第七十回　　林黛玉重建桃花社　史湘雲偶填柳絮詞 Lin Daiyu Revives the Peach Blossom Club; Shi Xiangyun Composes a Willow-Catkin Lyric

話說賈璉自在梨香院伴宿七日夜，天天僧道不斷做佛事。Now, Jia Lian kept vigil at Pear Fragrance Court for seven days and nights, during which monks and Daoist priests performed Buddhist rites without a single day's interruption.賈母喚了他去，吩咐不許送往家廟中。Grandmother Jia summoned him and instructed that the coffin was not to be sent to the family temple.賈璉無法，只得又和時覺說了，就在尤三姐之上點了一個穴，破土埋葬。Jia Lian had no choice but to speak with Shi Jue again, and had a grave site chosen just above where You Sanjie was buried, breaking ground to bury her there.那日送殯，只不過族中人與王信夫婦，尤氏婆媳而已。On the day of the funeral procession, those who attended were only clan members, Wang Xin and his wife, and You-shi together with her daughter-in-law.鳳姐一應不管，只憑他自去辦理。Xifeng had nothing whatever to do with it, leaving him to handle everything on his own.因又年近歲逼，諸務蝟集不算外，又有林之孝開了一個人名單子來，共有八個二十五歲的單身小廝應該娶妻成房，等里面有該放的丫頭們好求指配。Moreover, as the year drew to a close, all sorts of matters were piling up thick and fast, and on top of that Lin Zhixiao brought over a list of names — eight bachelor pages in all, aged twenty-five, who ought to marry and set up their own households, so that once maids due for release were available inside, matches could be arranged for them.鳳姐看了，先來問賈母和王夫人。After looking it over, Xifeng went first to consult Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang.大家商議，雖有幾個應該發配的，奈各人皆有原故：第一個鴛鴦發誓不去。They talked it over together; although there were several maids who ought to be married off, each had her own reason: the first, Yuanyang, had sworn an oath never to go.自那日之後，一向未和寶玉說話，也不盛妝濃飾。Ever since that day, she had never once spoken with Baoyu, nor did she dress herself up or wear heavy makeup.眾人見他志堅，也不好相強。Seeing how firm her resolve was, no one dared press her further.第二個琥珀，又有病，這次不能了。The second, Hupo, was ill besides, so this time it could not be arranged for her either.彩雲因近日和賈環分崩，也染了無醫之症。Caiyun, having recently broken with Jia Huan, had also fallen into an illness no doctor could cure.只有鳳姐兒和李紈房中粗使的大丫鬟出去了，其餘年紀未足。Only the senior maids doing rough chores in Xifeng's and Li Wan's quarters were sent out to marry; the rest were not yet of age.令他們外頭自娶去了。So the men were told to go and find wives for themselves outside.

话说贾琏自在梨香院伴宿七日夜，天天僧道不断做佛事。贾母唤了他去，吩咐不许送往家庙中。贾琏无法，只得又和时觉说了，就在尤三姐之上点了一个穴，破土埋葬。那日送殡，只不过族中人与王信夫妇，尤氏婆媳而已。凤姐一应不管，只凭他自去办理。因又年近岁逼，诸务猬集不算外，又有林之孝开了一个人名单子来，共有八个二十五岁的单身小厮应该娶妻成房，等里面有该放的丫头们好求指配。凤姐看了，先来问贾母和王夫人。大家商议，虽有几个应该发配的，奈各人皆有原故：第一个鸳鸯发誓不去。自那日之后，一向未和宝玉说话，也不盛妆浓饰。众人见他志坚，也不好相强。第二个琥珀，又有病，这次不能了。彩云因近日和贾环分崩，也染了无医之症。只有凤姐儿和李纨房中粗使的大丫鬟出去了，其余年纪未足。令他们外头自娶去了。

原來這一向因鳳姐病了，李紈探春料理家務不得閒暇，接著過年過節，出來許多雜事，竟將詩社擱起。It turned out that all this while, with Xifeng ill and Li Wan and Tanchun too occupied managing household affairs to have any leisure, followed by the New Year and other festivals bringing a host of miscellaneous matters, the poetry club had been set aside entirely.如今仲春天氣，雖得了工夫，爭奈寶玉因冷遁了柳湘蓮，劍刎了尤小妹，金逝了尤二姐，氣病了柳五兒，連連接接，閒愁胡恨，一重不了一重添。Now, in the mid-spring season, though there was at last time to spare, it happened that Baoyu — with Liu Xianglian having coldly vanished into a monk's life, the younger You sister having cut her throat with a sword, You Erjie having swallowed gold and died, and Liu Wu'er having fallen ill from anger — was beset one after another by these idle sorrows and unreasoned griefs, one layer scarcely settled before another piled on.弄得情色若痴，語言常亂，似染怔忡之疾。This left him looking dazed as though bewitched, his speech often confused, as if he had come down with some palpitating malady of the heart.慌的襲人等又不敢回賈母，只百般逗他頑笑。Xiren and the others were alarmed but dared not report it to Grandmother Jia, and could only try every means to tease and amuse him.

原来这一向因凤姐病了，李纨探春料理家务不得闲暇，接著过年过节，出来许多杂事，竟将诗社搁起。如今仲春天气，虽得了工夫，争奈宝玉因冷遁了柳湘莲，剑刎了尤小妹，金逝了尤二姐，气病了柳五儿，连连接接，闲愁胡恨，一重不了一重添。弄得情色若痴，语言常乱，似染怔忡之疾。慌的袭人等又不敢回贾母，只百般逗他顽笑。

這日清晨方醒，只聽外間房內咭咭呱呱笑聲不斷。That day, just as he woke at dawn, he heard peals of giggling laughter coming without pause from the outer room.襲人因笑說：“你快出去解救，晴雯和麝月兩個人按住溫都里那膈肢呢。”寶玉聽了，忙披上灰鼠襖子出來一瞧，只見他三人被褥尚未疊起，大衣也未穿。Xiren said with a laugh, "Quick, go out and rescue him — Qingwen and Sheyue have Wenduli pinned down and are tickling him." Hearing this, Baoyu hastily threw on his grey squirrel jacket and went out to look, and found the three of them with their quilts still unfolded and their outer coats not yet put on.那晴雯只穿蔥綠院綢小襖，紅小衣紅睡鞋，披著頭髮，騎在雄奴身上。There was Qingwen, wearing only a scallion-green house-silk short jacket, red undergarments and red sleeping shoes, her hair hanging loose, sitting astride Xiongnu.麝月是紅綾抹胸，披著一身舊衣，在那里抓雄奴的肋肢。Sheyue, in a red silk bodice with an old garment thrown over her shoulders, was there clawing at Xiongnu's ribs.雄奴卻仰在炕上，穿著撒花緊身兒，紅褲綠襪，兩腳亂蹬，笑的喘不過氣來。Xiongnu lay flat on his back on the kang, wearing a flower-sprigged tight jacket, red trousers and green socks, kicking his legs wildly, laughing until he could hardly catch his breath.寶玉忙上前笑說：“兩個大的欺負一個小的，等我助力。”說著，也上床來膈肢晴雯。Baoyu hurried forward laughing and said, "Two big ones bullying one little one — let me lend a hand." So saying, he too climbed onto the bed and began tickling Qingwen.晴雯触痒，笑的忙丟下雄奴，和寶玉對抓。Qingwen, ticklish, laughed so hard she let go of Xiongnu and grappled back at Baoyu instead.雄奴趁勢又將晴雯按倒，向他肋下抓動。Xiongnu seized the chance to push Qingwen down again and clawed at her ribs.襲人笑說：“仔細凍著了。”看他四人裹在一處倒好笑。Xiren said with a laugh, "Careful you don't catch cold." Watching the four of them tangled together in a heap was quite comical.

