| Chinese Text Project | |
| Simplified Chinese version |
《司马徽再荐名士，刘玄德三顾草庐 - Sima Hui Recommends A Scholar To Liu Bei; Liu Bei Pays Three Visits To The Sleeping Dragon Ridge》 |
| 1 | 司马徽再... : | 却说徐庶趱程赴许昌，曹操知徐庶已到，遂命荀彧、程昱等一班谋士往迎之。庶入相府拜见曹操。操曰：“公乃高明之士，何故屈身而事刘备乎？”庶曰：“某幼逃难，流落江湖，偶至新野，遂与玄德交厚。老母在堂，幸蒙顾念，不胜愧感。”操曰：“公今至此，正可晨昏侍奉令堂，吾亦得听清诲矣。” |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
As has been said Xu Shu hastened to the capital. When Cao Cao knew Xu Shu had arrived, he sent two of his confidants, Xun Yu and Cheng Yu to receive the newcomer at the city gate, and so Xu Shu was led first to the Prime Minister's palace. "Why did such an illustrious scholar as you bow the knee to Liu Bei?" said Cao Cao. "I am young, and I fled to avoid the results of certain escapades. I spent some time as a wanderer and so came to Xinye where I became good friends with him. But my mother is here, and when I thought of all her affection, I could no longer remain absent." "Now you will be able to take care of your mother at all times. And I may have the privilege of receiving your instructions." | |
| 2 | 司马徽再... : | 庶拜谢而出。急往见其母，泣拜于堂下。母大惊曰：“汝何故至此？”庶曰：“近于新野事刘豫州，因得母书，故星夜至此。”徐母勃然大怒，拍案骂曰：“辱子飘荡江湖数年，吾以为汝学业有进，何其反不如初也！汝既读书，须知忠孝不能两全。岂不识曹操欺君罔上之贼？刘玄德仁义布于四海，况又汉室之胄，汝既事之，得其主矣。今凭一纸伪书，更不详察，遂弃明投暗，自取恶名，真愚夫也！吾有何面目与汝相见！汝玷辱祖宗，空生于天地间耳！”骂得徐庶拜伏于地，不敢仰视。母自转入屏风后去了。 |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
Xu Shu then took his leave and hastened to his mother's dwelling. Weeping with emotion, he made his obeisance to her at the door of her room. But she was greatly surprised to see him and said, "What have you come here for?" "I was at Xinye, in the service of Liu Bei of Yuzhou, when I received your letter. I came immediately." His mother suddenly grew very angry. Striking the table she cried, "You shameful and degenerate son! For years you have been a vagabond in spite of all my teaching. You are a student and know the books. You must then know that loyalty and filial piety are often opposed. Did you not recognize in Cao Cao a traitor, a man who flouts his king and insults the mighty ones? Did you not see that Liu Bei was virtuous and upright as all the world knows? Moreover, he is of the House of Han, and when you were with him you were serving a fitting master. Now on the strength of a scrap of forged writing, with no attempt at any inquiry, you have left the light and plunged into darkness and earned a disgraceful reputation. Truly you are stupid. How can I bear to look upon you? You have besmirched the fair fame of your forefathers and are of no use in the world!" The son remained bowed to the earth, not daring to lift his eyes while his mother delivered this vilifying tirade. As she said the last word, she rose suddenly and left the room. | |
| 3 | 司马徽再... : | 少顷，家人出报曰：“老夫人缢于梁间。”徐庶慌入救时，母气已绝。后人有徐母赞曰： |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: | Soon after one of the servants came out to say Lady Xun had hanged herself. Xu Shu rushed in to try to save her, but was too late. A eulogy of her conduct has been written thus: | |
| 贤哉徐母！流芳千古！守节无亏，于家有补。教子多方，处身自苦。气若丘山，义出肺腑。赞美豫州，毁触魏武。不畏鼎镬，不惧刀斧。惟恐后嗣，玷辱先祖。伏剑同流，断机堪伍。生得其名，死得其所。贤哉徐母！流芳千古！ | ||
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Wise Mother Xun, fair is your fame, The storied page glows with your name, From duty's path you never strayed, The family's renown you made. To train your son no pains you spared, For your own body nothing cared. You stand sublime, from us apart, Through simple purity of heart. Brave Liu Bei's virtues you extolled, You blamed Cao Cao, the basely bold. Of blazing fire you felt no fear, You blenched not when the sword came near, But dreaded lest a willful son Should dim the fame his fathers won. Yes, Mother Xun was of one mold With famous heroes of old, Who never shrank from injury, And even were content to die. Fair meed of praise, while still alive, Was yours, and ever will survive. Hail! Mother Xun, your memory, While time rolls on, shall never die. | ||
| 4 | 司马徽再... : | 徐庶见母已死，哭绝于地，良久方苏。曹操使人赍礼吊问，又亲往祭奠。徐庶葬母柩于许昌之南原，居丧守墓。凡曹操所赐，庶俱不受。时操欲商议南征，荀彧谏曰：“天寒未可用兵。姑待春暖，方可长驱大进。一操从之，乃引漳河之水作一池，名玄武池，于内教练水军，准备南征。 |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
