十三　你要死滅嗎？ Are You Going to Perish?

王婆以為又是假裝搜查到村中捉女人，於是她不想到什麼惡劣的事情上去，安然的睡了！Wang Po assumed it was another sham search, meant to seize women in the village, so she imagined nothing more sinister and slept soundly!趙三那老頭子也非常老了！Old Zhao San, too, was very old!他回來沒有驚動誰也睡了！He returned without waking anyone and went to sleep!

王婆以为又是假装搜查到村中捉女人，于是她不想到什么恶劣的事情上去，安然的睡了！赵三那老头子也非常老了！他回来没有惊动谁也睡了！

過了夜，日本憲兵在門外輕輕敲門，走進來的，看樣像個中國人，他的長靴染了濕淋的露水，從口袋取出手巾，擺出泰然的樣子坐在炕沿慢慢擦他的靴子，訪問就在這時開始：After the night had passed, a Japanese military policeman tapped softly at the door. The man who entered looked Chinese; his tall boots were drenched with dew. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he sat calmly on the edge of the kang and slowly wiped his boots. Then the questioning began:

过了夜，日本宪兵在门外轻轻敲门，走进来的，看样像个中国人，他的长靴染了湿淋的露水，从口袋取出手巾，摆出泰然的样子坐在炕沿慢慢擦他的靴子，访问就在这时开始：

「你家昨夜沒有人來過？“No one came to your house last night?不要緊。It does not matter.你要說實話。」You must tell the truth.”

「你家昨夜没有人来过？不要紧。你要说实话。」

趙三剛起來，意識有點不清，不曉得這是什麼事情發生。Zhao San had only just risen and was still rather foggy-headed; he had no idea what had happened.於是那個憲兵把手中的帽子用力抖了一下，不是柔和而不在意的態度了：The military policeman gave the hat in his hand a violent shake; his manner was no longer mild and casual:

赵三刚起来，意识有点不清，不晓得这是什么事情发生。于是那个宪兵把手中的帽子用力抖了一下，不是柔和而不在意的态度了：

「混蛋！“Bastard!你怎麼不知道？How can you not know?等帶去你就知道了！」Once we take you away, you’ll know!”

「混蛋！你怎么不知道？等带去你就知道了！」

說了這樣話並沒帶他去。Despite saying this, he did not take him away.王婆一面在扣衣紐一面搶說：Buttoning her clothes, Wang Po hastened to say:

说了这样话并没带他去。王婆一面在扣衣纽一面抢说：

「問的是什麼人？“What sort of men are you asking about?昨夜來過幾個『老總』，搜查沒有什麼就走了！」Several ‘officers’ came last night; they searched the place, found nothing, and left!”

「问的是什么人？昨夜来过几个『老总』，搜查没有什么就走了！」

那個軍官樣的把態度完全是對著王婆，用一種親暱的聲音問：The officer-like man now turned his attention entirely to Wang Po and asked in an intimate tone:

那个军官样的把态度完全是对著王婆，用一种亲暱的声音问：

「老太太請告訴吧！“Please tell us, old lady!有賞哩！」There is a reward in it for you!”

「老太太请告诉吧！有赏哩！」

王婆的樣子仍是沒有改變。Wang Po’s expression remained unchanged.那人又說：The man spoke again:

王婆的样子仍是没有改变。那人又说：

「我們是捉鬍子，有鬍子鄉民也是同樣受害，你沒見著昨天汽車來到村子宣傳『王道』嗎？『王道』叫人誠實。“We are hunting bandits. The villagers suffer from the bandits too. Didn’t you see the motorcar that came to the village yesterday preaching the ‘Kingly Way’? The ‘Kingly Way’ teaches people to be honest.老太太說了吧！Tell us, old lady!有賞呢？」There is a reward, you know?”

「我们是捉胡子，有胡子乡民也是同样受害，你没见著昨天汽车来到村子宣传『王道』吗？『王道』叫人诚实。老太太说了吧！有赏呢？」

王婆面對著窗子照上來的紅日影，她說：Facing the red glow of the sun shining through the window, Wang Po said:

王婆面对著窗子照上来的红日影，她说：

「我不知道這回事。」“I know nothing about it.”

「我不知道这回事。」

那個軍官又想大叫，可是停住了，他的嘴唇困難的又動幾下：The officer was about to shout again, but checked himself; with difficulty, his lips moved a few more times:

那个军官又想大叫，可是停住了，他的嘴唇困难的又动几下：

「『滿洲國』要把害民的鬍子掃清，知道鬍子不去報告，查出來槍斃！」這時那個長靴人用斜眼神侮辱趙三一下。“‘Manchukuo’ intends to sweep away the bandits who prey upon the people. Anyone who knows about bandits and fails to report them will be shot when discovered!” At this, the man in tall boots cast Zhao San a sidelong look of contempt.接著他再不說什麼，等待答覆，終於他什麼也沒得到答覆。Then he said no more and waited for an answer, but in the end received none.

「『满洲国』要把害民的胡子扫清，知道胡子不去报告，查出来枪毙！」这时那个长靴人用斜眼神侮辱赵三一下。接著他再不说什么，等待答覆，终于他什么也没得到答覆。

還不到中午；It was not yet noon;亂墳崗子多了三個死屍，其中一個是女屍。three more corpses lay on the wild burial ground, one of them a woman’s.

还不到中午；乱坟岗子多了三个死尸，其中一个是女尸。

人們都知道那個女屍，就是北村一個寡婦家出的那個「女學生」。Everyone knew that the woman was the “schoolgirl” from a widow’s household in the northern village.

人们都知道那个女尸，就是北村一个寡妇家出的那个「女学生」。

趙三聽得別人說「女學生」是什麼「黨」。Zhao San heard others say that the “schoolgirl” belonged to some sort of “party.”但是他不曉得什麼「黨」做什麼解釋。But he had no idea what “party” meant.當夜在喝酒以後把這一切告訴了王婆，他也不知道那「女學生」倒有什麼密事，到底為什麼才死？That night, after drinking, he told Wang Po all this. Nor did he know what secrets the “schoolgirl” had possessed, or just why she had died.他只感到不許傳說的事情神秘，他也必定要說。He merely felt that anything forbidden to be spoken of was mysterious—and that he simply had to speak of it.

赵三听得别人说「女学生」是什么「党」。但是他不晓得什么「党」做什么解释。当夜在喝酒以后把这一切告诉了王婆，他也不知道那「女学生」倒有什么密事，到底为什么才死？他只感到不许传说的事情神秘，他也必定要说。

王婆她十分不願意聽，因為這件事發生，她擔心她的女兒，她怕是女兒的命運和那個「女學生」一般樣。Wang Po was most unwilling to listen, for what had happened made her worry about her daughter; she feared that her daughter’s fate might be the same as the “schoolgirl’s.”

