马介甫
原文：
杨万石，大名*诸生*也，生平有“季常之惧*”。妻尹氏，奇悍，少迕之，辄以鞭挞从事。杨父年六十余而鳏*，尹以齿奴隶数*。杨与弟万钟常窃饵翁，不敢令妇知。然衣败絮，恐贻讪笑*，不令见客。万石四十无子，纳妾王，旦夕不敢通一语。兄弟候试郡中，见一少年，容服都雅。与语，悦之，询其姓字，自云：“介甫，马姓。”由此交日密，焚香为昆季之盟*。
注释：
1．大名：今河北省大名县。2．诸生：明清时期经考试录取而进入府、州、县各级学校学习的生员。生员有增生、附生、廪生、例生等，统称诸生。3．季常之惧：惧内，即怕老婆，俗称“妻管严”。季常，宋朝人陈慥（读“造”），字季常。怕老婆。妻子柳氏极其凶悍，经常大喊大叫。苏东坡有诗云：“龙丘居士亦可怜，谈空说有夜不眠。忽闻河东狮子吼，拄杖落手心茫然。”从此，就用“河东狮吼”来形容妻子凶悍。4．忤：不顺从。读“五”。5鳏：无妻或丧妻独居的男人。读“官”。如鳏寡孤独。6．齿奴隶数：列于奴隶之数。就是当作奴隶看待。齿，列入。7．贻讪笑：被人笑话。讪笑，讥笑。讪，读“善”。另如“贻笑大方”，让内行人见笑。8．昆季之盟：结拜兄弟。昆季，兄弟。长者为昆，幼者为季。
白话：
杨万石，是河北大名府的生员，生来有怕老婆的毛病。妻子尹氏，极其凶悍，谁稍微有点不顺从，就用鞭子抽打。杨万石的父亲六十多岁，一人独居，尹氏把他当奴隶看待。杨万石和弟弟万钟经常偷偷地给老人送些吃的，不敢让悍妇知道。可是老人破衣烂衫，她又怕被别人笑话，就不让他见客人。万石已经四十岁还没有儿子，就纳了一房小妾王氏，可是一天到晚也不敢和她说一句话。兄弟俩在县城等待考试，见到一名少年，穿戴不俗，仪容儒雅。和他说话，他很高兴，问他姓名，他说：“名叫介甫，姓马。”从此双方交往日益密切，并烧香结为拜把兄弟。
英译：
Yang Wanshi, a scholar in Daming County, was a hen-pecked man. His wife Yin was an
extremely fiery woman. Whoever offended her, even slightly, would be severely whipped.
His father, over sixty years old, lived by himself and was treated as a slave by Yang’s wife, his daughter-in-law. Yang and his brother could only give their father something to eat secretly. They didn’t dare to let the woman know. The poor old man was always dressed in rags. She didn’t allow him to appear publicly lest others should laugh at her.
At the age of over forty, Yang still had no sons and therefore got Wang as his concubine, but he didn’t dare to say anything to her from morning till night. While waiting for the county-class examination in town, these two brothers saw a young man wearing beautiful garments and bearing a grandeur appearance. After talking with him, they found they liked him very much. Being asked about his name, the young man said, “My name is Ma jiefu.” From then on, they had a close relationship and finally became sworn brothers through an incense-burning ceremony.
原文：
既别，约半载，马忽携僮仆过杨。值杨翁在门外曝阳扪虱*，疑为佣仆，通姓氏使达主人，翁披絮去。或告曰：“此即其翁也。”马方惊讶，杨兄弟岸帻*出迎。登堂一揖，便请朝父，万石辞以偶恙。促坐笑语，不觉向夕*，万石屡言具食*而终不见至。兄弟迭互出入，始有瘦奴持壶酒来，俄顷饮尽。坐伺良久，万石频起催呼，额颊间热汗蒸腾。俄瘦奴以馔具出，脱粟失饪*，殊不甘旨*。食已，万石草草硬去。万钟襆被来伴客寝，马责之曰：“曩以伯仲*高义，遂同盟好。今老父实不温饱，行道者羞之！”万钟泫然曰：“在心之情，卒难申致。家门不吉，蹇遭*悍嫂，尊长细弱*，横被催残。非沥血之好*，此丑不敢扬也。”马骇叹移时，曰：“我初欲早旦而行，今得此异闻，不可不一目见之。请假闲舍，就便自炊。”万钟从其教，即除室*为马安顿。夜深窃馈蔬稻，惟恐妇知。马会其意，力却之，且请杨翁与同食寝。自诣城肆市布帛，为易袍裤，父子兄弟皆感泣。万钟有子喜儿方七岁，夜从翁眠。马抚之曰：“此儿福寿，过于其父，但少年孤苦耳。”
注释：
1．曝阳扪虱：边晒太阳边拿虱子。2．岸帻：头巾扎得很高，露出前额。岸，高。帻，头巾，读“择”。指装束简陋，不拘常礼。3．向夕：接近黄昏。4．具食：准备饭食。5．脱粟失饪：粗米做饭，而且夹生。脱粟，粗米。失饪，烹饪失宜，即不到火候，6．甘旨：好吃。旨，好滋味。如“旨酒”，美酒。7．伯仲：兄弟排行顺序“伯仲叔季”中的前两位。此处泛指兄弟。
8．蹇遭：不幸遭遇。蹇，不幸。读“减”。9．细弱：指妻子儿女。10．沥血之好：真挚之交。沥血，滴血。源于“滴血为盟”，发誓进行报复。11．除室：打扫房间。除，除尘。
白话：
分别之后，过了大约半年，马介甫忽然带着僮仆从杨家门口路过。正碰见杨老汉在门外一边晒太阳一边拿虱子，他以为是佣人奴仆，就让他去向主人通报自己的姓名，老汉身披破棉絮走了。有人告诉他说：“这就是杨万石的老爹。”马介甫这才感到十分惊讶，杨家兄弟俩只是高高地扎着头巾就出来迎接。进入房间之后，马介甫向杨家兄弟作揖，请求见一见杨父，万石以偶然患病为由加以推辞。促膝谈笑，不觉时已黄昏，万石屡次说备饭，可始终不见来。兄弟俩轮番进进出出地催，才有一个瘦瘦的奴仆端出一壶酒来，没多大工夫就喝完了。坐着等了很久，万石一遍又一边地喊叫催促，急得脑门热汗直冒气。不一会儿瘦奴仆端着碗筷出来，不仅是粗米，还半生不熟，很难吃。吃过饭，万石匆匆忙忙地硬是离开了。万钟准备被褥来陪伴客人睡觉，马介甫责备说：“从前以为杨兄品格高尚，才和他结为兄弟。今天才看到老父其实不得温饱，让我这个外姓的客人都感到羞耻！”万钟伤心落泪地说：“内心的真实感情，实在难以启齿。我家倒霉，不幸出了个凶狠毒辣的嫂嫂，无论长幼，一家老小都被她横加摧残。不是知心朋友，这件丑事真不敢外扬啊。”马介甫惊恐万状，叹息好久，说：“我原打算天亮后早早地就走，现在听到这件怪事，不可袖手旁观。请借给我一间空闲的屋子，我自己做饭。”万钟遵照他的旨意，立即打扫房间，为马安顿住处。夜深人静的时候偷偷地送来蔬菜和米，惟恐悍妇知道。马对他的处境心领神会，极力推辞，而且还请求杨老汉和他一起吃饭睡觉。自己亲自到城里去买布料，为老人换上新袍新裤，父子兄弟都感激涕零。万钟有个子叫喜儿，刚七岁，夜间和老人一起睡。马抚摸着他说：“这孩子的福寿，都超过他爹，只是小时候孤苦伶仃的。”
英译：
Half year or so after parting with Yang, Ma passed by Yang’s home. Yang’s father happened to sit outside the door, with the help of the sunshine, fumbling in his shabby clothes for lice. Considering him an old servant, Ma asked him to report to his master on his arrival. The old man put on his shabby clothes and ran into the compound.
