第072回 At Gossamer Cave the Seven Spider-Spirits Ensnare the Pilgrims

第072回Chapter 72

話表三藏別了朱紫國王，整頓鞍馬西進。The story tells how Tripitaka took leave of the King of Zhuzi Country and set his saddle and horse in order to press on westward.行夠多少山原，歷盡無窮水道，不覺的秋去冬殘，又值春光明媚。They crossed mountain after mountain, plain after plain, and traveled countless waterways, until, almost without noticing, autumn departed and winter waned, and once again the bright and lovely light of spring arrived.師徒們正在路踏青玩景，忽見一座庵林。Master and disciples were on the road enjoying the spring scenery when suddenly they saw a nunnery-like grove.三藏滾鞍下馬，站立大道之傍。Tripitaka reined in his horse and dismounted, standing beside the great road.行者問道：「師父，這條路平坦無邪，因何不走？」八戒道：「師兄好不通情。Wukong asked, "Master, this road is smooth and free of trouble — why have you stopped?" Bajie said, "Elder Brother, you really don't understand.師父在馬上坐得困了，也讓他下來關關風是。」三藏道：「不是關風，我看那裡是個人家，意欲自去化些齋吃。」行者笑道：「你看師父說的是那裡話，你要吃齋，我自去化。Master has been sitting on the horse and has grown weary; let him get down and stretch his legs a bit, that's all." Tripitaka said, "It's not that I want to stretch my legs. I see there's a household over there, and I mean to go myself and beg a little food." Wukong said with a laugh, "Master, what kind of talk is that? If you want to eat, I'll go beg for it myself.俗語云：『一日為師，終身為父。』豈有為弟子者高坐，教師父去化齋之理？」三藏道：「不是這等說。As the saying goes, 'One day a teacher, all one's life a father.' How could it be right for a disciple to sit at ease while the master goes to beg for food?" Tripitaka said, "That's not how it is.平日間一望無邊無際，你們沒遠沒近的去化齋。Ordinarily the land stretches on without end, and you all go begging for food no matter how far or near.今日人家逼近，可以叫應，也讓我去化一個來。」八戒道：「師父沒主張。Today the household is close at hand, within calling distance, so let me go and beg for one meal." Bajie said, "Master, you have no sense of what's proper.常言道：『三人出外，小的兒苦。』你況是個父輩，我等俱是弟子。As the common saying goes, 'When three travel together, it's the youngest who suffers.' You, moreover, are of the father's generation, while all of us are your disciples.古書云：『有事弟子服其勞。』等我老豬去。」三藏道：「徒弟啊，今日天氣晴明，與那風雨之時不同。The old books say, 'When there is work to be done, the disciple takes on the labor.' Let old Zhu go." Tripitaka said, "Disciples, ah, today the weather is fine and clear, unlike times of wind and rain.那時節，汝等必定遠去。At such times, you all must indeed go far to beg.此個人家，等我去，有齋無齋，可以就回走路。」沙僧在傍笑道：「師兄，不必多講，師父的心性如此，不必違拗。But this household is right here — let me go. Whether I get food or not, I can turn straight back and be on our way." Sha Wujing said with a smile from the side, "Elder Brother, no need to argue further. Master's mind is set this way; there's no need to cross him.若惱了他，就化將齋來，他也不吃。」If we vex him, then even should we go and beg food, he would not eat it."

话表三藏别了朱紫国王，整顿鞍马西进。行够多少山原，历尽无穷水道，不觉的秋去冬残，又值春光明媚。师徒们正在路踏青玩景，忽见一座庵林。三藏滚鞍下马，站立大道之傍。行者问道：「师父，这条路平坦无邪，因何不走？」八戒道：「师兄好不通情。师父在马上坐得困了，也让他下来关关风是。」三藏道：「不是关风，我看那里是个人家，意欲自去化些斋吃。」行者笑道：「你看师父说的是那里话，你要吃斋，我自去化。俗语云：『一日为师，终身为父。』岂有为弟子者高坐，教师父去化斋之理？」三藏道：「不是这等说。平日间一望无边无际，你们没远没近的去化斋。今日人家逼近，可以叫应，也让我去化一个来。」八戒道：「师父没主张。常言道：『三人出外，小的儿苦。』你况是个父辈，我等俱是弟子。古书云：『有事弟子服其劳。』等我老猪去。」三藏道：「徒弟啊，今日天气晴明，与那风雨之时不同。那时节，汝等必定远去。此个人家，等我去，有斋无斋，可以就回走路。」沙僧在傍笑道：「师兄，不必多讲，师父的心性如此，不必违拗。若恼了他，就化将斋来，他也不吃。」

八戒依言，即取出缽盂，與他換了衣帽。Bajie followed this advice and at once took out the alms bowl, exchanging robe and hat with the master.拽開步，直至那莊前觀看，卻也好座住場。Tripitaka set off on foot straight toward the front of that homestead to look, and indeed it was a fine, settled place.但見：Behold:

八戒依言，即取出钵盂，与他换了衣帽。拽开步，直至那庄前观看，却也好座住场。但见：

長老見那人家沒個男兒，只有四個女子，不敢進去，將身立定，閃在喬林之下。The elder saw that this household had no menfolk at all, only four girls, and dared not go in; he stood still, hanging back beneath the tall trees.只見那女子一個個：He saw those girls, each one of them:

长老见那人家没个男儿，只有四个女子，不敢进去，将身立定，闪在乔林之下。只见那女子一个个：

少停有半個時辰，一發靜悄悄，雞犬無聲。After waiting a good half an hour, everything grew even more hushed and still — not a sound of chicken or dog.自家思慮道：「我若沒本事化頓齋飯，也惹那徒弟笑我：敢道為師的化不出齋來，為徒的怎能去拜佛？」He thought to himself, "If I have no skill to beg a meal, my disciples will surely laugh at me — saying that if the master himself cannot beg food, how can the disciples hope to reach Buddha?"

少停有半个时辰，一发静悄悄，鸡犬无声。自家思虑道：「我若没本事化顿斋饭，也惹那徒弟笑我：敢道为师的化不出斋来，为徒的怎能去拜佛？」

長老沒計奈何，也帶了幾分不是，趨步上橋。With no other recourse, the elder, feeling somewhat uneasy, stepped forward onto the bridge.又走了幾步，只見那茅屋裡面有一座木香亭子，亭子下又有三個女子在那裡踢氣毬哩。After walking a few more steps, he saw that inside the thatched house there was a wooden-fragrance pavilion, and beneath the pavilion three more girls were there kicking a feather ball.你看那三個女子，比那四個又生得不同。Now look at these three girls — they were different in appearance from the other four.但見那：Behold:

长老没计奈何，也带了几分不是，趋步上桥。又走了几步，只见那茅屋里面有一座木香亭子，亭子下又有三个女子在那里踢气毬哩。你看那三个女子，比那四个又生得不同。但见那：

言不盡，又有詩為證。Words cannot tell it all, and there is a poem to bear witness.詩曰：The poem says:

言不尽，又有诗为证。诗曰：

三藏看得時辰久了，只得走上橋頭，應聲高叫道：「女菩薩，貧僧這裡隨緣佈施些兒齋吃。」那些女子聽見，一個個喜喜歡歡拋了針線，撇了氣毬，都笑笑吟吟的接出門來道：「長老，失迎了。Tripitaka, having watched for a good long while, had no choice but to walk up onto the bridgehead, and called out in a raised voice, "Bodhisattva ladies, this poor monk here begs, as fortune allows, a bit of food to eat." When the girls heard this, each one joyfully cast aside her needlework, set down the feather ball, and came out smiling and laughing to greet him, saying, "Elder, forgive us for failing to welcome you.今到荒莊，決不敢攔路齋僧，請裡面坐。」三藏聞言，心中暗道：「善哉，善哉！Now that you have come to our humble homestead, we would certainly not block the road and refuse to feed a monk — please, come inside and sit." Hearing this, Tripitaka thought secretly to himself, "Good, good!西方正是佛地，女流尚且注意齋僧，男子豈不虔心向佛？」This is truly Buddha's land in the west — if even womenfolk are so mindful of feeding monks, how could the menfolk not be devout in their reverence for the Buddha?"