At sight of his mother dead, Xu Shu fell in a swoon and only recovered consciousness after a long time. By and bye Cao Cao heard of it and sent mourning gifts, and in due course went in person to condole and sacrifice. The body was interred on the south of the capital, and the dead woman's unhappy son kept vigil at her tomb. He steadily rejected all gifts from Cao Cao. At that time Cao Cao was contemplating an attack on the south. His adviser Xun Yu dissuaded him, saying, "The winter is not favorable for this campaign. My lord should await milder weather." And Cao Cao yielded. But he began to prepare, and led the River Zhang's waters aside to form a lake, which he called the Aquamarine Lake, where he could accustom his soldiers to fight on the water. | |
| 5 | 司马徽再... : | 却说玄德正安排礼物，欲往隆中谒诸葛亮，忽人报：“门外有一先生，峨冠博带，道貌非常，特来相探。”玄德曰：“此莫非即孔明否？”遂整衣出迎。视之，乃司马徽也。玄德大喜，请入后堂高坐，拜问曰：“备自别仙颜，日因军务倥偬，有失拜访。今得光降，大慰仰慕之私。”徽曰：“闻徐元直在此，特来一会。”玄德曰：“近因曹操囚其母，徐母遣人驰书唤回许昌去矣。”徽曰：“此中曹操之计矣！吾素闻徐母最贤，虽为操所囚，必不肯驰书召其子。此书必诈也。元直不去，其母尚存；今若去，母必死矣。” |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
As has been said, Liu Bei prepared gifts to offer to Zhuge Liang on his visit. One day his servants announced a stranger of extraordinary appearance, wearing a lofty headdress and a wide belt. "Surely this is he," said Liu Bei, and, hastily arranging his dress, he went to welcome the visitor. But the first glance showed him that it was the recluse of the mountains, Sima Hui. However, Liu Bei was glad to see him and led him into the inner apartment as he would an old friend. There Liu Bei conducted him to the seat of honor and made his obeisance, saying, "Since leaving you that day in the mountains, I have been overwhelmed with military preparations and so have failed to visit you as courtesy demanded. Now that the brightness has descended upon me, I hope this dereliction of duty may be pardoned." "I hear Xu Shu is here. I have come expressly to see him," replied Water Mirror bluntly. "He has lately left for Xuchang. A messenger came with a letter telling of the imprisonment of his mother." "Then he has just fallen into Cao Cao's trap, for that letter was a forgery. I have known his mother to be a very noble woman. Even if she were imprisoned by Cao Cao, she would not summon her son like that. Certainly the letter was a forgery. If the son did not go, the mother would be safe; if he went, she would be a dead woman." | |
| 6 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德惊问其故。徽曰：“徐母高义，必羞见其子也。”玄德曰：“元直临行，荐南阳诸葛亮，其人若何？”徽笑曰：“元直欲去自去便了，何又惹他出来呕心血也？”玄德曰：“先生何出此言？”徽曰：“孔明与博陵崔州平、颍川石广元、汝南孟公威与徐元直四为密友。此四人务于精纯，惟孔明独观其大略。尝抱膝长吟，而指四人曰：‘公等仕进，可至刺史、郡守。’众问孔明之志若何，孔明但笑而不答。每常自比管仲、乐毅，其才不可量也。”玄德曰：“何颍川之多贤乎！”徽曰：“昔有殷馗善观天文，尝谓群星聚于颍分，其地必多贤士。” |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
"But how?" asked Liu Bei dismayed. "She is a woman of the highest principles, who would be greatly mortified at the sight of her son under such conditions." Liu Bei said, "Just as your friend was leaving, he mentioned the name of a certain Zhuge Liang. What think you of him?" Water Mirror laughed, saying, "If Xu Shu wanted to go, he was free to go. But why did he want to provoke Zhuge Liang into coming out and showing compassion for someone else?" "Why do you speak like that?" asked Liu Bei He replied, "Five persons, Zhuge Liang of Nanyang, Cui Zhouping of Boling, Shi Guangyuan of Yingchuan, Meng Gongwei of Runan, and Xu Shu of Yingchuan were the closest of friends. They formed a little coterie devoted to meditation on essential refinement. Only Zhuge Liang arrived at a perception of its meaning. He used to sit among them with his arms about his knees muttering and then, pointing to his companions, he would say, 'You, gentlemen, would become governors and protectors if you were in official life.' "When they asked him what was his ambition, he would only smile and always compared himself with the great ancient scholars Guan Zhong and Yue Yi. No one could gauge his talents." "How comes it that Yingchuan produces so many able humans?" said Liu Bei. "That old astrologer, Yin Kui, used to say that the stars clustered thick over the region, and so there were many wise people." | |