这日清晨方醒，只听外间房内咭咭呱呱笑声不断。袭人因笑说：“你快出去解救，晴雯和麝月两个人按住温都里那膈肢呢。”宝玉听了，忙披上灰鼠袄子出来一瞧，只见他三人被褥尚未叠起，大衣也未穿。那晴雯只穿葱绿院绸小袄，红小衣红睡鞋，披著头发，骑在雄奴身上。麝月是红绫抹胸，披著一身旧衣，在那里抓雄奴的肋肢。雄奴却仰在炕上，穿著撒花紧身儿，红裤绿袜，两脚乱蹬，笑的喘不过气来。宝玉忙上前笑说：“两个大的欺负一个小的，等我助力。”说著，也上床来膈肢晴雯。晴雯触痒，笑的忙丢下雄奴，和宝玉对抓。雄奴趁势又将晴雯按倒，向他肋下抓动。袭人笑说：“仔细冻著了。”看他四人裹在一处倒好笑。

忽有李紈打發碧月來說：“昨兒晚上奶奶在這里把塊手帕子忘了，不知可在這里？”小燕說：“有，有，有，我在地下拾了起來，不知是那一位的，纔洗了出來晾著，還未乾呢。”碧月見他四人亂滾，因笑道：“倒是這里熱鬧，大清早起就咭咭呱呱的頑到一處。”寶玉笑道：“你們那里人也不少，怎麼不頑？”碧月道：“我們奶奶不頑，把兩個姨娘和琴姑娘也賓住了。Just then Li Wan sent Biyue over to say, "Last night our mistress left a handkerchief here — I wonder if it's still here?" Xiaoyan said, "Yes, yes, yes, I picked it up off the floor; not knowing whose it was, I've only just washed it and hung it out, and it isn't dry yet." Seeing the four of them tumbling about in a jumble, Biyue said with a laugh, "It certainly is lively here — giggling and chattering together first thing in the morning." Baoyu said with a laugh, "There are plenty of people at your place too — why don't you all play?" Biyue said, "Our mistress doesn't play, and she's kept the two concubines and Miss Qin subdued as well.如今琴姑娘又跟了老太太前頭去了，更寂寞了。Now that Miss Qin has gone off with Grandmother Jia besides, it's even more lonesome.兩個姨娘今年過了。The two concubines will get through this year as they are.到明年冬天都去了，又更寂寞呢。But by next winter both will be gone too, and it will be lonelier still.你瞧寶姑娘那里，出去了一個香菱，就冷清了多少，把個雲姑娘落了單。”Just look at Miss Bao's place — with Xiangling gone, how much quieter it has become, leaving Miss Yun all on her own."

忽有李纨打发碧月来说：“昨儿晚上奶奶在这里把块手帕子忘了，不知可在这里？”小燕说：“有，有，有，我在地下拾了起来，不知是那一位的，才洗了出来晾著，还未干呢。”碧月见他四人乱滚，因笑道：“倒是这里热闹，大清早起就咭咭呱呱的顽到一处。”宝玉笑道：“你们那里人也不少，怎么不顽？”碧月道：“我们奶奶不顽，把两个姨娘和琴姑娘也宾住了。如今琴姑娘又跟了老太太前头去了，更寂寞了。两个姨娘今年过了。到明年冬天都去了，又更寂寞呢。你瞧宝姑娘那里，出去了一个香菱，就冷清了多少，把个云姑娘落了单。”

正說著，只見湘雲又打發了翠縷來說：“請二爺快出去瞧好詩。”寶玉聽了，忙問：“那里的好詩？”翠縷笑道：“姑娘們都在沁芳亭上，你去了便知。”寶玉聽了，忙梳洗了出來，果見黛玉、寶釵、湘雲、寶琴、探春都在那里，手里拿著一篇詩看。Just as they were speaking, Xiangyun sent Cuilü over to say, "Please ask the Second Master to come out quickly and see the fine poem." Hearing this, Baoyu hastily asked, "What fine poem, and where?" Cuilü said with a laugh, "The young ladies are all at Qinfang Pavilion — go and you'll see for yourself." On hearing this, Baoyu quickly washed and combed his hair and went out, and indeed found Daiyu, Baochai, Xiangyun, Baoqin, and Tanchun all there, a sheet of poetry in their hands, reading it.見他來時，都笑說：“這會子還不起來，咱們的詩社散了一年，也沒有人作興。Seeing him arrive, they all said with a laugh, "Still not up at this hour! Our poetry club has stood disbanded a whole year now, and no one has troubled to revive it.如今正是初春時節，萬物更新，正該鼓舞另立起來纔好。”湘雲笑道：“一起詩社時是秋天，就不應發達。Now it's just early spring, when all things renew themselves — this is exactly the time we ought to rouse ourselves and set it up again." Xiangyun said with a laugh, "When the club was first founded it was autumn, so of course it was never going to flourish.如今卻好萬物逢春，皆主生盛。Now, happily, all things are meeting spring, and everything is bound to thrive.況這首桃花詩又好，就把海棠社改作桃花社。”寶玉聽著，點頭說：“很好。”且忙著要詩看。Besides, this peach-blossom poem is so fine — let's change the Begonia Club into the Peach Blossom Club." Baoyu, listening, nodded and said, "Very good," and hurried to ask for the poem to read.眾人都又說：“咱們此時就訪稻香老農去，大家議定好起的。”說著，一齊起來，都往稻香村來。Everyone then said, "Let's go call on the Old Farmer of Paddy-Sweet Fragrance right now, and settle it together properly." So saying, they all rose together and went off to Paddy-Sweet Cottage.寶玉一壁走，一壁看那紙上寫著《桃花行》一篇，曰：As Baoyu walked, he read the sheet of paper, on which was written a poem titled 'Ballad of the Peach Blossoms,' which read:

正说著，只见湘云又打发了翠缕来说：“请二爷快出去瞧好诗。”宝玉听了，忙问：“那里的好诗？”翠缕笑道：“姑娘们都在沁芳亭上，你去了便知。”宝玉听了，忙梳洗了出来，果见黛玉、宝钗、湘云、宝琴、探春都在那里，手里拿著一篇诗看。见他来时，都笑说：“这会子还不起来，咱们的诗社散了一年，也没有人作兴。如今正是初春时节，万物更新，正该鼓舞另立起来才好。”湘云笑道：“一起诗社时是秋天，就不应发达。如今却好万物逢春，皆主生盛。况这首桃花诗又好，就把海棠社改作桃花社。”宝玉听著，点头说：“很好。”且忙著要诗看。众人都又说：“咱们此时就访稻香老农去，大家议定好起的。”说著，一齐起来，都往稻香村来。宝玉一壁走，一壁看那纸上写著《桃花行》一篇，曰：

桃花帘外東風軟，桃花帘內晨妝懶。Beyond the peach-blossom blind the east wind blows soft; within the peach-blossom blind, she is languid at her morning toilette.

桃花帘外东风软，桃花帘内晨妆懒。

帘外桃花帘內人，人與桃花隔不遠。Peach blossoms beyond the blind, a person within — the person and the peach blossoms are not far apart.

帘外桃花帘内人，人与桃花隔不远。

東風有意揭帘櫳，花欲窺人帘不卷。The east wind means to lift the blind; the blossoms long to peep at the person, but the blind will not roll up.

东风有意揭帘栊，花欲窥人帘不卷。

桃花帘外開仍舊，帘中人比桃花瘦。The peach blossoms beyond the blind bloom on as before; the person within the blind is thinner than the peach blossoms.

桃花帘外开仍旧，帘中人比桃花瘦。

花解怜人花也愁，隔帘消息風吹透。If the blossoms understood pity for her, they too would grieve; word passes through the blind, carried by the wind.

花解怜人花也愁，隔帘消息风吹透。

風透湘帘花滿庭，庭前春色倍傷情。The wind blows through the bamboo blind, blossoms fill the courtyard; the spring scene before the court doubles her sorrow.

风透湘帘花满庭，庭前春色倍伤情。

閒苔院落門空掩，斜日欄杆人自憑。Idle moss covers the courtyard, the gate closed for nothing; in the slanting sunlight she leans alone against the balustrade.

闲苔院落门空掩，斜日栏杆人自凭。

憑欄人向東風泣，茜裙偷傍桃花立。Leaning on the rail, she weeps toward the east wind; in her madder-red skirt she steals close to stand beside the peach blossoms.

凭栏人向东风泣，茜裙偷傍桃花立。

桃花桃葉亂紛紛，花綻新紅葉凝碧。Peach blossoms and peach leaves scatter in disarray; the flowers unfold fresh red, the leaves congeal in jade green.

桃花桃叶乱纷纷，花绽新红叶凝碧。

霧裹煙封一萬株，烘樓照壁紅模糊。Mist wraps and haze seals ten thousand trees; their glow warms the tower, lights the wall, a blur of red.

雾裹烟封一万株，烘楼照壁红模糊。

天机燒破鴛鴦錦，春酣欲醒移珊枕。Heaven's loom has burned through the mandarin-duck brocade; drunk with spring and about to wake, she shifts her coral pillow.

天机烧破鸳鸯锦，春酣欲醒移珊枕。

侍女金盆進水來，香泉影蘸胭脂冷。Her maid brings in a golden basin of water; the fragrant spring's reflection, dipped in rouge, runs cold.

