《人间词话》英译（八）

境界有大小，不以是而分优劣。“细雨鱼儿出，微风燕子斜。”何遽不若“落日照大旗，马鸣风萧萧。”“宝帘闲挂小银钩”，何遽不若“雾失楼台，月迷津渡”也。

Ching-chieh may be either large or small, so one cannot use this as a basis for determining the excellence or inferiority of a poem.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Little fish jump in the fine rain,

Swallows dip their wings in the faint breeze?

Can certainly stand comparison with

The large banners glow in the setting sun

As horses neigh and wind soughs sieu-sieu.

And cannot

Precious curtains casually clasped with tiny silver hooks,

stand comparison with

Mist enfolds the tower and pavilion