第三十八回　林瀟湘魁奪菊花詩　薛蘅蕪諷和螃蟹詠 Daiyu Wins First Place with Chrysanthemum Verses; Baochai Satirizes in Crab Poems

話說寶釵湘雲二人計議已妥，一宿無話。To resume: the two of them, Baochai and Xiangyun, having settled their plan, nothing more happened that night.湘雲次日便請賈母等賞桂花。The next day Xiangyun accordingly invited Grandmother Jia and the others to admire the osmanthus blossoms.賈母等都說道：“是他有興頭，須要扰他這雅興。”至午，果然賈母帶了王夫人鳳姐兼請薛姨媽等進園來。Grandmother Jia and the rest all said, "Since she is in such high spirits, we really ought to indulge this refined whim of hers." By noon, sure enough, Grandmother Jia brought Lady Wang and Xifeng, and also invited Aunt Xue and the others, into the garden.賈母因問“那一處好？”王夫人道：“憑老太太愛在那一處，就在那一處。”鳳姐道：“藕香榭已經擺下了，那山坡下兩棵桂花開的又好，河里的水又碧清，坐在河當中亭子上豈不敞亮，看著水眼也清亮。”賈母聽了，說：“這話很是。”說著，就引了眾人往藕香榭來。Grandmother Jia then asked, "Which spot would be best?" Lady Wang said, "Wherever Old Ancestress prefers, that is where we shall go." Xifeng said, "The Lotus Fragrance Pavilion is already laid out, and those two osmanthus trees under the hillside are blooming beautifully besides, and the river water is clear and green — sitting in the pavilion right in the middle of the river, wouldn't it be airy and open, and the water would look refreshing to the eye too." Grandmother Jia, hearing this, said, "That's very true." So saying, she led everyone toward the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion.原來這藕香榭蓋在池中，四面有窗，左右有曲廊可通，亦是跨水接岸，後面又有曲折竹橋暗接。It turned out that this Lotus Fragrance Pavilion was built in the middle of the pond, with windows on all four sides, and winding corridors to left and right giving access, likewise spanning the water to join the bank, while behind it a zigzag bamboo bridge connected it unseen.眾人上了竹橋，鳳姐忙上來攙著賈母，口里說：“老祖宗只管邁大步走，不相干的，這竹子橋規矩是咯吱咯喳的。”As everyone crossed the bamboo bridge, Xifeng hurried up to support Grandmother Jia, saying as she did so, "Old Ancestress, just take big strides and walk on, it doesn't matter — this bamboo bridge is supposed to creak and sway like that."

话说宝钗湘云二人计议已妥，一宿无话。湘云次日便请贾母等赏桂花。贾母等都说道：“是他有兴头，须要扰他这雅兴。”至午，果然贾母带了王夫人凤姐兼请薛姨妈等进园来。贾母因问“那一处好？”王夫人道：“凭老太太爱在那一处，就在那一处。”凤姐道：“藕香榭已经摆下了，那山坡下两棵桂花开的又好，河里的水又碧清，坐在河当中亭子上岂不敞亮，看著水眼也清亮。”贾母听了，说：“这话很是。”说著，就引了众人往藕香榭来。原来这藕香榭盖在池中，四面有窗，左右有曲廊可通，亦是跨水接岸，后面又有曲折竹桥暗接。众人上了竹桥，凤姐忙上来搀著贾母，口里说：“老祖宗只管迈大步走，不相干的，这竹子桥规矩是咯吱咯喳的。”

一時進入榭中，只見欄杆外另放著兩張竹案，一個上面設著杯箸酒具，一個上頭設著茶筅茶盂各色茶具。Presently they entered the pavilion, and there, outside the balustrade, two more bamboo tables had been set separately — on one were laid out cups, chopsticks, and wine vessels, and on the other were set out tea whisks, tea bowls, and all sorts of tea things.那邊有兩三個丫頭煽風爐煮茶，這一邊另外幾個丫頭也煽風爐燙酒呢。On that side two or three maids were fanning the stove to boil tea, while on this side several other maids were likewise fanning a stove to warm the wine.賈母喜的忙問：“這茶想的到，且是地方，東西都乾淨。”湘雲笑道：“這是寶姐姐幫著我預備的。”賈母道：“我說這個孩子細致，凡事想的妥當。”一面說，一面又看見柱上挂的黑漆嵌蚌的對子，命人念。Grandmother Jia, delighted, hurriedly asked, "Whoever thought of this tea arrangement thought of everything, and what a fine spot besides — everything so clean." Xiangyun said with a smile, "It was Cousin Bao who helped me get it ready." Grandmother Jia said, "I always say this child is thoughtful, she plans everything so properly." As she spoke, she also noticed the couplet inlaid with black lacquer and mother-of-pearl hanging on the pillar, and told someone to read it aloud.湘雲念道：Xiangyun read it out:

一时进入榭中，只见栏杆外另放著两张竹案，一个上面设著杯箸酒具，一个上头设著茶筅茶盂各色茶具。那边有两三个丫头煽风炉煮茶，这一边另外几个丫头也煽风炉烫酒呢。贾母喜的忙问：“这茶想的到，且是地方，东西都干净。”湘云笑道：“这是宝姐姐帮著我预备的。”贾母道：“我说这个孩子细致，凡事想的妥当。”一面说，一面又看见柱上挂的黑漆嵌蚌的对子，命人念。湘云念道：

芙蓉影破歸蘭槳，菱藕香深寫竹橋。"The lotus's shadow breaks as the orchid oars return; the water-caltrop's fragrance deepens where the bamboo bridge is traced."

芙蓉影破归兰桨，菱藕香深写竹桥。

賈母聽了，又抬頭看匾，因回頭向薛姨媽道：“我先小時，家里也有這麼一個亭子，叫做什麼‘枕霞閣’。Grandmother Jia, having heard this, looked up again at the horizontal tablet, and then, turning her head, said to Aunt Xue, "When I was small, we too had a pavilion like this at home, called something like 'Pillowed-in-Rosy-Clouds Pavilion.'我那時也只象他們這麼大年紀，同姊妹們天天頑去。At that time I was just about the same age as these children here, and every day I would go off to play with my sisters.那日誰知我失了腳掉下去，幾乎沒淹死，好容易救了上來，到底被那木釘把頭碰破了。That day, who would have thought, I lost my footing and fell in, and very nearly drowned; only with great difficulty was I rescued and pulled up, but in the end my head struck against a wooden peg and was cut open.如今這鬢角上那指頭頂大一塊窩兒就是那殘破了。Even now, that spot on my temple the size of a fingertip, that little hollow, is the scar from that very injury.眾人都怕經了水，又怕冒了風，都說活不得了，誰知竟好了。”鳳姐不等人說，先笑道：“那時要活不得，如今這大福可叫誰享呢！Everyone was afraid I had taken in too much water, and also afraid I had caught a chill, and all said I could not live — yet who would have guessed I actually recovered." Xifeng, without waiting for anyone else to speak, said first with a laugh, "If you hadn't lived back then, who would there be now to enjoy all this great fortune!可知老祖宗從小兒的福壽就不小，神差鬼使碰出那個窩兒來，好盛福壽的。This just goes to show that Old Ancestress's fortune and longevity were no small thing even from childhood — the gods and spirits themselves contrived to knock out that little hollow, just right for holding fortune and longevity.壽星老兒頭上原是一個窩兒，因為萬福萬壽盛滿了，所以倒凸高出些來了。”未及說完，賈母與眾人都笑軟了。The God of Longevity originally has a hollow on his head too, but because it's filled to overflowing with boundless fortune and longevity, it ends up bulging out higher instead." Before she had even finished speaking, Grandmother Jia and everyone else were already laughing until they went weak.賈母笑道：“這猴兒慣的了不得了，只管拿我取笑起來，恨的我撕你那油嘴。”鳳姐笑道：“回來吃螃蟹，恐積了冷在心里，討老祖宗笑一笑開開心，一高興多吃兩個就無妨了。”賈母笑道：“明兒叫你日夜跟著我，我倒常笑笑覺的開心，不許回家去。”王夫人笑道：“老太太因為喜歡他，才慣的他這樣，還這樣說，他明兒越發無禮了。”賈母笑道：“我喜歡他這樣，況且他又不是那不知高低的孩子。Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "This little monkey has been spoiled past bearing, forever making fun of me — it makes me want to tear that glib mouth of yours." Xifeng said with a laugh, "We're about to eat crabs later, and I was afraid the chill might settle in Old Ancestress's chest, so I wanted to make Old Ancestress laugh a little to lighten the mood — once you're in good spirits, eating a couple extra won't hurt." Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "Tomorrow I'll have you follow me day and night — it does me good to laugh like this often; you're not to go home anymore." Lady Wang said with a laugh, "It's precisely because Old Ancestress is fond of her that she's been spoiled like this — and still to speak this way, she'll only grow more impudent from now on." Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "I like her being this way, and besides, she isn't one of those children who doesn't know her place.家常沒人，娘兒們原該這樣。At home among ourselves, with no outsiders present, mother and daughters-in-law ought to be just like this.橫豎禮体不錯就罷，沒的倒叫他從神兒似的作什麼。”So long as the proper forms aren't broken, that's enough — there's no need to make her stand about like some little idol of a spirit."

