一　麥場 The Wheat Field

一隻山羊在大道邊嚙嚼榆樹的根端。A goat was gnawing at the base of an elm tree by the roadside.

一只山羊在大道边啮嚼榆树的根端。

城外一條長長的大道，被榆樹蔭蒙蔽著。Outside the city, a long road lay hidden beneath the shade of elm trees.走在大道中，像是走進一個動蕩遮天的大傘。Walking along the road felt like walking into a great swaying umbrella that blotted out the sky.

城外一条长长的大道，被榆树荫蒙蔽著。走在大道中，像是走进一个动荡遮天的大伞。

山羊嘴嚼榆樹皮，黏沫從山羊的鬍子流延著。The goat chewed at the elm bark, sticky foam dripping down from its beard.被颳起的這些黏沫，彷彿是胰子的泡沫，又像粗重浮游著的絲條；This foam, blown up by the wind, looked like soap bubbles, or like thick, floating threads of silk;黏沫掛滿羊腿。the foam hung all over the goat's legs.榆樹顯然是生了瘡癤，榆樹帶著偌大的疤痕。The elm had clearly grown sores; it bore such enormous scars.山羊卻睡在蔭中，白囊一樣的肚皮起起落落……The goat, however, slept in the shade, its belly like a white sack rising and falling...

山羊嘴嚼榆树皮，黏沫从山羊的胡子流延著。被刮起的这些黏沫，彷佛是胰子的泡沫，又像粗重浮游著的丝条；黏沫挂满羊腿。榆树显然是生了疮疖，榆树带著偌大的疤痕。山羊却睡在荫中，白囊一样的肚皮起起落落……

菜田裏一個小孩慢慢地踱走。In the vegetable field a child wandered slowly to and fro.在草帽的蓋伏下，像是一顆大形的菌類。Beneath the straw hat that covered him, he looked like some large kind of mushroom.捕蝴蝶嗎？Was he catching butterflies?抓蚱蟲嗎？Was he catching grasshoppers?小孩在正午的太陽下。The child was there beneath the noon sun.

菜田里一个小孩慢慢地踱走。在草帽的盖伏下，像是一颗大形的菌类。捕蝴蝶吗？抓蚱虫吗？小孩在正午的太阳下。

很短時間以內，跌步的農夫也出現在菜田裏。Before long, a limping farmer also appeared in the vegetable field.一片白菜的顏色有些相近山羊的顏色。The color of a patch of cabbages was somewhat close to the color of the goat.

很短时间以内，跌步的农夫也出现在菜田里。一片白菜的颜色有些相近山羊的颜色。

毗連著菜田的南端生著青穗的高粱的林。Adjoining the south end of the vegetable field grew a grove of sorghum with green ears.小孩鑽入高粱之群裏，許多穗子被撞著，從頭頂墜下來。The child burrowed into the sorghum, and many ears, jostled loose, fell from overhead.有時也打在臉上。Sometimes they struck him in the face.葉子們交結著響，有時刺痛著皮膚。The leaves rustled together, tangled, and sometimes stung his skin.那裏是綠色的甜味的世界，顯然涼爽一些。There it was a green, sweet-smelling world, and clearly a little cooler.時間不久，小孩子爭鬥著又走出最末的那棵植物。Before long the child struggled his way out past the last of the stalks.立刻太陽燒著他的頭髮，急靈的他把帽子扣起來。At once the sun burned at his hair, and quick-witted, he clapped his hat back on.高空的藍天，遮覆住菜田上閃耀著的陽光，沒有一塊行雲。The high blue sky covered over the sunlight glinting on the vegetable field, without a single drifting cloud.一株柳條的短枝，小孩挾在腋下，走路他的兩腿膝蓋遠遠的分開，兩隻腳尖向裏勾著，勾得腿在抱著個盆樣。A short willow branch tucked under his arm, the child walked with his knees spread far apart, his toes curled inward, so that his legs looked as if they were cradling a basin.跌腳的農夫早已看清是自己的孩子了，他遠遠地完全用喉音在問著：The limping farmer had already seen clearly that it was his own child, and from a distance he called out, entirely in a gutteral voice:

毗连著菜田的南端生著青穗的高粱的林。小孩钻入高粱之群里，许多穗子被撞著，从头顶坠下来。有时也打在脸上。叶子们交结著响，有时刺痛著皮肤。那里是绿色的甜味的世界，显然凉爽一些。时间不久，小孩子争斗著又走出最末的那棵植物。立刻太阳烧著他的头发，急灵的他把帽子扣起来。高空的蓝天，遮覆住菜田上闪耀著的阳光，没有一块行云。一株柳条的短枝，小孩挟在腋下，走路他的两腿膝盖远远的分开，两只脚尖向里勾著，勾得腿在抱著个盆样。跌脚的农夫早已看清是自己的孩子了，他远远地完全用喉音在问著：

『羅圈腿，唉呀！……"Luoquantui, ai-ya!......不能找到？』"Couldn't find it?"

『罗圈腿，唉呀！……不能找到？』

這個孩子的名字十分象徵著他。This child's name suited him perfectly, a fitting symbol of who he was.他說：『沒有。』He said, "No."

这个孩子的名字十分象征著他。他说：『没有。』

菜田的邊道，小小的地盤，繡著野菜。Along the edge of the vegetable field, a small patch of ground was embroidered with wild greens.經過這條短道，前面就是二里半的房窩，他家門前種著一株楊樹，楊樹翻擺著自己的葉子。Past this short path lay Erliban's house; in front of his door grew a poplar tree, its leaves turning and tossing.每日二里半走在楊樹下，總是聽一聽楊樹的葉子怎樣響；Every day when Erliban walked beneath the poplar, he would always stop to listen to how its leaves rustled;看一看楊樹的葉子怎樣擺動？and watch how the poplar's leaves swayed.楊樹每天這樣……The poplar was like this every day...他也每天停腳。and every day he too stopped in his tracks.今天是他第一次破例，什麼他都忘記，只見跌腳跌得更深了！Today, for the first time, he broke this habit; he forgot everything else, and only his limp grew deeper still!每一步像在踏下一個坑去。Each step seemed to sink into a pit.

菜田的边道，小小的地盘，绣著野菜。经过这条短道，前面就是二里半的房窝，他家门前种著一株杨树，杨树翻摆著自己的叶子。每日二里半走在杨树下，总是听一听杨树的叶子怎样响；看一看杨树的叶子怎样摆动？杨树每天这样……他也每天停脚。今天是他第一次破例，什么他都忘记，只见跌脚跌得更深了！每一步像在踏下一个坑去。

土屋周圍，樹條編做成牆，楊樹一半蔭影洒落到院中；Around the mud hut, branches were woven into a fence; half the poplar's shade fell scattered into the yard;麻面婆在蔭影中洗濯衣裳。Mamianpo was washing clothes there in the shade.正午田圃間只留著寂靜，惟有蝴蝶們為著花，遠近的翩飛，不怕太陽燒毀牠們的翅膀。At noon only stillness remained among the fields and gardens; only the butterflies, drawn by the flowers, fluttered here and there near and far, unafraid that the sun might scorch their wings.一切都迴藏起來，一隻狗也尋著有蔭的地方睡了！Everything else had withdrawn into hiding; even a dog had found a shady spot and lay sleeping!蟲子們也迴藏不鳴！The insects too had hidden away and fallen silent!

土屋周围，树条编做成墙，杨树一半荫影洒落到院中；麻面婆在荫影中洗濯衣裳。正午田圃间只留著寂静，惟有蝴蝶们为著花，远近的翩飞，不怕太阳烧毁牠们的翅膀。一切都回藏起来，一只狗也寻著有荫的地方睡了！虫子们也回藏不鸣！

汗水在麻面婆的臉上，如珠如豆，漸漸侵著每個麻痕而下流。Sweat on Mamianpo's face, like beads, like beans, gradually crept into every pockmark and trickled downward.麻面婆不是一隻蝴蝶，她生不出燐膀來，只有印就的麻痕。Mamianpo was not a butterfly; she could grow no shimmering wings, only the pockmarks stamped upon her.