三藏看得时辰久了，只得走上桥头，应声高叫道：「女菩萨，贫僧这里随缘布施些儿斋吃。」那些女子听见，一个个喜喜欢欢抛了针线，撇了气毬，都笑笑吟吟的接出门来道：「长老，失迎了。今到荒庄，决不敢拦路斋僧，请里面坐。」三藏闻言，心中暗道：「善哉，善哉！西方正是佛地，女流尚且注意斋僧，男子岂不虔心向佛？」

長老向前問訊了，相隨眾女入茅屋。The elder bowed in greeting and followed the girls into the thatched house.過木香亭看處，呀！Passing the wooden-fragrance pavilion and looking about — ah!原來那裡邊沒甚房廊。It turned out there were no proper rooms or corridors there at all.只見那：He saw only:

长老向前问讯了，相随众女入茅屋。过木香亭看处，呀！原来那里边没甚房廊。只见那：

有一女子上前，把石頭門推開兩扇，請唐僧裡面坐。One girl stepped forward and pushed open the two leaves of a stone gate, inviting Tang Monk to sit inside.那長老只得進去。The elder had no choice but to go in.忽擡頭看時，鋪設的都是石桌、石凳，冷氣陰陰。Suddenly raising his head to look, he saw that everything set out was stone tables and stone stools, and the air felt cold and gloomy.長老心驚，暗自思忖道：「這去處少吉多凶，斷然不善。」眾女子喜笑吟吟，都道：「長老請坐。」長老沒奈何，只得坐了。The elder's heart was alarmed, and he thought to himself secretly, "This place holds little good fortune and much ill omen — it is surely not benign." The girls, smiling and laughing, all said, "Elder, please sit." The elder, having no other choice, sat down.少時間，打個冷禁。After a short while, he shivered with a chill.眾女子問道：「長老是何寶山？The girls asked, "Elder, from what precious mountain do you hail?化甚麼緣？What cause are you soliciting for?還是修橋補路，建寺禮塔，還是造佛印經？Is it for repairing bridges and mending roads, building temples and paying reverence at pagodas, or for casting Buddha images and printing sutras?請緣簿出來看看。」長老道：「我不是化緣的和尚。」女子道：「既不化緣，到此何幹？」長老道：「我是東土大唐差去西天大雷音求經者。Please take out your donation register for us to see." The elder said, "I am not a monk soliciting donations." The girl said, "If you are not soliciting donations, what business brings you here?" The elder said, "I am one sent from the Tang court of the Land of the East to seek scriptures at the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Western Heaven.適過寶方，腹間饑餒，特造檀府，募化一齋，貧僧就行也。」眾女子道：「好好好。Passing by your precious estate, I felt hunger in my belly, and so came especially to your noble household to beg a meal, after which this poor monk will be on his way." The girls said, "Good, good, good.常言道：『遠來的和尚好看經。』妹妹們。As the common saying goes, 'A monk from afar is good at chanting scriptures.' Sisters,不可怠慢，快辦齋來。」let us not be neglectful — quickly prepare a meal for him."

有一女子上前，把石头门推开两扇，请唐僧里面坐。那长老只得进去。忽抬头看时，铺设的都是石桌、石凳，冷气阴阴。长老心惊，暗自思忖道：「这去处少吉多凶，断然不善。」众女子喜笑吟吟，都道：「长老请坐。」长老没奈何，只得坐了。少时间，打个冷禁。众女子问道：「长老是何宝山？化甚么缘？还是修桥补路，建寺礼塔，还是造佛印经？请缘簿出来看看。」长老道：「我不是化缘的和尚。」女子道：「既不化缘，到此何干？」长老道：「我是东土大唐差去西天大雷音求经者。适过宝方，腹间饥馁，特造檀府，募化一斋，贫僧就行也。」众女子道：「好好好。常言道：『远来的和尚好看经。』妹妹们。不可怠慢，快办斋来。」

此時有三個女子陪著，言來語去，論說些因緣。At this time three of the girls kept him company, chatting back and forth, discussing matters of karma and predestination.那四個到廚中撩衣斂袖，炊火刷鍋。The other four went into the kitchen, tucking up their sleeves and rolling back their garments, lighting the fire and scouring the pots.你道他安排的是些甚麼東西？Do you know what sort of things they were preparing?原來是人油炒煉，人肉煎熬：熬得黑糊充作麵觔樣子，剜的人腦煎作豆腐塊片。It turned out to be human fat rendered and fried, human flesh boiled and cooked: what was simmered black and made to pass for wheat-gluten shapes, and what was scooped from human brains was fried into pieces resembling bean curd.兩盤兒捧到石桌上放下，對長老道：「請了。They carried two platters to the stone table and set them down, saying to the elder, "Please, go ahead.倉卒間，不曾備得好齋，且將就吃些充腹。In such haste we could not prepare a proper vegetarian meal, so please make do with this to fill your stomach.後面還有添換來也。」那長老聞了一聞，見那腥膻，不敢開口，欠身合掌道：「女菩薩，貧僧是胎裡素。」眾女子笑道：「長老，此是素的。」長老道：「阿彌陀佛！There will be more to follow later." The elder sniffed at it, caught the rank, fishy smell, and dared not open his mouth; he bowed slightly, pressed his palms together, and said, "Bodhisattva ladies, this poor monk has been a vegetarian since birth." The girls said with a smile, "Elder, this is vegetarian fare." The elder said, "Amitabha Buddha!若像這等素的啊，我和尚吃了，莫想見得世尊，取得經卷。」眾女子道：「長老，你出家人，切莫揀人佈施。」長老道：「怎敢，怎敢。If this is what counts as vegetarian, then were this monk to eat it, he could never hope to see the World-Honored One or obtain the scriptures." The girls said, "Elder, you who have left the household life should not be so choosy about whose alms you accept." The elder said, "How would I dare, how would I dare.我和尚奉大唐旨意，一路西來，微生不損，見苦就救；This monk, obeying the decree of the Great Tang, has traveled the whole way west without harming the smallest living thing, and upon seeing suffering has always striven to relieve it;遇穀粒手拈入口，逢絲縷聯綴遮身。when I come upon grains of rice I pick them up by hand to eat, when I come upon scraps of thread I stitch them together to cover my body.怎敢揀主佈施？」眾女子笑道：「長老雖不揀人佈施，卻只有些上門怪人。How would I dare choose whose alms to accept?" The girls said with a smile, "Elder, though you may not choose whose alms to accept, you are rather particular and hard to please once you're at someone's door.莫嫌粗淡，吃些兒罷。」長老道：「實是不敢吃，恐破了戒。Don't complain that it's plain and coarse — do eat a little." The elder said, "Truly I dare not eat it, for fear of breaking my vows.望菩薩養生不若放生，放我和尚出去罷。」I beg you, Bodhisattva ladies — better to spare a life than to nourish one; please let this poor monk go."

此时有三个女子陪著，言来语去，论说些因缘。那四个到厨中撩衣敛袖，炊火刷锅。你道他安排的是些甚么东西？原来是人油炒炼，人肉煎熬：熬得黑糊充作面觔样子，剜的人脑煎作豆腐块片。两盘儿捧到石桌上放下，对长老道：「请了。仓卒间，不曾备得好斋，且将就吃些充腹。后面还有添换来也。」那长老闻了一闻，见那腥膻，不敢开口，欠身合掌道：「女菩萨，贫僧是胎里素。」众女子笑道：「长老，此是素的。」长老道：「阿弥陀佛！若像这等素的啊，我和尚吃了，莫想见得世尊，取得经卷。」众女子道：「长老，你出家人，切莫拣人布施。」长老道：「怎敢，怎敢。我和尚奉大唐旨意，一路西来，微生不损，见苦就救；遇谷粒手拈入口，逢丝缕联缀遮身。怎敢拣主布施？」众女子笑道：「长老虽不拣人布施，却只有些上门怪人。莫嫌粗淡，吃些儿罢。」长老道：「实是不敢吃，恐破了戒。望菩萨养生不若放生，放我和尚出去罢。」

那長老掙著要走，那女子攔住門，怎麼肯放，俱道：「上門的買賣，倒不好做。『放了屁兒，卻使手掩。』你往那裡去？」他一個個都會些武藝，手腳又活，把長老扯住，順手牽羊，撲的摜倒在地。The elder struggled to leave, but the girls blocked the doorway, and how would they ever let him go? They all said, "Business that comes right to our door — how could we let it go so easily. 'Having let out the fart, you still try to cover it with your hand.' Where do you think you're going?" Each of them knew some martial skill, and their hands and feet were quick and nimble; they seized the elder, and with a deft motion — like leading away a goat one happens to pass — threw him flat to the ground.眾人按住，將繩子綑了，懸梁高吊。The whole group held him down, bound him up with rope, and hoisted him up high, hanging him from the beam.這吊有個名色，叫做「仙人指路」。This particular way of hanging had a name — it was called "The Immortal Pointing the Way."原來是一隻手向前，牽絲吊起；It worked like this: one hand was stretched forward, tied up and suspended by a cord;一隻手攔腰綑住，將繩吊起；one hand was bound around the waist, tied up and suspended by a rope;兩隻腳向後，一條繩吊起：三條繩把長老吊在梁上，卻是脊背朝上，肚皮朝下。both feet were drawn backward and hung by a single rope: with these three ropes the elder was strung up on the beam, so that his back faced upward and his belly faced downward.那長老忍著疼，噙著淚，心中暗恨道：「我和尚這等命苦，只說是好人家化頓齋吃，豈知道落了火坑。The elder bore the pain, holding back his tears, and thought bitterly to himself, "This monk's fate is so hard — I thought I was begging a meal from a good household, who knew I would fall into a pit of fire.徒弟啊，速來救我，還得見面；Disciples, ah, come quickly to save me, and we may yet meet again;但遲兩個時辰，我命休矣。」but if you delay so much as two hours, my life will be over."

