再读蒲松龄的《罗刹海市》双语版本
刀郎的《罗刹海市》取材于蒲松龄文言小说《聊斋志异》中的一篇。原文中，罗刹和海市是两个地方。作品描写了一个虚无飘渺的国家，那里的人以丑为美，完全是一个颠倒过来的世界，此篇乃愤世嫉俗之文章，作者巧借罗刹海市以指桑骂槐，旁敲侧击。
刀郎只讲了罗刹，一个被蒲松龄描述为黑白颠倒，以丑为美的奇异国度。而海市更像是蒲松龄眼里的乌托邦，刀郎并未提及。
聆听刀郎《罗刹海市》
双语对照全文
罗刹海市
The Raksasas and the Ocean Bazaar
蒲松龄
马骥，字龙媒，贾人子。美丰姿。少倜傥，喜歌舞。辄从梨园子弟以锦帕缠头，美如好女，因复有“俊人”之号。
Ma Jun, also known as Dragon Messenger, was a merchant's son. He had striking good looks and in his untrammeled youth gave himself up to the pleasures of singing and dancing. He frequented the Pear Garden, where he amused himself in the company of the actors. Wrap ping his head in a brocade turban he had all the charm of an attractive woman, and hence was given the nickname “Stunner”.
十四岁，入郡庠，即知名。
He also made a name for himself by being admitted to the prefectural academy at fourteen.
父衰老，罢贾而居。谓生曰：“数卷书，饥不可煮，寒不可衣。吾儿可仍继父贾。”马由是稍稍权子母。
When age and declining health made the young scholar's father give up business and go into retirement, he said these words to his son: “Those books you have read cannot feed you when you are hungry and cannot keep you warm when you are cold. You should take over my business, son.” From then on Ma devoted part of his attention to matters of investment and profit.
从人浮海，为飓风引去，数昼夜，至一都会。其人皆奇丑；见马至，以为妖，群哗而走。
Ma embarked on an ocean voyage with a party of other passengers, but it happened that they were blown off course by a typhoon. After several days the ship came to a city in which all the inhabitants were freakishly ugly. They ran off in an uproar as Ma approached, taking him for a monster.
马初见其状，大惧；迨知国人之骇己也，遂反以此欺国人。
When Ma first saw this he was greatly frightened, but once he realized they were afraid of him, he used their fear to gain the upper hand.
遇饮食者，则奔而往，人惊遁，则啜其余。
Finding a group of them sitting at table, he rushed toward them and after they dashed away in fright, gulped down the food they left.
久之，入山村。其间形貌亦有似人者，然褴褛如丐。
After a time he went into a mountain village, where some of the inhabitants looked almost human, though they wore the tattered rags of beggars.
马息树下，村人不敢前，但遥望之。
Ma sat down to rest beneath a tree. The villagers watched him from a distance, not daring to approach.
久之，觉马非噬人者，始稍稍近就之。
After a while, when they realized that Ma was not a man-eating monster, they finally edged toward him.
马笑与语。其言虽异，亦半可解。马遂自陈所自。
Ma smiled and talked with them. Al- though their speech was strange, it was halfway comprehensible. Without being asked, Ma told where he had come from.
村人喜，遍告邻里：客非能搏噬者。
The delighted villagers told everyone in the neighborhood that the stranger was not violent.
然奇丑者望望即去，终不敢前；其来者，口鼻位置尚皆与中国同。
Still the freakishly ugly ones stole furtive looks at him and ran off, never daring to come near. Those who did come close had mouths and noses in just about the same places as we do here in China.
共罗浆酒奉马。
Together they hunted up wine and served it to Ma.
马问其相骇之故，答曰：“尝闻祖父言：西去二万六千里，有中国，其人民形象率诡异。
Ma asked why they had been afraid of him. “I once heard my grandfather say,” one of them replied, “that miles to the west lies a land called the Middle Kingdom, and the people there are all grotesque in appearance.
但耳食之，今始信。”
I knew it only by hearsay, but now I believe it.”
问其何贫。
Ma asked why they were so poor.
曰：“我国所重，不在文章，而在形貌。
Someone answered, “In our country what is valued is appearance rather than literary ability.
