社戲社戏

我在倒數上去的二十年中，只看過兩回中國戲，前十年是絕不看，因爲沒有看戲的意思和機會，那兩回全在後十年，然而都沒有看出什麽來就走了。

我在倒数上去的二十年中，只看过两回中国戏，前十年是绝不看，因为没有看戏的意思和机会，那两回全在后十年，然而都没有看出什么来就走了。

In the past twenty years I have been to Chinese opera only twice. During the first ten years I never went at all, because I had neither the wish nor the chance. Both times fell within the last ten years, and both times I left without having seen anything.

我們退到後面，一個辮子很光的卻來領我們到了側面，指出一個地位來。這所謂地位者，原來是一條長凳，然而他那坐板比我的上腿要狹到四分之三，他的脚比我的下腿要長過三分之二。我先是沒有爬上去的勇氣，接着便聯想到私刑拷打的刑具，不由的毛骨悚然的走出了。

我们退到后面，一个辫子很光的却来领我们到了侧面，指出一个地位来。这所谓地位者，原来是一条长凳，然而他那坐板比我的上腿要狭到四分之三，他的脚比我的下腿要长过三分之二。我先是没有爬上去的勇气，接着便联想到私刑拷打的刑具，不由的毛骨悚然的走出了。

We withdrew to the back, and a man with a very glossy queue led us to one side and showed us a place. This place turned out to be a long bench, but its seat was three-quarters narrower than my thigh, and its legs were two-thirds longer than my shins. At first I had not the courage to climb up on it; then it reminded me of an instrument of torture, and with my flesh creeping I walked out.

走了許多路，忽聽得我的朋友的聲音道，『究竟怎的？』我回過臉去，原來他也被我帶出來了。他很詫異的說，『怎麽總是走，不答應？』我說，『朋友，對不起，我耳朶只在鼕鼕喤喤的響，並沒有聽到你的話。』

走了许多路，忽听得我的朋友的声音道，『究竟怎的？』我回过脸去，原来他也被我带出来了。他很诧异的说，『怎么总是走，不答应？』我说，『朋友，对不起，我耳朵只在冬冬喤喤的响，并没有听到你的话。』

I had gone a good distance when I suddenly heard my friend's voice: "What's the matter?" I turned round and found that I had dragged him out too. He said in great surprise, "Why do you keep walking and not answer?" I said, "I'm sorry, my friend. My ears are still ringing with dong-dong and clang-clang. I didn't hear what you said."

後來我每一想到，便很以爲奇怪，似乎這戲太不好，——否則便是我近來在戲臺下不適于生存了。

后来我每一想到，便很以为奇怪，似乎这戏太不好，——否则便是我近来在戏台下不适于生存了。

Afterwards, whenever I thought of it, it struck me as very strange. Either the opera had been very bad, or else I was no longer fit to survive in front of a stage.

我向來沒有這樣忍耐的等候過什麽事物，而況這身邊的胖紳士的吁吁的喘氣，這臺上的鼕鼕喤喤的敲打，紅紅綠綠的晃蕩，加之以十二點，忽而使我省悟到在這里不適于生存了。我同時便機械的擰轉身子，用力往外只一擠，覺得背後便已滿滿的，大約那彈性的胖紳士早在我的空處胖開了他的右半身了。我後無回路，自然擠而又擠，終于出了大門。街上除了專等看客的車輛之外，幾乎沒有什麽行人了，大門口卻還有十幾個人昂着頭看戲目，別有一堆人站着並不看什麽，我想，他們大概是看散戲之後出來的女人們的，而叫天卻還沒有來……

我向来没有这样忍耐的等候过什么事物，而况这身边的胖绅士的吁吁的喘气，这台上的冬冬喤喤的敲打，红红绿绿的晃荡，加之以十二点，忽而使我省悟到在这里不适于生存了。我同时便机械的拧转身子，用力往外只一挤，觉得背后便已满满的，大约那弹性的胖绅士早在我的空处胖开了他的右半身了。我后无回路，自然挤而又挤，终于出了大门。街上除了专等看客的车辆之外，几乎没有什么行人了，大门口却还有十几个人昂着头看戏目，别有一堆人站着并不看什么，我想，他们大概是看散戏之后出来的女人们的，而叫天却还没有来……

I had never in my life waited so patiently for anything. What with the wheezing of the fat gentleman beside me, the dong-dong-clang-clang of the stage, the swaying of reds and greens, and the hour of twelve on top of it all, it suddenly dawned on me that I was not fit to survive here. At once I twisted round mechanically and pushed outwards with all my strength, and felt the space behind me fill up immediately; no doubt the elastic fat gentleman had already spread the right half of his body into the space I left. With no way back, I naturally pushed and pushed again until at last I was out of the door. Apart from the rickshaws waiting for the audience, there was hardly anyone in the street. At the entrance a dozen or so people were still looking up at the programme, and another group stood about not looking at anything. I supposed they were waiting to look at the women coming out after the performance. And still Jiaotian had not appeared ...