贾母听了，又抬头看匾，因回头向薛姨妈道：“我先小时，家里也有这么一个亭子，叫做什么‘枕霞阁’。我那时也只象他们这么大年纪，同姊妹们天天顽去。那日谁知我失了脚掉下去，几乎没淹死，好容易救了上来，到底被那木钉把头碰破了。如今这鬓角上那指头顶大一块窝儿就是那残破了。众人都怕经了水，又怕冒了风，都说活不得了，谁知竟好了。”凤姐不等人说，先笑道：“那时要活不得，如今这大福可叫谁享呢！可知老祖宗从小儿的福寿就不小，神差鬼使碰出那个窝儿来，好盛福寿的。寿星老儿头上原是一个窝儿，因为万福万寿盛满了，所以倒凸高出些来了。”未及说完，贾母与众人都笑软了。贾母笑道：“这猴儿惯的了不得了，只管拿我取笑起来，恨的我撕你那油嘴。”凤姐笑道：“回来吃螃蟹，恐积了冷在心里，讨老祖宗笑一笑开开心，一高兴多吃两个就无妨了。”贾母笑道：“明儿叫你日夜跟著我，我倒常笑笑觉的开心，不许回家去。”王夫人笑道：“老太太因为喜欢他，才惯的他这样，还这样说，他明儿越发无礼了。”贾母笑道：“我喜欢他这样，况且他又不是那不知高低的孩子。家常没人，娘儿们原该这样。横竖礼体不错就罢，没的倒叫他从神儿似的作什么。”

說著，一齊進入亭子，獻過茶，鳳姐忙著搭桌子，要杯箸。So saying, they all went into the pavilion together, and after tea had been served, Xifeng busied herself setting up the tables and calling for cups and chopsticks.上面一桌，賈母，薛姨媽，寶釵，黛玉，寶玉，東邊一桌，史湘雲，王夫人，迎，探，惜，西邊靠門一桌，李紈和鳳姐的，虛設坐位，二人皆不敢坐，只在賈母王夫人兩桌上伺候。At the head table sat Grandmother Jia, Aunt Xue, Baochai, Daiyu, and Baoyu; at the east table, Shi Xiangyun, Lady Wang, and Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun; at the west table by the door, seats were set out as a formality for Li Wan and Xifeng, though neither of the two dared actually sit, and instead waited on Grandmother Jia's and Lady Wang's tables.鳳姐吩咐：“螃蟹不可多拿來，仍舊放在蒸籠里，拿十個來，吃了再拿。”一面又要水洗了手，站在賈母跟前剝蟹肉，頭次讓薛姨媽。Xifeng instructed, "Don't bring out too many crabs at once — keep them in the steamer still, bring ten at a time, and bring more once these are eaten." She then had water brought to wash her hands, and stood before Grandmother Jia picking out the crab meat, offering the first portion to Aunt Xue.薛姨媽道：“我自己掰著吃香甜，不用人讓。”鳳姐便奉與賈母。Aunt Xue said, "I enjoy picking it apart and eating it myself, there's no need for anyone to offer me any." Xifeng then presented it to Grandmother Jia instead.二次的便與寶玉，又說：“把酒燙的滾熱的拿來。”又命小丫頭們去取菊花葉兒桂花蕊熏的綠豆面子來，預備洗手。The second portion she gave to Baoyu, and said as well, "Bring the wine warmed piping hot." She also had the young maids go fetch the green-bean flour scented with chrysanthemum leaves and osmanthus stamens, to have ready for washing hands.史湘雲陪著吃了一個，就下座來讓人，又出至外頭，令人盛兩盤子與趙姨娘周姨娘送去。Shi Xiangyun kept them company and ate one crab, then left her seat to serve the others, and also went outside and had two plates filled and sent over to Aunt Zhao and Aunt Zhou.又見鳳姐走來道：“你不慣張羅，你吃你的去。Then she saw Xifeng come over and say, "You're not used to managing things — just go and eat your own food.我先替你張羅，等散了我再吃。”湘雲不肯，又令人在那邊廊上擺了兩桌，讓鴛鴦，琥珀，彩霞，彩雲，平兒去坐。Let me handle things for you for now, and once everyone's finished I'll eat." Xiangyun would not agree, and instead had two more tables set up on the corridor over there, inviting Yuanyang, Hupo, Caixia, Caiyun, and Ping'er to sit.鴛鴦因向鳳姐笑道：“二奶奶在這里伺候，我們可吃去了。”鳳姐兒道：“你們只管去，都交給我就是了。”說著，史湘雲仍入了席。Yuanyang then said to Xifeng with a smile, "With Second Mistress here waiting on everyone, we can go off and eat." Xifeng said, "You all just go ahead, leave everything to me." So saying, Shi Xiangyun took her seat at the table again.鳳姐和李紈也胡亂應個景兒。Xifeng and Li Wan too merely went through the motions for form's sake.鳳姐仍是下來張羅，一時出至廊上，鴛鴦等正吃的高興，見他來了，鴛鴦等站起來道：“奶奶又出來作什麼？Xifeng still came down to see to things, and presently went out to the corridor, where Yuanyang and the others were just eating away happily; seeing her come, Yuanyang and the others stood up and said, "What has Madam come out here for again?讓我們也受用一會兒。”鳳姐笑道：“鴛鴦小蹄子越發坏了，我替你當差，倒不領情，還抱怨我。Do let us enjoy ourselves a while too." Xifeng said with a smile, "That little imp Yuanyang gets more shameless by the day — here I am standing in for you on duty, and instead of being grateful you complain about me.還不快斟一鐘酒來我喝呢。”鴛鴦笑著忙斟了一杯酒，送至鳳姐唇邊，鳳姐一揚脖子吃了。Quick, pour me a cup of wine to drink." Yuanyang laughingly hurried to pour a cup of wine and brought it to Xifeng's lips, and Xifeng tipped her head back and drank it down.琥珀彩霞二人也斟上一杯，送至鳳姐唇邊，那鳳姐也吃了。Hupo and Caixia likewise poured a cup and brought it to Xifeng's lips, and Xifeng drank that one too.平兒早剔了一殼黃子送來，鳳姐道：“多倒些薑醋。”一面也吃了，笑道：“你們坐著吃罷，我可去了。”鴛鴦笑道：“好沒臉，吃我們的東西。”鳳姐兒笑道：“你和我少作怪。Ping'er had already picked out a shell full of roe and brought it over; Xifeng said, "Pour on plenty of ginger vinegar." and ate it too, then said with a smile, "You all sit and eat, I'll be off now." Yuanyang said with a laugh, "How shameless, eating our food." Xifeng said with a laugh, "Don't you get up to mischief with me.你知道你璉二爺愛上了你，要和老太太討了你作小老婆呢。”鴛鴦道：“啐，這也是作奶奶說出來的話！You know perfectly well your Second Master Lian has taken a fancy to you, and means to beg Old Ancestress to let him have you as a concubine." Yuanyang said, "Pah, and this from the mouth of a Madam no less!我不拿腥手抹你一臉算不得。”說著赶來就要抹。If I don't smear your face with this fishy hand of mine it'll hardly do." So saying, she rushed forward to smear it on her.鳳姐兒央道：“好姐姐，饒我這一遭兒罷。”琥珀笑道：“鴛丫頭要去了，平丫頭還饒他？Xifeng pleaded, "Dear sister, spare me just this once." Hupo said with a smile, "Yuanyang's about to let her off — but will Ping'er let her off too?你們看看他，沒有吃了兩個螃蟹，倒喝了一碟子醋，他也算不會攬酸了。”平兒手里正掰了個滿黃的螃蟹，聽如此奚落他，便拿著螃蟹照著琥珀臉上抹來，口內笑罵”我把你這嚼舌根的小蹄子！”琥珀也笑著往旁邊一躲，平兒使空了，往前一撞，正恰恰的抹在鳳姐兒腮上。Just look at her — she hasn't even finished two crabs, and already she's downed a whole saucer of vinegar; no wonder she's such a one for sourness." Ping'er, who at that moment was just picking apart a crab full of roe, hearing herself mocked like this, took the crab and smeared it straight at Hupo's face, scolding with a laugh, "You little imp with the wagging tongue!" Hupo, laughing, dodged aside just then, so Ping'er's swipe missed and, lunging forward, landed square instead on Xifeng's cheek.鳳姐兒正和鴛鴦嘲笑，不防唬了一跳，噯喲了一聲。Xifeng, who was just then trading banter with Yuanyang, was caught off guard and gave a startled cry of surprise.眾人撐不住都哈哈的大笑起來。Everyone could no longer hold back and burst out laughing uproariously.鳳姐也禁不住笑罵道：“死娼婦！Xifeng too could not help cursing with a laugh, "You wretched hussy!吃離了眼了，混抹你娘的。”平兒忙赶過來替他擦了，親自去端水。Your eyes must have slipped while you were eating, smearing it on your own mother like that." Ping'er hurried over to wipe it off for her, and went herself to fetch water.鴛鴦道：“阿彌陀佛！Yuanyang said, "Amitabha!這是個報應。”賈母那邊聽見，一疊聲問：“見了什麼這樣樂，告訴我們也笑笑。”鴛鴦等忙高聲笑回道：“二奶奶來搶螃蟹吃，平兒惱了，抹了他主子一臉的螃蟹黃子。This is retribution." Over on Grandmother Jia's side, hearing this, they called out again and again, "What's so funny over there — tell us too, so we can have a laugh." Yuanyang and the others hurriedly called back with a laugh, "Second Mistress came to snatch some crab to eat, and Ping'er got annoyed and smeared a whole faceful of crab roe on her own mistress.主子奴才打架呢。”賈母和王夫人等聽了也笑起來。Mistress and maid are having a fight." Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang and the rest, hearing this, laughed too.賈母笑道：“你們看他可怜見的，把那小腿子臍子給他點子吃也就完了。”鴛鴦等笑著答應了，高聲又說道：“這滿桌子的腿子，二奶奶只管吃就是了。”鳳姐洗了臉走來，又伏侍賈母等吃了一回。Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "Just look how pitiful she is — give her a bit of the little legs and the belly meat to eat and be done with it." Yuanyang and the others answered with a laugh, and called out loudly again, "There's a whole table full of legs here, Second Mistress, just help yourself." Xifeng washed her face and came back, and waited on Grandmother Jia and the others eating for a while longer.黛玉獨不敢多吃，只吃了一點兒夾子肉就下來了。Daiyu alone did not dare eat much, only having a little bit of the meat from the pincers before leaving the table.

