。于是出亭过池，一山一石，一花一木，莫不著意观览。忽抬头看见前面一带粉垣，里面数楹修舍，有千百竿翠竹遮映。众人都道：“好个所在！”于是大家进入，只见入门便是曲折游廊，阶下石子漫成甬路。上面小小两三间房舍，一明两暗，里面都是合著地步打就的床几椅案。从里间房内又得一小门，出去则是后院，有大株梨花兼著芭蕉。又有两间小小退步。后院墙下忽开一隙，得泉一派，开沟仅尺许，灌入墙内，绕阶缘屋至前院，盘旋竹下而出。

賈政笑道：“這一處還罷了。Jia Zheng said with a smile, "This spot, at least, will do.若能月夜坐此窗下讀書，不枉虛生一世。”說畢，看著寶玉，唬的寶玉忙垂了頭。If one could sit here reading books by moonlight, one's whole life would not have been lived in vain." Having said this, he looked at Baoyu, and Baoyu, startled, hastily lowered his head.眾客忙用話開釋，又說道：“此處的匾該題四個字。”賈政笑問：“那四字？”一個道是“淇水遺風”。The guests hurriedly used words to smooth things over, and went on to say, "The plaque for this spot ought to be four characters." Jia Zheng asked with a smile, "What four characters?" One said it should be "The Legacy of the Qi River."賈政道：“俗。”又一個是”睢園雅跡”。Jia Zheng said, "Vulgar." Another suggested "The Elegant Traces of Sui Garden."賈政道：“也俗。”賈珍笑道：“還是寶兄弟擬一個來。”賈政道：“他未曾作，先要議論人家的好歹，可見就是個輕薄人。”眾客道：“議論的极是，其奈他何。”賈政忙道：“休如此縱了他。”因命他道：“今日任你狂為亂道，先設議論來，然後方許你作。Jia Zheng said, "That too is vulgar." Jia Zhen said with a smile, "Better to have Brother Bao try one." Jia Zheng said, "He has not yet composed anything, and already wants to pass judgment on others' work first — clearly that shows him to be a shallow, frivolous fellow." The guests said, "His judgment was quite right; what can be held against him?" Jia Zheng said quickly, "Do not indulge him like this." So he said to him, "Today I will let you run wild and talk nonsense as you please; first give your judgment, and only then will I allow you to compose.方才眾人說的，可有使得的？”寶玉見問，答道：“都似不妥。”賈政冷笑道：“怎麼不妥？”寶玉道：“這是第一處行幸之處，必須頌圣方可。Of what everyone just proposed, is there anything usable?" Baoyu, on being asked, replied, "None of them seem fitting." Jia Zheng said with a cold laugh, "How are they not fitting?" Baoyu said, "This is the very first place along the route of the imperial visit, and it absolutely calls for something in praise of the sage.若用四字的匾，又有古人現成的，何必再作。”賈政道：“難道‘淇水’‘睢園’不是古人的？”寶玉道：“這太板腐了。If a four-character plaque is to be used, there are ready-made ones from the ancients already — why compose a new one?" Jia Zheng said, "Are 'Qi River' and 'Sui Garden' not from the ancients?" Baoyu said, "Those are too stiff and pedantic.莫若‘有鳳來儀’四字。”眾人都哄然叫妙。Nothing would be better than the four characters 'The Phoenix Comes in Splendor.'" Everyone at once burst out acclaiming it as wonderful.賈政點頭道：“畜生，畜生，可謂‘管窺蠡測’矣。”因命：“再題一聯來。”寶玉便念道：Jia Zheng nodded and said, "You wretched creature, you wretched creature — this may indeed be called 'surveying the tube and gauging with a gourd-ladle.'" He then ordered, "Compose another couplet." Baoyu then recited:

贾政笑道：“这一处还罢了。若能月夜坐此窗下读书，不枉虚生一世。”说毕，看著宝玉，唬的宝玉忙垂了头。众客忙用话开释，又说道：“此处的匾该题四个字。”贾政笑问：“那四字？”一个道是“淇水遗风”。贾政道：“俗。”又一个是”睢园雅迹”。贾政道：“也俗。”贾珍笑道：“还是宝兄弟拟一个来。”贾政道：“他未曾作，先要议论人家的好歹，可见就是个轻薄人。”众客道：“议论的极是，其奈他何。”贾政忙道：“休如此纵了他。”因命他道：“今日任你狂为乱道，先设议论来，然后方许你作。方才众人说的，可有使得的？”宝玉见问，答道：“都似不妥。”贾政冷笑道：“怎么不妥？”宝玉道：“这是第一处行幸之处，必须颂圣方可。若用四字的匾，又有古人现成的，何必再作。”贾政道：“难道‘淇水’‘睢园’不是古人的？”宝玉道：“这太板腐了。莫若‘有凤来仪’四字。”众人都哄然叫妙。贾政点头道：“畜生，畜生，可谓‘管窥蠡测’矣。”因命：“再题一联来。”宝玉便念道：

寶鼎茶閒煙尚綠，幽窗棋罷指猶涼。"The treasured tripod, tea done, its smoke still lingers green; by the secluded window, the chess game over, fingers still feel the chill."

宝鼎茶闲烟尚绿，幽窗棋罢指犹凉。

賈政搖頭說道：“也未見長。”說畢，引眾人出來。Jia Zheng shook his head and said, "This too shows no particular merit." Having said this, he led everyone out.方欲走時，忽又想起一事來，因問賈珍道：“這些院落房宇并案桌椅都算有了，還有那些帳幔帘子并陳設玩器古董，可也都是一處一處合式配就的？”賈珍回道：“那陳設的東西早已添了許多，自然臨期合式陳設。Just as they were about to leave, he suddenly thought of something else, and asked Jia Zhen, "These courtyards and rooms, along with the tables, desks, and chairs, all seem to be accounted for — but are the curtains and hangings, and the furnishings, toys, and antiques, all matched properly, one set to each place?" Jia Zhen replied, "The furnishings have already had a great many added, and of course they will be properly arranged in time for the occasion.帳幔帘子，昨日聽見璉兄弟說，還不全。As for the curtains and hangings, I heard Brother Lian say yesterday that they are still not complete.那原是一起工程之時就畫了各處的圖樣，量准尺寸，就打發人辦去的。Those were originally, at the very start of construction, already sketched out in drawings for every location with measurements taken, and then people were sent off to have them made.想必昨日得了一半。”賈政聽了，便知此事不是賈珍的首尾，便命人去喚賈璉。I suppose by yesterday about half of them had been finished." On hearing this, Jia Zheng knew at once that this matter was not really within Jia Zhen's own charge, so he sent someone to summon Jia Lian.