然而夜氣很清爽，眞所謂『沁人心脾』，我在北京遇着這樣的好空氣，彷彿這是第一遭了。

然而夜气很清爽，真所谓『沁人心脾』，我在北京遇着这样的好空气，仿佛这是第一遭了。

But the night air was very fresh. It really went "straight to the heart," as the saying goes. It seemed to be the first time I had met such good air in Beijing.

這一夜，就是我對于中國戲告了別的一夜，此後再沒有想到他，即使偶而經過戲園，我們也漠不相關，精神上早已一在天之南一在地之北了。

这一夜，就是我对于中国戏告了别的一夜，此后再没有想到他，即使偶而经过戏园，我们也漠不相关，精神上早已一在天之南一在地之北了。

That night was the night I said goodbye to Chinese opera. I never thought about it again, and even if I happened to pass a theatre, we had nothing to do with each other. In spirit we were already as far apart as the southern sky from the northern earth.

但是前幾天，我忽在無意之中看到一本日本文的書，可惜忘記了書名和著者，總之是關于中國戲的。其中有一篇，大意彷彿說，中國戲是大敲，大叫，大跳，使看客頭昏腦眩，很不適于劇場，但若在野外散漫的所在，遠遠的看起來，他自有他的風致。我當時覺着這正是說了在我意中而未曾想到的話，因爲我確記得在野外看過很好的好戲，到北京以後的連進兩回戲園去，也許還是受了那時的影響哩。可惜我不知道怎麽一來，竟將書名忘卻了。

但是前几天，我忽在无意之中看到一本日本文的书，可惜忘记了书名和著者，总之是关于中国戏的。其中有一篇，大意仿佛说，中国戏是大敲，大叫，大跳，使看客头昏脑眩，很不适于剧场，但若在野外散漫的所在，远远的看起来，他自有他的风致。我当时觉着这正是说了在我意中而未曾想到的话，因为我确记得在野外看过很好的好戏，到北京以后的连进两回戏园去，也许还是受了那时的影响哩。可惜我不知道怎么一来，竟将书名忘却了。

But a few days ago I happened to come across a book in Japanese. Unfortunately I have forgotten its title and its author, but at any rate it was about Chinese opera. In one chapter the gist seemed to be that Chinese opera, with its great banging, great yelling and great leaping, makes the audience dizzy and is quite unsuited to a theatre, but that if it is performed in the open country, in some wide space, and seen from a distance, it has a charm of its own. I felt at the time that this said exactly what had been in my mind without my ever having put it into words, for I clearly remembered seeing very good opera in the open country, and perhaps it was still under the influence of that that I went to the theatre twice after coming to Beijing. Unfortunately, I don't know how, I have forgotten the title of the book.

和我一同玩的是許多小朋友，因爲有了遠客，他們也都從父母那里得了減少工作的許可，伴我來游戲，在小村裏，一家的客，幾乎也就是公共的。我們年紀都相仿，但論起行輩來，卻至少是叔子，有幾個還是太公，因爲他們合村都同姓，是本家。然而我們是朋友，即使偶而吵鬧起來，打了太公，一村的老老小小，也決沒有一個會想出『犯上』這兩個字來，而他們也百分之九十九不識字。

和我一同玩的是许多小朋友，因为有了远客，他们也都从父母那里得了减少工作的许可，伴我来游戏，在小村里，一家的客，几乎也就是公共的。我们年纪都相仿，但论起行辈来，却至少是叔子，有几个还是太公，因为他们合村都同姓，是本家。然而我们是朋友，即使偶而吵闹起来，打了太公，一村的老老小小，也决没有一个会想出『犯上』这两个字来，而他们也百分之九十九不识字。

There were many children to play with me. Because a guest had come from far away, they too got permission from their parents to do less work, and kept me company at play. In a small village the guest of one family is almost a guest of all. We were all about the same age, but in terms of generation I was at least their uncle, and to some I was even great-grandfather, for everyone in the village had the same surname and belonged to the same clan. Still, we were friends, and even if we sometimes quarrelled and I hit a great-grandfather, not one person in the whole village, old or young, would ever have thought of the words "offending one's elders." Besides, ninety-nine out of a hundred of them could not read.