说著，一齐进入亭子，献过茶，凤姐忙著搭桌子，要杯箸。上面一桌，贾母，薛姨妈，宝钗，黛玉，宝玉，东边一桌，史湘云，王夫人，迎，探，惜，西边靠门一桌，李纨和凤姐的，虚设坐位，二人皆不敢坐，只在贾母王夫人两桌上伺候。凤姐吩咐：“螃蟹不可多拿来，仍旧放在蒸笼里，拿十个来，吃了再拿。”一面又要水洗了手，站在贾母跟前剥蟹肉，头次让薛姨妈。薛姨妈道：“我自己掰著吃香甜，不用人让。”凤姐便奉与贾母。二次的便与宝玉，又说：“把酒烫的滚热的拿来。”又命小丫头们去取菊花叶儿桂花蕊熏的绿豆面子来，预备洗手。史湘云陪著吃了一个，就下座来让人，又出至外头，令人盛两盘子与赵姨娘周姨娘送去。又见凤姐走来道：“你不惯张罗，你吃你的去。我先替你张罗，等散了我再吃。”湘云不肯，又令人在那边廊上摆了两桌，让鸳鸯，琥珀，彩霞，彩云，平儿去坐。鸳鸯因向凤姐笑道：“二奶奶在这里伺候，我们可吃去了。”凤姐儿道：“你们只管去，都交给我就是了。”说著，史湘云仍入了席。凤姐和李纨也胡乱应个景儿。凤姐仍是下来张罗，一时出至廊上，鸳鸯等正吃的高兴，见他来了，鸳鸯等站起来道：“奶奶又出来作什么？让我们也受用一会儿。”凤姐笑道：“鸳鸯小蹄子越发坏了，我替你当差，倒不领情，还抱怨我。还不快斟一钟酒来我喝呢。”鸳鸯笑著忙斟了一杯酒，送至凤姐唇边，凤姐一扬脖子吃了。琥珀彩霞二人也斟上一杯，送至凤姐唇边，那凤姐也吃了。平儿早剔了一壳黄子送来，凤姐道：“多倒些姜醋。”一面也吃了，笑道：“你们坐著吃罢，我可去了。”鸳鸯笑道：“好没脸，吃我们的东西。”凤姐儿笑道：“你和我少作怪。你知道你琏二爷爱上了你，要和老太太讨了你作小老婆呢。”鸳鸯道：“啐，这也是作奶奶说出来的话！我不拿腥手抹你一脸算不得。”说著赶来就要抹。凤姐儿央道：“好姐姐，饶我这一遭儿罢。”琥珀笑道：“鸳丫头要去了，平丫头还饶他？你们看看他，没有吃了两个螃蟹，倒喝了一碟子醋，他也算不会揽酸了。”平儿手里正掰了个满黄的螃蟹，听如此奚落他，便拿著螃蟹照著琥珀脸上抹来，口内笑骂”我把你这嚼舌根的小蹄子！”琥珀也笑著往旁边一躲，平儿使空了，往前一撞，正恰恰的抹在凤姐儿腮上。凤姐儿正和鸳鸯嘲笑，不防唬了一跳，嗳哟了一声。众人撑不住都哈哈的大笑起来。凤姐也禁不住笑骂道：“死娼妇！吃离了眼了，混抹你娘的。”平儿忙赶过来替他擦了，亲自去端水。鸳鸯道：“阿弥陀佛！这是个报应。”贾母那边听见，一叠声问：“见了什么这样乐，告诉我们也笑笑。”鸳鸯等忙高声笑回道：“二奶奶来抢螃蟹吃，平儿恼了，抹了他主子一脸的螃蟹黄子。主子奴才打架呢。”贾母和王夫人等听了也笑起来。贾母笑道：“你们看他可怜见的，把那小腿子脐子给他点子吃也就完了。”鸳鸯等笑著答应了，高声又说道：“这满桌子的腿子，二奶奶只管吃就是了。”凤姐洗了脸走来，又伏侍贾母等吃了一回。黛玉独不敢多吃，只吃了一点儿夹子肉就下来了。

