The scene is at a cocktail party at a Hong Kong hotel during the 1930's.
迎面遇見一群洋紳士，眾星捧月一般簇擁著一個女人。流蘇先就注意到那人的漆黑的長髮，結成雙股大辮，高高盤在頭上。那印度女人，這一次雖然是西式裝束，依舊帶著濃厚的東方色彩。玄色輕紗氅底下，她穿著金魚黃緊身長衣，蓋住了手，只露出晶亮的指甲。領口挖成極狹的Ｖ形，直開到腰際，那是巴黎最新的款式，有個名式，喚做"一線天"。她的臉色黃而油潤，像飛了金的觀音菩薩，然而她的影沉沉的大眼睛裡躲著妖魔。古典型的直鼻子，只是太尖，太薄一點。粉紅的厚重的小嘴唇，彷彿腫著似的。柳原站住了腳，向她微微鞠了一躬。流蘇在那裡看她，她也昂然望著流蘇，那一雙驕矜的眼睛，如同隔著幾千里地，遠遠的向人望過來。柳原便介紹道："這是白小姐。這是薩黑荑妮公主。"
Directly inside they encountered a group of gentleman, the group of stars gathered around the moon as the commoners gathered around the woman. Liu Su first noticed the person's pitch black hair braided into a high disk on her head. This Indian woman, although is currently dressed in Western attire, wears a deep rich Eastern color. At the bottom of her black fine gauze overcoat, she wore a goldfish yellow cassock, covering her hands, only showing her shiny crystal fingers. Her neckline closed a narrow V-shape, which ran down towards her waistline. This is Paris' newest trend called "A Line of Heaven." Her face was yellow and glossy, like the floating gold Bodhisattva Guanyin, and her deep within her dark eyes hides a demon. Only her classical style straight nose was a little too sharp, a little too flat. Her pink thick little lips look as if they were swollen. Liu Yuan stopped his tracks, faced her with a subtle bow. Liu Su was there looking at her, and she boldly a looked at Liu Su. Those conceited eyes, as if separated by a few thousand miles of earth, distantly facing back. Liu Yuan then made an introduction, "This is Miss Bai. And this is Lady Sahaini."
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Showing posts with label Eileen Chang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eileen Chang. Show all posts
Monday, December 1, 2014
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Love in a Fallen City 傾城之戀 Part 7
http://www.rain8.com/article/class10/1512.htm
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 6
流蘇突然叫了一聲，掩住自己的眼睛，跌跌衝衝往樓上爬，往樓上爬……上了樓，到了她自己的屋子裡，她開了燈，撲在穿衣鏡上，端詳她自己。還好， 她還不怎麼老。她那一類的嬌小的身軀是最不顯老的一種，永遠是纖瘦的腰，孩子似的萌芽的乳。她的臉，從前是白得像瓷，現在由瓷變為玉——半透明的輕青的 玉。下頜起初是圓的，近年來漸漸尖了，越顯得那小小的臉，小得可愛。臉龐原是相當的窄，可是眉心很寬。一雙嬌滴滴，滴滴嬌的清水眼。陽台上，四爺又拉起胡 琴來了。依著那抑揚頓挫的調子，流蘇不由得偏著頭，微微飛了個眼風，做了個手勢。她對著鏡子這一表演，那胡琴聽上去便不是胡琴，而是笙簫琴瑟奏著幽沉的廟 堂舞曲。她向左走了幾步，又向右走了幾步，她走一步路都彷彿是合著失了傳的古代音樂的節拍。她忽然笑了——陰陰的，不懷好意的一笑，那音樂便戛然而止。外 面的胡琴繼續拉下去，可是胡琴訴說的是一些遼遠的忠孝節義的故事，不與她相干了。
Suddenly Liu Su shouted, covering her own eyes, rushing and tumbling down the stairs, down the stairs... up the stairs, to her own room. She opened the lights, threw herself onto the dressing mirrors and closely looked at herself. Not bad, she wasn't too old. Her dainty body type mostly hides old age, a forever slim waist, child-like sprouting breasts. Her face, in the past was white like marble, now marble turned to jade-- half clear young jade. The beginning of her lower jaw was round, over the past few years it slowly sharpened, making her little face more prominent, small, and cute. Here face was wide as it was small, but the space between her eyebrows were wide. I pair of sweet, delicate, and clear eyeballs. On the balcony, 4th Brother was playing the huqin. With the rise and fall of the melody, Liu Su couldn't help but tilt her head, with a slight glance fluttering by, gestured with her hands. She faced a mirror and started to perform. That huqin wasn't listened to as a huqin, but a flute and qinse played with the deep hidden temple dance. She shuffled to the left, then shuffled to the right. Each of her steps was like writing an ancient musical beat lost in translation. She suddenly laughed, softly, a laugh of malicious intent, suddenly the music stopped. The huqin outside continued to play, but the huqin was telling a distant story about didactic morals that no longer had anything to do with her.
這時候，四爺一個人躲在那裡拉胡琴，卻是因為他自己知道樓下的家庭會議中沒有他置喙的餘地。徐太太走了之後，白公館裡少不得將她的建議加以研究 和分析。徐太太打算替寶絡做媒說給一個姓范的，那人最近和徐先生在礦務上有相當密切的聯絡，徐太太對於他的家世一向就很熟悉，認為絕對可靠。那范柳原的父 親是一個著名的華僑，有不少的產業分佈在錫蘭馬來亞等處。范柳原今年三十三歲，父母雙亡。白家眾人質問徐太太，何以這樣的一個標準夫婿到現在還是獨身的， 徐太太告訴他們，范柳原從英國回來的時候，無數的太太們急扯白臉的把女兒送上門來，硬要□〔左"提手"右"亞"〕給他，勾心鬥角，各顯神通，大大熱鬧過一 番。這一捧卻把他捧壞了。從此他把女人看成他腳底下的泥。由於幼年時代的特殊環境，他的脾氣本來就有點怪僻。他父母的結合是非正式的。他父親有一次出洋考 察，在倫敦結識了一個華僑交際花，兩人秘密地結了婚。原籍的太太也有點風聞。因為懼怕太太的報復，那二夫人始終不敢回國。范柳原就是在英國長大的。他父親 故世以後，雖然大太太只有兩個女兒，范柳原要在法律上確定他的身份，卻有種種棘手之處。他孤身流落在英倫，很吃過一些苦，然後方才獲得了繼承權。至今范家 的族人還對他抱著仇視的態度，因此他總是住在上海的時候多，輕易不回廣州老宅裡去。他年紀輕輕的時候受了些刺激，漸漸的就往放浪的一條路上走，嫖賭吃著， 樣樣都來，獨獨無意於家庭幸福。
At the moment, 4th Brother was by himself stroking the huqin, actually because he knew that the family meeting downstairs had no extra room for his voice. After Madam Xu left, the Baigong place couldn't avoid investigating and analyzing her opinion. Madam Xu calculated being a go-between for Bao Luo and someone named Mr. Fan. Recently that person and Mr. Xu had family relations at the mining company. Madam Xu regarded their family very quickly with familiarity, believing absolutely they were reliable. That Fan Liuyuan's father is a famous overseas Chinese person, having industry distributed throughout the Sri Lanka Malaysia region. Fan Liuyuan is 33 this year, mother and father are deceased. Everyone in the Bai family interrogated madam Xu, why this proper husband until now is still a bachelor. Madam Xu told them during the time Fan Liuyuan returned from England, countless mothers jostled and forced their daughters to his door, determined (With the "raise" of the left hand, and a "sigh" with the right) to give away their daughters to him. Locked in constant strife, all showing their magic touch, a period of big hubbub and excitement, all flattering him to death. From then on he saw women as mud under his feet. Due to the unusual circumstances of his childhood he had an eccentric temperament. His parent's ties were unofficial. His father once went abroad to investigate. In London for the first time he meet an overseas Chinese social flower, and the two secretly married. The birthplace of the mother was also hearsay. Because she was afraid of the first wife's wrath, the second wife didn't dare return home, so Liu Fanyuan grew up in England. After his father passed away, although the first wife only had two daughters, Liu Fanyuan originally wanted to go to court to prove his identity, which became a thorny problem. He alone stayed in London, and overcame some odds. Afterwards suddenly he received his rights to inheritance. To this day the Fan clan still have a grudge towards him. As a result the time he stayed long periods of time in Shanghai, easily knowing he could not go to his old hometown in Guangzhou. When he was young he suffered some provocation, and gradually walked an unrestrained path, chasing women, gambling and eating. He did everything, alone without thinking of his family's happiness.
白四奶奶就說："這樣的人，想必是喜歡存心挑剔。我們七妹是庶出的，只怕人家看不上眼。放著這麼一門好親戚，怪可惜了兒 的！"
4th wife Mrs. Bai said, "This kind of person enjoy being deliberately picky. Our 7th Sister is common, I'm just afraid people will look down on her. Letting go of such good family, no wonder the son is pitiable!"
