七　罪惡的五月節 The Sinful Dragon Boat Festival

五月節來臨，催逼著兩件事情發生：王婆服毒，小金枝慘死。The Fifth-Month Festival was approaching, and it hastened two events into being: Wang Po took poison, and Little Golden Branch died a tragic death.

五月节来临，催逼著两件事情发生：王婆服毒，小金枝惨死。

彎月如同彎刀刺上林端。A crescent moon, curved like a blade, pierced the treetops.王婆散開頭髮，她走向房後柴欄，在那兒她輕開籬門。Wang Po let her hair down loose and walked toward the woodshed fence behind the house, where she quietly opened the wicker gate.柴欄外是墨沉沉的靜甜的，微風不敢驚動這墨色的夜面；Beyond the woodshed fence all was inky-dark, still and sweet; the light breeze dared not disturb this ink-black face of night;黃瓜爬上架了！The cucumbers had climbed up their trellis!玉米響著雄寬的葉子，沒有蛙鳴，也少蟲聲。The corn rustled its broad, sturdy leaves; there was no croaking of frogs, and scarcely any sound of insects.

弯月如同弯刀刺上林端。王婆散开头发，她走向房后柴栏，在那儿她轻开篱门。柴栏外是墨沉沉的静甜的，微风不敢惊动这墨色的夜面；黄瓜爬上架了！玉米响著雄宽的叶子，没有蛙鸣，也少虫声。

王婆披著散髮，幽魂一般的，跪在柴草上，手中的杯子放到嘴邊。Wang Po, her hair hanging loose, like a wandering ghost, knelt on the firewood, raising the cup in her hand to her lips.一切湧上心頭，一切誘惑她。Everything surged up into her heart, everything tempted her.她平身向草堆倒臥過去。She let her body fall flat, toppling onto the heap of straw.被悲哀洶淘著大哭了。Overwhelmed by a surging grief, she wept aloud.

王婆披著散发，幽魂一般的，跪在柴草上，手中的杯子放到嘴边。一切涌上心头，一切诱惑她。她平身向草堆倒卧过去。被悲哀汹淘著大哭了。

趙三從睡床上起來，他什麼都不清楚，柴欄裡，他帶點憤怒對待王婆：Zhao San rose from his bed, understanding nothing of what was happening; there in the woodshed enclosure, he spoke to Wang Po with a touch of anger:

赵三从睡床上起来，他什么都不清楚，柴栏里，他带点愤怒对待王婆：

「為什麼？"Why?在發瘋！」Have you gone mad!"

「为什么？在发疯！」

他以為她是悶著刺到柴欄去哭。He thought she had simply come out to the woodshed, sulking, to have a cry.

他以为她是闷著刺到柴栏去哭。

趙三撞到草中的杯子了，使他立刻停止一切思維。Zhao San's foot struck the cup lying in the straw, and it instantly stopped all his thinking.他跑到屋中，燈光下，發現黑色濃重的液體東西在杯底。He ran into the house, and under the lamplight discovered a thick black liquid at the bottom of the cup.他先用手拭一拭，再用舌頭拭一拭，那是苦味。He first wiped it with his finger, then touched it to his tongue — it was bitter.

赵三撞到草中的杯子了，使他立刻停止一切思维。他跑到屋中，灯光下，发现黑色浓重的液体东西在杯底。他先用手拭一拭，再用舌头拭一拭，那是苦味。

「王婆服毒了！」"Wang Po has taken poison!"

次晨村中嚷著這樣的新聞。By the next morning the whole village was buzzing with this news.村人淒靜的斷續的來看她。Villagers came, in mournful silence, one after another at intervals, to look in on her.

次晨村中嚷著这样的新闻。村人凄静的断续的来看她。

趙三不在家，他跑出去，亂墳崗子上，給她尋個位置。Zhao San was not at home; he had run off to the graveyard mound, to find her a plot.

赵三不在家，他跑出去，乱坟岗子上，给她寻个位置。

亂墳崗子上活人為死人掘著坑子了，坑子深了些，二里半先跌下去。On the graveyard mound the living dug a pit for the dead; the pit grew rather deep, and Er Li Ban fell in first.下層的濕土，翻到坑子旁邊，坑子更深了！The damp earth from the lower layer was turned up beside the pit, and the pit grew deeper still!大了！Bigger!幾個人都跳下去，鏟子不住的翻著，坑子埋過人腰。Several men jumped down into it, their shovels turning the earth without pause, until the pit was deep enough to bury a man past the waist.外面的土堆漲過人頭。The mound of earth outside rose higher than a man's head.

乱坟岗子上活人为死人掘著坑子了，坑子深了些，二里半先跌下去。下层的湿土，翻到坑子旁边，坑子更深了！大了！几个人都跳下去，铲子不住的翻著，坑子埋过人腰。外面的土堆涨过人头。

墳場是死的城廓，沒有花香，沒有蟲鳴，即使有花，即使有蟲，那都是唱奏著別離歌，陪伴著說不盡的死者永久的寂寞。The graveyard is a walled city of the dead — no fragrance of flowers, no chirring of insects; and even if there were flowers, even if there were insects, they would only be singing songs of parting, keeping company with the endless, eternal loneliness of the dead.