我們每天的事情大概是掘蚯蚓，掘來穿在銅絲做的小鉤上，伏在河沿上去釣蝦。蝦是水世界裏的獃子，決不憚用了自己的兩個鉗捧着鉤尖送到嘴裏去的，所以不半天便可以釣到一大碗。這蝦照例是歸我喫的。其次便是一同去放牛，但或者因爲高等動物了的緣故罷，黃牛、水牛都欺生，敢于欺侮我，因此我也總不敢走近身，只好遠遠地跟着，站着。這時候，小朋友們便不再原諒我會讀『秩秩斯干』，卻全都嘲笑起來了。

我们每天的事情大概是掘蚯蚓，掘来穿在铜丝做的小钩上，伏在河沿上去钓虾。虾是水世界里的呆子，决不惮用了自己的两个钳捧着钩尖送到嘴里去的，所以不半天便可以钓到一大碗。这虾照例是归我吃的。其次便是一同去放牛，但或者因为高等动物了的缘故罢，黄牛、水牛都欺生，敢于欺侮我，因此我也总不敢走近身，只好远远地跟着，站着。这时候，小朋友们便不再原谅我会读『秩秩斯干』，却全都嘲笑起来了。

Most days we dug up worms, threaded them on little hooks made of copper wire, and lay on the river bank fishing for shrimps. Shrimps are the simpletons of the water world. They never hesitate to take the point of the hook in their two pincers and put it in their mouths, so in less than half a day we could catch a big bowlful. These shrimps were always given to me to eat. The next thing was to go together and herd the cattle, but perhaps because they are higher animals, the oxen and water buffaloes were hostile to strangers and dared to bully me, so I never dared go near them and could only follow far behind and stand there. At such times my small friends no longer excused me on the grounds that I could recite "Orderly, orderly," but all of them jeered at me.

總之，是完了。到下午，我的朋友都去了，戲已經開場了，我似乎聽到鑼鼓的聲音，而且知道他們在戲臺下買豆漿喝。

总之，是完了。到下午，我的朋友都去了，戏已经开场了，我似乎听到锣鼓的声音，而且知道他们在戏台下买豆浆喝。

In short, it was all over. In the afternoon all my friends left. The opera had begun. I seemed to hear the gongs and drums, and I knew they were buying soya-bean milk to drink below the stage.

這一天我不釣蝦，東西也少喫。母親很爲難，沒有法子想。到晚飯時候，外祖母也終于覺察了，並且說我應當不高興，他們太怠慢，是待客的禮數裏從來所沒有的。喫飯之後，看過戲的少年們也都聚攏來了，高高興興的來講戲。只有我不開口；他們都歎息而且表同情。忽然間，一個最聰明的雙喜大悟似的提議了，他說，『大船？八叔的航船不是回來了麽？』十幾個別的少年也大悟，立刻攛掇起來，說可以坐了這航船和我一同去。我高興了。然而外祖母又怕都是孩子們，不可靠；母親又說是若叫大人一同去，他們白天全有工作，要他熬夜，是不合情理的。在這遲疑之中，雙喜可又看出底細來了，便又大聲的說道，『我寫包票！船又大；迅哥兒向來不亂跑；我們又都是識水性的！』

这一天我不钓虾，东西也少吃。母亲很为难，没有法子想。到晚饭时候，外祖母也终于觉察了，并且说我应当不高兴，他们太怠慢，是待客的礼数里从来所没有的。吃饭之后，看过戏的少年们也都聚拢来了，高高兴兴的来讲戏。只有我不开口；他们都叹息而且表同情。忽然间，一个最聪明的双喜大悟似的提议了，他说，『大船？八叔的航船不是回来了么？』十几个别的少年也大悟，立刻撺掇起来，说可以坐了这航船和我一同去。我高兴了。然而外祖母又怕都是孩子们，不可靠；母亲又说是若叫大人一同去，他们白天全有工作，要他熬夜，是不合情理的。在这迟疑之中，双喜可又看出底细来了，便又大声的说道，『我写包票！船又大；迅哥儿向来不乱跑；我们又都是识水性的！』

That day I did not go fishing for shrimps, and I ate very little. My mother was in a very awkward position, and could think of nothing to do. By supper time my grandmother too had noticed, and said I was right to be unhappy, that they had been very neglectful, such treatment of a guest was something unheard of. After supper the youngsters who had seen the opera gathered round and cheerfully told us about it. I was the only one who said nothing. They all sighed and sympathized. Suddenly the brightest of them, Shuangxi, had an inspiration. "A big boat?" he said. "Hasn't Eighth Grand-uncle's passenger boat come back?" A dozen other boys saw it too, and at once started urging that I go with them in that boat. I was delighted. But my grandmother was afraid that with only children, it would not be safe, and my mother said that if grown-ups were asked to go along, they had all worked during the day, and it would be unreasonable to make them stay up all night. While they hesitated, Shuangxi saw what the difficulty was, and declared loudly, "I'll guarantee it. The boat is big, Brother Xun never runs wild, and we all know how to swim."

誠然！這十多個少年，委實沒有一個不會鳧水的，而且兩三個還是弄潮的好手。

诚然！这十多个少年，委实没有一个不会凫水的，而且两三个还是弄潮的好手。

It was true. Of these dozen or so boys, there was not one who could not swim, and two or three of them were good at swimming in the tidal waters.

外祖母和母親也相信，便不再駁回，都微笑了。我們立刻一鬨的出了門。

外祖母和母亲也相信，便不再驳回，都微笑了。我们立刻一哄的出了门。

My grandmother and mother believed him, raised no more objections, and both smiled. We set off at once in a noisy crowd.