其美之极者，为上卿；次，任民社；下焉者邀贵人宠，故得鼎烹以养妻子我辈，初生时，父母皆以为不祥，往目录弃之；其不忍遽弃者，皆为杀嗣耳。”
The most handsome among us become high ministers at court; the fairly handsome are given posts in local administrative offices; and the some- what handsome can support their wives and children in style by winning the favor of some nobleman. As for people like us, we are thought to be bearers of evil fortune, and our parents often abandon us at birth. All the people who cannot bear to abandon their offspring straight- away are thinking about the continuity of their family line.
问：“此名何国？”曰：“大罗刹国。都城在北去三十里。”
“What is the name of this kingdom?" asked Ma.“The Great Kingdom of the Raksasas," was the answer. “The capital is ten miles north of here.”
马请导往一观。于是鸡鸣而兴，引与俱去。
Ma asked them to lead him there for a look. And so they arose at cock’s crow the next day and took him there.
天明，始达都。
They reached the capital after daybreak.
都以黑石为墙，色如墨，楼阁近百尺。
The walls of the city were built of stone as black as ink, and the storied buildings were nearly a hundred feet high.
然少瓦，覆以红石；拾其残块磨甲上，无异丹砂。
There were few roof tiles to be seen. Instead, the buildings were covered with shingles of red stone. Ma picked up a loose piece and rubbed it against his armour it was exactly like cinnabar.
时值朝退，朝中有冠盖出，村人指曰：“此相国也。”
Just then came the time for dismissal of the morning court session at the palace. The villagers pointed to one of the dignitaries who were coming out of the palace gate: “That is the prime minister.”
视之，双耳皆背生，鼻三孔，睫毛覆目如帘。
Ma saw that his ears were attached to the back of his head his nose had three nostrils and his eyelashes covered his eyes like curtains.
又数骑出，曰：“此大夫也。”以次各指其官职，率狰狞怪异。然位渐卑，丑亦渐杀。
Then several men came out on horseback. "Those are privy counselors," said the villagers. As the officials came out in succession, the villagers pointed out their ranks. All of them had grotesque, monstrous faces, but as the lower ranks came out the degree of ugliness gradually abated.
无何，马归，街衢人望见之，噪奔跌蹶，如物。
Before long Ma started back toward the village. People in the streets who saw him screamed and fell over one another trying to run away, as if they had met with a monster.
村人百口解说，市人始敢遥立。
Only when the villagers had gone to great lengths to reassure them did the city dwellers dare to stand and watch from a distance.
归，国中无大小，咸知村有异人，于是捋绅大夫争欲一广见闻，遂令村人要马。
After they returned to the village, everyone in the kingdom, regardless of rank, knew there was an unusual person there.
然每至一家，阍人辄阖户，丈夫女子窃自门隙中窥语，终一日，无敢延见者。
Members of the gentry and court officials, cager to broaden their horizons, told the villagers to invite Ma to visit them, but whenever he showed up at someone's house, the gatekeeper would close the door, and the men and women alike would only venture to peer at him and speak with him through cracks in the door. This would go on all day without anyone asking him in for a visit.
村人曰：“此间一执戟郎，曾为先王出使异国，所阅人多，或不以子为惧。”造郎门。
One villager said, “There is an officer of the guard living in this district who was sent abroad as emissary by our former king He has had experience with many sorts of people, so he may not be frightened of you.”
郎果喜，揖为上宾。
They went to the officer's house and, as the villager had foreseen, he was delighted at their visit and received Ma as an honored guest.
视其貌，如八九十岁人。目睛突出，须卷如猬。曰：“仆少奉王命，出使最多，独未尝至中华。
Apparently between eighty and ninety years of age, he had goggle eyes and hair that stood out like a hedgehog's. “In my youth I went on more diplomatic missions for the king than anyone else, but the Middle Kingdom of China is the one place I have never been.
今一百二十余岁，又得睹上国人物，此不可不上闻于天子。
Now I am over a hundred and twenty years old, and at last I have the chance to see someone from your esteemed country. The king simply must be informed of this.
然臣卧林下，十余年不践朝阶，早旦为君一行。”
Though I have been leading a life of retirement and have not set foot upon the palace steps these past ten years or more, I will make the trip for your sake in the morning.”
乃具饮馔，修主客礼。
Observing all the formalities of a host to his guest, he then had wine and victuals set out.
酒数行，出女乐十余人，更番歌舞。
After they had drunk several rounds, he brought out ten or so female entertainers with faces like yaksa monsters, who took turns singing and dancing.
