三　老馬走進屠場 The Old Horse Enters the Slaughterhouse

老馬走上進城的大道，「私宰場」就在城門的東邊。The old mare took the main road into town; the “private slaughterhouse” stood just east of the city gate.那裏的屠刀正張著，在等待這個殘老的動物。There the butcher’s knife stood poised, waiting for this worn-out old animal.

老马走上进城的大道，「私宰场」就在城门的东边。那里的屠刀正张著，在等待这个残老的动物。

老王婆不牽著她的馬兒，在後面用一條短枝驅著牠前進。Old Wangpo did not lead her mare, but walked behind, driving her forward with a short switch.

老王婆不牵著她的马儿，在后面用一条短枝驱著牠前进。

大樹林子裏有黃葉迴旋著，那是些呼叫著的黃葉。Yellow leaves whirled through the great grove, leaves that seemed to cry aloud.望向林子的那端，全林的樹棵，彷彿是關落下來的大傘。Looking toward the far end of the grove, she saw all the trees like great umbrellas folded down.淒沉的陽光，曬著所有的禿樹。The bleak, sunken sunlight shone upon all the bare trees.田間望遍了遠近的人家。Across the fields, houses could be seen near and far.深秋的田地好像沒有感覺的光了毛的皮革，遠近平鋪著。The fields in late autumn lay spread far and wide like a hide stripped of its hair and all sensation.夏季埋在植物裏的家屋，現在明顯的好像突出地面一般，好像新從地面突出。The houses that had been buried among the plants in summer now stood out plainly, as though they had just thrust up from the ground.

大树林子里有黄叶回旋著，那是些呼叫著的黄叶。望向林子的那端，全林的树棵，彷佛是关落下来的大伞。凄沉的阳光，晒著所有的秃树。田间望遍了远近的人家。深秋的田地好像没有感觉的光了毛的皮革，远近平铺著。夏季埋在植物里的家屋，现在明显的好像突出地面一般，好像新从地面突出。

深秋帶來的黃葉，趕走了夏季的蝴蝶。The yellow leaves brought by late autumn had driven away the butterflies of summer.一張葉子落到王婆的頭上，葉子是安靜的伏貼在那裏。A leaf fell onto Wangpo’s head and lay there quietly, clinging flat.王婆驅著她的老馬，頭上頂著飄落的黃葉；Wangpo drove on her old mare, wearing the fallen yellow leaf upon her head;老馬，老人，配著一張老的葉子，他們走在進城的大道。the old mare, the old woman, and the old leaf made a fitting trio as they walked the main road into town.

深秋带来的黄叶，赶走了夏季的蝴蝶。一张叶子落到王婆的头上，叶子是安静的伏贴在那里。王婆驱著她的老马，头上顶著飘落的黄叶；老马，老人，配著一张老的叶子，他们走在进城的大道。

道口漸漸看見人影，漸漸看見那個人吸菸，二里半迎面來了。At the crossroads a figure gradually came into view, then the man could be seen smoking: Erli Ban was approaching head-on.他長形的臉孔配起擺動的身子來，有點像一個馴順的猿猴。His long face, coupled with his swaying body, made him look somewhat like a tame ape.他說：『唉呀！He said, “Ah!起得太早啦！You’re up too early!進城去有事嗎？Going into town on some business?怎麼驅著馬進城，不裝車糧拉著？』Why are you driving the mare into town without hitching her to a cartload of grain?”

道口渐渐看见人影，渐渐看见那个人吸烟，二里半迎面来了。他长形的脸孔配起摆动的身子来，有点像一个驯顺的猿猴。他说：『唉呀！起得太早啦！进城去有事吗？怎么驱著马进城，不装车粮拉著？』

振一振袖子，把耳邊的頭髮向後撫弄一下，王婆的手顫抖著說了：『到日子了呢！Wangpo shook out her sleeves and pushed back the hair beside her ears; her hand trembled as she said, “Her time has come!下湯鍋去吧！』王婆什麼心情也沒有，她看著馬在吃道旁的葉子，她用短枝驅著又前進了。Into the boiling pot she goes!” Wangpo felt nothing at all; she watched the mare eating leaves by the roadside, then drove her onward with the short switch.