我的很重的心忽而輕鬆了，身體也似乎舒展到說不出的大。一出門，便望見月下的平橋內泊着一隻白篷的航船，大家跳下船，雙喜拔前篙，阿發拔後篙，年幼的都陪我坐在艙中，較大的聚在船尾。母親送出來吩咐『要小心』的時候，我們已經點開船，在橋石上一磕，退後幾尺，卽又上前出了橋。于是架起兩枝櫓，一枝兩人，一里一換，有說笑的，有嚷的，夾着潺潺的船頭激水的聲音，在左右都是碧綠的豆麥田地的河流中，飛一般徑向趙莊前進了。

我的很重的心忽而轻松了，身体也似乎舒展到说不出的大。一出门，便望见月下的平桥内泊着一只白篷的航船，大家跳下船，双喜拔前篙，阿发拔后篙，年幼的都陪我坐在舱中，较大的聚在船尾。母亲送出来吩咐『要小心』的时候，我们已经点开船，在桥石上一磕，退后几尺，即又上前出了桥。于是架起两枝橹，一枝两人，一里一换，有说笑的，有嚷的，夹着潺潺的船头激水的声音，在左右都是碧绿的豆麦田地的河流中，飞一般径向赵庄前进了。

My heavy heart suddenly grew light, and my body seemed to stretch out until it was indescribably large. As soon as we were out of the door, I saw in the moonlight a passenger boat with a white awning moored at the bridge. We all jumped aboard. Shuangxi took the bow pole, Afa the stern pole; the younger boys sat with me in the cabin, and the older ones gathered in the stern. By the time my mother came out to call "Be careful," we had already pushed off. We bumped against the stone of the bridge, backed a few feet, then moved forward again out under the bridge. Then two oars were set up, two boys to an oar, changing every li. There was laughing and shouting, mixed with the rippling of the water against the bow, and we flew straight ahead towards Zhaozhuang along a river with jade-green fields of beans and wheat on either side.

兩岸的豆麥和河底的水草所發散出來的清香，夾雜在水氣中撲面的吹來；月色便朦朧在這水氣裏。淡黑的起伏的連山，彷彿是踴躍的鐵的獸脊似的，都遠遠地向船尾跑去了，但我卻還以爲船慢。他們換了四回手，漸望見依稀的趙莊，而且似乎聽到歌吹了，還有幾點火，料想便是戲臺，但或者也許是漁火。

两岸的豆麦和河底的水草所发散出来的清香，夹杂在水气中扑面的吹来；月色便朦胧在这水气里。淡黑的起伏的连山，仿佛是踊跃的铁的兽脊似的，都远远地向船尾跑去了，但我却还以为船慢。他们换了四回手，渐望见依稀的赵庄，而且似乎听到歌吹了，还有几点火，料想便是戏台，但或者也许是渔火。

The fragrance of the beans and wheat on the banks and of the water weeds in the river came blowing into our faces with the mist off the water, and the moonlight was hazy in that mist. The pale black hills, rising and falling, were like the backs of leaping iron beasts, all racing away into the distance towards the stern, and still I thought the boat was slow. When they had changed oarsmen four times, we began to make out the faint outline of Zhaozhuang, and seemed to hear singing and music. There were a few lights too, which we guessed must be the stage, though they might have been fishermen's fires.

那聲音大概是橫笛，宛轉，悠揚，使我的心也沈靜，然而又自失起來，覺得要和他瀰散在含着豆麥蘊藻之香的夜氣裏。

那声音大概是横笛，宛转，悠扬，使我的心也沉静，然而又自失起来，觉得要和他弥散在含着豆麦蕴藻之香的夜气里。

The music was probably a flute, winding and lilting, which calmed my heart and yet made me lose myself, so that I felt I was dissolving into the night air laden with the scent of beans and wheat and water weeds.

那火接近了，果然是漁火；我纔記得先前望見的也不是趙莊。那是正對船頭的一叢松柏林，我去年也曾經去游玩過，還看見破的石馬倒在地下，一個石羊蹲在草裏呢。過了那林，船便彎進了叉港，于是趙莊便眞在眼前了。

那火接近了，果然是渔火；我才记得先前望见的也不是赵庄。那是正对船头的一丛松柏林，我去年也曾经去游玩过，还看见破的石马倒在地下，一个石羊蹲在草里呢。过了那林，船便弯进了叉港，于是赵庄便真在眼前了。

The lights came closer, and they were fishermen's fires after all; I remembered then that what I had seen before was not Zhaozhuang either. It was a grove of pines and cypresses just ahead of our bow. I had been there the year before, and had seen a broken stone horse lying on the ground and a stone sheep crouching in the grass. Once past the grove the boat turned into a creek, and then Zhaozhuang was really before us.