贾政摇头说道：“也未见长。”说毕，引众人出来。方欲走时，忽又想起一事来，因问贾珍道：“这些院落房宇并案桌椅都算有了，还有那些帐幔帘子并陈设玩器古董，可也都是一处一处合式配就的？”贾珍回道：“那陈设的东西早已添了许多，自然临期合式陈设。帐幔帘子，昨日听见琏兄弟说，还不全。那原是一起工程之时就画了各处的图样，量准尺寸，就打发人办去的。想必昨日得了一半。”贾政听了，便知此事不是贾珍的首尾，便命人去唤贾琏。

一時，賈璉赶來，賈政問他共有幾种，現今得了幾种，尚欠幾种。In a moment Jia Lian hurried over, and Jia Zheng asked him altogether how many kinds there were, how many had been obtained so far, and how many were still lacking.賈璉見問，忙向靴桶取靴掖內裝的一個紙折略節來，看了一看，回道：“妝蟒繡堆，刻絲彈墨并各色綢綾大小幔子一百二十架，昨日得了八十架，下欠四十架。On being asked, Jia Lian hastily drew from inside his boot a small paper memorandum tucked in his boot-pocket, glanced over it, and replied, "Of embroidered mang-dragon and patchwork hangings, cut-silk and ink-brushed, and various colored silk and damask curtains large and small, one hundred and twenty in all, eighty were obtained yesterday, with forty still owing.帘子二百挂，昨日俱得了。As for door curtains, two hundred were called for, and all of them were obtained yesterday.外有猩猩氈帘二百挂，金絲藤紅漆竹帘二百挂，黑漆竹帘二百挂，五彩線絡盤花帘二百挂，每樣得了一半，也不過秋天都全了。Besides these, there are two hundred scarlet felt curtains, two hundred gold-thread rattan red-lacquer bamboo curtains, two hundred black-lacquer bamboo curtains, and two hundred five-colored braided coiled-flower curtains, of each only half has been obtained so far, though it should all be complete by autumn at the latest.椅搭，桌圍，床裙，桌套，每分一千二百件，也有了。”一面走，一面說，倏爾青山斜阻。Chair-covers, table-skirts, bed-valances, and table-cloths, twelve hundred sets of each, these too have already been obtained." He spoke as he walked, and all at once a green hill cut across their path at an angle.轉過山怀中，隱隱露出一帶黃泥筑就矮牆，牆頭皆用稻莖掩護。Turning around the bosom of the hill, there gradually came into view a low wall built of yellow mud, its top all shielded over with rice-straw thatch.有幾百株杏花，如噴火蒸霞一般。There were several hundred apricot trees in bloom, like billowing flame and steaming rosy mist.里面數楹茅屋。Within stood several bays of thatched cottages.外面卻是桑，榆，槿，柘，各色樹稚新條，隨其曲折，編就兩溜青篱。Outside, there were mulberry, elm, hibiscus, and cudrania trees, their tender new shoots of every hue trained along their winding bends into two rows of green hedge.篱外山坡之下，有一土井，旁有桔槔轆轤之屬。Below the hedge, at the foot of the hillside, there was an earthen well, beside which stood a well-sweep and windlass and the like.下面分畦列畝，佳蔬菜花，漫然無際。Below that, the fields were laid out in furrows and beds, with fine vegetables and flowering herbs stretching on without end.

一时，贾琏赶来，贾政问他共有几种，现今得了几种，尚欠几种。贾琏见问，忙向靴桶取靴掖内装的一个纸折略节来，看了一看，回道：“妆蟒绣堆，刻丝弹墨并各色绸绫大小幔子一百二十架，昨日得了八十架，下欠四十架。帘子二百挂，昨日俱得了。外有猩猩毡帘二百挂，金丝藤红漆竹帘二百挂，黑漆竹帘二百挂，五彩线络盘花帘二百挂，每样得了一半，也不过秋天都全了。椅搭，桌围，床裙，桌套，每分一千二百件，也有了。”一面走，一面说，倏尔青山斜阻。转过山怀中，隐隐露出一带黄泥筑就矮墙，墙头皆用稻茎掩护。有几百株杏花，如喷火蒸霞一般。里面数楹茅屋。外面却是桑，榆，槿，柘，各色树稚新条，随其曲折，编就两溜青篱。篱外山坡之下，有一土井，旁有桔槔辘轳之属。下面分畦列亩，佳蔬菜花，漫然无际。

賈政笑道：“倒是此處有些道理。Jia Zheng said with a smile, "Now this spot, at least, has some sense to it.固然系人力穿鑿，此時一見，未免勾引起我歸農之意。Though it is certainly the product of human contrivance, now that I see it, it cannot help but stir in me a longing to return to farming.我們且進去歇息歇息。”說畢，方欲進篱門去，忽見路旁有一石碣，亦為留題之備。Let us go in and rest a while." Having said this, he was just about to go in through the hedge gate when he suddenly noticed a stone tablet beside the path, likewise set up in readiness for an inscription.眾人笑道：“更妙，更妙，此處若懸匾待題，則田舍家風一洗盡矣。Everyone said with a laugh, "Better still, better still — if a plaque were hung here waiting to be inscribed, it would wash away entirely the rustic farmhouse air of the place.立此一碣，又覺生色許多，非范石湖田家之詠不足以盡其妙。”賈政道：“諸公請題。”眾人道：“方才世兄有云，‘編新不如述舊’，此處古人已道盡矣，莫若直書‘杏花村’妙极，”賈政聽了，笑向賈珍道：“正虧提醒了我。Setting up this one tablet here, on the other hand, adds a great deal of charm — nothing short of Fan Shihu's poems on farm life could do full justice to its wonder." Jia Zheng said, "Gentlemen, please compose the inscription." Everyone said, "A moment ago the young master said, 'better to recount the old than to compile the new' — here the ancients have already said it all completely; nothing could be better than simply writing 'Apricot Blossom Village' — that would be wonderful indeed." On hearing this, Jia Zheng said with a smile to Jia Zhen, "That is exactly what jogged my memory just now.此處都妙极，只是還少一個酒幌。Everything about this place is wonderful, only it still lacks a tavern banner.明日竟作一個，不必華麗，就依外面村庄的式樣作來，用竹竿挑在樹梢。”賈珍答應了，又回道：“此處竟還不可養別的雀鳥，只是買些鵝鴨雞類，才都相稱了。”賈政與眾人都道：“更妙。”賈政又向眾人道：“‘杏花村’固佳，只是犯了正名，村名直待請名方可。”眾客都道：“是呀。Tomorrow have one made — it need not be elaborate, just made in the style of the banners of villages outside, and hung from a bamboo pole planted among the treetops." Jia Zhen assented, and then reported further, "This spot really should not keep any other kind of bird; only geese, ducks, and chickens should be bought, and then everything would match properly." Jia Zheng and everyone else said, "Better still." Jia Zheng then said to everyone, "'Apricot Blossom Village' is certainly fine, but it conflicts with an actual place-name; a village name must wait to be properly requested before it can be used." The guests all said, "Indeed so.如今虛的，便是什麼字樣好？”For now, as a temporary name, what characters would do?"

贾政笑道：“倒是此处有些道理。固然系人力穿凿，此时一见，未免勾引起我归农之意。我们且进去歇息歇息。”说毕，方欲进篱门去，忽见路旁有一石碣，亦为留题之备。众人笑道：“更妙，更妙，此处若悬匾待题，则田舍家风一洗尽矣。立此一碣，又觉生色许多，非范石湖田家之咏不足以尽其妙。”贾政道：“诸公请题。”众人道：“方才世兄有云，‘编新不如述旧’，此处古人已道尽矣，莫若直书‘杏花村’妙极，”贾政听了，笑向贾珍道：“正亏提醒了我。此处都妙极，只是还少一个酒幌。明日竟作一个，不必华丽，就依外面村庄的式样作来，用竹竿挑在树梢。”贾珍答应了，又回道：“此处竟还不可养别的雀鸟，只是买些鹅鸭鸡类，才都相称了。”贾政与众人都道：“更妙。”贾政又向众人道：“‘杏花村’固佳，只是犯了正名，村名直待请名方可。”众客都道：“是呀。如今虚的，便是什么字样好？”