賈母一時不吃了，大家方散，都洗了手，也有看花的，也有弄水看魚的，游玩了一回。After a while Grandmother Jia stopped eating, and everyone then dispersed, all washing their hands; some looked at the flowers, some played with the water and watched the fish, wandering about for a while.王夫人因回賈母說：“這里風大，才又吃了螃蟹，老太太還是回房去歇歇罷了。Lady Wang then said to Grandmother Jia, "There's a strong wind here, and we've just eaten crab besides — Old Ancestress had really better go back to her rooms and rest a while.若高興，明日再來逛逛。”賈母聽了，笑道：“正是呢。If you're in the mood, you can come out and enjoy it again tomorrow." Grandmother Jia, hearing this, said with a laugh, "Just so.我怕你們高興，我走了又怕掃了你們的興。I was afraid you were all enjoying yourselves, and if I left I was afraid it would spoil your fun.既這麼說，咱們就都去罷。”回頭又囑咐湘雲：“別讓你寶哥哥林姐姐多吃了。”湘雲答應著。Since you put it that way, then let's all go." She turned and instructed Xiangyun besides, "Don't let your Cousin Bao and Cousin Lin eat too much." Xiangyun assented.又囑咐湘雲寶釵二人說：“你兩個也別多吃。She also instructed Xiangyun and Baochai both, "You two shouldn't eat too much either.那東西雖好吃，不是什麼好的，吃多了肚子疼。”二人忙應著送出園外，仍舊回來，令將殘席收拾了另擺。That thing may taste good, but it isn't really wholesome — eating too much of it gives you a stomachache." The two of them hurriedly assented and saw her out of the garden, then came back again, and had the remains of the feast cleared away and the tables reset.寶玉道：“也不用擺，咱們且作詩。Baoyu said, "No need to set anything out again — let's compose poems instead.把那大團圓桌就放在當中，酒菜都放著。Just put that big round table in the middle, and leave the wine and dishes on it.也不必拘定坐位，有愛吃的大家去吃，散坐豈不便宜。”寶釵道：“這話极是。”湘雲道：“雖如此說，還有別人。”因又命另擺一桌，揀了熱螃蟹來，請襲人，紫鵑，司棋，待書，入畫，鶯兒，翠墨等一處共坐。There's no need to keep to fixed seats either — whoever feels like eating can go and eat, isn't it more convenient to sit as we please." Baochai said, "That makes very good sense." Xiangyun said, "Even so, there are still the others to think of." So she also had another table set separately, picked out hot crabs, and invited Xiren, Zijuan, Siqi, Daishu, Ruhua, Yingr, Cuimo, and the rest to sit together in one group.山坡桂樹底下舖下兩條花氈，命答應的婆子并小丫頭等也都坐了，只管隨意吃喝，等使喚再來。Under the hillside beneath the osmanthus trees two flower-patterned felt rugs were spread, and the old women in attendance and the young maids were all told to sit there too, free to eat and drink as they pleased, and to come only when called.

贾母一时不吃了，大家方散，都洗了手，也有看花的，也有弄水看鱼的，游玩了一回。王夫人因回贾母说：“这里风大，才又吃了螃蟹，老太太还是回房去歇歇罢了。若高兴，明日再来逛逛。”贾母听了，笑道：“正是呢。我怕你们高兴，我走了又怕扫了你们的兴。既这么说，咱们就都去罢。”回头又嘱咐湘云：“别让你宝哥哥林姐姐多吃了。”湘云答应著。又嘱咐湘云宝钗二人说：“你两个也别多吃。那东西虽好吃，不是什么好的，吃多了肚子疼。”二人忙应著送出园外，仍旧回来，令将残席收拾了另摆。宝玉道：“也不用摆，咱们且作诗。把那大团圆桌就放在当中，酒菜都放著。也不必拘定坐位，有爱吃的大家去吃，散坐岂不便宜。”宝钗道：“这话极是。”湘云道：“虽如此说，还有别人。”因又命另摆一桌，拣了热螃蟹来，请袭人，紫鹃，司棋，待书，入画，莺儿，翠墨等一处共坐。山坡桂树底下铺下两条花毡，命答应的婆子并小丫头等也都坐了，只管随意吃喝，等使唤再来。

湘雲便取了詩題，用針綰在牆上。Xiangyun then took the poem topics and pinned them to the wall with a needle.眾人看了，都說：“新奇固新奇，只怕作不出來。”湘雲又把不限韻的原故說了一番。Everyone, looking them over, all said, "Novel indeed, but we're afraid we won't manage to write anything." Xiangyun then explained once again the reasoning behind not restricting the rhymes.寶玉道：“這才是正理，我也最不喜限韻。”林黛玉因不大吃酒，又不吃螃蟹，自令人掇了一個繡墩倚欄杆坐著，拿著釣竿釣魚。Baoyu said, "This is exactly the right way to do it — I too dislike restricted rhymes more than anything." Lin Daiyu, since she was not drinking much wine and was not eating crab either, had someone bring over an embroidered stool and sat leaning against the balustrade, holding a fishing rod and fishing.寶釵手里拿著一枝桂花玩了一回，俯在窗檻上掐了桂蕊擲向水面，引的游魚浮上來唼喋。Baochai held a spray of osmanthus in her hand and played with it for a while, then leaned over the window sill, plucked some osmanthus buds, and tossed them onto the water's surface, drawing the swimming fish up to nibble at them.湘雲出一回神，又讓一回襲人等，又招呼山坡下的眾人只管放量吃。Xiangyun stared off into space for a while, then went to keep Xiren and the others company for a while, and also called out to the crowd down at the foot of the hill to just eat their fill without restraint.探春和李紈惜春立在垂柳陰中看鷗鷺。Tanchun, with Li Wan and Xichun, stood in the shade of the drooping willows watching the gulls and egrets.迎春又獨在花陰下拿著花針穿茉莉花。Yingchun, meanwhile, sat alone in the shade of the flowers, holding a flower-needle and threading jasmine blossoms.寶玉又看了一回黛玉釣魚，一回又俯在寶釵旁邊說笑兩句，一回又看襲人等吃螃蟹，自己也陪他飲兩口酒。Baoyu, for his part, watched Daiyu fish for a while, then leaned over beside Baochai to exchange a few words and laughs, then watched Xiren and the others eating crab for a while, joining in himself to drink a couple of sips of wine.襲人又剝一殼肉給他吃。Xiren then picked out a shell of meat and gave it to him to eat.黛玉放下釣竿，走至座間，拿起那烏銀梅花自斟壺來，揀了一個小小的海棠凍石蕉葉杯。Daiyu set down her fishing rod, walked over to the table, picked up that black-silver plum-blossom self-pouring wine pot, and chose a small begonia-shaped, jade-green stone banana-leaf cup.丫鬟看見，知他要飲酒，忙著走上來斟。The maid, seeing this and knowing she meant to drink, hurried over to pour for her.黛玉道：“你們只管吃去，讓我自斟，這才有趣兒。”說著便斟了半盞，看時卻是黃酒，因說道：“我吃了一點子螃蟹，覺得心口微微的疼，須得熱熱的喝口燒酒。”寶玉忙道：“有燒酒。”便令將那合歡花浸的酒燙一壺來。Daiyu said, "You all just go on and eat, let me pour for myself — that's more amusing this way." So saying, she poured half a cup, and looking at it found it was yellow wine, and so said, "I've eaten a bit of crab, and I feel a slight ache at the pit of my stomach — I really need to drink something hot, some distilled spirits." Baoyu said quickly, "There is distilled spirits." and had a pot of the wine steeped with mimosa blossoms warmed up.黛玉也只吃了一口便放下了。Daiyu too only took one sip and set it down.寶釵也走過來，另拿了一只杯來，也飲了一口，便蘸筆至牆上把頭一個《憶菊》勾了，底下又贅了一個“蘅”字。Baochai came over as well, and taking a separate cup, drank a sip too, then dipped her brush and, up on the wall, marked off the first title, 'Reminiscing on Chrysanthemums,' and beneath it appended the name 'Hengwu.'寶玉忙道：“好姐姐，第二個我已經有了四句了，你讓我作罷。”寶釵笑道：“我好容易有了一首，你就忙的這樣。”黛玉也不說話，接過筆來把第八個《問菊》勾了，接著把第十一個《菊夢》也勾了，也贅一個“瀟”字。Baoyu said hurriedly, "Dear sister, I already have four lines ready for the second one — do let me take that one." Baochai said with a smile, "I've only just managed to get one poem together, and here you are in such a hurry already." Daiyu, without saying a word, took the brush and marked off the eighth title, 'Questioning the Chrysanthemums,' and went on to mark off the eleventh, 'Chrysanthemum Dream,' as well, likewise appending the name 'Xiao.'寶玉也拿起筆來，將第二個《訪菊》也勾了，也贅上一個“絳”字。Baoyu too picked up the brush, and marked off the second title, 'Seeking the Chrysanthemums,' likewise appending the name 'Jiang.'探春走來看看道：“竟沒有人作《簪菊》，讓我作這《簪菊》。”又指著寶玉笑道：“才宣過總不許帶出閨閣字樣來，你可要留神。”說著，只見史湘雲走來，將第四第五《對菊》《供菊》一連兩個都勾了，也贅上一個“湘”字。Tanchun came over to look and said, "No one has done 'Wearing Chrysanthemums in the Hair' yet — let me take this 'Wearing Chrysanthemums.'" She also pointed at Baoyu and said with a laugh, "It was just announced that no boudoir language is to be used at all — you'd better be careful." As she spoke, Shi Xiangyun came over, and in one stroke marked off both the fourth and fifth titles, 'Facing the Chrysanthemums' and 'Offering the Chrysanthemums,' likewise appending the name 'Xiang.'探春道：“你也該起個號。”湘雲笑道：“我們家里如今雖有幾處軒館，我又不住著，借了來也沒趣。”寶釵笑道：“方才老太太說，你們家也有這個水亭叫‘枕霞閣’，難道不是你的。Tanchun said, "You ought to take a studio-name too." Xiangyun said with a smile, "Though our household does have several pavilions and lodges nowadays, I don't actually live in any of them, so it would feel pointless to borrow one of their names." Baochai said with a smile, "Just now Old Ancestress mentioned that your family too once had a water-pavilion called 'Pillowed-in-Rosy-Clouds Pavilion' — surely that counts as yours.如今雖沒了，你到底是舊主人。”眾人都道有理，寶玉不待湘雲動手，便代將“湘”字抹了，改了一個“霞”字。Even though it's gone now, you are still its former mistress after all." Everyone agreed this made sense, and Baoyu, without waiting for Xiangyun to move, at once crossed out the character 'Xiang' for her and changed it to the character 'Xia.'又有頓飯工夫，十二題已全，各自謄出來，都交與迎春，另拿了一張雪浪箋過來，一并謄錄出來，某人作的底下贅明某人的號。After about another meal-time's interval, all twelve topics were complete, and each poet copied out their own, handing them all to Yingchun, who took a fresh sheet of snow-wave-patterned paper and copied them all out together, appending beneath each poem the studio-name of whoever had written it.李紈等從頭看起：Li Wan and the others started reading from the beginning:

湘云便取了诗题，用针绾在墙上。众人看了，都说：“新奇固新奇，只怕作不出来。”湘云又把不限韵的原故说了一番。宝玉道：“这才是正理，我也最不喜限韵。”林黛玉因不大吃酒，又不吃螃蟹，自令人掇了一个绣墩倚栏杆坐著，拿著钓竿钓鱼。宝钗手里拿著一枝桂花玩了一回，俯在窗槛上掐了桂蕊掷向水面，引的游鱼浮上来唼喋。湘云出一回神，又让一回袭人等，又招呼山坡下的众人只管放量吃。探春和李纨惜春立在垂柳阴中看鸥鹭。迎春又独在花阴下拿著花针穿茉莉花。宝玉又看了一回黛玉钓鱼，一回又俯在宝钗旁边说笑两句，一回又看袭人等吃螃蟹，自己也陪他饮两口酒。袭人又剥一壳肉给他吃。黛玉放下钓竿，走至座间，拿起那乌银梅花自斟壶来，拣了一个小小的海棠冻石蕉叶杯。丫鬟看见，知他要饮酒，忙著走上来斟。黛玉道：“你们只管吃去，让我自斟，这才有趣儿。”说著便斟了半盏，看时却是黄酒，因说道：“我吃了一点子螃蟹，觉得心口微微的疼，须得热热的喝口烧酒。”宝玉忙道：“有烧酒。”便令将那合欢花浸的酒烫一壶来。黛玉也只吃了一口便放下了。宝钗也走过来，另拿了一只杯来，也饮了一口，便蘸笔至墙上把头一个《忆菊》勾了，底下又赘了一个“蘅”字。宝玉忙道：“好姐姐，第二个我已经有了四句了，你让我作罢。”宝钗笑道：“我好容易有了一首，你就忙的这样。”黛玉也不说话，接过笔来把第八个《问菊》勾了，接著把第十一个《菊梦》也勾了，也赘一个“潇”字。宝玉也拿起笔来，将第二个《访菊》也勾了，也赘上一个“绛”字。探春走来看看道：“竟没有人作《簪菊》，让我作这《簪菊》。”又指著宝玉笑道：“才宣过总不许带出闺阁字样来，你可要留神。”说著，只见史湘云走来，将第四第五《对菊》《供菊》一连两个都勾了，也赘上一个“湘”字。探春道：“你也该起个号。”湘云笑道：“我们家里如今虽有几处轩馆，我又不住著，借了来也没趣。”宝钗笑道：“方才老太太说，你们家也有这个水亭叫‘枕霞阁’，难道不是你的。如今虽没了，你到底是旧主人。”众人都道有理，宝玉不待湘云动手，便代将“湘”字抹了，改了一个“霞”字。又有顿饭工夫，十二题已全，各自誊出来，都交与迎春，另拿了一张雪浪笺过来，一并誊录出来，某人作的底下赘明某人的号。李纨等从头看起：

憶菊Reminiscing on Chrysanthemums

忆菊

蘅蕪君Hengwu Jun (Lady of the Fragrant Herbs)

蘅芜君

悵望西風抱悶思，蓼紅葦白斷腸時。Gazing forlornly into the west wind, nursing my gloomy thoughts — the season when the smartweed reddens and the reeds turn white, breaking the heart.

怅望西风抱闷思，蓼红苇白断肠时。

空篱舊圃秋無跡，瘦月清霜夢有知。The old garden lies empty behind its hedge, autumn leaving no trace; but the thin moon and cold frost, in dreams, still know.

空篱旧圃秋无迹，瘦月清霜梦有知。

念念心隨歸雁遠，寥寥坐聽晚砧痴，Longing after longing, my heart follows the homebound wild geese into the distance; sitting in the stillness, I listen, entranced, to the evening fulling-block.

念念心随归雁远，寥寥坐听晚砧痴，

誰怜我為黃花病，慰語重陽會有期。Who pities me, sick with love for the yellow blossoms? I comfort myself with the promise that the Double Ninth will surely come again.

谁怜我为黄花病，慰语重阳会有期。

訪菊Seeking Out the Chrysanthemums

访菊

怡紅公子Yihong Gongzi (Master of Happy Red)

怡红公子

閒趁霜晴試一游，酒杯藥盞莫淹留。At leisure, taking advantage of clear frosty weather, I go out for a ramble — wine cup and medicine bowl, let me not linger over them.

闲趁霜晴试一游，酒杯药盏莫淹留。

霜前月下誰家种，檻外篱邊何處愁。Whose garden are they planted in, beneath the moon before the frost? Beyond the rail, along the hedge — where does the sorrow lie?

霜前月下谁家种，槛外篱边何处愁。

蜡屐遠來情得得，冷吟不盡興悠悠。On wax-coated clogs I come from afar, my mood eager and light; chanting coolly, unceasingly, my delight knows no bounds.

蜡屐远来情得得，冷吟不尽兴悠悠。

黃花若解怜詩客，休負今朝挂杖頭。If the yellow blossoms could understand and pity this poet, let them not fail the walking-staff hung up in their honor this very morning.