最惹眼的是屹立在莊外臨河的空地上的一座戲臺，模胡在遠處的月夜中，和空間幾乎分不出界限，我疑心畫上見過的仙境，就在這里出現了。這時船走得更快，不多時，在臺上顯出人物來，紅紅綠綠的動，近臺的河裏一望烏黑的是看戲的人家的船篷。

最惹眼的是屹立在庄外临河的空地上的一座戏台，模胡在远处的月夜中，和空间几乎分不出界限，我疑心画上见过的仙境，就在这里出现了。这时船走得更快，不多时，在台上显出人物来，红红绿绿的动，近台的河里一望乌黑的是看戏的人家的船篷。

What caught the eye most was a stage standing on the open ground by the river outside the village, hazy in the moonlit distance, hardly to be told apart from the space around it. I suspected that the fairyland I had seen in pictures had appeared here. The boat went faster now, and before long figures could be seen on the stage, red and green, moving. On the river near the stage, the boats of the families watching the opera made a mass of black awnings.

『近臺沒有什麽空了，我們遠遠的看罷。』阿發說。

『近台没有什么空了，我们远远的看罢。』阿发说。

"There's no room near the stage. Let's watch from further off," said Afa.

在停船的怱忙中，看見臺上有一個黑的長鬍子的背上插着四張旗，揑着長槍，和一羣赤膊的人正打仗。雙喜說，那就是有名的鐵頭老生，能連翻八十四個筋斗，他日裏親自數過的。

在停船的匆忙中，看见台上有一个黑的长胡子的背上插着四张旗，捏着长枪，和一群赤膊的人正打仗。双喜说，那就是有名的铁头老生，能连翻八十四个筋斗，他日里亲自数过的。

In the bustle of mooring, we saw on the stage a man with a long black beard and four pennants stuck in his back, holding a long spear and fighting with a crowd of bare-chested men. Shuangxi said this was the famous Iron-head Old Man, who could turn eighty-four somersaults one after another; he had counted them himself during the day.

我們便都擠在船頭上看打仗，但那鐵頭老生卻又並不翻筋斗，只有幾個赤膊的人翻，翻了一陣，都進去了，接着走出一個小旦來，咿咿呀呀的唱，雙喜說，『晚上看客少，鐵頭老生也懈了，誰肯顯本領給白地看呢？』我相信這話對，因爲其時臺下已經不很有人，鄉下人爲了明天的工作，熬不得夜，早都睡覺去了，疏疏朗朗的站着的不過是幾十個本村和鄰村的閑漢。烏篷船裏的那些土財主的家眷固然在，然而他們也不在乎看戲，多半是專到戲臺下來喫糕餅、水果和瓜子的。所以簡直可以算白地。

我们便都挤在船头上看打仗，但那铁头老生却又并不翻筋斗，只有几个赤膊的人翻，翻了一阵，都进去了，接着走出一个小旦来，咿咿呀呀的唱，双喜说，『晚上看客少，铁头老生也懈了，谁肯显本领给白地看呢？』我相信这话对，因为其时台下已经不很有人，乡下人为了明天的工作，熬不得夜，早都睡觉去了，疏疏朗朗的站着的不过是几十个本村和邻村的闲汉。乌篷船里的那些土财主的家眷固然在，然而他们也不在乎看戏，多半是专到戏台下来吃糕饼、水果和瓜子的。所以简直可以算白地。

We all crowded into the bow to watch the fighting, but the Iron-head Old Man did not turn any somersaults. Only a few of the bare-chested men turned some, and after a while they all went in. Then a young woman's role came out and sang in a long, thin voice. Shuangxi said, "There aren't many people watching at night, so the Iron-head Old Man is taking it easy. Who wants to show off his skill to an empty field?" I thought he was right, for by then there were not many people below the stage. The country folk, who had to work the next day, could not stay up all night and had long since gone to bed. The few scattered figures standing there were no more than a few dozen idlers from this village and the next. The families of the local rich were there in the black-awninged boats, of course, but they did not care about the opera either; most of them had come to the stage just to eat cakes, fruit and melon seeds. So it really could be called an empty field.

然而我的意思卻也並不在乎看翻筋斗。我最願意看的是一個人蒙了白布，兩手在頭上捧着一支棒似的蛇頭的蛇精，其次是套了黃布衣跳老虎。但是等了許多時都不見，小旦雖然進去了，立刻又出來了一個很老的小生。我有些疲倦了，託桂生買豆漿去。他去了一刻，回來說，『沒有。賣豆漿的聾子也回去了。日裏倒有，我還喝了兩碗呢。現在去舀一瓢水來給你喝罷。』

然而我的意思却也并不在乎看翻筋斗。我最愿意看的是一个人蒙了白布，两手在头上捧着一支棒似的蛇头的蛇精，其次是套了黄布衣跳老虎。但是等了许多时都不见，小旦虽然进去了，立刻又出来了一个很老的小生。我有些疲倦了，托桂生买豆浆去。他去了一刻，回来说，『没有。卖豆浆的聋子也回去了。日里倒有，我还喝了两碗呢。现在去舀一瓢水来给你喝罢。』