那长老挣著要走，那女子拦住门，怎么肯放，俱道：「上门的买卖，倒不好做。『放了屁儿，却使手掩。』你往那里去？」他一个个都会些武艺，手脚又活，把长老扯住，顺手牵羊，扑的掼倒在地。众人按住，将绳子捆了，悬梁高吊。这吊有个名色，叫做「仙人指路」。原来是一只手向前，牵丝吊起；一只手拦腰捆住，将绳吊起；两只脚向后，一条绳吊起：三条绳把长老吊在梁上，却是脊背朝上，肚皮朝下。那长老忍著疼，噙著泪，心中暗恨道：「我和尚这等命苦，只说是好人家化顿斋吃，岂知道落了火坑。徒弟啊，速来救我，还得见面；但迟两个时辰，我命休矣。」

那長老雖然苦惱，卻還留心看著那些女子。Though the elder was in such distress, he still kept his wits about him and watched those girls closely.那些女子把他吊得停當，便去脫剝衣服。Once the girls had him hung up securely, they went to strip off their clothes.長老心驚，暗自忖道：「這一脫了衣服，是要打我的情了。The elder's heart was alarmed, and he thought secretly to himself, "Now that they're taking off their clothes, they must mean to beat me out of some private grudge.或者夾生兒吃我的情也有哩。」原來那女子們只解了上身羅衫，露出肚腹，各顯神通：一個個腰眼中冒出絲繩，有鴨蛋粗細，骨都都的，迸玉飛銀，時下把莊門瞞了不題。Or perhaps they mean to toy with me a bit before eating me raw and half-cooked." It turned out, however, that the girls only loosened the silk blouses over their upper bodies, baring their bellies, and each displayed her own divine power: from the points of their waists they each shot out silken cords, thick as duck eggs, gurgling forth, scattering jade and flying silver, and in a moment they had covered over the whole homestead's gate — but no more of that for now.

那长老虽然苦恼，却还留心看著那些女子。那些女子把他吊得停当，便去脱剥衣服。长老心惊，暗自忖道：「这一脱了衣服，是要打我的情了。或者夹生儿吃我的情也有哩。」原来那女子们只解了上身罗衫，露出肚腹，各显神通：一个个腰眼中冒出丝绳，有鸭蛋粗细，骨都都的，迸玉飞银，时下把庄门瞒了不题。

卻說那行者、八戒、沙僧都在大道之傍，他二人都放馬看擔，惟行者是個頑皮，他且跳樹攀枝，摘葉尋果。Meanwhile, Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing all waited by the great road; the latter two tended the horse and watched the baggage, but Wukong, being mischievous by nature, was off leaping among the trees, climbing branches, plucking leaves, and hunting for fruit.忽回頭，只見一片光亮，慌得跳下樹來，吆喝道：「不好，不好，師父造化低了。」行者用手指道：「你看那莊院如何？」八戒、沙僧共目視之，那一片如雪又亮如雪，似銀又光似銀。Suddenly he turned his head and saw a stretch of gleaming brightness; startled, he leapt down from the tree and cried out, "Bad, bad — the master's luck has turned poor." Wukong pointed with his hand and said, "Look how that homestead appears!" Bajie and Sha Wujing both looked together, and that expanse was like snow yet brighter than snow, like silver yet more radiant than silver.八戒道：「罷了，罷了，師父遇著妖精了，我們快去救他也。」行者道：「賢弟莫嚷。Bajie said, "That's it, that's it — the master has run into a spirit-demon; let's hurry and go save him." Wukong said, "Younger Brothers, don't make a fuss.你都不見怎的，等老孫去來。」沙僧道：「哥哥仔細。」行者道：「我自有處。」You two don't understand what's going on — wait while old Sun goes to see." Sha Wujing said, "Elder Brother, be careful." Wukong said, "I have my own way of handling it."

却说那行者、八戒、沙僧都在大道之傍，他二人都放马看担，惟行者是个顽皮，他且跳树攀枝，摘叶寻果。忽回头，只见一片光亮，慌得跳下树来，吆喝道：「不好，不好，师父造化低了。」行者用手指道：「你看那庄院如何？」八戒、沙僧共目视之，那一片如雪又亮如雪，似银又光似银。八戒道：「罢了，罢了，师父遇著妖精了，我们快去救他也。」行者道：「贤弟莫嚷。你都不见怎的，等老孙去来。」沙僧道：「哥哥仔细。」行者道：「我自有处。」

好大聖，束一束虎皮裙，掣出金箍棒，拽開腳，兩三步跑到前邊，看見那絲繩纏了有千百層厚，穿穿道道，卻似經緯之勢。Splendid Great Sage — he tightened his tiger-skin skirt, drew out his gold-banded staff, strode forward, and in two or three steps ran to the front, where he saw the silken cords wound in layer upon layer, hundreds and thousands thick, crisscrossing this way and that, just like the warp and weft of woven cloth.用手按了一按，有些粘軟沾人。He pressed on it with his hand, and it was somewhat sticky, soft, and clinging to the touch.行者更不知是甚麼東西。Wukong had no idea at all what sort of thing it was.他即舉棒道：「這一棒，莫說是幾千層，就有幾萬層，也打斷了。」正欲打，又停住手道：「若是硬的便可打斷，這個軟的，只好打匾罷了。He at once raised his staff and said, "With this one blow, never mind a few thousand layers, even a few tens of thousands of layers would be smashed through." Just as he was about to strike, he stopped his hand and said, "If it were hard, I could indeed strike it through, but this stuff is soft — striking it would only flatten it.假如驚了他，纏住老孫，反為不美。Suppose it startles them and they wrap themselves around old Sun instead, that would hardly turn out well.等我且問他一問再打。」Let me first ask a question or two before I strike."

好大圣，束一束虎皮裙，掣出金箍棒，拽开脚，两三步跑到前边，看见那丝绳缠了有千百层厚，穿穿道道，却似经纬之势。用手按了一按，有些粘软沾人。行者更不知是甚么东西。他即举棒道：「这一棒，莫说是几千层，就有几万层，也打断了。」正欲打，又停住手道：「若是硬的便可打断，这个软的，只好打匾罢了。假如惊了他，缠住老孙，反为不美。等我且问他一问再打。」