| 7 | 司马徽再... : | 时云长在侧曰：“某闻管仲、乐毅，乃春秋战国名人，功盖寰宇。孔明自比此二人，毋乃太过？”徽笑曰：“以吾观之，不当比此二人。我欲另以二人比之。”云长问那二人。徽曰：“可比兴周八百年之姜子牙，旺汉四百年之张子房也。”众皆愕然。徽下阶相辞欲行。玄德留之不住。徽出门仰天大笑曰：“卧龙虽得其主，不得其时，惜哉！”言罢，飘然而去。玄德叹曰：“真隐居贤士也！”次日，玄德同关、张并从人等来隆中，遥望山畔数人，荷锄耕于田间，而作歌曰： |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
Now Guan Yu was there. When he heard Zhuge Liang so highly praised, he said, "Guan Zhong and Yue Yi are the two most famous leaders mentioned in the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Periods. They well overtopped the rest of humankind. Is it not a little too much to say that Zhuge Liang compares with these two?" "In my opinion he should not be compared with these two, but rather with two others," said Water Mirror. "Who are these two?" asked Guan Yu. "One of them is Lu Wang, who laid the foundations of the Zhou Dynasty so firmly that it lasted eight hundred years; and the other Zhang Liang, who made the Han glorious for four centuries." Before the surprise called forth by this startling statement had subsided, Water Mirror walked down the steps and took his leave. Liu Bei would have kept him if he could, but he was obdurate. As he stalked proudly away, he threw up his head and said, "Though Sleeping Dragon has found his lord, he has not been born at the right time. It is a pity!" "What a wise hermit!" was Liu Bei's comment. Soon after the three brothers set out to find the abode of the wise man. When they drew near the Sleeping Dragon Ridge, they saw a number of peasants in a field hoeing up the weeds, and as they worked they sang: | |
| 苍天如圆盖，陆地似棋局。世人黑白分，往来争荣辱。荣者自安安，辱者定碌碌。南阳有隐居，高眠卧不足。 | ||
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"The earth is a checkered board, And the sky hangs over all, Under it humans are contending, Some rise, but a many fall. For those who succeed this is well, But for those who go under rough. There's a dozing dragon hard by, But his sleep is not deep enough." | ||
| 8 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德闻歌，勒马唤农夫问曰：“此歌何人所作？”答曰：“乃卧龙先生所作也。”玄德曰：“卧龙先生住何处？”农夫曰：“自此山之南，一带高冈，乃卧龙冈也。冈前疏林内茅庐中，即诸葛先生高卧之地。”玄德谢之，策马前行。不数里，遥望卧龙冈，果然清景异常。后人有古风一篇，单道卧龙居处。诗曰： |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
Liu Bei and his brothers stopped to listen to the song and, calling up one of the peasants, asked who made it. "It was made by Master Sleeping Dragon," said the laborer. "Then he lives hereabout. Where?" "South of this hill there is a ridge called the Sleeping Dragon, and close by is a sparse wood. In it stands a modest cottage. That is where Master Zhuge Liang takes his repose." Liu Bei thanked him and the party rode on. Soon they came to the ridge, most aptly named, for indeed it lay wrapped in an atmosphere of calm beauty. A poet wrote of it thus: | |
| 襄阳城西二十里，一带高冈枕流水。高冈屈曲压云根，流水潺湲飞石髓。势若困龙石上蟠，形如单凤松阴里。柴门半掩闭茅庐，中有高人卧不起。修竹交加列翠屏，四时篱落野花馨。床头堆积皆黄卷，座上往来无白丁。叩户苍猿时献果，守门老鹤夜听经。囊裹名琴藏古锦，壁间宝剑映松文。庐中先生独幽雅，闲来亲自勤耕稼。专待春雷惊梦回，一声长啸安天下。 | ||
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Not far from Xiangyang There stands, clear cut against the sky, A lofty ridge, and at its foot A gentle stream goes gliding by. The contour, curving up and down, Although by resting cloud it's marred, Arrests the eye; and here and there The flank by waterfalls is scarred. There, like a sleeping dragon coiled, Or phoenix hid among thick pines, You see, secure from prying eyes, A cot, reed-built on rustic lines. The rough-joined doors, pushed by the wind, Swing idly open and disclose The greatest genius of the world Enjoying still his calm repose. The air is full of woodland scents, Around are hedgerows trim and green, Close-growing intercrossed bamboos Replace the painted doorway screen. But look within and books you see By every couch, near every chair; And you may guess that common persons Are very seldom welcomed there. The hut seems far from human ken, So far one might expect to find Wild forest denizens there, trained To serve in place of humankind. Without a hoary crane might stand As warden of the outer gate; Within a long-armed gibbon come To offer fruit upon a plate. But enter; there refinement reigns; Brocaded silk the lutes protect, And burnished weapons on the walls The green of pines outside reflect. For he who dwells within that hut Is talented beyond compare, Although he lives the simple life And harvest seems his only care. He waits until the thunderous call Shall bid him wake, nor sleep again; Then will he forth and at his word Peace over all the land shall reign. | ||