三爺道："他自己也是庶出。"
3rd Brother said, "He himself is a commoner."
四奶奶道："可是人家多厲害呀，就憑我們七丫頭那股子傻勁兒，還指望拿得住他？倒是我那個大女孩子機靈些，別瞧她，人 小心不小，真識大體！"
4th Wife said, "But he's amazing! But him with our dumb 7th Sister, think we can hold onto him? If only my oldest daughter were more clever, don't even bother with her. If other people aren't careful, they should know better!"
三奶奶道："那似乎年紀差得太多了。"
3rd Wife said, "Apparently the age difference is too big."
四奶奶道："喲！你不知道，越是那種人，越是喜歡年紀輕的。我那個大的若是不成，還有二的 呢。"
4th Wife, "Hey, don't you know? With people more that way, they like them young! If the biggest won't work, I still have a second!"
三奶奶笑道："你那個二的比姓范的小二十歲。"
3rd Wife laughed, "The second is younger than Mr. fan by 20 years."
四奶奶悄悄扯了她一把，正顏厲色地道："三嫂，你別那麼糊塗！護著七丫頭，她是白家的什麼人？隔了一 層娘肚皮，就差遠了。嫁了過去，誰也別想在她身上得點什麼好處！我這都是為了大家好。"
4th Wife quietly tugged her, with a serious tone said, "3rd madam, don't be silly! Protecting 7th girl, who is she in the Bai household? Separated by another mother's belly, the difference is huge. After marrying her off, no one's even going to bother thinking for her benefit! I'm doing this for everyone's good!"
然而白老太太一心一意只怕親戚議論她虧待了沒娘的七小姐，決定照原 來計劃，由徐太太擇日請客，把寶絡介紹給范柳原。
Yet Mother Bai was single-minded fearing the family discussion was unfairly treating the motherless 7th sister, deciding to follow the original plan, going with Madam Xu's date to invite the guest, and introducing Bao Luo to Mr. Fan Liuyuan.
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 6
流蘇突然叫了一聲，掩住自己的眼睛，跌跌衝衝往樓上爬，往樓上爬……上了樓，到了她自己的屋子裡，她開了燈，撲在穿衣鏡上，端詳她自己。還好， 她還不怎麼老。她那一類的嬌小的身軀是最不顯老的一種，永遠是纖瘦的腰，孩子似的萌芽的乳。她的臉，從前是白得像瓷，現在由瓷變為玉——半透明的輕青的 玉。下頜起初是圓的，近年來漸漸尖了，越顯得那小小的臉，小得可愛。臉龐原是相當的窄，可是眉心很寬。一雙嬌滴滴，滴滴嬌的清水眼。陽台上，四爺又拉起胡 琴來了。依著那抑揚頓挫的調子，流蘇不由得偏著頭，微微飛了個眼風，做了個手勢。她對著鏡子這一表演，那胡琴聽上去便不是胡琴，而是笙簫琴瑟奏著幽沉的廟 堂舞曲。她向左走了幾步，又向右走了幾步，她走一步路都彷彿是合著失了傳的古代音樂的節拍。她忽然笑了——陰陰的，不懷好意的一笑，那音樂便戛然而止。外 面的胡琴繼續拉下去，可是胡琴訴說的是一些遼遠的忠孝節義的故事，不與她相干了。
Suddenly Liu Su shouted, covering her own eyes, rushing and tumbling down the stairs, down the stairs... up the stairs, to her own room. She opened the lights, threw herself onto the dressing mirrors and closely looked at herself. Not bad, she wasn't too old. Her dainty body type mostly hides old age, a forever slim waist, child-like sprouting breasts. Her face, in the past was white like marble, now marble turned to jade-- half clear young jade. The beginning of her lower jaw was round, over the past few years it slowly sharpened, making her little face more prominent, small, and cute. Here face was wide as it was small, but the space between her eyebrows were wide. I pair of sweet, delicate, and clear eyeballs. On the balcony, 4th Brother was playing the huqin. With the rise and fall of the melody, Liu Su couldn't help but tilt her head, with a slight glance fluttering by, gestured with her hands. She faced a mirror and started to perform. That huqin wasn't listened to as a huqin, but a flute and qinse played with the deep hidden temple dance. She shuffled to the left, then shuffled to the right. Each of her steps was like writing an ancient musical beat lost in translation. She suddenly laughed, softly, a laugh of malicious intent, suddenly the music stopped. The huqin outside continued to play, but the huqin was telling a distant story about didactic morals that no longer had anything to do with her.
這時候，四爺一個人躲在那裡拉胡琴，卻是因為他自己知道樓下的家庭會議中沒有他置喙的餘地。徐太太走了之後，白公館裡少不得將她的建議加以研究 和分析。徐太太打算替寶絡做媒說給一個姓范的，那人最近和徐先生在礦務上有相當密切的聯絡，徐太太對於他的家世一向就很熟悉，認為絕對可靠。那范柳原的父 親是一個著名的華僑，有不少的產業分佈在錫蘭馬來亞等處。范柳原今年三十三歲，父母雙亡。白家眾人質問徐太太，何以這樣的一個標準夫婿到現在還是獨身的， 徐太太告訴他們，范柳原從英國回來的時候，無數的太太們急扯白臉的把女兒送上門來，硬要□〔左"提手"右"亞"〕給他，勾心鬥角，各顯神通，大大熱鬧過一 番。這一捧卻把他捧壞了。從此他把女人看成他腳底下的泥。由於幼年時代的特殊環境，他的脾氣本來就有點怪僻。他父母的結合是非正式的。他父親有一次出洋考 察，在倫敦結識了一個華僑交際花，兩人秘密地結了婚。原籍的太太也有點風聞。因為懼怕太太的報復，那二夫人始終不敢回國。范柳原就是在英國長大的。他父親 故世以後，雖然大太太只有兩個女兒，范柳原要在法律上確定他的身份，卻有種種棘手之處。他孤身流落在英倫，很吃過一些苦，然後方才獲得了繼承權。至今范家 的族人還對他抱著仇視的態度，因此他總是住在上海的時候多，輕易不回廣州老宅裡去。他年紀輕輕的時候受了些刺激，漸漸的就往放浪的一條路上走，嫖賭吃著， 樣樣都來，獨獨無意於家庭幸福。
At the moment, 4th Brother was by himself stroking the huqin, actually because he knew that the family meeting downstairs had no extra room for his voice. After Madam Xu left, the Baigong place couldn't avoid investigating and analyzing her opinion. Madam Xu calculated being a go-between for Bao Luo and someone named Mr. Fan. Recently that person and Mr. Xu had family relations at the mining company. Madam Xu regarded their family very quickly with familiarity, believing absolutely they were reliable. That Fan Liuyuan's father is a famous overseas Chinese person, having industry distributed throughout the Sri Lanka Malaysia region. Fan Liuyuan is 33 this year, mother and father are deceased. Everyone in the Bai family interrogated madam Xu, why this proper husband until now is still a bachelor. Madam Xu told them during the time Fan Liuyuan returned from England, countless mothers jostled and forced their daughters to his door, determined (With the "raise" of the left hand, and a "sigh" with the right) to give away their daughters to him. Locked in constant strife, all showing their magic touch, a period of big hubbub and excitement, all flattering him to death. From then on he saw women as mud under his feet. Due to the unusual circumstances of his childhood he had an eccentric temperament. His parent's ties were unofficial. His father once went abroad to investigate. In London for the first time he meet an overseas Chinese social flower, and the two secretly married. The birthplace of the mother was also hearsay. Because she was afraid of the first wife's wrath, the second wife didn't dare return home, so Liu Fanyuan grew up in England. After his father passed away, although the first wife only had two daughters, Liu Fanyuan originally wanted to go to court to prove his identity, which became a thorny problem. He alone stayed in London, and overcame some odds. Afterwards suddenly he received his rights to inheritance. To this day the Fan clan still have a grudge towards him. As a result the time he stayed long periods of time in Shanghai, easily knowing he could not go to his old hometown in Guangzhou. When he was young he suffered some provocation, and gradually walked an unrestrained path, chasing women, gambling and eating. He did everything, alone without thinking of his family's happiness.
白四奶奶就說："這樣的人，想必是喜歡存心挑剔。我們七妹是庶出的，只怕人家看不上眼。放著這麼一門好親戚，怪可惜了兒 的！"
4th wife Mrs. Bai said, "This kind of person enjoy being deliberately picky. Our 7th Sister is common, I'm just afraid people will look down on her. Letting go of such good family, no wonder the son is pitiable!"
三爺道："他自己也是庶出。"
3rd Brother said, "He himself is a commoner."
四奶奶道："可是人家多厲害呀，就憑我們七丫頭那股子傻勁兒，還指望拿得住他？倒是我那個大女孩子機靈些，別瞧她，人 小心不小，真識大體！"
4th Wife said, "But he's amazing! But him with our dumb 7th Sister, think we can hold onto him? If only my oldest daughter were more clever, don't even bother with her. If other people aren't careful, they should know better!"