你道他問誰？Whom do you suppose he asked?即捻一個訣，念一個咒，拘得個土地老兒在廟裡似推磨的一般亂轉。He at once formed a hand-sign, recited an incantation, and summoned the old local earth-god, who was made to spin round and round in his shrine like a millstone turning.土地婆兒道：「老兒，你轉怎的？The earth-god's wife said, "Old man, why are you spinning like that?好道是羊兒風發了。」土地道：「你不知，你不知。It must be that your fits of the staggers have come on again." The earth-god said, "You don't know, you don't know.有一個齊天大聖來了，我不曾接他，他那裡拘我哩。」婆兒道：「你去見他便了，卻如何在這裡打轉？」土地道：「若去見他，他那棍子好不重，他管你好歹就打哩。」婆兒道：「他見你這等老了，那裡就打你？」土地道：「他一生好吃沒錢酒，偏打老年人。」兩口兒講一會，沒奈何，只得走出去，戰兢兢的跪在路傍，叫道：「大聖，當境土地叩頭。」行者道：「你且起來，不要假忙。The Great Sage Equal to Heaven has arrived, and since I failed to go out and greet him, he is now summoning me by force from here." His wife said, "Then just go and see him — why are you spinning round and round in here like this?" The earth-god said, "If I go to see him, his cudgel is no small weight — he cares nothing for right or wrong, he'll just strike me down." His wife said, "Seeing how old you are, surely he wouldn't strike you?" The earth-god said, "All his life he's loved to drink free wine that costs him nothing, and it's the old folks he especially likes to beat." The two of them talked it over a while, and with no other choice, the earth-god had to go out, and trembling with fear, knelt by the roadside, calling out, "Great Sage, the local earth-god of this place kowtows to you." Wukong said, "Get up, there's no need for such false urgency.我且不打你，寄下在那裡。I won't beat you just now — I'll set that debt aside for later.我問你，此間是甚地方？」土地道：「大聖從那廂來？」行者道：「我自東土往西來的。」土地道：「大聖東來，可曾在那山嶺上？」行者道：「正在那山嶺上。Let me ask you: what place is this?" The earth-god said, "Great Sage, where have you come from?" Wukong said, "I have come from the Land of the East, heading west." The earth-god said, "Great Sage, coming from the east, did you perhaps pass over that mountain ridge?" Wukong said, "I was indeed just on that ridge.我們行李、馬匹還歇在那嶺上不是！」土地道：「那叫做盤絲嶺。Our luggage and horse are still resting up on that ridge right now, aren't they!" The earth-god said, "That is called Panzi Ridge.嶺下有洞，叫做盤絲洞。Below the ridge there is a cave, called Panzi Cave.洞裡有七個妖精。」行者道：「是男怪，是女怪？」土地道：「是女怪。」行者道：「他有多大神通？」土地道：「小神力薄威短，不知他有多大手段。In the cave there are seven spirit-demons." Wukong said, "Are they male demons or female demons?" The earth-god said, "They are female demons." Wukong said, "How great is their magic power?" The earth-god said, "This lowly spirit's power is slight and my authority is limited, so I do not know how great their skill may be.只知那正南上，離此有三里之遙，有一座濯垢泉，乃天生的熱水，原是上方七仙姑的浴池。I only know that to the due south, some three li from here, there is a Zhuogou Spring, a naturally occurring hot spring, which originally was the bathing pool of the Seven Immortal Maidens of the Upper Realm.自妖精到此居住，占了他的濯垢泉，仙姑更不曾與他爭競，平白地就讓與他了。Ever since the demons came to settle here, they seized that Zhuogou Spring, and the immortal maidens never even contended with them over it — they simply yielded it to them without a word.我見天仙不惹妖魔怪，必定精靈有大能。」行者道：「占了此泉何幹？」土地道：「這怪占了浴池，一日三遭，出來洗澡。Seeing that even heavenly immortals do not provoke these demon-spirits, I am certain these spirits must possess formidable power." Wukong said, "What do they want with occupying this spring?" The earth-god said, "These demons, having seized the bathing pool, come out to bathe three times a day.如今巳時已過，午時將來呀。」行者聽言道：「土地，你且回去，等我自家拿他罷。」那土地老兒磕了一個頭，戰兢兢的回本廟去了。Now the Hour of the Serpent has already passed, and the Hour of the Horse is approaching." Hearing this, Wukong said, "Local Earth-god, go on back now — let old Sun catch them himself." The old earth-god kowtowed once and, trembling, returned to his own shrine.

你道他问谁？即捻一个诀，念一个咒，拘得个土地老儿在庙里似推磨的一般乱转。土地婆儿道：「老儿，你转怎的？好道是羊儿风发了。」土地道：「你不知，你不知。有一个齐天大圣来了，我不曾接他，他那里拘我哩。」婆儿道：「你去见他便了，却如何在这里打转？」土地道：「若去见他，他那棍子好不重，他管你好歹就打哩。」婆儿道：「他见你这等老了，那里就打你？」土地道：「他一生好吃没钱酒，偏打老年人。」两口儿讲一会，没奈何，只得走出去，战兢兢的跪在路傍，叫道：「大圣，当境土地叩头。」行者道：「你且起来，不要假忙。我且不打你，寄下在那里。我问你，此间是甚地方？」土地道：「大圣从那厢来？」行者道：「我自东土往西来的。」土地道：「大圣东来，可曾在那山岭上？」行者道：「正在那山岭上。我们行李、马匹还歇在那岭上不是！」土地道：「那叫做盘丝岭。岭下有洞，叫做盘丝洞。洞里有七个妖精。」行者道：「是男怪，是女怪？」土地道：「是女怪。」行者道：「他有多大神通？」土地道：「小神力薄威短，不知他有多大手段。只知那正南上，离此有三里之遥，有一座濯垢泉，乃天生的热水，原是上方七仙姑的浴池。自妖精到此居住，占了他的濯垢泉，仙姑更不曾与他争竞，平白地就让与他了。我见天仙不惹妖魔怪，必定精灵有大能。」行者道：「占了此泉何干？」土地道：「这怪占了浴池，一日三遭，出来洗澡。如今巳时已过，午时将来呀。」行者听言道：「土地，你且回去，等我自家拿他罢。」那土地老儿磕了一个头，战兢兢的回本庙去了。

這大聖獨顯神通，搖身一變，變作個麻蒼蠅兒，釘在路傍草梢上等待。The Great Sage then displayed his own particular magic alone: with a shake of his body he transformed into a horsefly, and clung fast to the tips of the grass by the roadside, waiting.須臾間，只聽得呼呼吸吸之聲，猶如蠶食葉，卻似海生潮。In a moment, he heard a rushing, panting sound, like silkworms devouring leaves, or like the tide rising from the sea.只好有半盞茶時，絲繩皆盡，依然現出莊村，還像當初模樣。In only about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, all the silken cords vanished entirely, and the homestead reappeared just as it had looked before.又聽得呀的一聲，柴扉響處，裡邊笑語諠譁，走出七個女子。Then he heard a creaking sound as the wooden gate opened, and from within came laughter and chatter, as seven girls came walking out.行者在暗中細看，見他一個個攜手相攙，挨肩執袂，有說有笑的走過橋來，果是標致。Wukong, watching closely from his hiding place, saw them walking hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm, laughing and talking as they crossed the bridge — and indeed they were strikingly beautiful.但見：Behold:

这大圣独显神通，摇身一变，变作个麻苍蝇儿，钉在路傍草梢上等待。须臾间，只听得呼呼吸吸之声，犹如蚕食叶，却似海生潮。只好有半盏茶时，丝绳皆尽，依然现出庄村，还像当初模样。又听得呀的一声，柴扉响处，里边笑语諠哗，走出七个女子。行者在暗中细看，见他一个个携手相搀，挨肩执袂，有说有笑的走过桥来，果是标致。但见：

行者笑道：「怪不得我師父要來化齋，原來是這一般好物。Wukong said with a laugh, "No wonder my master wanted to come and beg food here — so this is the fine sort of thing to be found!這七個美人兒，假若留住我師父，要吃也不夠一頓吃，要用也不夠兩日用；These seven beauties — if they were to keep my master here, even if they wanted to eat him, it wouldn't make one full meal; even if they wanted to use him for pleasure, it wouldn't last two days' worth;要動手輪流，一擺佈就是死了。but if it comes to taking turns at him with their hands, one round of handling would be enough to kill him.且等我去聽他一聽，看他怎的算計。」Let me go listen in on them a while and see what scheme they're plotting."

行者笑道：「怪不得我师父要来化斋，原来是这一般好物。这七个美人儿，假若留住我师父，要吃也不够一顿吃，要用也不够两日用；要动手轮流，一摆布就是死了。且等我去听他一听，看他怎的算计。」

好大聖，嚶的一聲，飛在那前面走的女子雲髻上釘住。Splendid Great Sage — with a buzzing sound, he flew over and landed, clinging fast, on the cloud-like hair bun of the girl walking in front.才過橋來，後邊的走向前來呼道：「姐姐，我們洗了澡，來蒸那胖和尚吃去。」行者暗笑道：「這怪物好沒算計，煮還省些柴，怎麼轉要蒸了吃？」那些女子採花鬥草向南來，不多時到了浴池。No sooner had they crossed the bridge than one of the girls behind called out to the one in front, "Sister, once we've bathed, let's go steam that fat monk and eat him." Wukong laughed inwardly, "These demons really have no sense of planning — boiling him would save firewood, so why go and steam him instead?" The girls, picking flowers and playing at grasses, headed south, and before long reached the bathing pool.但見一座門牆，十分壯麗，遍地野花香豔豔，滿傍蘭蕙密森森。He saw a gate and wall, exceedingly grand and splendid, wildflowers covering the ground in fragrant profusion, and orchids growing thick and dense all along the sides.後面一個女子走上前，唿哨的一聲，把兩扇門兒推開，那中間果有一塘熱水。One of the girls from behind stepped forward, and with a whistling sound pushed open the two leaves of the gate, and there in the middle indeed was a pool of hot water.這水：As for this water:

好大圣，嘤的一声，飞在那前面走的女子云髻上钉住。才过桥来，后边的走向前来呼道：「姐姐，我们洗了澡，来蒸那胖和尚吃去。」行者暗笑道：「这怪物好没算计，煮还省些柴，怎么转要蒸了吃？」那些女子采花斗草向南来，不多时到了浴池。但见一座门墙，十分壮丽，遍地野花香艳艳，满傍兰蕙密森森。后面一个女子走上前，唿哨的一声，把两扇门儿推开，那中间果有一塘热水。这水：

有詩為證。There is a poem to bear witness.詩曰：The poem says:

有诗为证。诗曰：

那浴池約有五丈餘闊，十丈多長，內有四尺深淺，但見水清徹底。That bathing pool was about five zhang and more in width, and over ten zhang in length, with a depth of four chi, and the water was clear down to the bottom.底下水一似滾珠泛玉，骨都都冒將上來，四面有六七個孔竅通流。At the bottom the water seemed to churn like rolling pearls and floating jade, gurgling upward, and on all four sides there were six or seven openings through which it flowed.流去二三里之遙，淌到田裡，還是溫水。After flowing some two or three li, it reached the fields, and even there it was still warm water.池上又有三間亭子。Above the pool there were also three pavilion rooms.亭子中近後壁放著一張八隻腳的板凳。In the pavilion, near the back wall, was placed a bench with eight legs.兩山頭放著兩個彩漆的衣架。At the two ends were placed two clothes racks lacquered in bright colors.行者暗中喜嚶嚶的，一翅飛在那衣架頭上釘住。Xingzhe, secretly delighted, buzzed softly and with one flap of his wings flew up to perch fixed atop the clothes rack.