王婆她十分不愿意听，因为这件事发生，她担心她的女儿，她怕是女儿的命运和那个「女学生」一般样。

趙三的鬍子白了！Zhao San’s beard had turned white!也更稀疏，喝過酒，臉更是發紅，他任意把自己攤散在炕角。It had grown sparser too. After drinking, his face was redder still, and he sprawled at will in a corner of the kang.

赵三的胡子白了！也更稀疏，喝过酒，脸更是发红，他任意把自己摊散在炕角。

平兒擔了大捆的綠草回來，曬乾可以成柴，在院心他把綠草鋪平。Ping’er returned carrying a great bundle of green grass, which could serve as fuel once dried, and spread it out flat in the middle of the yard.進屋他不立刻吃飯，透汗的短衫脫在身邊，他好像憤怒似的，用力來拍響他多肉的肩頭，嘴裡長長的吐著呼吸。When he came inside, he did not eat at once. He stripped off his sweat-soaked shirt beside him and, as if in anger, slapped his fleshy shoulders hard, breathing out long and heavily.過了長時間爹爹說：After a long while, his father said:

平儿担了大捆的绿草回来，晒干可以成柴，在院心他把绿草铺平。进屋他不立刻吃饭，透汗的短衫脱在身边，他好像愤怒似的，用力来拍响他多肉的肩头，嘴里长长的吐著呼吸。过了长时间爹爹说：

「你們年青人應該有些膽量。“You young people ought to have some courage.這不是叫人死嗎？Isn’t this driving people to their deaths?亡國了！The country is lost!麥地不能種了，雞犬也要死淨。」The wheat fields can no longer be planted; even the chickens and dogs will all be killed.”

「你们年青人应该有些胆量。这不是叫人死吗？亡国了！麦地不能种了，鸡犬也要死净。」

老頭子說話像吵架一般。The old man spoke as though he were quarreling.王婆給平兒縫汗衫上的大口，她感動了，想到亡國，把汗衫縫錯了！Wang Po was mending a great tear in Ping’er’s undershirt. Moved by the thought of the lost country, she sewed it wrongly!她把兩個袖口完全縫住。She stitched both sleeves completely shut.

老头子说话像吵架一般。王婆给平儿缝汗衫上的大口，她感动了，想到亡国，把汗衫缝错了！她把两个袖口完全缝住。

趙三和一個老牛般樣，年青時的氣力全都消滅，只回想「鐮刀會」，又告訴平兒：Zhao San was like an old ox, all the strength of his youth gone. He could only look back on the “Sickle Society,” and he told Ping’er:

赵三和一个老牛般样，年青时的气力全都消灭，只回想「镰刀会」，又告诉平儿：

「那時候你還小著哩！“You were still little then!我和李青山他們弄了個『鐮刀會』。Li Qingshan and the others and I formed a ‘Sickle Society.’勇得很！We were brave indeed!可是我受了打擊，那一次使我碰壁了，你娘去借只洋炮來，誰知道沒有用洋炮，就是一條棍子出了人命，從那時起就倒楣了！But I suffered a setback—that one time broke my spirit. Your mother went and borrowed a foreign gun, but who knew we would never use it? A mere club took a man’s life, and from then on our luck turned bad!一年不如一年活到如今。」Each year has been worse than the last, right down to today.”

「那时候你还小著哩！我和李青山他们弄了个『镰刀会』。勇得很！可是我受了打击，那一次使我碰壁了，你娘去借只洋炮来，谁知道没有用洋炮，就是一条棍子出了人命，从那时起就倒楣了！一年不如一年活到如今。」

「狗，到底不是狼，你爹從出事以後，對『鐮刀會』就沒趣了！“A dog is no wolf, after all. Ever since that trouble, your father lost all interest in the ‘Sickle Society’!青牛就是那年賣的。」That was the year we sold the black ox.”

「狗，到底不是狼，你爹从出事以后，对『镰刀会』就没趣了！青牛就是那年卖的。」

她這樣搶白著，使趙三感到羞恥和憤恨。Her sharp retort filled Zhao San with shame and resentment.同時自己為什麼當時就那樣卑小？Why, too, had he himself been so small and craven then?心臟發燃了一刻，他說著使自己滿意的話。For a moment his heart flared, and he said something that pleased him.

她这样抢白著，使赵三感到羞耻和愤恨。同时自己为什么当时就那样卑小？心脏发燃了一刻，他说著使自己满意的话。

「這下子東家也不東家了！“This time even the landlords can’t carry on as landlords!有日本子，東家也不好幹什麼！」With the Japanese here, there isn’t much the landlords can do either!”

「这下子东家也不东家了！有日本子，东家也不好干什么！」

他為輕鬆充血的身子，他向樹林那面去散步，那兒有樹林，林梢在青色的天邊塗出美調的和舒捲著的雲一般的弧線。To ease his body, swollen with hot blood, he went for a walk toward the woods. There the treetops traced graceful arcs against the blue horizon, like gently unfurling clouds.青的天幕在前面直垂下來，曲捲的樹梢花邊一般地嵌上天幕。Ahead, the blue canopy of sky dropped straight down, its edge inlaid with the curling lace of the treetops.田間往日的蝶兒在飛，一切野花還不曾開。The butterflies of former days flew over the fields, though none of the wildflowers had yet bloomed.小草房一座一座的攤落著，有的留下殘牆在曬陽光，有的也許是被炸彈帶走了屋蓋。Little thatched cottages lay scattered one after another; some had left only broken walls sunning themselves, while others had perhaps had their roofs carried away by bombs.房身整整齊齊地擺在那裡。The bare bodies of the houses stood neatly in place.

他为轻松充血的身子，他向树林那面去散步，那儿有树林，林梢在青色的天边涂出美调的和舒卷著的云一般的弧线。青的天幕在前面直垂下来，曲卷的树梢花边一般地嵌上天幕。田间往日的蝶儿在飞，一切野花还不曾开。小草房一座一座的摊落著，有的留下残墙在晒阳光，有的也许是被炸弹带走了屋盖。房身整整齐齐地摆在那里。

趙三闊大開胸膛，他呼吸田間透明的空氣。Zhao San opened his broad chest wide and breathed in the clear air of the fields.他不願意走了，停腳在一片荒蕪的、過去的麥地旁。He no longer wished to walk and stopped beside a desolate field that had once grown wheat.就這樣不多一時，他又感到煩惱，因為他想起往日自己的麥田而今喪盡在炮火下，在日本兵的足下必定不能夠再長起來，他帶著麥田的憂傷又走過一片瓜田，瓜地也不見了種瓜的人，瓜田盡被一些蒿草充塞。Before long, however, he grew troubled again, for he remembered his own wheat fields of former days, now utterly lost beneath artillery fire; trampled under the feet of Japanese soldiers, they surely could never grow again. Bearing the sorrow of the wheat fields, he crossed another melon patch. The melon growers, too, had vanished, and the patch was choked with wormwood.去年看守瓜地小房，依然存在；The little hut used to guard the melon patch last year was still there;趙三倒在小房下的短草梢頭。Zhao San lay down beneath it on the tips of the short grass.他欲睡了！He was growing sleepy!朦朧中看見一些「高麗」人從大樹林穿過。Through his drowsiness he saw some “Koreans” crossing out of the great woods.視線從地平面直發過去，那一些「高麗」人彷彿是走在天邊。His gaze stretched straight across the level earth, and those “Koreans” seemed to be walking along the edge of the sky.