侍女金盆进水来，香泉影蘸胭脂冷。

胭脂鮮艷何相類，花之顏色人之淚，To what shall the rouge's bright freshness be compared? — to the color of the blossoms, to the tears of the person.

胭脂鲜艳何相类，花之颜色人之泪，

若將人淚比桃花，淚自長流花自媚。If one likens the person's tears to the peach blossoms, the tears flow on forever while the blossoms charm on.

若将人泪比桃花，泪自长流花自媚。

淚眼觀花淚易乾，淚乾春盡花憔悴。Tear-filled eyes gaze at the flowers, and the tears soon dry; once the tears are dry, spring ends, and the flowers wither.

泪眼观花泪易干，泪干春尽花憔悴。

憔悴花遮憔悴人，花飛人倦易黃昏。Withered blossoms screen the withered person; as the blossoms fly and the person tires, dusk comes easily.

憔悴花遮憔悴人，花飞人倦易黄昏。

一聲杜宇春歸盡，寂寞帘櫳空月痕！At one cry of the cuckoo, spring returns to its end entirely — lonely the blind and lattice, empty the trace of moonlight!

一声杜宇春归尽，寂寞帘栊空月痕！

寶玉看了并不稱贊，卻滾下淚來。Having read it, Baoyu did not praise it at all, but tears rolled down his face.便知出自黛玉，因此落下淚來，又怕眾人看見，又忙自己擦了。He knew at once it must have come from Daiyu, and that was why the tears fell; then, afraid the others would see, he hastily wiped them away himself.因問：“你們怎麼得來？”寶琴笑道：“你猜是誰做的？”寶玉笑道：“自然是瀟湘子稿。”寶琴笑道：“現是我作的呢。”寶玉笑道：“我不信。He then asked, "Where did you get this?" Baoqin said with a laugh, "Guess who wrote it." Baoyu said with a laugh, "It must be a draft from the Mistress of Xiaoxiang, of course." Baoqin said with a laugh, "As it happens, I wrote it." Baoyu said with a laugh, "I don't believe it.這聲調口氣，迥乎不像蘅蕪之体，所以不信。”寶釵笑道：“所以你不通。The tone and voice of it are utterly unlike the style of Hengwu Court, that's why I don't believe it." Baochai said with a laugh, "That just shows how unenlightened you are.難道杜工部首首只作‘叢菊兩開他日淚’之句不成！Did Du Fu really write nothing but lines like 'the clustered chrysanthemums have twice bloomed, tears of other days' in every single poem he ever wrote?一般的也有‘紅綻雨肥梅’‘水荇牽風翠帶長’之媚語。”寶玉笑道：“固然如此說。He also had charming lines like 'rain has plumped the mume, its red bursting open' and 'water plants trail in the wind, their kingfisher-green ribbons long.'" Baoyu said with a laugh, "That's true enough as you put it.但我知道姐姐斷不許妹妹有此傷悼語句，妹妹雖有此才，是斷不肯作的。But I know that you, Cousin, would never allow your sister to write such mournful, grieving lines; and though she has the talent for it, she would certainly never consent to compose them.比不得林妹妹曾經離喪，作此哀音。”眾人聽說，都笑了。It's not like Cousin Lin, who has known separation and bereavement, and so writes such sorrowful strains." When the others heard this, they all laughed.

宝玉看了并不称赞，却滚下泪来。便知出自黛玉，因此落下泪来，又怕众人看见，又忙自己擦了。因问：“你们怎么得来？”宝琴笑道：“你猜是谁做的？”宝玉笑道：“自然是潇湘子稿。”宝琴笑道：“现是我作的呢。”宝玉笑道：“我不信。这声调口气，迥乎不像蘅芜之体，所以不信。”宝钗笑道：“所以你不通。难道杜工部首首只作‘丛菊两开他日泪’之句不成！一般的也有‘红绽雨肥梅’‘水荇牵风翠带长’之媚语。”宝玉笑道：“固然如此说。但我知道姐姐断不许妹妹有此伤悼语句，妹妹虽有此才，是断不肯作的。比不得林妹妹曾经离丧，作此哀音。”众人听说，都笑了。

已至稻香村中，將詩與李紈看了，自不必說稱賞不已。By now they had reached Paddy-Sweet Cottage, and when they showed the poem to Li Wan, it goes without saying she praised it without end.說起詩社，大家議定：明日乃三月初二日，就起社，便改“海棠社”為“桃花社”，林黛玉就為社主。When they spoke of the poetry club, everyone agreed: tomorrow, being the second day of the third month, they would found the club then, changing the "Begonia Club" to the "Peach Blossom Club," with Lin Daiyu as its president.明日飯後，齊集瀟湘館。Tomorrow, after the meal, they were all to gather at Bamboo Lodge.因又大家擬題。Then everyone set about drafting the topic.黛玉便說：“大家就要桃花詩一百韻。”寶釵道：“使不得。Daiyu said, "Let's all write peach-blossom poems in a hundred rhymes." Baochai said, "That won't do.從來桃花詩最多，縱作了必落套，比不得你這一首古風。There have always been more poems written on peach blossoms than on almost anything else; however well one writes, it's bound to fall into cliché — not like this old-style poem of yours.須得再擬。”正說著，人回：“舅太太來了。We really need to think of something else." Just as she was speaking, someone came in to report, "Your uncle's wife has arrived.姑娘出去請安。”因此大家都往前頭來見王子騰的夫人，陪著說話。The young ladies are asked to come out and pay their respects." So everyone went to the front apartments to see Wang Ziteng's wife and sat with her, keeping her company in conversation.吃飯畢，又陪入園中來，各處游頑一遍。After the meal was over, they accompanied her into the garden as well, touring and enjoying every corner of it.至晚飯後掌燈方去。Not until after the evening meal, when the lamps were lit, did she finally leave.

已至稻香村中，将诗与李纨看了，自不必说称赏不已。说起诗社，大家议定：明日乃三月初二日，就起社，便改“海棠社”为“桃花社”，林黛玉就为社主。明日饭后，齐集潇湘馆。因又大家拟题。黛玉便说：“大家就要桃花诗一百韵。”宝钗道：“使不得。从来桃花诗最多，纵作了必落套，比不得你这一首古风。须得再拟。”正说著，人回：“舅太太来了。姑娘出去请安。”因此大家都往前头来见王子腾的夫人，陪著说话。吃饭毕，又陪入园中来，各处游顽一遍。至晚饭后掌灯方去。

次日乃是探春的壽日，元春早打發了兩個小太監送了幾件頑器。The next day was Tanchun's birthday, and Yuanchun had already sent two young eunuchs ahead with several playthings as gifts.合家皆有壽儀，自不必說。Naturally the whole household presented birthday gifts as well, which goes without saying.飯後，探春換了禮服，各處行禮。After the meal, Tanchun changed into ceremonial dress and went about paying her respects everywhere.黛玉笑向眾人道：“我這一社開的又不巧了，偏忘了這兩日是他的生日。Daiyu said to the others with a laugh, "This club of mine has been founded at just the wrong time again — I quite forgot these two days were her birthday.雖不擺酒唱戲的，少不得都要陪他在老太太，太太跟前頑笑一日，如何能得閒空兒。”因此改至初五。Even though there's no banquet or opera being put on, we'll still all have to spend the day amusing her before Grandmother and Aunt — how could there be any free time?" So they postponed it to the fifth.