貌类夜叉，皆以白锦缠头，拖朱衣及地。
All of them wore white brocade turbans on their heads and flowing red robes that dragged on the ground.
扮唱不知何词，腔拍恢诡。
Ma could not make out the lyrics, but he found the tune and rhythm oddly fascinating.
主人顾而乐之，问：“中国亦有此乐乎？”曰：“有”
The host watched them with immense enjoyment. “Do you have entertainment like this in the Middle Kingdom?” he asked. “Oh yes," answered Ma.
主人请拟其声，遂击桌为度一曲。
The host asked him to imitate the music for them, so Ma drummed on the table and performed a song.
主人喜曰：“异哉！声如凤鸣龙啸，得未曾闻。”翼日，趋朝，荐诸国王。
“Well if that isn’t most extraordinary!” exclaimed the delighted host. “The melody makes me think of phoenixes calling and dragons roaring. It is unlike anything I have ever heard.”
王忻然下诏。
The next day he went to court and recommended Ma to the king.
有二三大臣，言其怪状，恐惊圣体。王乃止。
The king gladly commanded that Ma be brought before him, but when a few high counselors claimed that Mas monstrous appearance might result in a shock injurious to His Majesty’s health, the order was rescinded.
即出告马，深为扼腕。
The old officer of the guard came out and gave Ma the news of this crushing disappointment.
居久之，与主人饮而醉，把剑起舞，以煤涂面作张飞。
Ma stayed with the officer for a long while. One day, when he and his host were in their cups, he smeared his face with soot to look like Zhang Fei and began to dance with sword in hand.
主人以为美，曰：“请客以张飞见宰相，宰相必乐用之，厚禄不难致。”
The host thought he was attractive and said, “Why don’t you make yourself up as Zhang Fei and go to see the prime minister. I am sure he will be delighted to find a place for you. An ample salary is within your grasp.”
马曰：“嘻！游戏犹可，何能易面目图荣显?”主人固强之，马乃诺。
“Hah! It is one thing to play games, but why should I put on a new face to chase after honor and fame?”
主人设筵，邀当路者饮，令马绘面以待。
But when the host insisted, Ma gave in. The host invited the ranking officials to a feast and told Ma to wait on them with his face painted.
未几，客至，呼马出见客。
Before long the guests arrived, and Ma was called out to meet them.
客讶曰：“异哉！何前而今妍也？”遂与共饮，甚欢。马婆娑歌“弋阳曲”，一座无不倾倒。
“Isn’t that strange!’ said the guests in surprise. “How could some- one who was once so ugly turn into such a good looking fellow? Where- upon they all drank together with exceeding joy .Ma swayed with the rhythm as he sang the Yiyang Melody, and every person at the table was positively bowled over.
明日，交章荐马。
The next day a number of petitions recommending Ma were sent to the throne.
王喜，召以旌节。
The king was so delighted he summoned Ma with a big fanfare.
既见，问中国治安之道，马委曲上陈，大蒙嘉叹，赐宴离宫。
During their first audience the king asked how law and order were maintained in the Middle Kingdom. Ma gave a detailed explanation which met with sighs of admiring approval. The king granted him the favor of dining with him in the royal hostel.
酒酣，王曰：“闻卿善雅乐，可使寡人得而闻之乎？”马即起舞，亦效白锦缠头，作靡靡之音。
When both were mellow with wine, the king said, “I have heard that you are skilled in fine music. Might I be so fortunate as to hear you perform?” So Ma got up to dance. He sang softly and languidly, in the style of the white-turbaned entertainers.
王大悦，即日拜下大夫。
The king was overjoyed. On that every day he gave Ma the title of deputy minister.
时与私宴，恩宠殊异。
He often dined privately with Ma and showered him with exceptional generosity and favor.
久而官僚百执事颇觉其面目之假；所至，辄见人耳语，不甚与款洽。
After a time the other officials and administrators were fairly certain of the falseness of Ma’s countenance. Wherever he went, he would see people whispering to one another instead of greeting him cordially.
马至是孤立，惘然不自安。
Being thus ostracized made Ma ill at ease, so he submit- ted a request for retirement, but this was not granted.
遂上疏乞休致，不许；又告休沐，乃给三月假。
Again he re- quested official leave, and was given a vacation of three months.
于是乘传载金宝，复归山村。
Ma lost no time loading his gold and jewels onto a stage coach and returning to the mountain village.