坟场是死的城廓，没有花香，没有虫鸣，即使有花，即使有虫，那都是唱奏著别离歌，陪伴著说不尽的死者永久的寂寞。

亂墳崗子是地主施捨給貧苦農民們死後的住宅。The graveyard mound was the dwelling the landlords bestowed, in charity, upon poor peasants after death.但活著的農民，常常被地主們驅逐，使他們提著包袱，提著小孩，從破房子再走進更破的房子去。But the living peasants were often driven out by the landlords, forced to carry their bundles and their children, moving from a broken-down house into an even more broken-down one.有時被逐著在馬棚裡借宿。Sometimes, once driven out, they had to lodge for the night in a horse stable.孩子們哭鬧著馬棚裡的媽媽。The children cried and fussed there in the stable for their mothers.

乱坟岗子是地主施舍给贫苦农民们死后的住宅。但活著的农民，常常被地主们驱逐，使他们提著包袱，提著小孩，从破房子再走进更破的房子去。有时被逐著在马棚里借宿。孩子们哭闹著马棚里的妈妈。

趙三去進城，突然的事情打擊著他，使他怎樣柔弱呵！Zhao San went into town; the sudden calamity had struck him down, leaving him so utterly weak and helpless!遇見了打魚村進城賣菜的車子，那個驅車人麻麻煩煩的講一些：He met a cart from Dayu Village going into town to sell vegetables; the carter, in a rambling, troubled way, said a few things:

赵三去进城，突然的事情打击著他，使他怎样柔弱呵！遇见了打鱼村进城卖菜的车子，那个驱车人麻麻烦烦的讲一些：

「菜價低了，錢貼毛荒。"Vegetable prices have dropped, and money's turned to waste paper.糧食也不值錢。」Grain isn't worth anything either."

「菜价低了，钱贴毛荒。粮食也不值钱。」

那個車伕打著鞭子，他又說：The carter cracked his whip, and went on:

那个车伕打著鞭子，他又说：

「只有布匹貴，鹽貴。"Only cloth is dear, and salt is dear.慢慢一家子連鹹鹽都吃不起啦！Little by little a whole family won't even be able to afford salt to eat!地租是增加，還叫老莊戶活不活呢？」Land rents keep rising — are us old farming households supposed to live or not?"

「只有布匹贵，盐贵。慢慢一家子连咸盐都吃不起啦！地租是增加，还叫老庄户活不活呢？」

趙三跳上車，低了頭坐在車尾的轅邊。Zhao San climbed onto the cart, lowered his head, and sat by the shaft at the rear.兩條衰乏的腿子，淒涼的掛下，並且搖蕩。His two weary, worn-out legs hung down disconsolately, swaying back and forth.車輪在轍道上哐啷的牽響。The wheels rattled and clanked along the rutted road.

赵三跳上车，低了头坐在车尾的辕边。两条衰乏的腿子，凄凉的挂下，并且摇荡。车轮在辙道上哐啷的牵响。

城裡，大街上擁擠著了！In the city, the main street was crowded!菜市過量的紛嚷。The vegetable market was in an excess of noisy confusion.圍著肉鋪，人們吵架一般。Around the butcher's stalls, people jostled as if quarreling.忙亂的叫賣童，手中花色的葫蘆，隨著空氣而跳蕩，他們為了「五月節」而癲狂。The busy, hurrying boys hawking their wares held colorful gourd-toys that bobbed and danced on the air; they were half-mad with excitement over the "Fifth-Month Festival."

城里，大街上拥挤著了！菜市过量的纷嚷。围著肉铺，人们吵架一般。忙乱的叫卖童，手中花色的葫芦，随著空气而跳荡，他们为了「五月节」而癫狂。

趙三他什麼也沒看見，好像街上的人都沒有了！Zhao San saw none of it, as though there were no people on the street at all!好像街是空街。As though the street were an empty street.但是一個小孩跟在後面：But a small child followed along behind him:

赵三他什么也没看见，好像街上的人都没有了！好像街是空街。但是一个小孩跟在后面：

「過節了，買回家去，給小孩玩吧！」"It's festival time — buy one to take home, let the little ones play with it!"

「过节了，买回家去，给小孩玩吧！」

趙三聽見這話，那個賣葫蘆的孩子，好像自己不是孩子，自己是大人了一般，他追逐。Zhao San heard these words; the child selling gourd-toys, as though he himself were no child at all but a grown man, kept chasing after him.

赵三听见这话，那个卖葫芦的孩子，好像自己不是孩子，自己是大人了一般，他追逐。

「過節了，買回家去給小孩玩吧！」"It's festival time — buy one to take home for the children to play with!"

「过节了，买回家去给小孩玩吧！」

柳條枝上各色花樣的葫蘆好像一些被繫住的蝴蝶，跟住趙三在後面跑。The many-colored gourd-toys on their willow twigs looked like so many tethered butterflies, running along after Zhao San.

柳条枝上各色花样的葫芦好像一些被系住的蝴蝶，跟住赵三在后面跑。

一家棺材鋪，紅色的，白色的，門口擺了多多少少，他停在那裡。At a coffin shop, red ones and white ones set out in some number by the doorway, he stopped.孩子也停止追逐。The child, too, stopped chasing him.

一家棺材铺，红色的，白色的，门口摆了多多少少，他停在那里。孩子也停止追逐。

一切都準備好！Everything was ready!棺材停在門前，掘坑的鏟子停止翻揚了！The coffin stood before the gate, the gravedigger's shovel had ceased its turning!