大家想著，寶玉卻等不得了，也不等賈政的命，便說道：“舊詩有云：‘紅杏梢頭挂酒旗’。While everyone was still thinking it over, Baoyu could not wait any longer, and without waiting for Jia Zheng's instruction, spoke up: "There is an old line of poetry: 'At the tip of the red apricot branch hangs a tavern banner.'如今莫若‘杏帘在望’四字。”眾人都道：“好個‘在望’！So now nothing would be better than the four characters 'Apricot Banner in Sight.'" Everyone said, "What a fine touch, 'in sight'!又暗合‘杏花村’意。”寶玉冷笑道：“村名若用‘杏花’二字，則俗陋不堪了。It also secretly echoes the meaning of 'Apricot Blossom Village.'" Baoyu said with a cold laugh, "If the village name were to use the two characters 'apricot blossom,' it would be unbearably vulgar and crude.又有古人詩云：‘柴門臨水稻花香’，何不就用‘稻香村’的妙？”眾人聽了，亦發哄聲拍手道：“妙！”賈政一聲斷喝：“無知的業障，你能知道幾個古人，能記得幾首熟詩，也敢在老先生前賣弄！There is also a line of poetry by the ancients: 'By the brushwood gate facing the water, the rice-flowers are fragrant' — why not simply use 'Rice-Fragrance Village' instead — would that not be wonderful?" On hearing this, everyone broke out into an even louder chorus of clapping and shouting "Wonderful!" Jia Zheng gave a single sharp shout of reproach: "You ignorant, wretched creature — how many of the ancients do you really know, how many well-worn poems can you actually recall, that you dare show off before your elders and betters!你方才那些胡說的，不過是試你的清濁，取笑而已，你就認真了！”That nonsense you were spouting just now was only to test how discerning or muddled you are, only for a laugh — and here you have gone and taken it seriously!"

大家想著，宝玉却等不得了，也不等贾政的命，便说道：“旧诗有云：‘红杏梢头挂酒旗’。如今莫若‘杏帘在望’四字。”众人都道：“好个‘在望’！又暗合‘杏花村’意。”宝玉冷笑道：“村名若用‘杏花’二字，则俗陋不堪了。又有古人诗云：‘柴门临水稻花香’，何不就用‘稻香村’的妙？”众人听了，亦发哄声拍手道：“妙！”贾政一声断喝：“无知的业障，你能知道几个古人，能记得几首熟诗，也敢在老先生前卖弄！你方才那些胡说的，不过是试你的清浊，取笑而已，你就认真了！”

說著，引人步入茆堂，里面紙窗木榻，富貴氣象一洗皆盡。So saying, he led everyone into the thatched hall, where paper-covered windows and plain wooden couches had washed away every trace of wealth and splendor.賈政心中自是歡喜，卻瞅寶玉道。”此處如何？”眾人見問，都忙悄悄的推寶玉，教他說好。Jia Zheng was privately quite pleased, but he glanced at Baoyu and said, "How is this spot?" On being asked, everyone hastily and quietly nudged Baoyu, urging him to say it was good.寶玉不聽人言，便應聲道：“不及‘有鳳來儀’多矣。”賈政聽了道：“無知的蠢物！Baoyu, paying no heed to what the others urged, at once replied, "This is far inferior to 'The Phoenix Comes in Splendor.'" On hearing this, Jia Zheng said, "You ignorant blockhead!你只知朱樓畫棟，惡賴富麗為佳，那里知道這清幽氣象。You only know that vermilion towers and painted rafters, coarse and gaudy splendor, are what count as fine, and have no idea of this pure, secluded atmosphere here.終是不讀書之過！”寶玉忙答道：“老爺教訓的固是，但古人常云‘天然’二字，不知何意？”This is all, in the end, the fault of not studying properly!" Baoyu hastily replied, "What you teach me, sir, is certainly right, but the ancients often used the two words 'natural' — I wonder what they meant by them?"

说著，引人步入茆堂，里面纸窗木榻，富贵气象一洗皆尽。贾政心中自是欢喜，却瞅宝玉道。”此处如何？”众人见问，都忙悄悄的推宝玉，教他说好。宝玉不听人言，便应声道：“不及‘有凤来仪’多矣。”贾政听了道：“无知的蠢物！你只知朱楼画栋，恶赖富丽为佳，那里知道这清幽气象。终是不读书之过！”宝玉忙答道：“老爷教训的固是，但古人常云‘天然’二字，不知何意？”

眾人見寶玉牛心，都怪他呆痴不改。Seeing Baoyu's stubbornness, everyone found fault with him for being so foolishly obstinate and unchanging.今見問‘天然’二字，眾人忙道：“別的都明白，為何連‘天然’不知？‘天然’者，天之自然而有，非人力之所成也。”寶玉道：“卻又來！Now, hearing him ask about the two words "natural," everyone hastened to say, "Everything else you understand — why is it that you alone do not know 'natural'? 'Natural' means what heaven itself has brought into being of itself, not what has been achieved by human effort." Baoyu said, "There you go again!此處置一田庄，分明見得人力穿鑿扭捏而成。Here a farmstead has been set up, and it is plain to see that it was contrived and forced into being by human effort.遠無鄰村，近不負郭，背山山無脈，臨水水無源，高無隱寺之塔，下無通市之橋，峭然孤出，似非大觀。Far from any neighboring village, and not backed against any city wall nearby; behind it the hill has no natural vein running to it, and facing the water, the water has no natural source; above there is no pagoda of some hidden temple, and below no bridge leading to any market — it juts up starkly and alone, and seems altogether not in keeping with the grand view.爭似先處有自然之理，得自然之氣，雖种竹引泉，亦不傷于穿鑿。How could it compare with those earlier spots, which had the principle of the natural in them, which possessed the very breath of nature — for there, even where bamboo was planted and springs were channeled in, it was still not marred by contrivance.古人云‘天然圖畫’四字，正畏非其地而強為地，非其山而強為山，雖百般精而終不相宜……”未及說完，賈政氣的喝命：“叉出去，”剛出去，又喝命：“回來！”命再題一聯：“若不通，一并打嘴！”寶玉只得念道：When the ancients spoke of the four characters 'a natural picture,' it was precisely out of fear that a place unsuited for it would be forced to serve as such a place, that a hill unsuited for it would be forced to serve as such a hill — however skillfully wrought in every way, it would in the end simply not belong there..." Before he could finish speaking, Jia Zheng, furious, shouted the order: "Drag him out!" No sooner was he dragged out than Jia Zheng shouted again, "Bring him back!" and ordered him to compose one more couplet: "If it does not do, I will have your mouth slapped along with it!" Baoyu had no choice but to recite:

众人见宝玉牛心，都怪他呆痴不改。今见问‘天然’二字，众人忙道：“别的都明白，为何连‘天然’不知？‘天然’者，天之自然而有，非人力之所成也。”宝玉道：“却又来！此处置一田庄，分明见得人力穿凿扭捏而成。远无邻村，近不负郭，背山山无脉，临水水无源，高无隐寺之塔，下无通市之桥，峭然孤出，似非大观。争似先处有自然之理，得自然之气，虽种竹引泉，亦不伤于穿凿。古人云‘天然图画’四字，正畏非其地而强为地，非其山而强为山，虽百般精而终不相宜……”未及说完，贾政气的喝命：“叉出去，”刚出去，又喝命：“回来！”命再题一联：“若不通，一并打嘴！”宝玉只得念道：

新漲綠添浣葛處，好云香護采芹人。"Where the fresh flood swells, one adds to the place for rinsing kudzu-cloth; the fine clouds, fragrant, shelter those who gather cress."