村人膝行以迎。
The villagers came out to greet him on their knees.
马以金资分给旧所与交好者，欢声雷动。
Joyful cries rang through the air when Ma divided gold coins among his old friends.
村人曰：“吾侪小人，受大夫赐，明日赴海市，当求珍玩，用报大夫。”
The villagers said, “Since we lowly folk have been honored by your gifts, we will set out for the ocean bazaar tomorrow and seek precious gems to repay you.”
问：“海市何地？”曰，“海中市，四海鲛人，集货珠宝。
“Where is the ocean bazaar? asked Ma. “Mermen from the four scas gather at the ocean bazaar to trade in pearls and jewels.
四方十二国，均来贸易。
People from four directions and twelve kingdoms all come to trade with them.
中多神人游戏。
Many deities are engaged in pleasurable pastimes there.
云霞障天，波涛间作。
The sky is filled with clouds, and great waves roll ashore from time to time.
贵人自重，不敢犯险阻，皆以金帛付我辈代购异珍。
People of rank are too concerned for their personal safety to expose themselves to these dangers, so they entrust us with their gold and silk in order to purchase rare treasures for them.
今其期不远矣。”
Now the date of the bazaar is not distant.
问所自知，曰：“每见海上朱鸟来往，七日即市。”马问行期，欲同游瞩，村人劝使自重。
Ma asked how they knew it. “When red birds are seen flying back and forth over the sea, the opening of the bazaar is seven days away.” Ma asked their time of departure and expressed a desire to make the trip with them and do some sightseeing. The villagers begged him to consider his personal safety.
马曰，“我顾沧海客，何畏风涛？”未几，果有踵门寄资者，遂与装资入船。
“But I am a seafarer. Do you suppose I fear rough weather?” Before long there were people at the gate bringing valuables to invest in the voyage. Ma helped the crew stow the valuables on board the ship.
船容数十人，平底高栏。
It was a flat-bottomed craft with high gunwales and room for several dozen men.
十人摇橹，激水如箭。
With ten men at the oars it churned up a seething wake and skimmed along like an arrow.
凡三日，遥见水云晃漾之中，楼阁层叠；贸迁之舟，纷集如蚁。
After three days they glimpsed buildings and towers one behind the other through the shifting clouds that hung over the water. Trading ships converged on the place like ants.
少时，抵城下。视墙上砖，皆长与人等。
In no time they drew up beneath the city wall which was made of bricks as long as a man's body.
敌楼高接云汉。
The battlements towered into the clouds above.
维舟而入，见市上所陈，奇珍异宝，光明射目，多人世所无。
Having moored their ship and entered the city, they saw displayed in the bazaar strange treasures and rare gems of dazzling brilliance, many never seen in the world of men.
一少年乘骏马来，市人尽奔避，云是“东洋三世子”。
Just then a young man mounted on a splendid stallion rode up to them. The shopkeepers and buyers scattered before him, saying that he was the “third crown prince of the Eastern Ocean.”
世子过，目生曰：“此非异域人？”即有前马者来诘乡籍。
As the crown prince rode by, he eyed the scholar and said, “Isn’t this man from a far- away country?” A runner came over to Ma and wanted to know his native land.
生揖道左，具展邦族。
Ma greeted him from the side of the road and made known the land and people of his birth.
世子喜曰，“既蒙辱临，缘分不浅！”于是授生骑，请与连辔。
“Since you've honored us by coming here, it is plain that there is a deep bond of fate between us!” exclaimed the prince happily. He gave the scholar a mount and invited him to ride alongside.
乃出西城。方至岛岸，所骑嘶跃入水。
Riding beyond the western wall, they came to the shore of the island, where their mounts neighed and plunged into the water.
生大骇失声，则见海水中分，屹如壁立。
The scholar was struck dumb with terror, but he soon saw that they were in an open space, with walls of seawater arching above them.
俄睹宫殿，玳瑁为梁，纺鳞作瓦，四壁晶明，鉴影炫下马，揖入。
Suddenly a palace ap peared ahead, its beams made of tortoise shell and its roof tiled with scales of bream. The crystalline walls mirrored the shapes around them with blinding brilliance. Dismounting, the prince motioned Ma inside.
仰见龙君在上，世子启奏：“臣游市塵，得中华贤士，引见大王。”生前拜舞。
At the head of the hall before them was the Dragon Lord. The crown prince informed the throne: “While riding through the bazaar I found this worthy scholar from the Middle Kingdom whom I have brought for an audience with Your Highness.”