汗水在麻面婆的脸上，如珠如豆，渐渐侵著每个麻痕而下流。麻面婆不是一只蝴蝶，她生不出燐膀来，只有印就的麻痕。

兩隻蝴蝶飛戲著閃過麻面婆，她用濕的手把飛著的蝴蝶打下來，一個落到盆中溺死了！Two butterflies flitted playfully past Mamianpo; with her wet hand she struck at the flying butterflies, and one fell into the basin and drowned!她的身子向前繼續伏動，汗流到嘴了，她舐嘗一點鹽的味，汗流到眼睛的時候，那是非常辣，她急切用濕手揩拭一下，但仍不停的洗濯。Her body kept bending forward over her work; sweat ran down to her mouth, and she tasted a bit of its salt; when the sweat ran into her eyes it stung fiercely, and she hastily wiped it away with her wet hand, but did not stop washing.她的眼睛好像哭過一樣，揉擦出髒汙可笑的圈子，若遠看一點，那正合乎戲台上的丑角；Her eyes looked as though she had been crying, rubbed into dirty, comical rings; seen from a little distance, she looked exactly like a clown on the opera stage;眼睛大得那樣可怕，比起牛的眼睛來更大，而且臉上也有不定的花紋。her eyes were frighteningly large, larger even than an ox's eyes, and her face too was covered with irregular markings.

两只蝴蝶飞戏著闪过麻面婆，她用湿的手把飞著的蝴蝶打下来，一个落到盆中溺死了！她的身子向前继续伏动，汗流到嘴了，她舐尝一点盐的味，汗流到眼睛的时候，那是非常辣，她急切用湿手揩拭一下，但仍不停的洗濯。她的眼睛好像哭过一样，揉擦出脏污可笑的圈子，若远看一点，那正合乎戏台上的丑角；眼睛大得那样可怕，比起牛的眼睛来更大，而且脸上也有不定的花纹。

土屋的窗子，門，望去那和洞一樣。The windows and door of the mud hut, seen from afar, looked just like the mouths of caves.麻面婆踏進門，她去找另一件要洗的衣服，可是在炕上，她抓到了日影，但是不能拿起，她知道她的眼睛是暈花了！Mamianpo stepped through the door to look for another piece of clothing to wash, but on the kang what she grabbed was only a patch of sunlight, which she could not pick up—she realized her eyes had gone dazzled!好像在光明中忽然走進滅了燈的夜。It was as if, out of brightness, she had suddenly stepped into a night with the lamp put out.她休息下來。She stopped to rest.感到非常涼爽。She felt wonderfully cool.過了一會在蓆子下面她抽出一條自己的褲子。After a while she drew out one of her own trousers from under the mat.她用褲子抹著頭上的汗，一面走回樹蔭放著盆的地方，她把褲子也浸進泥漿去。She wiped the sweat from her head with the trousers, and as she walked back to the shady spot where the basin stood, she plunged the trousers into the muddy water too.

土屋的窗子，门，望去那和洞一样。麻面婆踏进门，她去找另一件要洗的衣服，可是在炕上，她抓到了日影，但是不能拿起，她知道她的眼睛是晕花了！好像在光明中忽然走进灭了灯的夜。她休息下来。感到非常凉爽。过了一会在席子下面她抽出一条自己的裤子。她用裤子抹著头上的汗，一面走回树荫放著盆的地方，她把裤子也浸进泥浆去。

褲子在盆中大概還沒有洗完，可是搭到籬牆上了！The trousers in the basin had probably not been washed through yet, but already they were draped over the fence!也許已經洗完？Perhaps they were already done?麻面婆的事是一件跟緊一件，有必要時，她放下一件又去做別的。Mamianpo's chores came one right after another; whenever it was necessary, she would set one down and go do another.

裤子在盆中大概还没有洗完，可是搭到篱墙上了！也许已经洗完？麻面婆的事是一件跟紧一件，有必要时，她放下一件又去做别的。

鄰屋的煙筒，濃煙衝出，被風吹散著，佈滿全院。From the neighboring house's chimney thick smoke gushed out, scattered by the wind, filling the whole yard.煙迷著她的眼睛了！The smoke stung her eyes!她知道家人要回來吃飯，慌張著心絃，她用泥漿浸過的手去牆角拿茅草，她貼了滿手的茅草，就那樣，她燒飯，她的手從來沒用清水洗過。Knowing her family would soon be back to eat, her heart fluttered in a hurry; with hands still soaked in mud she went to the corner of the wall for thatch-grass, and her hands became covered all over with it—just like that she cooked the meal, her hands never once washed clean with water.她家的煙筒也冒著煙了。Her own household's chimney, too, began to send up smoke.過了一會，她又出來取柴，茅草在手中，一半拖在地面，另一半在圍裙下，她是擁著走。After a while she came out again to fetch firewood; the thatch-grass in her hands, half dragging on the ground, half tucked under her apron, she walked along hugging it to herself.頭髮飄了滿臉，那樣，麻面婆是一隻母熊了！Her hair blew loose across her whole face—just so, Mamianpo was a mother bear!母熊帶著草類進洞。A mother bear carrying grass into her den.

邻屋的烟筒，浓烟冲出，被风吹散著，布满全院。烟迷著她的眼睛了！她知道家人要回来吃饭，慌张著心弦，她用泥浆浸过的手去墙角拿茅草，她贴了满手的茅草，就那样，她烧饭，她的手从来没用清水洗过。她家的烟筒也冒著烟了。过了一会，她又出来取柴，茅草在手中，一半拖在地面，另一半在围裙下，她是拥著走。头发飘了满脸，那样，麻面婆是一只母熊了！母熊带著草类进洞。

濃煙遮住太陽，院中一霎幽暗，在空中煙和雲似的。Thick smoke blotted out the sun; the yard grew dim for a moment, the smoke hanging in the air like cloud.

浓烟遮住太阳，院中一霎幽暗，在空中烟和云似的。

籬牆上的衣裳在滴水滴，蒸著污濁的氣。The clothes on the fence dripped water, steaming with a foul, murky air.全個村莊在火中窒息。The whole village seemed to be suffocating in fire.午間的太陽權威著一切了！The noonday sun held its authority over everything!

篱墙上的衣裳在滴水滴，蒸著污浊的气。全个村庄在火中窒息。午间的太阳权威著一切了！

『他媽的，給人家偷著走了吧？』"Damn it, has someone gone and stolen it?"

『他妈的，给人家偷著走了吧？』

二里半跌腳利害的時候，都是把屁股向後面斜著，跌出一定的角度來。Whenever Erliban's limp grew severe, he would tilt his backside off to one side, lurching along at a fixed angle.他去拍一拍山羊睡覺的草棚，可是羊在哪裏？He went and patted the little shed where the goat slept—but where was the goat?

二里半跌脚利害的时候，都是把屁股向后面斜著，跌出一定的角度来。他去拍一拍山羊睡觉的草棚，可是羊在哪里？

『他媽的，誰偷了羊……"Damn it, who stole the goat......混賬種子！』"Rotten offspring!"

『他妈的，谁偷了羊……混账种子！』

麻面婆聽著丈夫罵，她走出來凹著眼睛：Hearing her husband cursing, Mamianpo came out, her eyes sunken:

麻面婆听著丈夫骂，她走出来凹著眼睛：

『飯晚啦嗎？"Is the meal late?看你不回來，我就洗些個衣裳。』Seeing you weren't back, I went and washed some clothes."

『饭晚啦吗？看你不回来，我就洗些个衣裳。』

讓麻面婆說話，就像讓豬說話一樣，也許她喉嚨組織法和豬相同，她總是發著豬聲。To let Mamianpo speak was like letting a pig speak; perhaps the structure of her throat was the same as a pig's—she always made a pig's sound.

让麻面婆说话，就像让猪说话一样，也许她喉咙组织法和猪相同，她总是发著猪声。

『唉呀！"Ai-ya!羊丟啦！The goat's gone missing!我罵你那個傻老婆幹什麼？』Why would I be cursing you, you foolish wife?"

『唉呀！羊丢啦！我骂你那个傻老婆干什么？』

聽說羊丟，她去揚翻柴堆，她記得有一次羊是鑽過柴堆。Hearing the goat was lost, she went and turned over the woodpile; she remembered that once the goat had burrowed through the woodpile.但，那在冬天，羊為著取暖。But that had been in winter, when the goat did it to keep warm.她沒有想一想，六月天氣，只有和她一樣傻的羊才要鑽柴堆取暖。She never stopped to think that in the sixth month's weather, only a goat as foolish as herself would want to burrow into a woodpile for warmth.她翻著，她沒有想。She kept turning it over; she did not think.全頭髮洒著一些細草，她丈夫想止住她，問她什麼理由，她始終不說。Bits of fine straw scattered all through her hair; her husband tried to stop her and asked her the reason, but she never said.她為著要作出一點奇蹟，為著從這奇蹟，今後要人看重她。She wanted to bring about some small miracle, so that from this miracle people would think more highly of her from then on.表明她不傻，表明她的智慧是在必要的時節出現，於是像狗在柴堆上耍得疲乏了！To show that she was not foolish, to show that her wits appeared exactly when needed—so she scrabbled over the woodpile like a dog until she wore herself out!手在扒著髮間的草稈，她坐下來。With her hands picking the bits of straw from her hair, she sat down.她意外的感到自己的聰明不夠用，她意外的對自己失望。To her own surprise she felt her cleverness had not been enough; to her own surprise she was disappointed in herself.