新涨绿添浣葛处，好云香护采芹人。

賈政聽了，搖頭說：“更不好。”一面引人出來，轉過山坡，穿花度柳，撫石依泉，過了荼蘼架，再入木香棚，越牡丹亭，度芍藥圃，入薔薇院，出芭蕉塢，盤旋曲折。On hearing this, Jia Zheng shook his head and said, "Even worse." and led everyone out, turning past the hill slope, threading through flowers and passing willows, touching the rocks and following the springs; they passed the rose-trellis, then entered the honeysuckle arbor, crossed past the peony pavilion, passed through the herbaceous-peony garden, entered the rose courtyard, came out at the plantain hollow, winding and turning about.忽聞水聲潺湲，瀉出石洞，上則蘿薜倒垂，下則落花浮蕩。Suddenly they heard the murmur of water, cascading out from a stone cave; above hung trailing wisteria and creeper, and below floated scattered fallen petals.眾人都道：“好景，好景！”賈政道：“諸公題以何名？”眾人道：“再不必擬了，恰恰乎是‘武陵源’三個字。”賈政笑道：“又落實了，而且陳舊。”眾人笑道：“不然就用‘秦人舊舍’四字也罷了。”寶玉道：“這越發過露了。‘秦人舊舍’說避亂之意，如何使得？Everyone said, "What fine scenery, what fine scenery!" Jia Zheng said, "Gentlemen, what name shall we give this?" Everyone said, "There is no need to compose anything further — this is precisely and exactly the three characters 'Wuling Spring.'" Jia Zheng said with a smile, "That again is too literal, and moreover it is hackneyed." Everyone said with a smile, "Then it would do just as well to use the four characters 'The Old Dwelling of the Qin People.'" Baoyu said, "That would give it away even more plainly. 'The Old Dwelling of the Qin People' speaks of fleeing from chaos and turmoil — how could that possibly do?莫若‘蓼汀花漵’四字。”賈政聽了，更批胡說。"Nothing could beat the four characters 'Smartweed Bank, Flower Harbor.'" Jia Zheng, on hearing this, again dismissed it as nonsense.于是要進港洞時，又想起有船無船。Then, as they were about to enter the cave-like inlet, someone thought to ask whether there was a boat or not.賈珍道：“采蓮船共四只，座船一只，如今尚未造成。”賈政笑道：“可惜不得入了。”賈珍道：“從山上盤道亦可以進去。”說畢，在前導引，大家攀藤撫樹過去。Jia Zhen said, "There are four lotus-gathering boats and one passenger barge in all, but they have not yet been finished." Jia Zheng said with a smile, "What a pity we cannot go in by water." Jia Zhen said, "One can also get in by the winding path over the hill." So saying, he led the way in front, and everyone made their way across, grasping vines and steadying themselves against trees.只見水上落花愈多，其水愈清，溶溶蕩蕩，曲折縈迂。They saw that the more fallen blossoms drifted on the water, the clearer the water became, rippling and swelling, winding and curling about.池邊兩行垂柳，雜著桃杏，遮天蔽日，真無一些塵土。Along the pond's edge stood two rows of weeping willows mixed with peach and apricot trees, blotting out sky and sun, truly without a speck of dust.忽見柳陰中又露出一個折帶朱欄板橋來，度過橋去，諸路可通，便見一所清涼瓦舍，一色水磨磚牆，清瓦花堵。Suddenly, from the willow shade, a zigzag plank bridge with vermilion railings came into view; crossing the bridge, all roads lay open, and one soon saw a cool, tile-roofed dwelling, its walls all of polished brick, with clear tiles and patterned parapets.那大主山所分之脈，皆穿牆而過。The veins branching off from the main hill all ran straight through the walls.

贾政听了，摇头说：“更不好。”一面引人出来，转过山坡，穿花度柳，抚石依泉，过了荼蘼架，再入木香棚，越牡丹亭，度芍药圃，入蔷薇院，出芭蕉坞，盘旋曲折。忽闻水声潺湲，泻出石洞，上则萝薜倒垂，下则落花浮荡。众人都道：“好景，好景！”贾政道：“诸公题以何名？”众人道：“再不必拟了，恰恰乎是‘武陵源’三个字。”贾政笑道：“又落实了，而且陈旧。”众人笑道：“不然就用‘秦人旧舍’四字也罢了。”宝玉道：“这越发过露了。‘秦人旧舍’说避乱之意，如何使得？莫若‘蓼汀花溆’四字。”贾政听了，更批胡说。于是要进港洞时，又想起有船无船。贾珍道：“采莲船共四只，座船一只，如今尚未造成。”贾政笑道：“可惜不得入了。”贾珍道：“从山上盘道亦可以进去。”说毕，在前导引，大家攀藤抚树过去。只见水上落花愈多，其水愈清，溶溶荡荡，曲折萦迂。池边两行垂柳，杂著桃杏，遮天蔽日，真无一些尘土。忽见柳阴中又露出一个折带朱栏板桥来，度过桥去，诸路可通，便见一所清凉瓦舍，一色水磨砖墙，清瓦花堵。那大主山所分之脉，皆穿墙而过。

賈政道：“此處這所房子，無味的很。”因而步入門時，忽迎面突出插天的大玲瓏山石來，四面群繞各式石塊，竟把里面所有房屋悉皆遮住，而且一株花木也無。Jia Zheng said, "This house here is quite insipid." But as they stepped through the gate, a great fantastically pierced rock jutting sky-high suddenly rose before them, surrounded on every side by rocks of all shapes, which completely hid every building within, and there was not a single flower or tree to be seen.只見許多异草：或有牽藤的，或有引蔓的，或垂山巔，或穿石隙，甚至垂檐繞柱，縈砌盤階，或如翠帶飄颻，或如金繩盤屈，或實若丹砂，或花如金桂，味芬氣馥，非花香之可比。They saw many rare plants: some trailing on vines, some sending out creepers, some hanging from the hilltop, some threading through cracks in the rocks, even drooping from eaves and coiling round pillars, twining about the stone steps — some like kingfisher-green ribbons fluttering, some like golden cords coiling and bending, some bearing fruit red as cinnabar, some blossoming like golden osmanthus, their fragrance rich and heady, beyond compare with the scent of ordinary flowers.賈政不禁笑道：“有趣！Jia Zheng could not help laughing and said, "How charming!只是不大認識。”有的說：“是薜荔藤蘿。”賈政道：“薜荔藤蘿不得如此异香。”寶玉道：“果然不是。Only I do not quite recognize them." Someone said, "These are creeping fig and wisteria vine." Jia Zheng said, "Creeping fig and wisteria could not give off such a strange fragrance." Baoyu said, "Indeed they are not.這些之中也有藤蘿薜荔。Among these there is also wisteria vine and creeping fig.那香的是杜若蘅蕪，那一种大約是茞蘭，這一种大約是清葛，那一种是金簦草，這一种是玉蕗藤，紅的自然是紫芸，綠的定是青芷。The fragrant one there is du-ruo and heng-wu; that kind is probably chai orchid; this kind is probably clear kudzu; that one is golden-fern grass; this one is jade-luju vine; the red ones must naturally be purple rue, and the green ones must be blue angelica.想來《離騷》，《文選》等書上所有的那些异草，也有叫作什麼藿納薑蕁的，也有叫作什麼綸組紫絳的，還有石帆，水松，扶留等樣，又有叫什麼綠荑的，還有什麼丹椒，蘼蕪，風連。I imagine that among the rare plants recorded in books such as the Li Sao and the Wen Xuan, there are ones called huo-na and jiang-xun, others called lun-zu and zi-jiang, and also rock-sail, water-pine, fu-liu, and the like; and there are ones called green shoots, and others such as red pepper, wild-lovage, and wind-lotus.如今年深歲改，人不能識，故皆象形奪名，漸漸的喚差了，也是有的。”未及說完，賈政喝道：“誰問你來！”唬的寶玉倒退，不敢再說。Now that the years have passed and times have changed, people can no longer recognize them, so it may well be that, going by their appearance, the names have been usurped and gradually called wrong." Before he could finish speaking, Jia Zheng barked, "Who asked you!" Startled, Baoyu stepped back and dared say no more.