一切都准备好！棺材停在门前，掘坑的铲子停止翻扬了！

窗子打開，使死者見一見最後的陽光。The window was opened, so that the dying woman might catch one last glimpse of sunlight.王婆跳突著胸口，微微尚有一點呼吸，明亮的光線照拂著她素靜的打扮。Wang Po's chest still throbbed faintly, a bit of breath yet remaining in her; the bright light played over her plain, quiet attire.已經為她換上一件黑色棉褲和一件淺色短單衫。They had already changed her into a pair of black cotton-padded trousers and a pale, short unlined jacket.除了臉是紫色，臨死她沒有什麼怪異的現象，人們吵嚷說：Except that her face had turned purple, there was nothing strange in her approach to death; the people clamored:

窗子打开，使死者见一见最后的阳光。王婆跳突著胸口，微微尚有一点呼吸，明亮的光线照拂著她素静的打扮。已经为她换上一件黑色棉裤和一件浅色短单衫。除了脸是紫色，临死她没有什么怪异的现象，人们吵嚷说：

「抬吧！"Carry her out!抬她吧！」Carry her out!"

她微微尚有一點呼吸，嘴裡吐出一點點白沫，這時候她已經被抬起來了。A faint breath still remained in her, a little white foam trickling from her mouth — and by this time she had already been lifted and carried out.外面平兒急叫：Outside, Ping'er cried out urgently:

她微微尚有一点呼吸，嘴里吐出一点点白沫，这时候她已经被抬起来了。外面平儿急叫：

「馮丫頭來了！"The Feng girl has come!馮丫頭！」The Feng girl!"

「冯丫头来了！冯丫头！」

母女們相逢太遲了！Mother and daughter had met again too late!母女們永遠不會再相逢了！Mother and daughter would never meet again after this!那個孩子手中提了小包袱，慢慢慢慢走到媽媽面前。The child, a small bundle in hand, walked slowly, slowly toward her mother.她細看一看，她的臉孔快要接觸到媽媽臉孔的時候，一陣清脆的暴裂的聲浪嘶叫開來。She looked closely, and just as her face was about to touch her mother's face, a crisp, cracking peal of sound burst out shrieking.她的小包袱滾滾著落地。Her small bundle went tumbling to the ground.

母女们相逢太迟了！母女们永远不会再相逢了！那个孩子手中提了小包袱，慢慢慢慢走到妈妈面前。她细看一看，她的脸孔快要接触到妈妈脸孔的时候，一阵清脆的暴裂的声浪嘶叫开来。她的小包袱滚滚著落地。

四圍的人，眼睛和鼻子感到酸楚和濕浸。All around, people's eyes and noses grew sore and wet.誰能止住被這小女孩喚起的難忍的酸痛而不哭呢？Who could hold back the unbearable ache this little girl had stirred up, and not weep?不相關連的人混同著女孩哭她的母親。People with no connection to her at all wept together with the girl over her mother.

四围的人，眼睛和鼻子感到酸楚和湿浸。谁能止住被这小女孩唤起的难忍的酸痛而不哭呢？不相关连的人混同著女孩哭她的母亲。

其中新死去丈夫的寡婦哭得最厲害，也最哀傷。Among them, a widow whose husband had newly died wept the hardest, and most sorrowfully of all.她幾乎完全哭著自己的丈夫，她完全幻想是坐在她丈夫的墳前。She wept almost entirely for her own husband, imagining wholly that she was sitting before her own husband's grave.

其中新死去丈夫的寡妇哭得最厉害，也最哀伤。她几乎完全哭著自己的丈夫，她完全幻想是坐在她丈夫的坟前。

男人們嚷叫：「抬呀！The men shouted: "Carry her out!該抬了。It's time to carry her.收拾妥當再哭！」Get things arranged properly, and then cry!"

男人们嚷叫：「抬呀！该抬了。收拾妥当再哭！」

那個小女孩感到不是自己家，身邊沒有一個親人，她不哭了。The little girl, sensing this was not her own home, that there was not a single relative beside her, stopped crying.

那个小女孩感到不是自己家，身边没有一个亲人，她不哭了。

服毒的母親眼睛始終是張著，但她不認識女兒，她什麼也不認識了！The poisoned mother's eyes remained open throughout, but she did not recognize her daughter — she recognized nothing at all anymore!停在廚房板塊上，口吐白沫，她心坎尚有一點微微跳動。She lay upon a plank in the kitchen, foam at her mouth, her heart still beating with the faintest flutter.

服毒的母亲眼睛始终是张著，但她不认识女儿，她什么也不认识了！停在厨房板块上，口吐白沫，她心坎尚有一点微微跳动。

趙三坐在炕沿，點上煙袋。Zhao San sat on the edge of the kang, and lit his pipe.女人們找一條白布給女孩包在頭上，平兒把白帶束在腰間。The women found a strip of white cloth to bind about the girl's head, and Ping'er tied a white sash around her waist.

赵三坐在炕沿，点上烟袋。女人们找一条白布给女孩包在头上，平儿把白带束在腰间。

趙三不在屋的時候，女人們便開始問那個女孩：When Zhao San was not in the room, the women began to question the girl:

赵三不在屋的时候，女人们便开始问那个女孩：

「你姓馮的那個爹爹多咱死的？」"That father of yours surnamed Feng — when did he die?"