| 9 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德来到庄前下马，亲叩柴门，一童出问。玄德曰：“汉左将军宜城亭侯领豫州牧皇叔刘备特来拜见先生。”童子曰：“我记不得许多名字。”玄德曰：“你只说刘备来访。”童子曰：“先生今早已出。”玄德曰：“何处去了？”童子曰：“踪迹不定，不知何处去了。”玄德曰：“几时归？”童子曰：“归期亦不定，或三五日，或十数日。” |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
Liu Bei soon arrived at the door of the retreat, dismounted, and knocked at the rough door of the cottage. A youth appeared and asked what he wanted. Liu Bei replied, "I am Liu Bei, General of the Han Dynasty, Lord of Yicheng, Imperial Protector of Yuzhou, and Uncle of the Emperor. I am come to salute the Master." "I cannot remember so many titles," said the lad. "Then simply say that Liu Bei has come to inquire after him." "The Master left this morning early." "Whither has he gone?" "His movements are very uncertain. I do not know whither he has gone." "When will he return?" "That also is uncertain. Perhaps in three days, perhaps in ten." | |
| 10 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德惆怅不已。张飞曰：“既不见，自归去罢了。”玄德曰：“且待片时。”云长曰：“不如且归，再使人来探听。”玄德从其言，嘱付童子：“如先生回，可言刘备拜访。”遂上马，行数里，勒马回观隆中景物，果然山不高而秀雅，水不深而澄清；地不广而平坦，林不大而茂盛；猿鹤相亲，松篁交翠，观之不已。忽见一人，容貌轩昂，丰姿俊爽，头戴逍遥巾，身穿皂布袍，杖藜从山僻小路而来。玄德曰：“此必卧龙先生也。”急下马向前施礼，问曰：“先生非卧龙否？”其人曰：“将军是谁？”玄德曰：“刘备也。”其人曰：“吾非孔明，乃孔明之友，博陵崔州平也。”玄德曰：“久闻大名，幸得相遇。乞即席地权坐，请教一言。” |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
The disappointment was keen. "Let us go back, since we cannot see him," said Zhang Fei. "Wait a little time," said Liu Bei. "It would be better to return," said Guan Yu, "then we might send to find out when this man had come back." So Liu Bei agreed, first saying to the boy, "When the Master returns, tell him that Liu Bei has been here." They rode away for some miles. Presently Liu Bei stopped and looked back at the surroundings of the little cottage in the wood. The mountains were picturesque rather than grand, the water clear rather than profound, the plain was level rather than extensive, the woods luxuriant rather than thick. Gibbons ranged through the trees, and cranes waded in the shallow water. The pines and the bamboos vied with each other in verdure. It was a scene to linger upon. While Liu Bei stood regarding it, he saw a figure coming down a mountain path. The man's bearing was lofty. He was handsome and dignified. He wore a comfortable-looking bonnet on his head, and a black robe hung about his figure in easy folds. He used a staff to help him down the steep path. "Surely that is he!" said Liu Bei. He dismounted and walked over to greet the stranger, whom he saluted deferentially, saying, "Are you not Master Sleeping Dragon, Sir?" "Who are you, General?" said the stranger. "I am Liu Bei." "I am not Zhuge Liang, but I am a friend of his. My name is Cui Zhouping." "Long have I known of you! I am very glad to see you," replied Liu Bei. "And now I pray you be seated just where we are, and let me receive your instruction." | |
| 11 | 司马徽再... : | 二人对坐于林间石上，关、张侍立于侧。州平曰：“将军何故欲见孔明？”玄德曰：“方今天下大乱，四方云扰，欲见孔明，求安邦定国之策耳。”州平笑曰：“公以定乱为主，虽是仁心，但自古以来，治乱无常。自高祖斩蛇起义，诛无道秦，是由乱而入治也；至哀、平之世二百年，太平日久，王莽纂逆，又由治而入乱；光武中兴，重整基业，复由乱而入治；至今二百年，民安已久，故干戈又复四起。此正由治入乱之时，未可猝定也。将军欲使孔明斡旋天地，补缀乾坤，恐不易为，徒费心力耳。岂不闻‘顺天者逸，逆天者劳’；‘数之所在，理不得而夺之；命之所在，人不得而强之’乎？” |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
The two men sat down in the wood on a stone, and the two brothers ranged themselves by Liu Bei's side. Cui Zhouping began, saying, "General, for what reason do you wish to see Zhuge Liang?" Liu Bei replied, "The empire is in confusion, and troubles gather everywhere. I want your friend to tell me how to restore order." "You, Sir, wish to arrest the present disorder, although you are a kindly man and, from the oldest antiquity, the correction of disorder has demanded stern measures. On the day that Liu Bang first put his hand to the work and slew the wicked ruler of Qin, order began to replace disorder. Good government began with the Supreme Ancestor (BC 206), and endured two hundred years —-two centuries of tranquillity. Then came Wang Mang's rebellion, and disorder took the place of order. Anon, arose Liu Xiu, who restored the Han Dynasty, and order once more prevailed. We have had two centuries of order and tranquillity, and the time of trouble and battles is due. The restoration of peace will take time. It cannot be quickly accomplished. You, Sir, wish to get Zhuge Liang to regulate times and seasons, to repair the cosmos, but I fear the task is indeed difficult, and to attempt it would be a vain expenditure of mental energy. You know well that he who goes with the favor of Heaven travels an easy road; he who goes contrary meets difficulties. One cannot escape one's lot; one cannot evade fate." | |