龙君乃言：“先生文学士，必能衙官屈、宋。
The scholar stepped forward and made an elaborate bow. “I see sir, that you are a man of literary accomplishment,” said the Dragon Lord. “I am sure you are good enough to lord it over famous poets of antiquity like Qu Yuan and Song Yu.
欲烦椽笔赋‘海市’，幸无吝珠玉。”
Might I trouble you to brandish your rafter-sized inkbrush to write a rhapsody on the ocean bazaar? Please do not grudge us your precious words.”
生稽首受命。
The scholar touched his forehead to the floor in acknowledgement.
授以水精之砚，龙鬣之毫，纸光似雪，墨气如兰。
He was given a crystal inkstone, a dragon-bristle inkbrush, paper with the bright smoothness of snow and an inkstick exuding the fragrance of orchids.
生立成千余言，献殿上。
Without stopping to think, he completed a piece of over a thousand words and offered it to the throne.
龙君击节曰：“先生雄才，有光水国多矣！”遂集诸龙族，宴集采霞宫。
The Dragon Lord beat time while reciting the rhymed prose. “Sir, your great talent has brought much glory to my aquatic kingdom!" he said. So it was that the hosts of dragondom were assembled for a feast in Glowing-Cloud Palace.
酒炙数行，龙君执爵而向客曰：“寡人所怜女，未有良匹，愿累先生。先生倘有意乎？”生离席愧荷，唯唯而已。
After several rounds of wine and several courses of roast meat, the Dragon Lord raised his cup and said to his guest: “I have not yet found a good match for my beloved daughter. Sir, I would like to inflict her upon you. Would this be in accordance with your wishes?” The scholar rose to his knees from the matso overcome with gratitude that he could only stammer, “Yes, yes.”
龙君顾左右语。无何，宫人数辈，扶女郎出。佩环声动，鼓吹暴作。
The Dragon Lord turned and spoke to his attendants. Before long a group of court maids led forth a young woman, jade rings tinkling at her waist as she moved. A sudden fanfare rang out.
拜竟，睨之，实仙人也。
When he had finished bowing the scholar gave her an appraising glance: She was a veritable fairy maiden.
女拜已而去。
She bowed and withdrew.
少时，酒罢，双鬟挑画灯，导生入副宫。
Soon the drinking ceased. Maids with hair done up in double buns bearing painted candles led the scholar into a side palace.
女浓妆坐伺。
The girl sat there waiting in her finest adornments.
珊瑚之床，饰以八宝；帐外流苏，缀明珠如斗大；衾褥皆香耍。
The coral bed was studded with a galaxy of gems, and shining pearls the size of spoons were knotted into the tassels that hung outside the canopy. The quilts were fragrant and yielding.
天方曙，则雏女妖鬟，奔入满侧。
At the crack of dawn, budding young girls and bewitching maids ran in and stood in a row around the bed.
生起，趋出朝谢。
The scholar rose, hurried to court and thanked the king.
拜为驸马都尉。
He was given the title of royal son-in-law.
以其赋驰传诸海。
Because his rhapsody was rapidly disseminated throughout the four seas, the dragon lords from all quarters sent special envoys to con- gratulate him and deliver invitations to banquets.
诸海龙君，皆专员来贺，争折简招驸马饮。
The scholar dressed in brocades and rode about on a green, horned dragon.
生衣绣裳，驾青虬，呵殿而出。
He set forth from the palace with warning shouts to clear his way.
武士数十骑，背雕弧，荷白格，晃耀填拥。
An entourage of several dozen mounted knights bearing carved bows and white staffs clustered about him, their armor flashing.
马上弹筝，车中奏乐。
There were mounted musicians strumming zithers and others in a carriage playing jade flutes.
三日间，遍历诸海。
Within three days the scholar had journeyed to all the oceans.
由是“龙媒”之名，噪于四海。
From then on, the name Dragon Messenger resounded throughout the four seas.
宫中有玉树一株，围可合抱，本莹澈如白琉璃，中有心，淡黄色，梢细于臂；叶类碧玉，厚一钱许，细碎有浓阴。
A jade tree as big in girth as a man's embrace grew in the palace. The trunk was shimmeringly transparent, like clear glass, with a pale yellow center slightly thinner than an arm. The leaves resembled green jade and were a bit thicker than copper coins.