次日乃是探春的寿日，元春早打发了两个小太监送了几件顽器。合家皆有寿仪，自不必说。饭后，探春换了礼服，各处行礼。黛玉笑向众人道：“我这一社开的又不巧了，偏忘了这两日是他的生日。虽不摆酒唱戏的，少不得都要陪他在老太太，太太跟前顽笑一日，如何能得闲空儿。”因此改至初五。

這日眾姊妹皆在房中侍早膳畢，便有賈政書信到了。That day, once all the sisters had finished attending on the elders through breakfast in their rooms, a letter arrived from Jia Zheng.寶玉請安，將請賈母的安稟拆開念與賈母聽，上面不過是請安的話，說六月中准進京等語。Baoyu paid his respects, then opened the letter inquiring after Grandmother Jia's health and read it aloud to her; it held nothing but words of greeting, saying he expected to reach the capital by mid-sixth month, and the like.其餘家信事務之帖，自有賈璉和王夫人開讀。As for the rest of the letters concerning household affairs, Jia Lian and Lady Wang naturally opened and read those themselves.眾人聽說六七月回京，都喜之不盡。When everyone heard he would be back in the capital by the sixth or seventh month, they were overjoyed beyond measure.偏生近日王子騰之女許與保宁侯之子為妻，擇日于五月初十日過門，鳳姐兒又忙著張羅，常三五日不在家。As it happened, Wang Ziteng's daughter had recently been betrothed to the son of the Marquis of Baoning, with the wedding day chosen for the tenth of the fifth month, so Xifeng was again busy making all the arrangements, and was often away from home for three or five days at a stretch.這日王子騰的夫人又來接鳳姐兒，一并請眾甥男甥女閒樂一日。That day Wang Ziteng's wife came again to fetch Xifeng, inviting all her nephews and nieces along as well to spend a leisurely day of amusement.賈母和王夫人命寶玉、探春、林黛玉、寶釵四人同鳳姐去。Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang ordered the four of them — Baoyu, Tanchun, Lin Daiyu, and Baochai — to go along with Xifeng.眾人不敢違拗，只得回房去另妝飾了起來。None of them dared refuse, and so they went back to their rooms to dress and adorn themselves anew.五人作辭，去了一日，掌燈方回。The five of them took their leave, were gone the whole day, and did not return until the lamps were lit.寶玉進入怡紅院，歇了半刻，襲人便乘机見景勸他收一收心，閒時把書理一理預備著。Baoyu went into Happy Red Court and had rested but a short while when Xiren, seizing the opportunity of the moment, urged him to gather his thoughts a little and, in his spare time, go over his books in preparation.寶玉屈指算一算說：“還早呢。”襲人道：“書是第一件，字是第二件。Baoyu counted on his fingers and said, "There's still plenty of time." Xiren said, "Your reading is the first matter, your calligraphy the second.到那時你縱有了書，你的字寫的在那里呢？”寶玉笑道：“我時常也有寫的好些，難道都沒收著？”襲人道：“何曾沒收著。By the time it comes, even supposing you've mastered your books, where are all the pages you've written?" Baoyu said with a laugh, "I've written a good many at various times — surely they haven't all gone unkept?" Xiren said, "It's not that they haven't been kept.你昨兒不在家，我就拿出來共算，數了一數，纔有五六十篇。Yesterday, while you were out, I took them all out and counted them together — there turned out to be only fifty or sixty sheets in all.這三四年的工夫，難道只有這幾張字不成。After three or four years' effort, can it really be that there are only these few sheets of writing to show for it?依我說，從明日起，把別的心全收了起來，天天快臨幾張字補上。In my opinion, starting tomorrow you should put every other thought aside and, every day, quickly copy out a few more sheets to make up the difference.雖不能按日都有，也要大概看得過去。”寶玉聽了，忙的自己又親檢了一遍，實在搪塞不去，便說：“明日為始，一天寫一百字才好。”說話時大家安下。Even if you can't manage some every single day, it should at least look reasonably presentable on the whole." Hearing this, Baoyu hastily went and checked through them himself once more, and finding there was truly no way to fudge his way past it, said, "Starting tomorrow, I really must write a hundred characters a day." By the time they finished talking, everyone had settled down for the night.至次日起來梳洗了，便在窗下研墨，恭楷臨帖。The next day, once he had risen and washed and combed his hair, he ground ink by the window and copied model calligraphy in careful, formal script.賈母因不見他，只當病了，忙使人來問。Grandmother Jia, not seeing him about, assumed he must be ill, and hastily sent someone to ask after him.寶玉方去請安，便說寫字之故，先將早起清晨的工夫盡了出來，再作別的，因此出來遲了。Only then did Baoyu go to pay his respects, and explained it was on account of his calligraphy practice — he had first been giving the whole of the early morning hours to it before attending to anything else, which was why he had come out late.賈母聽了，便十分歡喜，吩咐他：“以後只管寫字念書，不用出來也使得。On hearing this, Grandmother Jia was delighted, and instructed him, "From now on, just go on with your writing and reading — it's quite all right if you don't come out.你去回你太太知道。”寶玉聽說，便往王夫人房中來說明。Go and let your mother know as well." Baoyu, hearing this, went to Lady Wang's rooms to explain.王夫人便說：“臨陣磨槍，也不中用。Lady Wang said, "Sharpening your spear only when the battle is already at hand won't do any good.有這會子著急，天天寫寫念念，有多少完不了的。Getting anxious only at this late hour and writing and reading every single day — how much of it could possibly be finished in time?這一赶，又赶出病來纔罷。”寶玉回說不妨事。Rushing like this, you'll only rush yourself into illness before you're done." Baoyu replied that it would be no trouble.這里賈母也說怕急出病來。Grandmother Jia too said she feared he might make himself ill from the anxiety.探春寶釵等都笑說：“老太太不用急。Tanchun, Baochai, and the others all said with a laugh, "Grandmother needn't worry.書雖替他不得，字卻替得的。His reading, of course, we can't do for him, but his calligraphy we can.我們每人每日臨一篇給他，搪塞過這一步就完了。If each of us copies out one sheet a day for him, that will get him past this hurdle and it will all be settled.一則老爺到家不生氣，二則他也急不出病來。”賈母聽說，喜之不盡。That way, first, the Master won't be angry when he gets home, and second, he won't make himself ill from worry." When Grandmother Jia heard this, she was overjoyed beyond measure.

这日众姊妹皆在房中侍早膳毕，便有贾政书信到了。宝玉请安，将请贾母的安禀拆开念与贾母听，上面不过是请安的话，说六月中准进京等语。其余家信事务之帖，自有贾琏和王夫人开读。众人听说六七月回京，都喜之不尽。偏生近日王子腾之女许与保宁侯之子为妻，择日于五月初十日过门，凤姐儿又忙著张罗，常三五日不在家。这日王子腾的夫人又来接凤姐儿，一并请众甥男甥女闲乐一日。贾母和王夫人命宝玉、探春、林黛玉、宝钗四人同凤姐去。众人不敢违拗，只得回房去另妆饰了起来。五人作辞，去了一日，掌灯方回。宝玉进入怡红院，歇了半刻，袭人便乘机见景劝他收一收心，闲时把书理一理预备著。宝玉屈指算一算说：“还早呢。”袭人道：“书是第一件，字是第二件。到那时你纵有了书，你的字写的在那里呢？”宝玉笑道：“我时常也有写的好些，难道都没收著？”袭人道：“何曾没收著。你昨儿不在家，我就拿出来共算，数了一数，才有五六十篇。这三四年的工夫，难道只有这几张字不成。依我说，从明日起，把别的心全收了起来，天天快临几张字补上。虽不能按日都有，也要大概看得过去。”宝玉听了，忙的自己又亲检了一遍，实在搪塞不去，便说：“明日为始，一天写一百字才好。”说话时大家安下。至次日起来梳洗了，便在窗下研墨，恭楷临帖。贾母因不见他，只当病了，忙使人来问。宝玉方去请安，便说写字之故，先将早起清晨的工夫尽了出来，再作别的，因此出来迟了。贾母听了，便十分欢喜，吩咐他：“以后只管写字念书，不用出来也使得。你去回你太太知道。”宝玉听说，便往王夫人房中来说明。王夫人便说：“临阵磨枪，也不中用。有这会子著急，天天写写念念，有多少完不了的。这一赶，又赶出病来才罢。”宝玉回说不妨事。这里贾母也说怕急出病来。探春宝钗等都笑说：“老太太不用急。书虽替他不得，字却替得的。我们每人每日临一篇给他，搪塞过这一步就完了。一则老爷到家不生气，二则他也急不出病来。”贾母听说，喜之不尽。

