桨声灯影里的秦淮河（2）

大中桥外，顿然空阔，和桥内两岸排着密密的人家的景象大异了。

Outside the Dazhong Bridge, the scene suddenly became expansive, contrasting sharply with the densely packed houses lining both banks within the bridge.

一眼望去，疏疏的林，淡淡的月，衬着蔚蓝的天，颇像荒江野渡光景；那边呢，郁丛丛的，阴森森的，又似乎藏着无边的黑暗：令人几乎不信那是繁华的秦淮河了。

At a glance, the sparse trees and the faint moon against the deep blue sky resembled the desolate scenery of a wild river crossing; while over there, it's all thick and dark, seemingly hiding boundless shadows—it is hard to believe that this is the prosperous Qinhuai River.

但是河中眩晕着的灯光，纵横着的画舫，悠扬着的笛韵，夹着那吱吱的胡琴声，终于使我们认识绿如茵陈酒的秦淮水了。

However, the dazzling lights in the river, the crisscrossing boats, the melodious flute tunes intertwined with the creaking sounds of the Huqin finally made us recognize the verdant, wine-like waters of the Qinhuai.

此地天裸露着的多些，故觉夜来的独迟些；从清清的水影里，我们感到的只是薄薄的夜——这正是秦淮河的夜。

Here, the sky feels more exposed, making the arrival of night seem a bit delayed; from the clear reflections on the water, we only sensed a thin layer of night—this is precisely the night of the Qinhuai River.

大中桥外，本来还有一座复成桥，是船夫口中的我们的游踪尽处，或也是秦淮河繁华的尽处了。

Outside the Dazhong Bridge, there was originally another bridge, the Fucheng Bridge, which the boatmen referred to as the end of our journey on the river, or perhaps the end of the prosperity of the Qinhuai.

我的脚曾踏过复成桥的脊，在十三四岁的时候。

I had crossed the ridge of Fucheng Bridge when I was around thirteen or fourteen years old.

但是两次游秦淮河，却都不曾见着复成桥的面；明知总在前途的，却常觉得有些虚无缥缈似的。我想，不见倒也好。这时正是盛夏。

But in my two visits to the Qinhuai River, I had never seen the Fucheng Bridge; I knew it was always ahead, yet I often felt it was somewhat elusive. I thought perhaps it was better not to see it. It was the height of summer then.

我们下船后，藉着新生的晚凉和河上的微风，暑气已渐渐消散；到了此地，豁然开朗，身子顿然轻了——习习的清风荏苒在面上，手上，衣上，这便又感到了一缕新凉了。

After we disembarked, taking in the refreshing evening breeze and the gentle river wind, the summer heat gradually dissipated; arriving here, I felt suddenly unburdened—cool breezes danced across my face, hands, and clothes, bringing about a refreshing sensation.

南京的日光，大概没有杭州猛烈；西湖的夏夜老是热蓬蓬的，水像沸着一般，秦淮河的水却尽是这样冷冷地绿着。

The sunlight in Nanjing is probably not as intense as in Hangzhou; the summer nights at West Lake are always sweltering, the water seemingly boiling, yet the waters of Qinhuai are such a cool shade of green.

任你人影的憧憧，歌声的扰扰，总像隔着一层薄薄的绿纱面幂似的；它尽是这样静静的，冷冷的绿着。

The figures of people flickering and the sounds of songs seemed as if separated by a thin green veil; everything was so quiet, so coolly green.

我们出了大中桥，走不上半里路，船夫便将船划到一旁，停了桨由它宕着。

We exited the Dazhong Bridge and walked less than half a mile when the boatman steered the boat to the side, stopping the oars to let it float.

他以为那里正是繁华的极点，再过去就是荒凉了；所以让我们多多赏鉴一会儿。他自己却静静的蹲着。

He thought that this was the peak of prosperity, beyond which lay desolation; therefore, he allowed us to admire it for a while longer. He himself quietly squatted down.

他是看惯这光景的了，大约只是一个无可无不可。这无可无不可，无论是升的沉的，总之，都比我们高了。

He must be familiar with this scene, somewhat indifferent. This indifference, whether ascending or descending, was nonetheless above us.

那时河里热闹极了；船大半泊着，小半在水上穿梭似的来往。停泊着的都在近市的那一边，我们的船自然也夹在其中。

At that time, the river was bustling with activity; most boats were anchored while a few weaved in and out of the water. The anchored ones were primarily on the near city side, and our boat naturally floated among them.

因为这边略略的挤，便觉得那边十分的疏了。在每一只船从那边过去时，我们能画出它的轻轻的影和曲曲的波，在我们的心上；这显着是空，且显着是静了。

As the area here felt a bit crowded, the other side appeared quite sparse. Each time a boat passed from that direction, we could sketch its gentle shadow and wavy ripples in our hearts; it was evidently empty and notably quiet.