But I did not much care about somersaults myself. What I wanted most to see was a man draped in white cloth, holding above his head with both hands a staff-like snake's head: the snake spirit. Next to that, I wanted to see a man in yellow jumping about as a tiger. But though I waited a long time, neither appeared. As soon as the young woman's role had gone in, a very old young man's role came out. I was a little tired, and asked Guisheng to buy me some soya-bean milk. He went off for a while and came back saying, "There isn't any. The deaf man who sells it has gone home. There was some during the day; I drank two bowls myself. I'll go and get you a dipper of water to drink."

我不喝水，支撐着仍然看，也說不出見了些什麽，只覺得戲子的臉都漸漸的有些稀奇了，那五官漸不明顯，似乎融成一片的再沒有什麽高低。年紀小的幾個多打呵欠了，大的也各管自己談話。忽而一個紅衫的小丑被綁在臺柱子上，給一個花白鬍子的用馬鞭打起來了，大家纔又振作精神的笑着看。在這一夜裏，我以爲這實在要算是最好的一折。

我不喝水，支撑着仍然看，也说不出见了些什么，只觉得戏子的脸都渐渐的有些稀奇了，那五官渐不明显，似乎融成一片的再没有什么高低。年纪小的几个多打呵欠了，大的也各管自己谈话。忽而一个红衫的小丑被绑在台柱子上，给一个花白胡子的用马鞭打起来了，大家才又振作精神的笑着看。在这一夜里，我以为这实在要算是最好的一折。

I did not want water, and held out and went on watching, though I cannot say what I saw. I only felt that the actors' faces were all gradually becoming strange; their features grew indistinct, as if they had melted into one flat surface with no ups and downs. Several of the younger boys kept yawning, and the older ones talked among themselves. Then a clown in a red shirt was tied to a pillar of the stage and whipped by a man with a grizzled beard, and everyone revived and watched, laughing. Of the whole night, I think this was really the best scene.

然而老旦終于出臺了。老旦本來是我所最怕的東西，尤其是怕他坐下了唱。這時候，看見大家也都很掃興，纔知道他們的意見是和我一致的。那老旦當初還只是踱來踱去的唱，後來竟在中間的一把交椅上坐下了。我很擔心；雙喜他們卻就破口喃喃的罵。我忍耐的等着，許多工夫，只見那老旦將手一擡，我以爲就要站起來了。不料他卻又慢慢的放下在原地方，仍舊唱。全船裏幾個人不住的吁氣，其餘的也打起呵欠來。雙喜終于熬不住了，說道，怕他會唱到天明還不完，還是我們走的好罷。大家立刻都贊成，和開船時候一樣踴躍，三四人徑奔船尾，拔了篙，點退幾丈，回轉船頭，架起櫓，罵着老旦，又向那松柏林前進了。

然而老旦终于出台了。老旦本来是我所最怕的东西，尤其是怕他坐下了唱。这时候，看见大家也都很扫兴，才知道他们的意见是和我一致的。那老旦当初还只是踱来踱去的唱，后来竟在中间的一把交椅上坐下了。我很担心；双喜他们却就破口喃喃的骂。我忍耐的等着，许多工夫，只见那老旦将手一抬，我以为就要站起来了。不料他却又慢慢的放下在原地方，仍旧唱。全船里几个人不住的吁气，其余的也打起呵欠来。双喜终于熬不住了，说道，怕他会唱到天明还不完，还是我们走的好罢。大家立刻都赞成，和开船时候一样踊跃，三四人径奔船尾，拔了篙，点退几丈，回转船头，架起橹，骂着老旦，又向那松柏林前进了。

But then the old woman's role came on at last. The old woman's role was what I dreaded most, especially when she sat down to sing. At that moment I saw that everyone was disappointed, and knew they felt as I did. At first the old woman only walked to and fro singing, but then she actually sat down on a chair in the middle. I was very worried. Shuangxi and the others started muttering curses. I waited patiently. After a long time the old woman raised her hand, and I thought she was going to stand up. But she slowly lowered it again to the same place, and went on singing. Several people in the boat kept sighing, and the rest began to yawn. At last Shuangxi could stand it no longer, and said he was afraid she would go on singing till daybreak, and we had better leave. Everyone agreed at once, as eagerly as when we set out. Three or four of them ran to the stern, took up the poles, pushed back some yards, turned the bow round, set up the oars, and, cursing the old woman's role, headed back towards the pine grove.