原來林黛玉聞得賈政回家，必問寶玉的功課，寶玉肯分心，恐臨期吃了虧。It turned out that Lin Daiyu, on hearing that Jia Zheng would be coming home and would certainly ask about Baoyu's schoolwork, worried that Baoyu might let his attention wander and suffer for it when the time came.因此自己只裝作不耐煩，把詩社便不起，也不以外事去勾引他。For this reason she herself pretended to be out of patience with it all, did not revive the poetry club, and took care not to draw him into any outside distractions.探春寶釵二人每日也臨一篇楷書字與寶玉，寶玉自己每日也加工，或寫二百三百不拘。Tanchun and Baochai likewise copied out a sheet of regular-script calligraphy for Baoyu every day, while Baoyu himself also worked harder each day, writing two or three hundred characters without fixed limit.至三月下旬，便將字又集湊出許多來。By the last third of the third month, a great many more sheets had been gathered together in this way.這日正算，再得五十篇，也就混的過了。Reckoning it up that day, he found that with fifty more sheets he could just about get by.誰知紫鵑走來，送了一卷東西與寶玉，拆開看時，卻是一色老油竹紙上臨的鐘王蠅頭小楷，字跡且與自己十分相似。Who should come but Zijuan, bringing a roll of something for Baoyu; when he opened it and looked, it turned out to be fly-head-small regular script in the style of Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi, copied out entirely on old glazed bamboo paper, and the handwriting, moreover, closely resembled his own.喜的寶玉和紫鵑作了一個揖，又親自來道謝。Overjoyed, Baoyu bowed to Zijuan with folded hands, and then went in person to offer his thanks as well.史湘雲寶琴二人亦皆臨了幾篇相送。Shi Xiangyun and Baoqin, the two of them, also each copied out several sheets and sent them along as gifts.湊成雖不足功課，亦足搪塞了。Pieced together, though it still fell short of the full assignment, it was enough to serve as a fudge to get him by.寶玉放了心，于是將所應讀之書，又溫理過幾遍。His mind now at ease, Baoyu went back over the books he was supposed to have studied, reviewing them several times more.正是天天用功，可巧近海一帶海嘯，又遭踏了幾處生民。Just as he was applying himself diligently day after day, it happened that a tidal wave struck the coastal region, and several places had their inhabitants trampled and ravaged by it.地方官題本奏聞，奉旨就著賈政順路查看賑濟回來。The local officials submitted a memorial reporting this to the throne, and an imperial edict directed Jia Zheng to inspect the disaster relief on his way back.如此算去，至冬底方回。Reckoning it this way, he would not return until the end of winter.寶玉聽了，便把書字又擱過一邊，仍是照舊游蕩。When Baoyu heard this, he set his books aside once more and went back to idling about as before.

原来林黛玉闻得贾政回家，必问宝玉的功课，宝玉肯分心，恐临期吃了亏。因此自己只装作不耐烦，把诗社便不起，也不以外事去勾引他。探春宝钗二人每日也临一篇楷书字与宝玉，宝玉自己每日也加工，或写二百三百不拘。至三月下旬，便将字又集凑出许多来。这日正算，再得五十篇，也就混的过了。谁知紫鹃走来，送了一卷东西与宝玉，拆开看时，却是一色老油竹纸上临的钟王蝇头小楷，字迹且与自己十分相似。喜的宝玉和紫鹃作了一个揖，又亲自来道谢。史湘云宝琴二人亦皆临了几篇相送。凑成虽不足功课，亦足搪塞了。宝玉放了心，于是将所应读之书，又温理过几遍。正是天天用功，可巧近海一带海啸，又遭踏了几处生民。地方官题本奏闻，奉旨就著贾政顺路查看赈济回来。如此算去，至冬底方回。宝玉听了，便把书字又搁过一边，仍是照旧游荡。

時值暮春之際，史湘雲無聊，因見柳花飄舞，便偶成一小令，調寄《如夢令》，其詞曰：It was now the close of spring, and Shi Xiangyun, having nothing to do, saw the willow catkins drifting in the wind and on impulse composed a short lyric, to the tune "Ru Meng Ling" (As in a Dream), which read:

时值暮春之际，史湘云无聊，因见柳花飘舞，便偶成一小令，调寄《如梦令》，其词曰：

豈是繡絨殘吐，卷起半帘香霧，纖手自拈來，空使鵑啼燕妒。Is it not like scattered wisps of silk floss spat forth, rolling up half a curtain of fragrant mist? With slender fingers I pluck it up myself — in vain do cuckoos cry and swallows envy.且住，且住！Stay a while, stay a while!莫使春光別去。Do not let the springtime go away.

岂是绣绒残吐，卷起半帘香雾，纤手自拈来，空使鹃啼燕妒。且住，且住！莫使春光别去。

自己作了，心中得意，便用一條紙兒寫好，與寶釵看了，又來找黛玉。Having composed it herself, she was quite pleased with it, and wrote it out neatly on a slip of paper. She showed it to Baochai first, then went to find Daiyu.黛玉看畢，笑道：“好，也新鮮有趣。When Daiyu had finished reading it, she laughed and said, "Good — it's fresh and delightful too.我卻不能。”湘雲笑道：“咱們這幾社總沒有填詞。But I could never manage such a thing." Xiangyun laughed and said, "In all our poetry club gatherings we have never once composed song-lyrics (ci).你明日何不起社填詞，改個樣兒，豈不新鮮些。”黛玉聽了，偶然興動，便說：“這話說的极是。Why don't you convene the club tomorrow and have everyone write ci on willow catkins — a change of style would surely be refreshing." Hearing this, Daiyu felt a sudden stirring of enthusiasm and said, "That's an excellent idea.我如今便請他們去。”說著，一面吩咐預備了幾色果點之類，一面就打發人分頭去請眾人。I shall go invite them all now." So saying, she gave orders to prepare various fruits and refreshments, and at the same time sent people off in different directions to invite everyone.這里他二人便擬了柳絮之題，又限出幾個調來，寫了綰在壁上。The two of them then settled on "willow catkins" as the topic, and further assigned several tune-titles, writing them out and pinning them to the wall.

自己作了，心中得意，便用一条纸儿写好，与宝钗看了，又来找黛玉。黛玉看毕，笑道：“好，也新鲜有趣。我却不能。”湘云笑道：“咱们这几社总没有填词。你明日何不起社填词，改个样儿，岂不新鲜些。”黛玉听了，偶然兴动，便说：“这话说的极是。我如今便请他们去。”说著，一面吩咐预备了几色果点之类，一面就打发人分头去请众人。这里他二人便拟了柳絮之题，又限出几个调来，写了绾在壁上。

眾人來看時，以柳絮為題，限各色小調。When everyone came to look, they found that "willow catkins" was the set topic, with various tune-titles assigned to each person.又都看了史湘雲的，稱賞了一回。They also read over Shi Xiangyun's lyric and praised it for a while.寶玉笑道：“這詞上我們平常，少不得也要胡謅起來。”于是大家拈鬮，寶釵便拈得了《臨江仙》，寶琴拈得《西江月》，探春拈得了《南柯子》，黛玉拈得了《唐多令》，寶玉拈得了《蝶戀花》。Baoyu laughed and said, "None of us is especially skilled at ci — still, we'll have to scribble something out." So everyone drew lots: Baochai drew "Linjiang Xian" (Immortal by the River), Baoqin drew "Xijiang Yue" (Moon over the West River), Tanchun drew "Nanke Zi" (A Southern Dream), Daiyu drew "Tangduo Ling" (Song of Tang Multitude), and Baoyu drew "Dielian Hua" (Butterflies Love Flowers).紫鵑炷了一支夢甜香，大家思索起來。Zijuan lit a stick of "sweet dream" incense, and everyone set to thinking.一時黛玉有了，寫完。Before long Daiyu had hers ready and finished writing it out.接著寶琴寶釵都有了。Next Baoqin and Baochai both finished as well.他三人寫完，互相看時，寶釵便笑道：“我先瞧完了你們的，再看我的。”探春笑道：“噯呀，今兒這香怎麼這樣快，已剩了三分了。When the three of them had finished writing and were comparing what they had, Baochai laughed and said, "Let me finish reading yours first, then I'll show mine." Tanchun said with a laugh, "Oh dear, how fast this incense is burning today — already only three-tenths of it is left.我才有了半首。”因又問寶玉可有了。I've only just gotten half a lyric done." She then asked whether Baoyu had finished his.寶玉雖作了些，只是自己嫌不好，又都抹了，要另作，回頭看香，已將燼了。Baoyu had indeed written some lines, but disliking them himself, he crossed them all out meaning to start over, and when he looked back at the incense stick, it had nearly burned to ash.李紈笑道：“這算輸了。Li Wan said with a laugh, "This counts as a loss.蕉丫頭的半首且寫出來。”探春聽說，忙寫了出來。Let's have Banana Girl's half-lyric written out for us first." At this, Tanchun hastened to write hers out.眾人看時，上面卻只半首《南柯子》，寫道是：When everyone looked, it was only half a "Nanke Zi," which read:

众人来看时，以柳絮为题，限各色小调。又都看了史湘云的，称赏了一回。宝玉笑道：“这词上我们平常，少不得也要胡诌起来。”于是大家拈阄，宝钗便拈得了《临江仙》，宝琴拈得《西江月》，探春拈得了《南柯子》，黛玉拈得了《唐多令》，宝玉拈得了《蝶恋花》。紫鹃炷了一支梦甜香，大家思索起来。一时黛玉有了，写完。接著宝琴宝钗都有了。他三人写完，互相看时，宝钗便笑道：“我先瞧完了你们的，再看我的。”探春笑道：“嗳呀，今儿这香怎么这样快，已剩了三分了。我才有了半首。”因又问宝玉可有了。宝玉虽作了些，只是自己嫌不好，又都抹了，要另作，回头看香，已将烬了。李纨笑道：“这算输了。蕉丫头的半首且写出来。”探春听说，忙写了出来。众人看时，上面却只半首《南柯子》，写道是：

空挂纖纖縷，徒垂絡絡絲，也難綰系也難羈，一任東西南北各分離。In vain it hangs in slender threads, uselessly trailing looped and tangled strands; it can be neither tied nor tethered, but is left to drift apart, east, west, south, and north.