「你姓冯的那个爹爹多咱死的？」

「死兩年多。」"He died more than two years ago."

「死两年多。」

「你親爹呢？」"And your real father?"

「你亲爹呢？」

「早回山東了！」"He went back to Shandong long ago!"

「早回山东了！」

「為什麼不帶你們回去？」"Why didn't he take you back with him?"

「为什么不带你们回去？」

「他打娘，娘領著哥哥和我到了馮叔叔家。」"He used to beat mother, so mother took my brother and me to Uncle Feng's house."

「他打娘，娘领著哥哥和我到了冯叔叔家。」

女人們探問王婆舊日的生活，她們為王婆感動。The women probed further into Wang Po's past life, and they were moved on her behalf.那個寡婦又說：The widow spoke again:

女人们探问王婆旧日的生活，她们为王婆感动。那个寡妇又说：

「你哥怎不來？"Why hasn't your brother come?回家去找他來看看娘吧！」Go home and fetch him to come see your mother!"

「你哥怎不来？回家去找他来看看娘吧！」

包白頭的女孩，把頭轉向牆壁，小臉孔又爬著眼淚了！The girl with the white cloth about her head turned her face to the wall, and tears crept over her small face once more!她努力咬住嘴唇，小嘴唇偏張開，她又張著嘴哭了！She tried hard to bite her lip shut, but her small lips fell open instead, and she began to cry aloud again, mouth wide!接受女人們的溫暖使她大膽一點，走到娘的近邊，緊緊捏住娘的冰寒手指，又用手給媽媽抹擦唇上的泡沫。Receiving the women's warmth gave her a little more courage; she went close to her mother's side, gripped her mother's ice-cold fingers tightly, and with her hand wiped away the foam on her mother's lips.小心地只為母親所驚擾，她帶來的包袱踏在腳下。Careful only not to disturb her mother, she let the bundle she had brought lie trodden beneath her feet.女人們又說：The women said again:

包白头的女孩，把头转向墙壁，小脸孔又爬著眼泪了！她努力咬住嘴唇，小嘴唇偏张开，她又张著嘴哭了！接受女人们的温暖使她大胆一点，走到娘的近边，紧紧捏住娘的冰寒手指，又用手给妈妈抹擦唇上的泡沫。小心地只为母亲所惊扰，她带来的包袱踏在脚下。女人们又说：

「家去找哥哥來看看你娘吧！」"Go home and fetch your brother to come see your mother!"

「家去找哥哥来看看你娘吧！」

一聽說哥哥，她就要大哭，又勉強止住。The moment she heard mention of her brother, she was about to burst into loud weeping, but forced herself to hold it back.那個寡婦又問：The widow asked again:

一听说哥哥，她就要大哭，又勉强止住。那个寡妇又问：

「你哥哥不在家嗎？」"Isn't your brother at home?"

「你哥哥不在家吗？」

她終於用白色的包頭布攏絡住臉孔大哭起來了。At last she gathered the white headcloth around her face and broke into loud weeping.借了哭勢，她才敢說哥哥：Under cover of her own crying, she finally dared to speak of her brother:

她终于用白色的包头布拢络住脸孔大哭起来了。借了哭势，她才敢说哥哥：

「哥哥前天死了呀！"My brother died the day before yesterday!官項捉去槍斃的。」The authorities seized him and shot him."

「哥哥前天死了呀！官项捉去枪毙的。」

包頭布從頭上扯掉。The headcloth was torn from her head.孤獨的孩子癲癇著一般用頭搖著母親的心窩哭：The lonely child, as though seized by a fit, shook her head against her mother's breast, crying:

包头布从头上扯掉。孤独的孩子癫痫著一般用头摇著母亲的心窝哭：

「娘呀……"Mother...娘呀……」Mother..."

她再怎麼也不會哭，她還小呢！But cry as she might, it was still not enough — she was, after all, still only a child!

她再怎么也不会哭，她还小呢！

女人們彼此說：「哥哥多久死的？The women said to one another: "How long ago did the brother die?怎麼都沒聽……」How is it none of us had heard..."

女人们彼此说：「哥哥多久死的？怎么都没听……」

趙三的菸袋出現在門口，他聽清楚她們議論王婆的兒子。Zhao San's pipe appeared in the doorway; he heard clearly their talk about Wang Po's son.趙三曉得那小子是個「紅鬍子」。Zhao San knew that the boy was a "Red Beard."怎樣死的，王婆服毒不是聽說兒子槍斃才自殺的嗎？As for how he died — hadn't Wang Po taken poison only after hearing that her son had been shot?這只有趙三曉得。Only Zhao San knew this.他不願意叫別人知道，老婆自殺還關聯著某個匪案，他覺得當土匪無論如何有些不光明。He did not want anyone else to know that his wife's suicide was also connected with a certain bandit case; he felt that, whatever else one might say, there was something dishonorable about being a bandit.

赵三的烟袋出现在门口，他听清楚她们议论王婆的儿子。赵三晓得那小子是个「红胡子」。怎样死的，王婆服毒不是听说儿子枪毙才自杀的吗？这只有赵三晓得。他不愿意叫别人知道，老婆自杀还关联著某个匪案，他觉得当土匪无论如何有些不光明。

搖起他的菸袋來，他僵直的空的聲音響起，用菸袋催著女孩：He shook his tobacco pipe, and his stiff, hollow voice rang out as he prodded the girl with it:

摇起他的烟袋来，他僵直的空的声音响起，用烟袋催著女孩：

「你走好啦！“You'd better go!她已死啦！She's dead!沒有什麼看的，你快走回你家去！」There's nothing to see—hurry home!”