三奶奶道："那似乎年紀差得太多了。"
3rd Wife said, "Apparently the age difference is too big."
四奶奶道："喲！你不知道，越是那種人，越是喜歡年紀輕的。我那個大的若是不成，還有二的 呢。"
4th Wife, "Hey, don't you know? With people more that way, they like them young! If the biggest won't work, I still have a second!"
三奶奶笑道："你那個二的比姓范的小二十歲。"
3rd Wife laughed, "The second is younger than Mr. fan by 20 years."
四奶奶悄悄扯了她一把，正顏厲色地道："三嫂，你別那麼糊塗！護著七丫頭，她是白家的什麼人？隔了一 層娘肚皮，就差遠了。嫁了過去，誰也別想在她身上得點什麼好處！我這都是為了大家好。"
4th Wife quietly tugged her, with a serious tone said, "3rd madam, don't be silly! Protecting 7th girl, who is she in the Bai household? Separated by another mother's belly, the difference is huge. After marrying her off, no one's even going to bother thinking for her benefit! I'm doing this for everyone's good!"
然而白老太太一心一意只怕親戚議論她虧待了沒娘的七小姐，決定照原 來計劃，由徐太太擇日請客，把寶絡介紹給范柳原。
Yet Mother Bai was single-minded fearing the family discussion was unfairly treating the motherless 7th sister, deciding to follow the original plan, going with Madam Xu's date to invite the guest, and introducing Bao Luo to Mr. Fan Liuyuan.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Love in a Fallen City 傾城之戀 Part 6
http://www.rain8.com/article/class10/1512.htm
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 5
徐太太笑道："提起你妹妹，我還等他們的回話呢。"
Madam Xu laughed, "Bringing up your sister, I want to hear what they have to say."
流蘇道："七妹的事，有希望麼？"
Liu Su said, " 7th Sister's situation, is there hope?"
徐太太道："說得有幾分眉目了。剛才我有意的讓娘兒們自己商 議商議，我說我上去瞧瞧六小姐就來。現在可該下去了。你送我下去，成不成？"
"There's some general idea after talks. I just thought about letting the ladies negotiate. When I wanted to go listen 6th Sister came. Right now I should go down. Why don't you send me down, agree?"
流蘇只得扶著徐太太下樓，樓梯又舊，徐太太又胖，走得吱吱格格一片響。到了堂 屋裡，流蘇欲待開燈，
Liu Su felt obligated to help Madam Xu by the hand. The stairs were old, and Madam Xu was plump, walking there was moaning and groaning. When they reached the main room, Liu Su wanted open the lights.
徐太太道："不用了，看得見。他們就在東廂房裡。你跟我來，大家說說笑笑，事情也就過去了，不然，明兒吃飯的時候免不了要見面的，反 而僵得慌。"
"There's no need, I can see. They are in the east room. Come with me, everyone is laughie-talkie, the situations will pass over. If not, tomorrow you have to see them all again, and you'll be stiff and panicky."
流蘇聽不得"吃飯"這兩個字，心裡一陣刺痛，硬著嗓子，強笑道："多謝嬸子——可是我這會子身子有點不舒服，實在不能夠見人，只怕失魂落魄 的，說話闖了禍，反而辜負了您待我的一片心。"
When Liu Su heard the words "eat," she felt a stab in her heart. Her throat turned stiff. With a strong laugh she said, " Thank you auntie -- but this time my body doesn't feel too good, I honestly can't see people. I'll be scared out of my wits, my words will bring disaster, instead I'll fail to live up to my place in your heart."
徐太太見流蘇一定不肯，也就罷了，自己推門進去。
Madam Xu saw Liu Su was unwilling, so she gave up. She pushed the door and left.
門掩上了，堂屋裡暗著，門的上端的玻璃格子裡透進兩方黃色的燈光，落在青磚地上。朦朧中可以看見堂屋裡順著牆高高下下堆著一排書箱，紫檀匣子， 刻著綠泥款識。正中天然幾上，玻璃罩子裡，擱著琺瑯自鳴鐘，機括早壞了，停了多年。兩旁垂著朱紅對聯，閃著金色壽字團花，一朵花托住一個墨汁淋漓的大字。 在微光裡，一個個的字都像浮在半空中，離著紙老遠。流蘇覺得自己就是對聯上的一個字，虛飄飄的，不落實地。白公館有這麼一點像神仙的洞府：這裡悠悠忽忽過 了一天，世上已經過了一千年。可是這裡過了一千年，也同一天差不多，因為每天都是一樣的單調與無聊。流蘇交叉著胳膊，抱住她自己的頸項。七八年一眨眼就過 去了。你年輕麼？不要緊，過兩年就老了，這裡，青春是不希罕的。他們有的是青春——孩子一個個的被生出來，新的明亮的眼睛，新的紅嫩的嘴，新的智慧。一年 又一年的磨下來，眼睛鈍了，人鈍了，下一代又生出來了。這一代便被吸到朱紅灑金的輝煌的背景裡去，一點一點的淡金便是從前的人的怯怯的眼睛。
The door closed, the main hall was quiet, yellow lamplight from both sides of the detail on the glass lattice of the door penetrated through, falling on the green brick floor. Through the haze one could see the main call with it's high and low stacks of arranged book boxes, red sandalwood boxes, and carved green quotes. In the middle almost naturally, in the shadow of the glass, stood an enamel bell chime, the mechanism was already broken, it was still for many years. On it's two sides red couplets hung, the gold word for "longevity" was surrounded by flowers, each flower vase was saturated with big inky words. In the glimmer, every single work was floating in mid-air, leaving the old paper behind. Liu Su felt she herself was like a character on the couplet, floating, not falling on-site. The Bai residence was little like an immortal's cave dwelling: passing a fleeting drawn-out day, the moral world aged a 1000 years. But if 1000 years passed here, each day would be roughly the same because each day is the same monotony and boredom. Liu Su crossed her arms and held onto her neck. With a blink of an eye 7, 8 years have passed. You still young? Don't worry, in two years you'll be old. This place, youth is not rare. Some are youths, children one by one are forced to be born, new bright eyes, new red supple lips, new intelligence. Year after year it wears away, eyes turn dull, people turn drull, and the next generation is born. This generation get sucked behind the vibrant red and shining gold splendor, bit by bit the fading gold is exactly the timid eyes of peoples past.
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 5
徐太太笑道："提起你妹妹，我還等他們的回話呢。"
Madam Xu laughed, "Bringing up your sister, I want to hear what they have to say."
流蘇道："七妹的事，有希望麼？"
Liu Su said, " 7th Sister's situation, is there hope?"
徐太太道："說得有幾分眉目了。剛才我有意的讓娘兒們自己商 議商議，我說我上去瞧瞧六小姐就來。現在可該下去了。你送我下去，成不成？"
"There's some general idea after talks. I just thought about letting the ladies negotiate. When I wanted to go listen 6th Sister came. Right now I should go down. Why don't you send me down, agree?"
流蘇只得扶著徐太太下樓，樓梯又舊，徐太太又胖，走得吱吱格格一片響。到了堂 屋裡，流蘇欲待開燈，
Liu Su felt obligated to help Madam Xu by the hand. The stairs were old, and Madam Xu was plump, walking there was moaning and groaning. When they reached the main room, Liu Su wanted open the lights.
徐太太道："不用了，看得見。他們就在東廂房裡。你跟我來，大家說說笑笑，事情也就過去了，不然，明兒吃飯的時候免不了要見面的，反 而僵得慌。"
"There's no need, I can see. They are in the east room. Come with me, everyone is laughie-talkie, the situations will pass over. If not, tomorrow you have to see them all again, and you'll be stiff and panicky."
流蘇聽不得"吃飯"這兩個字，心裡一陣刺痛，硬著嗓子，強笑道："多謝嬸子——可是我這會子身子有點不舒服，實在不能夠見人，只怕失魂落魄 的，說話闖了禍，反而辜負了您待我的一片心。"
When Liu Su heard the words "eat," she felt a stab in her heart. Her throat turned stiff. With a strong laugh she said, " Thank you auntie -- but this time my body doesn't feel too good, I honestly can't see people. I'll be scared out of my wits, my words will bring disaster, instead I'll fail to live up to my place in your heart."
徐太太見流蘇一定不肯，也就罷了，自己推門進去。
Madam Xu saw Liu Su was unwilling, so she gave up. She pushed the door and left.