听说羊丢，她去扬翻柴堆，她记得有一次羊是钻过柴堆。但，那在冬天，羊为著取暖。她没有想一想，六月天气，只有和她一样傻的羊才要钻柴堆取暖。她翻著，她没有想。全头发洒著一些细草，她丈夫想止住她，问她什么理由，她始终不说。她为著要作出一点奇迹，为著从这奇迹，今后要人看重她。表明她不傻，表明她的智慧是在必要的时节出现，于是像狗在柴堆上耍得疲乏了！手在扒著发间的草秆，她坐下来。她意外的感到自己的聪明不够用，她意外的对自己失望。

過了一會鄰人們在太陽底下四面出發，四面尋羊；After a while the neighbors set out in all directions beneath the sun, searching everywhere for the goat;麻面婆的飯鍋冒著氣，但，她也跟在後面。Mamianpo's rice pot was steaming, but she too followed along behind.

过了一会邻人们在太阳底下四面出发，四面寻羊；麻面婆的饭锅冒著气，但，她也跟在后面。

※ ※ ※ ※* * * *

二里半走出家門不遠，遇見羅圈腿，孩子說：Not far from his own door, Erliban met Luoquantui, and the child said:

二里半走出家门不远，遇见罗圈腿，孩子说：

『爸爸，我餓！』"Papa, I'm hungry!"

『爸爸，我饿！』

二里半說：『回家去吃飯吧！』Erliban said, "Go on home and eat, then!"

二里半说：『回家去吃饭吧！』

可是二里半轉身時老婆和一綑稻草似的跟在後面。But when Erliban turned around, his wife was following behind like a bundle of straw.

可是二里半转身时老婆和一捆稻草似的跟在后面。

『你這老婆，來幹什麼？"You, wife, what are you coming along for?領他回家去吃飯。』Take him home to eat."

『你这老婆，来干什么？领他回家去吃饭。』

他說著不停的向前跌走。So saying, he limped onward without stopping.

他说著不停的向前跌走。

黃色的，近黃色的麥地只留下短短的根苗。The wheat field, yellow, nearly all yellow, had only short stubble left behind.遠看來麥地使人悲傷。Seen from a distance, the wheat field made one feel sad.在麥地盡端，井邊什麼人在汲水。At the far end of the wheat field, by the well, someone was drawing water.二里半一隻手遮在眉上，東西眺望，他忽然決定到那井的地方，在井沿著下去，什麼也沒有，用井上汲水的桶子向水底深深的探試，什麼也沒有。Erliban shaded his brow with one hand, looking east and west, then suddenly decided to go over to the well; he looked down along its edge—nothing there; he used the well's bucket to probe deep down into the water—still nothing.最後，絞上水桶，他伏身到井邊喝水，水在喉中有聲，像是馬在喝。At last, having hauled up the bucket, he bent over the well's edge and drank; the water made a sound in his throat, like a horse drinking.

黄色的，近黄色的麦地只留下短短的根苗。远看来麦地使人悲伤。在麦地尽端，井边什么人在汲水。二里半一只手遮在眉上，东西眺望，他忽然决定到那井的地方，在井沿著下去，什么也没有，用井上汲水的桶子向水底深深的探试，什么也没有。最后，绞上水桶，他伏身到井边喝水，水在喉中有声，像是马在喝。

老王婆在門前草場上休息：Old Wangpo was resting on the grassy ground before her door:

老王婆在门前草场上休息：

『麥子打得怎樣啦？"How's the wheat threshing coming along?我的羊丟了！』My goat is lost!"

『麦子打得怎样啦？我的羊丢了！』

二里半青色的面孔為了丟羊更青色了！Erliban's sallow face turned even more sallow over the loss of the goat!

二里半青色的面孔为了丢羊更青色了！

咩……Baa......咩……Baa......羊叫？A goat bleating?不是羊叫，尋羊的人叫。It was not the goat bleating, but the people searching for it, calling out.

咩……咩……羊叫？不是羊叫，寻羊的人叫。

林蔭一排磚車經過，車夫們譁鬧著。Along the tree-shaded road a row of brick-carts passed, the carters clamoring noisily.山羊的午睡醒轉過來，牠迷茫著用犄角在周身剔毛。The goat woke from its midday sleep, and drowsily used its horns to pick at the hair all over its body.為著樹葉綠色的反映，山羊變成淺黃。Reflecting the green of the leaves, the goat had turned a pale yellow.賣瓜的人在道旁自己吃瓜。A melon-seller sat by the roadside eating a melon of his own.那一排磚車揚起浪般的灰塵，從林蔭走上進城的大道。That row of brick-carts raised dust like waves, moving out of the tree-shade onto the road into the city.

林荫一排砖车经过，车夫们哗闹著。山羊的午睡醒转过来，牠迷茫著用犄角在周身剔毛。为著树叶绿色的反映，山羊变成浅黄。卖瓜的人在道旁自己吃瓜。那一排砖车扬起浪般的灰尘，从林荫走上进城的大道。

山羊寂寞著，山羊完成了牠的午睡，完成了牠的樹皮餐，而歸家去了。The goat, alone, having finished its midday sleep and finished its meal of bark, set off for home.山羊沒有歸家，牠經過每棵高樹，也聽遍了每張葉子的刷鳴，山羊也要進城嗎！The goat did not go home; it passed by every tall tree, listening too to the rustling cry of every single leaf—could the goat be going into the city as well!牠奔向進城的大道。It ran toward the highway leading into town.

山羊寂寞著，山羊完成了牠的午睡，完成了牠的树皮餐，而归家去了。山羊没有归家，牠经过每棵高树，也听遍了每张叶子的刷鸣，山羊也要进城吗！牠奔向进城的大道。

咩……Baa......咩，羊叫？Baa — was that the goat bleating?不是羊叫，尋羊的人叫，二里半比別人叫出來更大聲，那不像是羊叫，像是一條牛了！It wasn't the goat bleating, it was the man searching for the goat calling out — Erliban called out louder than anyone else, so loud it didn't sound like a goat anymore, it sounded like an ox!

咩……咩，羊叫？不是羊叫，寻羊的人叫，二里半比别人叫出来更大声，那不像是羊叫，像是一条牛了！

最後，二里半和地鄰動打，那樣，他的帽子，像斷了線的風箏，飄搖著下降，從他頭上飄搖到遠處。In the end, Erliban got into a fight with his neighbor over the land, and in the scuffle his hat, like a kite with its string cut, drifted and fluttered down, sailing off from his head into the distance.

最后，二里半和地邻动打，那样，他的帽子，像断了线的风筝，飘摇著下降，从他头上飘摇到远处。

『你踏碎了俺的白菜！──你……"You trampled my cabbages! — You......你……』You......"

那個紅臉長人，像是魔王一樣，二里半被打得眼睛暈花起來，他去抽拔身邊的一棵小樹；That tall red-faced man looked like a demon king; Erliban was beaten until his eyes swam, and he reached to yank up a small tree beside him;小樹無由的被害了，那家的女人出來，送出一支攪醬缸的耙子，耙子滴著醬。The small tree, for no reason, fell victim; the woman of that household came out and thrust forward a rake used for stirring the sauce vat, the rake dripping with sauce.

那个红脸长人，像是魔王一样，二里半被打得眼睛晕花起来，他去抽拔身边的一棵小树；小树无由的被害了，那家的女人出来，送出一支搅酱缸的耙子，耙子滴著酱。

他看見耙子來了，拔著一棵小樹跑回家去，草帽是那般孤獨的丟在井邊，草帽他不知戴過了多少年頭。Seeing the rake coming at him, he pulled up the small tree and ran home with it, leaving his straw hat abandoned so forlornly by the well — a straw hat he had worn for who knew how many years.

他看见耙子来了，拔著一棵小树跑回家去，草帽是那般孤独的丢在井边，草帽他不知戴过了多少年头。

二里半罵著妻子：『混蛋，誰吃你的焦飯！』Erliban cursed at his wife: "Damn you, who wants to eat your burnt rice!"

二里半骂著妻子：『混蛋，谁吃你的焦饭！』

他的面孔和馬臉一樣長。His face was as long as a horse's.麻面婆驚惶著，帶著愚蠢的舉動，她知道山羊一定沒能尋到。Mamianpo panicked, moving about with foolish gestures; she knew the goat surely hadn't been found.