振一振袖子，把耳边的头发向后抚弄一下，王婆的手颤抖著说了：『到日子了呢！下汤锅去吧！』王婆什么心情也没有，她看著马在吃道旁的叶子，她用短枝驱著又前进了。

二里半感到非常悲痛。Erli Ban was overcome with grief.他痙攣著了。His body convulsed.過了一個時刻轉過身來，他趕上去說：『下湯鍋是下不得的，……After a moment he turned around, caught up with her, and said, “She mustn’t go into the boiling pot...下湯鍋是下不得……』但是怎樣辦呢？She mustn’t go into the boiling pot...” But what else could be done?二里半連半句語言也沒有了！Erli Ban could not utter another half a word!他扭歪著身子跨到前面，用手摸一摸馬兒的鬃髮。Twisting his body, he stepped ahead and stroked the mare’s mane.老馬立刻響著鼻子了！The old mare immediately snorted!牠的眼睛哭著一般，濕潤而模糊。Her eyes looked as though they were weeping, moist and clouded.悲傷立刻掠過王婆的心孔。Grief at once swept through Wangpo’s heart.啞著嗓子，王婆說：『算了吧！In a hoarse voice Wangpo said, “Let it be!算了吧！Let it be!不下湯鍋，還不是等著餓死嗎？』If she doesn’t go into the boiling pot, won’t she only wait to starve to death?”

二里半感到非常悲痛。他痉挛著了。过了一个时刻转过身来，他赶上去说：『下汤锅是下不得的，……下汤锅是下不得……』但是怎样办呢？二里半连半句语言也没有了！他扭歪著身子跨到前面，用手摸一摸马儿的鬃发。老马立刻响著鼻子了！牠的眼睛哭著一般，湿润而模糊。悲伤立刻掠过王婆的心孔。哑著嗓子，王婆说：『算了吧！算了吧！不下汤锅，还不是等著饿死吗？』

深秋禿葉的樹，為了慘厲的風變，脫去了靈魂一般吹嘯著。The bare trees of late autumn, stripped of their souls by the cruel, shrieking wind, wailed aloud.馬行在前面，王婆隨在後面，一步一步屠場近著了；The mare walked in front and Wangpo followed behind; step by step the slaughterhouse drew nearer;一步一步風聲送著老馬歸去。step by step the wind ushered the old mare toward her final home.

深秋秃叶的树，为了惨厉的风变，脱去了灵魂一般吹啸著。马行在前面，王婆随在后面，一步一步屠场近著了；一步一步风声送著老马归去。

王婆她自己想著：一個人怎麼變得這樣利害？Wangpo thought to herself: how could a person become so hardhearted?年青的時候，不是常常為著送老馬或是老牛進過屠場嗎？When she was young, had she not often taken old horses and old oxen to the slaughterhouse?她顫寒起來，幻想著屠刀要像穿過自己的背脊，於是，手中的短枝脫落了！She began to shiver, imagining the butcher’s knife passing through her own spine, and the short switch fell from her hand!她茫然暈昏地停在道旁，頭髮舞著好像個鬼魂樣。Dazed and faint, she stopped beside the road, her hair dancing like a ghost.等她重新拾起短枝來，老馬不見了！When she picked up the short switch again, the old mare was gone!牠到前面小水溝的地方喝水去了！She had gone ahead to drink from a little ditch!這是牠最末一次飲水吧！This would be the last water she ever drank!老馬需要飲水，牠也需要休息，在水溝旁倒臥下了！The old mare needed water, and she needed rest too; beside the ditch she lay down!牠慢慢呼吸著。She breathed slowly.王婆用低音，慈和的音調呼喚著：『起來吧！In a low, gentle voice Wangpo called, “Get up!走進城去吧，有什麼法子呢？』馬仍然仰臥著。Let’s go into town—what else can we do?” The mare still lay on her back.王婆看一看日午了，還要趕回去燒午飯，但，任她怎樣拉韁繩，馬仍是沒有移動。Wangpo saw that it was already noon and that she still had to hurry home to cook the midday meal; yet however she pulled at the reins, the mare would not move.