黄花若解怜诗客，休负今朝挂杖头。

种菊Planting Chrysanthemums

怡紅公子Yihong Gongzi

怡红公子

攜鋤秋圃自移來，篱畔庭前故故栽。Hoe in hand, I move them from the autumn garden myself, planting them deliberately by the hedge, before the courtyard.

携锄秋圃自移来，篱畔庭前故故栽。

昨夜不期經雨活，今朝猶喜帶霜開。Last night, unexpectedly, a rain revived them; this morning I rejoice all the more to see them open, bearing frost.

昨夜不期经雨活，今朝犹喜带霜开。

冷吟秋色詩千首，醉酹寒香酒一杯。Chanting coolly of autumn's colors, a thousand poems' worth; drunk, I pour a libation of cold fragrance, a single cup of wine.

冷吟秋色诗千首，醉酹寒香酒一杯。

泉溉泥封勤護惜，好知井徑絕塵埃。Watered from the spring, sealed in with mud, tended with care — well I know the well-side path stays free of worldly dust.

泉溉泥封勤护惜，好知井径绝尘埃。

對菊Facing the Chrysanthemums

对菊

枕霞舊友Zhenxia Jiuyou (Old Friend of Pillowed Rosy Clouds)

枕霞旧友

別圃移來貴比金，一叢淺淡一叢深。Moved from another garden, prized as dear as gold, one cluster pale, one cluster deep.

别圃移来贵比金，一丛浅淡一丛深。

蕭疏篱畔科頭坐，清冷香中抱膝吟。Amid the sparse hedge, bareheaded, I sit; within the cold clear fragrance, hugging my knees, I chant.

萧疏篱畔科头坐，清冷香中抱膝吟。

數去更無君傲世，看來惟有我知音。Counting them over, none proves as proud of the world as you; looking closer, only I am your true confidant.

数去更无君傲世，看来惟有我知音。

秋光荏苒休辜負，相對原宜惜寸陰。Autumn's light slips by swiftly — let us not waste it; facing one another, we ought indeed to cherish every inch of shadow.

秋光荏苒休辜负，相对原宜惜寸阴。

供菊Offering the Chrysanthemums

枕霞舊友Zhenxia Jiuyou

枕霞旧友

彈琴酌酒喜堪儔，案婷婷點綴幽。Playing the qin, pouring the wine — how delightful to have such companions; gracefully, upon the desk, they adorn its quiet retreat.

弹琴酌酒喜堪俦，案婷婷点缀幽。

隔座香分三徑露，拋書人對一枝秋。Across the seats, their fragrance shares the dew of the three garden paths; setting my book aside, I face a single spray of autumn.

隔座香分三径露，抛书人对一枝秋。

霜清紙帳來新夢，圃冷斜陽憶舊游。In the clear frost, the paper canopy brings fresh dreams; in the cold garden, the slanting sun recalls old rambles.

霜清纸帐来新梦，圃冷斜阳忆旧游。

傲世也因同氣味，春風桃李未淹留。Proud of the world, and this too because we share the same nature — the spring breeze's peach and plum blossoms never lingered so.

傲世也因同气味，春风桃李未淹留。

詠菊Chanting of the Chrysanthemums

咏菊

瀟湘妃子Xiaoxiang Feizi (Consort of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers)

潇湘妃子

無賴詩魔昏曉侵，繞篱欹石自沉音。The unruly demon of poetry besets me from dusk to dawn; circling the hedge, leaning against the rock, I murmur low to myself.

无赖诗魔昏晓侵，绕篱欹石自沉音。

毫端蘊秀臨霜寫，口齒噙香對月吟。At my brush's tip dwells their elegance, and I write them facing the frost; between my lips lingers their fragrance, and I chant them facing the moon.

毫端蕴秀临霜写，口齿噙香对月吟。

滿紙自怜題素怨，片言誰解訴秋心。The whole page pities itself, inscribing its pure resentment — who can fathom, from a few words, the autumn heart confided there?

满纸自怜题素怨，片言谁解诉秋心。

一從陶令平章後，千古高風說到今。Ever since Tao Yuanming once judged and ranked them, their lofty spirit has been spoken of for a thousand years, down to this very day.

一从陶令平章后，千古高风说到今。

畫菊Painting the Chrysanthemums

画菊

蘅蕪君Hengwu Jun

蘅芜君

詩餘戲筆不知狂，豈是丹青費較量。This is but idle brushwork after poetry, no telling how far the wild fancy runs — how could it compare with true painting, worth measuring seriously?

诗余戏笔不知狂，岂是丹青费较量。

聚葉潑成千點墨，攢花染出幾痕霜。Clustered leaves splashed into a thousand dots of ink; gathered blossoms dyed with a few traces of frost.

聚叶泼成千点墨，攒花染出几痕霜。

淡濃神會風前影，跳脫秋生腕底香。Light and dark, its spirit is caught in silhouette before the wind; lithe and free, it breathes autumn's fragrance beneath the wrist.

淡浓神会风前影，跳脱秋生腕底香。

莫認東篱閒采掇，粘屏聊以慰重陽。Do not take it for one idly plucked by the eastern hedge — pasted on a screen, it merely offers comfort for the Double Ninth.

莫认东篱闲采掇，粘屏聊以慰重阳。

問菊Questioning the Chrysanthemum

问菊

瀟湘妃子Xiaoxiang Feizi

潇湘妃子

欲訊秋情眾莫知，喃喃負手叩東篱。Wishing to ask of autumn's feelings, none among the crowd can tell me; murmuring, hands clasped behind my back, I knock at the eastern hedge.

欲讯秋情众莫知，喃喃负手叩东篱。

孤標傲世偕誰隱，一樣花開為底遲？Aloof and proud of the world, with whom would you retire into hiding? Blooming just as other flowers do, why come so late?

孤标傲世偕谁隐，一样花开为底迟？

圃露庭霜何寂寞，鴻歸蛩病可相思？Dew in the garden, frost in the courtyard — how lonely it must be; when the wild geese go home and the crickets sicken, do you too feel longing?

圃露庭霜何寂寞，鸿归蛩病可相思？

休言舉世無談者，解語何妨片語時。Do not say the whole world has no one to speak with you; if you could only understand speech, why not spare a few words now.

休言举世无谈者，解语何妨片语时。

簪菊Wearing Chrysanthemums

蕉下客Jiaoxia Ke

瓶供篱栽日日忙，折來休認鏡中妝。Vased as an offering, planted by the hedge, busy every day — once plucked, do not mistake it for adornment before a mirror.

瓶供篱栽日日忙，折来休认镜中妆。

長安公子因花癖，彭澤先生是酒狂。The young lord of Chang'an is besotted with flowers by nature; the Master of Pengze was ever mad for wine.

长安公子因花癖，彭泽先生是酒狂。

短鬢冷沾三徑露，葛巾香染九秋霜。Short sidelocks lie chilled, damp with dew from the three paths; the hemp kerchief is fragrant, dyed with the frost of deep autumn.

短鬓冷沾三径露，葛巾香染九秋霜。

高情不入時人眼，拍手憑他笑路旁。Such lofty feeling finds no favor in the eyes of worldly men — let them clap their hands and laugh from the roadside.

高情不入时人眼，拍手凭他笑路旁。

菊影Chrysanthemum Shadow

枕霞舊友Zhenxia Jiuyou

枕霞旧友

秋光疊疊复重重，潛度偷移三徑中。Autumn light, layer upon layer, fold upon fold, steals along and silently shifts within the three paths.

秋光叠叠复重重，潜度偷移三径中。

窗隔疏燈描遠近，篱篩破月鎖玲瓏。Through the window a sparse lamp traces near and far; through the hedge broken moonlight locks in delicate filigree.

窗隔疏灯描远近，篱筛破月锁玲珑。

寒芳留照魂應駐，霜印傳神夢也空。The cold blossom lingers in reflection — its soul ought to stay; frost's imprint conveys its spirit, yet even dreams turn empty.