門掩上了，堂屋裡暗著，門的上端的玻璃格子裡透進兩方黃色的燈光，落在青磚地上。朦朧中可以看見堂屋裡順著牆高高下下堆著一排書箱，紫檀匣子， 刻著綠泥款識。正中天然幾上，玻璃罩子裡，擱著琺瑯自鳴鐘，機括早壞了，停了多年。兩旁垂著朱紅對聯，閃著金色壽字團花，一朵花托住一個墨汁淋漓的大字。 在微光裡，一個個的字都像浮在半空中，離著紙老遠。流蘇覺得自己就是對聯上的一個字，虛飄飄的，不落實地。白公館有這麼一點像神仙的洞府：這裡悠悠忽忽過 了一天，世上已經過了一千年。可是這裡過了一千年，也同一天差不多，因為每天都是一樣的單調與無聊。流蘇交叉著胳膊，抱住她自己的頸項。七八年一眨眼就過 去了。你年輕麼？不要緊，過兩年就老了，這裡，青春是不希罕的。他們有的是青春——孩子一個個的被生出來，新的明亮的眼睛，新的紅嫩的嘴，新的智慧。一年 又一年的磨下來，眼睛鈍了，人鈍了，下一代又生出來了。這一代便被吸到朱紅灑金的輝煌的背景裡去，一點一點的淡金便是從前的人的怯怯的眼睛。
The door closed, the main hall was quiet, yellow lamplight from both sides of the detail on the glass lattice of the door penetrated through, falling on the green brick floor. Through the haze one could see the main call with it's high and low stacks of arranged book boxes, red sandalwood boxes, and carved green quotes. In the middle almost naturally, in the shadow of the glass, stood an enamel bell chime, the mechanism was already broken, it was still for many years. On it's two sides red couplets hung, the gold word for "longevity" was surrounded by flowers, each flower vase was saturated with big inky words. In the glimmer, every single work was floating in mid-air, leaving the old paper behind. Liu Su felt she herself was like a character on the couplet, floating, not falling on-site. The Bai residence was little like an immortal's cave dwelling: passing a fleeting drawn-out day, the moral world aged a 1000 years. But if 1000 years passed here, each day would be roughly the same because each day is the same monotony and boredom. Liu Su crossed her arms and held onto her neck. With a blink of an eye 7, 8 years have passed. You still young? Don't worry, in two years you'll be old. This place, youth is not rare. Some are youths, children one by one are forced to be born, new bright eyes, new red supple lips, new intelligence. Year after year it wears away, eyes turn dull, people turn drull, and the next generation is born. This generation get sucked behind the vibrant red and shining gold splendor, bit by bit the fading gold is exactly the timid eyes of peoples past.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Love in a Fallen City 傾城之戀 Part 5
http://www.rain8.com/article/class10/1512.htm
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 4
那人走到床前坐下了，一開口，卻是徐太太的聲音。徐太太勸道："六小姐，別傷心了，起來，起來，大熱的天……"
That person sat in front of the bed. It was Madam Xu who opened her mouth. She assured her, " 6th Sister, don't feel sad. Come, some up, it's hot today...."
流蘇撐著床勉強站了起來，道：" 嬸子，我……我在這兒再也呆不下去了。早就知道人家多嫌著我，就只差明說。今兒當面鑼，對面鼓，發過話了，我可沒有臉再住下去了！"
Liu Su propped herself up from the bed and barely stood, saying, "Auntie, I..... I can't just sit in a daze here anymore. I already knew people here resented me, I only said the truth. Today one end gonged, the other end drummed. After spilling words, I have no face living here!"
徐太太扯她在床沿上一 同坐下，悄悄地道："你也太老實了，不怪人家欺負你，你哥哥們把你的錢盤來盤去盤光了。就養活你一輩子也是應該的。"
Madam Xu pulled her to sit alongside her on the bed, she quietly responded, " You are too honest, no wonder people take advantage of you. Your older brother and them took shuffled your money plate around leaving nothing. They should provide for you for the rest of your live."
流蘇難得聽見這幾句公道話，且不問她是真心還是假意，先就從心上熱起來，淚如雨下，道："誰叫我自己糊塗呢！就為了這幾個錢，害得我要走也走不 開。"
Liu Su could hardly hear these truthful words, without paying attention to whether or not Madam Xu was acting, Liu Su's heart heated up, tears pouring like rain. She said, "Who said I was confused! Just for the money, I can't leave if I wanted to."
徐太太道："年紀輕輕的人，不怕沒有活路。"
"Young people shouldn't fear not having a path ahead."
流蘇道："有活路，我早走了！我又沒唸過兩句書，肩不能挑，手不能提，我能做什麼事？"
" If was a way out I'd leave! I've never ready to words in a book, my shoulders never carried anything, my hands never lifted anything, what can I do?"
徐太太道："找 事，都是假的，還是找個人是真的。"
"Finding work is a lie, find the right people."
流蘇道："那怕不行。我這一輩子早完了。"
"That won't do, my life is already over."
徐太太道："這句話，只有有錢的人，不愁吃，不愁穿，才有資格說。沒錢的 人，要完也完不了哇！你就是剃了頭髮當姑子去，化個緣罷，也還是塵緣——離不了人！"
"That's what only rich people say. They don't worry about food or clothes, they can say that. Poor people, you ending it still won't end it! If you shaved your head to be a nun, and end your karma, you'd still be dust-- you can't escape people!"
流蘇低頭不語。徐太太道："你這件事，早兩年託了我，又要好些。"
Liu Su was silent as she lowered her head. Madam Xu said, "This situation, if you came to me two years ago would have made things easier."
流 蘇微微一笑道："可不是，我已經二十八了。"
Liu Su laughed, "Exactly, I'm already 28 years old."
徐太太道："放著你這樣好的人才，二十八也不算什麼。我替你留心著。說著我又要怪你了，離了婚七八年了，你早 點兒拿定了主意，遠走高飛，少受多少氣！"
Madam Xu said, "Trying a person of your talent, being 28 isn't too bad. I'll help you worry. Talking about me would be blaming yourself, I divorced for 7, 8 years already. If you decided earlier, you would have long gone and had much less problems!"
流蘇道："嬸子你又不是不知道，像我們這樣的家庭，哪兒肯放我們出去交際？倚仗著家裡人罷，別說他們根本不讚 成，就是贊成了，我底下還有兩個妹妹沒出閣，三哥四哥的幾個女孩子也漸漸地長大了，張羅她們還來不及呢，還顧得到我？"
Liu Su said, "Autie, you must know this as well. How could families like ours let us socialize? Ending my reliance on family, others say family don't agree, but they already did. I still have two little sisters who aren't married, 3rd and 4th Brother still have two girls about to become adults, I can barely attend to them, how can I care for myself?"
Part 6
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 4
那人走到床前坐下了，一開口，卻是徐太太的聲音。徐太太勸道："六小姐，別傷心了，起來，起來，大熱的天……"
That person sat in front of the bed. It was Madam Xu who opened her mouth. She assured her, " 6th Sister, don't feel sad. Come, some up, it's hot today...."
流蘇撐著床勉強站了起來，道：" 嬸子，我……我在這兒再也呆不下去了。早就知道人家多嫌著我，就只差明說。今兒當面鑼，對面鼓，發過話了，我可沒有臉再住下去了！"
Liu Su propped herself up from the bed and barely stood, saying, "Auntie, I..... I can't just sit in a daze here anymore. I already knew people here resented me, I only said the truth. Today one end gonged, the other end drummed. After spilling words, I have no face living here!"
徐太太扯她在床沿上一 同坐下，悄悄地道："你也太老實了，不怪人家欺負你，你哥哥們把你的錢盤來盤去盤光了。就養活你一輩子也是應該的。"
Madam Xu pulled her to sit alongside her on the bed, she quietly responded, " You are too honest, no wonder people take advantage of you. Your older brother and them took shuffled your money plate around leaving nothing. They should provide for you for the rest of your live."
流蘇難得聽見這幾句公道話，且不問她是真心還是假意，先就從心上熱起來，淚如雨下，道："誰叫我自己糊塗呢！就為了這幾個錢，害得我要走也走不 開。"
Liu Su could hardly hear these truthful words, without paying attention to whether or not Madam Xu was acting, Liu Su's heart heated up, tears pouring like rain. She said, "Who said I was confused! Just for the money, I can't leave if I wanted to."
徐太太道："年紀輕輕的人，不怕沒有活路。"
"Young people shouldn't fear not having a path ahead."
流蘇道："有活路，我早走了！我又沒唸過兩句書，肩不能挑，手不能提，我能做什麼事？"
" If was a way out I'd leave! I've never ready to words in a book, my shoulders never carried anything, my hands never lifted anything, what can I do?"
徐太太道："找 事，都是假的，還是找個人是真的。"
"Finding work is a lie, find the right people."
流蘇道："那怕不行。我這一輩子早完了。"
"That won't do, my life is already over."
徐太太道："這句話，只有有錢的人，不愁吃，不愁穿，才有資格說。沒錢的 人，要完也完不了哇！你就是剃了頭髮當姑子去，化個緣罷，也還是塵緣——離不了人！"
"That's what only rich people say. They don't worry about food or clothes, they can say that. Poor people, you ending it still won't end it! If you shaved your head to be a nun, and end your karma, you'd still be dust-- you can't escape people!"