| 12 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德曰：“先生所言，诚为高见。但备身为汉胄，合当匡扶汉室，何敢委之数与命？”州平曰：“山野之夫，不足与论天下事，适承明问，故妄言之。”玄德曰：“蒙先生见教，但不知孔明往何处去了？”州平曰：“吾亦欲访之，正不知其何往。”玄德曰：“请先生同至敝县，若何？”州平曰：“愚性颇乐闲散，无意功名久矣。容他日再见。”言讫，长揖而去。玄德与关、张上马而行。张飞曰：“孔明又访不著，却遇此腐儒，闲谈许久！”玄德曰：“此亦隐者之言也。” |
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"Master," replied Liu Bei, "your insight is indeed deep, and your words of wide meaning. But I am a scion of the House of Han and must help it. Dare I talk of the inevitable and trust to fate?" Cui Zhouping replied, "A simple denizen of the mountain wilds is unfitted to discuss the affairs of empire. But you bade me speak and I have spoken —-perhaps somewhat madly." "Master, I am grateful for your instruction. But know you whither Zhuge Liang has gone?" "I also came to see him, and I know not where he is," said Cui Zhouping. "If I asked you, Master, to accompany me to my poor bit of territory, would you come?" "I am too dilatory, too fond of leisure and ease, and no longer have any ambitions. But I will see you another time." And with these words Cui Zhouping saluted and left. The three brothers also mounted and started homeward. Presently Zhang Fei said, "We have not found Zhuge Liang, and we have had to listen to the wild ravings of this so-called scholar. There is the whole result of this journey." "His words were those of a deep thinker," replied Liu Bei. | |
| 13 | 司马徽再... : | 三人回至新野，过了数日，玄德使人探听孔明。回报曰：“卧龙先生已回矣。”玄德便教备马。张飞曰：“量一村夫，何必哥哥自去？可使人唤来便了。”玄德叱曰：“汝岂不闻孟子云：‘欲见贤而不以其道，犹欲其入而闭之门也。’孔明当世大贤，岂可召乎？”遂上马再往访孔明。关、张亦乘马相随。 |
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Some days after the return to Xinye, Liu Bei sent to find out whether Zhuge Liang had returned, and the messenger came back saying that he had. Wherefore Liu Bei prepared for another visit. Again Zhang Fei showed his irritation by remarking, "Why must you go hunting after this villager? Send and tell him to come." "Silence!" said Liu Bei, "The Teacher Mencius said, 'To try to see the sage without going his way is like barring a door you wish to enter.' Zhuge Liang is the greatest sage of the day. How can I summon him?" So Liu Bei rode away to make his visit, his two brothers with him as before. | |
| 14 | 司马徽再... : | 时值隆冬，天气严寒，彤云密布。行无数里，忽然朔风凛凛，瑞雪霏霏；山如玉簇，林似银床。张飞曰：“天寒地冻，尚不用兵，岂宜远见无益之人乎？不如回新野以避风雪。”玄德曰：“吾正欲使孔明知我殷勤之意。如弟辈怕冷，可先回去。”飞曰：“死且不怕，岂怕冷乎？但恐哥哥空劳神思。”玄德曰：“勿多言，只相随同去。”将近茅庐，忽闻路旁酒店中有人作歌。玄德立马听之。其歌曰： |
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It was winter and exceedingly cold. Floating clouds covered the whole sky. Before they had gone far, a bitter wind began to blow in their faces, and the snow began to fly. Soon the mountains were of jade and the trees of silver. "It is very cold and the earth is frozen hard, no fighting is possible now," said Zhang Fei. "Yet we are going all this way to get advice which will be useless to us. Where is the sense of it? Let us rather get back to Xinye out of the cold." Liu Bei replied, "I am set upon proving my zeal to Zhuge Liang. But if you, my brother, do not like the cold, you can return." "I do not fear death: Do you think I care for the cold? But I do care about wasting my brother's energies," said Zhang Fei. "Say no more," said Liu Bei, and they traveled on. When they drew near the little wood, they heard singing in a roadside inn and stopped to listen. This was the song: | |
| 壮士功名尚未成，呜呼久不遇阳春。君不见东海老叟辞荆榛，后车遂与文王亲？八百诸侯不期会，白鱼入舟涉孟津？牧野一战血流杵，鹰扬伟烈冠武臣？又不见高阳酒徒起草中，长揖芒砀隆准公？高谈王霸惊人耳，辍洗延坐钦英风？东下齐城七十二，天下无人能继踪？──二人非际圣天子，至今谁复识英雄？ | ||
