第四十八回　濫情人情誤思游藝　慕雅女雅集苦吟詩 A Wanton Lover Turns to Refined Pursuits; An Elegant Maid Toils over Poems

且說薛蟠聽見如此說了，氣方漸平。Now, when Xue Pan heard this said, his anger gradually began to subside.三五日後，疼痛雖愈，傷痕未平，只裝病在家，愧見親友。After three or five days, though the pain had eased, the wounds had not yet healed, so he pretended to be ill and stayed home, ashamed to face relatives and friends.

且说薛蟠听见如此说了，气方渐平。三五日后，疼痛虽愈，伤痕未平，只装病在家，愧见亲友。

展眼已到十月，因有各舖面伙計內有算年帳要回家的，少不得家內治酒餞行。In the blink of an eye it was already the tenth month, and since some of the clerks from the various shops needed to go home to settle the year's accounts, the family naturally had to hold a farewell feast for them.內有一個張德輝，年過六十，自幼在薛家當舖內攬總，家內也有二三千金的過活，今歲也要回家，明春方來。Among them was one Zhang Dehui, over sixty years of age, who had managed the general affairs of the Xue family's pawnshop since childhood, and whose own household had two or three thousand taels to live on; this year he too was going home, not to return until the following spring.因說起“今年紙札香料短少，明年必是貴的。He happened to remark, 'This year paper goods and spices are in short supply; next year they're bound to be expensive.'明年先打發大小兒上來當舖內照管，赶端陽前我順路販些紙札香扇來賣。'Next year I'll first send my elder and younger sons up to look after the pawnshop, and before the Dragon Boat Festival I'll take the opportunity along the way to trade in some paper goods, incense, and fans to sell.'除去關稅花銷，亦可以剩得幾倍利息。”薛蟠聽了，心中忖度：“我如今挨了打，正難見人，想著要躲個一年半載，又沒處去躲。'After deducting tariffs and expenses, one could still net several times the profit in interest.' Hearing this, Xue Pan thought to himself: 'Now that I've been beaten, it's hard for me to face people; I've been thinking I'd like to hide away for a year or half a year, but I have nowhere to go and hide.'天天裝病，也不是事。'Pretending to be sick day after day is no way to go on either.'況且我長了這麼大，文又不文，武又不武，雖說做買賣，究竟戥子算盤從沒拿過，地土風俗遠近道路又不知道，不如也打點幾個本錢，和張德輝逛一年來。'Besides, big as I've grown, I'm no scholar and no warrior; though people call it "doing business," I've never actually handled a steelyard scale or an abacus, and I don't know the local customs or the roads near and far — better to get together some capital and go traveling for a year with Zhang Dehui.'賺錢也罷，不賺錢也罷，且躲躲羞去。'Whether I make money or not, at least I'll get away from my disgrace for a while.'二則逛逛山水也是好的。”心內主意已定，至酒席散後，便和張德輝說知，命他等一二日一同前往。'And besides, it would be good to see some scenery too.' His mind made up, once the feast had broken up he told Zhang Dehui of his plan and asked him to wait a day or two so they could travel together.

展眼已到十月，因有各铺面伙计内有算年帐要回家的，少不得家内治酒饯行。内有一个张德辉，年过六十，自幼在薛家当铺内揽总，家内也有二三千金的过活，今岁也要回家，明春方来。因说起“今年纸札香料短少，明年必是贵的。明年先打发大小儿上来当铺内照管，赶端阳前我顺路贩些纸札香扇来卖。除去关税花销，亦可以剩得几倍利息。”薛蟠听了，心中忖度：“我如今挨了打，正难见人，想著要躲个一年半载，又没处去躲。天天装病，也不是事。况且我长了这么大，文又不文，武又不武，虽说做买卖，究竟戥子算盘从没拿过，地土风俗远近道路又不知道，不如也打点几个本钱，和张德辉逛一年来。赚钱也罢，不赚钱也罢，且躲躲羞去。二则逛逛山水也是好的。”心内主意已定，至酒席散后，便和张德辉说知，命他等一二日一同前往。

晚間薛蟠告訴了他母親。That evening Xue Pan told his mother.薛姨媽聽了雖是歡喜，但又恐他在外生事，花了本錢倒是末事，因此不命他去。Aunt Xue, hearing this, was pleased, but she also feared he might cause trouble while away from home — losing the capital was a minor matter — and so she would not let him go.只說“好歹你守著我，我還能放心些。She only said, 'One way or another, if you stay by my side I can rest easier.'況且也不用做這買賣，也不等著這幾百銀子來用。'Besides, we have no need to do this business, and we're not waiting on these few hundred taels to get by.'你在家里安分守己的，就強似這幾百銀子了。”薛蟠主意已定，那里肯依。'If you just stay home and behave yourself, that's worth more than these few hundred taels.' But Xue Pan's mind was already made up, and he was in no mood to comply.只說：“天天又說我不知世事，這個也不知，那個也不學。He only said, 'Every day you say I don't understand the ways of the world, that I don't know this, don't learn that.'如今我發狠把那些沒要緊的都斷了，如今要成人立事，學習著做買賣，又不准我了，叫我怎麼樣呢？'Now that I've resolved to cut off all those trivial pursuits and want to make something of myself and learn to do business, you won't allow that either — what am I supposed to do?'我又不是個丫頭，把我關在家里，何日是個了日？'I'm not some serving-girl, to be shut up at home — when will there be an end to it?'況且那張德輝又是個年高有德的，咱們和他世交，我同他去，怎麼得有舛錯？'Besides, this Zhang Dehui is a man advanced in years and virtue, an old family friend of ours — how could anything go wrong if I go with him?'我就一時半刻有不好的去處，他自然說我勸我。'Even if for a moment I were tempted toward some bad place, he would naturally speak up and dissuade me.'就是東西貴賤行情，他是知道的，自然色色問他，何等順利，倒不叫我去。'And as for the going prices of goods, he knows all that, so naturally I'd ask him about everything — how smoothly it would go — yet you still won't let me go.'過兩日我不告訴家里，私自打點了一走，明年發了財回家，那時才知道我呢。”說畢，賭氣睡覺去了。'In a day or two, without telling the family, I'll quietly pack up and leave on my own, and next year when I come home having made my fortune, then you'll know what I'm made of.' Having said this, he went off to bed in a huff.

晚间薛蟠告诉了他母亲。薛姨妈听了虽是欢喜，但又恐他在外生事，花了本钱倒是末事，因此不命他去。只说“好歹你守著我，我还能放心些。况且也不用做这买卖，也不等著这几百银子来用。你在家里安分守己的，就强似这几百银子了。”薛蟠主意已定，那里肯依。只说：“天天又说我不知世事，这个也不知，那个也不学。如今我发狠把那些没要紧的都断了，如今要成人立事，学习著做买卖，又不准我了，叫我怎么样呢？我又不是个丫头，把我关在家里，何日是个了日？况且那张德辉又是个年高有德的，咱们和他世交，我同他去，怎么得有舛错？我就一时半刻有不好的去处，他自然说我劝我。就是东西贵贱行情，他是知道的，自然色色问他，何等顺利，倒不叫我去。过两日我不告诉家里，私自打点了一走，明年发了财回家，那时才知道我呢。”说毕，赌气睡觉去了。