“This old man is Yang’s father,” someone said. Ma was astonished.
Decently dressed, Yang and his brother came out to greet him. Entering the hall, Ma wanted to meet their father. But Yang said that his father was ill so he couldn’t meet him.
Having a heart-to-heart talk, they didn’t realize that dusk was coming near. Yang repeatedly urged the servant to prepare lunch. But the servant didn’t appear. Only after the two brothers went in and came out time and again, did a thin servant come out with a wine pot in hand. But the wine was all drunk up before long.
They had been awaiting food for a long time. But no respond. Standing up and sitting down repeatedly, Yang anxiously urged the servant. His forehead and cheeks were soaked through with steaming sweat.
After a while, the thin servant brought out the meal, only some underdone coarse rice, which was hardly eatable.
After dinner, Yang left hurriedly and let his brother accompany Ma to go to bed. Yang’s brother was busy making the bed.
“I make friends with your brother because I think he is a noble man.” Ma said. “But your father suffers from hunger and cold. It’s a disgrace to him!”
With tears in his eyes, the brother said, “It cannot be told in a few words in haste. It’s a misfortune for our family to have my fiery sister-in-law. My brother is weak by nature. He has gone through all sorts of sufferings. Family scandals shouldn’t be made known in public. Only because you’re our intimate friend do I dare to tell you the truth. Otherwise I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
Much scared, Ma sighed woefully.
“According to my original plan, I’ll leave here early tomorrow morning.” Ma said. “But now I changed my mind. Now that I know your misfortune, I cannot stand by with folded arms. Let me have an unused room. I’ll do the cooking by myself. ”
The brother made a hasty preparation accordingly. He stealthily brought some rice and vegetables to Ma deep at night for fear the fiery woman should know. Understanding what he meant, Ma firmly declined his kindness. But the brother just didn’t listen to him. Ma could do nothing but accept the rice and vegetables.
Moreover, Ma also requested the old man eat and sleep together with him. Next morning, Ma went to town to buy some new clothes for the old man. The father and sons were moved to tears of gratitude.
Wanzhong had a son named Xi Er at the age of seven. Every nitht, the little one slept with his granpa. Caressing the boy’s head, Ma said, “This boy outstrips his father both in age and happiness. Only alone and helpless in childhood.”
原文：
妇闻老翁安饱，大怒，辄骂，谓马强预人家事。初恶声尚在闺闼，渐近马居，以示瑟歌*之意。杨兄弟汗体徘徊，不能制止；而马若弗闻也者。妾王，体妊五月，妇始知之，褫衣*惨掠。已，乃唤万石跪受巾帼*，操鞭逐出。值马在外，惭懅不前，又追逼之，始出。妇亦随出，叉手顿足，观者填溢*。马指妇叱曰：“去，去！”妇即反奔，若被鬼逐，裤履俱脱，足缠*萦绕于道上，徒跣*而归，面色灰死。少定，婢进袜履，着已，噭啕*大哭。家无敢问者。马曳万石为解巾帼，万石耸身定息，如恐脱落，马强脱之，而坐立不宁，犹惧以私脱加罪。探妇哭已，乃敢入，次且*而前。妇殊不发一语，遽起，入房自寝。万石意始舒，与弟窃奇焉。家人皆以为异，相聚偶语。妇微有闻，益羞怒，遍挞奴婢。呼妾，妾创剧不能起。妇以为伪，就榻搒之，崩注堕胎。万石于无人处，对马哀啼，马慰解之。呼僮具牢馔*，更筹再唱*，不放万石归。
注释：
1．以示瑟歌之意：指有意骂给马介甫听。俗话说的“念山音”。源于《论语。阳货》篇，孺悲想见孔子，而孔子不想见他。但是传话的人刚出门，他就“取瑟而歌，使之闻之”。说孔子拿出琴来弹，故意让孺悲听到。2．褫衣惨掠：剥掉衣服痛打。褫，读“齿”。3．巾帼：古时女子的头巾发饰等。把这些东西交给男人，讽刺羞辱他没有男子气。4．填溢：大街小巷站满人。5．足缠：旧时女子的裹脚布。6．徒跣：光脚。跣，赤脚。读“显”。7．噭咷：嚎啕。噭，音义皆同“叫”。咷，哭。读“陶”。8．次且：且进且退，战战兢兢。也作“趑趄”。都读“资居”。9．崩注：血崩，血流如注。10．牢馔：饭食。牢，古时祭祀用的牲畜。此处与“馔”连用借指饭菜。11．更筹再唱：二更天。更筹，也叫“更签”。古时夜间报时的签牌。此处以一个更签指一更天。“再”当然就是第二（更）了。
白话：
悍妇闻听老翁得到温饱，大怒而骂，指责马介甫强行干预他人家事。起初恶骂声还只是在闺房之中，渐渐地传到马介甫的住处，故意骂给马介甫听。杨氏兄弟汗流浃背徘徊不定，不能制止；而马介夫似乎没有听到。小妾王氏，怀孕已经五个月，悍妇才知道，于是剥掉她的衣服痛打一顿。打完之后，就招呼万石下跪拿过头巾系在身上以示羞辱，然后举起鞭子把他赶出去。正好马介甫在外面，万石羞愧不敢往前走，悍妇又追上前去逼他往前跑，万石这才跑出去。悍妇也跟出去，叉手顿足，围观的人到处都是。马介甫指着悍妇呵斥道：“去，去！”悍妇随即倒退着奔跑起来，好像被鬼追逐一样，裤子和鞋都跑掉了，裹脚布也乱七八糟地落在路上，光着脚跑回家，面色死灰。稍微安定一下，婢女把鞋袜拿进屋，穿完之后，嚎啕大哭。一家人谁也不敢问。马介甫拉过万石帮他解开头巾，万石耸耸身子定定神，似乎很怕头巾脱落，马介甫强行解下来，万石显得坐立不安，好像害怕悍妇会因此再给他加罪。偷偷地窥探，见悍妇已经哭完，这才敢进屋，但是依然战战兢兢，不敢靠前。悍妇更是一言不发，后来突然起身，进入房间独自睡下。万石这才像是松口气，与弟弟暗自惊奇。家人也都觉得奇怪，聚在一起窃窃私语。悍妇稍微听到一点，于是恼羞成怒，把奴婢打了个遍。然后又招呼小妾，小妾疼得厉害不能起身。悍妇以为她在装假，就跑到床前去打，结果血流如注，流产了。万石在没有人的地方，对着马介甫悲伤地啼哭，马介甫好言安慰他。又叫僮仆备饭，直到二更天，还不放万石回去。
英译：
Learning the old man no longer suffered from hunger and cold, the fiery woman flew into a rage and showered abuse ferociously. She censured Ma for poking his nose into other’s business.
At the beginning, the woman shouted only in her own room and then came roaring with rage just nearby the room where Ma stayed in. What she meant was to deliberately let Ma hear.
The two brothers could do nothing to stop her but anxiously pace back and forth streaming with sweat. But Ma didn’t turn a hair as if hearing nothing.
Yang’s concubine had been pregnant for five months. But the woman learnt it only on this moment. She tore off the pregnant woman’s dress and gave her a good beating. The fiery woman also brought humiliation upon her own hu*****and by forcing him to kneel down and put on a woman’s shawl and some woman’s jewelry. It meant this man lacked manhood.
Worse of all, the woman also wanted to drive out Yang with a whip. Finding Ma stand outside the door, Yang felt terribly ashamed and reluctant to run out. Only when he was pushed by his wife did he come out of his room. The crazy woman was in hot pursuit of Yang and then stood there with arms akimbo and feet stamped. Many villagers hurried over and the place was packed like sardines.
Pointing the mad woman with his forefinger, Ma said, “Go, go, go.”
But odd enough, instead of turning round, the fiery woman should run backward as if driven by ghost. Moreover, her pants and shoes should fall down automatically. A moment later, she came back bare-foot and looked ghastly pale. Shortly, a maid brought her a new pair of shoes and a clean dress. Putting on the shoes and dress, the woman began to cry loudly. No one dared to ask why.