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Although possessed of talent rare, This man has made no name; Alas! The day is breaking late That is to show his fame. O friends you know the Lu Wang's tale: The aged man constrained to leave His cottage by the sea, To follow in a prince's train His counselor to be. Eight hundred feudal chieftains met Who came with one accord; The happy omen, that white fish, That leapt the boat aboard; The gory field in distant wilds. Whence flowed a crimson tide, And him acknowledged chief in war Whose virtues none denied; That Zhang Liang, a Gaoyang rustic, Fond of wine, who left, his native place And went to serve so faithfully The man of handsome face; And one who spoke of ruling chiefs In tones so bold and free, But sitting at the festive board Was full of courtesy; And one, that was he who laid in dust Walled cities near four score But humans of doughty deeds like these On earth are seen no more. Now had these humans not found their lord Would they be known to fame? Yet having found, they served him well And so achieved a name. | ||
| 15 | 司马徽再... : | 歌罢，又有一人击卓而歌。其歌曰： |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: | The song ended, the singer's companion tapping the table sang: | |
| 吾皇提剑清寰海，创业垂基四百载。桓、灵季业火德衰，奸臣贼子调鼎鼐。青蛇飞下御座傍，又见妖虹降玉堂。群盗四方如蚁聚，奸雄百辈皆鹰扬。吾侪长啸空拍手，闷来村店饮村酒。独善其身尽日安，何须千古名不朽？ | ||
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We had a famous founder, Who drew his shining sword, Cleansed all the land within the seas And made himself its lord. In time his son succeeded him, And so from son to son The lordship passed, held firm until Four hundred years had run. Then dawned a day of weaklier sons, The fiery virtue failed, Then ministers betrayed their trust, Court intrigues vile prevailed. The omens came; a serpent Coiled on the dragon throne, While in the hall of audience Unholy haloes shone. Now bandits swarm in all the land And noble strives with chief, The common people, sore perplexed, Can nowhere find relief. Let's drown our sorrows in the cup, Be happy while we may, Let those who wish run after fame That is to last for aye. | ||
| 16 | 司马徽再... : | 二人歌罢，抚掌大笑。玄德曰：“卧龙其在此间乎？”遂下马入店。见二人凭桌对饮，上首者白面长须，下首者清奇古貌。玄德揖而问曰：“二公谁是卧龙先生？”长须者曰：“公何人？欲寻卧龙何干？”玄德曰：“某乃刘备也。欲访先生，求济世安民之术。”长须者曰：“吾等非卧龙，皆卧龙之友也。吾乃颍川石广元，此位是汝南孟公威。”玄德喜曰：“备久闻二公大名，幸得邂逅。今有随行马匹在此，敢请二公同往卧龙庄上一谈。”广元曰：“吾等皆山野慵懒之徒，不省治国安民之事，不劳下问。明公请自上马，寻访卧龙。” |
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The two men laughed loud and clapped their hands as the second singer ceased. Liu Bei thought full surely the longed for sage was there, so he dismounted and entered the inn. He saw the two merry-makers sitting opposite each other at a table. One was pale with a long beard; the other had a strikingly refined face. Liu Bei saluted them and said, "Which of you is Master Sleeping Dragon?" "Who are you, Sir?" asked the long-bearded one. "What business have you with Sleeping Dragon?" "I am Liu Bei. I want to inquire of him on how to restore tranquillity to the world." "Well, neither of us is your man, but we are friends of his. My name is Shi Guangyuan and my friend here is Meng Gongwei." "I know you both by reputation," said Liu Bei gladly. "I am indeed fortunate to meet you in this haphazard way. Will you not come to Sleeping Dragon's retreat and talk for a time? I have horses here for you." "We idle folks of the wilds know nothing of tranquilizing states. Please do not trouble to ask. Pray mount again and continue searching Sleeping Dragon." | |
| 17 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德乃辞二人，上马投卧龙冈来；到庄前下马，扣门问童子曰：“先生今日在庄否？”童子曰：“现在堂上读书。”玄德大喜，遂跟童子而入。至中门，只见门上大书一联云：“淡泊以明志，宁静而致远。”玄德正看间，忽闻吟咏之声，乃立于门侧窥之，见草堂之上，一少年拥炉抱膝，歌曰： |
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So he remounted and went his way. He reached the little cottage, dismounted, and tapped at the door. The same lad answered his knock, and he asked whether the Master had returned. "He is in his room reading," said the boy. Joyful indeed was Liu Bei as he followed the lad in. In front of the middle door he saw written this pair of scrolls: By purity inspire the inclination; By repose affect the distant. As Liu Bei was looking at this couplet, he heard someone singing in a subdued voice and stopped by the door to peep in. He saw a young man close to a charcoal brazier, hugging his knees while he sang: | |
| 凤翱翔于千仞兮，非梧不栖；士伏处于一方兮，非主不依。乐躬耕于陇亩兮，吾爱吾庐。聊寄傲于琴书兮，以待天时。 | ||