薛姨媽聽他如此說，因和寶釵商議。Hearing him talk this way, Aunt Xue went to discuss it with Baochai.寶釵笑道：“哥哥果然要經歷正事，正是好的了。Baochai said with a smile, 'If my brother really wants to gain some experience in serious matters, that would indeed be good.'只是他在家時說著好聽，到了外頭舊病复犯，越發難拘束他了。'It's just that while he's home his talk sounds fine, but once he's away his old habits will flare up again, and it will be all the harder to keep him in check.'但也愁不得許多。'But there's no use worrying too much about it.'他若是真改了，是他一生的福。'If he truly reforms, it will be his good fortune for life.'若不改，媽也不能又有別的法子。'And if he doesn't reform, Mother has no other way to handle it anyway.'一半盡人力，一半聽天命罷了。'It's half doing one's utmost and half leaving it to Heaven's will, that's all.'這麼大人了，若只管怕他不知世路，出不得門，幹不得事，今年關在家里，明年還是這個樣兒。'He's a grown man now; if we keep worrying that he doesn't know the ways of the world and so never let him out the door or let him do anything, then this year he's shut up at home, and next year he'll be exactly the same.'他既說的名正言順，媽就打諒著丟了八百一千銀子，竟交與他拭一拭。'Since his reasons are proper and well-founded, Mother might as well reckon on losing eight hundred or a thousand taels, and simply let him have a try at it.'橫豎有伙計們幫著，也未必好意思哄騙他的。'In any case, there are the clerks to help him, and they're not likely to have the nerve to cheat him.'二則他出去了，左右沒有助興的人，又沒了倚仗的人，到了外頭，誰還怕誰，有了的吃，沒了的餓著，舉眼無靠，他見這樣，只怕比在家里省了事也未可知。”薛姨媽聽了，思忖半晌說道：“倒是你說的是。'Second, once he's away from home, he'll have no one around to egg him on for fun, and no one to lean on either; out there, who's afraid of whom — when there's food he eats, when there isn't he goes hungry, with no one to rely on wherever he looks. Seeing things this way, it may well turn out to cause less trouble than keeping him at home.' Hearing this, Aunt Xue pondered for a long while and said, 'What you say is right after all.'花兩個錢，叫他學些乖來也值了。”商議已定，一宿無話。'Spending a little money to let him learn some sense would be worth it.' The matter thus decided, nothing more happened that night.至次日，薛姨媽命人請了張德輝來，在書房中命薛蟠款待酒飯，自己在後廊下，隔著窗子，向里千言萬語囑託張德輝照管薛蟠。The next day, Aunt Xue sent someone to invite Zhang Dehui over, and had Xue Pan entertain him with food and wine in the study, while she herself stood beneath the rear veranda, and through the window spoke a thousand and one words entrusting Zhang Dehui to look after Xue Pan.張德輝滿口應承，吃過飯告辭，又回說：“十四日是上好出行日期，大世兄即刻打點行李，雇下騾子，十四一早就長行了。”薛蟠喜之不盡，將此話告訴了薛姨媽。Zhang Dehui readily agreed to everything, and after finishing the meal took his leave, adding, 'The fourteenth is an excellent day for setting out on a journey. Young Master should get the luggage ready at once and hire mules, so that early on the fourteenth we can start our long journey.' Xue Pan was overjoyed beyond measure and reported this to Aunt Xue.薛姨媽便和寶釵香菱并兩個老年的嬤嬤連日打點行裝，派下薛蟠之乳父老蒼頭一名，當年諳事舊僕二名，外有薛蟠隨身常使小廝二人，主僕一共六人，雇了三輛大車，單拉行李使物，又雇了四個長行騾子。Aunt Xue then, together with Baochai, Xiangling, and two elderly matrons, spent several days getting the luggage ready. She assigned Xue Pan's old wet-nurse's husband, an aged servant, along with two seasoned old family servants experienced in worldly matters, plus two page boys Xue Pan habitually kept about him — master and servants six in all. They hired three large carts solely to carry the luggage and belongings, and also hired four mules for the long journey.薛蟠自騎一匹家內養的鐵青大走騾，外備一匹坐馬。Xue Pan himself would ride a large iron-gray pacing mule raised in the household, with an additional saddle horse kept in reserve.諸事完畢，薛姨媽寶釵等連夜勸戒之言，自不必備說。With every matter now settled, the words of advice and admonition that Aunt Xue, Baochai, and the others gave night after night need not be related in detail.至十三日，薛蟠先去辭了他舅舅，然後過來辭了賈宅諸人。On the thirteenth, Xue Pan first went to take leave of his uncle, and then came over to take leave of everyone in the Jia household.賈珍等未免又有餞行之說，也不必細述。Jia Zhen and the others could hardly avoid holding a farewell feast for him as well, which likewise need not be described in detail.至十四日一早，薛姨媽寶釵等直同薛蟠出了儀門，母女兩個四只淚眼看他去了，方回來。Early on the fourteenth, Aunt Xue, Baochai, and the others went with Xue Pan all the way to the ceremonial gate; mother and daughter, with four tearful eyes between them, watched him go, and only then turned back.

薛姨妈听他如此说，因和宝钗商议。宝钗笑道：“哥哥果然要经历正事，正是好的了。只是他在家时说著好听，到了外头旧病复犯，越发难拘束他了。但也愁不得许多。他若是真改了，是他一生的福。若不改，妈也不能又有别的法子。一半尽人力，一半听天命罢了。这么大人了，若只管怕他不知世路，出不得门，干不得事，今年关在家里，明年还是这个样儿。他既说的名正言顺，妈就打谅著丢了八百一千银子，竟交与他拭一拭。横竖有伙计们帮著，也未必好意思哄骗他的。二则他出去了，左右没有助兴的人，又没了倚仗的人，到了外头，谁还怕谁，有了的吃，没了的饿著，举眼无靠，他见这样，只怕比在家里省了事也未可知。”薛姨妈听了，思忖半晌说道：“倒是你说的是。花两个钱，叫他学些乖来也值了。”商议已定，一宿无话。至次日，薛姨妈命人请了张德辉来，在书房中命薛蟠款待酒饭，自己在后廊下，隔著窗子，向里千言万语嘱托张德辉照管薛蟠。张德辉满口应承，吃过饭告辞，又回说：“十四日是上好出行日期，大世兄即刻打点行李，雇下骡子，十四一早就长行了。”薛蟠喜之不尽，将此话告诉了薛姨妈。薛姨妈便和宝钗香菱并两个老年的嬷嬷连日打点行装，派下薛蟠之乳父老苍头一名，当年谙事旧仆二名，外有薛蟠随身常使小厮二人，主仆一共六人，雇了三辆大车，单拉行李使物，又雇了四个长行骡子。薛蟠自骑一匹家内养的铁青大走骡，外备一匹坐马。诸事完毕，薛姨妈宝钗等连夜劝戒之言，自不必备说。至十三日，薛蟠先去辞了他舅舅，然后过来辞了贾宅诸人。贾珍等未免又有饯行之说，也不必细述。至十四日一早，薛姨妈宝钗等直同薛蟠出了仪门，母女两个四只泪眼看他去了，方回来。

薛姨媽上京帶來的家人不過四五房，并兩三個老嬤嬤小丫頭，今跟了薛蟠一去，外面只剩了一兩個男子。Aunt Xue had brought no more than four or five households of servants to the capital, along with two or three old matrons and young maids; now that some had gone off with Xue Pan, only one or two menservants remained in the outer quarters.因此薛姨媽即日到書房，將一應陳設玩器并帘幔等物盡行搬了進來收貯，命那兩個跟去的男子之妻一并也進來睡覺。For this reason, Aunt Xue went that very day to the study and had all the furnishings, curios, curtains, and drapes moved inside for safekeeping, and ordered the wives of the two men who had gone along with Xue Pan to come in and sleep there as well.又命香菱將他屋里也收拾嚴緊，“將門鎖了，晚間和我去睡。”寶釵道：“媽既有這些人作伴，不如叫菱姐姐和我作伴去。She also told Xiangling to shut her own room up tight, saying, 'Lock the door, and come sleep with me at night.' Baochai said, 'Since Mother already has these people for company, it would be better to have Sister Ling come and keep me company instead.'我們園里又空，夜長了，我每夜作活，越多一個人豈不越好。”薛姨媽聽了，笑道：“正是我忘了，原該叫他同你去才是。'Our place in the garden is empty too, and the nights are long now; I do needlework every night, so the more people about, the better, isn't it?' Hearing this, Aunt Xue said with a smile, 'That's true, I forgot — I really ought to have sent her along with you in the first place.'我前日還同你哥哥說，文杏又小，道三不著兩，鶯兒一個人不夠伏侍的，還要買一個丫頭來你使。”寶釵道：“買的不知底里，倘或走了眼，花了錢小事，沒的淘氣。'Just the other day I was even saying to your brother that Wenxing is still too young and scatterbrained, and Yingr alone isn't enough to wait on you, so we ought to buy another maid for your use.' Baochai said, 'One bought without knowing her background — if we happened to misjudge her, spending the money would be a small matter, but we'd be inviting trouble for nothing.'倒是慢慢的打聽著，有知道來歷的，買個還罷了。”一面說，一面命香菱收拾了衾褥妝奩，命一個老嬤嬤并臻兒送至蘅蕪苑去，然後寶釵和香菱才同回園中來。'It would be better to make inquiries slowly, and once we find someone whose background is known, then buying her would be all right.' Even as she spoke, she had Xiangling pack up her quilts, bedding, and dressing case, and had an old matron together with Zhen'r escort them to Hengwu Yuan; only then did Baochai and Xiangling return to the garden together.