赵三阔大开胸膛，他呼吸田间透明的空气。他不愿意走了，停脚在一片荒芜的、过去的麦地旁。就这样不多一时，他又感到烦恼，因为他想起往日自己的麦田而今丧尽在炮火下，在日本兵的足下必定不能够再长起来，他带著麦田的忧伤又走过一片瓜田，瓜地也不见了种瓜的人，瓜田尽被一些蒿草充塞。去年看守瓜地小房，依然存在；赵三倒在小房下的短草梢头。他欲睡了！朦胧中看见一些「高丽」人从大树林穿过。视线从地平面直发过去，那一些「高丽」人彷佛是走在天边。

假如沒有亂插在地面的家屋，那麼趙三覺得自己是躺在天邊了！Had it not been for the houses stuck haphazardly into the ground, Zhao San would have felt that he himself was lying at the edge of the sky!

假如没有乱插在地面的家屋，那么赵三觉得自己是躺在天边了！

陽光迷住他的眼睛，使他不能再遠看了！The sunlight dazzled his eyes, so that he could see no farther!聽得見村狗在遠方無聊的吠叫。He could hear the village dogs barking listlessly in the distance.

阳光迷住他的眼睛，使他不能再远看了！听得见村狗在远方无聊的吠叫。

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如此荒涼的曠野，野狗也不到這裡巡行。Even stray dogs did not make their rounds in such a desolate wilderness.獨有酒燒胸膛的趙三到這裡巡行，但是他無有目的，任意足尖踏到什麼地點，走過無數禿田，他覺得過於可惜，點一點頭，擺一擺手，不住的歎著氣走回家去。Only Zhao San, his chest burning with liquor, made his rounds there; but he had no purpose, letting his toes carry him wherever they would. Passing countless barren fields, he found it all too pitiful. Nodding his head and waving his hand, he walked home, sighing without cease.

如此荒凉的旷野，野狗也不到这里巡行。独有酒烧胸膛的赵三到这里巡行，但是他无有目的，任意足尖踏到什么地点，走过无数秃田，他觉得过于可惜，点一点头，摆一摆手，不住的叹著气走回家去。

村中的寡婦多起來，前面是三個寡婦，起中一個尚拉著她的孩子走。There were more widows in the village now. Three walked ahead of him, one of them still leading her child by the hand.

村中的寡妇多起来，前面是三个寡妇，起中一个尚拉著她的孩子走。

紅臉的老趙三走近家門又轉彎了！Red-faced old Zhao San neared his doorway, then turned away again!他是那樣信步而無主的走！So aimlessly he wandered, following wherever his feet led!憂傷在前面招示他，忽然間一個大凹洞，踏下腳去。Sorrow beckoned him onward; suddenly his foot plunged into a great hollow.他未曾注意這個，好像他一心要完成長途似的，繼續前進。He paid it no heed but went on, as though bent upon completing some long journey.那裡更有炸彈的洞穴，但不能阻礙他的去路，因為喝酒，壯年的血氣鼓動他。There were still more bomb craters there, but they could not bar his way, for the liquor stirred the hot blood of his prime within him.

红脸的老赵三走近家门又转弯了！他是那样信步而无主的走！忧伤在前面招示他，忽然间一个大凹洞，踏下脚去。他未曾注意这个，好像他一心要完成长途似的，继续前进。那里更有炸弹的洞穴，但不能阻碍他的去路，因为喝酒，壮年的血气鼓动他。

在一間房子裡，一隻母貓正在哺乳一群小貓。Inside one house, a mother cat was suckling a litter of kittens.他不願看這些，他更走，沒有一個熟人與他遇見。He did not care to look at them and walked on, meeting not a single acquaintance.直到天西燒紅著雲彩，他滴血的心，垂淚的眼睛竟來到死去的年青時夥伴們的墳上，不帶酒祭奠他們，只是無話坐在朋友們之前。At last, when the western sky burned red with clouds, his heart dripping blood and his eyes shedding tears, he found himself at the graves of the companions of his youth. He had brought no wine to make an offering; he merely sat speechless before his friends.

在一间房子里，一只母猫正在哺乳一群小猫。他不愿看这些，他更走，没有一个熟人与他遇见。直到天西烧红著云彩，他滴血的心，垂泪的眼睛竟来到死去的年青时伙伴们的坟上，不带酒祭奠他们，只是无话坐在朋友们之前。

亡國後的老趙三，驀然念起那些死去的英勇的夥伴！After the loss of his country, old Zhao San suddenly remembered those brave companions who had died!留下活著的老的，只有悲憤而不能走險了，老趙三不能走險了！Those who had survived into old age possessed only grief and indignation and could no longer take desperate risks; old Zhao San could no longer take desperate risks!

亡国后的老赵三，蓦然念起那些死去的英勇的伙伴！留下活著的老的，只有悲愤而不能走险了，老赵三不能走险了！

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那是個繁星的夜，李青山發著瘋了！It was a night thick with stars, and Li Qingshan was in a frenzy!他的啞喉嚨，使他講話帶著神秘而緊張的聲色。His hoarse throat lent his speech a mysterious, taut tone.這是一次他們大型的集會。This was one of their large gatherings.在趙三家裡，他們像在舉行什麼盛大的典禮，莊嚴與靜肅。In Zhao San’s home, it was as though they were conducting some grand ceremony, solemn and hushed.人們感到缺乏空氣一般，人們連鼻子也沒有一個作響。The people felt as if there were not enough air; not so much as a breath sounded through a single nose.屋子不燃燈，人們的眼睛和夜裡的貓眼一般，閃閃有磷光而發綠。No lamp burned in the room. The people’s eyes were like cats’ eyes at night, glinting with a green phosphorescence.

那是个繁星的夜，李青山发著疯了！他的哑喉咙，使他讲话带著神秘而紧张的声色。这是一次他们大型的集会。在赵三家里，他们像在举行什么盛大的典礼，庄严与静肃。人们感到缺乏空气一般，人们连鼻子也没有一个作响。屋子不燃灯，人们的眼睛和夜里的猫眼一般，闪闪有磷光而发绿。

王婆的尖腳，不住的踏在窗外，她安靜的手下提了一隻破洋燈罩，她時時準備著把玻璃燈罩摔碎。Wang Po’s pointed feet paced ceaselessly outside the window. In her steady hand she carried a cracked glass chimney from a foreign-style lamp, ready at any moment to smash it.她是個守夜的老鼠，時時防備貓來。She was a mouse keeping watch at night, ever on guard against the cat’s approach.她到籬笆外繞走一趟，站在籬笆外聽一聽他們的談論高低，有沒有危險性？She made a circuit outside the fence, then stood there listening to the rise and fall of their discussion, to judge whether there was any danger.手中的燈罩她時刻不能忘記。She could not for a moment forget the lamp chimney in her hand.