那浴池约有五丈余阔，十丈多长，内有四尺深浅，但见水清彻底。底下水一似滚珠泛玉，骨都都冒将上来，四面有六七个孔窍通流。流去二三里之遥，淌到田里，还是温水。池上又有三间亭子。亭子中近后壁放著一张八只脚的板凳。两山头放著两个彩漆的衣架。行者暗中喜嘤嘤的，一翅飞在那衣架头上钉住。

那些女子見水又清又熱，便要洗浴，即一齊脫了衣服，搭在衣架上，一齊下去。Seeing that the water was both clear and hot, the women wanted to bathe, so they all took off their clothes together, draped them on the rack, and went down into the water together.被行者看見：Xingzhe saw it all:

那些女子见水又清又热，便要洗浴，即一齐脱了衣服，搭在衣架上，一齐下去。被行者看见：

那女子都跳下水去，一個個躍浪翻波，負水頑耍。The women all jumped into the water, one after another leaping through the waves and rolling in the water, splashing about playfully.行者道：「我若打他啊，只消把這棍子往池中一攪，就叫做滾湯潑老鼠──一窩兒都是死。Xingzhe thought, 'If I were to strike them, I need only stir this rod once in the pool, and it would be like pouring boiling water on rats — the whole nest would die at once.'可憐，可憐！How pitiful, how pitiful!打便打死他，只是低了老孫的名頭。Killing them would be easy enough, but it would lower old Sun's reputation.常言道：『男不與女鬥。』我這般一個漢子，打殺這幾個丫頭，著實不濟。As the saying goes, 'A man does not fight with women.' For a fellow like me to beat these girls to death would truly be unworthy.不要打他，只送他一個絕後計，教他動不得身，多少是好？」好大聖，捏著訣，念個咒，搖身一變，變作一個餓老鷹。I won't strike them — I'll just play a trick on them that leaves no trace, so they can't move from the spot — wouldn't that be better?' Splendid Great Sage — he formed a magic sign with his fingers, recited a spell, gave his body a shake, and transformed into a starving eagle.但見：Behold:

那女子都跳下水去，一个个跃浪翻波，负水顽耍。行者道：「我若打他啊，只消把这棍子往池中一搅，就叫做滚汤泼老鼠──一窝儿都是死。可怜，可怜！打便打死他，只是低了老孙的名头。常言道：『男不与女斗。』我这般一个汉子，打杀这几个丫头，著实不济。不要打他，只送他一个绝后计，教他动不得身，多少是好？」好大圣，捏著诀，念个咒，摇身一变，变作一个饿老鹰。但见：

呼的一翅，飛向前，掄開利爪，把他那衣架上搭的七套衣服，盡情叼去，徑轉嶺頭，現出本相，來見八戒、沙僧。With a whoosh of his wings he flew forward, spread his sharp talons, and snatched up all seven sets of clothes draped on the rack, then flew straight back to the ridge, resumed his true form, and went to see Bajie and Sha Seng.

呼的一翅，飞向前，抡开利爪，把他那衣架上搭的七套衣服，尽情叼去，径转岭头，现出本相，来见八戒、沙僧。

你看那獃子迎著笑道：「師父原來是典當鋪裡拿了去的。」沙僧道：「怎見得？」八戒道：「你不見師兄把他些衣服都搶將來也？」行者放下道：「此乃妖精穿的衣服。」八戒道：「怎麼就有這許多？」行者道：「七套。」八戒道：「如何剝得這般容易，又剝得乾淨？」行者道：「那曾用剝。Look at that idiot — he came forward laughing and said, 'So Master must have been taken to a pawnshop!' Sha Seng said, 'How can you tell?' Bajie said, 'Don't you see Elder Brother has snatched a bunch of clothes back with him?' Xingzhe set them down and said, 'These are clothes worn by the demons.' Bajie said, 'How did you get so many?' Xingzhe said, 'Seven sets.' Bajie said, 'How could you strip them off so easily, and so cleanly?' Xingzhe said, 'I never had to strip anything off.'原來此處喚做盤絲嶺，那莊村喚做盤絲洞。As it turns out, this place is called Pansi Ridge, and that village is called Pansi Cave.洞中有七個女怪，把我師父拿住，吊在洞裡，都向濯垢泉去洗浴。In the cave there are seven female demons, who caught our master and hung him up inside, then all went off to the Filth-Cleansing Spring to bathe.那泉卻是天地產成的，一塘子熱水。That spring was formed naturally by heaven and earth, a whole pool of hot water.他都算計著洗了澡，要把師父蒸吃。They were all planning to bathe first and then steam Master to eat him.是我跟到那裡，見他脫了衣服下水，我要打他，恐怕污了棍子，又怕低了名頭，是以不曾動棍，只變做一個餓老鷹，叼了他的衣服。I followed them there, and seeing them take off their clothes and go into the water, I wanted to strike them, but I feared it would sully my rod, and I also feared it would lower my reputation, so I didn't use my rod at all — I just turned into a starving eagle and snatched away their clothes.他都忍辱含羞，不敢出頭，蹲在水中哩。They're all enduring the shame, not daring to show their heads, crouching there in the water.我等快去解下師父走路罷。」八戒笑道：「師兄，你凡幹事，只要留根。Let's hurry and go untie Master and be on our way.' Bajie laughed and said, 'Elder Brother, whenever you do something, you always leave the root behind.'既見妖精，如何不打殺他，卻就去解師父？Since you saw the demons, why didn't you beat them to death, instead of just going to untie Master?他如今縱然藏羞不出，到晚間必定出來。Even though they're hiding in shame now and won't come out, by evening they're bound to emerge.他家裡還有舊衣服，穿上一套，來趕我們。They still have old clothes at home; they'll put on a set and come chasing after us.縱然不趕，他久住在此，我們取了經，還從那條路回去。Even if they don't chase us, they've lived here a long time, and after we fetch the scriptures, we'll still have to return by that same road.常言道：『寧少路邊錢，莫少路邊拳。』那時節，他攔住了吵鬧，卻不是個仇人也？」行者道：「憑你如何主張？」八戒道：「依我，先打殺了妖精，再去解放師父：此乃斬草除根之計。」行者道：「我是不打他，你要打，你去打他。」As the saying goes: 'Better to be short of money on the road than short of a fist on the road.' At that time, if they blocked our way and made trouble, wouldn't that make them enemies?' Xingzhe said, 'Whatever you decide.' Bajie said, 'In my opinion, we should kill the demons first, then go free Master — this is the plan of cutting the grass and pulling up the roots.' Xingzhe said, 'I won't strike them; if you want to, go strike them yourself.'