薛姨妈上京带来的家人不过四五房，并两三个老嬷嬷小丫头，今跟了薛蟠一去，外面只剩了一两个男子。因此薛姨妈即日到书房，将一应陈设玩器并帘幔等物尽行搬了进来收贮，命那两个跟去的男子之妻一并也进来睡觉。又命香菱将他屋里也收拾严紧，“将门锁了，晚间和我去睡。”宝钗道：“妈既有这些人作伴，不如叫菱姐姐和我作伴去。我们园里又空，夜长了，我每夜作活，越多一个人岂不越好。”薛姨妈听了，笑道：“正是我忘了，原该叫他同你去才是。我前日还同你哥哥说，文杏又小，道三不著两，莺儿一个人不够伏侍的，还要买一个丫头来你使。”宝钗道：“买的不知底里，倘或走了眼，花了钱小事，没的淘气。倒是慢慢的打听著，有知道来历的，买个还罢了。”一面说，一面命香菱收拾了衾褥妆奁，命一个老嬷嬷并臻儿送至蘅芜苑去，然后宝钗和香菱才同回园中来。

香菱道：“我原要和奶奶說的，大爺去了，我和姑娘作伴兒去。Xiangling said, 'I had really meant to speak to Madam myself — now that the Elder Master has gone, I'd like to go keep Miss company.'又恐怕奶奶多心，說我貪著園里來頑，誰知你竟說了。”寶釵笑道：“我知道你心里羡慕這園子不是一日兩日了，只是沒個空兒。'But I was afraid Madam might take it the wrong way and say I was just greedy to come play in the garden — who knew you would be the one to say it.' Baochai said with a smile, 'I know you've longed after this garden in your heart for more than a day or two now; it's only that there was never an opportunity.'就每日來一趟，慌慌張張的，也沒趣兒。'Even coming for a visit every day, all in a hurried rush, wouldn't be any fun.'所以趁著机會，越性住上一年，我也多個作伴的，你也遂了心。”香菱笑道：“好姑娘，你趁著這個工夫，教給我作詩罷。”寶釵笑道：“我說你‘得隴望蜀’呢。'So let's take this chance and have you stay a whole year outright — I'll have one more companion, and you'll have your wish fulfilled too.' Xiangling said with a smile, 'Dear Miss, while we have this chance, do teach me how to write poetry.' Baochai said with a smile, 'Just as I thought — you'd "covet Shu after gaining Long."'我勸你今兒頭一日進來，先出園東角門，從老太太起，各處各人你都瞧瞧，問候一聲兒，也不必特意告訴他們說搬進園來。'I advise you, today being your first day moving in, first to go out the east corner gate of the garden and, starting with Old Ancestress, pay a call and a word of greeting on everyone everywhere; there's no need to make a point of telling them you've moved into the garden.'若有提起因由，你只帶口說我帶了你進來作伴兒就完了。'If anyone happens to ask the reason, just mention in passing that I brought you in to keep me company, and that will do.'回來進了園，再到各姑娘房里走走。”'When you come back into the garden, go around and visit the various young ladies' rooms as well.'

香菱道：“我原要和奶奶说的，大爷去了，我和姑娘作伴儿去。又恐怕奶奶多心，说我贪著园里来顽，谁知你竟说了。”宝钗笑道：“我知道你心里羡慕这园子不是一日两日了，只是没个空儿。就每日来一趟，慌慌张张的，也没趣儿。所以趁著机会，越性住上一年，我也多个作伴的，你也遂了心。”香菱笑道：“好姑娘，你趁著这个工夫，教给我作诗罢。”宝钗笑道：“我说你‘得陇望蜀’呢。我劝你今儿头一日进来，先出园东角门，从老太太起，各处各人你都瞧瞧，问候一声儿，也不必特意告诉他们说搬进园来。若有提起因由，你只带口说我带了你进来作伴儿就完了。回来进了园，再到各姑娘房里走走。”

香菱應著才要走時，只見平兒忙忙的走來。Xiangling assented and was just about to go when she saw Ping'er come hurrying over.香菱忙問了好，平兒只得陪笑相問。Xiangling hastily greeted her, and Ping'er, for her part, had to return the greeting with a forced smile.寶釵因向平兒笑道：“我今兒帶了他來作伴兒，正要去回你奶奶一聲兒。”平兒笑道：“姑娘說的是那里話？Baochai then said to Ping'er with a smile, 'I've brought her along today to keep me company, and I was just about to go inform your mistress.' Ping'er said with a smile, 'What kind of talk is that, Miss?'我竟沒話答言了。”寶釵道：“這才是正理。'I really don't know how to answer that.' Baochai said, 'No, this is the proper way of things.'店房也有個主人，廟里也有個住持，雖不是大事，到底告訴一聲，便是園里坐更上夜的人知道添了他兩個，也好關門候戶的了。'An inn has its landlord, and a temple has its abbot; though it's no great matter, it's still best to inform someone — that way even the night watchmen in the garden will know two more people have been added, and can manage the locking of gates and doors accordingly.'你回去告訴一聲罷，我不打發人去了。”平兒答應著，因又向香菱笑道：“你既來了，也不拜一拜街坊鄰舍去？”寶釵笑道：“我正叫他去呢。”平兒道：“你且不必往我們家去，二爺病了在家里呢。”香菱答應著去了，先從賈母處來，不在話下。'Go back and mention it for me, then — I won't bother sending anyone separately.' Ping'er agreed, and then said to Xiangling with a smile, 'Now that you've come, won't you go pay your respects to the neighbors?' Baochai said with a smile, 'I was just telling her to go.' Ping'er said, 'You needn't go to our place just now, though — the Second Master is ill and staying home.' Xiangling assented and went off, starting first from Grandmother Jia's quarters; this need not be told in detail.

香菱应著才要走时，只见平儿忙忙的走来。香菱忙问了好，平儿只得陪笑相问。宝钗因向平儿笑道：“我今儿带了他来作伴儿，正要去回你奶奶一声儿。”平儿笑道：“姑娘说的是那里话？我竟没话答言了。”宝钗道：“这才是正理。店房也有个主人，庙里也有个住持，虽不是大事，到底告诉一声，便是园里坐更上夜的人知道添了他两个，也好关门候户的了。你回去告诉一声罢，我不打发人去了。”平儿答应著，因又向香菱笑道：“你既来了，也不拜一拜街坊邻舍去？”宝钗笑道：“我正叫他去呢。”平儿道：“你且不必往我们家去，二爷病了在家里呢。”香菱答应著去了，先从贾母处来，不在话下。