王婆的尖脚，不住的踏在窗外，她安静的手下提了一只破洋灯罩，她时时准备著把玻璃灯罩摔碎。她是个守夜的老鼠，时时防备猫来。她到篱笆外绕走一趟，站在篱笆外听一听他们的谈论高低，有没有危险性？手中的灯罩她时刻不能忘记。

屋中李青山固執而且濁重的聲音繼續下去：Inside, Li Qingshan’s stubborn, thick voice continued:

屋中李青山固执而且浊重的声音继续下去：

「在這半月裡，我才真知道人民革命軍真是不行，要幹人民革命軍那就必得倒霉，他們儘是些『洋學生』，上馬還得用人抬上去。“Only in this past fortnight have I truly learned that the People’s Revolutionary Army is no good at all. Anyone who joins it is bound to come to grief. They are nothing but ‘foreign-educated students’; they even need someone to lift them onto their horses.他們嘴裡就會狂喊『退卻』。All they know how to do is bawl ‘Retreat!’二十八日那夜外面下小雨，我們十個同志正吃飯，飯碗被炸碎了哩！On the night of the twenty-eighth, a light rain was falling outside. Ten of us comrades were eating when our rice bowls were blown to pieces!派兩個出去尋炸彈的來路。Two men were sent out to find where the bombs were coming from.大家來想一想，兩個『洋學生』跑出去，唉！Just think of it, everyone: two ‘foreign-educated students’ ran out, and—alas!喪氣，被敵人追著連帽子都跑丟了，『學生』們常常給敵人打死。……」What a disgrace! Chased by the enemy, they even lost their hats as they fled. Those ‘students’ are forever getting themselves shot by the enemy.…”

「在这半月里，我才真知道人民革命军真是不行，要干人民革命军那就必得倒霉，他们尽是些『洋学生』，上马还得用人抬上去。他们嘴里就会狂喊『退却』。二十八日那夜外面下小雨，我们十个同志正吃饭，饭碗被炸碎了哩！派两个出去寻炸弹的来路。大家来想一想，两个『洋学生』跑出去，唉！丧气，被敌人追著连帽子都跑丢了，『学生』们常常给敌人打死。……」

羅圈腿插咀了：「革命軍還不如紅鬍子有用？」Bowlegs broke in: “Is the Revolutionary Army even less use than the Red-Bearded bandits?”

罗圈腿插咀了：「革命军还不如红胡子有用？」

月光照進窗來太暗了！The moonlight shining through the window was too dim!當時沒有人能發見羅圈腿發問時是個什麼奇怪的神情。At the time, no one could make out the peculiar expression on Bowlegs’ face as he asked his question.

月光照进窗来太暗了！当时没有人能发见罗圈腿发问时是个什么奇怪的神情。

李青山又在開始：Li Qingshan began again:

李青山又在开始：

「革命軍紀律可真厲害，你們懂嗎？“The Revolutionary Army’s discipline is truly severe—do you understand?什麼叫紀律？What is discipline?那就是規矩。It means rules.規矩太緊，我們也受不了。The rules are so strict that even we cannot bear them.比方吧：屯子裡年青青的姑娘望著不准去……For example: if there is a young girl in a village, you’re forbidden to go after her…哈哈！Ha-ha!我吃了一回苦，同志打了我十下槍柄哩！」I suffered a beating that time — a comrade struck me ten times with the rifle butt!"

「革命军纪律可真厉害，你们懂吗？什么叫纪律？那就是规矩。规矩太紧，我们也受不了。比方吧：屯子里年青青的姑娘望著不准去……哈哈！我吃了一回苦，同志打了我十下枪柄哩！」

他說到這裡，自己停下笑起來，但是沒敢大聲。When he got to this part, he stopped and laughed to himself, but didn't dare laugh loudly.他繼續下去。He went on.

他说到这里，自己停下笑起来，但是没敢大声。他继续下去。

二里半對於這些事情始終是缺乏興致，他在一邊瞌睡，老趙三用他的煙袋撞一下在睡的缺乏政治思想的二里半，並且趙三大不滿意起來：Er Li Ban had never had much interest in such matters; he dozed off to one side. Old Zhao San gave the politically indifferent, sleeping Er Li Ban a poke with his pipe, and grew quite displeased:

二里半对于这些事情始终是缺乏兴致，他在一边瞌睡，老赵三用他的烟袋撞一下在睡的缺乏政治思想的二里半，并且赵三大不满意起来：

「聽著呀！"Listen!聽著，這是什麼年頭還睡覺？」Listen, what times are these, that you're still sleeping?"

「听著呀！听著，这是什么年头还睡觉？」

王婆的尖腳亂踏著地面作響一陣，人們聽一聽，沒聽到燈罩的響聲，知道日本兵沒有來，同時人民感到嚴重的氣氛。Wang Po's small bound feet stamped noisily on the ground for a moment; people listened, and hearing no rattle from the lampshade, knew the Japanese soldiers had not come — and at the same time the people felt the gravity of the atmosphere.李青山的計畫嚴重著發表。Li Qingshan's plan was solemnly announced.

王婆的尖脚乱踏著地面作响一阵，人们听一听，没听到灯罩的响声，知道日本兵没有来，同时人民感到严重的气氛。李青山的计画严重著发表。

李青山是個農人，尚分不清該怎樣把事弄起來，只說著：Li Qingshan was a farmer, still unable to work out just how the thing should be set in motion; he only said:

李青山是个农人，尚分不清该怎样把事弄起来，只说著：

「屯子裡的小夥子招集，起來救國吧！"Gather the young men of the village, rise up and save the nation!革命軍那一群『學生』是不行。That crowd of 'students' in the revolutionary army are no good.只有紅鬍子才有膽量。」Only the Red Beards have the nerve."

「屯子里的小伙子招集，起来救国吧！革命军那一群『学生』是不行。只有红胡子才有胆量。」

老趙三他的煙袋沒有燃著，丟在炕上，急快的拍一下手他說：Old Zhao San, his pipe unlit, tossed it onto the kang, clapped his hands together sharply, and said:

老赵三他的烟袋没有燃著，丢在炕上，急快的拍一下手他说：

「對！"Right!招集小夥子們，起名也叫革命軍。」Gather the young men, and name it the Revolutionary Army too."

「对！招集小伙子们，起名也叫革命军。」

其實趙三完全不能明白，因為他還不曾聽說什麼叫做革命軍，他無由得到安慰，他的大手掌快樂的不停的捋著鬍子。In fact Zhao San understood none of it at all, for he had never even heard what a "Revolutionary Army" was; yet without any real cause he felt comforted, and his big hand happily stroked his beard again and again.對於趙三這完全和十年前組織「鐮刀會」同樣興致，也是暗室，也是靜悄悄的講話。For Zhao San this was exactly the same excitement as when the "Sickle Society" was organized ten years before — the same darkened room, the same hushed talk.