Ma pulled Yang over and helped him take off the shawl and jewelries. Trembling with fear, Yang stood there with bated breath as if he was afraid the shawl and jewelries would be taken off. Ma just took them off by force.
Yang couldn’t sit still as if afraid he would be doubly guilty because of taking them off without the approval of his crazy wife. Only on seeing his wife already stopped crying, did Jack dare to go in, but even so, he still walked with great difficulty.
Without saying anything, the woman abruptly rose to her feet and walked into the bedroom and went to bed by herself. Just at this moment was Yang relaxed. Either he or his brother felt strange secretly. Greatly astonished, other members of the family began to gather and whisper.
Learning a little bit about the truth, the woman flew into a rage out of humiliation and beat her maids angrily. She wanted to call over Yang’s concubine who was wounded so seriously that she couldn’t get up. Thinking she pretended to be pitiful, the mad woman rushed to her bed and gave her a good beating. The poor concubine shed too much blood and gave premature birth to a little baby boy.
Yang secretly went to Ma for help and swept sorrowfully. Ma did his best to comfort the poor man and at the second watch of the night, called over the servants to prepare a meal for Ma. He didn’t let Yang go back.
原文：
妇在闺房，恨夫不归，方大恚忿，闻撬扉声，急呼婢，则室门已辟。有巨人入，影蔽一室，狰狞如鬼；俄又有数人入，各执利刃。妇骇绝欲号，巨人以刀刺颈曰：“号便杀却！”妇急以金帛赎命。巨人曰：“我冥曹*使者，不要钱，但取悍妇心耳！妇益惧，自投败颡*。巨人乃以利刃画妇心而数之曰：“如某事，谓可杀否？”即以画。凡一切凶悍之事，责数殆尽，刀画肤革不啻*数十。末乃曰：“妾生子，亦尔宗绪，何忍打堕？此事必不可宥！”乃令数人反接其手，剖视悍妇心肠。妇叩头乞命，但言知悔。俄闻中门启闭，曰：“杨万石来矣。既已悔过，姑留余生。”纷然尽散。无何，万石入，见妇赤身绷系*，心头刀痕，纵横不可数。解而问之，得其故，大骇，窃疑马。明日，向马述之，马亦骇。由是妇威渐敛，经数月不敢出一恶语。马大喜，告万石曰：“实告君，幸勿宣泄，前以小术惧之。既得好合，请暂别也。”遂去。
注释：
1．冥曹：阴曹地府。
2．自投败颡：自己磕头，磕破脑门。自投，叩头求饶。颡，前额。读“嗓”。
3．不啻：不止。
4．绷系：捆绑。
白话：
悍妇在闺房，恨丈夫不归，就大发雷霆之怒，听到撬门声，急忙呼喊婢女，可是房门已开。有巨人进入，影子把全屋都遮住了，面目狰狞如鬼；然后又有几个人进来，都举着锋利的刀。悍妇惊恐万状，想喊叫，巨人用刀刺她的脖颈说：“叫唤就杀死你！”悍妇急忙用金帛赎命。巨人说：“我是阴间使者，不要钱，只是来取悍妇的心！”悍妇越发恐惧，急忙叩头，把脑门都磕破了。巨人就用锋利的刀，一边在悍妇的胸口比划，一边数落道：“像你这样办事，该不该杀？”随后又接着比划。悍妇所做的一切坏事，都数落一遍，刀子在她的皮肤上划了不止数十下。划完才说：“小妾生子，也是你家的后代，怎么忍人打胎呢？这件事一定不可饶恕！”于是下令，让几个人反剪悍妇的双手，剖视悍妇的心肠。悍妇叩头乞求饶命，一个劲地说已经知道后悔。不一会儿听到有人把门打开又关上，说：“杨万石来了。既然她已经悔过，暂且留她一条性命。”几个人纷纷离散。片刻之后，万石进来，见媳妇赤身裸体地被捆绑着，胸口还有刀痕，横七竖八地数不清有多少。为她松绑，经过询问，才得知事情真相，非常害怕，心中怀疑是马介甫干的。第二天，向马介甫讲述这件事，马介甫也很害怕。从此之后，悍妇的淫威渐渐收敛，长达数月不敢说出一句恶语。马介甫非常高兴，告诉万石说：“实话告诉你，千万别向外泄露，我此前是用小小的法术吓唬她。既然已经合好，我就暂时离开吧。”于是他就走了。
英译：
Being in her bedroom, the mad woman was annoyed with his hu*****and for his not coming back. But before she could cry out, there came a sound as if someone was prying the door. She was going to call her maids, but the door was already pushed open. Then a giant came in with his shadow covering the whole room and with his features ferocious as a ghost. Shortly, a few more people entered the room with sharp knives in hands. Scared to death, the woman was going to cry. But the giant put his knife onto her neck.
“I’ll kill you if you cry!” the giant said to her.
She hurriedly took out some money to redeem her life.
“We come from the nether world and don’t want money.” The giant said continuously. “What I want is your heart!”
She became much more scared and kowtowed to the giant begging for mercy. The giant scratched her chest where her heart was located with his sharp knife and at the same time kept on scolding her about all the evil things she did. Her skin was scratched no less than several decades of times.
After scratching, the giant said to her, “The baby boy was certainly produced by your hu*****and’s concubine. But he is also your descendant. How do you have the heart to have the baby aborted? I’ll never forgive you your crimes.”
The giant forced her to turn round and cross her hands at the back and then cut her chest open to examine her heart. The woman kowtowed to him begging for mercy and repenting of her crimes. Shortly, the door was open.
“Yang’s coming.” The giant said. “Now that you repent of your crimes, I spare your life for the time being.”
All ghosts left. A few minutes later, Yang came in. He found his wife’s naked body tightly bound. Crisscrossing in her chest, countless knife-cut marks were still oozing blood. He untied her wife and asked what had happened. Learning the true story, he was scared and suspected this must be done by Ma.
Next day, Yang told Ma about this matter. Ma was scared, too. But from then on, the woman began to draw in her horns. She didn’t dare to utter even a single vicious word within several months.
Much delighted, Ma told Yang, “I’m willing to tell you the truth. Don’t let out the secret to anyone.” Ma said continuously, “It was done by me. I only want to scare her with some trifling skills. Now that your mutual relation has been improved, I’d better leave.”
Ma left.