流蘇低頭不語。徐太太道："你這件事，早兩年託了我，又要好些。"
Liu Su was silent as she lowered her head. Madam Xu said, "This situation, if you came to me two years ago would have made things easier."
流 蘇微微一笑道："可不是，我已經二十八了。"
Liu Su laughed, "Exactly, I'm already 28 years old."
徐太太道："放著你這樣好的人才，二十八也不算什麼。我替你留心著。說著我又要怪你了，離了婚七八年了，你早 點兒拿定了主意，遠走高飛，少受多少氣！"
Madam Xu said, "Trying a person of your talent, being 28 isn't too bad. I'll help you worry. Talking about me would be blaming yourself, I divorced for 7, 8 years already. If you decided earlier, you would have long gone and had much less problems!"
流蘇道："嬸子你又不是不知道，像我們這樣的家庭，哪兒肯放我們出去交際？倚仗著家裡人罷，別說他們根本不讚 成，就是贊成了，我底下還有兩個妹妹沒出閣，三哥四哥的幾個女孩子也漸漸地長大了，張羅她們還來不及呢，還顧得到我？"
Liu Su said, "Autie, you must know this as well. How could families like ours let us socialize? Ending my reliance on family, others say family don't agree, but they already did. I still have two little sisters who aren't married, 3rd and 4th Brother still have two girls about to become adults, I can barely attend to them, how can I care for myself?"
Part 6
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Love in a Fallen City 傾城之戀 Part 4
http://www.rain8.com/article/class10/1512.htm
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 3
正說著，門簾一動，白老太太道：「是誰？」四奶奶探頭進來道：「媽，徐太太還在樓下呢，等著跟您說七妹的婚事。」
At that moment the door moved, Mother Bai asked, "Who's there?" 4th Wife poked her head in and entered, " Mother, Madam Xu is still downstairs, waiting to talk with you about 7th Sister's wedding."
白老太太道：「我這就起來。你把燈捻 開。」
Mother Bai responded, "I'll just get up then. Go open the lamps."
屋裡點上了燈，四奶奶扶著老太太坐起身來，伺候她穿衣下床。白老太太問道：「徐太太那邊找到了合適的人？」
With the room lit, 4th Wife helped Mother by the hand to stand and helped her change her clothes. Mother Bai asked, " Where did Madam Xu find a suitable mate?"
四奶奶道：「聽她說得怪好的，就是年大 了幾歲。」
4th Wife answered, "I heard her say he was unusually good, its just he's a bit older."
白老太太咳了一聲道：「寶絡這孩子，今年也二十四了，真是我心上一個疙瘩。白替她操了心，還讓人家說我：她不是我親生的，我存心耽擱了她！」
Mother Bai sighed, " This child Bao Lao is 24 this year, indeed a sore spot in my heart. Helped her worry for nothing, and let people gossip about me: She's not my natural child, I deliberately delayed her!"
四 奶奶把老太太攙到外房去，老太太道：「你把我那兒的新茶葉拿出來，給徐太太泡一碗，綠洋鐵筒子裡的是大姑奶奶去年帶來的龍井，高罐兒裡的是碧螺春，別弄錯 了。」
4th Wife helped Mother Bai to the outer room. Mother Bai said, "Go get those new tea leaves out and give Madam Xu a bowl. The green canister has old auntie's (father's eldest sister) Long Jing tea, the high canister has Green Snail Spring tea, don't mix them up."
四奶奶一面答應著，一面叫喊道：「來人哪！開燈哪！」只聽見一陣腳步響，來了些粗手大腳的孩子們，幫著老媽子把老太太搬運下樓去了。
4th Wife answered, she shouted, " Servants! Light the lamps!" With a sudden burst of footsteps, a few rough handed big footed children helped carry the old lady downstairs.
四奶奶一個人在外間屋裡翻箱倒櫃找尋老太太的私房茶葉，忽然笑道：「咦！七妹，你打哪兒鑽出來了，嚇我一跳！我說怎麼的，剛才你一晃就不見影 兒了！」
4th Wife went alone to the outer room, flipping over chests and draws to find the old woman's private stash of tea, suddenly she burst out laughing, " Ye! 7th Sister, you came out of nowhere and gave me a jump! When I was talking you left in a flash!"
寶絡細聲道：「我在陽台上乘涼。」
Bao Lao quiet said, " I was on the balcony cooling off."
四奶奶格格笑道：「害臊呢！我說，七妹，趕明兒你有了婆家，凡事可得小心一點，別由著性兒鬧。離婚豈是容易的 事？要離就離了，稀鬆平常！果真那麼容易，你四哥不成材，我幹嗎不離婚哪！我也有娘家呀，我不是沒處可投奔的，可是這年頭兒，我不能不給他們划算划算，我 是有點人心 ，就得顧著他們一點，不能靠定了人家，把人家拖窮了。我還有三分廉恥呢！」
4th Wife laughed with a cackle and said, "Shy aren't you? I say, 7th Sister, one of these days you're going to have family in-laws, you must be more careful with everything, your 4th Brotheris useless, why shouldn't I just divorce? I also have my own family, it's not like I can't seek shelter. But throughout these years whether or not I let them weigh our the pros and cons, I was a little compassionate. If I could look after them just a bit, and not rely on people, and pull people from poverty. I still have my sense of honor!"
白流蘇在她母親床前淒淒涼涼跪著，聽見了這話，把手裡的繡花鞋幫子緊緊按在心口上，戳在鞋上的一枚針，紮了手也不覺得疼，小聲道：「這屋子可 住不得了！……住不得了！」
Liu Su was in front of her mother's bed desolately kneeling and heard these words. She took the embroidered shoes on her hands and pressed it on her heart, the needles stuck on the shoe stabbed her hand, yet she felt no pain. She quietly said, "I can't live in this house anymore!..... Can't live here!"
她的聲音灰暗而輕飄，像斷斷續續的塵灰吊子。她彷彿做夢似的，滿頭滿臉都掛著塵灰吊子，迷迷糊糊向前一撲，自己以為是枕住了她 母親的膝蓋，嗚嗚咽咽哭了起來道：「媽，媽，你老人家給我做主！」
Her words were dark but clear, like murky dust hanging int he air. It was as if she were dreaming, her full head and face hung with the dust, billowing forward. She thought she was resting her head on her mother's knees, whimpering, "Ma, ma, you are the old person who made the decision!"
她母親呆著臉，笑嘻嘻的不做聲。她摟住她母親的腿，使勁搖撼著，哭道：「媽！媽！」
Her mother's face stared blankly, laughing without sound. She clung onto her mother's leg, with all her strength crying, "Ma! Ma!"
恍惚 又是多年前，她還只十來歲的時候，看了戲出來，在傾盆大雨中和家裡人擠散了。她獨自站在人行道上，瞪著眼看人，人也瞪著眼看她，隔著雨淋淋的車窗，隔著一 層無形的玻璃罩——無數的陌生人。人人都關在他們自己的小世界裡，她撞破了頭也撞不進去。她似乎是魔住了。 忽然聽見背後有腳步聲，猜著是她母親來了，便竭 力定了一定神，不言語。她所祈求的母親與她真正的母親根本是兩個人。
Vaguely many years ago, she at the mere age of 10 was watching a show, in the pouring rain was squeezed away from her family. Alone standing on the sidewalk, staring at people. People were staring back, separated from the dripping rain inside car windows, separated by a formless layer of glass-- countless strangers. Everyone is shut within their own little world, even breaking her head she can't get through. It's as if she were possessed. Suddenly she heard the sound of footsteps behind her, guessing it was her mother, with all her energy she knew her spirit, speechless. The mother she prayed for and her real mother were two different people.
Part 5
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 3
正說著，門簾一動，白老太太道：「是誰？」四奶奶探頭進來道：「媽，徐太太還在樓下呢，等著跟您說七妹的婚事。」
At that moment the door moved, Mother Bai asked, "Who's there?" 4th Wife poked her head in and entered, " Mother, Madam Xu is still downstairs, waiting to talk with you about 7th Sister's wedding."
白老太太道：「我這就起來。你把燈捻 開。」
Mother Bai responded, "I'll just get up then. Go open the lamps."
屋裡點上了燈，四奶奶扶著老太太坐起身來，伺候她穿衣下床。白老太太問道：「徐太太那邊找到了合適的人？」
With the room lit, 4th Wife helped Mother by the hand to stand and helped her change her clothes. Mother Bai asked, " Where did Madam Xu find a suitable mate?"
四奶奶道：「聽她說得怪好的，就是年大 了幾歲。」
4th Wife answered, "I heard her say he was unusually good, its just he's a bit older."
白老太太咳了一聲道：「寶絡這孩子，今年也二十四了，真是我心上一個疙瘩。白替她操了心，還讓人家說我：她不是我親生的，我存心耽擱了她！」
Mother Bai sighed, " This child Bao Lao is 24 this year, indeed a sore spot in my heart. Helped her worry for nothing, and let people gossip about me: She's not my natural child, I deliberately delayed her!"