你看那呆子迎著笑道：「师父原来是典当铺里拿了去的。」沙僧道：「怎见得？」八戒道：「你不见师兄把他些衣服都抢将来也？」行者放下道：「此乃妖精穿的衣服。」八戒道：「怎么就有这许多？」行者道：「七套。」八戒道：「如何剥得这般容易，又剥得干净？」行者道：「那曾用剥。原来此处唤做盘丝岭，那庄村唤做盘丝洞。洞中有七个女怪，把我师父拿住，吊在洞里，都向濯垢泉去洗浴。那泉却是天地产成的，一塘子热水。他都算计著洗了澡，要把师父蒸吃。是我跟到那里，见他脱了衣服下水，我要打他，恐怕污了棍子，又怕低了名头，是以不曾动棍，只变做一个饿老鹰，叼了他的衣服。他都忍辱含羞，不敢出头，蹲在水中哩。我等快去解下师父走路罢。」八戒笑道：「师兄，你凡干事，只要留根。既见妖精，如何不打杀他，却就去解师父？他如今纵然藏羞不出，到晚间必定出来。他家里还有旧衣服，穿上一套，来赶我们。纵然不赶，他久住在此，我们取了经，还从那条路回去。常言道：『宁少路边钱，莫少路边拳。』那时节，他拦住了吵闹，却不是个仇人也？」行者道：「凭你如何主张？」八戒道：「依我，先打杀了妖精，再去解放师父：此乃斩草除根之计。」行者道：「我是不打他，你要打，你去打他。」

八戒抖擻精神，歡天喜地，舉著釘鈀，拽開步，徑直跑到那裡。Bajie roused his spirits, overjoyed, raised his rake, strode out, and ran straight there.忽的推開門看時，只見那七個女子蹲在水裡，口中亂罵那鷹哩，道：「這個匾毛畜生，貓嚼頭的亡人，把我們衣服都叼去了，教我們怎的動手？」八戒忍不住笑道：「女菩薩，在這裡洗澡哩？He suddenly pushed open the door and looked, and saw the seven women crouching in the water, cursing wildly at the eagle, saying, 'That flat-feathered beast, that cat-gnawed corpse of a thing, has carried off all our clothes — how are we supposed to move now?' Bajie couldn't help laughing and said, 'Lady Bodhisattvas, bathing here, are you?'也攜帶我和尚洗洗，何如？」那怪見了，作怒道：「你這和尚，十分無禮。How about bringing along this monk to wash too?' When the demons saw him, they grew angry and said, 'You monk, you are utterly rude.'我們是在家的女流，你是個出家的男子。We are laywomen living at home, and you are a man who has left the household life.古書云：『七年男女不同席。』你好和我們同塘洗澡？」八戒道：「天氣炎熱，沒奈何，將就容我洗洗兒罷，那裡調甚麼書擔兒，同席不同席？」獃子不容說，丟了釘鈀，脫了皂錦直裰，撲的跳下水來。The old books say, 'From the age of seven, boys and girls do not share a mat.' How could you possibly bathe in the same pool as us?' Bajie said, 'The weather's so hot, there's nothing to be done about it — just let me wash a bit, why bring up book-peddling talk about sharing mats or not?' The idiot didn't let them argue further, threw down his rake, stripped off his black brocade robe, and jumped into the water with a splash.那怪心中煩惱，一齊上前要打。The demons, vexed at heart, all came forward together to beat him.不知八戒水勢極熟，到水裡搖身一變，變做一個鮎魚精。Little did they know Bajie was extremely skilled in water; once in the water he gave his body a shake and transformed into a catfish spirit.那怪就都摸魚，趕上拿他不住：東邊摸，忽的又漬了西去；The demons all groped for the fish, chasing after it but unable to catch hold — they groped to the east, and suddenly it slipped away to the west;西邊摸，忽的又漬了東去。they groped to the west, and suddenly it slipped away to the east.滑扢虀的，只在那腿襠裡亂鑽。Slick and slippery, it just kept darting wildly between their legs.原來那水有攙胸之深，水上盤了一會，又盤在水底，都盤倒了，喘噓噓的，精神倦怠。As it happened, the water was chest-deep; they thrashed about on the surface for a while, then thrashed about at the bottom, until they were all worn out, gasping for breath, their spirits exhausted.

八戒抖擞精神，欢天喜地，举著钉钯，拽开步，径直跑到那里。忽的推开门看时，只见那七个女子蹲在水里，口中乱骂那鹰哩，道：「这个匾毛畜生，猫嚼头的亡人，把我们衣服都叼去了，教我们怎的动手？」八戒忍不住笑道：「女菩萨，在这里洗澡哩？也携带我和尚洗洗，何如？」那怪见了，作怒道：「你这和尚，十分无礼。我们是在家的女流，你是个出家的男子。古书云：『七年男女不同席。』你好和我们同塘洗澡？」八戒道：「天气炎热，没奈何，将就容我洗洗儿罢，那里调甚么书担儿，同席不同席？」呆子不容说，丢了钉钯，脱了皂锦直裰，扑的跳下水来。那怪心中烦恼，一齐上前要打。不知八戒水势极熟，到水里摇身一变，变做一个鲇鱼精。那怪就都摸鱼，赶上拿他不住：东边摸，忽的又渍了西去；西边摸，忽的又渍了东去。滑扢虀的，只在那腿裆里乱钻。原来那水有搀胸之深，水上盘了一会，又盘在水底，都盘倒了，喘嘘嘘的，精神倦怠。

八戒卻才跳將上來，現了本相，穿了直裰，執著釘鈀，喝道：「我是那個？Only then did Bajie leap up out of the water, resume his true form, put on his robe, grip his rake, and shout, 'Who do you think I am?'你把我當鮎魚精哩。」那怪見了，心驚膽戰，對八戒道：「你先來是個和尚，到水裡變作鮎魚，及拿你不住，卻又這般打扮，你端的是從何到此？'You took me for a catfish spirit.' Seeing him, the demons were terrified and said to Bajie, 'At first you came as a monk, then in the water you turned into a catfish, and when we couldn't catch you, you appear again in this form — where exactly do you come from?'是必留名。」八戒道：「這夥潑怪當真的不認得我。'You must give us your name.' Bajie said, 'You shrewish demons really don't recognize me.'我是東土大唐取經的唐長老之徒弟，乃天蓬元帥悟能八戒是也。I am the disciple of Elder Tang, who is going to fetch scriptures from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land — I am none other than Marshal Tianpeng, Wuneng Bajie.你把我師父吊在洞裡，算計要蒸他受用。You hung my master up in your cave, scheming to steam him for your enjoyment.我的師父，又好蒸吃？Is my master something you can just steam and eat?快早伸過頭來，各築一鈀，教你斷根。」那些妖聞此言，魂飛魄散，就在水中跪拜道：「望老爺方便方便！Stretch your necks over quickly, each of you take a blow from my rake, and I'll make sure your line ends here!' Hearing this, the demons were scared out of their wits, and right there in the water they knelt and bowed, saying, 'We beg Your Lordship to show mercy!'我等有眼無珠，誤捉了你師父，雖然吊在那裡，不曾敢加刑受苦。We were blind and mistakenly caught your master; although we hung him up there, we never dared to torture or harm him.望慈悲饒了我的性命，情願貼些盤費，送你師父往西天去也。」八戒搖手道：「莫說這話。We beg your compassion to spare our lives, and we are willing to contribute travel funds to send your master on to the Western Heaven.' Bajie waved his hand and said, 'Don't even say such a thing.'俗語說得好：『曾著賣糖君子哄，到今不信口甜人。』是便築一鈀，各人走路。」The common saying goes well: 'Once fooled by a candy-seller's sweet talk, one no longer trusts honeyed words.' The right thing to do is give you each a blow from my rake, and then we each go our own way.'

八戒却才跳将上来，现了本相，穿了直裰，执著钉钯，喝道：「我是那个？你把我当鲇鱼精哩。」那怪见了，心惊胆战，对八戒道：「你先来是个和尚，到水里变作鲇鱼，及拿你不住，却又这般打扮，你端的是从何到此？是必留名。」八戒道：「这伙泼怪当真的不认得我。我是东土大唐取经的唐长老之徒弟，乃天蓬元帅悟能八戒是也。你把我师父吊在洞里，算计要蒸他受用。我的师父，又好蒸吃？快早伸过头来，各筑一钯，教你断根。」那些妖闻此言，魂飞魄散，就在水中跪拜道：「望老爷方便方便！我等有眼无珠，误捉了你师父，虽然吊在那里，不曾敢加刑受苦。望慈悲饶了我的性命，情愿贴些盘费，送你师父往西天去也。」八戒摇手道：「莫说这话。俗语说得好：『曾著卖糖君子哄，到今不信口甜人。』是便筑一钯，各人走路。」

獃子一味粗夯，顯手段，那有憐香惜玉之心，舉著鈀，不分好歹，趕上前亂築。The idiot, being crude and forceful by nature and eager to show off his skill, had no thought of tenderness toward delicate beauty — he raised his rake and, without any regard for right or wrong, rushed forward striking wildly.那怪慌了手腳，那裡顧甚麼羞恥，只是性命要緊，隨用手侮著羞處，跳出水來，都跑在亭子裡站立，作出法來：臍孔中骨都都冒出絲繩，瞞天搭了個大絲篷，把八戒罩在當中。The demons panicked, and with no time to worry about modesty — their lives being what mattered most — they covered their private parts with their hands, leaped out of the water, and ran to stand in the pavilion, where they worked their magic: silk threads came gushing out from their navels, weaving a huge silken canopy that blotted out the sky and trapped Bajie inside it.那獃子忽擡頭，不見天日，即抽身往外便走，那裡舉得腳步。The idiot suddenly looked up and could no longer see sky or sun; he tried to turn and walk out at once, but he couldn't lift his feet at all.原來放了絆腳索，滿地都是絲繩，動動腳，跌個躘踵；As it turned out, they had laid tripping ropes, and the ground was covered with silken cords; the moment he moved his foot, he stumbled and fell headlong;左邊去，一個面磕地；stepping to the left, he fell flat on his face;右邊去，一個倒栽蔥；stepping to the right, he toppled over head-first like an uprooted scallion;急轉身，又跌了個嘴搵地；hastily turning around, he fell again, mouth planted in the dirt;忙爬起，又跌了個豎蜻蜓。scrambling hastily to his feet, he fell yet again, flipping upside down like a standing dragonfly.也不知跌了多少跟頭，把個獃子跌得身麻腳軟，頭暈眼花，爬也爬不動，只睡在地下呻吟。There's no telling how many tumbles he took — the idiot was left with a numb body and weak legs, his head spinning and eyes blurred, unable even to crawl, and he just lay on the ground groaning.