贾政道：“此处这所房子，无味的很。”因而步入门时，忽迎面突出插天的大玲珑山石来，四面群绕各式石块，竟把里面所有房屋悉皆遮住，而且一株花木也无。只见许多异草：或有牵藤的，或有引蔓的，或垂山巅，或穿石隙，甚至垂檐绕柱，萦砌盘阶，或如翠带飘飖，或如金绳盘屈，或实若丹砂，或花如金桂，味芬气馥，非花香之可比。贾政不禁笑道：“有趣！只是不大认识。”有的说：“是薜荔藤萝。”贾政道：“薜荔藤萝不得如此异香。”宝玉道：“果然不是。这些之中也有藤萝薜荔。那香的是杜若蘅芜，那一种大约是茞兰，这一种大约是清葛，那一种是金簦草，这一种是玉蕗藤，红的自然是紫芸，绿的定是青芷。想来《离骚》，《文选》等书上所有的那些异草，也有叫作什么藿纳姜荨的，也有叫作什么纶组紫绛的，还有石帆，水松，扶留等样，又有叫什么绿荑的，还有什么丹椒，蘼芜，风连。如今年深岁改，人不能识，故皆象形夺名，渐渐的唤差了，也是有的。”未及说完，贾政喝道：“谁问你来！”唬的宝玉倒退，不敢再说。

賈政因見兩邊俱是超手游廊，便順著游廊步入。Seeing that on both sides there ran covered walkways with overhanging eaves, Jia Zheng proceeded to walk in along the gallery.只見上面五間清廈連著卷棚，四面出廊，綠窗油壁，更比前幾處清雅不同。There above stood a cool hall of five bays joined to an arched roof gallery, with verandas extending on all four sides, green lattice windows and lacquered walls — even more refined and elegant than the places they had seen before.賈政歎道：“此軒中煮茶操琴，亦不必再焚名香矣。Jia Zheng sighed and said, "To brew tea and play the qin in this pavilion, one would not even need to burn fine incense.此造已出意外，諸公必有佳作新題以顏其額，方不負此。”眾人笑道：“再莫若‘蘭風蕙露’貼切了。”賈政道：“也只好用這四字。This construction already exceeds all expectation; you gentlemen must surely have fine compositions and new titles to grace its tablet, so as not to fail it." Everyone said with a laugh, "Nothing could be more fitting than 'Orchid Breeze, Iris Dew.'" Jia Zheng said, "I suppose those four characters will have to do.其聯若何？”一人道：“我倒想了一對，大家批削改正。”念道是：What of the couplet?" One man said, "I have indeed thought of a pair of lines; let everyone criticize and correct them." He recited:

贾政因见两边俱是超手游廊，便顺著游廊步入。只见上面五间清厦连著卷棚，四面出廊，绿窗油壁，更比前几处清雅不同。贾政叹道：“此轩中煮茶操琴，亦不必再焚名香矣。此造已出意外，诸公必有佳作新题以颜其额，方不负此。”众人笑道：“再莫若‘兰风蕙露’贴切了。”贾政道：“也只好用这四字。其联若何？”一人道：“我倒想了一对，大家批削改正。”念道是：

麝蘭芳靄斜陽院，杜若香飄明月洲。"Musk-orchid fragrance mists the courtyard in the slanting sun; du-ruo scent drifts over the islet under the bright moon."眾人道：“妙則妙矣，只是‘斜陽’二字不妥。”那人道：“古人詩云‘蘼蕪滿手泣斜暉’。”眾人道：“頹喪，頹喪。”又一人道：“我也有一聯，諸公評閱評閱。”因念道：Everyone said, "Fine as far as it goes, but the words 'slanting sun' are not quite right." That man said, "An ancient poem has the line, 'Wild-lovage filling my hands, I weep at the slanting light.'" Everyone said, "Dispirited, too dispirited." Another man said, "I too have a couplet; let you gentlemen judge it." And he recited:

麝兰芳霭斜阳院，杜若香飘明月洲。众人道：“妙则妙矣，只是‘斜阳’二字不妥。”那人道：“古人诗云‘蘼芜满手泣斜晖’。”众人道：“颓丧，颓丧。”又一人道：“我也有一联，诸公评阅评阅。”因念道：

三徑香風飄玉蕙，一庭明月照金蘭。"Fragrant breeze along the three paths wafts the jade orchid's scent; bright moon filling the whole courtyard shines upon the golden orchid."

三径香风飘玉蕙，一庭明月照金兰。

賈政拈髯沉吟，意欲也題一聯。Jia Zheng stroked his beard and pondered deeply, minded to compose a couplet himself as well.忽抬頭見寶玉在旁不敢則聲，因喝道：“怎麼你應說話時又不說了？Suddenly he looked up and saw Baoyu standing to one side, not daring to speak, and so he barked, "Why is it that when you ought to speak, you say nothing again?還要等人請教你不成！”寶玉聽說，便回道：“此處并沒有什麼‘蘭麝’，‘明月’，‘洲渚’之類，若要這樣著跡說起來，就題二百聯也不能完。”賈政道：“誰按著你的頭，叫你必定說這些字樣呢？”寶玉道：“如此說，匾上則莫若‘蘅芷清芬’四字。Do you need someone to beg you for your opinion?" Hearing this, Baoyu replied, "This place has nothing of 'orchid and musk,' 'bright moon,' 'islet and shoal,' or the like; if one insists on speaking in such fixed terms, one could compose two hundred couplets and still not exhaust it." Jia Zheng said, "Who is holding your head down and forcing you to use such phrases?" Baoyu said, "In that case, for the tablet nothing could better the four characters 'Heng-zhi's Pure Fragrance.'對聯則是：As for the couplet, it would be:

贾政拈髯沉吟，意欲也题一联。忽抬头见宝玉在旁不敢则声，因喝道：“怎么你应说话时又不说了？还要等人请教你不成！”宝玉听说，便回道：“此处并没有什么‘兰麝’，‘明月’，‘洲渚’之类，若要这样著迹说起来，就题二百联也不能完。”贾政道：“谁按著你的头，叫你必定说这些字样呢？”宝玉道：“如此说，匾上则莫若‘蘅芷清芬’四字。对联则是：

吟成荳蔻才猶艷，睡足酴醾夢也香。"Chanted into being, the cardamom's talent still seems radiant; slept full beneath the doubled-flower rose, even dreams are fragrant."