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"The phoenix dies high, O! And only will perch on a magnolia tree. The scholar is hidden, O! Till his lord appear he can patient be. He tills his fields, O! He is well-content and loves his home, He awaits his day, O! His books and his lute to leave and roam. | ||
| 18 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德待其歌罢，上草堂施礼曰：“备久慕先生，无缘拜会。昨因徐元直称荐，敬至仙庄，不遇空回。今特冒风雪而来，得瞻道貌，实为万幸！”那少年慌忙答礼曰：“将军莫非刘豫州，欲见家兄否？”玄德惊讶曰：“先生又非卧龙耶？”少年曰：“某乃卧龙之弟诸葛均也。愚兄弟三人，长兄诸葛瑾，现在江东孙仲谋处为幕宾。孔明乃二家兄。”玄德曰：“卧龙今在家否？”均曰：“昨为崔州平相约，出外闲游去矣。”玄德曰：“何处闲游？”均曰：“或驾小舟，游于江湖之中；或访僧道于山岭之上；或寻朋友于村落之间；或乐琴棋于洞府之内；往来莫测，不知去所。”玄德曰：“刘备直如此缘分浅薄，两番不遇大贤！”均曰：“小坐献茶。”张飞曰：“那先生既不在，请哥哥上马。”玄德曰：“我既到此间，如何无一语而回？”因问诸葛均曰：“闻令兄卧龙先生熟谙韬略，日看兵书，可得闻乎？”均曰：“不知。”张飞曰：“问他则甚！风雪甚紧，不如早归。”玄德叱止之。均曰：“家兄不在，不敢久留车骑；容日却来回礼。”玄德曰：“岂敢望先生枉驾。数日之后，备当再至。愿借纸笔作一书，留达令兄，以表刘备殷勤之意。”均遂进文房四宝。玄德呵开冻笔，拂展云笺，写书曰： |
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As the song ended Liu Bei advanced and saluted, saying, "Master, long have I yearned for you, but have found it impossible to salute you. Lately Water Mirror spoke of you and I hastened to your dwelling, only to come away disappointed. This time I have braved the elements and come again and my reward is here. I see your face, and I am indeed fortunate." The young man hastily returned the salute and said, "General, you must be that Liu Bei of Yuzhou who wishes to see my brother." "Then, Master, you are not Sleeping Dragon!" said Liu Bei, starting back. "I am his younger brother, Zhuge Jun. He has another elder brother, Zhuge Jin, now with Sun Quan in the South Land as a counselor. Zhuge Liang is the second of our family." "Is your brother at home?" "Only yesterday he arranged to go a jaunt with Cui Zhouping." "Whither have they gone?" "Who can say? They may take a boat and sail away among the lakes, or go to gossip with the priests in some remote mountain temple, or wander off to visit a friend in some far away village, or be sitting in some cave with a lute or a chessboard. Their goings and comings are uncertain and nobody can guess at them." "What very poor luck have I! Twice have I failed to meet the great sage." "Pray sit a few moments, and let me offer you some tea." "Brother, since the master is not here, I pray you remount and go," said Zhang Fei. "Since I am here, why not a little talk before we go home again?" said Liu Bei. Then turning to his host he continued, "Can you tell me if your worthy brother is skilled in strategy and studies works on war?" "I do not know." Grumbled Zhang Fei, "The wind and snow are getting worse. We ought to go back." Liu Bei turned on him angrily and told him to stop. Zhuge Jun said, "Since my brother is absent, I will not presume to detain you longer. I will return your call soon." "Please do not take that trouble. In a few days I will come again. But if I could borrow paper and ink, I would leave a note to show your worthy brother that I am zealous and earnest." Zhuge Jun produced the "four treasures" of the scholar, and Liu Bei, thawing out the frozen brush between his lips, spread the sheet of delicate note-paper and wrote: | |
| 备久慕高名，两次晋谒，不遇空回，惆怅何似！窃念备汉朝苗裔，滥叨名爵，伏观朝廷陵替，纲纪崩摧，群雄乱国，恶党欺君，备心胆俱裂。虽有匡济之诚，实乏经纶之策。仰望先生仁慈忠义，慨然展吕望之大才，施子房之鸿略，天下幸甚！社稷甚幸！先此布达，再容齐戒勋沐，特拜尊颜，面倾鄙悃，统希鉴原。 | ||
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"Liu Bei has long admired your fame. He has visited your dwelling twice, but to his great regret he has gone empty away. He humbly remembers that he is a distant relative of the Emperor, that he has undeservedly enjoyed fame and rank. When he sees the proper government wrested aside and replaced by pretense, the foundation of the state crumbling away, hordes of braves creating confusion in the country, and an evil cabal behaving unseemly toward the rightful Prince, then his heart and gall are torn to shreds. Though he has a real desire to assist, yet is he deficient in the needful skill. Wherefore he turns to the Master, trusting in his kindness, graciousness, loyalty, and righteousness. Would the Master but use his talent, equal to that of Lu Wang, and perform great deeds like Zhang Liang, then would the empire be happy and the Throne would be secure. "This is written to tell you that, after purification of mind with fasting and of body with fragrant baths, Liu Bei will come again to prostrate himself in your honored presence and receive enlightenment." | ||