他的面孔和马脸一样长。麻面婆惊惶著，带著愚蠢的举动，她知道山羊一定没能寻到。

過了一會，她到飯盆那裏哭了！『我的……After a while, she went to the rice basin and cried! "My......羊，我一天一天餵餵……goat, that I fed day after day......大的，我撫摸著長起來的！』that I raised up, stroking it as it grew!"

过了一会，她到饭盆那里哭了！『我的……羊，我一天一天喂喂……大的，我抚摸著长起来的！』

麻面婆的性情不會抱怨。It was not in Mamianpo's nature to complain.她一遇到不快時，或是丈夫罵了她，或是鄰人與她拌嘴，就連小孩子們擾煩她時，她都是像一攤蠟消融下來。Whenever she met with something unpleasant — whether her husband scolded her, or a neighbor quarreled with her, or even when the children pestered her — she would melt down like a puddle of wax.她的性情不好反抗，不好爭鬥，她的心像永遠貯藏著悲哀似的，她的心永遠像一塊衰落的白棉。She was not one to resist or fight back; her heart seemed to store up sorrow forever, always like a piece of withered white cotton.她哭抽著，任意走到外面把曬乾的衣裳搭進來，但她絕對沒有心思注意到羊。Sobbing, she wandered outside and absently brought in the sun-dried clothes, but she had absolutely no mind left to spare for the goat.

麻面婆的性情不会抱怨。她一遇到不快时，或是丈夫骂了她，或是邻人与她拌嘴，就连小孩子们扰烦她时，她都是像一摊蜡消融下来。她的性情不好反抗，不好争斗，她的心像永远贮藏著悲哀似的，她的心永远像一块衰落的白棉。她哭抽著，任意走到外面把晒干的衣裳搭进来，但她绝对没有心思注意到羊。

可是會旅行的山羊在草棚不斷的搔癢，弄得板房的門扇快要掉落下來，門扇摔擺的響著。But the wandering goat kept scratching itself against the shed, until the plank door was nearly shaken loose, banging and rattling.

可是会旅行的山羊在草棚不断的搔痒，弄得板房的门扇快要掉落下来，门扇摔摆的响著。

下午了，二里半仍在炕上坐著。It was afternoon now, and Erliban still sat on the kang.

『媽的，羊丟了就丟了吧！"Damn it, if the goat's lost, then it's lost!留著牠不是好兆相。』Keeping it was never a good omen anyway."

『妈的，羊丢了就丢了吧！留著牠不是好兆相。』

但是妻子不曉得養羊會有什麼不好的兆相，她說：But his wife didn't understand what bad omen there could be in keeping a goat, and she said:

但是妻子不晓得养羊会有什么不好的兆相，她说：

『哼！"Hmph!那麼白白地丟了？Just let it go to waste like that?我一會去找，我想一定在高粱地裏。』I'll go look for it in a while — I'm sure it's in the sorghum field."

『哼！那么白白地丢了？我一会去找，我想一定在高粱地里。』

『你還去找？"You're still going to look for it?你別找啦！Don't go looking!丟就丟了吧！』If it's lost, let it be lost!"

『你还去找？你别找啦！丢就丢了吧！』

『我能找到牠呢！』"I can find it!"

『唉呀：找羊會出別的事哩！』"Ai-ya — looking for the goat will bring on something else!"

『唉呀：找羊会出别的事哩！』

他腦中迴旋著挨打的時候：──草帽像斷了線的風箏飄搖著下落，醬耙子滴著醬。In his mind circled the moment of the beating: — the straw hat drifting down like a kite with its string cut, the sauce rake dripping with sauce.快抓住小樹，快抓住小樹。……Quick, grab the small tree, quick, grab the small tree......二里半心中翻著這不好的兆相。In Erliban's heart this ill omen turned over and over.

他脑中回旋著挨打的时候：──草帽像断了线的风筝飘摇著下落，酱耙子滴著酱。快抓住小树，快抓住小树。……二里半心中翻著这不好的兆相。

他的妻不知道這事。His wife knew nothing of this.她朝向高粱地去了：蝴蝶和別的蟲子熱鬧著，田地上有人工作了。She headed toward the sorghum field: butterflies and other insects were busy and lively, and out in the fields people were at work.她不和田上的婦女們搭話，經過留著根的麥地時，她像微點的爬蟲在那裏。She didn't speak with the women working the fields; passing by the wheat field where only the stubble remained, she looked like a tiny crawling insect out there.陽光比正午鈍了些，蟲鳴漸多了；The sunlight had grown a little duller than at noon, and the chirring of insects gradually increased;漸飛漸多了！more and more of them took flight!

他的妻不知道这事。她朝向高粱地去了：蝴蝶和别的虫子热闹著，田地上有人工作了。她不和田上的妇女们搭话，经过留著根的麦地时，她像微点的爬虫在那里。阳光比正午钝了些，虫鸣渐多了；渐飞渐多了！

老王婆工作剩餘的時間，儘是，述說她無窮的命運。Whatever time old Wang Po had left over from her work, she spent entirely recounting her endless fate.她的牙齒為著述說常常切得發響，那樣她表示她的憤恨和潛怒。As she spoke, her teeth would often grind and click, and in that way she expressed her resentment and simmering anger.在星光下，她的臉紋綠了些，眼睛發青，她的眼睛是大的圓形。Under the starlight, the lines of her face took on a greenish tinge, her eyes looked pale and bluish — her eyes were large and round.有時她講到興奮的話句，她發著嘎而沒有曲折的直聲。Sometimes, when she came to some exciting turn in her tale, her voice would come out hoarse and flat, without any inflection.鄰居的孩子們會說她是一頭「貓頭鷹」，她常常為著小孩子們說她「貓頭鷹」而憤激：她想自己怎麼會成個那樣的怪物呢？The neighborhood children would call her an "owl," and she was often enraged at the children for calling her that: how, she wondered, could she have turned into such a monstrous creature?像碎著一件什麼東西似的，她開始吐痰。As if crushing something to pieces, she began to spit.

老王婆工作剩余的时间，尽是，述说她无穷的命运。她的牙齿为著述说常常切得发响，那样她表示她的愤恨和潜怒。在星光下，她的脸纹绿了些，眼睛发青，她的眼睛是大的圆形。有时她讲到兴奋的话句，她发著嘎而没有曲折的直声。邻居的孩子们会说她是一头「猫头鹰」，她常常为著小孩子们说她「猫头鹰」而愤激：她想自己怎么会成个那样的怪物呢？像碎著一件什么东西似的，她开始吐痰。

孩子們的媽媽打了他們，孩子跑到一邊去哭了！The children's mothers beat them, and the children ran off to the side and cried!這時王婆她該終止她的講說，她從窗洞爬進屋去過夜。At this Wang Po would have to stop her storytelling, and she would climb in through the window hole to sleep for the night.但有時她並不注意孩子們哭，她不聽見似地，她仍說著那一年麥子好；But sometimes she paid no attention to the children crying, as if she hadn't heard them at all, and went right on talking about the year the wheat harvest was good;她多買了一條牛，牛又生了小牛，小牛後來又怎樣？……how she'd bought another ox, and the ox had given birth to a calf, and what became of the calf after that......她的講話總是有起有落；Her talk always rose and fell like waves;關於一條牛，她能有無量的言詞：牛是什麼顏色？about a single ox, she could produce endless words: what color was the ox?每天要吃多少水草？How much water and grass did it eat each day?甚至要說到牛睡覺是怎樣的姿勢。She would even go on to describe just what posture the ox slept in.

孩子们的妈妈打了他们，孩子跑到一边去哭了！这时王婆她该终止她的讲说，她从窗洞爬进屋去过夜。但有时她并不注意孩子们哭，她不听见似地，她仍说著那一年麦子好；她多买了一条牛，牛又生了小牛，小牛后来又怎样？……她的讲话总是有起有落；关于一条牛，她能有无量的言词：牛是什么颜色？每天要吃多少水草？甚至要说到牛睡觉是怎样的姿势。

但是今夜院中一個討厭的孩子也沒有，王婆領著兩個鄰婦，坐在一條餵豬的槽子上，她們的故事便流水一般地在夜空裏延展開。But tonight there wasn't a single tiresome child in the yard; Wang Po, with two neighbor women beside her, sat on a hog trough, and their talk unfurled across the night sky like flowing water.