寒芳留照魂应驻，霜印传神梦也空。

珍重暗香休踏碎，憑誰醉眼認朦朧。Cherish this hidden fragrance, do not trample it to pieces — who, with wine-dimmed eyes, can make out its hazy shape?

珍重暗香休踏碎，凭谁醉眼认朦胧。

菊夢Chrysanthemum Dream

菊梦

瀟湘妃子Xiaoxiang Feizi

潇湘妃子

篱畔秋酣一覺清，和雲伴月不分明。Beside the hedge, deep in autumn slumber, one wakes clear-headed from a single sleep; mingled with clouds, companioned by the moon, nothing is quite distinct.

篱畔秋酣一觉清，和云伴月不分明。

登仙非慕庄生蝶，憶舊還尋陶令盟。Ascending to immortality is not out of longing for Zhuangzi's butterfly; recalling old times, I still seek the pact with Magistrate Tao.

登仙非慕庄生蝶，忆旧还寻陶令盟。

睡去依依隨雁斷，驚回故故惱蛩鳴。Drifting into sleep, lingering on, I follow the wild geese until their cries break off; startled awake again and again, vexed by the chirping of crickets.

睡去依依随雁断，惊回故故恼蛩鸣。

醒時幽怨同誰訴，衰草寒煙無限情。Waking, to whom shall I tell this hidden sorrow? Withered grass and cold mist hold boundless feeling.

醒时幽怨同谁诉，衰草寒烟无限情。

殘菊Fading Chrysanthemums

残菊

蕉下客Jiaoxia Ke

露凝霜重漸傾欹，宴賞才過小雪時。Dew congeals, frost thickens, and the blooms gradually droop and lean — the feast of admiration has only just passed the time of Slight Snow.

露凝霜重渐倾欹，宴赏才过小雪时。

蒂有余香金淡泊，枝無全葉翠離披。The stem still holds lingering fragrance, its gold grown pale; the branch has no whole leaves left, its green all tattered and scattered.

蒂有余香金淡泊，枝无全叶翠离披。

半床落月蛩聲病，萬里寒雲雁陣遲。Half the bed lies in fallen moonlight, the crickets' cry sounds sickly; ten thousand miles of cold cloud, the geese's formation lags behind.

半床落月蛩声病，万里寒云雁阵迟。

明歲秋風知再會，暫時分手莫相思。Next year's autumn wind will surely bring us together again — for this brief parting, do not fall to longing.

明岁秋风知再会，暂时分手莫相思。

眾人看一首，贊一首，彼此稱揚不已。Everyone read one poem and praised it, then read another and praised that too, going on and on lauding one another's work.李紈笑道：“等我從公評來。Li Wan said with a smile, "Let me give a fair, overall judgment.通篇看來，各有各人的警句。Looking at them as a whole, each person has her own striking lines.今日公評：《詠菊》第一，《問菊》第二，《菊夢》第三，題目新，詩也新，立意更新，惱不得要推瀟湘妃子為魁了，然後《簪菊》《對菊》《供菊》《畫菊》《憶菊》次之。”寶玉聽說，喜的拍手叫”极是，极公道。”黛玉道：“我那首也不好，到底傷于纖巧些。”李紈道：“巧的卻好，不露堆砌生硬。”黛玉道：“据我看來，頭一句好的是‘圃冷斜陽憶舊游’，這句背面傅粉。‘拋書人對一枝秋’已經妙絕，將供菊說完，沒處再說，故翻回來想到未拆未供之先，意思深透。”李紈笑道：“固如此說，你的‘口齒噙香’句也敵的過了。”探春又道：“到底要算蘅蕪君沉著，‘秋無跡’，‘夢有知’，把個憶字竟烘染出來了。”寶釵笑道：“你的‘短鬢冷沾’，‘葛巾香染’，也就把簪菊形容的一個縫兒也沒了。”湘雲道：“‘偕誰隱’，‘為底遲’，真個把個菊花問的無言可對。”李紈笑道：“你的‘科頭坐’，‘抱膝吟’，竟一時也不能別開，菊花有知，也必膩煩了。”說的大家都笑了。"Today's fair judgment: 'Ode to the Chrysanthemum' first, 'Questioning the Chrysanthemum' second, 'Chrysanthemum Dream' third — the subject is fresh, the poem is fresh, and the conception is fresher still; there is no help for it, the Xiaoxiang Consort must be named champion. After these come 'Wearing Chrysanthemums,' 'Facing the Chrysanthemum,' 'Offering Chrysanthemums,' 'Painting Chrysanthemums,' and 'Recalling Chrysanthemums,' in that order." Hearing this, Baoyu clapped his hands with delight and cried, "Exactly right, perfectly fair!" Daiyu said, "Mine wasn't good either — in the end it suffers from being a bit too delicate and clever." Li Wan said, "Cleverness is fine, so long as it doesn't show forced piling-up or awkwardness." Daiyu said, "To my mind, the best opening line is 'Cold in the garden, the slanting sun, I recall past outings' — this line applies its powder from behind, so to speak. 'The one who set down his book faces a branch of autumn' is already marvelous beyond words; having said all there was to say about offering chrysanthemums, with nowhere left to go, it turns back to recall the time before they were unwrapped and offered — the meaning runs deep." Li Wan said with a smile, "Even so, your line about 'lips still holding fragrance' can certainly hold its own against it." Tanchun added, "In the end one must count Hengwu Jun as the most composed — 'autumn leaves no trace,' 'the dream alone knows' — she has brought out the very word 'recall' through subtle shading." Baochai said with a smile, "Your lines 'short sidelocks chilled and dampened' and 'the hemp kerchief scented and dyed' have described the wearing of chrysanthemums so completely there isn't a single seam left unaccounted for." Xiangyun said, "'With whom to retire into hiding,' 'why so late to bloom' — these truly question the chrysanthemum until it has no words left to answer." Li Wan said with a smile, "Your lines 'sitting bareheaded' and 'chanting with arms about one's knees' are so vivid that for now no one can better them — if the chrysanthemum had any awareness, it would surely grow weary of it." This set everyone laughing.寶玉笑道：“我又落第。Baoyu said with a smile, "I've failed the examination again.難道‘誰家种’，‘何處秋’，‘蜡屐遠來’，‘冷吟不盡’，都不是訪，‘昨夜雨’，‘今朝霜’，都不是种不成？Could it be that 'whose garden were they planted in,' 'where has autumn gone,' 'wax-clogged shoes journeying far,' 'chanting on and on in the cold' are not about visiting? Or that 'last night's rain' and 'this morning's frost' are not about planting?但恨敵不上‘口齒噙香對月吟’，‘清冷香中抱膝吟’，‘短鬢’，‘葛巾’，‘金淡泊’，‘翠離披’，‘秋無跡’，‘夢有知’這幾句罷了。”又道：“明兒閒了，我一個人作出十二首來。”李紈道：“你的也好，只是不及這幾句新巧就是了。”"I only regret that they cannot match lines like 'lips still holding fragrance, chanting to the moon,' 'chanting with knees embraced amid cool, pure fragrance,' 'short sidelocks,' 'hemp kerchief,' 'gold grown pale,' 'green all tattered,' 'autumn leaves no trace,' 'the dream alone knows.'" He added, "Some idle day I'll write out all twelve poems myself, alone." Li Wan said, "Yours are good too, only they don't quite match these lines for freshness and cleverness."