原文：
妇每日暮，挽留万石作侣，欢笑而承迎之。万石生平不解此乐，遽遭之，觉坐立皆无所可。妇一夜忆巨人状，瑟缩摇战。万石思媚妇意，微露其假。妇遽起，苦致穷诘。万石自觉失言，而不能悔，遂实告之。妇勃然大骂，万石惧，长跽*床下。妇不顾，哀至漏三下*，妇曰：“欲得我恕，须以刀画汝心头如干数，此恨始消。”乃起捉厨刀。万石大惧而奔，妇逐之。犬吠鸡腾，家人尽起。万钟不知何故，但以身左右翼兄。妇乃诟詈，忽见翁来，睹袍服，倍益烈怒，即就翁身条条割裂，批颊而摘翁髭。万钟见之怒，以石击妇，中颅，颠蹶而毙。万钟曰：“我死而父兄得生，何憾！”遂投井中，救之已死。移时妇复苏，闻万钟死，怒亦遂解。既殡，弟妇恋儿，矢不嫁。妇唾骂不与食，醮去之。遗孤儿，朝夕受鞭楚，俟家人食讫，始啖以冷块。积半岁，儿尪羸*，仅存气息。
注释：
1．长跽：长跪。双膝着地，上身挺直。读“计”。2．漏三下：三更天。漏，刻漏。古时的计时器。壶中蓄水，壶底穿孔。壶内竖刻度浮标。以壶中漏水后浮标显示的度数计算时辰。3醮：再嫁。读“叫”。4．尪羸：瘦弱。读“汪雷”。
白话：
悍妇每天晚上都挽留万石作伴，欢声笑语来应承他。万石生来就不理解这种快乐，乍一遇到这种情况，觉得坐立不安，不知如何是好。悍妇一天夜里回忆起见到巨人的情形，害怕得畏畏缩缩，直打哆嗦。万石想向悍妇献媚，结果露出点马脚。悍妇立即起身，刨根问底。万石自知说走了嘴，可是后悔已经来不及，于是向她说了实话。悍妇勃然大怒，破口叫骂，万石害怕，腰板挺直地跪在床下好长时间。悍妇不管不顾，万石苦苦哀求，一直到三更天，悍妇才说：“想得到我的宽恕，必须用刀在你胸口也划我那么多下，我才能解恨。”于是起身拿起菜刀。万石吓得急忙跑开，悍妇紧追不放。弄得鸡犬不宁，全家人都被折腾起来。万钟不知这是为什么，只是用身子左右地护着哥哥。悍妇就破口大骂，忽然看见公公来了，见他穿戴整齐，就加倍地暴怒，随后用刀在公公身上划出条条伤痕，又抽嘴巴，又揪胡须。万钟见后大怒，向悍妇投掷石块，正击中脑袋，立即抽抽嗒嗒地死掉了。万钟说：“我死了，可保住父兄的性命，这没什么可遗憾的！”于是就投井自杀，救上来已经死了。过一会儿，悍妇神志清醒过来，听说万钟已死，怒火才解除。出过殡之后，弟媳妇留恋儿子，发誓不改嫁。悍妇连吐唾沫带辱骂，也不给饭吃，终于把她改嫁出去。留下一个孤儿，一天到晚遭鞭打，等家人吃过饭，才吃点残羹冷饭。到了半岁的时候，孩子变得非常瘦弱，已经气息奄奄。
英译：
Every evening, the woman, with an apologetic smile, asked Yang to accompany her. But Yang always refused her request because he had never experienced this sort of happiness. If accepting her kindness, he would feel restless with anxiety as if sitting on pins and needles. What a contemptible wretch he was!
One night, the woman recalled her meeting with the giant and began to tremble with fear. Trying to make up to his wife, Yang slightly let out the secret to her. She got up abruptly and questioned him endlessly just wanting to get to the root of the matter.
Yang realized he’d made a gaffe, but it was too late to repent. He could do nothing but tell the whole truth. The woman flared up immediately and poured out a torrent of abuse. Terribly frightened, Yang knelt down for a long time in front of her bed. But she didn’t pay any attention to him. Yang had been asking for pardon up to the third watch of the night.
“If you want to get my pardon, you must let me scratch your chest a hundred times with a knife,” said the woman. “Only by doing so can I give vent to my rankling hatred.”
She rose and took up a kitchen knife. Scared to death, Yang fled in panic. Going in hot pursuit of her hu*****and, the mad woman caused quite a commotion. The whole family was startled.
Without knowing what had happened, Yang’s brother could do nothing but shield Yang with his own body. While showering abuse, the woman saw her father-in-law coming over and found the old man well dressed. Becoming angrier than ever before, the crazy woman ferociously chopped his body with the kitchen knife and then cut his cheeks and pulled out his beard.
Seeing this, Yang’s brother burst into anger and picked up a stone and tossed it to her. Hit right on her head, the mad woman went off in a faint immediately.
“Let me pay life with life,” said the brother. “So long as my father and brother can live without mishap, I’ll die content.”
On finishing his words, the brother drowned himself in a well. To be dredged out, he already died.
The crazy woman waked up before long. Only on learning the death of Yang’s brother did she begin to mollify her anger.
After funeral, the wife of Yang’s brother refused to remarry for fear she should not be allowed to take her son who may be ill-treated. But the fiery woman persisted in spitting on her and reviling her endlessly. Worse of all, she didn’t give her anything to eat. At last, the poor woman was forced to remarry. She was certainly not allowed to take her little son.
The orphan was beat up or whipped from morning till night. Only after the whole family finished dinner could he get some cold leavings to eat. Half year later, the boy was reduced to a mere skeleton at his last gasp.
原文：
一日，马忽至，万石嘱家人，勿以告妇。马见翁褴缕如故，大骇；又闻万钟殒谢*，顿足悲哀。儿闻马至，便来依恋，前呼马叔。马不能识，审顾始辩，惊曰：“儿何憔悴至此！”翁乃嗫嚅*具道情事，马忿然谓万石曰，我曩道兄非人，果不谬。两人止此一线*，杀之，将奈何？”万石不言，惟伏首帖耳而泣。坐语数刻，妇己知之，不敢自出逐客，但呼万石入，批*使绝马。含涕而出，批痕俨然。马怒之曰：“兄不能威，独不能断‘出’*耶？殴父杀弟，安然忍之，何以为人！”万石欠伸，似有动容。马又激之曰：“如渠*不去，理须杀；即便杀却勿惧。仆有二三知交，都居要地，必合极力，保无亏也。”万石喏，负气疾行，奔而入。适与妇遇，叱问：“何为？”万石皇遽失色，以手据地曰：“马生教余出妇。”妇益恚，顾寻刀杖，万石惧而却步。马唾之曰：“兄真不可教也已！”遂开箧，出刀圭药，合水授万石饮。曰：“此丈夫再造散。所以不轻用者，以能病人故耳。今不得已，暂试之。”
注释：
1．殒谢：殒灭凋谢，指死亡。2．嗫嚅：因害怕而吞吞吐吐地说。3．一线：一条血脉。指一子单传的后代。4．批：扇耳光。5．出：休妻。6．渠：第三人称他或她。7．刀圭药：一小勺药。刀圭，古时量药的用具。古读音如”“条耕”，就是今天的“调羹”，汤勺。
白话：
一天，马介甫忽然来到，万石嘱咐家人，不要把这件事告诉悍妇。马介甫见老汉还和从前一样破衣烂衫，大为吃惊；又听说万钟已死，躲着脚地哭，极其悲伤。小儿听说马介甫来了，就过来依偎在他身边，直喊马叔叔。马介甫一时认不出，仔细看过之后才认出来，吃惊地说：“孩子怎么憔悴到这个地步！”老汉就吞吞吐吐地把事情从头至尾说一遍，马介甫气愤地对万石说，“我从前就说杨兄你不会做人，果然不错。你们兄弟两人只有这一线单传，杀了她，又该怎么样？”万石不说话，只是伏首帖耳地哭泣。二人坐在那里说了几个时辰的话，悍妇己经得知此事，不敢自己出来驱逐客人，只是叫万石进屋，打着耳光迫使他与马介甫断绝来往。万石含泪而出，耳光的痕迹历历在目。马介甫愤怒地说：“杨兄挺不起腰杆也就罢了，你怎么就不能把她休掉呢？殴打老父残杀亲弟，你却心安理得地忍受，怎么做人哪！”万石欠了欠身子，伸了伸胳膊，似乎跃跃欲试，有所动作。马介甫又用激将法说：“如果她不走，理应杀掉；即便杀了也别怕。我有两三个知交，都身居要职，一定会不遗余力地合力相助，保你没有事。”万石答应着，憋着一口气很快地向前走，进入屋内。刚好迎面碰到悍妇。悍妇大声问：“怎么回事？”万石惊慌失色，立即用手按着地说：“马生教我休妻。”悍妇越发愤怒，环视四周，寻找刀子棍棒，万石吓得直往后退。马介甫吐着唾沫说：“杨兄真是执迷不悟！”开箱取出一小勺药，加上水让万石喝。说：“这是丈夫再造散。之所以不轻易用，是因为它能使病人死掉。今天出于不得已，暂且试一试。”
英译：
One day, Ma came suddenly. Yang asked his family not to tell his wife about it. Ma was scared when finding the old man was dressed as shabbily as before. On learning the death of Yang’s brother, he felt particularly sorrowful. The little son of Yang’s brother ran over when he learnt Ma had come. The little boy snuggled up to Ma and affectionately called him uncle. At the beginning, Ma couldn’t recognize him and only after carefully scrutinizing, did he make out the boy.