但是今夜院中一个讨厌的孩子也没有，王婆领著两个邻妇，坐在一条喂猪的槽子上，她们的故事便流水一般地在夜空里延展开。

天空一些雲忙走，月亮陷進雲圍時，雲和煙樣，和煤山樣，快要燃燒似地。In the sky some clouds hurried past; when the moon sank into their midst, the clouds looked like smoke, like a mountain of coal, as though about to catch fire.再過一會，月亮埋進雲山，四面聽不見蛙鳴；A little while more, and the moon was buried in the mountain of cloud; from all around, no frog cries could be heard;只是螢蟲閃閃著。only the fireflies flickered.

天空一些云忙走，月亮陷进云围时，云和烟样，和煤山样，快要燃烧似地。再过一会，月亮埋进云山，四面听不见蛙鸣；只是萤虫闪闪著。

屋裏，像是洞裏，響起鼾聲來，佈遍了的聲波旋走了滿院。Inside the houses, as if inside caves, snoring rose up, its waves of sound spreading out to fill the whole yard.天邊小的閃光不住的在閃合。At the edge of the sky, small flashes of lightning kept flickering open and shut.王婆的故事對比著天空的雲：Wang Po's story played out against the clouds in the sky:

屋里，像是洞里，响起鼾声来，布遍了的声波旋走了满院。天边小的闪光不住的在闪合。王婆的故事对比著天空的云：

『……"......一個孩子三歲了，我把她摔死了，要小孩子我會成了個廢物。……A child of mine, three years old — I dropped her and killed her. If I'd kept the child I'd have turned into a useless wreck......那天早晨……That morning......我想一想！……let me think!......是早晨，我把她坐在草堆上，我去餵牛；It was morning, I sat her down on the straw stack, and I went to feed the ox;草堆是在房後。the straw stack was behind the house.等我想起孩子來，我跑去抱她，我看見草堆上沒有孩子；When I remembered the child, I ran to pick her up, and I saw there was no child on the straw stack;我看見草堆下有鐵犁的時候，我知道，這是惡兆，偏偏孩子跌在鐵犁一起，我以為她還活著呀！when I saw there was an iron plow under the straw stack, I knew it was a bad omen — of all things, the child had fallen right onto the iron plow — and I thought she was still alive!等我抱起來的時候……When I picked her up......啊呀！』Ai-ya!"

『……一个孩子三岁了，我把她摔死了，要小孩子我会成了个废物。……那天早晨……我想一想！……是早晨，我把她坐在草堆上，我去喂牛；草堆是在房后。等我想起孩子来，我跑去抱她，我看见草堆上没有孩子；我看见草堆下有铁犁的时候，我知道，这是恶兆，偏偏孩子跌在铁犁一起，我以为她还活著呀！等我抱起来的时候……啊呀！』

一條閃光裂開來，看得清王婆是一個興奮的幽靈。A streak of lightning split open the sky, and in it Wang Po could be seen clearly, like an excited ghost.全麥田，高粱地，菜圃，都在閃光下出現。The whole wheat field, the sorghum field, the vegetable garden, all appeared in the flash of light.婦人們被惶惑著，像是有什麼冷的東西，撲向她們的臉去。The women were filled with dread, as though something cold had struck against their faces.閃光一過，王婆的話聲又連續下去：The moment the flash passed, Wang Po's voice went on again:

一条闪光裂开来，看得清王婆是一个兴奋的幽灵。全麦田，高粱地，菜圃，都在闪光下出现。妇人们被惶惑著，像是有什么冷的东西，扑向她们的脸去。闪光一过，王婆的话声又连续下去：

『……"......啊呀！……Ai-ya!......我把她丟到草堆上，血儘是向草堆上流呀！I laid her down on the straw stack, and the blood just kept flowing onto the straw!她的小手顫顫著，血在冒著汽從鼻子流出，從嘴也流出，好像喉管被切斷了。Her little hands trembled, blood came steaming out of her nose, and out of her mouth too, as if her throat had been cut through.我聽一聽她的肚子還有響；I listened, and her belly still made sounds;那和一條小狗給車輪壓死一樣。it was just like a puppy crushed to death under a cart wheel.我也親眼看過小狗被車輪軋死，我什麼都看過。I've seen with my own eyes a puppy run over and killed by a wheel too — I've seen everything.這莊上的誰家養小孩，一遇到孩子不能養下來，我就去拿著鉤子，也許用那個掘菜的刀子，把孩子從娘的肚裏硬攪出來。Whenever anyone in this village had a child they couldn't carry to term, I'd go with a hook, or maybe with that knife for digging vegetables, and forcibly stir the child out of its mother's belly.孩子死，不算一回事，你們以為我會暴跳著哭吧？A child dying is nothing at all — you all think I must have leapt about wailing, don't you?我會嚎叫吧？That I would have howled?起先我心也覺得發顫，可是我一看見麥田在我眼前時，我一點都不後悔，我一滴眼淚都沒淌下。At first my heart trembled too, but the moment I saw the wheat field before my eyes, I didn't regret it in the least, I didn't shed a single tear.以後麥子收成很好，麥子是我割倒的，在場上一粒一粒我把麥子拾起來，就是那年我整個秋天沒有停腳，沒講閑話，像連口氣也沒得喘似的，冬天就來了！Afterward the wheat harvest was very good, and it was I who cut it down; on the threshing ground I picked up the grain kernel by kernel — that whole autumn I never stopped my feet, never spoke an idle word, as if I hadn't even a breath to spare, and then winter came!到冬天我和鄰人比著麥粒，我的麥粒是那樣大呀！By winter, when I compared my grain with the neighbors', my kernels were so big!到冬天我的背曲得有些利害，在手裏拿著大的麥粒。By winter my back had bent quite badly, from holding those big kernels in my hand.可是，鄰人的孩子卻長起來了！……But the neighbors' children, they had grown up!......到那時候，我好像忽然才想起我的小鐘。』It was only then that I seemed to suddenly remember my little Xiaozhong."

『……啊呀！……我把她丢到草堆上，血尽是向草堆上流呀！她的小手颤颤著，血在冒著汽从鼻子流出，从嘴也流出，好像喉管被切断了。我听一听她的肚子还有响；那和一条小狗给车轮压死一样。我也亲眼看过小狗被车轮轧死，我什么都看过。这庄上的谁家养小孩，一遇到孩子不能养下来，我就去拿著钩子，也许用那个掘菜的刀子，把孩子从娘的肚里硬搅出来。孩子死，不算一回事，你们以为我会暴跳著哭吧？我会嚎叫吧？起先我心也觉得发颤，可是我一看见麦田在我眼前时，我一点都不后悔，我一滴眼泪都没淌下。以后麦子收成很好，麦子是我割倒的，在场上一粒一粒我把麦子拾起来，就是那年我整个秋天没有停脚，没讲闲话，像连口气也没得喘似的，冬天就来了！到冬天我和邻人比著麦粒，我的麦粒是那样大呀！到冬天我的背曲得有些利害，在手里拿著大的麦粒。可是，邻人的孩子却长起来了！……到那时候，我好像忽然才想起我的小钟。』

王婆推一推鄰婦，蕩一蕩頭：Wang Po gave the neighbor woman a nudge, and shook her head:

王婆推一推邻妇，荡一荡头：

『我的孩子小名叫小鐘呀！……"My child's pet name was Xiaozhong!......我接連著煞苦了幾夜沒能睡，什麼麥粒？For several nights running I suffered so I couldn't sleep — what did the grain matter?從那時起，我連麥粒也不怎樣看重了！From that time on, I stopped caring so much even about the grain!就是如今，我也不把什麼看重。Even now, there's nothing I set much store by.那時我才二十幾歲。』I was only in my twenties then."

『我的孩子小名叫小钟呀！……我接连著煞苦了几夜没能睡，什么麦粒？从那时起，我连麦粒也不怎样看重了！就是如今，我也不把什么看重。那时我才二十几岁。』

閃光相連起來，能言的幽靈默默坐在閃光中。The flashes of lightning came one after another, and the eloquent ghost sat silent within the flashing light.鄰婦互望著，感到有些寒冷。The neighbor women looked at each other, feeling a chill.

闪光相连起来，能言的幽灵默默坐在闪光中。邻妇互望著，感到有些寒冷。

狗在麥場張狂著咬過來，多雲的夜什麼也不能告訴人們。A dog came barking wildly across the threshing ground; the cloud-covered night could tell people nothing.忽然一道閃光，看見的黃狗捲著尾巴向二里半叫去，閃光一過，黃狗又回到麥堆，草莖折動出細微的聲音。Suddenly a flash of lightning showed the yellow dog, tail curled, barking toward Erliban; once the flash passed, the yellow dog went back to the wheat pile, and the straw stalks stirred with a faint rustling sound.