空挂纤纤缕，徒垂络络丝，也难绾系也难羁，一任东西南北各分离。

李紈笑道：“這也卻好作，何不續上？”寶玉見香沒了，情願認負，不肯勉強塞責，將筆擱下，來瞧這半首。Li Wan laughed and said, "Why, this would be easy to finish — why not add on to it?" Seeing that the incense had burned out, Baoyu was willing to accept defeat and did not want to force out something careless just to fill his quota; he set down his brush and came over to look at this half-lyric.見沒完時，反倒動了興開了机，乃提筆續道是：Seeing that it was unfinished, he instead felt his interest stirred and his creative spark kindled, and taking up his brush he continued it, writing:

李纨笑道：“这也却好作，何不续上？”宝玉见香没了，情愿认负，不肯勉强塞责，将笔搁下，来瞧这半首。见没完时，反倒动了兴开了机，乃提笔续道是：

落去君休惜，飛來我自知。When it falls, my lord, do not grieve — when it flies, I shall know it myself.鶯愁蝶倦晚芳時，縱是明春再見隔年期！Orioles grieve and butterflies tire in this late fragrant season; though we meet again next spring, a whole year will lie between!

落去君休惜，飞来我自知。莺愁蝶倦晚芳时，纵是明春再见隔年期！

眾人笑道：“正經你分內的又不能，這卻偏有了。Everyone laughed and said, "The part that was properly your own share you couldn't manage, yet this you happened to come up with!縱然好，也不算得。”說著，看黛玉的《唐多令》：Even if it's good, it doesn't really count." So saying, they turned to look at Daiyu's "Tangduo Ling":

众人笑道：“正经你分内的又不能，这却偏有了。纵然好，也不算得。”说著，看黛玉的《唐多令》：

粉墮百花州，香殘燕子樓。Powder falls over the Hundred Flowers Isle, fragrance fades from the Swallow Tower.一團團逐對成毬。Cluster upon cluster, they chase in pairs to form little balls.飄泊亦如人命薄，空繾綣，說風流。Drifting and tossed about, just like a person's thin fate — vainly do they cling and linger, speaking of romance.

粉堕百花州，香残燕子楼。一团团逐对成毬。飘泊亦如人命薄，空缱绻，说风流。

草木也知愁，韶華竟白頭！Even the grasses and trees know sorrow — how has splendid youth turned white-headed so soon!歎今生誰捨誰收？I sigh: in this life, who will cast them off, and who will gather them in?嫁與東風春不管，憑爾去，忍淹留。Married off to the east wind, spring cares nothing for them — let them go as they will, they cannot bear to be detained.

草木也知愁，韶华竟白头！叹今生谁舍谁收？嫁与东风春不管，凭尔去，忍淹留。

眾人看了，俱點頭感歎，說：“太作悲了，好是固然好的。”因又看寶琴的是《西江月》：When everyone had read it, they all nodded and sighed, saying, "It's made too sorrowful — though it is certainly good." They then went on to look at Baoqin's "Xijiang Yue":

众人看了，俱点头感叹，说：“太作悲了，好是固然好的。”因又看宝琴的是《西江月》：

漢苑零星有限，隋堤點綴無窮。In the Han imperial gardens they were but scattered and few; along the Sui dike they adorned it without end.三春事業付東風，明月梅花一夢。The whole business of spring is handed over to the east wind — a bright moon, a dream of plum blossoms.

汉苑零星有限，隋堤点缀无穷。三春事业付东风，明月梅花一梦。

幾處落紅庭院，誰家香雪帘櫳？In several courtyards the fallen red lies scattered; at whose house do fragrant snow-flakes drift past the curtained window?江南江北一般同，偏是離人恨重！South of the river or north of the river, it is all the same — it is only the parted traveler whose resentment runs deep!

几处落红庭院，谁家香雪帘栊？江南江北一般同，偏是离人恨重！

眾人都笑說：“到底是他的聲調壯。‘幾處’‘誰家’兩句最妙。”寶釵笑道：“終不免過於喪敗。Everyone laughed and said, "In the end her tone has real force. The two lines 'in several courtyards' and 'at whose house' are the finest." Baochai said with a laugh, "Still, it can't avoid being rather too dispirited and defeated.我想，柳絮原是一件輕薄無根無絆的東西，然依我的主意，偏要把他說好了，才不落套。I think that since willow catkins are by nature a light, frivolous thing with no root and no attachment, my own idea, on the contrary, was to insist on speaking well of them, so as not to fall into the usual mold.所以我謅了一首來，未必合你們的意思。”眾人笑道：“不要太謙。So I have scribbled out one, though it may not suit your taste." Everyone laughed and said, "Don't be so modest.我們且賞鑒，自然是好的。”因看這一首《臨江仙》道是：Let us just appreciate it — it is bound to be good." They then looked at this "Linjiang Xian," which read:

众人都笑说：“到底是他的声调壮。‘几处’‘谁家’两句最妙。”宝钗笑道：“终不免过于丧败。我想，柳絮原是一件轻薄无根无绊的东西，然依我的主意，偏要把他说好了，才不落套。所以我诌了一首来，未必合你们的意思。”众人笑道：“不要太谦。我们且赏鉴，自然是好的。”因看这一首《临江仙》道是：

白玉堂前春解舞，東風卷得均勻。Before the Hall of White Jade, spring knows how to dance — the east wind rolls it up evenly and smoothly.

白玉堂前春解舞，东风卷得均匀。

湘雲先笑道：“好一個‘東風卷得均勻’！Xiangyun spoke up first, laughing, "What a fine line — 'the east wind rolls it up evenly and smoothly'!這一句就出人之上了。”又看底下道：This single line already surpasses everyone else's." They went on reading below:

湘云先笑道：“好一个‘东风卷得均匀’！这一句就出人之上了。”又看底下道：

蜂團蝶陣亂紛紛。Bees swarm and butterflies throng in wild confusion.幾曾隨逝水，豈必委芳塵。When have they ever followed the flowing water away? Nor need they be abandoned to the fragrant dust.

蜂团蝶阵乱纷纷。几曾随逝水，岂必委芳尘。

萬縷千絲終不改，任他隨聚隨分。Ten thousand threads and a thousand strands never truly change, whether they gather together or scatter apart at will.韶華休笑本無根，好風頻借力，送我上青雲！Do not mock splendid youth for having no root — a good wind will lend its strength again and again, to send me soaring up into the blue clouds!

万缕千丝终不改，任他随聚随分。韶华休笑本无根，好风频借力，送我上青云！

眾人拍案叫絕，都說：“果然翻得好氣力，自然是這首為尊。Everyone slapped the table and cried out in admiration, saying, "What vigor, truly, in the way she turns the theme around — this one is naturally the finest.纏綿悲戚，讓瀟湘妃子，情致嫵媚，卻是枕霞，小薛與蕉客今日落第，要受罰的。”寶琴笑道：“我們自然受罰，但不知付白卷子的又怎麼罰？”李紈道：“不要忙，這定要重重罰他。For lingering tenderness and mournful feeling, let it go to the Xiao-Xiang Consort; for charm and graceful sentiment, it belongs to Zhenxia. Little Xue and Banana Girl have both failed today and must be punished." Baoqin said with a laugh, "Of course we should be punished, but I wonder how the one who handed in a blank paper is to be punished?" Li Wan said, "No hurry — he must certainly be punished severely,下次為例。”to serve as a precedent for next time."