那时处处都是歌声和凄厉的胡琴声，圆润的喉咙，确乎是很少的。

During that time, everywhere there were songs and piercing sounds of the Huqin; smooth and rich voices were indeed rare.

但那生涩的，尖脆的调子能使人有少年的，粗率不拘的感觉。也正可快我们的意。况且多少隔开些儿听着。

Yet those raw, sharp notes could evoke a rough, carefree feeling of youth. It suited our desires quite well. Furthermore, they were somewhat distant in earshot.

因为想像与渴慕的做美，总觉更有滋味；而竞发的喧嚣，抑扬的不齐，远近的杂沓，和乐器的嘈嘈切切，合成另一意味的谐音，也使我们无所适从，如随着大风而走。

Because imagining and yearning for beauty always feels more flavorful; while the uproar and unevenness of competing sounds, the muddled mix of distances, and the clamorous cacophony of instruments blended into another meaning, leaving us at a loss, as if being swept away by the strong wind.

这实在因为我们的心枯涩久了，变为脆弱；故偶然润泽一下，便疯狂似的不能自主了。

This was truly because our hearts had been so parched for too long, turning fragile; thus, when suddenly nourished, we became wildly uncontrollable.

但秦淮河确也腻人。即如船里的人面，无论是和我们一堆儿泊着的，无论是从我们眼前过去的，总是模模糊糊的，甚至渺渺茫茫的；任你张圆了眼睛，揩净了眦垢，也是枉然。这真够人想呢。

However, the Qinhuai River could indeed become tiresome. Even the faces of the people on the boat, whether they were anchored alongside us or passing before our eyes, were always fuzzy or even vague; no matter how hard you strained your eyes, it was all in vain. It truly left one pondering.

在我们停泊的地方，灯光原是纷然的；不过这些灯光都是黄而有晕的。黄已经不能明了，再加上了晕，便更不成了。

At the place we anchored, the lights were originally myriad; however, these lights were all yellow and hazy. Yellow was already unclear, and with the added haze, it became even more indistinguishable.

灯愈多，晕就愈甚；在繁星般的黄的交错里，秦淮河仿佛笼上了一团光雾。光芒与雾气腾腾的晕着，什么都只剩了轮廓了；所以人面的详细的曲线，便消失于我们的眼底了。

The more the lights, the greater the haze; amidst the star-like mingling of yellow, the Qinhuai River seemed to be enveloped in a shroud of light mist. Rays and mist intertwined so that everything was reduced to mere outlines; hence the detailed curves of faces faded from our sight.

但灯光究竟夺不了那边的月色；灯光是浑的，月色是清的。在浑沌的灯光里，渗入一派清辉，却真是奇迹！

Yet the lights couldn't overshadow the moonlight; the lights were murky, while the moonlight was clear. In the chaotic light, a strain of clear brilliance came seeping through—a true marvel!

那晚月儿已瘦削了两三分，她晚妆才罢，盈盈的上了柳梢头。

That night, the moon had already shed two or three parts, having finished her evening makeup, gracefully perched atop the willow tips.

天是蓝得可爱，仿佛一汪水似的；月儿便更出落得精神了。岸上原有三株两株的垂杨树，淡淡的影子，在水里摇曳着。

The sky was charmingly blue, resembling a vast body of water, and the moon appeared more spirited. On the shore, there were a few willow trees casting their faint shadows, rustling gently in the water.

它们那柔细的枝条浴着月光，就像一支支美人的臂膊，交互的缠着，挽着；又像是月儿披着的发。而月儿偶尔也从它们的交叉处偷偷窥看我们，大有小姑娘怕羞的样子。

Their delicate branches bathed in moonlight resembled the arms of beautiful women, intertwining and embracing; they looked like the hair that the moon draped over them. Occasionally, the moon would stealthily peek at us through their intertwining branches, displaying a shyness reminiscent of a little girl.

岸上另有几株不知名的老树，光光的立着；在月光里照起来，却又俨然是精神矍铄的老人。

On the shore, there stood a few unknown old trees, stark and upright; illuminated by the moonlight, they appeared as if vibrant elders.

远处——快到天际线了，才有一两片白云，亮得现出异彩，像是美丽的贝壳一般。

In the distance—near the horizon—there were one or two white clouds shining with extraordinary brilliance, akin to beautiful seashells.

白云下便是黑黑的一带轮廓；是一条随意画的不规则的曲线。这一段光景，和河中的风味大异了。

Beneath the white clouds lay a stretch of dark outlines; it was an irregular curve drawn carelessly. This particular scene contrasted greatly with the flavor of the river.

但灯与月竟能并存着，交融着，使月成了缠绵的月，灯射着渺渺的灵辉，这正是天之所以厚秦淮河，也正是天之所以厚我们了。

Yet the lights and the moon could coexist, blending together, turning the moon into a tender, intertwining orb, and the lights cast a faint, ethereal glow—it was precisely how heaven graced the Qinhuai River, and just how heaven favored us.