因夜深体乏,不能胜酒,未免都有些倦意,无奈贾母兴犹未尽,只得陪饮。
It was late now, they were tired, and as none of them were good drinkers they were flagging; but since the old lady was still in the mood for fun they had no choice but to keep her company.
贾母又命将厫毡铺于阶上,命将月饼西瓜果品等类都叫搬下去,令丫头媳妇们也都团团围坐赏月。
She ordered rugs to be spread on the steps and mooncakes, water-melons and other refreshments set out there so that the maids could sit down in a circle and enjoy the moon as well.
贾母因见月至中天,比先益发精彩可爱,因说:"如此好月,不可不闻笛。”
The moon, now in mid sky, was more dazzlingly lovely than ever. “With such a fine moon we must listen to some fluting,” decided the Lady Dowager.
因命人将十番上女孩子传来。
She sent for the girl musicians,
吩咐说:"音乐多了,反失雅致,只用吹笛的远远吹起来就够了。”
telling them,“Too many instruments would break the spell.
One flute played in the distance will be enough.”
说毕,刚去吹时,只见跟邢夫人的媳妇走来向邢夫人前说了两句话。
The flutist was just going off when one of Lady Xing's matrons brought her a message.
贾母便问:"什么事?”
The old lady asked what it was,
那媳妇便回说:"方才大老爷出去,被石头绊了一下,跬了腿。”
and the matron answered:“Just now, on his way home, the Elder Master tripped over a stone and sprained his ankle.”
贾母听说,忙命两个婆子快看去,又命邢夫人快去。
Grandmother Jia at once sent two of her own women to see how he was and told Lady Xing that she was to go back immediately and look after him.
贾母便又说:“珍哥媳妇也趁便儿就家去罢,我也就睡了。”
‘Zhen's wife may as well go back now too,' said Grandmother Jia. ‘Then I shall go home to bed.”
尤氏笑道:“我今日不回去了,定要和老祖宗吃一夜。”
‘I don't intend to go back at all tonight,' said You-shi. 2‘I have resolved to spend the night here with you.”
贾母笑道:“使不得。
‘That will never do!” said Grandmother Jia, laughing.
你们小两口儿今夜要团团圆圆的,如何为我耽搁了?”
‘Tonight of all nights a young couple like you ought to be together.
I can't have you staying away from your husband for my sake!”
陪着老太太玩一夜是正理。”
I'd much better spend the night here with you.”
贾母听说,笑道:“这话很是。
‘Yes, of course,' said Grandmother Jia.
可怜你公公转眼已是二年多了,可是我倒忘了,该罚我一大杯。
Yes, your poor father-in-law has been dead two years and more--- how time does fly!
I must drink a big cup as a forfeit for forgetting.
既这样,你就率性别去,陪着我罢。
Well, don't go then but stay and keep me company.
既这样,你就别送,竟陪着我罢。
All right, you'd better stay and keep me company then.
尤氏说给贾蓉媳妇答应着,送出邢夫人,一同至大门,各自上车回去,不在话下。
You-shi instructed her daughter-in-law accordingly, whereupon little Hu-shi accompanied Lady Xing as far as the main gate of the mansion.
There both ladies got into their carriages and went their separate ways.
这里众人赏了一回桂花,又入席换暖酒来。
Meanwhile the company had been over to the other side of the terrace to admire the cassia.
They now took their places at table once more and were served with freshly heated wine.
正说着闲话,猛不防那壁里桂花树下,呜咽悠扬,吹出笛声来。
In the midst of their chattering and laughter, suddenly startling them into silence, the undulant, lamenting sound of a flute came floating up to them from the cassia-trees below.
趁着这明月清风,天空地静,真令人烦心顿释,万虑齐除,肃然危坐,默然相赏。
Beautiful at any time, such music heard in the stillness of the night under the great vault of the sky with a bright moon above and only the cold, invisible night wind stirring in the earth below steals like a balm over the soul, soothing and dissolving all earthly griefs and cares.
They listened, rapt and silent, with upturned, attentive faces.
听约两盏茶时,方才止住。
The music continued for about the space in which one could comfortably have drunk two cups of tea and then stopped.
大家称赞不已,于是遂又斟上暖酒来,贾母笑道:“果然好听么?”
The momentary silence which followed it was broken by cries of admiration from all present.
The winecups were replenished with warm wine. ‘You see,' said Grandmother Jia. ‘It is good, isn't it?”