「你走好啦！她已死啦！没有什么看的，你快走回你家去！」

小女孩被爹爹拋棄，哥哥又被槍斃了，帶來包袱和媽媽同住，媽媽又死了，媽媽不在，讓她和誰生活呢？The little girl's father had abandoned her, and her brother had been executed by firing squad; she had brought her bundle to live with her mother, and now her mother too was dead—with her mother gone, whom was she to live with?

小女孩被爹爹抛弃，哥哥又被枪毙了，带来包袱和妈妈同住，妈妈又死了，妈妈不在，让她和谁生活呢？

她昏迷地忘掉包袱，只頂了一塊白布，離開媽媽的門庭。In a daze, she forgot her bundle and, with only a piece of white cloth on her head, left her mother's doorway.離開媽媽的門庭，那有點像丟開她的心讓她遠走一般。Leaving her mother's doorway felt a little as though she were casting away her own heart and letting it wander far off.

她昏迷地忘掉包袱，只顶了一块白布，离开妈妈的门庭。离开妈妈的门庭，那有点像丢开她的心让她远走一般。

趙三因為他年老。Zhao San, being an old man,他心中裁判著年青人：passed judgment in his heart on the young people:

赵三因为他年老。他心中裁判著年青人：

「私姘婦人，有錢可以，無錢怎麼也去姘？“Keeping a mistress is all very well if you have money, but how could he do it without any?沒見過。Never heard of such a thing.到過節，那個淫婦無法過節，使他去搶，年青人就這樣喪掉性命。」When the festival came, that wanton woman had no way to celebrate it, so she made him go robbing, and that was how the young man lost his life.”

「私姘妇人，有钱可以，无钱怎么也去姘？没见过。到过节，那个淫妇无法过节，使他去抢，年青人就这样丧掉性命。」

當他看到也要喪命的自己的老婆的時候，他非常仇恨那個槍斃的小子。When he looked at his own wife, who was also about to die, he bitterly hated the young fellow who had been shot.當他想起去年冬天，王婆借來老洋炮的那回事。But when he recalled the business of Wang-po borrowing the old foreign musket last winter,他又佩服人了：he admired the man again:

当他看到也要丧命的自己的老婆的时候，他非常仇恨那个枪毙的小子。当他想起去年冬天，王婆借来老洋炮的那回事。他又佩服人了：

「久當鬍子哩！“He'd been a bandit a long time!不受欺侮哩！」He wouldn't let anyone bully him!”

「久当胡子哩！不受欺侮哩！」

婦人們燃柴，鍋漸漸冒氣。The women lit the firewood, and steam gradually rose from the pot.趙三燃著菸袋他來回踱走。Zhao San lit his pipe and paced back and forth.過一會他看看王婆仍多多少少有一點氣息，氣息仍不斷絕。After a while, he looked at Wang-po and saw that she still had a little breath left; it had not yet ceased.他好像為了她的死等待得不耐煩似的，他睏倦了，依著牆瞌睡。He seemed to have grown impatient waiting for her to die; becoming drowsy, he leaned against the wall and nodded off.

妇人们燃柴，锅渐渐冒气。赵三燃著烟袋他来回踱走。过一会他看看王婆仍多多少少有一点气息，气息仍不断绝。他好像为了她的死等待得不耐烦似的，他困倦了，依著墙瞌睡。

長時間死的恐怖，人們不感到恐怖！When the terror of death drags on too long, people cease to find it terrifying!人們集聚著吃飯，喝酒，這時候王婆在地下作出聲音，看起來，她紫色的臉變成淡紫。The people gathered to eat and drink; just then Wang-po made a sound on the floor, and her purple face seemed to fade to a paler violet.人們放下杯子，說她又要活了吧？They set down their cups and said that perhaps she was coming back to life.

长时间死的恐怖，人们不感到恐怖！人们集聚著吃饭，喝酒，这时候王婆在地下作出声音，看起来，她紫色的脸变成淡紫。人们放下杯子，说她又要活了吧？

不是那樣，忽然從她的嘴角流出一些黑血，並且她的嘴唇有點像是起動，終於她大吼兩聲，人們瞪住眼睛說她就要斷氣了吧！But it was not so: suddenly some black blood ran from the corner of her mouth, and her lips seemed to begin moving; at last she gave two great roars, and the people stared wide-eyed, saying that perhaps she was about to breathe her last.

不是那样，忽然从她的嘴角流出一些黑血，并且她的嘴唇有点像是起动，终于她大吼两声，人们瞪住眼睛说她就要断气了吧！

許多條視線圍著她的時候，她活動著想要起來了！As all those eyes closed around her, she moved as though trying to rise!人們驚慌了！The people panicked!女人跑在窗外去了！The women fled outside the window!男人跑去拿挑水的扁擔。The men ran to fetch a shoulder pole used for carrying water.說她是死屍還魂。They said it was a corpse returning to life.