常与女啸咏其下。
This profuse foliage cast dense shade, in which the scholar and his bride often sang and chanted poetry.
花开满树，状类簷葡。
The whole tree was blooming with flowers that looked like gardenias.
每一瓣落，锵然作响。
Each time a petal fell a distinct tinkle could be heard.
拾视之，如赤瑙雕镂，光明可爱。
Upon closer inspection each gleaming, delicate petal seemed to be sculpted of red agate.
时有异鸟来鸣，毛金碧色，尾长于身，声等哀玉，恻人肺腑。
Rare birds with feathers of iridescent blue and tails longer than their bodies often alighted on the tree and sang strains every bit as heart-rending as notes from a plaintive jade flute.
生每闻，辄念乡土。
Everytime the scholar heard them, he thought of his homeland.
因谓女曰：“亡出三年，恩慈间阻，每一念及，涕膺汗背。
One day he spoke of this to his wife: “Three years have passed since I lost touch with my family Everytime I think of separation from my parents, snivel drips onto my chest and sweat drenches my back.
卿能从我归乎？”
Would you go back with me?”
女曰：“仙尘路隔，不能相依。妾亦不忍以鱼水之爱，夺膝下之欢。容徐谋之。”生闻之，涕不自禁。女亦叹曰：“此势之不能两全者也！”
“Faerie and earth have separate roads, she said. “They cannot remain together. I cannot bear, for the sake of our marital love, to deny you the happiness of being at your parents’side. Give me time to think of a way.” The scholar could not help but cry to hear her. His wife, too, heaved a sigh and said, “You cannot have it both ways!"
明日，生自外归。龙君曰：“闻都尉有故土之思，诘旦趣装，可乎?”生谢曰：“逆旅孤臣，过蒙优宠，衔报之诚，结于肺肝。
The next day when the scholar came back to the palace the Dragon Lord said to him: "I am told that you are homesick. How will it be if we have your baggage ready the first thing tomorrow morning? The scholar thanked him: “I was a solitary wanderer far from home until you made me your subject and lavished your favor and concern upon me. From the depths of my heart I feel a sincere wish to repay you.
容暂归省，当图复聚耳。”
Let me go home to visit for a time: I will try to meet with you again.”
入暮，女置酒话别。
When evening came, the girl had set out wine for a farewell.
生订后会。女曰：“情缘尽矣。”生大悲。
The scholar wanted to set a time to meet again, but she said, “The affinity that bound us together has run out.” The scholar was deeply grieved.
女曰：“归养双亲，见君之孝。人生聚散，百年犹旦暮耳，何用作儿女哀泣？此后妾为君贞，君为妾义，两地同心，即伉俪也，何必旦夕相守，乃谓之偕老乎？若渝此盟，婚姻不吉。倘虑中馈乏人，纳婢可耳。更有一事相嘱：自奉裳衣，似有佳朕，烦君命名。”
“Go back and care for your parents," she said. “Show them what a filial son you are. The hundred years of a human life, with its meetings and partings, is like a single day. What is the good of whining like a child? From this day on I shall remain chaste for your sake, and you will be true to me in your thoughts. Though we will be in different places, our hearts will be as one, so we will still be husband and wife. We can grow old together without having to remain side by side day and night. If either of us transgresses this vow, heaven will not bless our marriage. If you worry that there is no one to do the housekeeping you can take a maid. I have one more thing to tell you. After serving you all this time, I have noticed signs of a joyous event to come. Would you please give this child a name?”
生曰：“其女耶，可名龙宫；男耶，可名福海。”
“If the baby is a girl, name her Dragon-Palace; if it is a boy, name him Blessing-Sea,” said the scholar.
女乞一物为信。生在罗刹国所得赤玉莲花一对，出以授女。
His wife begged for a token of their vow The scholar brought out a pair of red jade lotuses he had gotten in the Kingdom of Raksasas and gave them to her.
女曰：“三年后四月八日，君当泛舟南岛，还君体胤。”
“Three years from now on the eighth day of the fourth month make sure to sail around South Island," she said. “I will return your flesh and blood to you.”
女以鱼革为囊，实以珠宝，授生曰：“珍藏之，数世吃著不尽也。”
She filled a fish-skin pouch with pearls and gems, gave it to him and said, “Keep this well. Your family can live off it for generations.”