吟成荳蔻才犹艳，睡足酴醾梦也香。

賈政笑道：“這是套的‘書成蕉葉文猶綠’，不足為奇。”眾客道：“李太白‘鳳凰台’之作，全套‘黃鶴樓’，只要套得妙。Jia Zheng said with a smile, "This is modeled on the line 'The writing done on plantain leaf, the text still green' — nothing remarkable about that." The guests said, "Li Taibai's poem on the 'Phoenix Terrace' was entirely modeled on the 'Yellow Crane Tower' — it only matters that the modeling be done skillfully.如今細評起來，方才這一聯，竟比‘書成蕉葉’猶覺幽嫻活潑。Now, judging carefully, this couplet just recited actually feels even more graceful and lively than 'the writing done on plantain leaf.'視‘書成’之句，竟似套此而來。”賈政笑道：“豈有此理！”Looking at the line 'the writing done,' it almost seems as though it were modeled on this one instead." Jia Zheng said with a laugh, "What nonsense!"

贾政笑道：“这是套的‘书成蕉叶文犹绿’，不足为奇。”众客道：“李太白‘凤凰台’之作，全套‘黄鹤楼’，只要套得妙。如今细评起来，方才这一联，竟比‘书成蕉叶’犹觉幽娴活泼。视‘书成’之句，竟似套此而来。”贾政笑道：“岂有此理！”

說著，大家出來。So saying, everyone came out.行不多遠，則見崇閣巍峨，層樓高起，面面琳宮合抱，迢迢复道縈紆，青松拂檐，玉欄繞砌，金輝獸面，彩煥螭頭。They had not gone far when they saw a lofty pavilion rising majestically, its storied towers soaring high, jeweled halls enclosing it on every side, covered walkways winding away into the distance, green pines brushing the eaves, jade balustrades encircling the terrace steps, gilded beast-faces gleaming, and painted hornless-dragon heads glowing bright.賈政道：“這是正殿了，只是太富麗了些。”眾人都道：“要如此方是。Jia Zheng said, "This must be the main hall — only it is a bit too sumptuous." Everyone said, "It ought to be just so.雖然貴妃崇節尚儉，天性惡繁悅朴，然今日之尊，禮儀如此，不為過也。”一面說，一面走，只見正面現出一座玉石牌坊來，上面龍蟠螭護，玲瓏鑿就。Although the Honored Consort esteems moderation and frugality, and by nature dislikes excess and delights in plainness, still, given her present rank, the required ceremony demands as much, and this is not too much." As they spoke and walked, they saw directly ahead a marble memorial archway appear, carved all over with coiling dragons and guarding hornless dragons, wrought with exquisite delicacy.賈政道：“此處書以何文？”眾人道：“必是‘蓬萊仙境’方妙。”賈政搖頭不語。Jia Zheng asked, "What inscription should be written here?" Everyone said, "Nothing could be finer than 'Penglai Fairyland.'" Jia Zheng shook his head and said nothing.寶玉見了這個所在，心中忽有所動，尋思起來，倒象那里曾見過的一般，卻一時想不起那年月日的事了。When Baoyu saw this place, his heart was suddenly stirred; pondering it, it seemed as though he had seen it somewhere before, yet for the moment he could not recall in what year, month, or day it had been.賈政又命他作題，寶玉只顧細思前景，全無心于此了。Jia Zheng again ordered him to compose an inscription, but Baoyu, absorbed in pondering that earlier scene, had no mind left for this at all.眾人不知其意，只當他受了這半日的折磨，精神耗散，才盡詞窮了，再要考難逼迫，著了急，或生出事來，倒不便。Not knowing what was in his mind, the others assumed he had simply been worn out by half a day of this ordeal, his energy spent and his talent exhausted, and that to press and test him further might make him panic and bring on some mishap, which would be inconvenient.遂忙都勸賈政：“罷，罷，明日再題罷了。”賈政心中也怕賈母不放心，遂冷笑道：“你這畜生，也竟有不能之時了。So they hastened to urge Jia Zheng, "Enough, enough — let him compose the inscription tomorrow instead." Jia Zheng too, in his heart, feared that the Lady Dowager would be worried, and so he said with a cold laugh, "So even you, you wretched creature, have times when you cannot manage.也罷，限你一日，明日若再不能，我定不饒。Very well then, I give you one day's grace; if by tomorrow you still cannot manage it, I will certainly not let you off.這是要緊一處，更要好生作來！”This is an important spot — you must apply yourself and do it properly!"

说著，大家出来。行不多远，则见崇阁巍峨，层楼高起，面面琳宫合抱，迢迢复道萦纡，青松拂檐，玉栏绕砌，金辉兽面，彩焕螭头。贾政道：“这是正殿了，只是太富丽了些。”众人都道：“要如此方是。虽然贵妃崇节尚俭，天性恶繁悦朴，然今日之尊，礼仪如此，不为过也。”一面说，一面走，只见正面现出一座玉石牌坊来，上面龙蟠螭护，玲珑凿就。贾政道：“此处书以何文？”众人道：“必是‘蓬莱仙境’方妙。”贾政摇头不语。宝玉见了这个所在，心中忽有所动，寻思起来，倒象那里曾见过的一般，却一时想不起那年月日的事了。贾政又命他作题，宝玉只顾细思前景，全无心于此了。众人不知其意，只当他受了这半日的折磨，精神耗散，才尽词穷了，再要考难逼迫，著了急，或生出事来，倒不便。遂忙都劝贾政：“罢，罢，明日再题罢了。”贾政心中也怕贾母不放心，遂冷笑道：“你这畜生，也竟有不能之时了。也罢，限你一日，明日若再不能，我定不饶。这是要紧一处，更要好生作来！”