且說平兒見香菱去了，便拉寶釵忙說道：“姑娘可聽見我們的新聞了？”寶釵道：“我沒聽見新聞。Now, once Ping'er saw Xiangling had gone, she pulled Baochai aside and said hurriedly, 'Miss, have you heard our news?' Baochai said, 'I haven't heard any news.'因連日打發我哥哥出門，所以你們這里的事，一概也不知道，連姊妹們這兩日也沒見。”平兒笑道：“老爺把二爺打了個動不得，難道姑娘就沒聽見？”寶釵道：“早起恍惚聽見了一句，也信不真。'These past days I've been busy seeing my brother off on his journey, so I haven't heard anything at all about what's been happening at your place — I haven't even seen my cousins these two days.' Ping'er said with a smile, 'The Master beat the Second Master until he couldn't move — surely Miss hasn't heard of it?' Baochai said, 'This morning I vaguely caught some word of it, but I couldn't quite believe it.'我也正要瞧你奶奶去呢，不想你來了。'I was actually just about to go see your mistress, and never expected you'd come to me instead.'又是為了什麼打他？”平兒咬牙罵道：“都是那賈雨村什麼風村，半路途中那里來的餓不死的野雜种！'And what was he beaten for, this time?' Ping'er said, grinding her teeth as she cursed, 'It's all because of that Jia Yucun, or whatever "Wind-village" he calls himself — some wild bastard who turned up out of nowhere halfway along the road and just wouldn't starve to death!'認了不到十年，生了多少事出來！'We haven't even known him ten years, and look how much trouble he's already stirred up!'今年春天，老爺不知在那個地方看見了幾把舊扇子，回家看家里所有收著的這些好扇子都不中用了，立刻叫人各處搜求。'This spring, the Master saw some old fans somewhere or other, and when he came home and looked at all the fine fans the family had in storage, none of them seemed good enough anymore, and he at once had people search everywhere for more.'誰知就有一個不知死的冤家，混號兒世人叫他作石呆子，窮的連飯也沒的吃，偏他家就有二十把舊扇子，死也不肯拿出大門來。'Who could have known there'd be some fool of a wretch, nicknamed by everyone "Stone Blockhead," so poor he didn't even have food to eat, and yet his household happened to own twenty old fans, which he wouldn't bring out the door even if it killed him.'二爺好容易煩了多少情，見了這個人，說之再三，把二爺請到他家里坐著，拿出這扇子略瞧了瞧。'The Second Master, with great difficulty and calling in ever so many favors, finally got to meet the man, and after much persuading back and forth, was invited to sit in his house, where he got to take just a brief look at these fans.'据二爺說，原是不能再有的，全是湘妃，棕竹，麋鹿，玉竹的，皆是古人寫畫真跡，因來告訴了老爺。'According to the Second Master, they were quite irreplaceable — all made of spotted bamboo, palm-fiber bamboo, deer-horn bamboo, and jade bamboo, every one bearing genuine calligraphy and paintings by men of old — and so he came and told the Master about them.'老爺便叫買他的，要多少銀子給他多少。'The Master then told him to buy them, whatever sum of silver the man asked, he would give.'偏那石呆子說：‘我餓死凍死，一千兩銀子一把我也不賣！’老爺沒法子，天天罵二爺沒能為。'But that Stone Blockhead said, "I'd sooner starve or freeze to death — I won't sell one even for a thousand taels of silver a fan!" The Master, at his wits' end, cursed the Second Master every day for being so useless.'已經許了他五百兩，先兌銀子後拿扇子。'He'd already promised him five hundred taels, the silver to be paid over first and the fans handed over after.'他只是不賣，只說：‘要扇子，先要我的命！’姑娘想想，這有什麼法子？'But the man simply would not sell, only saying, "If you want the fans, take my life first!" Now, Miss, just think — what could be done about that?'誰知雨村那沒天理的聽見了，便設了個法子，訛他拖欠了官銀，拿他到衙門里去，說所欠官銀，變賣家產賠補，把這扇子抄了來，作了官价送了來。'Who could have guessed that when that heartless Yucun heard of it, he cooked up a scheme, framing the man for owing back government silver, hauling him off to the yamen, and declaring that to repay the silver owed the government his property must be sold off — and so he had the fans confiscated and sent over at an official set price.'那石呆子如今不知是死是活。'That Stone Blockhead — nobody knows to this day whether he's alive or dead.'老爺拿著扇子問著二爺說：‘人家怎麼弄了來？’二爺只說了一句：‘為這點子小事，弄得人坑家敗業，也不算什麼能為！’老爺聽了就生了氣，說二爺拿話堵老爺，因此這是第一件大的。'The Master, holding the fans, asked the Second Master, "How did these come to be gotten?" The Second Master only said one thing: "For a trifle like this to ruin a family and destroy its fortune — that's hardly something to be counted as an achievement!" Hearing this, the Master flew into a rage, saying the Second Master was throwing his own words back to block him — and so this was the first, and biggest, matter.'這幾日還有幾件小的，我也記不清，所以都湊在一處，就打起來了。'These past few days there were also a few minor matters besides, which I can't quite recall now, and so they all piled up together, and the beating followed.'也沒拉倒用板子棍子，就站著，不知拿什麼混打了一頓，臉上打破了兩處。'They didn't even pull him down to use the paddle or the cane — he was beaten standing right where he stood, with who knows what, all over, and his face was cut open in two places.'我們聽見姨太太這里有一种丸藥，上棒瘡的，姑娘快尋一丸子給我。”寶釵聽了，忙命鶯兒去要了一丸來與平兒。'We heard that you have a certain pill here, Aunt, good for injuries from a beating — Miss, please find me one quickly.' Hearing this, Baochai at once told Yingr to fetch a pill and give it to Ping'er.寶釵道：“既這樣，替我問候罷，我就不去了。”平兒答應著去了，不在話下。Baochai said, 'Since that's how things are, give her my regards for me — I won't go over myself.' Ping'er assented and left; this need not be told further.

且说平儿见香菱去了，便拉宝钗忙说道：“姑娘可听见我们的新闻了？”宝钗道：“我没听见新闻。因连日打发我哥哥出门，所以你们这里的事，一概也不知道，连姊妹们这两日也没见。”平儿笑道：“老爷把二爷打了个动不得，难道姑娘就没听见？”宝钗道：“早起恍惚听见了一句，也信不真。我也正要瞧你奶奶去呢，不想你来了。又是为了什么打他？”平儿咬牙骂道：“都是那贾雨村什么风村，半路途中那里来的饿不死的野杂种！认了不到十年，生了多少事出来！今年春天，老爷不知在那个地方看见了几把旧扇子，回家看家里所有收著的这些好扇子都不中用了，立刻叫人各处搜求。谁知就有一个不知死的冤家，混号儿世人叫他作石呆子，穷的连饭也没的吃，偏他家就有二十把旧扇子，死也不肯拿出大门来。二爷好容易烦了多少情，见了这个人，说之再三，把二爷请到他家里坐著，拿出这扇子略瞧了瞧。据二爷说，原是不能再有的，全是湘妃，棕竹，麋鹿，玉竹的，皆是古人写画真迹，因来告诉了老爷。老爷便叫买他的，要多少银子给他多少。偏那石呆子说：‘我饿死冻死，一千两银子一把我也不卖！’老爷没法子，天天骂二爷没能为。已经许了他五百两，先兑银子后拿扇子。他只是不卖，只说：‘要扇子，先要我的命！’姑娘想想，这有什么法子？谁知雨村那没天理的听见了，便设了个法子，讹他拖欠了官银，拿他到衙门里去，说所欠官银，变卖家产赔补，把这扇子抄了来，作了官价送了来。那石呆子如今不知是死是活。老爷拿著扇子问著二爷说：‘人家怎么弄了来？’二爷只说了一句：‘为这点子小事，弄得人坑家败业，也不算什么能为！’老爷听了就生了气，说二爷拿话堵老爷，因此这是第一件大的。这几日还有几件小的，我也记不清，所以都凑在一处，就打起来了。也没拉倒用板子棍子，就站著，不知拿什么混打了一顿，脸上打破了两处。我们听见姨太太这里有一种丸药，上棒疮的，姑娘快寻一丸子给我。”宝钗听了，忙命莺儿去要了一丸来与平儿。宝钗道：“既这样，替我问候罢，我就不去了。”平儿答应著去了，不在话下。

