第一回: Chunk 28

derek

August 22, 2008, 11:50 AM posted in General Discussion

那道人道: "果是罕闻.实未闻有还泪之说.想来这一段故事,比历来风月事故更加琐碎细腻了."那僧道:"历来几个风流人物,不过传其大概以及诗词篇章而已,至家庭闺阁中一饮一食,总未述记.再者,大半风月故事,不过偷香窃玉,暗约私奔而已,并不曾将儿女之真情发泄一二.想这一干人入世,其情痴色鬼,贤愚不肖者,悉与前人传述不同矣. "那道人道:"趁此何不你我也去下世度脱几个,岂不是一场功德?"那僧道:"正合吾意,你且同我到警幻仙子宫中,将蠢物交割清楚,待这一干风流孽鬼下世已完,你我再去.如今虽已有一半落尘,然犹未全集."道人道:"既如此,便随你去来."

That Daoist said: [This] indeed is a rare story. [i] really have not heard [of this] talk of repaying tears. Presumably this story, compared to romantic incidents throughout the ages [is] even more fine and exquisite. That Buddhist said: Throughout the ages a few distinguished characters, however only passed on a general outline along with their poetic words and writings, of the daily life within the household boudoir, there is always no narrative record.
 

Moreover, more than half of romantic stories, only indulge in illicit relations with women, secret meetings and elopement, not once expressing the true sentiments between men and women. Consider [that] this group of people entering the world, infatuated and lewd, virtuous and unworthy, [are] indeed entirely different to [those] predecessors narratives. That Daoist said: Why don't you and I take advantage of this to go down to the world and free a few of them, how can that not be a meritorious service?

That Buddhist said: Exactly my idea, you along with myself [shall] go to the palace of the goddess Jing Huan, with this stupid thing complete a clear transaction, [then] take this group of romantic sinners down to the world then complet [this matter], you and I will once again go. Now, although already half have descended to the world, [this] scheme is still not complete. That Daoist said: Now it is so, [i] will go with you.

Breakdown:

那道人道: "果是罕闻.实未闻有还泪之说.想来这一段故事,比历来风月事故更加琐碎细腻了." ->
That Daoist said: [This] (果) indeed is a (罕闻) rare story. [i] really have not heard [of this] talk of (还泪) repaying tears. (想来) Presumably this story, compared to (风月事故) romantic incidents (历来) throughout the ages [is] even more (琐碎细腻) fine and exquisite.

那僧道:"历来几个风流人物,不过传其大概以及诗词篇章而已,至家庭闺阁中一饮一食,总未述记. ->
That Buddhist said: Throughout the ages a few (风流人物) distinguished characters, however only passed on their (大概) general outline along with their (诗词) poetic words and (篇章) writings, of the (一饮一食) daily life within the household boudoir, there is always no (述记) narrative record.

(一饮一食: drinking and eating, food and drink?)

再者,大半风月故事,不过偷香窃玉,暗约私奔而已,并不曾将儿女之真情发泄一二. ->
Moreover, (大半) more than half of (风月故事) romantic stories, only (偷香窃玉) indulge in illicit relations with women, (暗约私奔) secret meetings and elopement, not once expressing the (真情) true sentiments between (儿女) men and women. 

(偷香窃玉: a 成语, stealing fragrance and pilfering jade; 暗约私奔: another 成语?; 并不曾...一二: emphatically not once?; 不过....而已: merely...only; however...only;)

想这一干人入世,其情痴色鬼,贤愚不肖者,悉与前人传述不同矣." ->
Consider [that] (这一干) this group of (人入世) people entering the world, (情痴色鬼) infatuated and lewd, (贤愚不肖) virtuous and unworthy, [are] indeed (悉) entirely different to [those] (前人) predecessors (传述) narratives.

那道人道:"趁此何不你我也去下世度脱几个,岂不是一场功德?" ->
That Daoist said: (何不) Why don't you and I take (趁此) advantage of this to go down to the world and (度脱) release a few of them, (岂不是) how can that not be a (功德) meritorious service?

(度脱: release, free, assist?)

那僧道:"正合吾意,你且同我到警幻仙子宫中,将蠢物交割清楚,待这一干风流孽鬼下世已完,你我再去.如今虽已有一半落尘,然犹未全集." ->
That Buddhist said: (正合吾意) Exactly my idea, you along with myself [shall] go to the (警幻仙子宫) palace of the goddess Jing Huan, with this (蠢物) stupid thing (交割清楚) complete a clear transaction, [then] take this group of (风流孽鬼) romantic sinners down to the world then complete [this matter], you and I will once again go. Now, (虽...然...) although (已) already (一半落尘) half have descended to the world, [this] scheme is still not complete.
 

(交割清楚: transact an understanding?; 犹 = 猷: scheme?)

道人道:"既如此,便随你去来." ->
That Daoist said: Now it is so, [i] will go with you.
(便随 = 随便?)