月還沒有落，彷彿看戲也並不很久似的，而一離趙莊，月光又顯得格外的皎潔。回望戲臺在燈火光中，卻又如初來未到時候一般，又漂渺得像一座仙山樓閣，滿被紅霞罩着了，吹得耳邊來的又是橫笛，很悠揚；我疑心老旦已經進去了，但也不好意思說再回去看。

月还没有落，仿佛看戏也并不很久似的，而一离赵庄，月光又显得格外的皎洁。回望戏台在灯火光中，却又如初来未到时候一般，又漂渺得像一座仙山楼阁，满被红霞罩着了，吹得耳边来的又是横笛，很悠扬；我疑心老旦已经进去了，但也不好意思说再回去看。

The moon had not yet set; it seemed we had not been watching for very long. Once we left Zhaozhuang, the moonlight seemed exceptionally bright. Looking back, the stage in the lamplight looked just as it had when we first approached, hazy as a pavilion on a fairy mountain, all covered in a rosy glow, and again the music of the flute came lilting to our ears. I suspected that the old woman's role had gone in by now, but I did not like to suggest going back to watch.

不多久，松柏林早在船後了，船行也並不慢，但周圍的黑暗只是濃，可知已經到了深夜。他們一面議論着戲子，或駡，或笑，一面加緊的搖船。這一次船頭的激水聲更其響亮了，那航船，就像一條大白魚背着一羣孩子在浪花裏躥，連夜漁的幾個老漁父，也停了艇子看着喝采起來。

不多久，松柏林早在船后了，船行也并不慢，但周围的黑暗只是浓，可知已经到了深夜。他们一面议论着戏子，或骂，或笑，一面加紧的摇船。这一次船头的激水声更其响亮了，那航船，就像一条大白鱼背着一群孩子在浪花里蹿，连夜渔的几个老渔父，也停了艇子看着喝采起来。

Soon the pine grove was behind us. The boat was going fast, but the darkness around us only grew deeper, so we knew it was the middle of the night. They talked about the actors, cursing or laughing, and rowed harder. This time the water slapping against the bow was even louder. The passenger boat was like a great white fish carrying a crowd of children on its back as it darted through the waves. Even some old fishermen fishing at night stopped their sampans to watch and cheer.

『阿阿，阿發，這邊是你家的，這邊是老六一家的，我們偷那一邊的呢？』雙喜先跳下去了，在岸上說。

『阿阿，阿发，这边是你家的，这边是老六一家的，我们偷那一边的呢？』双喜先跳下去了，在岸上说。

"Hey, Afa, this side is your family's, that side is Old Liuyi's. Which side shall we steal from?" Shuangxi, who had jumped ashore first, called from the bank.

我們也都跳上岸。阿發一面跳，一面說道，『且慢，讓我來看一看罷。』他于是往來的摸了一回，直起身來說道，『偷我們的罷，我們的大得多呢。』一聲答應，大家便散開在阿發家的豆田裏，各摘了一大捧，抛入船艙中。雙喜以爲再多偷，倘給阿發的娘知道是要哭罵的，于是各人便到六一公公的田裏又各偷了一大捧。

我们也都跳上岸。阿发一面跳，一面说道，『且慢，让我来看一看罢。』他于是往来的摸了一回，直起身来说道，『偷我们的罢，我们的大得多呢。』一声答应，大家便散开在阿发家的豆田里，各摘了一大捧，抛入船舱中。双喜以为再多偷，倘给阿发的娘知道是要哭骂的，于是各人便到六一公公的田里又各偷了一大捧。

We all jumped ashore too. As Afa jumped he said, "Wait, let me have a look." He felt about this way and that, then straightened up and said, "Steal ours. Ours are much bigger." There was a shout of agreement, and we scattered through Afa's family's bean field, each picking a big handful and throwing it into the cabin. Shuangxi thought that if we stole any more and Afa's mother found out, she would cry and scold, so we each went into Grandpa Liuyi's field and stole another big handful.

我們中間幾個年長的仍然慢慢的搖着船，幾個到後艙去生火，年幼的和我都剝豆。不久豆熟了，便任憑航船浮在水面上，都圍起來用手撮着喫。喫完豆，又開船，一面洗器具，豆莢豆殼全抛在河水裏，什麽痕跡也沒有了。雙喜所慮的是用了八公公船上的鹽和柴，這老頭子很細心，一定要知道，會罵的。然而大家議論之後，歸結是不怕。他如果罵，我們便要他歸還去年在岸邊拾去的一枝枯柏樹，而且當面叫他『八癩子』。

我们中间几个年长的仍然慢慢的摇着船，几个到后舱去生火，年幼的和我都剥豆。不久豆熟了，便任凭航船浮在水面上，都围起来用手撮着吃。吃完豆，又开船，一面洗器具，豆荚豆壳全抛在河水里，什么痕迹也没有了。双喜所虑的是用了八公公船上的盐和柴，这老头子很细心，一定要知道，会骂的。然而大家议论之后，归结是不怕。他如果骂，我们便要他归还去年在岸边拾去的一枝枯柏树，而且当面叫他『八癞子』。

Some of the older boys went on rowing slowly, others went to the stern to light the fire, and the younger ones and I shelled the beans. Soon the beans were cooked, and we let the boat drift on the water while we gathered round and ate them with our fingers. When we had finished, we set off again, washing the pot as we went and throwing the pods and shells into the river, so that not a trace was left. What worried Shuangxi was that we had used the salt and firewood on Eighth Grand-uncle's boat. The old man was very careful, and would be sure to notice and scold us. But after some discussion we decided we were not afraid. If he scolded, we would ask him to give back the branch of dead cypress he had picked up from the bank last year, and call him "Scabby Eighth" to his face.

