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Introduction to Literary Chinese - Lesson 2, Text 3

Adapted from the 1927 book by J. Brandt Vocabulary section transcribed with help from with help from 武克富強/Võ Khắc Phú Cường

卜 Fortune-telling divine (^fortune-telling)

卜者坐於四達之衢。爲行人語休咎。 A diviner was sitting at the cross-ways of four roads and was telling fortunes (lit. good luck, bad luck) for the passers-by. [A] divine-person (fortune\-teller) sit_down[:was_sitting] at 3four 4road[s] 2of 1[the] cross\-ways, [and] 2for 3[the] go-person (passer[s]\-by) [was_]tell[ing] 1prosperity-calamity (fortune[s]).

忽其子奔告曰。 Suddenly his son ran up in haste and cried (lit. said), ^suddenly his son rush[:ran_up_in_haste] [and] tell-speak (say[:said]),

吾家爲人所刧。家具盡喪。 "Our house has been robbed by somebody, (and) the household effects are all gone!" "^our house become[:has_been] 3[by] person[:somebody] 2passive_particle[:~ed] 1rob[b], [and the] house[hold] implements [are] all lose[:gone]!"

卜者倉惶失措。 The fortune-teller was quite taken aback (by the news). [^the] divine-person (fortune\-teller) hurried-nervous (flurried[:became_flustered]) [and] lose-arrange (lose_one\'s_composure[:lost_his_composure]).

有調之者曰。 There was (someone) who wished to tease him (lit. teasing him) and said, be[:^there_was] 2[wished to] tease 3him [and] 1[some]one_who speak[:said],

君日爲人語休咎。而家中凶兆顧不之省。何也。 "Every day you tell fortunes for others and yet you could not perceive an ill omen in (your own) house. How is that? "2you 1[~]^daily 2for 3others tell 1prosperity-calamity (fortune[s]), yet [when it came to] 3[your own] house 2in [an] unlucky[:ill] 1omen, [you] nevertheless [could] not 2it 1perceive. how-final_particle (^how_is_that)?"

卜者不能對。 The fortune-teller could not reply. [^the] divine-person (fortune\-teller) 2not 1could reply.