四 奶奶把老太太攙到外房去，老太太道：「你把我那兒的新茶葉拿出來，給徐太太泡一碗，綠洋鐵筒子裡的是大姑奶奶去年帶來的龍井，高罐兒裡的是碧螺春，別弄錯 了。」
4th Wife helped Mother Bai to the outer room. Mother Bai said, "Go get those new tea leaves out and give Madam Xu a bowl. The green canister has old auntie's (father's eldest sister) Long Jing tea, the high canister has Green Snail Spring tea, don't mix them up."
四奶奶一面答應著，一面叫喊道：「來人哪！開燈哪！」只聽見一陣腳步響，來了些粗手大腳的孩子們，幫著老媽子把老太太搬運下樓去了。
4th Wife answered, she shouted, " Servants! Light the lamps!" With a sudden burst of footsteps, a few rough handed big footed children helped carry the old lady downstairs.
四奶奶一個人在外間屋裡翻箱倒櫃找尋老太太的私房茶葉，忽然笑道：「咦！七妹，你打哪兒鑽出來了，嚇我一跳！我說怎麼的，剛才你一晃就不見影 兒了！」
4th Wife went alone to the outer room, flipping over chests and draws to find the old woman's private stash of tea, suddenly she burst out laughing, " Ye! 7th Sister, you came out of nowhere and gave me a jump! When I was talking you left in a flash!"
寶絡細聲道：「我在陽台上乘涼。」
Bao Lao quiet said, " I was on the balcony cooling off."
四奶奶格格笑道：「害臊呢！我說，七妹，趕明兒你有了婆家，凡事可得小心一點，別由著性兒鬧。離婚豈是容易的 事？要離就離了，稀鬆平常！果真那麼容易，你四哥不成材，我幹嗎不離婚哪！我也有娘家呀，我不是沒處可投奔的，可是這年頭兒，我不能不給他們划算划算，我 是有點人心 ，就得顧著他們一點，不能靠定了人家，把人家拖窮了。我還有三分廉恥呢！」
4th Wife laughed with a cackle and said, "Shy aren't you? I say, 7th Sister, one of these days you're going to have family in-laws, you must be more careful with everything, your 4th Brotheris useless, why shouldn't I just divorce? I also have my own family, it's not like I can't seek shelter. But throughout these years whether or not I let them weigh our the pros and cons, I was a little compassionate. If I could look after them just a bit, and not rely on people, and pull people from poverty. I still have my sense of honor!"
白流蘇在她母親床前淒淒涼涼跪著，聽見了這話，把手裡的繡花鞋幫子緊緊按在心口上，戳在鞋上的一枚針，紮了手也不覺得疼，小聲道：「這屋子可 住不得了！……住不得了！」
Liu Su was in front of her mother's bed desolately kneeling and heard these words. She took the embroidered shoes on her hands and pressed it on her heart, the needles stuck on the shoe stabbed her hand, yet she felt no pain. She quietly said, "I can't live in this house anymore!..... Can't live here!"
她的聲音灰暗而輕飄，像斷斷續續的塵灰吊子。她彷彿做夢似的，滿頭滿臉都掛著塵灰吊子，迷迷糊糊向前一撲，自己以為是枕住了她 母親的膝蓋，嗚嗚咽咽哭了起來道：「媽，媽，你老人家給我做主！」
Her words were dark but clear, like murky dust hanging int he air. It was as if she were dreaming, her full head and face hung with the dust, billowing forward. She thought she was resting her head on her mother's knees, whimpering, "Ma, ma, you are the old person who made the decision!"
她母親呆著臉，笑嘻嘻的不做聲。她摟住她母親的腿，使勁搖撼著，哭道：「媽！媽！」
Her mother's face stared blankly, laughing without sound. She clung onto her mother's leg, with all her strength crying, "Ma! Ma!"
恍惚 又是多年前，她還只十來歲的時候，看了戲出來，在傾盆大雨中和家裡人擠散了。她獨自站在人行道上，瞪著眼看人，人也瞪著眼看她，隔著雨淋淋的車窗，隔著一 層無形的玻璃罩——無數的陌生人。人人都關在他們自己的小世界裡，她撞破了頭也撞不進去。她似乎是魔住了。 忽然聽見背後有腳步聲，猜著是她母親來了，便竭 力定了一定神，不言語。她所祈求的母親與她真正的母親根本是兩個人。
Vaguely many years ago, she at the mere age of 10 was watching a show, in the pouring rain was squeezed away from her family. Alone standing on the sidewalk, staring at people. People were staring back, separated from the dripping rain inside car windows, separated by a formless layer of glass-- countless strangers. Everyone is shut within their own little world, even breaking her head she can't get through. It's as if she were possessed. Suddenly she heard the sound of footsteps behind her, guessing it was her mother, with all her energy she knew her spirit, speechless. The mother she prayed for and her real mother were two different people.
Part 5
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Love in a Fallen City 傾城之戀 Part 2
http://www.rain8.com/article/class10/1512.htm
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 1
他們同時看了六小姐一眼。白流蘇坐在屋子的一角，慢條斯理繡著一隻拖鞋，方才三爺四爺一遞一聲說話，彷彿是沒有她發言的餘地。
Together they looked at 6th sister for a glance. Bai Liusu sat at a corner of the room, slowly and methodically embroidering sandals. Just then 3rd brother gradually raises his the sound of his voice, as if she has no extra room to speak.
這時她便淡淡地道：「離過婚了，又去做他的寡婦，讓人家笑掉了牙齒！」
At this moment she said indifferently ,
" Already divorced. and still be his widow. I'll let people laugh 'til their teeth fall out!"
她若無其事地繼續做她的鞋子，可是手指頭上直冒冷汗，針澀了，再也拔不過去。
As if nothing happened she continue to work on her shoes, yet at a her fingertips kept emitting cold sweat. The needle turns rough, and she can't push it through.
三爺道：「六妹，話不是這麼說。他當初有許多對不起你的地方，我們全知道。現在人已經死了，難道你還記在心裡？他丟下的那兩個姨奶奶，自然是 守不住的。你這會子堂堂正正地回去替他戴孝主喪，誰敢笑你？你雖然沒生下一男半女，他的侄子多著呢.隨你挑一個，過繼過來。傢俬雖然不剩什麼了，他家是個 大族，就是撥你看守祠堂，也餓不死你母子。」
3rd Brother said, "6th Sister, I didn't mean it that way. At the time he had many unforgivable points, we all know that. Now the person is already dead, could it be you remembered it in your heart? He abandoned 2 greats aunts, obviously unable to hold onto. This time why don't you gracefully go back and be there for his funeral rites? Who would laugh at you? Although you did not give birth to a boy or half a girl, he still has many nieces and nephews. Go ahead and pick one, this will still move on. Jia Se obviously doesn't have much remaining, his family is a big clan, it's looking after their ancestral shrine without you,and your mother isn't going to starve to death."
白流蘇冷笑道：「三哥替我想得真周到！就可惜晚了一步，婚已經離了這麼七八年了。依你說，當初那些法律手續都 是糊鬼不成？我們可不能拿著法律鬧著玩哪！」
Bai Liusu coldly laughed, "3rd Brother so considerate helping me think! Pity being late one step, the marriage has already past 7, 8 years. Following what you say, at the time weren't those legal procedures were an incomplete mess? Let's not play around with the law now!"
三爺道：「你別動不動就拿法律來唬人！法律呀，今天改，明天改，我這天理人情，三綱五常，可是改不了的！你生 是他家的人死是他家的鬼，樹高千丈，葉落歸根——」
3rd Brother said, "You without needing to used the law to scare people. Oh law, today changes, tomorrow changes. Today I'm concerned with human matters. The 3 principles and 5 virtues, these cannot be changed! Your life is with their family, your death is their family's ghost. A tree a thousand chi high, the leaf falls back to its roots..."
流蘇站起身來道：「你這話，七八年前為什麼不說？」
Liu Su stood up and said, "Why didn't you say this 7, 8 years ago?"
三爺道：「我只怕你多了心，只當我們不肯收容你。」
3rd Brother said, "I was only afraid you were being considerate, that we wouldn't consent to sheltering you."
流蘇道：「哦？現在你就不怕我多心了？你把我的錢用光了，你不怕我多心了？」
Liu Su said, "Oh? Now you're not afraid of me being considerate? You used up all of my money, and you're not afraid I'm being too considerate?"
三爺直問到她臉上道：「我用了你的錢？我用了你幾個大錢？你住在我們家，吃我 們的，喝我們的，從前還罷了，添個人不過添雙筷子，現在你去打聽打聽看，米是什麼價錢？我不提錢，你倒提起錢來了！」
3rd Brother looked straight into her face and said, "I used your money? How much of your big money did I use? You live in our home, eat ours, drink ours. Back then it was enough, adding a person was simply adding a pair of chopsticks. Now go ask around, rice costs how much? I didn't bring up money, and you did!"