狗在麦场张狂著咬过来，多云的夜什么也不能告诉人们。忽然一道闪光，看见的黄狗卷著尾巴向二里半叫去，闪光一过，黄狗又回到麦堆，草茎折动出细微的声音。

『三哥不在家裏？』"Third Brother isn't home?"

『三哥不在家里？』

『他睡著哩！』王婆又回到她的默默中，她的答話像是從一個空瓶子或是從什麼空的東西發出。"He's asleep!" Wang Po sank back into her silence again; her answer sounded as though it came from an empty bottle, or from something else hollow.豬槽上她一個人化石一般地留著。On the hog trough she remained alone, like something turned to stone.

『他睡著哩！』王婆又回到她的默默中，她的答话像是从一个空瓶子或是从什么空的东西发出。猪槽上她一个人化石一般地留著。

『三哥！"Third Brother!你又和三嫂鬧嘴嗎？Are you quarreling with Third Sister-in-law again?你常常和她鬧嘴，那會敗壞了平安的日子的。』You quarrel with her so often — it will spoil the peace of your days."

『三哥！你又和三嫂闹嘴吗？你常常和她闹嘴，那会败坏了平安的日子的。』

二里半，能寬容妻子，以他的感覺去衡量別人。Erliban, who could tolerate his own wife, judged others by his own feelings.

二里半，能宽容妻子，以他的感觉去衡量别人。

趙三點起煙火來，他紅色的臉笑了笑：『我沒和誰鬧嘴哩！』Zhao San lit up his pipe, his ruddy face breaking into a smile: "I haven't quarreled with anyone!"

赵三点起烟火来，他红色的脸笑了笑：『我没和谁闹嘴哩！』

二里半他從腰間解下菸袋，從容著說：Erliban untied his tobacco pouch from his waist and said unhurriedly:

二里半他从腰间解下烟袋，从容著说：

『我的羊丟了！"My goat went missing!你不知道吧？You didn't know, did you?牠又走了回來。It came back on its own.要替我說出買主去，這條羊留著不是什麼好兆相。』Find me a buyer for it — keeping this goat is no good omen."

『我的羊丢了！你不知道吧？牠又走了回来。要替我说出买主去，这条羊留著不是什么好兆相。』

趙三用粗嘎的聲音大笑，大手和紅色臉在閃光中伸現出來：Zhao San laughed loudly in his rough, hoarse voice, his big hand and ruddy face standing out in the flash of lightning:

赵三用粗嘎的声音大笑，大手和红色脸在闪光中伸现出来：

『哈……"Ha......哈，倒不錯，聽說你的帽子飛到井邊團團轉呢！』Ha, not bad at all — I hear your hat went flying and spun round and round by the well!"

『哈……哈，倒不错，听说你的帽子飞到井边团团转呢！』

忽然二里半又看見身邊長著一棵小樹，快抓住小樹，快抓住小樹。Suddenly Erliban again saw a small tree growing beside him — quick, grab the small tree, quick, grab the small tree.他幻想終了，他知道被打的消息是傳佈出來，他撚一撚菸火，解辯著說：His reverie ended; he realized the news of his beating had spread around, and twisting at the embers of his pipe, he explained defensively:

忽然二里半又看见身边长著一棵小树，快抓住小树，快抓住小树。他幻想终了，他知道被打的消息是传布出来，他撚一撚烟火，解辩著说：

『那家子不通人情，那有丟了羊不許找的勾當？That family has no sense of decency — where has it ever been heard of, losing a sheep and not being allowed to look for it?她硬說踏了他的白菜，你看，我不能和她動打。』She insisted it trampled his cabbages — look, I can't very well go and fight her over it.

『那家子不通人情，那有丢了羊不许找的勾当？她硬说踏了他的白菜，你看，我不能和她动打。』

搖一搖頭，受著辱一般的冷沒下去，他吸菸管，切心地感到羊不是好兆相，羊會傷著自己的臉面。He shook his head, sinking coldly away as though insulted; he smoked his pipe, keenly feeling that the sheep was no good omen — the sheep would bring shame on his own face.

摇一摇头，受著辱一般的冷没下去，他吸烟管，切心地感到羊不是好兆相，羊会伤著自己的脸面。

來了一道閃光，大手的高大的趙三，從炕沿站起，用手掌擦著眼睛。A flash of lightning came; big-handed, tall Zhao San rose from the edge of the kang, rubbing his eyes with his palm.他忽然響叫：He suddenly cried out:

来了一道闪光，大手的高大的赵三，从炕沿站起，用手掌擦著眼睛。他忽然响叫：

『怕是要落雨吧！──壞啦！"It looks like it's going to rain! — This is bad!麥子還沒打完，在場上堆著！』The wheat isn't threshed yet, it's still piled up on the threshing ground!"

『怕是要落雨吧！──坏啦！麦子还没打完，在场上堆著！』

趙三感到養牛和種地不足，必須到城裏去發展。Zhao San felt that raising cattle and farming were not enough, that he had to go into the city to make something of himself.他每日進城，他漸漸不注意麥子，他夢想著另一裝有望的事業。He went into the city every day; gradually he stopped paying attention to the wheat, dreaming instead of another, more promising line of work.

赵三感到养牛和种地不足，必须到城里去发展。他每日进城，他渐渐不注意麦子，他梦想著另一装有望的事业。

『那老婆，怎不去看麥子？"That old woman — why hasn't she gone to see about the wheat?麥子一定要給水衝走呢？』Is the wheat really going to be washed away by the water!"

『那老婆，怎不去看麦子？麦子一定要给水冲走呢？』

趙三習慣的總以為她會坐在院心，閃光更來了！Zhao San, as always, assumed she would be sitting in the middle of the yard; the lightning flashed again, brighter still!雷響，風聲。Thunder rolled, wind howled.一切翻動著黑夜的村莊。Everything churned through the village in the black night.

赵三习惯的总以为她会坐在院心，闪光更来了！雷响，风声。一切翻动著黑夜的村庄。

『我在這裏呀！"I'm right here!到草棚拿蓆子來，把麥子蓋起吧！』Go to the straw shed and bring the mats, let's get the wheat covered!"

『我在这里呀！到草棚拿席子来，把麦子盖起吧！』

喊聲在有閃光的麥場響出，聲音像碰著什麼似的，好像在水上響出，王婆又震動著喉嚨：『快些，沒有用的，睡覺睡昏啦！The shout rang out over the lightning-lit threshing ground, the sound striking as if against something, as though it rang out over water; Wang Po's throat shook again: "Hurry up, you're useless, sleeping till you're dazed!你是摸不到門啦！』Can't even find the door, can you!"

喊声在有闪光的麦场响出，声音像碰著什么似的，好像在水上响出，王婆又震动著喉咙：『快些，没有用的，睡觉睡昏啦！你是摸不到门啦！』

趙三為著未來的大雨所恐嚇，沒有同她拌嘴。Zhao San, frightened by the coming downpour, did not quarrel with her.

赵三为著未来的大雨所恐吓，没有同她拌嘴。

高粱地像要倒折，地端的榆樹吹嘯起來，有點像金屬的聲音，為著閃的原故，全莊忽然裸現，忽然又沉埋下去。The sorghum field looked ready to snap and fold over; the elm at the field's edge whistled in the wind, with a sound almost like metal; because of the lightning, the whole village was suddenly laid bare, then suddenly buried in darkness again.全莊像是海上浮著的泡沫。The whole village was like foam floating on the sea.鄰家和距離遠一點的鄰家有孩子的哭聲，大人在嚷吵，什麼醬缸沒有蓋啦！From the neighbors, and from neighbors farther off, came children's crying, and grown-ups shouting — something about the sauce jar not being covered!驅趕著雞雛啦！Driving in the chicks!種麥田的人家嚷著麥子還沒有打完啦！Households that grew wheat shouted that theirs wasn't threshed yet!農家好比雞籠，向著雞籠投下火去，雞們會翻騰著。A farmhouse is like a chicken coop — throw fire at a chicken coop and the chickens go into a frenzy.

高粱地像要倒折，地端的榆树吹啸起来，有点像金属的声音，为著闪的原故，全庄忽然裸现，忽然又沉埋下去。全庄像是海上浮著的泡沫。邻家和距离远一点的邻家有孩子的哭声，大人在嚷吵，什么酱缸没有盖啦！驱赶著鸡雏啦！种麦田的人家嚷著麦子还没有打完啦！农家好比鸡笼，向著鸡笼投下火去，鸡们会翻腾著。

黃狗在草堆開始做窩，用腿扒草，用嘴扯草。A yellow dog began making itself a nest in the straw pile, scratching at the straw with its legs, tearing at it with its mouth.王婆一邊顫動，一邊手裏拿著耙子。Wang Po trembled as she went, a rake in her hand.