其实赵三完全不能明白，因为他还不曾听说什么叫做革命军，他无由得到安慰，他的大手掌快乐的不停的捋著胡子。对于赵三这完全和十年前组织「镰刀会」同样兴致，也是暗室，也是静悄悄的讲话。

老趙三快樂得終夜不能睡覺，大手掌翻了個終夜。Old Zhao San was so happy he could not sleep the whole night through; his big hand turned over and over till dawn.

老赵三快乐得终夜不能睡觉，大手掌翻了个终夜。

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同時站在二里半的牆外可以數清他鼾聲的拍子。Meanwhile, standing outside Er Li Ban's wall, one could count the beat of his snoring.

同时站在二里半的墙外可以数清他鼾声的拍子。

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鄉間，日本人的毒手努力毒化農民，就說要恢復「大清國」，要做「忠臣」，「孝子」，「節婦」；In the countryside, the poisonous hand of the Japanese labored to poison the peasants, saying they would restore the "Great Qing Nation," that people should become "loyal subjects," "filial sons," "chaste widows";可是另一方面，正相反的勢力也增長著。but on the other hand, a force running in exactly the opposite direction was also growing.

乡间，日本人的毒手努力毒化农民，就说要恢复「大清国」，要做「忠臣」，「孝子」，「节妇」；可是另一方面，正相反的势力也增长著。

天一黑下來就有人越牆藏在王婆家中，那個黑鬍子的人每夜來，成為王婆的熟人。As soon as it grew dark, someone would climb the wall and hide in Wang Po's house; that black-bearded man came every night, and became a familiar face to Wang Po.在王婆家吃夜飯，那人向她說：Eating his night meal at Wang Po's, the man said to her:

天一黑下来就有人越墙藏在王婆家中，那个黑胡子的人每夜来，成为王婆的熟人。在王婆家吃夜饭，那人向她说：

「你的女兒能幹得很，背著步槍爬山爬得快呢！"Your daughter is very capable — carrying a rifle on her back, she climbs the hills fast!可是……But...已經……」already..."

「你的女儿能干得很，背著步枪爬山爬得快呢！可是……已经……」

平兒蹲在炕下，他吸爹爹的煙袋。Ping'er squatted below the kang, smoking his father's pipe.輕微的一點忌妒橫過心面。A faint touch of jealousy crossed over his heart.他有意弄響煙袋在門扇上，他走出去了。He deliberately knocked the pipe loudly against the door panel and walked out.外面是陰沉全黑的夜，他在黑色中消滅了自己。Outside was a gloomy, pitch-black night; he vanished into the blackness.等他憂悒著轉回來時，王婆已是在垂淚的境況。By the time he came back again, gloomy and downcast, Wang Po was already in a state of shedding tears.

平儿蹲在炕下，他吸爹爹的烟袋。轻微的一点忌妒横过心面。他有意弄响烟袋在门扇上，他走出去了。外面是阴沉全黑的夜，他在黑色中消灭了自己。等他忧悒著转回来时，王婆已是在垂泪的境况。

那夜老趙三回來得很晚，那是因為他逢人便講亡國，救國，義勇軍，革命軍，……That night Old Zhao San came home very late, because he stopped everyone he met to talk of the nation's ruin, of saving the nation, of the Volunteer Army, the Revolutionary Army...這一些出奇的字眼，所以弄得回來這樣晚。these extraordinary words — that was why he got back so late.快雞叫的時候了！It was nearly time for the roosters to crow!趙三的家沒有雞，全村聽不見往日的雞鳴。Zhao San's house had no chickens; the whole village no longer heard the crowing of former days.只有褪色的月光在窗上，「三星」不見了，知道天快明瞭。Only faded moonlight lay on the window; the "Three Stars" had disappeared, so one knew dawn was near.

那夜老赵三回来得很晚，那是因为他逢人便讲亡国，救国，义勇军，革命军，……这一些出奇的字眼，所以弄得回来这样晚。快鸡叫的时候了！赵三的家没有鸡，全村听不见往日的鸡鸣。只有褪色的月光在窗上，「三星」不见了，知道天快明瞭。

他把兒子從夢中喚醒，他告訴他得意的宣傳工作：東村那個寡婦怎樣把孩子送回娘家預備去投義勇軍。He woke his son from sleep and told him, with great satisfaction, about his propaganda work: how the widow from the eastern village had sent her child back to her own mother's house, in preparation for joining the Volunteer Army.小夥子們怎樣準備集合。How the young men were preparing to assemble.老頭子好像已在衙門裡做了官員一樣，搖搖擺擺著他講話時的姿勢，搖搖擺擺著他自己的心情，他整個的靈魂在闊步！The old man seemed as if he had already become an official in some yamen — swaying as he spoke, swaying in his very mood; his whole soul strode forth in great strides!

他把儿子从梦中唤醒，他告诉他得意的宣传工作：东村那个寡妇怎样把孩子送回娘家预备去投义勇军。小伙子们怎样准备集合。老头子好像已在衙门里做了官员一样，摇摇摆摆著他讲话时的姿势，摇摇摆摆著他自己的心情，他整个的灵魂在阔步！

稍微沉靜一刻，他問平兒：After a moment's quiet, he asked Ping'er:

稍微沉静一刻，他问平儿：

「那個人來了沒有？"Did that man come?那個黑鬍子的人？」That black-bearded man?"

「那个人来了没有？那个黑胡子的人？」

平兒仍回到睡中，爹爹正鼓動著生力，他卻睡了！Ping'er had already sunk back into sleep; while his father was rousing himself with fresh vigor, he had fallen asleep!爹爹的話在他耳邊，像蚊蟲嗡叫一般的無意義。His father's words were at his ear, as meaningless as the droning of a mosquito.趙三立刻動怒起來，他覺得他光榮的事業，不能有人承受下去，感到養了這樣的兒子沒用，他失望。Zhao San grew angry at once; he felt that his glorious undertaking had no one to carry it on, felt that raising such a son had been useless, and he was disappointed.

平儿仍回到睡中，爹爹正鼓动著生力，他却睡了！爹爹的话在他耳边，像蚊虫嗡叫一般的无意义。赵三立刻动怒起来，他觉得他光荣的事业，不能有人承受下去，感到养了这样的儿子没用，他失望。

王婆一點聲息也不作出，像是在睡般地。Wang Po made not a sound, as though she too were asleep.

王婆一点声息也不作出，像是在睡般地。

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明朝，黑鬍子的人，忽然走來，王婆又問他：The next morning, the black-bearded man suddenly came by, and Wang Po asked him again:

明朝，黑胡子的人，忽然走来，王婆又问他：

「那孩子死的時候，你到底是親眼看見她沒有？」"When that child died, did you actually see it with your own eyes or not?"