“How can you be so thin?” he felt astonished and asked.
Hen and haw, the old man told him the story.
Ma said to Yang angrily, “I’ve never thought you were a true man from the very outset. It’s quite so.” Ma said continuously, “You two brothers only have this boy. Even if you kill her, there is no one who can do anything with you.”
Yang could do nothing but listen to him with slavish submission and weep silently. Ma sat there talking with Yang. And the woman found it before long. She didn’t dare to go out and show Ma the door. But instead, she asked Yang to go in, slapped his face and ordered him to cut down the relation with Ma. Yang came out with tears in his eyes. And the impression of his wife’s hand on his face was still visible.
Ma angrily rebuked Yang, “You even don’t have a dignified and awe-inspiring look. How can you make things difficult for her? Let alone divorce her.” He said continuously. “She tortured your father and killed your brother. But you should tolerate her cruelties! How can you conduct yourself?”
Yang leaned forward a bit as if getting excited. Once again, Ma goaded him into action, saying, “If she refuses to go away, you should force her to leave. Never fear! Even if kill her, nothing you need to be afraid of. I have some nearest friends. All of them are renowned and influential. They’ll pool efforts to protect you.”
Making a promise, Yang began to take action promptly with the help of a momentary impulsion. He rushed into the room and happened to run up against the crazy woman.
“What’s all this about?” she asked.
Scared out of his wit, Yang knelt down with his hands pressing the floor.
“Ma asks me to divorce you,” Yang said.
Bursting into anger, the woman made an immediate research so as to find a knife or a stick. Yang was scared to death and ran away.
Spitting at Yang, Ma cursed, “You’re really hopeless!”
Opening his box and taking out a spoon of medicine, Ma put the medicine into water and gave it to Yang.
“Take it!” Ma said to Yang. “It’s man remolding medicine. I don’t use it in a rash way because it may do harm to a man. Today I have to use it only for a try.”
原文：
饮下，少顷，万石觉忿气填胸，如烈焰冲烧，刻不容忍，直抵闺闼，叫喊雷动。妇未及诘，万石以足腾起，妇颠去数尺有咫。即复握石成拳，擂击无算。妇体几无完肤，嘲哳*犹詈。万石于腰中出佩刀。妇骂曰：“出刀子，敢杀我耶？”万石不语，割股*上肉大如掌，掷地下。方欲再割，妇哀鸣乞恕。万石不听，又割之。家人见万石凶狂，相集，死力掖出。马迎去，捉臂相用慰劳。万石余怒未息，屡欲奔寻，马止之。少间，药力消，嗒焉若丧*。马嘱曰：“兄勿馁。乾纲*之振，在此一举。夫人之所以惧者，非朝夕之故，其所由来者渐矣。譬之昨死而今生，须从此涤故更新。再一馁，则不可为矣。”遣万石入探入。妇股栗心慴*，倩婢扶起，将以膝行。止之，乃已。出语马生，父子交贺。马欲去，父子共挽之。马曰：“我适有东海之行，故便道相过，还时可复会耳。”月余妇起，宾事良人*。久觉黔驴无技，渐狎，渐嘲，渐骂，居无何，旧态全作矣。翁不能堪，宵遁，至河南隶道士籍，万石亦不敢寻。
注释：
1。嘲哳：鸟叫的声音。读“招扎”。2。股：大腿。2。嗒焉若丧：失魂落魄。3。乾纲：夫权。乾，《易》卦名。根据封建伦理纲常，夫为妻纲。夫为阳，为天。女为阴，为地。4。心慴：音义皆同“心慑”，害怕。5。宾事良人：像对待客人那样侍奉丈夫。7。隶道士籍：出家当道士。隶，属于。属于道士的籍册，自然成了道士。
白话：
把要喝下，片刻之后，万石觉得气愤填膺，如烈焰在心中燃烧，一刻也不容忍受，于是径直走到悍妇的房间，喊声雷动。悍妇还没来得及问，万石一跃而起，把悍妇推到好几尺远的地方。随即拿起石头，攥成拳头，打了悍妇不知道有多少下。悍妇几乎体无完肤，嘴里还哇啦哇啦地骂个不停。万石从腰中拔出佩刀。悍妇骂道：“拿出刀子，敢杀我吗？”万石不言语，上去就从她大腿上割下手掌那么大一块肉，扔在地下。刚要再割，悍妇哀叫乞求饶恕。万石不听，又去割。家人见万石凶狂，聚集到一起，用力把他拉出屋。马介甫迎上前去，抓着他的胳臂表示慰问。万石余怒未消，屡次想跑过去找悍妇算账，马介甫阻止了他。不大一会儿，药力消失了，万石显得丧魂落魄。马介甫嘱咐道：“兄长可别泄气。振兴乾纲，在此一举。人之所以惧内，不是一朝一夕的缘故，这是渐渐养成的毛病。好像昨天死今天复生，必须从此除故更新。再一泄气，那就没办法了。”于是让万石到屋里去看看。悍妇大腿发抖，心有余悸，婢女把她扶起来，她还想膝盖着往前蹭。婢女加以制止，她才作罢。万石出来告诉马介甫，父子俩互相祝贺。马介甫想走，父子俩一起挽留。马介甫说：“我这次是正好有事要到东方的海滨去一趟，所以是顺路从你家门前过，等回来时再见面吧”一个多月之后，悍妇伤好起身，向对宾客那样侍奉丈夫。久而久之觉得马介甫已经黔驴技穷，也就这两下子，于是渐渐地对万石加以戏弄、嘲笑、谩骂，没过多久，旧病复发，完全恢复老样子。老汉不能忍受，连夜逃走，到河南当了道士，万石也不敢去寻找。
英译：
Shortly after taking the medicine, Yang was filled with indignation as if fire was burning in his heart. So angry that he could hardly bear it, Yang ran into her room shouting thunderously. Before the woman dared to ask, he’d already kicked her several feet away and then picked up a stone with which he struck her ferociously.
Although beaten black and blue all over, she still obstinately refused to admit mistakes or defeats. Scrupling at nothing, she laughed at him and abused Yang. Yang pulled out a sword from under his clothes.
“Pull out a knife! Dare to kill me?” the woman shouted.
Without saying anything, Yang grasped her thigh and cut off a piece of flesh, large as a palm and threw it onto the ground. Seeing he was going to cut again, she cried out, begging for mercy. Yang didn’t listen to her and cut off another piece.
Finding Yang became mad and ferocious, all family members tried to stop him. Finally he was dragged out. Ma moved up, held his arms and comforted him. But Yang refused to be mollified and tried to pursuit his wife again. Ma stopped him.
Shortly, the potency of the medicine had abated and Yang restored to his former condition, panic-stricken.
“Don’t be disheartened.” Ma said. “Whether you can be a true man or not, success or failure, it just hinges on this very action. As far as a henpecked man is concerned, this sort of character shapes gradually over decades of years, instead overnight. You must be completely transformed like die yesterday and reborn today. If you’re still panic-stricken as before, you’re really hopeless.”
Ma asked Yang to go in for a look. He found the woman terribly frightened with her thigh trembling constantly. The maid was going to help her to her feet, but instead she wanted to crawl on her knees. Yet at last, she couldn’t do like that because the maid stopped her.
Coming out, Yang told Ma what he saw. Yang and his father conveyed congratulations to each other. Ma was going to leave. But the father and the son urged him to stay.
“I have to go east for something important.” Ma said. “I just happened to pass by here this time. We can meet again when I come back.”
Over one month later, already able to stand on her own, the woman gave preferential treatment to Yang with all courtesy and respect as if he was a guest. But gradually, she found Yang was still his old self at his wit’s end and therefore began to ill-treat him as ever before, teasing him, laughing at him, abusing him, simply resorting to all conceivable measures.