呆子一味粗夯，显手段，那有怜香惜玉之心，举著钯，不分好歹，赶上前乱筑。那怪慌了手脚，那里顾甚么羞耻，只是性命要紧，随用手侮著羞处，跳出水来，都跑在亭子里站立，作出法来：脐孔中骨都都冒出丝绳，瞒天搭了个大丝篷，把八戒罩在当中。那呆子忽抬头，不见天日，即抽身往外便走，那里举得脚步。原来放了绊脚索，满地都是丝绳，动动脚，跌个躘踵；左边去，一个面磕地；右边去，一个倒栽葱；急转身，又跌了个嘴揾地；忙爬起，又跌了个竖蜻蜓。也不知跌了多少跟头，把个呆子跌得身麻脚软，头晕眼花，爬也爬不动，只睡在地下呻吟。

那怪物卻將他困住，也不打他，也不傷他，一個個跳出門來，將絲篷遮住天光，各回本洞。The demons, having trapped him there, neither struck him nor harmed him further; one by one they leapt out through the door, leaving the silken canopy to block out the daylight, and each headed back to her own cave.到了石橋上站下，念動真言，霎時間，把絲篷收了，赤條條的跑入洞裡，侮著那話，從唐僧面前笑嘻嘻的跑過去。When they reached the stone bridge, they stopped and recited a true spell; in an instant the silken canopy was withdrawn, and they ran stark naked into the cave, covering themselves as best they could, dashing past Tang Seng with giggling smiles.走入石房，取幾件舊衣穿了，徑至後門口立定，叫：「孩兒們何在？」原來那妖精一個有一個兒子，卻不是他養的，都是他結拜的乾兒子。They went into the stone chamber, took out some old clothes and put them on, then went straight to the back door and stood there calling, 'Where are my children?' As it turned out, each of the demons had a son of her own — though not born of her, but rather a sworn godson.有名叫做蜜、螞、蠦、班、蜢、蜡、蜻：蜜是蜜蜂，螞是螞蜂，蠦是蠦蜂，班是班毛，蜢是牛蜢，蜡是抹蜡，蜻是蜻蜓。Their names were Mi, Ma, Lu, Ban, Meng, La, and Qing: Mi was the honeybee, Ma was the wasp, Lu was the hornet, Ban was the blister beetle, Meng was the grasshopper, La was the wax cicada, and Qing was the dragonfly.原來那妖精幔天結網，擄住這七般蟲蛭，卻要吃他。As it happened, the demons had once spread a net across the sky and captured these seven kinds of insects, intending to eat them.古云：「禽有禽言，獸有獸語。」當時這些蟲哀告饒命，願拜為母。As the old saying goes, 'Birds have their bird speech, beasts have their beast language.' At the time, these insects pleaded piteously for their lives, and begged to be allowed to worship the demons as their mothers.遂此春採百花供怪物，夏尋諸卉孝妖精。So ever since, in spring they gather a hundred flowers to offer the demon-mothers, and in summer they seek out all kinds of blossoms to show filial devotion to them.忽聞一聲呼喚，都到面前，問：「母親有何使令？」眾怪道：「兒啊，早間我們錯惹了唐朝來的和尚，才然被他徒弟攔在池裡，出了多少醜，幾乎喪了性命。Hearing the sudden call, they all came before them and asked, 'Mother, what orders do you have?' The demons said, 'My children, this morning we mistakenly provoked a monk who has come from the Tang court, and just now his disciple cornered us in the pool — we were made to suffer no end of shame, and nearly lost our lives.'汝等努力，快出門前去退他一退。You must exert yourselves — hurry out the front gate and drive them off.如得勝後，可到你舅舅家來會我。」那些怪既得逃生，往他師兄處，孽嘴生災不題。If you win, come find me at your uncle's house.' Having thus escaped with their lives, the demons went off to their sworn elder brother's place, stirring up trouble with their wicked mouths — but no more of that for now.你看這些蟲蛭，一個個摩拳擦掌，出來迎敵。Just look at those insects — each one rubbing fists and palms, coming out eagerly to meet the enemy.

那怪物却将他困住，也不打他，也不伤他，一个个跳出门来，将丝篷遮住天光，各回本洞。到了石桥上站下，念动真言，霎时间，把丝篷收了，赤条条的跑入洞里，侮著那话，从唐僧面前笑嘻嘻的跑过去。走入石房，取几件旧衣穿了，径至后门口立定，叫：「孩儿们何在？」原来那妖精一个有一个儿子，却不是他养的，都是他结拜的干儿子。有名叫做蜜、蚂、蠦、班、蜢、蜡、蜻：蜜是蜜蜂，蚂是蚂蜂，蠦是蠦蜂，班是班毛，蜢是牛蜢，蜡是抹蜡，蜻是蜻蜓。原来那妖精幔天结网，掳住这七般虫蛭，却要吃他。古云：「禽有禽言，兽有兽语。」当时这些虫哀告饶命，愿拜为母。遂此春采百花供怪物，夏寻诸卉孝妖精。忽闻一声呼唤，都到面前，问：「母亲有何使令？」众怪道：「儿啊，早间我们错惹了唐朝来的和尚，才然被他徒弟拦在池里，出了多少丑，几乎丧了性命。汝等努力，快出门前去退他一退。如得胜后，可到你舅舅家来会我。」那些怪既得逃生，往他师兄处，孽嘴生灾不题。你看这些虫蛭，一个个摩拳擦掌，出来迎敌。

卻說八戒跌得昏頭昏腦，猛擡頭，見絲篷絲索俱無，他才一步一探，爬將起來，忍著疼，找回原路。Meanwhile, Bajie, having fallen until his head was spinning in a daze, suddenly looked up and saw that the silken canopy and cords were both gone; only then, feeling his way step by step, did he crawl to his feet, and enduring the pain, made his way back along the original path.見了行者，用手扯住道：「哥哥，我的頭可腫，臉可青麼？」行者道：「你怎的來？」八戒道：「我被那廝將絲繩罩住，放了絆腳索，不知跌了多少跟頭，跌得我腰駝背折，寸步難移。Seeing Xingzhe, he grabbed him with his hand and said, 'Brother, is my head swollen? Is my face bruised blue?' Xingzhe said, 'What happened to you?' Bajie said, 'That gang covered me with silken cords and laid tripping ropes — I don't know how many times I fell, until my back was bent and broken, and I couldn't move a step.'卻才絲篷索子俱空，方得了性命回來也。」沙僧見了道：「罷了，罷了，你闖下禍來也，那怪一定往洞裡去傷害師父。'Just now the canopy and cords both vanished, and only then was I able to save my life and come back.' Seeing this, Sha Seng said, 'Enough, enough — you've brought disaster upon us. The demons are sure to have gone back to the cave to harm Master.'我等快去救他。」'Let's hurry and go save him.'

