His eye fell on the inscription on a large stone which was still discernible and he read it through.

忽见一大块石上字迹分明,编述历历.

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

It was an account of the Stone’s rejection for repairing heaven, its transformation and conveyance to the world of men by the Buddhist of Infinite Space and the Taoist of Boundless Time, and the joys and sorrows, partings and encounters, warm and cold treatment from others it had experienced there.

空空道人乃从头一看,原来就是无材补天,幻形入世,蒙茫茫大士,渺渺真人携入红尘,历尽离合悲欢炎凉世态的一段故事.

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

On its back was a Buddhist verse: unfit to mend the azure sky;I passed some years on earth to no avail

后面又有一首偈云:无材可去补苍天,枉入红尘若许年.此系身前身后事,倩谁记去作奇传?

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

My life in both worlds is recorded here; Whom can I ask to pass on this romantic tale?

此系身前身后事,倩谁记去作奇传?

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

There followed the name of the region where the Stone fell, the place of its incarnation, and the story of its adventures--including trivial family affairs and light verses written to amuse idle hours.

诗后便是此石坠落之乡,投胎之处,亲自经历的一段陈迹故事.其中家庭闺阁琐事,以及闲情诗词倒还全备,或可适趣解闷

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

The dynasty, year and country’s name were, however, obliterated.

然朝代年纪,地舆邦国,却反失落无考.

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

Brother Stone, you seem to think that your tale recorded here is interesting enough to merit publication.

石兄,你这一段故事,据你自己说有些趣味,故编写在此,意欲问世传奇.

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

In my view, in the first place, there is no way of finding out the dynasty and the year;

据我看来,第一件,无朝代年纪可考

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

In the second, there is nothing here about worthy and loyal ministers and how they regulated the government and public morality.

第二件,并无大贤大忠理朝廷治风俗的善政

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦

There are merely some girls remarkable only for their passionor folly, or else for their small gifts and trifling virtues which cannot even compare with those of such talented ladies as Ban Zhao or Cai Yan.

其中只不过几个异样女子,或情或痴,或小才微善,亦无班姑,蔡女之德能.

属类：文学表达-中文名著-红楼梦