众人拍案叫绝，都说：“果然翻得好气力，自然是这首为尊。缠绵悲戚，让潇湘妃子，情致妩媚，却是枕霞，小薛与蕉客今日落第，要受罚的。”宝琴笑道：“我们自然受罚，但不知付白卷子的又怎么罚？”李纨道：“不要忙，这定要重重罚他。下次为例。”

一語未了，只聽窗外竹子上一聲響，恰似窗屜子倒了一般，眾人唬了一跳。Before the words were even finished, they suddenly heard a sound outside the window, up in the bamboo, exactly as if a window lattice had toppled over, and everyone was given a fright.丫鬟們出去瞧時，帘外丫鬟嚷道：“一個大蝴蝶風箏挂在竹梢上了。”眾丫鬟笑道：“好一個齊整風箏！When the maids went out to look, one of them outside the curtain called out, "A great butterfly kite has caught on the bamboo tips!" The other maids laughed and said, "What a fine, well-made kite!不知是誰家放斷了繩，拿下他來。”寶玉等聽了，也都出來看時，寶玉笑道：“我認得這風箏。I wonder whose it is — the string must have snapped while they were flying it. Let's take it down." Baoyu and the others, hearing this, all went out to look too, and Baoyu said with a laugh, "I recognize this kite.這是大老爺那院里嬌紅姑娘放的，拿下來給他送過去罷。”紫鵑笑道：“難道天下沒有一樣的風箏，單他有這個不成？This is the one Miss Jiaohong from Uncle Da's household over there flies. Let's take it down and send it back to her." Zijuan said with a laugh, "Surely there isn't only one kite like this in the whole world — is this really the only one of its kind?我不管，我且拿起來。”探春道：“紫鵑也學小氣了。I don't care, I'm going to keep it for myself." Tanchun said, "Even Zijuan has taken to being petty.你們一般的也有，這會子拾人走了的，也不怕忌諱。”黛玉笑道：“可是呢，知道是誰放晦氣的，快掉出去罷。The rest of you have the same kind too — to pick up something someone else has flown away and lost is not something to do without minding the taboo." Daiyu said with a laugh, "That's just it — since we know whose bad luck it was being flown away, let's hurry and toss it back out.把咱們的拿出來，咱們也放晦氣。”紫鵑聽了，赶著命小丫頭們將這風箏送出與園門上值日的婆子去了，倘有人來找，好與他們去的。Bring out our own kite, and we'll fly away our own bad luck too." Hearing this, Zijuan promptly had the little maids send this kite out to the old woman on duty at the garden gate, so that if anyone came looking for it, they could give it to them there.

一语未了，只听窗外竹子上一声响，恰似窗屉子倒了一般，众人唬了一跳。丫鬟们出去瞧时，帘外丫鬟嚷道：“一个大蝴蝶风筝挂在竹梢上了。”众丫鬟笑道：“好一个齐整风筝！不知是谁家放断了绳，拿下他来。”宝玉等听了，也都出来看时，宝玉笑道：“我认得这风筝。这是大老爷那院里娇红姑娘放的，拿下来给他送过去罢。”紫鹃笑道：“难道天下没有一样的风筝，单他有这个不成？我不管，我且拿起来。”探春道：“紫鹃也学小气了。你们一般的也有，这会子拾人走了的，也不怕忌讳。”黛玉笑道：“可是呢，知道是谁放晦气的，快掉出去罢。把咱们的拿出来，咱们也放晦气。”紫鹃听了，赶著命小丫头们将这风筝送出与园门上值日的婆子去了，倘有人来找，好与他们去的。

這里小丫頭們聽見放風箏，巴不得七手八腳都忙著拿出個美人風箏來。Meanwhile, the little maids, on hearing that kites were to be flown, could hardly wait, and scrambling about eagerly, hastened to bring out a Beauty kite.也有搬高凳去的，也有捆剪子股的，也有拔籰子的。Some went to fetch a tall stool, some wound the string onto the crossed reel-frame, some pulled out the spool.寶釵等都立在院門前，命丫頭們在院外敞地下放去。Baochai and the others all stood before the courtyard gate and had the maids go out to the open ground outside the courtyard to fly them.寶琴笑道：“你這個不大好看，不如三姐姐的那一個軟翅子大鳳凰好。”寶釵笑道：“果然。”因回頭向翠墨笑道：“你把你們的拿來也放放。”翠墨笑嘻嘻的果然也取去了。Baoqin said with a laugh, "This one of yours isn't very good-looking — it's not as nice as Third Sister's soft-winged great phoenix." Baochai laughed, "True enough." So she turned and said to Cuimo with a laugh, "Go bring yours out too, and let's fly it." Cuimo, smiling broadly, went off and indeed fetched it.寶玉又興頭起來，也打發個小丫頭子家去，說：“把昨兒賴大娘送我的那個大魚取來。”小丫頭子去了半天，空手回來，笑道：“晴姑娘昨兒放走了。”寶玉道：“我還沒放一遭兒呢。”探春笑道：“橫豎是給你放晦氣罷了。”寶玉道：“也罷。Baoyu, his interest rising again, also sent a little maid home, saying, "Fetch that big fish kite that Nanny Lai gave me yesterday." The little maid was gone a long while and came back empty-handed, saying with a laugh, "Miss Qing flew it off and let it go yesterday." Baoyu said, "But I haven't flown it even once yet." Tanchun said with a laugh, "In any case it was only meant to fly away your bad luck." Baoyu said, "Very well then.再把那個大螃蟹拿來罷。”丫頭去了，同了幾個人扛了一個美人并籰子來，說道：“襲姑娘說，昨兒把螃蟹給了三爺了。Go fetch that big crab kite instead." The maid went off, and along with several others came carrying back a Beauty kite together with its reel, saying, "Miss Xiren says the crab kite was given to Third Master yesterday.這一個是林大娘才送來的，放這一個罷。”寶玉細看了一回，只見這美人做的十分精致。This one here was just sent over by Nanny Lin — let's fly this one instead." Baoyu looked it over carefully for a while; the Beauty figure on it was made with great delicacy and skill.心中歡喜，便命叫放起來。He was delighted, and gave orders to have it flown.此時探春的也取了來，翠墨帶著幾個小丫頭子們在那邊山坡上已放了起來。By this time Tanchun's kite had also been fetched, and Cuimo, together with several little maids, had already begun flying it over on the hillside on the other side.寶琴也命人將自己的一個大紅蝙蝠也取來。Baoqin also had someone fetch her own great red bat kite.寶釵也高興，也取了一個來，卻是一連七個大雁的，都放起來。Baochai, in high spirits too, had one of her own fetched — this one was a string of seven wild geese, one after another — and had it flown as well.獨有寶玉的美人放不起去。Baoyu's Beauty kite alone would not rise.寶玉說丫頭們不會放，自己放了半天，只起房高便落下來了。Baoyu said the maids didn't know how to fly it, and flew it himself for a good while, but it would only rise the height of a house before dropping back down.急的寶玉頭上出汗，眾人又笑。Baoyu grew so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead, and everyone laughed at him all the more.寶玉恨的擲在地下，指著風箏道：“若不是個美人，我一頓腳跺個稀爛。”黛玉笑道：“那是頂線不好，拿出去另使人打了頂線就好了。”寶玉一面使人拿去打頂線，一面又取一個來放。In his vexation Baoyu flung it to the ground and, pointing at the kite, said, "If it weren't shaped like a Beauty, I'd stamp it to bits with one good kick!" Daiyu said with a laugh, "That's because the bridle-string is no good — send it out and have someone else restring the bridle, and it will fly fine." Baoyu at once sent someone off to have the bridle-string redone, and meanwhile fetched another kite to fly in the meantime.大家都仰面而看，天上這幾個風箏都起在半空中去了。Everyone stood with faces turned upward watching, and up in the sky these several kites had all risen into midair.