却说八戒跌得昏头昏脑，猛抬头，见丝篷丝索俱无，他才一步一探，爬将起来，忍著疼，找回原路。见了行者，用手扯住道：「哥哥，我的头可肿，脸可青么？」行者道：「你怎的来？」八戒道：「我被那厮将丝绳罩住，放了绊脚索，不知跌了多少跟头，跌得我腰驼背折，寸步难移。却才丝篷索子俱空，方得了性命回来也。」沙僧见了道：「罢了，罢了，你闯下祸来也，那怪一定往洞里去伤害师父。我等快去救他。」

行者聞言，急拽步便走；Hearing this, Xingzhe hurriedly strode off at once;八戒牽著馬。Bajie led the horse.急急來到莊前，但見那石橋上有七個小妖兒擋住道：「慢來，慢來，吾等在此。」行者看了道：「好笑，乾淨都是些小人兒。They hurried to the front of the village, and saw seven little demons blocking the stone bridge, saying, 'Not so fast, not so fast — we're here waiting for you!' Xingzhe looked them over and said, 'How funny — they're nothing but a bunch of little runts.'長的也只有二尺五六寸，不滿三尺；The tallest were only about two feet five or six inches, not even a full three feet;重的也只有八九斤，不滿十斤。」喝道：「你是誰？」那怪道：「我乃七仙姑的兒子。the heaviest weighed only eight or nine catties, not even ten.' He shouted, 'Who are you?' The demons said, 'We are the sons of the Seven Immortal Maidens.'你把我母親欺辱了，還敢無知，打上我門。You humiliated our mothers, and now you dare, in your ignorance, to come pounding at our door.不要走，仔細。」好怪物，一個個亂打將來。Don't run away — watch yourself!' The bold demons, one after another, struck out wildly at them.八戒本是跌惱了的性子，又見那夥蟲蛭小巧，就發狠舉鈀來築。Bajie, already in a foul temper from his fall, and seeing that this bunch of insects were small and puny, grew fierce and raised his rake to strike.那些怪見獃子兇猛，一個個現了本像，飛將起去，叫聲：「變！」須臾間，一個變十個，十個變百個，百個變千個，千個變萬個，個個都變成無窮之數。Seeing how fierce the idiot was, the demons each revealed their true forms and flew up into the air, shouting, 'Change!' In an instant, one became ten, ten became a hundred, a hundred became a thousand, a thousand became ten thousand — each one multiplied into a countless swarm.只見：Behold:

行者闻言，急拽步便走；八戒牵著马。急急来到庄前，但见那石桥上有七个小妖儿挡住道：「慢来，慢来，吾等在此。」行者看了道：「好笑，干净都是些小人儿。长的也只有二尺五六寸，不满三尺；重的也只有八九斤，不满十斤。」喝道：「你是谁？」那怪道：「我乃七仙姑的儿子。你把我母亲欺辱了，还敢无知，打上我门。不要走，仔细。」好怪物，一个个乱打将来。八戒本是跌恼了的性子，又见那伙虫蛭小巧，就发狠举钯来筑。那些怪见呆子凶猛，一个个现了本像，飞将起去，叫声：「变！」须臾间，一个变十个，十个变百个，百个变千个，千个变万个，个个都变成无穷之数。只见：

八戒慌了道：「哥啊，只說經好取，西方路上，蟲兒也欺負人哩。」行者道：「兄弟，不要怕，快上前打。」八戒道：「撲頭撲臉，渾身上下，都叮有十數層厚，卻怎麼打？」行者道：「沒事，沒事，我自有手段。」沙僧道：「哥啊，有甚手段，快使出來罷，一會子光頭上都叮腫了。」Bajie panicked and said, 'Brother, they say fetching the scriptures is easy, but here on the road to the West, even insects bully people!' Xingzhe said, 'Brother, don't be afraid, hurry up and fight them.' Bajie said, 'They're swarming over my face and head, covering my whole body more than ten layers thick — how can I possibly fight?' Xingzhe said, 'It's all right, it's all right, I have a plan of my own.' Sha Seng said, 'Brother, whatever plan you have, use it quickly — in a moment my bald head will be stung swollen all over.'

八戒慌了道：「哥啊，只说经好取，西方路上，虫儿也欺负人哩。」行者道：「兄弟，不要怕，快上前打。」八戒道：「扑头扑脸，浑身上下，都叮有十数层厚，却怎么打？」行者道：「没事，没事，我自有手段。」沙僧道：「哥啊，有甚手段，快使出来罢，一会子光头上都叮肿了。」

好大聖，拔了一把毫毛，嚼得粉碎，噴將出去，即變做些黃、麻、鴏、白、鵰、魚、鷂。Splendid Great Sage — he plucked out a handful of hairs, chewed them into fine bits, and spat them out, and they instantly transformed into a flock of hawks: yellow hawks, gray hawks, ben hawks, white hawks, black eagles, ospreys, and sparrowhawks.八戒道：「師兄，又打甚麼市語，黃啊、麻啊哩？」行者道：「你不知。Bajie said, 'Elder Brother, what kind of market slang are you spouting now — yellow this, gray that?' Xingzhe said, 'You don't understand.'黃是黃鷹，麻是麻鷹，鴏是鴏鷹，白是白鷹，鵰是鵰鷹，魚是魚鷹，鷂是鷂鷹。'Yellow' means the yellow hawk, 'gray' means the gray hawk, 'ben' means the ben hawk, 'white' means the white hawk, 'diao' means the black eagle, 'fish' means the osprey, and 'sparrow' means the sparrowhawk.那妖精的兒子是七樣蟲，我的毫毛是七樣鷹。」鷹最能嗛蟲，一嘴一個，爪打翅敲，須臾，打得罄盡，滿空無跡，地積尺餘。'The demons' sons are seven kinds of insects, and my hairs are seven kinds of hawks.' Hawks are the best at snatching insects — one peck, one catch; with claws striking and wings beating, in a moment they wiped them all out, so that not a trace remained in the sky, while the insects piled up more than a foot deep on the ground.

好大圣，拔了一把毫毛，嚼得粉碎，喷将出去，即变做些黄、麻、鴏、白、雕、鱼、鹞。八戒道：「师兄，又打甚么市语，黄啊、麻啊哩？」行者道：「你不知。黄是黄鹰，麻是麻鹰，鴏是鴏鹰，白是白鹰，雕是雕鹰，鱼是鱼鹰，鹞是鹞鹰。那妖精的儿子是七样虫，我的毫毛是七样鹰。」鹰最能嗛虫，一嘴一个，爪打翅敲，须臾，打得罄尽，满空无迹，地积尺余。

三兄弟方才闖過橋去，徑入洞裡，只見老師父吊在那裡哼哼的哭哩。Only then did the three brothers charge across the bridge and go straight into the cave, where they saw their old master hanging there, moaning and weeping.八戒近前道：「師父，你是要來這裡吊了耍子，不知作成我跌了多少跟頭哩。」沙僧道：「且解下師父再說。」行者即將繩索挑斷，放下師父。Bajie went up close and said, 'Master, you just had to come here and hang around for fun, not knowing how many tumbles you made me take.' Sha Seng said, 'Let's untie Master first and talk later.' Xingzhe immediately cut through the ropes and let Master down.問道：「妖精那裡去了？」唐僧道：「那七個都赤條條的往後邊叫兒子去了。」行者道：「兄弟們，跟我來尋去。」He asked, 'Where did the demons go?' Tang Seng said, 'All seven of them went stark naked to the back to call their sons.' Xingzhe said, 'Brothers, follow me, let's go search for them.'

三兄弟方才闯过桥去，径入洞里，只见老师父吊在那里哼哼的哭哩。八戒近前道：「师父，你是要来这里吊了耍子，不知作成我跌了多少跟头哩。」沙僧道：「且解下师父再说。」行者即将绳索挑断，放下师父。问道：「妖精那里去了？」唐僧道：「那七个都赤条条的往后边叫儿子去了。」行者道：「兄弟们，跟我来寻去。」

三人各持兵器，往後園裡尋處，不見蹤跡。The three of them, each holding their weapons, searched through the back garden, but found no trace.都到那桃李樹上尋遍不見。They searched all through the peach and plum trees but found nothing.八戒道：「去了，去了。」沙僧道：「不必尋他，等我扶師父去也。」弟兄們復來前面，請唐僧上馬。Bajie said, 'They're gone, they're gone.' Sha Seng said, 'No need to search for them — let's go help Master instead.' The brothers went back to the front and invited Tang Seng to mount the horse.八戒道：「你們扶師父走著，等老豬一頓鈀築倒他這房子，教他來時沒處安身。」行者笑道：「築還費力，不若尋些柴來，與他個斷根罷。」好獃子，尋了些朽松、破竹、乾柳、枯藤，點上一把火，烘烘的都燒得乾淨。Bajie said, 'You two help Master along; let old Zhu here knock down this house with a few blows of my rake, so that when they come back they'll have nowhere to shelter.' Xingzhe laughed and said, 'Knocking it down would still take effort — better to gather some firewood and finish it off for good.' The good idiot gathered up some rotten pine, broken bamboo, dry willow, and withered vines, lit a fire, and burned everything to a crisp.師徒卻才放心前來。Only then did master and disciples set their minds at ease and continue on their way.

三人各持兵器，往后园里寻处，不见踪迹。都到那桃李树上寻遍不见。八戒道：「去了，去了。」沙僧道：「不必寻他，等我扶师父去也。」弟兄们复来前面，请唐僧上马。八戒道：「你们扶师父走著，等老猪一顿钯筑倒他这房子，教他来时没处安身。」行者笑道：「筑还费力，不若寻些柴来，与他个断根罢。」好呆子，寻了些朽松、破竹、干柳、枯藤，点上一把火，烘烘的都烧得干净。师徒却才放心前来。

咦！Ah!畢竟這去，不知那怪的吉凶如何，且聽下回分解。What fortune or misfortune awaited those demons after this we do not know; listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

咦！毕竟这去，不知那怪的吉凶如何，且听下回分解。