說著，引人出來，再一觀望，原來自進門起，所行至此，才游了十之五六。So saying, he led the party out, and looking about once more, they realized that from the moment they had entered the gate up to this point, they had covered only five or six tenths of the grounds.又值人來回，有雨村處遣人回話。Just then a servant came to report that someone had been sent from Yucun's place with a message.賈政笑道：“此數處不能游了。Jia Zheng said with a smile, "We shall not be able to visit these several places after all.雖如此，到底從那一邊出去，縱不能細觀，也可稍覽。”說著，引客行來，至一大橋前，見水如晶帘一般奔入。Even so, since we must go out by that side in any case, though we cannot look closely, we may at least glance over it as we pass." So saying, he led the guests onward, and on reaching a great bridge, they saw the water rushing in like a crystal curtain.原來這橋便是通外河之閘，引泉而入者。It turned out that this bridge was in fact the sluice-gate connecting to the outer river, by which the spring water was led in.賈政因問：“此閘何名？”寶玉道：“此乃沁芳泉之正源，就名‘沁芳閘’。”賈政道：“胡說，偏不用‘沁芳’二字。”于是一路行來，或清堂茅舍，或堆石為垣，或編花為牖，或山下得幽尼佛寺，或林中藏女道丹房，或長廊曲洞，或方廈圓亭，賈政皆不及進去。Jia Zheng accordingly asked, "What is this sluice-gate called?" Baoyu said, "This is the true source of the Qinfang Spring, so it should be named the 'Qinfang Sluice.'" Jia Zheng said, "Nonsense — I absolutely will not use the words 'Qinfang.'" So they went on their way, passing now a cool hall or thatched cottage, now a wall built up of piled stones, now a lattice woven of flowering branches, now, at the foot of a hill, a secluded nunnery, now, hidden in a grove, a Daoist priestess's elixir chamber, now a long gallery or winding grotto, now a square hall or round pavilion — but Jia Zheng had no time to go into any of them.因說半日腿酸，未嘗歇息，忽又見前面又露出一所院落來，賈政笑道：“到此可要進去歇息歇息了。”說著，一徑引人繞著碧桃花，穿過一層竹篱花障編就的月洞門，俄見粉牆環護，綠柳周垂。Remarking that his legs ached from the half-day's walk without any rest, he then suddenly caught sight of another courtyard coming into view ahead, and Jia Zheng said with a smile, "Here at least we must go in and rest a while." So saying, he led the party straight around some green peach trees, through a moon-gate woven of bamboo fencing and flowering hedge, and presently they saw whitewashed walls encircling the place, with green willows drooping all about.賈政與眾人進去，一入門，兩邊都是游廊相接。Jia Zheng and the others went in; as soon as they entered the gate, covered walkways connected on both sides.院中點襯幾塊山石，一邊种著數本芭蕉，那一邊乃是一棵西府海棠，其勢若傘，絲垂翠縷，葩吐丹砂。In the courtyard a few rockery stones were placed here and there for accent; on one side grew several plantain trees, and on the other stood a single Xifu crabapple, its form like an open umbrella, its strands hanging down like threads of kingfisher green, its blossoms unfolding red as cinnabar.眾人贊道：“好花，好花！Everyone praised it, saying, "What a fine flower, what a fine flower!從來也見過許多海棠，那里有這樣妙的。”賈政道：“這叫作‘女兒棠’，乃是外國之种。We have seen many crabapples in our time, but never one so exquisite as this." Jia Zheng said, "This is called the 'Maiden Crabapple' — it is a foreign variety.俗傳系出‘女兒國’中，云彼國此种最盛，亦荒唐不經之說罷了。”眾人笑道：“然雖不經，如何此名傳久了？”寶玉道：“大約騷人詠士，以此花之色紅暈若施脂，輕弱似扶病，大近乎閨閣風度，所以以‘女兒’命名。Popular tradition holds that it originated in the 'Land of Maidens,' where this variety is said to flourish most abundantly — but that too is no more than a wild and groundless tale." Everyone said with a laugh, "Groundless as it may be, how is it that this name has been handed down for so long?" Baoyu said, "I suppose that poets and men of letters, seeing that the flower's rosy hue is as if rouge had been applied, and its slight, delicate frailty as if it were recovering from illness, found it very close in manner to a lady's boudoir, and so named it 'Maiden.'想因被世間俗惡聽了，他便以野史纂入為證，以俗傳俗，以訛傳訛，都認真了。”眾人都搖身贊妙。I imagine that vulgar people of the world, hearing of this, then compiled it into unofficial histories as proof, and so, vulgar tale passing on to vulgar tale, and error passing on to error, everyone came to take it as fact." Everyone swayed with admiration, praising the cleverness of this.一面說話，一面都在廊外抱廈下打就的榻上坐了。As they talked, they all sat down on the couches built beneath the lean-to roof outside the gallery.賈政因問：“想幾個什麼新鮮字來題此？”一客道：“‘蕉鶴’二字最妙。”又一個道：“‘崇光泛彩’方妙。”賈政與眾人都道：“好個‘崇光泛彩’！”寶玉也道：“妙极。”又歎：“只是可惜了。”眾人問：“如何可惜？”寶玉道：“此處蕉棠兩植，其意暗蓄‘紅’‘綠’二字在內。Jia Zheng then asked, "Can you think of some fresh words to inscribe here?" One guest said, "The two characters 'Plantain and Crane' would be best." Another said, "'Lofty Radiance Suffused with Color' would be finer still." Jia Zheng and everyone said, "What a fine phrase, 'Lofty Radiance Suffused with Color'!" Baoyu too said, "Excellent indeed." Then he sighed and added, "Only it's a pity." The others asked, "How is it a pity?" Baoyu said, "Here plantain and crabapple are planted together, and the intent secretly holds within it the two characters 'red' and 'green.'若只說蕉，則棠無著落，若只說棠，蕉亦無著落。If one speaks only of the plantain, then the crabapple is left with nothing to answer to it; if one speaks only of the crabapple, then the plantain likewise is left unaccounted for.固有蕉無棠不可，有棠無蕉更不可。”賈政道：“依你如何？”寶玉道：“依我，題‘紅香綠玉’四字，方兩全其妙。”賈政搖頭道：“不好，不好！”Indeed, to have the plantain without the crabapple will not do, and to have the crabapple without the plantain is even less acceptable." Jia Zheng said, "What would you have, then?" Baoyu said, "In my view, the four characters 'Red Fragrance, Green Jade' would do full justice to both." Jia Zheng shook his head and said, "No good, no good!"

说著，引人出来，再一观望，原来自进门起，所行至此，才游了十之五六。又值人来回，有雨村处遣人回话。贾政笑道：“此数处不能游了。虽如此，到底从那一边出去，纵不能细观，也可稍览。”说著，引客行来，至一大桥前，见水如晶帘一般奔入。原来这桥便是通外河之闸，引泉而入者。贾政因问：“此闸何名？”宝玉道：“此乃沁芳泉之正源，就名‘沁芳闸’。”贾政道：“胡说，偏不用‘沁芳’二字。”于是一路行来，或清堂茅舍，或堆石为垣，或编花为牖，或山下得幽尼佛寺，或林中藏女道丹房，或长廊曲洞，或方厦圆亭，贾政皆不及进去。因说半日腿酸，未尝歇息，忽又见前面又露出一所院落来，贾政笑道：“到此可要进去歇息歇息了。”说著，一径引人绕著碧桃花，穿过一层竹篱花障编就的月洞门，俄见粉墙环护，绿柳周垂。贾政与众人进去，一入门，两边都是游廊相接。院中点衬几块山石，一边种著数本芭蕉，那一边乃是一棵西府海棠，其势若伞，丝垂翠缕，葩吐丹砂。众人赞道：“好花，好花！从来也见过许多海棠，那里有这样妙的。”贾政道：“这叫作‘女儿棠’，乃是外国之种。俗传系出‘女儿国’中，云彼国此种最盛，亦荒唐不经之说罢了。”众人笑道：“然虽不经，如何此名传久了？”宝玉道：“大约骚人咏士，以此花之色红晕若施脂，轻弱似扶病，大近乎闺阁风度，所以以‘女儿’命名。想因被世间俗恶听了，他便以野史纂入为证，以俗传俗，以讹传讹，都认真了。”众人都摇身赞妙。一面说话，一面都在廊外抱厦下打就的榻上坐了。贾政因问：“想几个什么新鲜字来题此？”一客道：“‘蕉鹤’二字最妙。”又一个道：“‘崇光泛彩’方妙。”贾政与众人都道：“好个‘崇光泛彩’！”宝玉也道：“妙极。”又叹：“只是可惜了。”众人问：“如何可惜？”宝玉道：“此处蕉棠两植，其意暗蓄‘红’‘绿’二字在内。若只说蕉，则棠无著落，若只说棠，蕉亦无著落。固有蕉无棠不可，有棠无蕉更不可。”贾政道：“依你如何？”宝玉道：“依我，题‘红香绿玉’四字，方两全其妙。”贾政摇头道：“不好，不好！”