这里小丫头们听见放风筝，巴不得七手八脚都忙著拿出个美人风筝来。也有搬高凳去的，也有捆剪子股的，也有拔籰子的。宝钗等都立在院门前，命丫头们在院外敞地下放去。宝琴笑道：“你这个不大好看，不如三姐姐的那一个软翅子大凤凰好。”宝钗笑道：“果然。”因回头向翠墨笑道：“你把你们的拿来也放放。”翠墨笑嘻嘻的果然也取去了。宝玉又兴头起来，也打发个小丫头子家去，说：“把昨儿赖大娘送我的那个大鱼取来。”小丫头子去了半天，空手回来，笑道：“晴姑娘昨儿放走了。”宝玉道：“我还没放一遭儿呢。”探春笑道：“横竖是给你放晦气罢了。”宝玉道：“也罢。再把那个大螃蟹拿来罢。”丫头去了，同了几个人扛了一个美人并籰子来，说道：“袭姑娘说，昨儿把螃蟹给了三爷了。这一个是林大娘才送来的，放这一个罢。”宝玉细看了一回，只见这美人做的十分精致。心中欢喜，便命叫放起来。此时探春的也取了来，翠墨带著几个小丫头子们在那边山坡上已放了起来。宝琴也命人将自己的一个大红蝙蝠也取来。宝钗也高兴，也取了一个来，却是一连七个大雁的，都放起来。独有宝玉的美人放不起去。宝玉说丫头们不会放，自己放了半天，只起房高便落下来了。急的宝玉头上出汗，众人又笑。宝玉恨的掷在地下，指著风筝道：“若不是个美人，我一顿脚跺个稀烂。”黛玉笑道：“那是顶线不好，拿出去另使人打了顶线就好了。”宝玉一面使人拿去打顶线，一面又取一个来放。大家都仰面而看，天上这几个风筝都起在半空中去了。

一時丫鬟們又拿了許多各式各樣的送飯的來，頑了一回。Presently the maids brought out many more kites of all different shapes, styled as "food-carriers," and they played on for a while.紫鵑笑道：“這一回的勁大，姑娘來放罷。”黛玉聽說，用手帕墊著手，頓了一頓，果然風緊力大，接過籰子來，隨著風箏的勢將籰子一松，只聽一陣豁刺刺響，登時籰子線盡。Zijuan said with a laugh, "The wind is very strong this time — you should come fly it yourself, Miss." Hearing this, Daiyu padded her hand with a handkerchief and paused a moment; sure enough, the wind was brisk and strong, and taking the reel, she let it loose with the pull of the kite, and at once there came a whirring, rushing sound, and in no time the string on the reel had all run out.黛玉因讓眾人來放。Daiyu then invited the others to come take their turns flying.眾人都笑道：“各人都有，你先請罷。”黛玉笑道：“這一放雖有趣，只是不忍。”李紈道：“放風箏圖的是這一樂，所以又說放晦氣，你更該多放些，把你這病根兒都帶了去就好了。”紫鵑笑道：“我們姑娘越發小氣了。Everyone laughed and said, "Each of us has our own — you go first, please." Daiyu said with a laugh, "It's fun to fly it this way, but still, I can't bear to let it go." Li Wan said, "The whole point of flying kites is just this pleasure, which is why it's also called 'flying away bad luck' — you especially ought to fly more of them, so as to carry off the root of this illness of yours along with it." Zijuan said with a laugh, "Our young lady has grown ever so stingy.那一年不放幾個子，今忽然又心疼了。In years past she never minded letting go of several of them, and now all of a sudden she's grown reluctant.姑娘不放，等我放。”說著便向雪雁手中接過一把西洋小銀剪子來，齊籰子根下寸絲不留，咯登一聲鉸斷，笑道：“這一去把病根兒可都帶了去了。”那風箏飄飄搖搖，只管往後退了去，一時只有雞蛋大小，展眼只剩了一點黑星，再展眼便不見了。If the young lady won't let it go, then let me do it." So saying, she took a small Western silver scissors from Xueyan's hand, and right at the base of the reel, without leaving a single thread, snipped it through with a click, saying with a laugh, "This time it will surely carry off the root of the illness along with it." The kite went drifting and swaying, steadily receding into the distance, until in a moment it was no bigger than an egg, and in the blink of an eye only a single black speck remained, and with another blink it was gone altogether.眾人皆仰面睃眼說：“有趣，有趣。”寶玉道：“可惜不知落在那里去了。Everyone tilted their faces up, straining their eyes, and said, "How delightful, how delightful." Baoyu said, "What a pity — there's no telling where it has fallen.若落在有人煙處，被小孩子得了還好，若落在荒郊野外無人煙處，我替他寂寞。If it falls somewhere with people about, it would be well enough if some child got hold of it; but if it falls in some desolate wilderness where no one lives, I shall feel for its loneliness.想起來把我這個放去，教他兩個作伴兒罷。”于是也用剪子剪斷，照先放去。It occurs to me — let me send mine off too, so the two of them can keep each other company." So he too had the string cut with scissors, and let it go just as before.探春正要剪自己的鳳凰，見天上也有一個鳳凰，因道：“這也不知是誰家的。”眾人皆笑說：“且別剪你的，看他倒象要來絞的樣兒。”說著，只見那鳳凰漸逼近來，遂與這鳳凰絞在一處。Tanchun was just about to cut the string of her own phoenix kite when she noticed there was another phoenix up in the sky, and said, "I wonder whose this is." Everyone laughed and said, "Don't cut yours loose yet — watch, it looks as though it means to come tangle with yours." As they spoke, they saw that phoenix gradually draw nearer, until it did indeed become entangled with this one.眾人方要往下收線，那一家也要收線，正不開交，又見一個門扇大的玲瓏喜字帶響鞭，在半天如鐘鳴一般，也逼近來。Everyone was just about to reel in the line when it turned out the other household wanted to reel in theirs too, and just as the two were caught in this deadlock, they saw yet another kite, a door-panel-sized, openwork "Double Happiness" character kite fitted with a singing bowstring, which rang out overhead like a bell as it too drew near.眾人笑道：“這一個也來絞了。Everyone laughed and said, "Now this one has come to get tangled in it too.且別收，讓他三個絞在一處倒有趣呢。”說著，那喜字果然與這兩個鳳凰絞在一處。Don't reel it in yet — let the three of them get tangled together, it'll be more fun that way." Sure enough, as they spoke, the "Double Happiness" kite did become entangled together with the two phoenixes.三下齊收亂頓，誰知線都斷了，那三個風箏飄飄搖搖都去了。All three sides began reeling in at once amid the confusion, but as it turned out all the strings snapped, and the three kites went drifting and swaying off together.眾人拍手哄然一笑，說：“倒有趣，可不知那喜字是誰家的，忒促狹了些。”黛玉說：“我的風箏也放去了，我也乏了，我也要歇歇去了。”寶釵說：“且等我們放了去，大家好散。”說著，看姊妹都放去了，大家方散。Everyone clapped their hands and burst out laughing all at once, saying, "How delightful — though we'll never know whose the 'Double Happiness' kite was; it was rather too impish of it." Daiyu said, "My kite has flown off too, and I'm tired as well — I think I'll go rest now." Baochai said, "Just wait until we've all flown ours off, and then we can all break up together." So saying, she watched until all the sisters had let their kites go, and only then did everyone disperse.黛玉回房歪著養乏。Daiyu returned to her room and lay down to rest her weariness.要知端的，下回便見。To know what happened in the end, see the following chapter.

一时丫鬟们又拿了许多各式各样的送饭的来，顽了一回。紫鹃笑道：“这一回的劲大，姑娘来放罢。”黛玉听说，用手帕垫著手，顿了一顿，果然风紧力大，接过籰子来，随著风筝的势将籰子一松，只听一阵豁刺刺响，登时籰子线尽。黛玉因让众人来放。众人都笑道：“各人都有，你先请罢。”黛玉笑道：“这一放虽有趣，只是不忍。”李纨道：“放风筝图的是这一乐，所以又说放晦气，你更该多放些，把你这病根儿都带了去就好了。”紫鹃笑道：“我们姑娘越发小气了。那一年不放几个子，今忽然又心疼了。姑娘不放，等我放。”说著便向雪雁手中接过一把西洋小银剪子来，齐籰子根下寸丝不留，咯登一声铰断，笑道：“这一去把病根儿可都带了去了。”那风筝飘飘摇摇，只管往后退了去，一时只有鸡蛋大小，展眼只剩了一点黑星，再展眼便不见了。众人皆仰面睃眼说：“有趣，有趣。”宝玉道：“可惜不知落在那里去了。若落在有人烟处，被小孩子得了还好，若落在荒郊野外无人烟处，我替他寂寞。想起来把我这个放去，教他两个作伴儿罢。”于是也用剪子剪断，照先放去。探春正要剪自己的凤凰，见天上也有一个凤凰，因道：“这也不知是谁家的。”众人皆笑说：“且别剪你的，看他倒象要来绞的样儿。”说著，只见那凤凰渐逼近来，遂与这凤凰绞在一处。众人方要往下收线，那一家也要收线，正不开交，又见一个门扇大的玲珑喜字带响鞭，在半天如钟鸣一般，也逼近来。众人笑道：“这一个也来绞了。且别收，让他三个绞在一处倒有趣呢。”说著，那喜字果然与这两个凤凰绞在一处。三下齐收乱顿，谁知线都断了，那三个风筝飘飘摇摇都去了。众人拍手哄然一笑，说：“倒有趣，可不知那喜字是谁家的，忒促狭了些。”黛玉说：“我的风筝也放去了，我也乏了，我也要歇歇去了。”宝钗说：“且等我们放了去，大家好散。”说著，看姊妹都放去了，大家方散。黛玉回房歪著养乏。要知端的，下回便见。