四奶奶站在三爺背後，笑了一聲道：「自己骨肉，照說不該提錢的話。提起錢來，這話可就長了！我早就跟我們老四說過——我說：老四，你去勸勸三爺，你們 做金子，做股票，不能用六奶奶的錢哪，沒的沾上了晦氣！她一嫁到婆家，丈夫就變成了敗家子。回到娘家來，眼見得娘家就要敗光了——天生的掃帚星！」
4th Wife stood behind 3rd Brother, laughed and said, "Your own flesh and bone, normally shouldn't speak about money. Bringing up money makes this conversation a whole lot longer! I already told 4th early on-- I said, ' 4th, go persuade 3rd Brother, deal with gold, deal with the stock market, don't use 6th Wife's money, if not you'll moisten your bad luck! Once she was married off, the husband became a spendthrift. Coming back to the married woman's home, one look at the home and you lose everything-- nature's comet!"
**Note: Comet translates to "broom end star." It's considered REALLY bad luck to see one. It usually foreshadows calamity.**
三爺 道：「四奶奶這話有理。我們那時候，如果沒讓她入股子，決不至於弄得一敗塗地！」
3rd Brother said, "4th wife says it well. If we at the time didn't let her save her lil butt, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
Part 3
by Eileen Chang 張愛玲
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
Part 1
他們同時看了六小姐一眼。白流蘇坐在屋子的一角，慢條斯理繡著一隻拖鞋，方才三爺四爺一遞一聲說話，彷彿是沒有她發言的餘地。
Together they looked at 6th sister for a glance. Bai Liusu sat at a corner of the room, slowly and methodically embroidering sandals. Just then 3rd brother gradually raises his the sound of his voice, as if she has no extra room to speak.
這時她便淡淡地道：「離過婚了，又去做他的寡婦，讓人家笑掉了牙齒！」
At this moment she said indifferently ,
" Already divorced. and still be his widow. I'll let people laugh 'til their teeth fall out!"
她若無其事地繼續做她的鞋子，可是手指頭上直冒冷汗，針澀了，再也拔不過去。
As if nothing happened she continue to work on her shoes, yet at a her fingertips kept emitting cold sweat. The needle turns rough, and she can't push it through.
三爺道：「六妹，話不是這麼說。他當初有許多對不起你的地方，我們全知道。現在人已經死了，難道你還記在心裡？他丟下的那兩個姨奶奶，自然是 守不住的。你這會子堂堂正正地回去替他戴孝主喪，誰敢笑你？你雖然沒生下一男半女，他的侄子多著呢.隨你挑一個，過繼過來。傢俬雖然不剩什麼了，他家是個 大族，就是撥你看守祠堂，也餓不死你母子。」
3rd Brother said, "6th Sister, I didn't mean it that way. At the time he had many unforgivable points, we all know that. Now the person is already dead, could it be you remembered it in your heart? He abandoned 2 greats aunts, obviously unable to hold onto. This time why don't you gracefully go back and be there for his funeral rites? Who would laugh at you? Although you did not give birth to a boy or half a girl, he still has many nieces and nephews. Go ahead and pick one, this will still move on. Jia Se obviously doesn't have much remaining, his family is a big clan, it's looking after their ancestral shrine without you,and your mother isn't going to starve to death."
白流蘇冷笑道：「三哥替我想得真周到！就可惜晚了一步，婚已經離了這麼七八年了。依你說，當初那些法律手續都 是糊鬼不成？我們可不能拿著法律鬧著玩哪！」
Bai Liusu coldly laughed, "3rd Brother so considerate helping me think! Pity being late one step, the marriage has already past 7, 8 years. Following what you say, at the time weren't those legal procedures were an incomplete mess? Let's not play around with the law now!"
三爺道：「你別動不動就拿法律來唬人！法律呀，今天改，明天改，我這天理人情，三綱五常，可是改不了的！你生 是他家的人死是他家的鬼，樹高千丈，葉落歸根——」
3rd Brother said, "You without needing to used the law to scare people. Oh law, today changes, tomorrow changes. Today I'm concerned with human matters. The 3 principles and 5 virtues, these cannot be changed! Your life is with their family, your death is their family's ghost. A tree a thousand chi high, the leaf falls back to its roots..."
流蘇站起身來道：「你這話，七八年前為什麼不說？」
Liu Su stood up and said, "Why didn't you say this 7, 8 years ago?"
三爺道：「我只怕你多了心，只當我們不肯收容你。」
3rd Brother said, "I was only afraid you were being considerate, that we wouldn't consent to sheltering you."
流蘇道：「哦？現在你就不怕我多心了？你把我的錢用光了，你不怕我多心了？」
Liu Su said, "Oh? Now you're not afraid of me being considerate? You used up all of my money, and you're not afraid I'm being too considerate?"
三爺直問到她臉上道：「我用了你的錢？我用了你幾個大錢？你住在我們家，吃我 們的，喝我們的，從前還罷了，添個人不過添雙筷子，現在你去打聽打聽看，米是什麼價錢？我不提錢，你倒提起錢來了！」
3rd Brother looked straight into her face and said, "I used your money? How much of your big money did I use? You live in our home, eat ours, drink ours. Back then it was enough, adding a person was simply adding a pair of chopsticks. Now go ask around, rice costs how much? I didn't bring up money, and you did!"
四奶奶站在三爺背後，笑了一聲道：「自己骨肉，照說不該提錢的話。提起錢來，這話可就長了！我早就跟我們老四說過——我說：老四，你去勸勸三爺，你們 做金子，做股票，不能用六奶奶的錢哪，沒的沾上了晦氣！她一嫁到婆家，丈夫就變成了敗家子。回到娘家來，眼見得娘家就要敗光了——天生的掃帚星！」
4th Wife stood behind 3rd Brother, laughed and said, "Your own flesh and bone, normally shouldn't speak about money. Bringing up money makes this conversation a whole lot longer! I already told 4th early on-- I said, ' 4th, go persuade 3rd Brother, deal with gold, deal with the stock market, don't use 6th Wife's money, if not you'll moisten your bad luck! Once she was married off, the husband became a spendthrift. Coming back to the married woman's home, one look at the home and you lose everything-- nature's comet!"
**Note: Comet translates to "broom end star." It's considered REALLY bad luck to see one. It usually foreshadows calamity.**
三爺 道：「四奶奶這話有理。我們那時候，如果沒讓她入股子，決不至於弄得一敗塗地！」
3rd Brother said, "4th wife says it well. If we at the time didn't let her save her lil butt, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
Part 3
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Love in a Fallen City 傾城之戀 Part 1
by, Eileen Chang
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
http://www.rain8.com/article/class10/1512.htm
上海為了「節省天光」，將所有的時鐘都撥快了一個小時，然而白公館裡說：「我們用的是老鐘。」他們的十點鐘是人家的十一點。他們唱歌唱走了板，跟不上生命的胡琴。
For "daylight savings" in Shanghai, all clocks must move an hour forward. But the Baigong Place said, "Our clocks are old." Their 10 o'clock is people's 11 o'clock. They sing off tempo, unable to keep up with life's huqin.
胡琴咿咿呀呀拉著，在萬盞燈的夜晚，拉過來又拉過去，說不盡的蒼涼的故事——不問也罷！……胡琴上的故事是應當由光艷的伶人來扮演的，長長的兩片紅胭脂夾住瓊瑤鼻，唱了，笑了，袖子擋住了嘴……然而這裡只有白四爺單身坐在黑沉沉的破陽台上，拉住胡琴 .
The huqin EEEEeee's and YAAAaaaas, in the numerous cup lamp night, pulling back and forth, telling this bleak unending story--- never mind, don't ask. The story coming from the huqin out to come from the bright colorful actors that come to perform. Between two long pieces of rouge sits a jasper nose, singing, laughing, sleeve covering a mouth, yet this place only has 4th Brother Bai alone sitting on a deep dark on a ruined balcony, playing the huqin.
正拉著，樓底下門鈴響了。這在白公館是件稀罕事。按照從前的規矩，晚上絕對不作興出去拜客。晚上來了客，或是平空裡接到一個電報，那除非是天字第一號的緊急大事，多半是死了人。
While playing, the door rings downstairs. To the Baigong Place this was a rare event. Following the rules from the front, at night time there is no flashy welcome. When a guest arrives a night, or during the day if a telegram arrives, it only means it's a first class emergency. Most of the time the death of someone.
四爺凝神聽著，果然三爺三奶奶四奶奶一路嚷上樓來，急切間不知他們說些什麼。陽台後面的堂屋裡，坐著六小姐，七小姐，八小姐，和三房四房的孩 子們，這時都有些皇皇然。四爺在陽台上，暗處看亮處，分外眼明，只見門一開，三爺穿著汗衫短褲，楂開兩腿站在門檻上，背過手去，啪啦啪啦撲打股際的蚊子.