Bear and forbear, the old man had finally reached the end of his endurance. He could do nothing but flee under the cover of night into high mountains and lofty hills far away from his native place. There he became a monk in an ancient temple. Yang didn’t dare to look for his father.
原文：
年余，马至，知其状，怫然责数已，立呼儿至，置驴子上，驱策径去。由此乡人皆不齿万石。学使*案临，以劣行黜名。又四五年，遭回禄*，居室财物，悉为煨烬，延烧邻舍。村人执以告郡，罚锾烦苛*。于是家产渐尽，至无居庐，近村相戒，无以舍舍万石。尹氏兄弟，怒妇所为，亦绝拒之。万石既穷，质*妾于贵家，偕妻南渡。至河南界，资斧已绝。妇不肯从，聒夫*再嫁。适有屠而鳏者，以钱三百货去。 万石一身，丐食于远村近郭间。至一朱门，阍人*诃拒不听前。少间一官人出，万石伏地啜泣。官人熟视久之，略诘姓名，惊曰：“是伯父也！何一贫至此？”万石细审，知为喜儿，不觉大哭。从之入，见堂中金碧焕映。俄顷，父扶童子出，相对悲哽。万石始述所遭。初，马携喜儿至此，数日，即出寻杨翁来，使祖孙同居。又延师教读。十五岁入邑庠*，次年领乡荐*，始为完婚。乃别欲去，祖孙泣留之。马曰：“我非人，实狐仙耳。道侣相候已久。”遂去。孝廉言之，不觉恻楚。因念昔与庶伯母*同受酷虐，倍益感伤。遂以舆马赍金*赎王氏归。年余生一子，因以为嫡*。
注释：
1．学使：提学使，或称提督学政，负责一省学生的科考提升罢免事务。任期三年，须两次巡察所属府州县，称作“临案”。2．回禄：火神名，后代称火灾。3．罚锾烦苛：罚金苛刻。锾，古时重量单位，六两。4．舍舍：施舍房舍。5．质：抵押。此处作“卖”解。6．聒夫：喋喋不休地劝丈夫。聒，声音杂乱，令人烦恼。读“郭”。如“聒噪”，声音嘈杂。“聒耳”，声音杂乱刺耳。
7．阍人：看门人。阍，看门。读“昏”。官人：宋朝对一般男子的尊称。另外妻子称呼丈夫也叫官人。8．邑庠：县学。邑，县。庠，学堂，读“羊”。指入县学为生员，就是中了秀才。9．领乡荐：考中举人。唐朝由州县地方官向上推举，叫“乡荐”。后称参加乡试者为“领乡荐”。10．庶伯母：伯父的妾。11．赍金：送金子。赍，把东西送给他人。读“鸡”。12．嫡：宗法制度下家庭的正支。与“庶”相对。嫡生，妻子所生。庶生，妾所生。
白话：
过一年多，马介甫回来了，了解情况之后，气愤地指责万石，然后把万钟的儿子叫过来，放到驴背上，扬鞭而去。从此乡里人都看不起万石。学使来巡察时，他又因劣迹被除了名。又过四五年，家里遭火灾，家里财物，都被烧成灰烬，火势还蔓延到邻居的房屋。村里人把他扭送到郡里告了状，因此被课以巨额罚金。于是家产渐渐消耗净尽，竟至无处栖身，临近村庄都戒备他，没有人向他施舍房屋。悍妇尹氏的兄弟也都对她的所作所为感到愤怒，因此也都不帮助她。万石穷极了，就把小妾卖给了富贵人家，然后带着妻子尹氏南下。到河南界地，钱都花光了。悍妇不肯跟着万石，喋喋不休地和丈夫吵着要改嫁。正好有一个光棍屠夫，花三百吊钱把悍妇买了去。 万石独自一人，在远村近邻之间讨饭。来到一扇大红门前，看门人喝斥着不让他靠前。片刻间一个年轻人走出来，万石趴在地上哭泣。年轻人看了很久觉得面熟，一问姓名，大吃一惊：“是伯父呀！为什么穷到这个地步？”万石仔细端详，知道是喜儿，情不自禁地大哭起来。跟着喜儿进去，只见厅堂中金碧辉煌。片刻之后，老父亲扶着童仆走出来，抱头痛哭。万石把自己的遭遇全都讲了出来。原来当初，马介甫把喜儿带到这里，几天后，又外出找到杨老汉，使祖孙相逢住在一起。又请老师教喜儿读书。喜儿十五岁考中秀才，转年又考取举人，刚刚完婚。马介甫想走，祖孙哭泣着挽留。马介甫说：“我不是人，是狐仙。同道的伴侣等候我已经很久了。”说完就走了。秀才喜儿说话间，情不自禁地感到非常悲痛。因为想起从前和庶伯母一同遭受残酷虐待，越发感到难过。于是就用车马载着黄金送给那个富人家赎回万石的小妾王氏。过一年多，生了一个儿子，立为嫡生子。
英译：
Over a year later, Ma came back. Learning the true story, he burst into anger and severely scolded Yang. Without any delay, Ma left and went to the mountains looking for the old man.
From then on, Yang was despised by all neighbors. Even the local officials looked down upon him and disqualified him from taking any examinations because of his ill behavior. Worse of all, a sudden fire destroyed his home four years later. What he had were completely reduced to ashes.
And just like the saying goes: When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer. The fire also caused heavy losses to the neighbors who sued Yang immediately. Yang was fined. Up to then, Yang had already been brought to total ruin. He had nothing to eat and no place to live.
All the people of the nearby villages were also scorned this couple. Even the woman’s brothers were angry with her evil doings and refused to offer any help to her.
Too poor to support his family, Yang had to sell out his concubine and fled south with his wife. Later on, they really became empty-handed. The woman refused to follow his poor hu*****and any longer. She did her utmost to persuade him into agreeing to let her remarry.
As it happened, just at this moment, there came a butcher who had been remaining single ever since the death of his wife. The butcher bought the woman at a low price.
Destitute and homeless, sad and solitary, Yang was stranded in the strange land begging from door to door.
One day, Yang came to a red door. But the doorman didn’t let him go in. Shortly, an official walked out. Yang knelt down at once and kept weeping sorrowfully.
Feeling the beggar looked familiar as if he saw him somewhere before, the official scrutinized him for a long time and asked his name.
“My uncle!” the official exclaimed. “How can you be so poor?”
Carefully viewing the official from head to foot, Yang realized it was his niece, the son of his late brother. Yang couldn’t help crying loudly. Following him into the house, he found himself standing in a splendid hall. Shortly, his father walked out with the help of a servant boy. The father and son were all chocked with tears. Yang poured out his tragedy to his father and his niece who also told their good luck to Yang.
That day, taking leave of Yang, Ma went came to this mountain area together with his niece, the then little boy, the present official. Shortly Ma found the old man and made a good arrangement for the grandfather and the grandson. He not only helped the boy enjoy a good education and become an official but also helped him marry a beautiful girl.
Only after all these did Ma want to leave. With tears in eyes, the grandfather and the grandson did their utmost to urge him to stay.
“To tell you the truth, I’m not a human being.” He told them. “I’m a fox spirit. My friends have been waiting for me for a long time.”
Ma left at last.
On learning Yang’s tragedy, his niece felt terribly sorrowful. Recalling he himself and his aunt, Yang’s concubine, once lived a miserable life together, he felt particularly sad. Sympathizing with his aunt in her misfortune, the niece ransomed Yang’s concubine with a large amount of gold. A year later, the concubine gave birth to a son who was treated as being borne by Yang’s wife.