王婆她自己想著：一个人怎么变得这样利害？年青的时候，不是常常为著送老马或是老牛进过屠场吗？她颤寒起来，幻想著屠刀要像穿过自己的背脊，于是，手中的短枝脱落了！她茫然晕昏地停在道旁，头发舞著好像个鬼魂样。等她重新拾起短枝来，老马不见了！牠到前面小水沟的地方喝水去了！这是牠最末一次饮水吧！老马需要饮水，牠也需要休息，在水沟旁倒卧下了！牠慢慢呼吸著。王婆用低音，慈和的音调呼唤著：『起来吧！走进城去吧，有什么法子呢？』马仍然仰卧著。王婆看一看日午了，还要赶回去烧午饭，但，任她怎样拉缰绳，马仍是没有移动。

王婆惱怒著了！Wangpo grew angry!她用短枝打著牠起來。She struck her with the short switch to make her rise.雖是起來，老馬仍然貪戀著小水溝。Though she got up, the old mare still lingered longingly by the little ditch.王婆因為苦痛的人生，使她易於暴怒，樹枝在馬兒的脊骨上斷成半截。A life of suffering had made Wangpo quick to rage, and the branch snapped in two across the mare’s backbone.

王婆恼怒著了！她用短枝打著牠起来。虽是起来，老马仍然贪恋著小水沟。王婆因为苦痛的人生，使她易于暴怒，树枝在马儿的脊骨上断成半截。

又安然走在大道上了！Once more they went calmly along the main road!經過一些荒涼的家屋，經過幾座頹敗的小廟。They passed some desolate houses and several small, crumbling temples.一個小廟前躺著個死了的小孩，那是用一綑穀草束扎著的。Before one small temple lay a dead child, wrapped in a bundle of straw.孩子小小的頭頂露在外面，可憐的小腳從草稍直伸出來；The child’s tiny crown was exposed, and its pitiful little feet stuck straight out beyond the ends of the straw;他是誰家的孩子睡在這曠野的小廟前？whose child was this, sleeping before a little temple in the wilderness?

又安然走在大道上了！经过一些荒凉的家屋，经过几座颓败的小庙。一个小庙前躺著个死了的小孩，那是用一捆谷草束扎著的。孩子小小的头顶露在外面，可怜的小脚从草稍直伸出来；他是谁家的孩子睡在这旷野的小庙前？

屠場近著了，城門就在眼前；The slaughterhouse was drawing near; the city gate was before them;王婆的心更翻著不停了。Wangpo’s heart churned more and more violently.

屠场近著了，城门就在眼前；王婆的心更翻著不停了。

五年前牠也是一匹年青的馬，為了耕種，傷害得只有毛皮蒙遮著骨架。Five years ago she too had been a young mare, but plowing had worn her down until only skin and hair covered her skeleton.現在牠是老了！Now she was old!秋末了！Autumn was ending!收割完了！The harvest was over!沒有用處了！She was of no more use!只為一張馬皮，主人忍心把牠送進屠場。For the sake of a single horsehide, her owner had the heart to send her to the slaughterhouse.就是一張馬皮的價值，地主又要從王婆的手裏奪去。And even the price of that horsehide would be snatched from Wangpo’s hands by the landlord.

五年前牠也是一匹年青的马，为了耕种，伤害得只有毛皮蒙遮著骨架。现在牠是老了！秋末了！收割完了！没有用处了！只为一张马皮，主人忍心把牠送进屠场。就是一张马皮的价值，地主又要从王婆的手里夺去。

王婆的心自己感覺得好像懸起來；Wangpo felt as though her heart were hanging suspended;好像要掉落一般，當她看見板牆釘著一張牛皮的時候。as though it were about to fall when she saw an oxhide nailed to a plank wall.那一條小街盡是一些要攤落的房屋；The little street was lined entirely with houses on the verge of collapse;女人啦，孩子啦，散集在兩旁。women and children stood scattered in groups on either side.地面踏起的灰粉，污沒著鞋子；The powdery dust kicked up from the ground soiled their shoes;衝上人的鼻孔。it surged into their nostrils.孩子們拾起土塊，或是垃圾團打擊著馬兒，王婆罵道：The children picked up clods of earth and balls of rubbish and threw them at the mare, and Wangpo cursed:

王婆的心自己感觉得好像悬起来；好像要掉落一般，当她看见板墙钉著一张牛皮的时候。那一条小街尽是一些要摊落的房屋；女人啦，孩子啦，散集在两旁。地面踏起的灰粉，污没著鞋子；冲上人的鼻孔。孩子们拾起土块，或是垃圾团打击著马儿，王婆骂道：

『該死的呀！“Damn you!你們這該死的一群。』You whole damned lot!”