且說香菱見過眾人之後，吃過晚飯，寶釵等都往賈母處去了，自己便往瀟湘館中來。Now, after Xiangling had paid her calls on everyone, and had eaten her evening meal, Baochai and the others all went off to Grandmother Jia's quarters, while she herself made her way to Xiaoxiang Guan.此時黛玉已好了大半，見香菱也進園來住，自是歡喜。By this time Daiyu had largely recovered, and seeing that Xiangling too had come to live in the garden, she was naturally pleased.香菱因笑道：“我這一進來了，也得了空兒，好歹教給我作詩，就是我的造化了！”黛玉笑道：“既要作詩，你就拜我作師。Xiangling said with a smile, 'Now that I've moved in and finally have some free time, if you'll only teach me to write poetry, one way or another, that would be my great good fortune!' Daiyu said with a smile, 'If you want to write poetry, then bow to me as your teacher.'我雖不通，大略也還教得起你。”香菱笑道：“果然這樣，我就拜你作師。'Though I'm no great scholar myself, I can probably still manage to teach you.' Xiangling said with a smile, 'If that's really so, then I'll take you as my teacher.'你可不許膩煩的。”黛玉道：“什麼難事，也值得去學！'But you mustn't grow impatient with me.' Daiyu said, 'What difficulty is there in it, that it should be worth making such a fuss over learning!'不過是起承轉合，當中承轉是兩副對子，平聲對仄聲，虛的對實的，實的對虛的，若是果有了奇句，連平仄虛實不對都使得的。”香菱笑道：“怪道我常弄一本舊詩偷空兒看一兩首，又有對的极工的，又有不對的，又聽見說‘一三五不論，二四六分明’。'It's nothing more than opening, development, turn, and conclusion; the two middle sections — development and turn — form two couplets, level tone matched against oblique tone, empty words matched against substantial ones, and substantial against empty; but if you truly hit upon an extraordinary line, then even mismatched tones and empty-substantial pairings are permissible.' Xiangling said with a smile, 'No wonder, when I often take out some old volume of poems in idle moments and read a poem or two, I find some couplets matched with perfect precision and others not matched at all, and I've also heard it said, "the first, third, and fifth characters don't matter, but the second, fourth, and sixth must be exact."'看古人的詩上亦有順的，亦有二四六上錯了的，所以天天疑惑。'Yet in the poems of the ancients I've also seen ones that follow this rule, and ones where the second, fourth, and sixth characters go against it — so I've been puzzled about it day after day.'如今聽你一說，原來這些格調規矩竟是末事，只要詞句新奇為上。”黛玉道：“正是這個道理，詞句究竟還是末事，第一立意要緊。'Now that I hear you explain it, it turns out these forms and rules are really a minor matter after all, and what counts most is having fresh and striking language.' Daiyu said, 'That's exactly the principle — the wording, in the end, is still a secondary matter; what's most important is the conception.'若意趣真了，連詞句不用修飾，自是好的，這叫做‘不以詞害意’。”香菱笑道：“我只愛陸放翁的詩‘重帘不卷留香久，古硯微凹聚墨多’，說的真有趣！”黛玉道：“斷不可學這樣的詩。'If the feeling and meaning are genuine, then even without polishing the wording at all, the poem will naturally be good — this is what's called "not letting the words harm the meaning."' Xiangling said with a smile, 'I've always loved Lu Fangweng's lines, "The heavy curtain stays undrawn, so its fragrance lingers long; the old inkstone's shallow hollow gathers up much ink" — how truly delightful they sound!' Daiyu said, 'You must never learn to write poems like that.'你們因不知詩，所以見了這淺近的就愛，一入了這個格局，再學不出來的。'It's because you don't yet understand poetry that, on seeing something so shallow and easy, you take a liking to it; once you fall into that mold, you'll never be able to learn your way out of it again.'你只聽我說，你若真心要學，我這里有《王摩詰全集》你且把他的五言律讀一百首，細心揣摩透熟了，然後再讀一二百首老杜的七言律，次再李青蓮的七言絕句讀一二百首。'Just listen to what I say — if you're truly set on learning, I have here the Complete Works of Wang Mojie; first read a hundred of his five-character regulated verses, and study them closely until you've mastered them thoroughly, then go on to read one or two hundred of Old Du's seven-character regulated verses, and after that one or two hundred of Li Qinglian's seven-character quatrains.'肚子里先有了這三個人作了底子，然後再把陶淵明、應瑒、謝、阮、庾、鮑等人的一看。'Once you have these three poets laid down as a foundation in your mind, then go on and take a look at Tao Yuanming, Ying Chang, Xie, Ruan, Yu, Bao, and the rest.'你又是一個极聰敏伶俐的人，不用一年的工夫，不愁不是詩翁了！”香菱聽了，笑道：“既這樣，好姑娘，你就把這書給我拿出來，我帶回去夜里念幾首也是好的。”黛玉聽說，便命紫娟將王右丞的五言律拿來，遞與香菱，又道：“你只看有紅圈的都是我選的，有一首念一首。'And you being, besides, an extremely clever and quick-witted person, within less than a year's time, there'll be no fear of your not becoming a poet yourself!' Hearing this, Xiangling said with a smile, 'If that's so, dear Miss, then bring the book out for me now, and let me take it back to read a few poems by lamplight tonight — that would be good too.' At this, Daiyu told Zijuan to fetch Wang Youcheng's five-character regulated verses, and handed them to Xiangling, saying further, 'Just read the ones marked with a red circle — those are the ones I've selected; read one poem at a time.'不明白的問你姑娘，或者遇見我，我講與你就是了。”香菱拿了詩，回至蘅蕪苑中，諸事不顧，只向燈下一首一首的讀起來。'Whatever you don't understand, ask your cousin, or if you happen to run into me, I'll explain it to you, and that will do.' Xiangling took the poems and went back to Hengwu Yuan, and setting everything else aside, began reading them one by one under the lamp.寶釵連催他數次睡覺，他也不睡。Baochai urged her to go to sleep several times in a row, but she would not.寶釵見他這般苦心，只得隨他去了。Seeing how earnestly devoted she was, Baochai had no choice but to let her have her way.

且说香菱见过众人之后，吃过晚饭，宝钗等都往贾母处去了，自己便往潇湘馆中来。此时黛玉已好了大半，见香菱也进园来住，自是欢喜。香菱因笑道：“我这一进来了，也得了空儿，好歹教给我作诗，就是我的造化了！”黛玉笑道：“既要作诗，你就拜我作师。我虽不通，大略也还教得起你。”香菱笑道：“果然这样，我就拜你作师。你可不许腻烦的。”黛玉道：“什么难事，也值得去学！不过是起承转合，当中承转是两副对子，平声对仄声，虚的对实的，实的对虚的，若是果有了奇句，连平仄虚实不对都使得的。”香菱笑道：“怪道我常弄一本旧诗偷空儿看一两首，又有对的极工的，又有不对的，又听见说‘一三五不论，二四六分明’。看古人的诗上亦有顺的，亦有二四六上错了的，所以天天疑惑。如今听你一说，原来这些格调规矩竟是末事，只要词句新奇为上。”黛玉道：“正是这个道理，词句究竟还是末事，第一立意要紧。若意趣真了，连词句不用修饰，自是好的，这叫做‘不以词害意’。”香菱笑道：“我只爱陆放翁的诗‘重帘不卷留香久，古砚微凹聚墨多’，说的真有趣！”黛玉道：“断不可学这样的诗。你们因不知诗，所以见了这浅近的就爱，一入了这个格局，再学不出来的。你只听我说，你若真心要学，我这里有《王摩诘全集》你且把他的五言律读一百首，细心揣摩透熟了，然后再读一二百首老杜的七言律，次再李青莲的七言绝句读一二百首。肚子里先有了这三个人作了底子，然后再把陶渊明、应玚、谢、阮、庾、鲍等人的一看。你又是一个极聪敏伶俐的人，不用一年的工夫，不愁不是诗翁了！”香菱听了，笑道：“既这样，好姑娘，你就把这书给我拿出来，我带回去夜里念几首也是好的。”黛玉听说，便命紫娟将王右丞的五言律拿来，递与香菱，又道：“你只看有红圈的都是我选的，有一首念一首。不明白的问你姑娘，或者遇见我，我讲与你就是了。”香菱拿了诗，回至蘅芜苑中，诸事不顾，只向灯下一首一首的读起来。宝钗连催他数次睡觉，他也不睡。宝钗见他这般苦心，只得随他去了。

一日，黛玉方梳洗完了，只見香菱笑吟吟的送了書來，又要換杜律。One day, just as Daiyu had finished washing and dressing, she saw Xiangling come smiling and beaming to return the book, wanting to exchange it for Du Fu's regulated verses.黛玉笑道：“共記得多少首？”香菱笑道：“凡紅圈選的我盡讀了。”黛玉道：“可領略了些滋味沒有？”香菱笑道：“領略了些滋味，不知可是不是，說與你聽聽。”黛玉笑道：“正要講究討論，方能長進。Daiyu said with a smile, 'How many poems do you remember altogether?' Xiangling said with a smile, 'I've read every single one marked with a red circle.' Daiyu said, 'Have you gotten any taste of their flavor?' Xiangling said with a smile, 'I have gotten some sense of their flavor, though I don't know if it's right or not — let me tell you and you can judge.' Daiyu said with a smile, 'It's exactly through discussing and debating that one can make progress.'你且說來我聽。”香菱笑道：“据我看來，詩的好處，有口里說不出來的意思，想去卻是逼真的。'Go ahead and tell me, I'm listening.' Xiangling said with a smile, 'The way I see it, the good in a poem lies in a meaning your mouth can't quite put into words, yet when you think it over, it turns out to be utterly true to life.'有似乎無理的，想去竟是有理有情的。”黛玉笑道：“這話有了些意思，但不知你從何處見得？”香菱笑道：“我看他《塞上》一首，那一聯云：‘大漠孤煙直，長河落日圓。’想來煙如何直？'There are lines that seem to make no sense, yet when you think them over, they turn out after all to have both reason and feeling in them.' Daiyu said with a smile, 'That remark has some substance to it — but where did you come to see this?' Xiangling said with a smile, 'I was looking at his poem "At the Frontier," and there's a couplet that goes: "Over the great desert, a lone plume of smoke rises straight; along the long river, the setting sun hangs round." I got to thinking, how could smoke possibly rise straight?'日自然是圓的：這‘直’字似無理，‘圓’字似太俗。'The sun, of course, is naturally round: this word "straight" seems unreasonable, and the word "round" seems altogether too plain.'合上書一想，倒象是見了這景的。'But when I closed the book and thought it over, it was just as though I had actually seen that very scene.'若說再找兩個字換這兩個，竟再找不出兩個字來。'If you tried to find two other characters to replace these two, you honestly couldn't find any.'再還有‘日落江湖白，潮來天地青’：這‘白’‘青’兩個字也似無理。'And then there are also the lines "As the sun sets, river and lake turn white; as the tide comes in, sky and earth turn blue": these two words "white" and "blue" likewise seem unreasonable at first.'想來，必得這兩個字才形容得盡，念在嘴里倒象有幾千斤重的一個橄欖。'But thinking it over, only these two characters could capture the scene fully — reading them aloud in the mouth feels like holding an olive weighing several thousand catties.'還有‘渡頭餘落日，墟里上孤煙’：這‘餘’字和‘上’字，難為他怎麼想來！'And then there's "At the ferry crossing, the last of the setting sun lingers; over the hamlet, a lone plume of smoke rises": these words "lingers" and "rises" — however did he manage to think of them!'我們那年上京來，那日下晚便灣住船，岸上又沒有人，只有幾棵樹，遠遠的幾家人家作晚飯，那個煙竟是碧青，連云直上。'The year we came up to the capital, that day toward evening our boat moored by the bank; there was no one on the shore, only a few trees, and in the distance a few households were making their evening meal, and that smoke was truly a deep blue-green, rising straight up to join the clouds.'誰知我昨日晚上讀了這兩句，倒象我又到了那個地方去了。”'Who would have thought that when I read these two lines just last night, it was as if I had gone back to that very place again.'