「那孩子死的时候，你到底是亲眼看见她没有？」

他弄著騙術一般：He put on something like a trick, a deception:

他弄著骗术一般：

「老太太你怎麼還不明白？"Old woman, how can you still not understand?不是老早對你講麼？Didn't I tell you long ago?死了就死了吧！If she's dead, then she's dead!革命就不怕死，那是露臉的死啊……Revolution means not fearing death — that's a death that brings honor...比當日本狗的奴隸活著強得多哪！」It's far better than living on as a slave of the Japanese dogs!"

「老太太你怎么还不明白？不是老早对你讲么？死了就死了吧！革命就不怕死，那是露脸的死啊……比当日本狗的奴隶活著强得多哪！」

王婆常常聽他們這一類人說「死」說「活」……Wang Po often heard people of this sort talk of "dying" and "living"...她也想死是應該，於是安靜下去，用她昨夜為著淚水所侵蝕的眼睛觀察那熟人急轉的面孔。She too came to think that dying was as it should be, and so grew calm, watching with eyes worn raw by last night's tears the swiftly shifting face of that familiar man.終於她接受了！In the end she accepted it!那人從囊中取出來的所有小本子，和像黑點一般的小字充滿在上面的零散的紙張，她全接受了！All the little notebooks the man took from his bag, and the loose sheets of paper covered with small characters like black dots — she accepted every one of them!另外還有發亮的小槍一支也遞給王婆。Besides these, a small, gleaming pistol was also handed to Wang Po.那個人急忙著要走，這時王婆又不自禁問：The man was in a hurry to leave; at this moment Wang Po could not help asking again:

王婆常常听他们这一类人说「死」说「活」……她也想死是应该，于是安静下去，用她昨夜为著泪水所侵蚀的眼睛观察那熟人急转的面孔。终于她接受了！那人从囊中取出来的所有小本子，和像黑点一般的小字充满在上面的零散的纸张，她全接受了！另外还有发亮的小枪一支也递给王婆。那个人急忙著要走，这时王婆又不自禁问：

「她也是槍打死的嗎？」"Was she shot to death too?"

「她也是枪打死的吗？」

那人開門急走出去了！The man opened the door and hurried out!因為急走，那人沒有注意到王婆。Because he left in such haste, he paid no attention to Wang Po.

那人开门急走出去了！因为急走，那人没有注意到王婆。

王婆往日裡，她不知恐怖，常常把那一些別人帶來的小本子放在廚房裡。In former days, Wang Po had known no fear, and often kept those little notebooks other people brought to her in the kitchen.有時她竟丟在蓆子下面。Sometimes she would simply toss them under the sleeping mat.今天她卻減少了膽量，她想那些東西若被搜查著，日本兵的刺刀會刺通了自己。Today, though, her courage had shrunk; she thought that if those things were found in a search, the Japanese soldiers' bayonets would pierce straight through her.她好像覺著自己的遭遇要和女兒一樣似的，尤其是手掌裡的小槍。It seemed to her that her own fate was about to become the same as her daughter's — especially with that little gun now in her hand.她被恫嚇著慢慢顫慄起來。Terrified, she began slowly to tremble.女兒也一定被同樣的槍殺死。Her daughter too must surely have been killed by just such a gun.她終止了想，她知道當前的事開始緊急。She stopped thinking; she knew the matter at hand had turned urgent.

王婆往日里，她不知恐怖，常常把那一些别人带来的小本子放在厨房里。有时她竟丢在席子下面。今天她却减少了胆量，她想那些东西若被搜查著，日本兵的刺刀会刺通了自己。她好像觉著自己的遭遇要和女儿一样似的，尤其是手掌里的小枪。她被恫吓著慢慢颤栗起来。女儿也一定被同样的枪杀死。她终止了想，她知道当前的事开始紧急。

趙三倉皇著臉回來，王婆沒有理他走向後面柴堆那兒。Zhao San came home with a flustered face; Wang Po paid him no heed and went toward the woodpile out back.柴草不似每年，那是燃空了！The firewood was not like other years — it had all been burned up!在一片平地上稀疏的生著馬蛇菜。On a stretch of level ground, purslane grew sparsely.她開始掘地洞；She began digging a hole in the ground;聽村狗在狂咬，她有些心慌意亂，把鐮刀頭插進土去無力拔出。hearing the village dogs barking wildly, she grew flustered and confused, and drove the sickle blade into the earth without the strength to pull it out again.她好像要倒落一般：全身受著什麼壓迫要把肉體解散了一般。She felt as though she were about to collapse: her whole body under some pressure, as if her flesh were about to come apart.過了一刻難忍昏迷的時間，她跑去呼喚她的老同伴。After a spell of unbearable, dizzy time had passed, she ran off to call her old companion.可是當走到房門又急轉回來，她想起別人的訓告：But upon reaching the door of the house she turned sharply back — she remembered someone's warning:

赵三仓皇著脸回来，王婆没有理他走向后面柴堆那儿。柴草不似每年，那是燃空了！在一片平地上稀疏的生著马蛇菜。她开始掘地洞；听村狗在狂咬，她有些心慌意乱，把镰刀头插进土去无力拔出。她好像要倒落一般：全身受著什么压迫要把肉体解散了一般。过了一刻难忍昏迷的时间，她跑去呼唤她的老同伴。可是当走到房门又急转回来，她想起别人的训告：

──重要的事情誰也不能告訴，兩口子也不能告訴。— important matters must not be told to anyone, not even to one's own husband.

──重要的事情谁也不能告诉，两口子也不能告诉。

那個黑鬍子的人，向她說過的話也使她回想了一遍：The words that black-bearded man had once said to her also came back to her mind:

那个黑胡子的人，向她说过的话也使她回想了一遍：

──你不要叫趙三知道，那老頭子說不定和孩子似的。— Don't let Zhao San know; that old man might well be like a child about it.

──你不要叫赵三知道，那老头子说不定和孩子似的。

等她埋好之後，日本兵繼續來過十幾遍。By the time she had finished burying it, the Japanese soldiers had already come more than a dozen times.多半只戴了銅帽，連長靴都沒穿就來了！Most of the time they wore only their brass helmets, coming without even putting on their tall boots!人們知道他們又是在弄女人。People knew they were out chasing women again.

等她埋好之后，日本兵继续来过十几遍。多半只戴了铜帽，连长靴都没穿就来了！人们知道他们又是在弄女人。

王婆什麼觀察力也失去了！Wang Po had lost all her powers of observation!不自覺地退縮在趙三的身後，就連那永久帶著笑臉，常來王婆家搜查的日本官長，她也不認識了。Unconsciously she shrank back behind Zhao San; even the Japanese officer who always wore a smiling face and often came to search Wang Po's house, she no longer recognized.臨走時那人向王婆說「再見」，她直直遲疑著而不回答一聲。As he was leaving, the man said "goodbye" to Wang Po; she only stood there hesitating, without answering a single word.

王婆什么观察力也失去了！不自觉地退缩在赵三的身后，就连那永久带著笑脸，常来王婆家搜查的日本官长，她也不认识了。临走时那人向王婆说「再见」，她直直迟疑著而不回答一声。

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「拔」──「拔」，就是出發的意思，老婆們給男人在搜集衣裳或是鞋襪。"Pull out" — "pull out," meaning to set off; the wives were gathering clothing or shoes and socks for their men.