许多条视线围著她的时候，她活动著想要起来了！人们惊慌了！女人跑在窗外去了！男人跑去拿挑水的扁担。说她是死尸还魂。

喝過酒的趙三勇猛著：Fortified by drink, Zhao San declared bravely:

喝过酒的赵三勇猛著：

「若讓她起來，她會抱住小孩死去，或是抱住樹，就是大人她也有力量抱住。」“If we let her get up, she'll clutch a child and die, or cling to a tree; she'd even have the strength to seize a grown-up.”

「若让她起来，她会抱住小孩死去，或是抱住树，就是大人她也有力量抱住。」

趙三用他的大紅手貪婪著把扁擔壓過去。With his great red hands, Zhao San eagerly pressed the shoulder pole down across her.紮實的刀一般的切在王婆的腰間。It cut solidly into Wang-po's waist like a knife.她的肚子和胸膛突然增漲，像是魚泡似的。Her belly and chest suddenly swelled like a fish's air bladder.她立刻眼睛圓起來，像發著電光。At once her eyes rounded, seeming to flash with lightning.她的黑嘴角也動了起來，好像說話，可是沒有說話，血從口腔直噴，射了趙三的滿單衫。The corners of her blackened mouth also began to move, as though she were speaking, but no words came; blood spurted straight from her mouth, splashing all over Zhao San's unlined gown.趙三命令那個人：Zhao San ordered the man:

赵三用他的大红手贪婪著把扁担压过去。扎实的刀一般的切在王婆的腰间。她的肚子和胸膛突然增涨，像是鱼泡似的。她立刻眼睛圆起来，像发著电光。她的黑嘴角也动了起来，好像说话，可是没有说话，血从口腔直喷，射了赵三的满单衫。赵三命令那个人：

「快輕一點壓吧！“Ease up a little, quickly!弄得滿身血。」You've got blood all over me.”

「快轻一点压吧！弄得满身血。」

王婆就算連一點氣息也沒有了！Now Wang-po truly had not a trace of breath left!她被裝進等在門口的棺材裡。She was placed in the coffin waiting at the door.

王婆就算连一点气息也没有了！她被装进等在门口的棺材里。

後村的廟前，兩個村中無家可歸的老頭，一個打著紅燈籠，一個手提水壺，領著平兒去報廟。Before the temple in the rear village, two homeless old men from the two villages—one carrying a red lantern, the other a kettle—led Ping'er to report the death at the temple.繞廟走了三周，他們順著毛毛的行人小道回來，老人念一套成譜調的話，紅燈籠伴了孩子頭上的白布，他們回家去。After circling the temple three times, they returned along the faint footpath; the old man chanted a set formula in a singsong cadence, and with the red lantern beside the white cloth on the child's head, they went home.平兒一點也不哭，他只記得住那年媽媽死的時候不也是這樣報廟嗎？Ping'er did not cry at all; he only remembered—had they not reported the death at the temple in just this way when his mother died that year?

后村的庙前，两个村中无家可归的老头，一个打著红灯笼，一个手提水壶，领著平儿去报庙。绕庙走了三周，他们顺著毛毛的行人小道回来，老人念一套成谱调的话，红灯笼伴了孩子头上的白布，他们回家去。平儿一点也不哭，他只记得住那年妈妈死的时候不也是这样报庙吗？

王婆的女兒卻沒能回來。Wang-po's daughter, however, had not been able to return.

王婆的女儿却没能回来。

王婆的死信傳遍全村，女人們坐在棺材邊大大的哭起！News of Wang-po's death spread throughout the village, and the women sat beside the coffin and began to wail loudly!扭著鼻涕，號啕著：哭孩子的，哭丈夫的，哭自己命苦的，總之，無管有什麼冤屈都到這裡來送了！Sniffling and howling, some mourned their children, some their husbands, and some their own bitter fates; in short, whatever grievances they bore, they brought them all here to be laid to rest!村中一有年歲大的人死，她們，女人之群們，就這樣做。Whenever an elderly person died in the village, they—the whole company of women—did this.

王婆的死信传遍全村，女人们坐在棺材边大大的哭起！扭著鼻涕，号啕著：哭孩子的，哭丈夫的，哭自己命苦的，总之，无管有什么冤屈都到这里来送了！村中一有年岁大的人死，她们，女人之群们，就这样做。

將送棺材上墳場要釘棺材蓋了！They were about to carry the coffin to the graveyard and nail down its lid!

将送棺材上坟场要钉棺材盖了！

王婆終於沒有死，她感到寒涼，感到口渴，她輕輕說：But Wang-po, after all, was not dead; she felt cold and thirsty, and said softly:

王婆终于没有死，她感到寒凉，感到口渴，她轻轻说：

「我要喝水！」“I want some water!”

但她不知道，她是睡在什麼地方。But she did not know where she was lying.

但她不知道，她是睡在什么地方。

※※※※※※

五月節了，家家門上掛起葫蘆。The Fifth-Month Festival had come, and every household hung gourds on its door.二里半那個傻婆子屋裡有孩子哭著，她卻蹲在門口拿刷馬的鐵耙子給羊刷毛。In Erli-ban's house a child was crying, while his foolish wife crouched in the doorway, grooming a sheep with an iron currycomb.