众人看一首，赞一首，彼此称扬不已。李纨笑道：“等我从公评来。通篇看来，各有各人的警句。今日公评：《咏菊》第一，《问菊》第二，《菊梦》第三，题目新，诗也新，立意更新，恼不得要推潇湘妃子为魁了，然后《簪菊》《对菊》《供菊》《画菊》《忆菊》次之。”宝玉听说，喜的拍手叫”极是，极公道。”黛玉道：“我那首也不好，到底伤于纤巧些。”李纨道：“巧的却好，不露堆砌生硬。”黛玉道：“据我看来，头一句好的是‘圃冷斜阳忆旧游’，这句背面傅粉。‘抛书人对一枝秋’已经妙绝，将供菊说完，没处再说，故翻回来想到未拆未供之先，意思深透。”李纨笑道：“固如此说，你的‘口齿噙香’句也敌的过了。”探春又道：“到底要算蘅芜君沉著，‘秋无迹’，‘梦有知’，把个忆字竟烘染出来了。”宝钗笑道：“你的‘短鬓冷沾’，‘葛巾香染’，也就把簪菊形容的一个缝儿也没了。”湘云道：“‘偕谁隐’，‘为底迟’，真个把个菊花问的无言可对。”李纨笑道：“你的‘科头坐’，‘抱膝吟’，竟一时也不能别开，菊花有知，也必腻烦了。”说的大家都笑了。宝玉笑道：“我又落第。难道‘谁家种’，‘何处秋’，‘蜡屐远来’，‘冷吟不尽’，都不是访，‘昨夜雨’，‘今朝霜’，都不是种不成？但恨敌不上‘口齿噙香对月吟’，‘清冷香中抱膝吟’，‘短鬓’，‘葛巾’，‘金淡泊’，‘翠离披’，‘秋无迹’，‘梦有知’这几句罢了。”又道：“明儿闲了，我一个人作出十二首来。”李纨道：“你的也好，只是不及这几句新巧就是了。”

大家又評了一回，复又要了熱蟹來，就在大圓桌子上吃了一回。Everyone discussed the poems once more, then called again for hot crabs, and ate together for a while at the big round table.寶玉笑道：“今日持螯賞桂，亦不可無詩。Baoyu said with a smile, "Today, holding crab claws and admiring the osmanthus, we surely cannot go without a poem.我已吟成，誰還敢作呢？”說著，便忙洗了手提筆寫出。"I've already composed mine — who else would still dare to write one?" So saying, he hurried to wash his hands, took up his brush, and wrote it out.眾人看道：Everyone looked, and it read:

大家又评了一回，复又要了热蟹来，就在大圆桌子上吃了一回。宝玉笑道：“今日持螯赏桂，亦不可无诗。我已吟成，谁还敢作呢？”说著，便忙洗了手提笔写出。众人看道：

持螯更喜桂陰涼，潑醋擂薑興欲狂。Holding the crab claw, I delight all the more in the cool shade of the osmanthus; splashing on vinegar, pounding ginger, my spirits grow wild with joy.

持螯更喜桂阴凉，泼醋擂姜兴欲狂。

饕餮王孫應有酒，橫行公子卻無腸。A gluttonous young lord surely ought to have wine on hand; the sideways-scuttling young master, though, has no guts to speak of.

饕餮王孙应有酒，横行公子却无肠。

臍間積冷饞忘忌，指上沾腥洗尚香。Cold gathers at its belly, yet greed forgets all caution; the fishy scent clings to my fingers — even washed, it stays fragrant.

脐间积冷馋忘忌，指上沾腥洗尚香。

原為世人美口腹，坡仙曾笑一生忙。They exist, after all, to please the mouths and bellies of men; the Immortal of the Slope once laughed at a lifetime spent so busy over them.

原为世人美口腹，坡仙曾笑一生忙。

黛玉笑道：“這樣的詩，要一百首也有。”寶玉笑道：“你這會子才力已盡，不說不能作了，還貶人家。”黛玉聽了，并不答言，也不思索，提起筆來一揮，已有了一首。Daiyu said with a smile, "Poems like this — I could turn out a hundred of them." Baoyu said with a smile, "Now that your own talent is spent, instead of admitting you can't write one, you go running down other people's work." Hearing this, Daiyu made no reply; without even pausing to think, she took up her brush and, with a single stroke, already had a poem finished.眾人看道：Everyone looked, and it read:

黛玉笑道：“这样的诗，要一百首也有。”宝玉笑道：“你这会子才力已尽，不说不能作了，还贬人家。”黛玉听了，并不答言，也不思索，提起笔来一挥，已有了一首。众人看道：

鐵甲長戈死未忘，堆盤色相喜先嘗。Iron armor and long spears — even in death it has not forgotten them; piled on the plate, its fine look delights me, and I taste it first of all.

铁甲长戈死未忘，堆盘色相喜先尝。

螯封嫩玉雙雙滿，殼凸紅脂塊塊香。The claws seal in tender jade, filled full pair by pair; the shell bulges with red fat, fragrant piece by piece.

螯封嫩玉双双满，壳凸红脂块块香。

多肉更怜卿八足，助情誰勸我千觴。So much meat — I pity you all the more for your eight legs; to heighten the mood, who will urge on me a thousand cups?

多肉更怜卿八足，助情谁劝我千觞。

對斯佳品酬佳節，桂拂清風菊帶霜。Facing so fine a delicacy, I toast this fine festival — the osmanthus brushed by a clear breeze, the chrysanthemum touched with frost.

对斯佳品酬佳节，桂拂清风菊带霜。

寶玉看了正喝彩，黛玉便一把撕了，令人燒去，因笑道：“我的不及你的，我燒了他。Baoyu had just read it and was cheering it on when Daiyu suddenly snatched it up, tore it to pieces, and had someone burn it, saying with a smile, "Mine isn't as good as yours — I've burned it.你那個很好，比方才的菊花詩還好，你留著他給人看。”寶釵接著笑道：“我也勉強了一首，未必好，寫出來取笑兒罷。”說著也寫了出來。"That one of yours is very good, better even than your chrysanthemum poem just now — keep it, and let others see it." Baochai then said with a smile, "I too have forced out a poem — it may not be any good, but let me write it out just for a laugh." So saying, she wrote it out as well.大家看時，寫道是：When everyone looked, it read:

宝玉看了正喝彩，黛玉便一把撕了，令人烧去，因笑道：“我的不及你的，我烧了他。你那个很好，比方才的菊花诗还好，你留著他给人看。”宝钗接著笑道：“我也勉强了一首，未必好，写出来取笑儿罢。”说著也写了出来。大家看时，写道是：

桂靄桐陰坐舉觴，長安涎口盼重陽。In osmanthus mist and the shade of the parasol tree, we sit raising our cups; the mouths of Chang'an water with longing for the Double Ninth.

桂霭桐阴坐举觞，长安涎口盼重阳。

眼前道路無經緯，皮里春秋空黑黃。The road ahead has neither warp nor weft; beneath its shell lies a judgment hidden, amounting to nothing but black and yellow.

眼前道路无经纬，皮里春秋空黑黄。

看到這里，眾人不禁叫絕。Reading this far, everyone could not help crying out in admiration.寶玉道：“寫得痛快！Baoyu said, "Written with such gusto!我的詩也該燒了。”又看底下道："My poem ought to be burned too." Then he read on below, where it said:

看到这里，众人不禁叫绝。宝玉道：“写得痛快！我的诗也该烧了。”又看底下道：

酒未敵腥還用菊，性防積冷定須薑。Wine alone cannot overcome the fishy taste — chrysanthemum must still be used; its nature guards against gathering cold, so ginger is surely needed.

酒未敌腥还用菊，性防积冷定须姜。

于今落釜成何益，月浦空餘禾黍香。Now that it has fallen into the pot, what good does that do? By the moonlit shore, only the fragrance of grain and millet remains.

于今落釜成何益，月浦空余禾黍香。

眾人看畢，都說這是食螃蟹絕唱，這些小題目，原要寓大意才算是大才，只是諷刺世人太毒了些。When everyone had finished reading, they all agreed this was the supreme masterpiece on eating crabs — such small subjects truly need to carry great meaning to show real talent, only the satire on the ways of the world was perhaps a bit too biting.說著，只見平兒复進園來。Even as they spoke, they saw Ping'er coming back into the garden.不知作什麼，且聽下回分解。What she had come to do is not yet known; listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

众人看毕，都说这是食螃蟹绝唱，这些小题目，原要寓大意才算是大才，只是讽刺世人太毒了些。说著，只见平儿复进园来。不知作什么，且听下回分解。