天微明，王设祖帐，馈遗甚丰。
At the first faint light of dawn the king had a farewell party set up for the departure, and there bounteous gifts were heaped before the scholar.
生拜别出宫。女乘白羊车，送诸海涘。生上岸下马。
With a parting bow the scholar left the palace. The girl, riding in a cart drawn by white rams, saw him to the shore. He rode onto the beach and dismounted.
女致声珍重，回车便去，少顷便远。
She bid him farewell, then turned the cart around and left. In a few short moments, she was far away.
海水复合，不可复见。
The waters of the sea closed back together, hiding her from view.
生乃归。
Then the scholar started homeward.
自浮海去，咸谓其已死；及至家，家人无不诧异。
His voyage had lasted so long that everyone assumed him dead, but now, to his family's amazement, he turned up at home.
幸翁媪无恙，独妻已他适。
Fortunately his parents were in good health, but his wife had married again.
乃悟龙女“守义”之言，盖已先知也。
The meaning of the dragon girl's words “be true to me” finally became clear to him. She must have known of this already.
父欲为生再婚，生不可，纳婢焉。
The father wanted to arrange another marriage, but the scholar would not allow it and took a maid instead.
谨志三年之期，泛舟岛中。
With the appointed time engraved in his mind, the scholar sailed to the island three years later.
见两儿坐浮水面，拍流嬉笑，不动，亦不沉。
There he saw two children sitting afloat on the surface of the water. They were amusing themselves by splashing with their hands, yet this neither caused them to move nor to sink.
近引之，儿哑然捉生臂，跃入怀中。其一大啼，似嗔生之不援己者。亦引上之。
He drew up to them and held out his hands. One child grabbed his wrist and jumped giggling into his arms. The other wailed as if vexed at the scholar for not lending a helping hand. This one too was lifted aboard.
细审之，一男一女，貌皆婉秀。
A closer look showed that one was a girl and the other a boy. Both had fair, appealing features.
额上花冠缀玉，则赤莲在焉。
On their heads were coronets studded with jade; in the middle of each was one of the red lotuses.
背有锦囊，拆视得书，云：“翁姑计各无恙。
One of them bore a brocade pouch. The scholar opened it and found a letter which read: “I trust that father and mother are in good health.
忽忽三年，红尘永隔；盈盈一水，青鸟难通。
Three years have gone by in a flash: the world of red dust is forever out of reach. The messenger is hard put to cross this great expanse water.
结想为梦，引领成劳，茫茫蓝蔚，有恨如何也！
Longing has taken shape as dreams: my neck is weary with gazing into the bound- less blue. What good are my regrets?
顾念奔月娥，且虚桂府；投梭织女，犹怅银河。
My thoughts now tun to Chang’e, who ran away to the moon only to spend a lone life of loneness in Cassia Mansion, and Weaving Maid, who once threw down her shuttle but to this day ruefully watches her lover from across the Milky Way.
我何人斯，而能永好？兴思及此，辄复破涕为笑。
Who am I, that I should have everlasting love? Once this thought arises, tears give way to laughter.
别后两月，竟得孪生。
Two months after we parted, I was blessed, to my amazement, with twins.
今已啁啾怀抱，颇解言笑；觅枣抓梨，不母可活。
Now they are babbling in arms, and understand something of speech and laughter. They grab whatever fruits they see and can live without their mother's milk.
敬以还君。
Now I worshipfully return them to you.
所贻赤玉莲花，饰冠作信。
I have decorated their coronets with the red jade lotus flowers you gave me, as a token of the fulfllment of my vow.
膝头抱儿时，犹妾在左右也。
When you lift the children to your knees and embrace them, it will be like having me at your side.
闻君克践旧盟，意愿斯慰。
I felt comforted to hear that you are conscientiously observing your vow of yesteryear.
妾此生不二，之死靡他。
I will be faithful to you all my life: unto death there will be no change.
奁中珍物，不蓄兰膏；镜里新妆，久辞粉黛。
I no longer keep perfumed unguents within my trousseau, and the reflection in my mirror has long ago said farewell to powder and mascara. You are like a wayfarer, and I am the wayfarer's wife.
君似征人，妾作荡妇，即置而不御，亦何得谓非琴瑟哉？独计翁姑亦既抱孙，曾未一新妇，揆之情理，亦属缺然。
But yet, though the lute and harp are left long unplayed, no one can say they do not harmonize. Now, I trust, my in-laws can be with their grandchildren, though they have never met their daughter-in-law. Thinking of my duty to them, I cannot help feeling much regret.