一日，黛玉方梳洗完了，只见香菱笑吟吟的送了书来，又要换杜律。黛玉笑道：“共记得多少首？”香菱笑道：“凡红圈选的我尽读了。”黛玉道：“可领略了些滋味没有？”香菱笑道：“领略了些滋味，不知可是不是，说与你听听。”黛玉笑道：“正要讲究讨论，方能长进。你且说来我听。”香菱笑道：“据我看来，诗的好处，有口里说不出来的意思，想去却是逼真的。有似乎无理的，想去竟是有理有情的。”黛玉笑道：“这话有了些意思，但不知你从何处见得？”香菱笑道：“我看他《塞上》一首，那一联云：‘大漠孤烟直，长河落日圆。’想来烟如何直？日自然是圆的：这‘直’字似无理，‘圆’字似太俗。合上书一想，倒象是见了这景的。若说再找两个字换这两个，竟再找不出两个字来。再还有‘日落江湖白，潮来天地青’：这‘白’‘青’两个字也似无理。想来，必得这两个字才形容得尽，念在嘴里倒象有几千斤重的一个橄榄。还有‘渡头余落日，墟里上孤烟’：这‘余’字和‘上’字，难为他怎么想来！我们那年上京来，那日下晚便湾住船，岸上又没有人，只有几棵树，远远的几家人家作晚饭，那个烟竟是碧青，连云直上。谁知我昨日晚上读了这两句，倒象我又到了那个地方去了。”

正說著，寶玉和探春也來了，也都入坐聽他講詩。Just as she was speaking, Baoyu and Tanchun arrived as well, and both sat down and joined in listening to her discuss poetry.寶玉笑道：“既是這樣，也不用看詩。Baoyu said with a smile, 'If that's how it is, there's no need to keep reading more poems at all.'會心處不在多，聽你說了這兩句，可知‘三昧’你已得了。”黛玉笑道：“你說他這‘上孤煙’好，你還不知他這一句還是套了前人的來。'A true meeting of the mind doesn't depend on quantity — from hearing you explain just these two lines, one can tell you've already grasped the "true essence."' Daiyu said with a smile, 'You say his line about "the smoke rising" is good, but you don't yet know that this line of his was actually borrowed from an earlier poet.'我給你這一句瞧瞧，更比這個淡而現成。”說著便把陶淵明的”暖暖遠人村，依依墟里煙”翻了出來，遞與香菱。'Let me show you this line here — it's even plainer and more natural than his.' So saying, she brought out Tao Yuanming's lines, "Faint and dim, the distant village; lingering, the smoke over the hamlet," and handed them to Xiangling.香菱瞧了，點頭歎賞，笑道：“原來‘上’字是從‘依依’兩個字上化出來的。”寶玉大笑道：“你已得了，不用再講，越發倒學雜了。Xiangling looked them over, nodded, and sighed in admiration, saying with a smile, 'So it turns out the word "rises" was transformed out of the two words "lingering, lingering."' Baoyu laughed loudly and said, 'You've already got it — there's no need to explain any further, or it'll only end up making your learning muddled.'你就作起來，必是好的。”探春笑道：“明兒我補一個柬來，請你入社。”香菱笑道：“姑娘何苦打趣我，我不過是心里羡慕，才學著頑罷了。”探春黛玉都笑道：“誰不是頑？'Just start writing poems now, and they're sure to be good.' Tanchun said with a smile, 'Tomorrow I'll send over a formal invitation and have you join our poetry club.' Xiangling said with a smile, 'Why must you tease me so, Miss? I'm only doing this out of admiration in my heart, just learning for fun.' Tanchun and Daiyu both said with a smile, 'Who among us isn't just doing it for fun?'難道我們是認真作詩呢！'Do you suppose we're seriously writing poetry for real?'若說我們認真成了詩，出了這園子，把人的牙還笑倒了呢。”寶玉道：“這也算自暴自棄了。'If we said we'd seriously become poets, then the moment we stepped outside this garden, people's teeth would drop from laughing.' Baoyu said, 'That's giving up on yourselves, though.'前日我在外頭和相公們商議畫兒，他們聽見咱們起詩社，求我把稿子給他們瞧瞧。'The other day, out and about, I was discussing paintings with some gentlemen, and when they heard we had started a poetry club, they asked me to let them see the drafts.'我就寫了幾首給他們看看，誰不真心歎服。'So I copied out a few poems and showed them, and there wasn't one who wasn't truly moved to admiration.'他們都抄了刻去了。”探春黛玉忙問道：“這是真話么？”寶玉笑道：“說慌的是那架上的鸚哥。”黛玉探春聽說，都道：“你真真胡鬧！"...they've all copied them out and had them carved and printed." Tanchun and Daiyu hastily asked, "Is this really true?" Baoyu said with a smile, "The one telling lies is that parrot on the perch." Hearing this, Daiyu and Tanchun both said, "You really are being absurd!且別說那不成詩，便是成詩，我們的筆墨也不該傳到外頭去。”寶玉道：“這怕什麼！Not to mention that they aren't even proper poems — even if they were, our writings ought not to be circulated outside." Baoyu said, "What is there to fear in that!古來閨閣中的筆墨不要傳出去，如今也沒有人知道了。”說著，只見惜春打發了入畫來請寶玉，寶玉方去了。Since ancient times there have been writings from the inner chambers that were not meant to circulate, and yet nowadays no one even knows who wrote them." As he spoke, Xichun sent Ruhua to invite Baoyu over, and only then did Baoyu leave.香菱又逼著黛玉換出杜律來，又央黛玉探春二人：“出個題目，讓我謅去，謅了來，替我改正。”黛玉道：“昨夜的月最好，我正要謅一首，竟未謅成，你竟作一首來。Xiangling then pressed Daiyu to bring out Du Fu's regulated verses, and also begged Daiyu and Tanchun, "Give me a topic, and let me try composing something — once I've composed it, please correct it for me." Daiyu said, "Last night's moon was especially fine; I was just about to compose a poem on it, but never managed to finish one — why don't you go ahead and write one.十四寒的韻，由你愛用那幾個字去。”Use the rhymes of the fourteenth 'han' group — whichever characters you like are up to you."

正说著，宝玉和探春也来了，也都入坐听他讲诗。宝玉笑道：“既是这样，也不用看诗。会心处不在多，听你说了这两句，可知‘三昧’你已得了。”黛玉笑道：“你说他这‘上孤烟’好，你还不知他这一句还是套了前人的来。我给你这一句瞧瞧，更比这个淡而现成。”说著便把陶渊明的”暖暖远人村，依依墟里烟”翻了出来，递与香菱。香菱瞧了，点头叹赏，笑道：“原来‘上’字是从‘依依’两个字上化出来的。”宝玉大笑道：“你已得了，不用再讲，越发倒学杂了。你就作起来，必是好的。”探春笑道：“明儿我补一个柬来，请你入社。”香菱笑道：“姑娘何苦打趣我，我不过是心里羡慕，才学著顽罢了。”探春黛玉都笑道：“谁不是顽？难道我们是认真作诗呢！若说我们认真成了诗，出了这园子，把人的牙还笑倒了呢。”宝玉道：“这也算自暴自弃了。前日我在外头和相公们商议画儿，他们听见咱们起诗社，求我把稿子给他们瞧瞧。我就写了几首给他们看看，谁不真心叹服。他们都抄了刻去了。”探春黛玉忙问道：“这是真话么？”宝玉笑道：“说慌的是那架上的鹦哥。”黛玉探春听说，都道：“你真真胡闹！且别说那不成诗，便是成诗，我们的笔墨也不该传到外头去。”宝玉道：“这怕什么！古来闺阁中的笔墨不要传出去，如今也没有人知道了。”说著，只见惜春打发了入画来请宝玉，宝玉方去了。香菱又逼著黛玉换出杜律来，又央黛玉探春二人：“出个题目，让我诌去，诌了来，替我改正。”黛玉道：“昨夜的月最好，我正要诌一首，竟未诌成，你竟作一首来。十四寒的韵，由你爱用那几个字去。”