五月节了，家家门上挂起葫芦。二里半那个傻婆子屋里有孩子哭著，她却蹲在门口拿刷马的铁耙子给羊刷毛。

二里半跛著腳。Erli-ban limped along.過節，帶給他的感覺非常愉快。The festival filled him with delight.他在白菜地裡看見白菜被蟲子吃倒幾棵。In the cabbage patch he saw that insects had eaten several plants until they toppled.若在平日他會用短句咒罵蟲子，或是生氣把白菜用腳踢著。On an ordinary day he would have cursed the insects in terse phrases, or angrily kicked the cabbages.但是現在過節了，他一切愉快著，他覺得自己是應該愉快。But now it was the festival, and everything delighted him; he felt that he ought to be happy.走在地邊他看一看柿子還沒紅，他想摘幾個柿子給孩子吃吧！Walking along the edge of the field, he saw that the persimmons were not yet red; he thought he might pick a few for the children to eat.過節了！It was the festival!

二里半跛著脚。过节，带给他的感觉非常愉快。他在白菜地里看见白菜被虫子吃倒几棵。若在平日他会用短句咒骂虫子，或是生气把白菜用脚踢著。但是现在过节了，他一切愉快著，他觉得自己是应该愉快。走在地边他看一看柿子还没红，他想摘几个柿子给孩子吃吧！过节了！

全村表示著過節，菜田和麥地，無管什麼地方都是靜靜的，甜美的。The whole village showed signs of celebration; the vegetable plots and wheat fields—everywhere, no matter where—were quiet and sweet.蟲子們也彷彿比平日會唱了些。Even the insects seemed to sing a little better than usual.

全村表示著过节，菜田和麦地，无管什么地方都是静静的，甜美的。虫子们也彷佛比平日会唱了些。

過節渲染著整個二里半的靈魂。The festival suffused Erli-ban's entire soul.他經過家門沒有進去，把獅子扔給孩子又走了！He passed his own door without going in, tossed the lion toy to the children, and went on!他要趁著這樣愉快的日子會一會朋友。On such a happy day, he wanted to pay a visit to his friends.

过节渲染著整个二里半的灵魂。他经过家门没有进去，把狮子扔给孩子又走了！他要趁著这样愉快的日子会一会朋友。

左近鄰居的門上都掛了紙葫蘆，他經過王婆家，那個門上擺盪著的是綠的葫蘆。Paper gourds hung on the doors of all the nearby neighbors; when he passed Wang-po's house, a green gourd swung on her door.再走，就是金枝家。A little farther on was Jinzhi's house.金枝家，門外沒有葫蘆，門裡沒有人了！At Jinzhi's house there was no gourd outside the door, and no one within!二里半張望好久：孩子的尿布在鍋灶旁被風吹著，飄飄的在浮游。Erli-ban peered about for a long while: the baby's diaper fluttered in the wind beside the stove, drifting and floating.

左近邻居的门上都挂了纸葫芦，他经过王婆家，那个门上摆荡著的是绿的葫芦。再走，就是金枝家。金枝家，门外没有葫芦，门里没有人了！二里半张望好久：孩子的尿布在锅灶旁被风吹著，飘飘的在浮游。

小金枝來到人家才夠一個月，就被爹爹摔死了：嬰兒為什麼來到這樣的人間？Little Jinzhi had been in this human world barely a month when her father dashed her to death: why had the infant come into such a world?使她帶了怨悒回去！Only to go back bearing sorrow and resentment!僅僅是這樣短促呀！So brief—only that!僅僅是幾天的小生命！A tiny life of only a few days!

小金枝来到人家才够一个月，就被爹爹摔死了：婴儿为什么来到这样的人间？使她带了怨悒回去！仅仅是这样短促呀！仅仅是几天的小生命！

小小的孩子睡在許多死人中，他不覺得害怕嗎？The little child slept among so many dead people—was she not afraid?媽媽走遠了！Mama had gone far away!媽媽啜泣聲不見了！Mama's sobbing could no longer be heard!

小小的孩子睡在许多死人中，他不觉得害怕吗？妈妈走远了！妈妈啜泣声不见了！

天黑了！It was dark!月亮也不來為孩子做伴。Even the moon did not come to keep the child company.

天黑了！月亮也不来为孩子做伴。

※※※※※※

五月節的前些日子，成業總是進城跑來跑去。In the days before the Fifth-Month Festival, Chengye was forever hurrying back and forth to town.家來和妻子吵打。When he came home, he quarreled and fought with his wife.他說：He said:

五月节的前些日子，成业总是进城跑来跑去。家来和妻子吵打。他说：

「米價落了！“The price of rice has fallen!三月裡買的米現在賣出去折本一小半。If I sell now the rice I bought in the third month, I'll lose nearly half my money.賣了還債也不足，不賣又怎能過節？」Selling it won't bring enough to pay the debts, but if I don't sell it, how can we celebrate the festival?”

「米价落了！三月里买的米现在卖出去折本一小半。卖了还债也不足，不卖又怎能过节？」

並且他漸漸不愛小金枝，當孩子夜裡把他吵醒的時候，他說：「拚命吧！And little by little he ceased to love little Jinzhi; when the child woke him at night, he said, “Scream your life away!鬧死吧！」Make such a racket you die!”

并且他渐渐不爱小金枝，当孩子夜里把他吵醒的时候，他说：「拼命吧！闹死吧！」

過節的前一天，他家什麼也沒預備，連一斤麵粉也沒買。The day before the festival, nothing had been prepared in his house; they had not even bought a pound of flour.燒飯的時候豆油罐子什麼也倒流不出。At mealtime, not a drop would pour from the soybean-oil jar.