岁后阿姑宅容，当往临穴，一尽妇职。
When the time comes for mothers interment, I will perform my duty by going to mourn at her tomb.
过此以往，则‘龙宫’无恙，不少把握之期；‘福海’长生，或有往还之路。
Here's hoping that Dragon-Palace will henceforth remain in good health, and that I will not miss the chance to hold her in my arms. May Blessing-Sea live long and travel back and forth between us.
伏惟珍重，不尽欲言。”
Not having finished all that I wished to say, I entreat you to take good care of yourself.”
生反覆省书揽涕。
The scholar pored repeatedly over the letter, wiping tears from his eyes.
两儿抱颈曰：“归休乎！”生益恸，抚之曰：“儿知家在何许?”
His two children threw their arms around his neck, saying:“Oh please, let's go back!” This only added to the scholar’s misery. He caressed them and asked, “Do you children know how to find your home?”
儿亟啼，呕哑言归。
Their only answer was to burst into sobs and wail that they wanted to go home.
生望海水茫茫，极天无际；雾鬟人渺，烟波路穷。
The scholar looked out over the boundless sca; as far as the eye could see stretched a ravelling mist devoid of human presence, a road leading nowhere through the foggy waves.
抱儿返棹，怅然遂归。
He held his children close as he made for the ship, and returned in discouragement.
生知母寿不永，周身物悉为预具，墓中植松槚百余。
The scholar, knowing that his mother's days were numbered, made ready her burial accouterments beforehand and planted over a hundred pine and catalpa trees in the enclosure around her tomb.
逾岁，媪果亡。
Sure enough, after a year passed, the old woman died.
灵舆至殡宫，有女子经临穴。
When the hearse reached the final resting place, a woman in hempen mourning clothes stood before the tomb.
众方惊顾，忽而风激雷轰，继以急雨，转瞬间已失所在。
Suddenly, as the mourners stared in surprise, a fierce wind began to blow and thunder rumbled. This was followed by heavy rain. In the blink of an eye she was gone.
松柏新植多枯，至是皆活。
Many of the pines and catalpas had died from being transplanted, but after this they all came to life.
福海稍长，辄思其母，忽自投入海，数日始还。
As Blessing-Sea grew a little older he thought often of his mother. One day he was seen to throw himself into the sea, and he did not return till several days later.
龙宫以女子不得往，时掩户泣。
Dragon-Palace, being a girl, could not go, and so she cried in her room day after day.
一日，昼瞑，龙女忽入，止之曰：“儿自成家，哭泣何为?”
One day the light of the sun dimmed; in an instant the Dragon Lord’s daughter appeared and calmed her: “Someday you will have a family of your own. What good will crying do?”
乃赐八尺珊瑚一树，龙脑香一帖，明珠百颗，八宝嵌金合一双，为作嫁资。
She gave her daughter a dowry consisting of an eight-foot tree of coral, a packet of borneol camphor, one hundred gleaming pearls and a pair of small gold boxes set with eight sorts of gems.
生闻之，突入，执手啜泣。
Hearing her voice, the scholar burst into the room and took her by the hand, sobbing.
俄顷，疾雷破屋，女已无矣。
In a moment a sharp clap of thunder shook the room, and she was gone.
异史氏曰：“花面逢迎，世情如鬼。
The Chronicler of the Tales comments: “The ways of the world are no different from the ways of goblins; both would have us paint our faces to curry favor.
嗜痂之癖，举世一辙。
When it comes to proclivities for eating scabs and such, the whole world is in the same rut.
小惭小好，大惭大好，。
Moderately embarrassing actions receive moderate praise; greatly embarrassing actions receive great praise.
若公然带须眉以游都市，其不骇而走者盖几希矣。
If a person were to amble through a city with his true face exposed for all to see, few must be the ones who would not take to their heels in fright.
彼陵阳痴子，将抱连城玉向何处哭也?
Whose shoulder can the Fool of Lingyang cry on with his fabled jade worth fifteen cities?
鸣呼！显荣富贵，当于蜃楼海市中求之耳！”
Alas! Glory and wealth can only be found in castles in the air and ocean bazaars.”
(Translated by Denis C. Victor H. Mair)