4th listed closely, as usual 3rd Brother and 3rd Wife made a ruckus going upstairs, impatiently not know what they're saying. Behind the balcony in the main room, 6th, 7th, and 8th Sister. And in the 3rd and 4th room were the children. During this time everyone was restless. 4th Brother from the balcony was peering into the brightness from his secret perch, with bright eyes observing only a door opening with 3rd Brother wearing and undershirt and shorts, legs spread standing under the doorstep, arms swinging pitter-pattering slapping his share of mosquitoes.
遠遠的向四爺叫道：「老四你猜怎麼著？六妹離掉的那一位，說是得了肺炎，死了！」
From afar he faced 4th Brother and shouted, "4th, guess what? 6th sister left that person, said it was pneumonia, dead!"
四爺放下胡琴往房裡走，問道：「是誰來給的信？」
4th Brother put down his huqin, walking toward the room he asked, "Who gave the letter?"
三爺道：「徐太太。」
3rd Brother replied, "Madam Xu."
說 著，回頭用扇子去攆三奶奶道：「你別跟上來湊熱鬧呀！徐太太還在樓底下呢，她胖，怕爬樓。你還不去陪陪她！」
While saying this, he turned his head and shooed 3rd wife and said, "Don't come here to add trouble! Madam Xu is still downstairs. She's fat and fearful of climbing stairs! Go keep her company!"
三奶奶去了，四爺若有所思道：「死的那個不是 徐太太的親戚麼？」
When 3rd Wife left, 4th Brother as if he had a thought in his mind asked, "Isn't the one who died a relative of Madam Xu?"
三爺道：「可不是。看這樣子，是他們家特為託了徐太太來遞信給我們的，當然是有用意的。」
3rd Brother said, "No it isn't. From the looks of it, it's their family specifically entrusting Madam Xu to pass the news to us. without doubt with some intention."
四爺道：「他們莫非是要六妹去奔喪？」
4th brother said, "Could it be they want 6th sister to hurry home for the funeral?"
三爺用 扇子柄刮了刮頭皮道：「照說呢，倒也是應該……」
3rd Brother used a folding fan handle to scratch his scalp, " Normally, this ought to be that way..."
Translated by Yoyo 幽柚
http://www.rain8.com/article/class10/1512.htm
上海為了「節省天光」，將所有的時鐘都撥快了一個小時，然而白公館裡說：「我們用的是老鐘。」他們的十點鐘是人家的十一點。他們唱歌唱走了板，跟不上生命的胡琴。
For "daylight savings" in Shanghai, all clocks must move an hour forward. But the Baigong Place said, "Our clocks are old." Their 10 o'clock is people's 11 o'clock. They sing off tempo, unable to keep up with life's huqin.
胡琴咿咿呀呀拉著，在萬盞燈的夜晚，拉過來又拉過去，說不盡的蒼涼的故事——不問也罷！……胡琴上的故事是應當由光艷的伶人來扮演的，長長的兩片紅胭脂夾住瓊瑤鼻，唱了，笑了，袖子擋住了嘴……然而這裡只有白四爺單身坐在黑沉沉的破陽台上，拉住胡琴 .
The huqin EEEEeee's and YAAAaaaas, in the numerous cup lamp night, pulling back and forth, telling this bleak unending story--- never mind, don't ask. The story coming from the huqin out to come from the bright colorful actors that come to perform. Between two long pieces of rouge sits a jasper nose, singing, laughing, sleeve covering a mouth, yet this place only has 4th Brother Bai alone sitting on a deep dark on a ruined balcony, playing the huqin.
正拉著，樓底下門鈴響了。這在白公館是件稀罕事。按照從前的規矩，晚上絕對不作興出去拜客。晚上來了客，或是平空裡接到一個電報，那除非是天字第一號的緊急大事，多半是死了人。
While playing, the door rings downstairs. To the Baigong Place this was a rare event. Following the rules from the front, at night time there is no flashy welcome. When a guest arrives a night, or during the day if a telegram arrives, it only means it's a first class emergency. Most of the time the death of someone.
四爺凝神聽著，果然三爺三奶奶四奶奶一路嚷上樓來，急切間不知他們說些什麼。陽台後面的堂屋裡，坐著六小姐，七小姐，八小姐，和三房四房的孩 子們，這時都有些皇皇然。四爺在陽台上，暗處看亮處，分外眼明，只見門一開，三爺穿著汗衫短褲，楂開兩腿站在門檻上，背過手去，啪啦啪啦撲打股際的蚊子.
4th listed closely, as usual 3rd Brother and 3rd Wife made a ruckus going upstairs, impatiently not know what they're saying. Behind the balcony in the main room, 6th, 7th, and 8th Sister. And in the 3rd and 4th room were the children. During this time everyone was restless. 4th Brother from the balcony was peering into the brightness from his secret perch, with bright eyes observing only a door opening with 3rd Brother wearing and undershirt and shorts, legs spread standing under the doorstep, arms swinging pitter-pattering slapping his share of mosquitoes.
遠遠的向四爺叫道：「老四你猜怎麼著？六妹離掉的那一位，說是得了肺炎，死了！」
From afar he faced 4th Brother and shouted, "4th, guess what? 6th sister left that person, said it was pneumonia, dead!"
四爺放下胡琴往房裡走，問道：「是誰來給的信？」
4th Brother put down his huqin, walking toward the room he asked, "Who gave the letter?"
三爺道：「徐太太。」
3rd Brother replied, "Madam Xu."
說 著，回頭用扇子去攆三奶奶道：「你別跟上來湊熱鬧呀！徐太太還在樓底下呢，她胖，怕爬樓。你還不去陪陪她！」
While saying this, he turned his head and shooed 3rd wife and said, "Don't come here to add trouble! Madam Xu is still downstairs. She's fat and fearful of climbing stairs! Go keep her company!"
三奶奶去了，四爺若有所思道：「死的那個不是 徐太太的親戚麼？」
When 3rd Wife left, 4th Brother as if he had a thought in his mind asked, "Isn't the one who died a relative of Madam Xu?"
三爺道：「可不是。看這樣子，是他們家特為託了徐太太來遞信給我們的，當然是有用意的。」
3rd Brother said, "No it isn't. From the looks of it, it's their family specifically entrusting Madam Xu to pass the news to us. without doubt with some intention."
四爺道：「他們莫非是要六妹去奔喪？」
4th brother said, "Could it be they want 6th sister to hurry home for the funeral?"
三爺用 扇子柄刮了刮頭皮道：「照說呢，倒也是應該……」
3rd Brother used a folding fan handle to scratch his scalp, " Normally, this ought to be that way..."
Sunday, January 27, 2013
New Banner
When you think about the people who write literature, what image is in your mind's eye?
I imagine some guy smoking, with a shot of whiskey. Black and white photo of course. Disheveled, broke, alcoholic, unorganized.
(Image Source)
How about a CHINESE writer?
(Image Source)
Li Bai right now is either spiritually transcendent, or drunk off his ass. No, I shall rant about Li Bai another day. I despise Li Bai! How did this imbecile survive time! Bah!
Back to the topic. Notice we have roughly the same aforementioned qualities as the first writer, but this person is literally a thousand years old!
What about the modern Chinese writer? Completely blank. When we just look at the photos of Neruda, Kawabata, Ellison, Faulkner, et cetera, they all give off a glowing aura.
"That's right, I may have some messed up emotional baggage, but my can express a reality about humanity that you can't. Suck it."
But there's one picture that I hope becomes the image of a Chinese writer. This is is Eileen Chang:
I am absolutely ashamed to admit, but I never read any of her work in completion! But every time I look at this photo, her allure pulls me back in. Her photo says, "You know you want to read me!"
She shall be my new banner for my blog until I read and blog one work about her. Move over Han Shitie!
I imagine some guy smoking, with a shot of whiskey. Black and white photo of course. Disheveled, broke, alcoholic, unorganized.
(Image Source)
How about a CHINESE writer?
(Image Source)
Li Bai right now is either spiritually transcendent, or drunk off his ass. No, I shall rant about Li Bai another day. I despise Li Bai! How did this imbecile survive time! Bah!
Back to the topic. Notice we have roughly the same aforementioned qualities as the first writer, but this person is literally a thousand years old!
What about the modern Chinese writer? Completely blank. When we just look at the photos of Neruda, Kawabata, Ellison, Faulkner, et cetera, they all give off a glowing aura.
"That's right, I may have some messed up emotional baggage, but my can express a reality about humanity that you can't. Suck it."
But there's one picture that I hope becomes the image of a Chinese writer. This is is Eileen Chang:
I am absolutely ashamed to admit, but I never read any of her work in completion! But every time I look at this photo, her allure pulls me back in. Her photo says, "You know you want to read me!"
She shall be my new banner for my blog until I read and blog one work about her. Move over Han Shitie!
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