香菱聽了，喜的拿回詩來，又苦思一回作兩句詩，又舍不得杜詩，又讀兩首。Hearing this, Xiangling happily took the poems back with her, then racked her brains for a while composing two lines, yet couldn't bear to part with Du Fu's poems, and read another two of them.如此茶飯無心，坐臥不定。In this way she had no heart for tea or rice, and could neither sit nor lie still.寶釵道：“何苦自尋煩惱。Baochai said, "Why go looking for trouble like this?都是顰兒引的你，我和他算帳去。It's all because Pin'er led you into this — I'm going to go settle accounts with her.你本來呆頭呆腦的，再添上這個，越發弄成個呆子了。”香菱笑道：“好姑娘，別混我。”一面說，一面作了一首，先與寶釵看。You were already dull-witted to begin with, and adding this on top will only turn you into a proper fool." Xiangling said with a smile, "Dear cousin, don't tease me." As she spoke she finished composing a poem, and showed it to Baochai first.寶釵看了笑道：“這個不好，不是這個作法。Baochai read it and said with a smile, "This won't do — this isn't the right way to write it.你別怕臊，只管拿了給他瞧去，看他是怎麼說。”香菱聽了，便拿了詩找黛玉。Don't be embarrassed — just go ahead and take it to show her, and see what she has to say." Hearing this, Xiangling took the poem and went to find Daiyu.黛玉看時，只見寫道是：When Daiyu looked at it, this is what was written:

香菱听了，喜的拿回诗来，又苦思一回作两句诗，又舍不得杜诗，又读两首。如此茶饭无心，坐卧不定。宝钗道：“何苦自寻烦恼。都是颦儿引的你，我和他算帐去。你本来呆头呆脑的，再添上这个，越发弄成个呆子了。”香菱笑道：“好姑娘，别混我。”一面说，一面作了一首，先与宝钗看。宝钗看了笑道：“这个不好，不是这个作法。你别怕臊，只管拿了给他瞧去，看他是怎么说。”香菱听了，便拿了诗找黛玉。黛玉看时，只见写道是：

月挂中天夜色寒，清光皎皎影團團。The moon hangs at the zenith, the night air is cold; its pure light gleams bright, its round shadow full.

月挂中天夜色寒，清光皎皎影团团。

詩人助興常思玩，野客添愁不忍觀。Poets, stirred to inspiration, often long to enjoy it; wanderers, their sorrow deepened, cannot bear to gaze upon it.

诗人助兴常思玩，野客添愁不忍观。

翡翠樓邊懸玉鏡，珍珠帘外挂冰盤。Beside the kingfisher-jade tower a jade mirror hangs; outside the pearl blind an icy disc is hung.

翡翠楼边悬玉镜，珍珠帘外挂冰盘。

良宵何用燒銀燭，晴彩輝煌映畫欄。On such a fine night, why need silver candles burn? Its bright radiance already shines resplendent upon the painted balustrade.

良宵何用烧银烛，晴彩辉煌映画栏。

黛玉笑道：“意思卻有，只是措詞不雅。Daiyu said with a smile, "There is meaning in it, but the wording lacks refinement.皆因你看的詩少，被他縛住了。That's all because you've read too few poems, and have let yourself be bound by them.把這首丟開，再作一首，只管放開膽子去作。”Set this one aside and write another — just go ahead boldly and write it."

黛玉笑道：“意思却有，只是措词不雅。皆因你看的诗少，被他缚住了。把这首丢开，再作一首，只管放开胆子去作。”

香菱聽了，默默的回來，越性連房也不入，只在池邊樹下，或坐在山石上出神，或蹲在地下摳土，來往的人都詫异。Hearing this, Xiangling silently went back, and rather than even entering her room, she stayed by the pond under the trees — sometimes sitting on a rock lost in thought, sometimes crouching on the ground scratching at the dirt — so that everyone passing by was astonished.李紈，寶釵，探春，寶玉等聽得此信，都遠遠的站在山坡上瞧看他。When Li Wan, Baochai, Tanchun, Baoyu and the others heard of this, they all stood far off on the slope of the hill, watching her.只見他皺一回眉，又自己含笑一回。They saw her knit her brows for a while, then smile to herself for a while.寶釵笑道：“這個人定要瘋了！Baochai said with a smile, "This girl is bound to go mad!昨夜嘟嘟噥噥直鬧到五更天才睡下，沒一頓飯的工夫天就亮了。Last night she muttered and murmured to herself, carrying on until the fifth watch before she finally lay down to sleep, and before the time it takes to eat a meal had passed, the sky was already light.我就聽見他起來了，忙忙碌碌梳了頭就找顰兒去。I heard her get up, and in a great bustle she combed her hair and went straight off to find Pin'er.一回來了，呆了一日，作了一首又不好，這會子自然另作呢。”寶玉笑道：“這正是‘地靈人杰’，老天生人再不虛賦情性的。Once she came back, she sat in a daze the whole day; she wrote one poem and it wasn't good, so now naturally she must be writing another." Baoyu said with a smile, "This is exactly a case of 'the land is blessed and its people are gifted' — Heaven, in creating people, never bestows their nature in vain.我們成日歎說可惜他這麼個人竟俗了，誰知到底有今日。We used to sigh all day long that it was such a pity someone like her should end up so unrefined — who would have thought that in the end she would have a day like this.可見天地至公。”寶釵笑道：“你能夠象他這苦心就好了，學什麼有個不成的。”寶玉不答。This just goes to show that Heaven and Earth are truly impartial." Baochai said with a smile, "If only you could apply yourself as diligently as she does — there'd be nothing you couldn't learn." Baoyu made no reply.

香菱听了，默默的回来，越性连房也不入，只在池边树下，或坐在山石上出神，或蹲在地下抠土，来往的人都诧异。李纨，宝钗，探春，宝玉等听得此信，都远远的站在山坡上瞧看他。只见他皱一回眉，又自己含笑一回。宝钗笑道：“这个人定要疯了！昨夜嘟嘟哝哝直闹到五更天才睡下，没一顿饭的工夫天就亮了。我就听见他起来了，忙忙碌碌梳了头就找颦儿去。一回来了，呆了一日，作了一首又不好，这会子自然另作呢。”宝玉笑道：“这正是‘地灵人杰’，老天生人再不虚赋情性的。我们成日叹说可惜他这么个人竟俗了，谁知到底有今日。可见天地至公。”宝钗笑道：“你能够象他这苦心就好了，学什么有个不成的。”宝玉不答。

只見香菱興興頭頭的又往黛玉那邊去了。Just then they saw Xiangling, full of eager excitement, heading off again toward Daiyu's place.探春笑道：“咱們跟了去，看他有些意思沒有。”說著，一齊都往瀟湘館來。Tanchun said with a smile, "Let's follow along and see whether there's anything worthwhile in it." So saying, they all went together to the Xiaoxiang Lodge.只見黛玉正拿著詩和他講究。There they found Daiyu holding the poem, discussing it with her in detail.眾人因問黛玉作的如何。Everyone then asked Daiyu how the poem had turned out.黛玉道：“自然算難為他了，只是還不好。Daiyu said, "It's certainly commendable of her to have managed it at all, but it still isn't good.這一首過於穿鑿了，還得另作。”眾人因要詩看時，只見作道：This one strains too hard for effect — she'll have to write another." When the others asked to see the poem, this is what was written:

只见香菱兴兴头头的又往黛玉那边去了。探春笑道：“咱们跟了去，看他有些意思没有。”说著，一齐都往潇湘馆来。只见黛玉正拿著诗和他讲究。众人因问黛玉作的如何。黛玉道：“自然算难为他了，只是还不好。这一首过于穿凿了，还得另作。”众人因要诗看时，只见作道：

非銀非水映窗寒，拭看晴空護玉盤。Not silver, not water, it casts its cold reflection on the window; wiping my eyes I gaze at the clear sky guarding its jade disc.

非银非水映窗寒，拭看晴空护玉盘。

淡淡梅花香欲染，絲絲柳帶露初乾。The faint fragrance of plum blossoms seems about to color the air; the fine threads of willow, dew just drying upon them.