原文：
尹从屠半载，狂悖犹昔。夫怒，以屠刀孔*其股，穿以毛绠*悬梁上，荷肉竟出。号极声嘶，邻人始知。解缚抽绠，一抽则呼痛之声，震动四邻。以是见屠来，则骨毛皆竖。后胫创虽愈，而断芒遗肉内，终不利于行，犹夙夜*服役，无敢少懈。屠既横暴，每醉归，则挞詈不情。至此，始悟昔之施于人者，亦犹是也。
注释：
1．孔：穿孔。2．股：大腿。3．毛绠：细绳。4．胫：小腿。读“静”。5．夙夜：从早到晚。夙：早。读“诉”。
白话：
尹氏嫁给屠夫半年，又狂暴得和从前一样。丈夫大怒，用屠刀在她大腿上挖孔，再用细绳子穿过去悬挂在屋梁上，然后挑起担子，居然外出卖肉去了。悍妇声嘶力竭地大喊大叫，邻居才知道。先帮她松绑，再帮她抽细绳，抽一下她就喊一声疼，惊动了四邻。所以见到屠夫回来，她就吓得毛骨倒立。后小腿的伤虽然好了，可是断绳渣却留在了肉里，始终因此而行动不便，除此之外还要从早到晚充当奴役，不敢稍微松懈一下。屠夫横暴，经常醉酒而归，回来就对她加以无情的打骂。到现在她才觉悟到从前怎么对待别人，现在别人也怎么对待自己。
英译：
Less than half year had passed over since Yang’s ex-wife began to live with the butcher. The crazy woman made her old self entirely restored within such a short period, ferocious as ever before. Flaring up, the butcher drilled a hole in her thigh with his butcher’s knife and passed a thick hemp rope through the hole and hung her on the beam.
Hearing her scream, the neighbors knew what had happened. They rushed over and untied her. She felt terribly painful and cried out aloud when they drew out the rope from the hole in her bottom. From then on, she would feel her hair stand on end whenever seeing the butcher come over.
Although her wound healed up before long, it was still difficult for her to get about because some hemp fiber still remained in her flesh. As a man of vehement temperament, the butcher often came home dead drunk and gave her a good beating or a sound scolding.
Only at this moment did she realize that she badly treated others before but now she was badly treated by others. It may be described as “Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind”.
原文：
一日，杨夫人及伯母烧香普陀寺，近村农妇并来参谒。尹在中怅立不前，王氏故问：“此伊谁？”家人进白：“张屠之妻。”便诃使前，与太夫人稽首*。王笑曰：“此妇从屠，当不乏肉食，何羸瘠乃尔*？”尹愧恨，归欲自经，绠弱不得死。屠益恶之。岁余，屠死。途遇万石，遥望之，以膝行，泪下如麻。万石碍仆，未通一言。归告侄，欲谋珠还*，侄固不肯。妇为里人所唾弃，久无所归，依群乞以食。万石犹时就尹废寺中，侄以为玷，阴教群乞窘辱之，乃绝。 此事余不知其究竟，后数行，乃毕公权撰成之。
注释：
1．稽首：古时一种礼节，跪下，拱手着地，头也着地。2．何羸瘠乃尔：为什么瘦弱到这个样子。羸瘠，瘦弱。乃尔，如此。2．珠还：重新和好。
白话：
一天，杨喜儿的夫人及伯母王氏到普陀寺烧香，邻村农妇都来参拜。尹氏混在其中怅然站立，不敢靠前。王氏故意问：“那是谁呀？”家人走上前去说：“张屠夫的老婆。”于是就喝斥她往前走，并让她向太夫人王氏下跪叩头。王氏笑着说：“这个女人嫁给屠夫，应当不缺肉吃，可为什么瘦弱成这个样子？”尹氏羞愧至极，回家就想上吊自杀，可绳子太不结实没死成。屠夫因此越发厌恶她。一年多之后，屠夫死了。她在路上遇到万石，从远处看他，然后双膝跪地往前挪动，泪如雨下。万石碍着仆人的面，没和她说一句话。回家后告诉侄子，想和尹氏破镜重圆，侄子坚持不肯答应。悍妇被街坊邻居所唾弃，很久都无家可归，依靠结帮乞讨混口吃的。万石还不时地到破庙中去看望尹氏，侄子认为太丢人，暗自怂恿那群乞丐羞辱他，他这才与尹氏断绝来往。 这件事我不知道究竟如何收场，后几行文字，是毕公权写的。
英译：
One day, Yang’s wife, the ex-concubine, went into the temple to worship Buddha. Stiffly standing among the crowd, the fiery woman didn’t dare to move.
“Who is she?” Yang’s wife asked on purpose.
“The butcher’s wife,” a servant said.
Then, the servant pulled the crazy woman, the butcher’s wife, forward and urged her to kowtow to Yang’s wife.
“Now that she is the wife of a butcher, she ought to eat meat everyday. But why is she so thin?” Yang’s wife asked.
Terribly ashamed, the crazy woman ran back home and wanted to hang herself. But it was so lucky or unlucky, it was hard to say which word more accurate, the rotten rope was too feeble to hold her weight, she fell on the floor. Although she didn’t die, the butcher was disgusted with her much more than ever before.
Over a year later, the butcher died. One day, she met Yang in the street. After looking at him for a moment from a far distance, she knelt down and crawled towards him with tears streaming down on her cheeks. With the servant on the scene, Yang didn’t say anything to her for the sake of saving his own face.
Back at home, Yang told his niece that he was going to have a reunion with his ex-wife. His niece didn’t agree with him. Despised by the neighbors, the mad woman became homeless and idled away her time among beggars.
Yang met the crazy women in an old temple every now and then. Taking this as a great disgrace to his family, his niece urged the beggars to tease Yang. Only then did Yang cut off his relation with the crazy woman. I don’t know how this story will wind up. The last few lines were writted by Bi Gongquan.
原文：
说明：这是一篇《妙言经》，不仅篇幅颇长，而且文彩飞扬，典故极多。如果翻译成白话，弄不好就会淡如白水，味同嚼蜡，实属费力不讨好。再者它毕竟不是正文，因此我没有像通常那样加注释，译白话，而是根据大意直接翻译成英文。附上原文仅供参考。（译者）
异史氏曰：“惧内，天下之通病也。然不意天壤之间，乃有杨郎！宁非变异？余常作《妙音经》之续言，谨附录以博一噱：
‘窃以天道化生万物，重赖坤成；男儿志在四方，尤须内助。同甘独苦，劳尔十月呻吟；就湿移干，苦矣三年颦笑。此顾宗祧而动念，君子所以有伉俪之求；瞻井臼而怀思，古人所以有鱼水之爱也。第阴教之旗帜日立，遂乾纲之体统无存。始而不逊之声，或大施而小报；继则如宾之敬，竟有往而无来。只缘儿女深情，遂使英雄短气。床上夜叉坐，任金刚亦须低眉；釜底毒烟生，即铁汉无能强项。秋砧之杵可掬，不捣月夜之衣；麻姑之爪能搔，轻试莲花之面。小受大走，直将代孟母投梭；妇唱夫随，翻欲起周婆制礼。婆娑跳掷，停观满道行人；嘲?鸡嘶，扑落一群娇鸟。
‘恶乎哉！呼天吁地，忽尔披发向银床；丑矣夫！转目摇头，猥欲投缳延玉颈。当是时也：地下已多碎胆，天外更有惊魂。北宫黝未必不逃，孟施舍焉能无惧？将军气同雷电，一入中庭，顿归无何有之乡；大人面若冰霜，比到寝门，遂有不可问之处。岂果脂粉之气，不势而威？胡乃肮脏之身，不寒而栗？犹可解者：魔女翘鬟来月下，何妨俯伏皈依？最冤枉者：鸠盘蓬首到人间，也要香花供养。闻怒狮之吼，则双孔撩天；听牝鸡之鸣，则五体投地。登徒子淫而忘丑，“回波词”怜而成嘲。设为汾阳之婿，立致尊荣，媚卿卿良有故；若赘外黄之家，不免奴役，拜仆仆将何求？彼穷鬼自觉无颜，任其斫树摧花，止求包荒于悍妇，如钱神可云有势，乃亦婴鳞犯制，不能借助于方兄。
‘岂缚游子之心，惟兹鸟道？抑消霸王之气，恃此鸿沟？然死同穴，生同衾，何尝教吟“白首”？而朝行云，暮行雨，辄欲独占巫山。恨煞“池水清”，空按红牙玉板；怜尔“妾命薄”，独支永夜寒更。蝉壳鹭滩，喜骊龙之方睡；犊车塵尾，恨驽马之不奔。榻上共卧之人，挞去方知为舅；床前久系之客，牵来已化为羊。需之殷者仅俄顷，毒之流者无尽藏。买笑缠头，而成自作之孽，太甲必曰难违；俯首帖耳，而受无妄之刑，李阳亦谓不可。酸风凛冽，吹残绮阁之春；酷海汪洋，淹断蓝桥之月。又或盛会忽逢，良朋即坐，斗酒藏而不设，且由房出逐客之书；故人疏而不来，遂自我广绝交之论。甚而雁影分飞，涕空沾于荆树；鸾胶再觅，变遂起于芦花。故饮酒阳城，一堂中惟有兄弟；吹竽商子，七旬余并无室家。古人为此，有隐痛矣。
‘呜呼！百年鸳偶，竟成附骨之疽；五两鹿皮，或买剥床之痛。髯如戟者如是，胆似斗者何人？固不敢于马栈下断绝祸胎，又谁能向蚕室中斩除孽本？娘子军肆其横暴，苦疗妒之无方；胭脂虎啖尽生灵，幸渡迷之有楫。天香夜爇，全澄汤镬之波；花雨晨飞，尽灭剑轮之火。极乐之境，彩翼双栖；长舌之端，青莲并蒂。拔苦恼于优婆之国，立道场于爱河之滨。咦！愿此几章贝叶文，洒为一滴杨枝水！’”
英译：
Author’s Commentary:
Being henpecked is a failing common among all men in the world. But it is quite unexpected that a man like Yang should exist in the world! Could it be that he suffered from metamorphosis? I once composed an essay about henpecked men which I’d like to put here just for joking:
The heaven produces everything, but it cannot do without the earth. A man is the heaven; a woman is the earth. No matter how great a man’s ambition is, he still needs assistance from a good wife. The couple enjoy the hu*****and-wife happiness together, but the wife alone suffers from the bitterness of producing babies. Only after three years of hard work to bring up a baby can she have her baby leave from her arms and therefore free herself.