黄狗在草堆开始做窝，用腿扒草，用嘴扯草。王婆一边颤动，一边手里拿著耙子。

『該死的，麥子今天就應該打完，你進城就不見回來，麥子算是可惜啦！』"Damn it, the wheat should have been all threshed today — you go into the city and never come back, and now the wheat's ruined, what a waste!"

『该死的，麦子今天就应该打完，你进城就不见回来，麦子算是可惜啦！』

二里半在電光中走近家門，有雨點打下來，在植物的葉子上稀疏的響著。Er Li Ban was walking toward his gate in the flashing light; raindrops began to fall, pattering sparsely on the leaves of the plants.雨點打在他的頭上時，他摸一下頭頂而沒有了草帽。When the raindrops struck his head, he reached up and found his straw hat gone.關於草帽，二里半一邊走路一邊怨恨山羊。Over the matter of the straw hat, Er Li Ban walked along cursing the goat.

二里半在电光中走近家门，有雨点打下来，在植物的叶子上稀疏的响著。雨点打在他的头上时，他摸一下头顶而没有了草帽。关于草帽，二里半一边走路一边怨恨山羊。

※ ※ ※ ※※ ※ ※ ※

早晨了，雨還沒有落下。It was morning, and the rain still hadn't fallen.東邊一道長虹懸起來；In the east a long rainbow hung in the sky;感到濕的氣味的雲掠過人頭，東邊高粱頭上，太陽走在雲後，那過於豔明，像紅色的水晶，像紅色的夢。clouds carrying the smell of dampness swept over people's heads; above the sorghum tassels in the east, the sun moved behind the clouds, its brightness almost too much — like a red crystal, like a red dream.遠看高粱和小樹林一般森嚴著；Seen from afar, the sorghum stood dense and solemn like a small grove of trees;村家在早晨趁著氣候的涼爽，各自在田間忙。the village households, taking advantage of the morning cool, were each busy out in their fields.

早晨了，雨还没有落下。东边一道长虹悬起来；感到湿的气味的云掠过人头，东边高粱头上，太阳走在云后，那过于艳明，像红色的水晶，像红色的梦。远看高粱和小树林一般森严著；村家在早晨趁著气候的凉爽，各自在田间忙。

趙三門前，麥場上小孩子牽著馬，因為是一條年輕的馬，牠跳著蕩著尾巴跟牠的小主人走上場來。In front of Zhao San's gate, on the threshing ground, a child led a horse; being a young horse, it pranced along, swishing its tail, following its small master onto the ground.小馬歡喜用嘴撞一撞停在場上的「石滾」，牠的前腿在平滑的地上跺打幾下，接著牠必然像索求什麼似的叫起不很好聽的聲來。The colt liked to nudge the "stone roller" resting on the ground with its mouth; it stamped its forelegs a few times on the smooth earth, and then, as if demanding something, would always let out a rather unpleasant whinny.

赵三门前，麦场上小孩子牵著马，因为是一条年轻的马，牠跳著荡著尾巴跟牠的小主人走上场来。小马欢喜用嘴撞一撞停在场上的「石滚」，牠的前腿在平滑的地上跺打几下，接著牠必然像索求什么似的叫起不很好听的声来。

王婆穿的寬袖的短襖，走上平場。Wang Po, wearing a wide-sleeved short jacket, walked out onto the level threshing ground.她的頭髮毛亂而且絞捲著，朝晨的紅光照著她，她的頭髮恰像田上成熟的玉米纓穗，紅色並且蔫捲。Her hair was disheveled and curled in tangles; the red light of morning shone on her, and her hair looked exactly like the ripened tassels of corn in the fields — reddish, and wilted into curls.

王婆穿的宽袖的短袄，走上平场。她的头发毛乱而且绞卷著，朝晨的红光照著她，她的头发恰像田上成熟的玉米缨穗，红色并且蔫卷。

馬兒把主人呼喚出來，牠等待給牠裝置「石滾」，「石滾」裝好的時候，小馬搖著尾巴，不斷的搖著尾巴，牠十分馴順和愉快。The horse had called its owner out; it waited to be fitted with the "stone roller," and once the roller was in place, the colt swished its tail, swishing it again and again — utterly docile and pleased.

马儿把主人呼唤出来，牠等待给牠装置「石滚」，「石滚」装好的时候，小马摇著尾巴，不断的摇著尾巴，牠十分驯顺和愉快。

王婆摸一摸蓆子潮濕一點，蓆子被拉在一邊了；Wang Po felt the mats — they were a bit damp — and pulled them off to one side;孩子跑過去，幫助她，麥穗佈滿平場，王婆拿著耙子站到一邊。the child ran over to help her; wheat ears covered the whole level ground, and Wang Po stood off to the side, rake in hand.小孩歡跑著立到場子中央，馬兒開始轉跑。The child ran happily to the center of the ground, and the horse began to trot in a circle.小孩在中心地點也是轉著。The child, standing at the center point, turned along with it.好像畫圓周時用的圓規一樣，無論馬兒怎樣跑，孩子總在圓心的位置。Just like a compass used for drawing a circle, no matter how the horse ran, the child always stayed at the center.因為小馬發瘋著，飄揚著跑，牠和孩子一般地貪玩，弄得麥穗濺出場外。Because the colt ran as if maddened, flying about, playful just like the child, it sent wheat ears scattering off the ground.王婆用耙子打著馬，可是走了一會牠遊戲夠了，就和廝耍著的小狗需要休息一樣，休息下來。Wang Po struck at the horse with her rake, but after a while, once it had had its fill of play, it stopped to rest — just like a puppy that has played enough and needs a rest.王婆著了瘋一般地又揮著耙子，馬暴跳起來，牠跑了兩個圈子，把「石滾」帶著離開舖著麥穗的平場；Wang Po, as if seized with madness, swung the rake again; the horse bolted up wildly, ran two circles, and dragged the "stone roller" clean off the level ground spread with wheat ears;並且嘴裏咬嚼一些麥穗。and even chewed some of the wheat ears in its mouth.繫住馬勒帶的孩子挨著罵：The child holding the bridle got scolded:

王婆摸一摸席子潮湿一点，席子被拉在一边了；孩子跑过去，帮助她，麦穗布满平场，王婆拿著耙子站到一边。小孩欢跑著立到场子中央，马儿开始转跑。小孩在中心地点也是转著。好像画圆周时用的圆规一样，无论马儿怎样跑，孩子总在圆心的位置。因为小马发疯著，飘扬著跑，牠和孩子一般地贪玩，弄得麦穗溅出场外。王婆用耙子打著马，可是走了一会牠游戏够了，就和厮耍著的小狗需要休息一样，休息下来。王婆著了疯一般地又挥著耙子，马暴跳起来，牠跑了两个圈子，把「石滚」带著离开铺著麦穗的平场；并且嘴里咬嚼一些麦穗。系住马勒带的孩子挨著骂：

『呵！"Ah!你總偷著把牠拉上場，你看這樣的馬能以打麥子嗎？You keep sneaking it onto the ground — look at it, can a horse like this thresh wheat?死了去吧！Go and die!別煩我吧！』Stop pestering me!"

『呵！你总偷著把牠拉上场，你看这样的马能以打麦子吗？死了去吧！别烦我吧！』

小孩子拉馬走出平場的門；The child led the horse out through the gate of the threshing ground;到馬槽子那裏，去拉那個老馬。went to the horse trough to fetch the old horse.把小馬束好在桿子間。He tied the colt securely between the posts.老馬差不多完全脫了毛，小孩子不愛牠，用勒帶打著牠走，可是牠仍和一塊石頭或是一顆生了根的植物那樣不容搬運。The old horse had shed almost all its coat; the child disliked it and struck it with the bridle strap to make it move, but it remained as unmovable as a stone, or a plant rooted in the ground.老馬是小馬的媽媽，牠停下來，用鼻頭偎著小馬肚皮間破裂的流著血的傷口。The old horse was the colt's mother; it stopped, nuzzling its nose against a cracked, bleeding wound on the colt's belly.小孩子看見他愛的小馬流血，心中慘慘的眼淚要落出來，但是他沒能曉得母子之情，因為他還沒能看見媽媽，他是私生子。Seeing the colt he loved bleeding, the child's heart ached and tears nearly fell, but he could not understand the bond between mother and child, for he had never known his own mother — he was a child born out of wedlock.脫著光毛的老動物，催逼著離開小馬，鼻頭染著一些血，走上麥場。The old animal, its coat gone bald, was driven away from the colt; its nose stained with a little blood, it walked onto the threshing ground.