『都回來了！那裏會錯。我原說過寫包票的！』雙喜在船頭上忽而大聲的說。

『都回来了！那里会错。我原说过写包票的！』双喜在船头上忽而大声的说。

"Everybody's back. How could anything go wrong? I said I would guarantee it," Shuangxi suddenly called out loudly from the bow.

大家都說已經喫了點心，又渴睡，不如及早睡的好，各自回去了。

大家都说已经吃了点心，又渴睡，不如及早睡的好，各自回去了。

They all said they had already had something to eat and were sleepy, and had better go to bed at once, and each went home.

第二天，我向午纔起來，並沒有聽到什麽關係八公公鹽柴事件的糾葛，下午仍然去釣蝦。

第二天，我向午才起来，并没有听到什么关系八公公盐柴事件的纠葛，下午仍然去钓虾。

The next day I did not get up until nearly noon, and I heard of no trouble over Eighth Grand-uncle's salt and firewood. In the afternoon I went shrimp fishing as usual.

『雙喜，你們這般小鬼，昨天偷了我的豆了罷？又不肯好好的摘，踏壞了不少。』我擡頭看時，是六一公公棹着小船，賣了豆回來了，船肚裏還有賸下的一堆豆。

『双喜，你们这般小鬼，昨天偷了我的豆了罢？又不肯好好的摘，踏坏了不少。』我抬头看时，是六一公公棹着小船，卖了豆回来了，船肚里还有剩下的一堆豆。

"Shuangxi, you little devils, you stole my beans yesterday, didn't you? And you couldn't even pick them properly; you trampled a lot of them." I looked up and saw Grandpa Liuyi rowing his little boat, coming back from selling beans. There was a pile of beans left in the bottom of his boat.

『是的。我們請客。我們當初還不要你的呢。你看，你把我的蝦嚇跑了！』雙喜說。

『是的。我们请客。我们当初还不要你的呢。你看，你把我的虾吓跑了！』双喜说。

"Yes. We were treating our guest. At first we didn't even want yours. Look, you've frightened away my shrimps," said Shuangxi.

六一公公看見我，便停了楫，笑道，『請客？——這是應該的。』于是對我說，『迅哥兒，昨天的戲可好麽？』

六一公公看见我，便停了楫，笑道，『请客？——这是应该的。』于是对我说，『迅哥儿，昨天的戏可好么？』

When Grandpa Liuyi saw me, he stopped rowing and laughed. "Treating your guest? That's only proper." Then he said to me, "Brother Xun, was the opera good yesterday?"

我點一點頭，說道，『好。』

我点一点头，说道，『好。』

I nodded and said, "Yes."

『豆可中喫呢？』

『豆可中吃呢？』

"And were the beans good to eat?"

我又點一點頭，說道，『很好。』

我又点一点头，说道，『很好。』

I nodded again and said, "Very good."

待到母親叫我回去喫晚飯的時候，桌上便有一大碗煮熟了的羅漢豆，就是六一公公送給母親和我喫的。聽說他還對母親極口誇獎我，說『小小年紀便有見識，將來一定要中狀元。姑奶奶，你的福氣是可以寫包票的了。』但我喫了豆，卻並沒有昨夜的豆那麽好。

待到母亲叫我回去吃晚饭的时候，桌上便有一大碗煮熟了的罗汉豆，就是六一公公送给母亲和我吃的。听说他还对母亲极口夸奖我，说『小小年纪便有见识，将来一定要中状元。姑奶奶，你的福气是可以写包票的了。』但我吃了豆，却并没有昨夜的豆那么好。

When my mother called me home for supper, there was a big bowl of boiled luohan beans on the table, which Grandpa Liuyi had sent for my mother and me. I heard that he had praised me to her to the skies, saying, "So young and already such judgement. He will surely come first in the palace examination some day. Young lady, your good fortune is guaranteed." But when I ate the beans, they were not as good as the beans of the night before.

真的，一直到現在，我實在再沒有喫到那夜似的好豆，——也不再看到那夜似的好戲了。

真的，一直到现在，我实在再没有吃到那夜似的好豆，——也不再看到那夜似的好戏了。

It is true. Right up to now, I have really never again eaten beans as good as those of that night, nor seen another opera as good as the one I saw that night.

（一九二二年十月。）

（一九二二年十月。）

(October 1922)