淡淡梅花香欲染，丝丝柳带露初干。

只疑殘粉涂金砌，恍若輕霜抹玉欄。One might almost mistake it for leftover powder smeared on the golden steps, or as if light frost had brushed across the jade balustrade.

只疑残粉涂金砌，恍若轻霜抹玉栏。

夢醒西樓人跡絕，餘容猶可隔帘看。Waking from a dream in the western tower, all trace of people is gone; yet its remaining glow can still be seen through the blind.

梦醒西楼人迹绝，余容犹可隔帘看。

寶釵笑道：“不象吟月了，月字底下添一個‘色’字倒還使得，你看句句倒是月色。Baochai said with a smile, "It no longer sounds like a poem chanting the moon. If you added the word 'color' beneath the word 'moon,' it might just work — look, every line is really about moonlight, not the moon itself.這也罷了，原來詩從胡說來，再遲幾天就好了。”香菱自為這首妙絕，聽如此說，自己掃了興，不肯丟開手，便要思索起來。Still, this will do for now — poetry, it turns out, comes from talking nonsense at first; give it a few more days and it will get better." Xiangling, who had thought this poem marvelous, felt her enthusiasm dampened on hearing this, yet she would not let it go, and set to pondering once more.因見他姊妹們說笑，便自己走至階前竹下閒步，挖心搜膽，耳不旁聽，目不別視。Seeing the sisters chatting and laughing, she walked off by herself to stroll idly beneath the bamboo before the steps, racking her brains and searching her very gut for words, her ears heeding nothing else, her eyes looking at nothing else.一時探春隔窗笑說道：“菱姑娘，你閒閒罷。”香菱怔怔答道：“‘閒’字是十五刪的，你錯了韻了。”眾人聽了，不覺大笑起來。After a while Tanchun called out through the window with a laugh, "Miss Ling, do take it easy for a while." Xiangling answered in a daze, "The word 'xian' belongs to the fifteenth 'shan' rhyme group — you've got the rhyme wrong." Hearing this, everyone could not help bursting into laughter.寶釵道：“可真是詩魔了。Baochai said, "She really has become possessed by a poetry demon.都是顰兒引的他！”黛玉道：“圣人說，‘誨人不倦’，他又來問我，我豈有不說之理。”李紈笑道：“咱們拉了他往四姑娘房里去，引他瞧瞧畫兒，叫他醒一醒纔好。”It's all because Pin'er led her into this!" Daiyu said, "The Sage said, 'to teach without growing weary' — since she came to ask me, how could I refuse to tell her?" Li Wan said with a smile, "Let's drag her over to the Fourth Miss's room, and get her to look at the painting for a while, so she can wake up and clear her head."

宝钗笑道：“不象吟月了，月字底下添一个‘色’字倒还使得，你看句句倒是月色。这也罢了，原来诗从胡说来，再迟几天就好了。”香菱自为这首妙绝，听如此说，自己扫了兴，不肯丢开手，便要思索起来。因见他姊妹们说笑，便自己走至阶前竹下闲步，挖心搜胆，耳不旁听，目不别视。一时探春隔窗笑说道：“菱姑娘，你闲闲罢。”香菱怔怔答道：“‘闲’字是十五删的，你错了韵了。”众人听了，不觉大笑起来。宝钗道：“可真是诗魔了。都是颦儿引的他！”黛玉道：“圣人说，‘诲人不倦’，他又来问我，我岂有不说之理。”李纨笑道：“咱们拉了他往四姑娘房里去，引他瞧瞧画儿，叫他醒一醒才好。”

說著，真個出來拉了他過藕香榭，至暖香塢中。So saying, they really did come out and pull her along, past the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion, to the Warm Fragrance Retreat.惜春正乏倦，在床上歪著睡午覺，畫繒立在壁間，用紗罩著。Xichun, feeling tired, was lying sprawled on her bed taking a midday nap; the painting canvas stood propped against the wall, covered with gauze.眾人喚醒了惜春，揭紗看時，十停方有了三停。The others woke Xichun, and when they lifted the gauze to look, of ten parts of the painting only three parts were yet done.香菱見畫上有幾個美人，因指著笑道：“這一個是我們姑娘，那一個是林姑娘。”探春笑道：“凡會作詩的都畫在上頭，快學罷。”說著，頑笑了一回。Seeing several beautiful women in the painting, Xiangling pointed and said with a smile, "This one is our Miss, and that one is Miss Lin." Tanchun said with a smile, "Everyone who knows how to write poetry gets painted into it — you'd better hurry and learn." So saying, they joked and laughed together for a while.

说著，真个出来拉了他过藕香榭，至暖香坞中。惜春正乏倦，在床上歪著睡午觉，画缯立在壁间，用纱罩著。众人唤醒了惜春，揭纱看时，十停方有了三停。香菱见画上有几个美人，因指著笑道：“这一个是我们姑娘，那一个是林姑娘。”探春笑道：“凡会作诗的都画在上头，快学罢。”说著，顽笑了一回。

各自散後，香菱滿心中還是想詩。After they had all gone their separate ways, Xiangling's mind was still full of thoughts of poetry.至晚間對燈出了一回神，至三更以後上床臥下，兩眼鰥鰥，直到五更方才朦朧睡去了。By evening she sat before the lamp lost in thought for a while, and only after the third watch did she go to bed and lie down; wide-eyed and sleepless, it was not until the fifth watch that she finally drifted into a hazy sleep.一時天亮，寶釵醒了，聽了一聽，他安穩睡了，心下想：“他翻騰了一夜，不知可作成了？Before long, day broke, and Baochai woke; listening for a moment, she found that Xiangling was sleeping soundly, and thought to herself, "She tossed and turned all night — I wonder whether she managed to finish her poem?這會子乏了，且別叫他。”正想著，只聽香菱從夢中笑道：“可是有了，難道這一首還不好？”寶釵聽了，又是可歎，又是可笑，連忙喚醒了他，問他：“得了什麼？She must be worn out now, so I'd better not wake her." Just as she was thinking this, she heard Xiangling laugh out in her sleep, "So I've got it after all — surely this poem is good enough?" Hearing this, Baochai was both moved to sigh and moved to laugh, and hastily woke her up, asking her, "What have you got?你這誠心都通了仙了。Your devotion to this has been so sincere it could move the immortals themselves.學不成詩，還弄出病來呢。”一面說，一面梳洗了，會同姊妹往賈母處來。If you don't manage to learn to write poetry, you'll end up making yourself ill instead." So saying, she washed and dressed, and together with the other sisters went to the Lady Dowager's place.原來香菱苦志學詩，精血誠聚，日間做不出，忽于夢中得了八句。It turned out that Xiangling, having set her heart so earnestly on learning poetry, with her very essence and blood wholly concentrated on it, had been unable to compose anything by day, but suddenly in a dream had come up with eight lines.梳洗已畢，便忙錄出來，自己并不知好歹，便拿來又找黛玉。As soon as she had finished washing and dressing, she hurriedly wrote them down, and without knowing herself whether they were good or bad, she took them and went again to find Daiyu.剛到沁芳亭，只見李紈與眾姊妹方從王夫人處回來，寶釵正告訴他們說他夢中作詩說夢話。Just as she reached Qinfang Pavilion, she saw Li Wan and the other sisters just returning from Lady Wang's quarters, with Baochai in the midst of telling them how Xiangling had composed poetry and talked in her sleep during her dream.眾人正笑，抬頭見他來了，便都爭著要詩看，且聽下回分解。Everyone was just laughing about it when they looked up and saw her coming, and all vied with one another to see the poem — but for what happened next, one must hear the next chapter to find out.

各自散后，香菱满心中还是想诗。至晚间对灯出了一回神，至三更以后上床卧下，两眼鳏鳏，直到五更方才朦胧睡去了。一时天亮，宝钗醒了，听了一听，他安稳睡了，心下想：“他翻腾了一夜，不知可作成了？这会子乏了，且别叫他。”正想著，只听香菱从梦中笑道：“可是有了，难道这一首还不好？”宝钗听了，又是可叹，又是可笑，连忙唤醒了他，问他：“得了什么？你这诚心都通了仙了。学不成诗，还弄出病来呢。”一面说，一面梳洗了，会同姊妹往贾母处来。原来香菱苦志学诗，精血诚聚，日间做不出，忽于梦中得了八句。梳洗已毕，便忙录出来，自己并不知好歹，便拿来又找黛玉。刚到沁芳亭，只见李纨与众姊妹方从王夫人处回来，宝钗正告诉他们说他梦中作诗说梦话。众人正笑，抬头见他来了，便都争著要诗看，且听下回分解。