Only for the purpose not to lack successors and to have someone to keep house, does a man have the idea to have a wife and therefore does the hu*****and-wife love come into being.
But because the wife always calls the tune, the hu*****and’s prestige and authority is leveled to the ground.
At the beginning, the hu*****and, more or less, has the gut to say no to his wife whenever she talks insolently. But as time goes on, the hu*****and can do nothing but meekly obey her wife.
Only because of being infatuated with erotic feelings does the man completely lose his heroic spirit. Having an ugly and ferocious woman at home, the hu*****and cannot but do everything with slavish submission no matter what kind of steel-willed man he is.
The ferocious woman is swollen with arrogance, the hu*****and can do nothing but take insult meekly even if he is a very tough guy.
The malevolent woman either beats her hu*****and with a stick or forcibly scratches his face with her long and sharp nails.
The hu*****and takes the rough with the smooth, but the wife beats him with a stick just like a mother punishes her son. A henpecked man lets her woman control the family just running counter to the routine. The ferocious woman becomes shrewish and makes a scene. Coming to have a look, many people closely surround her in an uproar like frightened birds crying. Worse of all, with her hair hanging down loosely, the woman cries to heaven and knocks her head on earth and then puts pressure on her hu*****and by threatening to drown herself in a well.
Queer in appearance and manners with her head shaving and her eyes glazing in death, she pretends to hang herself. The ferocious woman acts just like the ugliest buffoon.
Simply overturning heaven and earth, she makes her hu*****and scared out of his wits. Having this sort of women, even the bravest men would be thrown into panic and confusion.
Either civil officials or military officers would have their prestige and authority swept away completely when catching sight of their ferocious women. Could it be said that women really have prestige and authority? If not, why men should be so timid and hesitating in face of women?
If their women are really beautiful like goddesses, it is excusable that the hu*****ands act with slavish submission. The most unworthy thing is that some men should treat their most ugly women as if offering sacrifices to Buddha.
Their women roaring like she-lions, they would fawn on them immediately facing upward with their nostrils largely open. Their women crying like hens, they would kneel down and take orders submissively without any delay.
Extremely infatuated in sex, some men simply don’t care a pin whether their women beautiful or ugly, worse of all, others, therefore, are even killed with poison and make laughing-stocks of themselves for future generations.
If the fathers-in-law can make their sons-in-law enjoy riches and honors, it cannot be unreasonable for the sons-in-law to meekly obey their wives.
But some capable men are enslaved after being married into their brides’ rich families and becoming poverty-stricken, Some men consider that they don’t have the cheek to restrain their wives and therefore let their wives run wild. So long as they can make themselves pardoned they would leave things as they are.
So long as having ferocious women, even the rich and powerful families cannot reverse adverse trends. It’s absolutely no use no matter how much money they have.
It’s just women’s beautiful appearance that restrains men’s lofty sentiments, isn’t it? It’s just women’s private parts that takes the edge off men’s magnificent spirit, isn’t it?
The hu*****and never has the idea to marry a concubine, yet the jealous wife still forcibly keeps her hu*****and close to her all day long.
Yet it turns out to be just the opposite. The hu*****and becomes more infatuated with prostitutes and therefore the wife has to live a lonely life just like a single woman.
But the hu*****and can only be able to go out stealthily seeking pleasure and making merry after his wife falls asleep. So long as his wife finds the secrecy, the hu*****and cannot but run away scaring the shit out of him.
But because of being too jealous, these women sometimes invite ridicule or even make themselves to be subjected to humiliation.
Marrying a ferocious woman, a man can only enjoy a very short love and then he would be hurt endlessly.
In case the hu*****and is loose in conduct, it has only himself to blame if he is ill-treated by his wife.
If the hu*****and always meekly obeys his wife but still has himself beaten mercilessly, everyone would think it quite unfair.
If the ferocious woman is always jealous, the profound feelings between hu*****and and wife will be destroyed.
If the jealous woman is too stingy, her hu*****and will gradually break off all relations with his friends.
Worse, if the ferocious woman is too jealous, her hu*****and will be forced to separate from his brothers and ill-treat the children of his ex-wife.
In view of this, a lot of celebrities, past and present, would rather keep single all their lives than marry wives.
Alas! A lifelong companion, a love-birdlike good wife should become a malignant sore closely sticking to his bone. Spending a large amount of money and well preparing all sorts of betrothal presents, a man happily married a wife, but unexpectedly, what he got should be keenly felt a pain.
Although seeming to be quite manly, yet the henpecked men are short of the courage and insight to subdue his ferocious woman. Neither does he dare to get rid of his ferocious woman in order to uproot the hidden danger nor does he have the gut to castrate himself so that to give up sexual desire.
With a dignified and awe-inspiring look, the ferocious wives are just like a detachment of women, the henpecked hu*****ands cannot bring them under control.
Violent as tigers, the ferocious women do all kinds of evil. Ordinarily, they should get just punishment. But having formidable force, Buddha can rescue them.
Only respectfully offering sacrifices to the spirits, can a ferocious woman avert the cruel torture of being fried in boiling oil after death. Only making the heaven moved to rain with her sincere action, can she, in the hell, avert sufferings such as climbing knife-mountains and sword-trees.
If practicing Buddhist teachings and doing good works to cultivate her moral qualities, she can enter Pure Land after death. And only then, can the couple live a happy life, the hu*****and and wife congenial in feelings and interests, the wife and concubine in peace with each other.
By doing so, they can either get rid of mental pain or throw off the shackles of sexual desire with the Buddha’s help.
Alas! I wish I could help the ferocious women with my sincere advice to treat their disease of jealousy and get new lives just like Bodhisattva uses a willow spray to sprinkle the world-saving water in her measured vase to this world.