过节的前一天，他家什么也没预备，连一斤面粉也没买。烧饭的时候豆油罐子什么也倒流不出。

成業帶著怒氣回家，看一看還沒有燒菜。Chengye came home in a rage and saw that the dishes had not yet been cooked.他厲聲嚷叫：He shouted harshly:

成业带著怒气回家，看一看还没有烧菜。他厉声嚷叫：

「啊！“Ah!像我……A man like me…該餓死啦，連飯也沒得吃……might as well starve to death—not even a meal to eat…我進城……I'll go to town…我進城。」I'll go to town.”

「啊！像我……该饿死啦，连饭也没得吃……我进城……我进城。」

孩子在金枝懷中吃奶。The child was nursing in Jinzhi's arms.他又說：He went on:

孩子在金枝怀中吃奶。他又说：

「我還有好的日子嗎？“Will I ever see a good day again?你們累得我，是我做強盜都沒有機會。」You lot drag me down so badly that I don't even get the chance to become a bandit.”

「我还有好的日子吗？你们累得我，是我做强盗都没有机会。」

金枝垂了頭把飯擺好，孩子在旁邊哭。Jinzhi lowered her head and set out the food, while the child cried beside her.

金枝垂了头把饭摆好，孩子在旁边哭。

成業看著桌上的鹹菜和粥飯，他想了一刻又不住的說起：Chengye looked at the pickled vegetables and rice gruel on the table; after thinking for a moment, he began again without stopping:

成业看著桌上的咸菜和粥饭，他想了一刻又不住的说起：

「哭吧！“Go on, cry!敗家鬼，我賣掉你去還債。」You little ruin of the family—I'll sell you to pay my debts.”

「哭吧！败家鬼，我卖掉你去还债。」

孩子仍哭著，媽媽在廚房裡，不知是掃地；The child went on crying; her mother was in the kitchen, whether sweeping the floor還是收拾柴堆。or tidying the woodpile, no one knew.爹爹發火了：Her father flew into a rage:

孩子仍哭著，妈妈在厨房里，不知是扫地；还是收拾柴堆。爹爹发火了：

「把你們都一塊賣掉，要你們這些吵家鬼有什麼用……」“I'll sell the whole lot of you together—what use are noisy household demons like you…”

「把你们都一块卖掉，要你们这些吵家鬼有什么用……」

廚房裡的媽媽和火柴一樣被燃著：In the kitchen, the mother flared up like a match:

厨房里的妈妈和火柴一样被燃著：

「你像個什麼？“What sort of man are you?回來吵打，我不是你的冤家，你會賣掉，看你賣吧！」You come home only to quarrel and fight. I'm not your mortal enemy. You say you can sell us—let's see you do it!”

「你像个什么？回来吵打，我不是你的冤家，你会卖掉，看你卖吧！」

爹爹飛著飯碗！The father sent a rice bowl flying!媽媽暴跳起來。The mother sprang up in a fury.

爹爹飞著饭碗！妈妈暴跳起来。

「我賣？“Sell her?我摔死她吧！……I'll dash her to death!…我賣什麼！」What would I sell her for!”

「我卖？我摔死她吧！……我卖什么！」

就這樣小生命被截止了。And so the little life was cut short.

就这样小生命被截止了。

※※※※※※

王婆聽說金枝的孩子死，她要來看看，可是她只扶了杖子立起來又倒臥下來。When Wang Po heard that Jinzhi's child had died, she wanted to come and see for herself, but she could only prop herself up on her cane to stand before falling back down again.她的腿骨被毒質所侵還不能行走。Her leg bones, eaten through by poison, still could not carry her.

王婆听说金枝的孩子死，她要来看看，可是她只扶了杖子立起来又倒卧下来。她的腿骨被毒质所侵还不能行走。

年青的媽媽過了三天她到亂崗子去看孩子。Three days later the young mother went to the wasteland hillock to see her child.但那能看到什麼呢？But what was there left to see?被狗扯得什麼也沒有。The dogs had torn it apart — nothing remained.

年青的妈妈过了三天她到乱岗子去看孩子。但那能看到什么呢？被狗扯得什么也没有。

成業他看到一堆草染了血，他幻想是捆小金枝的草吧！Chengye saw a pile of grass stained with blood; he imagined it must be the grass that had once bound little Jinzhi!他倆背向著流過眼淚。Back to back, the two of them let their tears flow.

成业他看到一堆草染了血，他幻想是捆小金枝的草吧！他俩背向著流过眼泪。

亂崗子不知曬乾多少悲慘的眼淚？Who knows how many tears of grief the wasteland hillock had dried in its time?永年悲慘的地帶，連個烏鴉也不落下。A ground of everlasting sorrow — not even a crow would come down to land there.

乱岗子不知晒干多少悲惨的眼泪？永年悲惨的地带，连个乌鸦也不落下。

成業又看見一個墳窟，頭骨在那裡重見天日。Chengye caught sight of another grave pit, a skull lying there once more exposed to the light of day.

成业又看见一个坟窟，头骨在那里重见天日。

走出墳場，一些棺材，墳堆，死寂死寂的印象催迫著他們加快著步子。As they walked out of the graveyard, the coffins, the burial mounds, the deathly, deathly stillness of it all pressed upon them and hurried their steps.

走出坟场，一些棺材，坟堆，死寂死寂的印象催迫著他们加快著步子。