『该死的呀！你们这该死的一群。』

這是一條短短的街。It was a short street.就在短街的盡頭，張開兩張黑色的門扇。At its very end stood two black gate leaves, gaping open.再走近一點，可以發見門扇斑斑點點的血印。A little nearer, mottled stains of blood could be seen upon them.被血印所恐嚇的老太婆好像自己踏在刑場了！Terrified by the bloodstains, the old woman felt as though she herself had stepped onto an execution ground!她努力鎮壓著自己，不讓一些年青時所見到刑場上的回憶翻動。She struggled to master herself, refusing to let memories of the execution ground she had seen in her youth stir within her.但，那回憶卻連續的開始織張：──一個小伙子倒下來了，一個老頭也倒下來了！But those memories began to weave themselves together unceasingly—a young fellow fell, and then an old man fell too!揮刀的人又向第三個人作著式子。The man wielding the blade made ready for a third.

这是一条短短的街。就在短街的尽头，张开两张黑色的门扇。再走近一点，可以发见门扇斑斑点点的血印。被血印所恐吓的老太婆好像自己踏在刑场了！她努力镇压著自己，不让一些年青时所见到刑场上的回忆翻动。但，那回忆却连续的开始织张：──一个小伙子倒下来了，一个老头也倒下来了！挥刀的人又向第三个人作著式子。

彷彿是箭，又像火刺燒著王婆，她看不見那一群孩子在打馬，她忘記怎樣去罵那一群頑皮的孩子。Like an arrow, like a burning spike, the memory pierced Wangpo; she no longer saw the children striking the mare, and forgot how to curse the pack of mischievous children.走著，走著，立在院心了。On they went and went, until they stood in the middle of the yard.四面板牆釘住無數張毛皮。Countless hides were nailed to the plank walls on every side.靠近房簷立了兩條高杆，高杆中央橫著橫樑；Beside the eaves stood two tall poles, with a crossbeam between them;馬蹄或是牛蹄折下來用麻繩把兩隻蹄端扎連在一起，做一個叉形掛在上面，一團一團的腸子也攪在上面；horse hooves and ox hooves had been hacked off, each pair of hoof ends bound together with hemp rope and hung from it in a forked shape, while coils of intestines were tangled over it too;腸子因為日久了，乾成黑色不動而僵直的片狀的繩索。with age, the intestines had dried into black, motionless, rigid, ribbon-like cords.並且那些折斷的腿骨，有的從折斷處涔滴著血。And from the broken ends of some of the severed leg bones, blood still dripped.

彷佛是箭，又像火刺烧著王婆，她看不见那一群孩子在打马，她忘记怎样去骂那一群顽皮的孩子。走著，走著，立在院心了。四面板墙钉住无数张毛皮。靠近房簷立了两条高杆，高杆中央横著横梁；马蹄或是牛蹄折下来用麻绳把两只蹄端扎连在一起，做一个叉形挂在上面，一团一团的肠子也搅在上面；肠子因为日久了，干成黑色不动而僵直的片状的绳索。并且那些折断的腿骨，有的从折断处涔滴著血。

在南面靠牆的地方也立著高杆，杆頭曬著在蒸氣的腸索。Against the wall to the south stood more tall poles, their tops hung with steaming ropes of intestine.這是說，那個動物是被殺死不久哩！That meant the animal had only just been killed!腸子還熱著呀！The intestines were still warm!

在南面靠墙的地方也立著高杆，杆头晒著在蒸气的肠索。这是说，那个动物是被杀死不久哩！肠子还热著呀！

滿院在蒸發腥氣，在這腥味的人間，王婆快要變做一塊鉛了！The whole yard steamed with the stench of raw flesh, and in this human world of blood and offal Wangpo was nearly turning into a lump of lead!沈重而沒有感覺了！Heavy and insensible!

满院在蒸发腥气，在这腥味的人间，王婆快要变做一块铅了！沈重而没有感觉了！

老馬──棕色的馬，牠孤獨的站在板牆下，牠借助那張釘好的毛皮在搔癢。The old mare—the brown mare—stood alone beneath the plank wall, scratching herself against the hide nailed there.此刻牠仍是馬，過一會牠將也是一張皮了！At this moment she was still a horse; in a little while she too would be a hide!

