却说长安城外泾河岸边，有两个贤人：一个是渔翁，名唤张稍；一个是樵子，名唤李定。
instead we shall talk about two wise men who lived beside the banks of the River Jing outside the city of Chang'an.
One was an old fisherman called Zhang Shao and the other was a woodcutter called Li Ding.
他两个是不登科的进士，能识字的山人。
They were both advanced scholars who had never taken the official examination, lettered men of the mountains.
一日，在长安城里，卖了肩上柴，货了篮中鲤，同入酒馆之中，吃了半酣，各携一瓶，顺泾河岸边，徐步而回。张稍道：
One day, when Li Ding had sold his load of firewood and Zhang Shao had sold his basketful of carp in Chang'an city, they went into a tavern, drank till they were half tipsy, and strolled slowly home along the banks of the Jing, each holding a bottle in his hand.
"李兄，我想那争名的，因名丧体；夺利的，为利亡身；受爵的，抱虎而眠；承恩的，袖蛇而去。
“Brother Li,” said Zhang Shao, “it seems to me that people who struggle for fame kill themselves for it; those who compete for profit die for it; those who accept honors sleep with a tiger in their arms; and those who receive imperial favours walk around with snakes in their sleeves.
李定道："张兄说得有理。
“You are right, Brother Zhang,” said Li Ding,
有一《蝶恋花》词为证：§ 烟波万里扁舟小，静依孤篷，西施声音绕。
“and here is a lyric to the tune of The Butterfly Loves the Flowers to prove it: The skiff is tiny amid the misty expanse of waves; Calmly I lean against the single sail, Listening to the voice of Xishi the beauty.
涤虑洗心名利少，闲攀蓼穗蒹葭草。
My thoughts and mind are cleared; I have no wealth or fame As I toy with the waterweed and the rushes.
数点沙鸥堪乐道，柳岸芦湾，妻子同欢笑。
“To count a few gulls makes the journey happy.In the reedy bend, under the willow bank, My wife and children smile with me.
一觉安眠风浪消，无荣无辱无烦恼。”
The moment I fall asleep, wind and waves are quiet; No glory, no disgrace, and not a single worry.”
李定道："你的水秀，不如我的山青。
“Your clear waters are no match for my blue hills,” said Li Ding, “and there is another lyric to the same tune to prove it.
也有个《蝶恋花》词为证：§ 云林一段松花满，默听莺啼，巧舌如调管。
It goes: The cloudy woods are covered with pine blossom.
Hush!
Hear the oriole sing, As if it played a pipe with its cunning tongue.
红瘦绿肥春正暖，倏然夏至光阴转。
With touches of red and ample green the spring is warm; Suddenly the summer's here as the seasons turn.
又值秋来容易换，黄花香，堪供玩。
“When autumn comes the look of things is changed; The scented chrysanthemum Is enough for my pleasure.
迅速严冬如指拈，逍遥四季无人管。”
Soon the cruel winter plucks all off.
I am free through four seasons, at nobody's beck and call.”
渔翁道："你山青不如我水秀，受用些好物，有一《鹧鸪天》为证：§ 仙乡云水足生涯，摆橹横舟便是家。
“You don't enjoy the good things in your blue hills that I do on my clear waters,” replied the fisherman, “and I can prove it with another lyric to the tune of The Partridge Heaven: In this magic land we live off the cloudy waters; With a sweep of the oar the boat becomes a home.
活剖鲜鳞烹绿鳖，旋蒸紫蟹煮红虾。
We cut open the live fish and fry the green turtle As steam coils from the purple crab and the red shrimps bubble.
青芦笋，水荇芽，菱角鸡头更可夸。
Green reed shoots, Sprouts of water-lilies, Better still, water chestnuts and the gorgon fruit,
樵夫道："你水秀不如我山青，受用些好物，亦有一《鹧鸪天》为证：§ 崔巍峻岭接天涯，草舍茅庵是我家。
“Your clear waters cannot compare with my blue hills when it comes to the good things they provide,” said the woodcutter, and I can cite another lyric to the tune The Partridge Heaven as evidence: Mighty crags and towering peaks reach to the sky; A grass hut or a thatched cottage is my home.
香椿叶，黄楝芽，竹笋山茶更可夸。
The leaves of the tree of heaven, Yellow chinaberry sprouts, And, even better, bamboo shoots and wild tea,
渔翁道："你山青真个不如我的水秀，又有《天仙子》一首：§ 一叶小舟随所寓，万迭烟波无恐惧。
“Your blue hills are really nothing on my clear waters,” replied the fisherman, “and there is another lyric to the tune Heavenly Immortal In my little boat I can stay where I like, Having no fear of the many misty waves.
垂钩撒网捉鲜鳞，没酱腻，偏有味，老妻稚子团圆会。
Drop the hook, cast wide the net, to catch fresh fish: Even without fat or sauce, They taste delicious As the whole family eats its meal together.
鱼多又货长安市，换得香醪吃个醉。
“When there are fish to spare I sell them in Chang'an market To buy good liquor and get a little drunk.
蓑衣当被卧秋江，鼾鼾睡，无忧虑，不恋人间荣与贵。"
Covered with my grass cloak I sleep on the autumn river, Snoring soundly Without a care, Not giving a damn for honour and glory.”
樵子道："你水秀还不如我的山青，也有《天仙子》一首：§ 茆舍数椽山下盖，松竹梅兰真可爱。
“Your clear waters still aren't as good as my blue mountains,” came back the woodcutter, “and I too have a Heavenly Immortal lyric to prove it: Where I build a little thatched hut under the hill The bamboo, orchid, plum, and pine are wonderful.