「拔」──「拔」，就是出发的意思，老婆们给男人在搜集衣裳或是鞋袜。

李青山派人到每家去尋個公雞，沒得尋到，有人提議把二里半的老山羊殺了吧！Li Qingshan sent people to every house to look for a rooster; none could be found, and someone proposed that Er Li Ban's old billy goat be slaughtered instead!山羊正走在李青山的門前，或者是歇涼，或者是牠走不動了！The goat happened to be walking past Li Qingshan's gate just then — whether resting in the shade, or simply unable to walk any farther!牠的一隻獨角塞進籬牆的縫際，小夥子們去抬牠，但是無法把獨角弄出。Its single horn got wedged into a gap in the fence wall; the young men went to carry it off, but could not work the horn free.

李青山派人到每家去寻个公鸡，没得寻到，有人提议把二里半的老山羊杀了吧！山羊正走在李青山的门前，或者是歇凉，或者是牠走不动了！牠的一只独角塞进篱墙的缝际，小伙子们去抬牠，但是无法把独角弄出。

二里半從門口經過，山羊就跟在後面回家去了！Er Li Ban happened to pass by the gate, and the goat followed along behind him home!二里半說：Er Li Ban said:

二里半从门口经过，山羊就跟在后面回家去了！二里半说：

「你們要殺就殺吧！"If you want to kill it, go ahead and kill it!早晚還不是給日本子留著嗎！」Sooner or later it would only be kept for the Japanese anyway!"

「你们要杀就杀吧！早晚还不是给日本子留著吗！」

李二嫂子在一邊說：Li Ersao said from the side:

李二嫂子在一边说：

「日本子可不要牠，老得不成樣。」"The Japanese wouldn't want it — it's old beyond all use."

「日本子可不要牠，老得不成样。」

二里半說：「日本子不要牠，老也老死了！」Er Li Ban said: "If the Japanese don't want it, it'll just die of old age anyway!"

二里半说：「日本子不要牠，老也老死了！」

人們宣誓的日子到了！The day for the people's oath-taking arrived!沒有尋到公雞，決定拿老山羊來代替。No rooster having been found, it was decided to use the old billy goat in its place.小夥子們把山羊抬著，在桿上四腳倒掛下去，山羊不住哀叫。The young men carried the goat, its four legs hung upside down and bound to a pole, and it cried out mournfully without pause.二里半可笑的悲哀的形色跟著山羊走來，他的跌腳彷彿是一步一步把地面踏陷。Er Li Ban, his expression both comic and sorrowful, came following after the goat; his limping steps seemed, step by step, to be stamping the ground into hollows.波浪狀的行走，愈走愈快！He walked in a rolling, wave-like gait, going faster and faster!他的老婆瘋狂的想把他拖回去，然而不能做到，二里半惶惶的走了一路。His wife tried frantically to drag him back, but could not manage it; Er Li Ban went on the whole way in a state of anguish.山羊被抬過一個山腰的小曲道。The goat was carried along a small winding path halfway up the hillside.山羊被升上院心鋪好紅布的方桌。The goat was hoisted up onto the square table spread with red cloth in the middle of the courtyard.

人们宣誓的日子到了！没有寻到公鸡，决定拿老山羊来代替。小伙子们把山羊抬著，在杆上四脚倒挂下去，山羊不住哀叫。二里半可笑的悲哀的形色跟著山羊走来，他的跌脚彷佛是一步一步把地面踏陷。波浪状的行走，愈走愈快！他的老婆疯狂的想把他拖回去，然而不能做到，二里半惶惶的走了一路。山羊被抬过一个山腰的小曲道。山羊被升上院心铺好红布的方桌。

東村的寡婦也來了！The widow from the eastern village had come too!她在桌前跪下禱告一陣，又到桌前點著兩隻紅蠟燭，蠟燭一點著，二里半知道快要殺羊了。She knelt before the table and prayed for a while, then went and lit two red candles at the table; as soon as the candles were lit, Er Li Ban knew the goat was about to be killed.

东村的寡妇也来了！她在桌前跪下祷告一阵，又到桌前点著两只红蜡烛，蜡烛一点著，二里半知道快要杀羊了。

院心除了老趙三，那儘是一些年青小夥子在走，轉。In the middle of the courtyard, aside from Old Zhao San, it was all young men walking about, turning this way and that.他們袒胸露背，強壯而且凶橫。They bared their chests and backs, strong and fierce-looking.

院心除了老赵三，那尽是一些年青小伙子在走，转。他们袒胸露背，强壮而且凶横。

趙三總是向那個東村的寡婦說，他一看見她便宣傳她。Zhao San kept talking to that widow from the eastern village; the moment he caught sight of her he would preach at her.他一遇見事情，就不像往日那樣貪婪吸他的煙袋。Whenever he found himself in the midst of things now, he no longer puffed greedily at his pipe as he used to.說話表示出莊嚴，連鬍子也動盪一下：His speech took on a solemn air; even his beard trembled a little as he spoke:

赵三总是向那个东村的寡妇说，他一看见她便宣传她。他一遇见事情，就不像往日那样贪婪吸他的烟袋。说话表示出庄严，连胡子也动荡一下：

「救國的日子就要來到。"The day of saving the nation is coming soon.有血氣的人不肯當亡國奴，甘願做日本刺刀下的屈死鬼。」Any man with blood in his veins will not consent to be a slave of a ruined nation, content to become a wronged ghost beneath a Japanese bayonet."

「救国的日子就要来到。有血气的人不肯当亡国奴，甘愿做日本刺刀下的屈死鬼。」

趙三只知道自己是中國人。Zhao San knew only one thing: that he was a Chinese.無論別人對他講解了多少遍，他總不能明白他在中國人中是站在怎樣的階級。No matter how many times others explained it to him, he could never understand what class he occupied among the Chinese people.雖然這樣，老趙三也是非常進步，他可以代表整個村人在進步著，那就是他從前不曉得什麼叫國家，從前也許忘掉了自己是那國的國民！Even so, old Zhao San too was making great progress; he could represent the whole village's progress — namely, that in the past he had not known what a "nation" was, and in the past he had perhaps forgotten which country's citizen he himself was!

赵三只知道自己是中国人。无论别人对他讲解了多少遍，他总不能明白他在中国人中是站在怎样的阶级。虽然这样，老赵三也是非常进步，他可以代表整个村人在进步著，那就是他从前不晓得什么叫国家，从前也许忘掉了自己是那国的国民！

他不開言了！He fell silent!靜站在院心，等待宏壯悲憤的典禮來臨。He stood quietly in the middle of the courtyard, waiting for the solemn, grief-stricken ceremony to begin.