老马──棕色的马，牠孤独的站在板墙下，牠借助那张钉好的毛皮在搔痒。此刻牠仍是马，过一会牠将也是一张皮了！

一個大眼睛的惡面孔跑出來。A vicious face with large eyes came running out.裂著胸襟。His jacket gaped open over his chest.說話時，可見他胸膛在起伏：As he spoke, his chest could be seen rising and falling:

一个大眼睛的恶面孔跑出来。裂著胸襟。说话时，可见他胸膛在起伏：

『牽來了嗎？“You’ve brought her?啊！Ah!價錢好說，我好來看一下。』We can settle the price easily; let me have a look.”

『牵来了吗？啊！价钱好说，我好来看一下。』

王婆說：『給幾個錢我就走了！Wangpo said, “Just give me whatever you will, and I’ll be off!不要麻煩啦。』Don’t make a fuss over it.”

王婆说：『给几个钱我就走了！不要麻烦啦。』

那個人打一打馬的尾巴，用腳踢一踢馬蹄；The man slapped the mare’s tail and kicked at her hooves;這是怎樣難忍的一刻呀！what an unbearable moment it was!

那个人打一打马的尾巴，用脚踢一踢马蹄；这是怎样难忍的一刻呀！

王婆得到三張票子，這可以充納一畝地租。Wangpo received three banknotes, enough to pay the rent on one mu of land.看著錢比較自慰些，她低著頭向大門出去，她想還餘下一點錢到酒店去買一點酒帶回去，她已經跨出大門，後面發著響聲：The sight of the money gave her some comfort; with her head lowered, she went out through the gate, thinking that she might have a little money left to buy some liquor at the wineshop and take it home; she had already stepped outside when a cry rose behind her:

王婆得到三张票子，这可以充纳一亩地租。看著钱比较自慰些，她低著头向大门出去，她想还余下一点钱到酒店去买一点酒带回去，她已经跨出大门，后面发著响声：

『不行，不行，……“No, no...馬走啦！』The mare’s getting away!”

『不行，不行，……马走啦！』

王婆回過頭來，馬又走在後面；Wangpo turned her head; the mare was following behind her again;馬什麼也不知道，仍想回家。the mare knew nothing and still meant to go home.屠場中出來一些男人，那些惡面孔們，想要把馬抬回去，終於馬躺在道旁了！Several men came out of the slaughterhouse; those vicious faces tried to carry the mare back, but at last she lay down beside the road!像樹根盤結在地中。Like tree roots knotted deep in the earth.無法，王婆又走回院中，馬也跟回院中。There was nothing else to be done: Wangpo went back into the yard, and the mare followed her in.她給馬搔著頭頂，牠漸漸臥在地面了！She scratched the crown of the mare’s head, and gradually the mare lay down upon the ground!漸漸想睡著了！Gradually she seemed to be falling asleep!忽然王婆站起來向大門奔走。Suddenly Wangpo sprang up and ran for the gate.在道口聽見一陣關門聲。At the crossroads she heard the gates slam shut.

王婆回过头来，马又走在后面；马什么也不知道，仍想回家。屠场中出来一些男人，那些恶面孔们，想要把马抬回去，终于马躺在道旁了！像树根盘结在地中。无法，王婆又走回院中，马也跟回院中。她给马搔著头顶，牠渐渐卧在地面了！渐渐想睡著了！忽然王婆站起来向大门奔走。在道口听见一阵关门声。

她那有心腸買酒？How could she have the heart to buy liquor?她哭著回家，兩隻袖子完全濕透。She cried all the way home, both her sleeves soaked completely through.那好像是送葬歸來一般。It was as if she were returning from a funeral.

她那有心肠买酒？她哭著回家，两只袖子完全湿透。那好像是送葬归来一般。

家中地主的使人早等在門前，地主們就連一塊銅板也從不捨棄在貧農們的身上，那個使人取了錢走去。At home, the landlord's servant had long been waiting before the gate — the landlords never let so much as a single copper coin slip past when it came to the poor peasants — and that servant took the money and left.

家中地主的使人早等在门前，地主们就连一块铜板也从不舍弃在贫农们的身上，那个使人取了钱走去。

王婆半日的痛苦沒有代價了！Half a day's suffering for Wang Po, and it had all come to nothing!王婆一生的痛苦也都是沒有代價。Wang Po's whole life of suffering had likewise all come to nothing.

王婆半日的痛苦没有代价了！王婆一生的痛苦也都是没有代价。