說著，引人進入房內。So saying, he led the party into the rooms.只見這幾間房內收拾的與別處不同，竟分不出間隔來的。They saw that these rooms were fitted out unlike any other place, so that one could not even tell where one room ended and another began.原來四面皆是雕空玲瓏木板，或“流云百蝠”，或“歲寒三友”，或山水人物，或翎毛花卉，或集錦，或博古，或萬福萬壽各种花樣，皆是名手雕鏤，五彩銷金嵌寶的。It turned out that on every side were finely carved openwork wooden panels — some done in "drifting clouds and a hundred bats," some in "the three friends of winter," some with landscapes and figures, some with birds and flowers, some in patchwork designs, some with antique motifs, some with patterns of manifold blessings and manifold longevity — all carved by famous craftsmen, in five colors, inlaid with gold and set with gems.一槅一槅，或有貯書處，或有設鼎處，或安置筆硯處，或供花設瓶，安放盆景處。Compartment by compartment, there were places for storing books, places for displaying ancient bronze vessels, places for setting out brush and inkstone, and places for offering flowers in vases or arranging potted landscapes.其槅各式各樣，或天圓地方，或葵花蕉葉，或連環半璧。The compartments came in every shape — some round like heaven and square like earth, some in the form of sunflowers or plantain leaves, some like linked rings or half-discs of jade.真是花團錦簇，剔透玲瓏。It was truly a riot of flowers and brocade, exquisitely wrought through and through.倏爾五色紗糊就，竟系小窗，倏爾彩凌輕覆，竟系幽戶。In an instant one would find a small window pasted over with five-colored gauze, and in another a secluded door lightly covered with patterned silk.且滿牆滿壁，皆系隨依古董玩器之形摳成的槽子。Moreover, every wall and every partition was fitted with recesses hollowed out to match the shapes of antiques and curios.諸如琴，劍，懸瓶，桌屏之類，雖懸于壁，卻都是與壁相平的。Such things as zithers, swords, hanging vases, and table screens, though mounted on the walls, all lay perfectly flush with the wall's surface.眾人都贊：“好精致想頭！Everyone praised it, saying, "What an exquisite conception!難為怎麼想來，”原來賈政等走了進來，未進兩層，便都迷了舊路，左瞧也有門可通，右瞧又有窗暫隔，及到了跟前，又被一架書擋住。However did anyone think of it." — Now, when Jia Zheng and the others had walked in, before they had gone through even two rooms, they had already lost their way; looking left, there seemed to be a door leading through, and looking right, a window seemed to block the way for the moment, but on drawing near, they would find themselves blocked instead by a bookshelf.回頭再走，又有窗紗明透，門徑可行，及至門前，忽見迎面也進來了一群人，都與自己形相一樣，-卻是一架玻璃大鏡相照。Turning back to try another way, they would again see a window with gauze bright and transparent, with a path leading on through a doorway, but on reaching the door, they suddenly saw a group of people coming in to meet them, every one identical in appearance to themselves — it was in fact a large glass mirror reflecting them.及轉過鏡去，益發見門子多了。And once they went around behind the mirror, they found even more doors than before.賈珍笑道：“老爺隨我來。Jia Zhen said with a smile, "Sir, follow me.從這門出去，便是後院，從後院出去，倒比先近了。”說著，又轉了兩層紗廚錦槅，果得一門出去，院中滿架薔薇，寶相。Go out by this door and you come to the back courtyard; going out from the back courtyard is actually a shorter way than before." So saying, he turned through two more layers of gauze cabinets and brocade compartments, and indeed found a door leading out, where the courtyard was filled with trellises of roses and Chinese roses.轉過花障，則見青溪前阻。Rounding the flower hedge, they found a clear stream barring the way ahead.眾人吒异：“這股水又是從何而來？”賈珍遙指道：“原從那閘起流至那洞口，從東北山坳里引到那村庄里，又開一道岔口，引到西南上，共總流到這里，仍舊合在一處，從那牆下出去。”眾人聽了，都道：“神妙之极，”說著，忽見大山阻路。Everyone marveled, "Where does this stream of water come from now?" Jia Zhen pointed off into the distance and said, "It originally flows from that sluice-gate down to the mouth of that cave, is led from the hollow in the northeastern hill down to that village, and then a branch channel is opened off it, leading to the southwest; all of it finally flows together here, rejoining into one, and goes out beneath that wall over there." Hearing this, everyone said, "Marvelous in the extreme, truly." As they spoke, they suddenly saw a great hill blocking the path.眾人都道“迷了路了。”賈珍笑道：“隨我來。”仍在前導引，眾人隨他，直由山腳邊忽一轉，便是平坦寬闊大路，豁然大門前見。Everyone said, "We have lost our way." Jia Zhen said with a smile, "Follow me." And once again he led the way in front; the others followed him, and going straight along the foot of the hill, they suddenly turned a corner, and there was a broad, level highway, and all at once the main gate opened wide before them.眾人都道：“有趣，有趣，真搜神奪巧之至！”于是大家出來。Everyone said, "Delightful, delightful — truly the very height of ingenuity, as if wrested from the gods!" And with that everyone came out.那寶玉一心只記挂著里邊，又不見賈政吩咐，少不得跟到書房。Baoyu, his heart still wholly absorbed with what lay within, and seeing that Jia Zheng had given no instructions, had no choice but to follow along to the study.賈政忽想起他來，方喝道：“你還不去？Jia Zheng suddenly remembered him and barked, "Are you still not gone?難道還逛不足！Have you not had enough wandering about!也不想逛了這半日，老太太必懸挂著。Have you not thought that after all this half-day's roaming, the Old Ancestress must certainly be worried about you.快進去，疼你也白疼了。”寶玉聽說，方退了出來。Get inside quickly — all the love she has for you would be wasted for nothing." Hearing this, Baoyu at last withdrew and went out.在看下回分解。Read on to find out, in the chapter that follows.

说著，引人进入房内。只见这几间房内收拾的与别处不同，竟分不出间隔来的。原来四面皆是雕空玲珑木板，或“流云百蝠”，或“岁寒三友”，或山水人物，或翎毛花卉，或集锦，或博古，或万福万寿各种花样，皆是名手雕镂，五彩销金嵌宝的。一槅一槅，或有贮书处，或有设鼎处，或安置笔砚处，或供花设瓶，安放盆景处。其槅各式各样，或天圆地方，或葵花蕉叶，或连环半璧。真是花团锦簇，剔透玲珑。倏尔五色纱糊就，竟系小窗，倏尔彩凌轻覆，竟系幽户。且满墙满壁，皆系随依古董玩器之形抠成的槽子。诸如琴，剑，悬瓶，桌屏之类，虽悬于壁，却都是与壁相平的。众人都赞：“好精致想头！难为怎么想来，”原来贾政等走了进来，未进两层，便都迷了旧路，左瞧也有门可通，右瞧又有窗暂隔，及到了跟前，又被一架书挡住。回头再走，又有窗纱明透，门径可行，及至门前，忽见迎面也进来了一群人，都与自己形相一样，-却是一架玻璃大镜相照。及转过镜去，益发见门子多了。贾珍笑道：“老爷随我来。从这门出去，便是后院，从后院出去，倒比先近了。”说著，又转了两层纱厨锦槅，果得一门出去，院中满架蔷薇，宝相。转过花障，则见青溪前阻。众人咤异：“这股水又是从何而来？”贾珍遥指道：“原从那闸起流至那洞口，从东北山坳里引到那村庄里，又开一道岔口，引到西南上，共总流到这里，仍旧合在一处，从那墙下出去。”众人听了，都道：“神妙之极，”说著，忽见大山阻路。众人都道“迷了路了。”贾珍笑道：“随我来。”仍在前导引，众人随他，直由山脚边忽一转，便是平坦宽阔大路，豁然大门前见。众人都道：“有趣，有趣，真搜神夺巧之至！”于是大家出来。那宝玉一心只记挂著里边，又不见贾政吩咐，少不得跟到书房。贾政忽想起他来，方喝道：“你还不去？难道还逛不足！也不想逛了这半日，老太太必悬挂著。快进去，疼你也白疼了。”宝玉听说，方退了出来。在看下回分解。

注释Notes