小孩子拉马走出平场的门；到马槽子那里，去拉那个老马。把小马束好在杆子间。老马差不多完全脱了毛，小孩子不爱牠，用勒带打著牠走，可是牠仍和一块石头或是一颗生了根的植物那样不容搬运。老马是小马的妈妈，牠停下来，用鼻头偎著小马肚皮间破裂的流著血的伤口。小孩子看见他爱的小马流血，心中惨惨的眼泪要落出来，但是他没能晓得母子之情，因为他还没能看见妈妈，他是私生子。脱著光毛的老动物，催逼著离开小马，鼻头染著一些血，走上麦场。

村前火車經過河橋，看不見火車，聽見隆隆的聲響。In front of the village a train crossed the river bridge — the train itself could not be seen, only its rumbling roar could be heard.王婆注意著旋上天空的黑煙。Wang Po watched the black smoke coiling up into the sky.前村的人家，驅著白菜車去進城，走過王婆的場子時，從車上拋下幾個柿子來，一面說：『你們是不種柿子的，這是賤東西，不值錢的東西，麥子是發財之道呀！』驅著車子的青年結實的漢子過去了；A family from the village ahead, driving a cart of cabbages into the city, tossed down a few persimmons from the cart as they passed Wang Po's threshing ground, saying: "You people don't grow persimmons — these are cheap things, worthless things, wheat is the road to riches!" The sturdy young fellow driving the cart passed on by;鞭子甩響著。his whip cracked.

村前火车经过河桥，看不见火车，听见隆隆的声响。王婆注意著旋上天空的黑烟。前村的人家，驱著白菜车去进城，走过王婆的场子时，从车上抛下几个柿子来，一面说：『你们是不种柿子的，这是贱东西，不值钱的东西，麦子是发财之道呀！』驱著车子的青年结实的汉子过去了；鞭子甩响著。

老馬看著牆外的馬不叫一聲，也不響鼻子。The old horse looked at the horse beyond the wall without making a sound, without even snorting.小孩去拿柿子吃，柿子還不十分成熟，半青色的柿子，永遠被人們摘取下來。The child went to get the persimmons to eat; they weren't quite ripe yet, half-green persimmons, always picked by people before their time.

老马看著墙外的马不叫一声，也不响鼻子。小孩去拿柿子吃，柿子还不十分成熟，半青色的柿子，永远被人们摘取下来。

馬靜靜地停在那裏，連尾巴也不甩擺一下。The horse stood quietly there, not even swishing its tail once.也不去用嘴觸一觸石滾；Nor did it nudge the stone roller with its mouth;就連眼睛牠也不遠看一下，同時牠也不怕什麼工做，工作來的時候，牠就安心去開始；it didn't even glance far off with its eyes, and yet it feared no labor — when the work came, it settled calmly into it;一些繩鎖束上身時，牠就跟住主人的鞭子。when the ropes and chains were bound onto its body, it simply followed its master's whip.主人的鞭子很少落到牠的皮骨，有時牠過分疲憊而不能支持，行走過分緩慢；Its master's whip seldom landed on its hide and bone; sometimes, when it was too exhausted to hold up and walked too slowly,主人打了牠，用鞭子，或是用別的什麼，但是牠並不暴跳，因為一切過去的年代規定了牠。its master struck it, with the whip, or with something else, but it never bolted or reared, because all the years gone by had shaped it so.

马静静地停在那里，连尾巴也不甩摆一下。也不去用嘴触一触石滚；就连眼睛牠也不远看一下，同时牠也不怕什么工做，工作来的时候，牠就安心去开始；一些绳锁束上身时，牠就跟住主人的鞭子。主人的鞭子很少落到牠的皮骨，有时牠过分疲惫而不能支持，行走过分缓慢；主人打了牠，用鞭子，或是用别的什么，但是牠并不暴跳，因为一切过去的年代规定了牠。

麥穗在場上漸漸不成形了！The wheat ears on the ground gradually lost their shape!

麦穗在场上渐渐不成形了！

『來呀！"Come here!在這兒拉一會馬呀！Hold the horse here a while!平兒！』Ping'er!"

『来呀！在这儿拉一会马呀！平儿！』

『我不願意和老馬在一塊，老馬整天像睡著。』"I don't want to be with the old horse — the old horse looks asleep the whole day long."

『我不愿意和老马在一块，老马整天像睡著。』

平兒囊中帶著柿子走到一邊去吃，王婆怨怒著：Ping'er, persimmons in his pocket, went off to one side to eat, and Wang Po grumbled angrily:

平儿囊中带著柿子走到一边去吃，王婆怨怒著：

『好孩子呀！"What a fine child!我管不好你，你還有爹哩！』I can't manage you well enough — well, you still have a father!"

『好孩子呀！我管不好你，你还有爹哩！』

平兒沒有理誰，走出場子，向著東邊種著花的地端走去。Ping'er paid no attention to anyone, walked out of the threshing ground, and headed toward the flower-planted edge of the field to the east.他看著紅花，吃著柿子走。He walked along looking at the red flowers, eating his persimmon.

平儿没有理谁，走出场子，向著东边种著花的地端走去。他看著红花，吃著柿子走。

灰色的老幽靈暴怒了：『我去喚你的爹爹來管教你呀！』The gray old ghost flew into a rage: "I'll go call your father to come and discipline you!"

灰色的老幽灵暴怒了：『我去唤你的爹爹来管教你呀！』

她像一支灰色的大鳥走出場去。She walked off the threshing ground like a great gray bird.

她像一支灰色的大鸟走出场去。

清早的葉子們！The leaves of early morning!樹的葉子們，花的葉子們，閃著銀珠了！The leaves of the trees, the leaves of the flowers, glittering with beads of silver!太陽不著邊際地圓輪在高粱棵的上端，左近的家屋在預備早飯了。The sun hung boundless and round above the tops of the sorghum stalks; in the houses nearby, breakfast was being prepared.

清早的叶子们！树的叶子们，花的叶子们，闪著银珠了！太阳不著边际地圆轮在高粱棵的上端，左近的家屋在预备早饭了。

老馬自己在滾壓麥穗，勒帶在嘴下拖著，牠不偷食麥粒，牠不走脫了軌，轉過一個圈，再轉過一個，繩子和皮條有次序的向牠光皮的身子磨擦，老動物自己無聲的動在那裏。The old horse rolled over the wheat ears all on its own, the bridle strap dragging beneath its mouth; it stole no mouthful of grain, it never strayed from its track, turning one circle, then another; the ropes and leather straps rubbed in steady rhythm against its bare, worn hide, and the old animal moved there in silence, all by itself.

老马自己在滚压麦穗，勒带在嘴下拖著，牠不偷食麦粒，牠不走脱了轨，转过一个圈，再转过一个，绳子和皮条有次序的向牠光皮的身子磨擦，老动物自己无声的动在那里。

※ ※ ※ ※※ ※ ※ ※

種麥的人家，麥草堆得高漲起來了！In the households that grew wheat, the straw piles rose higher and higher!福發家的草堆也漲過牆頭。Fufa's family straw pile, too, rose above the top of the wall.福發的女人吸起菸管。Fufa's wife lit up her pipe.她是健壯而短小，菸管隨意冒著煙；She was sturdy and short; the pipe idly sent up its smoke;手中的耙子，不住的耙在平場。the rake in her hand raked away ceaselessly over the level ground.

种麦的人家，麦草堆得高涨起来了！福发家的草堆也涨过墙头。福发的女人吸起烟管。她是健壮而短小，烟管随意冒著烟；手中的耙子，不住的耙在平场。

侄兒打著鞭子行經在前面的林蔭，靜靜悄悄地他唱著寂寞的歌聲；Her nephew, cracking his whip, walked through the shade of the trees ahead, quietly, softly singing a lonesome song;她為歌聲感動了！She was moved by the sound of the song!耙子快要停下來，歌聲仍起在林端：The rake nearly came to a stop, while the song still rose at the edge of the woods:

侄儿打著鞭子行经在前面的林荫，静静悄悄地他唱著寂寞的歌声；她为歌声感动了！耙子快要停下来，歌声仍起在林端：

『昨晨落著毛毛雨，……"Yesterday morning a fine rain fell, ……小姑娘，披簑衣……Little girl, wearing a straw rain-cape……小姑娘，……Little girl, ……去打魚。』going out to fish."

『昨晨落著毛毛雨，……小姑娘，披蓑衣……小姑娘，……去打鱼。』