| 19 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德写罢，递与诸葛均收了，拜辞出门。均送出，玄德再三殷勤致意而别。方上马欲行，忽见童子招手篱外叫曰：“老先生来也。”玄德视之，见小桥之西，一人暖帽遮头，狐裘蔽体，骑著一驴后随一青衣小童，携一葫芦酒，踏雪而来；转过小桥，口吟诗一首。诗曰： |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: |
The letter written and given to Zhuge Jun, Liu Bei took his leave, exceedingly disappointed at this second failure. As he was mounting, he saw the serving lad waving his hand outside the hedge and heard him call out, "The old Master is coming!" Liu Bei looked and then saw a figure seated on a donkey leisurely jogging along over a bridge. The rider of the donkey wore a cap with long flaps down to his shoulders, and his body was wrapped in a fox fur robe. A youth followed him bearing a jar of wine. As he came through the snow he hummed a song: | |
| 一夜北风寒，万里彤云厚。长空雪乱飘，改尽江山旧。仰面观太虚，疑是玉龙斗。纷纷鳞甲飞，顷刻遍宇宙。骑驴过小桥，独叹梅花瘦。 | ||
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"This is eve, the sky is overcast, The north wind comes with icy blast, Light snowflakes whirl down until A white pall covers dale and hill. Perhaps above the topmost sky White dragons strive for mastery, The armor scales from their forms riven Are scattered over the world wind-driven. Amid the storm there jogs along A simple wight who croons a song. 'O poor plum trees, the gale doth tear Your blossoms off and leave you bare.'" | ||
| 20 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德闻歌曰：“此真卧龙矣！”滚鞍下马，向前施礼曰：“先生冒寒不易！刘备等候久矣！”那人慌忙下驴答礼。诸葛均在后曰：“此非卧龙家兄，乃家兄岳父黄承彦也。”玄德曰：“适间所吟之句，极其高妙。”承彦曰：“老夫在小婿家观〈梁父吟〉，记得这一篇；适过小桥，偶见篱落间梅花，故感而诵之。不期为尊客所闻。”玄德曰：“曾见贤婿否？”承彦曰：“便是老夫也来看他。”玄德闻言，辞别承彦，上马而归。正值风雪又大，回望卧龙冈，悒怏不已。后人有诗单道玄德风雪访孔明。诗曰： |
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"Here at last is Sleeping Dragon," thought Liu Bei, hastily slipping out of the saddle. He saluted the donkey rider as he neared and said, "Master, it is hard to make way against this cold wind. I and my companions have been waiting long." The rider got off his donkey and returned the bow, while Zhuge Jun from behind said, "This is not my brother. It is his father-in-law Huang Chenyan." Liu Bei said, "I chanced to hear the song you were singing. It is very beautiful." Huang Chenyan replied, "It is a little poem I read in my son in-law's house, and I recalled it as I crossed the bridge and saw the plum trees in the hedge. And so it happened to catch your ear, Noble Sir." "Have you seen your son-in-law lately?" asked Liu Bei. "That is just what I have come to do now." At this Liu Bei bade him farewell and went on his way. The storm was very grievous to bear, but worse than the storm was the grief in his heart as he looked back at Sleeping Dragon Ridge. | |
| 一天风雪访贤良，不遇空回意感伤。冻合溪桥山石滑，寒侵鞍马路途长。当头片片梨花落，扑面纷纷柳絮狂。回首停鞭遥望处，烂银堆满卧龙冈。 | ||
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One winter's day through snow and wind A prince rode forth the sage to find; Alas! His journey was in vain, And sadly turned he home again. The stream stood still beneath the bridge A sheet of ice draped rock and ridge, His steed benumbed with biting cold But crawled as he were stiff and old. The snowflakes on the rider's head Were like pear-blossoms newly shed, Or like the willow-catkins light They brushed his cheek in headlong flight. He stayed his steed, he looked around, The snow lay thick on tree and mound, The Sleeping Dragon Ridge lay white A hill of silver, glistening bright. | ||
| 21 | 司马徽再... : | 玄德回新野之后，光阴荏苒，又早新春。乃令卜者揲蓍，选择吉期，斋戒三日，薰沐更衣，再往卧龙冈谒孔明。关、张闻之不悦，遂一齐入谏玄德。正是： |
| Sima Hui Recommends A...: | After the return to Xinye, the time slipped away till spring was near. Then Liu Bei cast lots to find the propitious day for another journey in search of Zhuge Liang. The day being selected, he fasted for three days and then changed his dress ready for the visit. His two brothers viewed the preparations with disapproval and presently made up their minds to remonstrate. | |
| 高贤未服英雄志，屈节偏生杰士疑。未知其言若何，且看下文分解。 | ||
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The sage and the fighting generals never agree, A warrior despises humility. The next chapter will tell what they said. |
URN: ctp:sanguo-yanyi/ch37