京师人口顺，不叫高二，却都叫他做高毬。
People in the capital were fond of making quips.
后来发迹，便将气毬那字去了“毛傍”，添作“立人”，改作姓高，名俅。
They dubbed him Gao Qiu, or “Gao the Ball.” Later, when he prospered, he changed “Qiu” to another character with the same sound but with a less inelegant meaning.
只在东京城里城外帮闲。
He spent his time gadding about the city and its environs.
因帮了一个生铁王员外儿子使钱，每日三瓦两舍，风花雪月，被他父亲在开封府里告了一纸文状，府尹把高俅断了二十脊杖，迭配出界发放，东京城里人民不许容他在家宿食。
Thanks to him, the son of Master Wang, an iron?shop owner, dissipated a considerable sum of money in theaters, gambling dens and brothels.
For this reason the father made a written complaint against Gao to Kaifeng Prefecture.
The prefect gave Gao twenty strokes, banished him from the city, and forbade the people of the Eastern Capital from either feeding him or giving him shelter.
高俅无计奈何，只得来淮西，临淮州，投奔一个开赌坊的闲汉柳大郎，名唤柳世权。
Gao Qiu's solution was to proffer his services to one Liu Shiquan, known as Liu the Eldest, who ran a gambling house in Linhuai Prefecture, west of the Huaihe River.
后来哲宗天子因拜南郊，感得风调雨顺，放宽恩，大赦天下。
Then Emperor Zhe Zong prayed to Heaven south of the city, and this caused the winds and rains to become very propitious.
The emperor was moved to benevolence, and he declared a general amnesty.
那高俅在临淮州因得了赦宥罪犯，思量要回东京。
Gao Qiu was able to return to the capital.
这柳世权却和东京城里金梁桥下开生药铺的董将仕是亲戚，写了一封书札，收拾些人事盘缠，赍发高俅回东京投奔董将仕家过活。
Liu the Eldest wrote a letter of introduction to Dong Jiangshi, a relative of his who ran a medicinal herb shop near the Bridge of Golden Girders, gave Gao some travelling money, and told him Dong would take care of him.
当时高俅辞了柳大郎，背上包裹，离了临淮州，迤逦回到东京，迳来金梁桥下董生药家下了这一封书。
Gao said goodbye, shouldered his pack and returned to the city, where he delivered the letter to Dong.
董将仕一见高俅，看了柳世权来书，自肚里寻思道：“这高俅，我家如何安得着他？
The druggist took one look at Gao, then read the letter. “How can I put this man up in my home?” he mused.
若是个志诚老实的人，可以容他在家出入，也教孩儿们学些好；他却是个帮闲破落户，没信行的人，亦且当初有过犯来，被断配的人，旧性必一肯改，若留住在家中，倒惹得孩儿们不学好了。”
“It would be different if he were straight and honest.
The children could learn from him.
But he's just a loafer, an untrustworthy fellow who's been exiled for breaking the law, and not the kind likely to reform.
If I keep him here he's liable to teach the children bad ways.
待不收留他，又撇不过柳大郎面皮，当时只得权且欢天喜地相留在家宿歇，每日酒食管待。
Yet if I don't I'll be offending Liu the Eldest.” He had no choice but to receive Gao into his home with pretended delight.
住了十数日，董将仕思量出一个路数，将出一套衣服，写了一封书简，对高俅说道：“小人家下萤火之光，照人不亮，恐后误了足下。
Dong feasted him every day for ten days, then he got an idea.
He presented Gao with a suit of clothes and handed him a letter of introduction. “The light of my household is too feeble,” he said. “It would only be holding you back to keep you here.
我转荐足下与小苏学士处，久后也得个出身。
I'm turning you over to Su Junior, the Court Scholar.
With him you'll be able to make a start.
董将仕使个人将著书简，引领高俅迳到学士府内。
Dong had a servant take the letter and escort Gao to the Court Scholar's residence.
门吏转报。
There, a gateman reported Gao's arrival.
小苏学士出来见了高俅，看了来书。
The Scholar came out and greeted him.
知道高俅原是帮闲浮浪的人，心下想道：“我这里如何安着得他？
He saw from the letter of introduction that Gao was a scamp. “I can't take this man in,” thought the Scholar.
不如做个人情，荐他去驸王晋卿府里做个亲随。
“As a favor to Dong I'll send him to Wang Jinqing, the Young Prince Consort, to serve as a retainer.
人都唤他做小王都太尉，他便欢喜这样的人。”
The Young Prince likes that sort of fellow.”
当时回了董将仕书札，留高俅在府里住了一夜。
He wrote Dong a reply and let Gao stay the night.
次日，写了一封书呈，使个干人送高俅去那小王都太尉处。
The next day he wrote another letter and dispatched it with a steward who took Gao Qiu to the residence of the Young Prince.
这太尉乃是哲宗皇帝妹夫，神宗皇帝的驸马。
Wang had married a younger sister of Emperor Zhe Zong before he took the throne and while Emperor Shen Zong still reigned.
他喜爱风流人物，正用这样的人；一见小苏学士差人持书送这高俅来，拜见了，便喜。
The Young Prince was partial to adventurous men, and he staffed his retinue with them.
He liked Gao the moment he saw him with the Scholar's letter?bearing servant.