他不开言了！静站在院心，等待宏壮悲愤的典礼来临。

來到三十多人，帶來重壓的大會，可真的觸到趙三了！More than thirty people had gathered, bringing with them a heavy, oppressive assembly — and this truly moved Zhao San!使他的鬍子也感到非常重要而不可搓碰一下。It made even his beard feel so important that it could not be so much as stroked.

来到三十多人，带来重压的大会，可真的触到赵三了！使他的胡子也感到非常重要而不可搓碰一下。

四月裡晴朗的天空從山脊流照下來，房周的大樹群在正午垂曲的立在太陽下。The clear April sky poured its light down from the mountain ridge; the clusters of great trees around the houses stood bent and drooping under the noon sun.暢明的天光與人們共同宣誓。The bright, clear light of the sky took the oath together with the people.

四月里晴朗的天空从山脊流照下来，房周的大树群在正午垂曲的立在太阳下。畅明的天光与人们共同宣誓。

寡婦們和亡家的獨身漢在李青山喊過口號之後，完全用膝曲倒在天光之下。After Li Qingshan had shouted the slogans, the widows and the bachelors whose families had been destroyed all sank down on their knees beneath the light of the sky.羊的脊背流過天光，桌前的大紅蠟燭在壯默的人頭前面燃燒。Light streamed over the sheep's back, and the great red candles before the table burned before the solemn, silent heads of the people.李青山的大個子直立在桌前：Li Qingshan's tall figure stood erect before the table:

寡妇们和亡家的独身汉在李青山喊过口号之后，完全用膝曲倒在天光之下。羊的脊背流过天光，桌前的大红蜡烛在壮默的人头前面燃烧。李青山的大个子直立在桌前：

「弟兄們！"Brothers!今天是什麼日子！What day is today!知道嗎？Do you know?今天……Today……我們去敢死……We are going to dare to die……決定了……It's decided……就是把我們的腦袋掛滿了整個村子所有的樹梢也情願，是不不是啊？……Even if our heads were hung on every treetop in the whole village, we would still be willing — isn't that so?……是不是……？Isn't it so……?弟兄們……？」Brothers……?"

「弟兄们！今天是什么日子！知道吗？今天……我们去敢死……决定了……就是把我们的脑袋挂满了整个村子所有的树梢也情愿，是不不是啊？……是不是……？弟兄们……？」

回聲先從寡婦們傳出：「是呀！The echo came first from the widows: "Yes!千刀萬剮也願意！」Even to be cut to pieces by a thousand knives, we'd be willing!"

回声先从寡妇们传出：「是呀！千刀万剐也愿意！」

哭聲刺心一般痛，哭聲方錐一般落進每個人的胸膛。The sound of weeping stabbed like a blade into the heart; the crying fell into every person's chest like a sharp awl.一陣強烈的悲酸掠過低垂的人頭，蒼蒼然藍天卻墜了！A wave of intense sorrow swept over the bowed heads, and the vast blue sky itself seemed to sink down!

哭声刺心一般痛，哭声方锥一般落进每个人的胸膛。一阵强烈的悲酸掠过低垂的人头，苍苍然蓝天却坠了！

老趙三立到桌子前面，他不發聲，先流淚：Old Zhao San stood up before the table; before he made a sound, he wept first:

老赵三立到桌子前面，他不发声，先流泪：

「國……"The nation……國亡了！the nation is destroyed!我……I……我也……I too……老了！am old!你們還年青，你們去救國吧！You are still young — go and save the nation!我這許老骨頭再……These old bones of mine……再也不中用了！are no longer of any use!我是個老亡國奴，我不會眼見你們把日本的旗撕碎，等著我埋在墳裡……I am an old slave of a conquered nation; I will not live to see you tear the Japanese flag to shreds with my own eyes — wait until I am buried in my grave……也要把中國旗子插在墳頭，我是中國人……you must still plant a Chinese flag at the head of my grave; I am a Chinese……我要中國旗子，我不要當亡國奴，生是中國人，死是中國鬼……I want the Chinese flag, I do not want to be a slave of a conquered nation — in life a Chinese, in death a Chinese ghost……不……No……不是亡……not a conquered……亡國奴……」…nation's slave……"

「国……国亡了！我……我也……老了！你们还年青，你们去救国吧！我这许老骨头再……再也不中用了！我是个老亡国奴，我不会眼见你们把日本的旗撕碎，等著我埋在坟里……也要把中国旗子插在坟头，我是中国人……我要中国旗子，我不要当亡国奴，生是中国人，死是中国鬼……不……不是亡……亡国奴……」

濃重不可分解的悲酸，使樹葉垂頭。A thick, inescapable sorrow made the leaves of the trees hang their heads.趙三在紅蠟燭前用力敲了桌子兩下，人們一起哭向蒼天了！Before the red candles, Zhao San struck the table hard twice, and the people all wept together toward the heavens!人們一起向蒼天哭泣。The people wept together toward the heavens.大群的人起著號啕！The great crowd rose up in loud wailing!

浓重不可分解的悲酸，使树叶垂头。赵三在红蜡烛前用力敲了桌子两下，人们一起哭向苍天了！人们一起向苍天哭泣。大群的人起著号啕！

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就是這樣把一支匣槍裝好子彈擺在眾人前面。Just like that, a pistol was loaded with bullets and set before the crowd.每人走到那槍口就跪倒下去「盟誓」：Each person walked up to the muzzle of that gun, knelt down, and "swore the oath":

就是这样把一支匣枪装好子弹摆在众人前面。每人走到那枪口就跪倒下去「盟誓」：

「若是心不誠，天殺我，槍殺我，槍子是有靈有聖有眼睛的啊！」"If my heart is not sincere, let Heaven kill me, let the gun kill me — the bullet has a spirit, is sacred, and has eyes!"

「若是心不诚，天杀我，枪杀我，枪子是有灵有圣有眼睛的啊！」

寡婦們也是盟誓。The widows swore the oath too.也是把槍口對準心窩說話。They too spoke with the gun's muzzle aimed at the pit of their hearts.只有二里半在人們宣誓之後快要殺羊時他才回來。Only Er Liban came back after the people had already sworn the oath, just as they were about to slaughter the sheep.從什麼地方他捉一隻公雞來！From somewhere he had caught a rooster!只有他沒曾宣誓，對於國亡，他似乎沒有什麼傷心，他領著山羊，就回家去。He alone had not sworn the oath; over the nation's fall he seemed to feel no grief at all — he simply led his goat away and went home.別人的眼睛，尤其是老趙三的眼睛在罵他：Other people's eyes, especially old Zhao San's, scolded him:

寡妇们也是盟誓。也是把枪口对准心窝说话。只有二里半在人们宣誓之后快要杀羊时他才回来。从什么地方他捉一只公鸡来！只有他没曾宣誓，对于国亡，他似乎没有什么伤心，他领著山羊，就回家去。别人的眼睛，尤其是老赵三的眼睛在骂他：

「你個老跛腳的東西，你，你不想活嗎？……」"You lame old thing, you — don't you want to live?……"

「你个老跛脚的东西，你，你不想活吗？……」