淮陽葉生者，失其名字。文章詞賦，冠絕當時；而所如不偶，困于名場。會關東丁乘鶴來令是邑，見其文，奇之；召與語，大悅。使即官署，受燈火；時賜錢穀恤其家。值科試，公游揚于學使，遂領冠軍。公期望綦切。闈後，索文讀之，擊節稱嘆。不意時數限人，文章憎命，榜既放，依然鎩羽。生嗒喪而歸，愧負知己，形銷骨立，痴若木偶。公聞，召之來而慰之。生零涕不已。公憐之，相期攷滿入都，攜與俱北。生甚感佩。辭而歸，杜門不出。
淮陽有位姓葉的書生，他的名字已經失傳了。他寫的文章和詩詞辭賦，在當時無人能比，可處處不得志，一直困在科舉考試中。恰逢關東人丁乘鶴來這個縣做縣令，讀了他的文章，覺得才華出眾，便召他來交談，十分高興。丁乘鶴讓他到官署讀書，供給燈燭，還不時送些錢糧，接濟他的家人。到了科試時，丁乘鶴向學使極力稱讚他，葉生於是考了第一名。丁乘鶴對他寄予很大的期望。鄉試過後，又要來他的文章閱讀，拍著手連聲讚歎。不料時運偏要限制人的前途，好文章偏偏與好命無緣，榜單公佈後，葉生依舊落了榜。他垂頭喪氣地回到家，覺得辜負了知己，羞愧難當，瘦得只剩皮包骨，神情呆滯，像個木偶。丁乘鶴聽說後，把他叫來安慰。葉生流淚不止。丁乘鶴憐惜他，約定等自己任期滿了進京時，帶他一同北上。葉生十分感動，也深為感激。他告辭回家，從此關起門來，不再外出。
淮阳叶生者，失其名字。文章词赋，冠绝当时；而所如不偶，困于名场。会关东丁乘鹤来令是邑，见其文，奇之；召与语，大悦。使即官署，受灯火；时赐钱谷恤其家。值科试，公游扬于学使，遂领冠军。公期望綦切。闱后，索文读之，击节称叹。不意时数限人，文章憎命，榜既放，依然铩羽。生嗒丧而归，愧负知己，形销骨立，痴若木偶。公闻，召之来而慰之。生零涕不已。公怜之，相期攷满入都，携与俱北。生甚感佩。辞而归，杜门不出。
淮阳有位姓叶的书生，他的名字已经失传了。他写的文章和诗词辞赋，在当时无人能比，可处处不得志，一直困在科举考试中。恰逢关东人丁乘鹤来这个县做县令，读了他的文章，觉得才华出众，便召他来交谈，十分高兴。丁乘鹤让他到官署读书，供给灯烛，还不时送些钱粮，接济他的家人。到了科试时，丁乘鹤向学使极力称赞他，叶生于是考了第一名。丁乘鹤对他寄予很大的期望。乡试过后，又要来他的文章阅读，拍着手连声赞叹。不料时运偏要限制人的前途，好文章偏偏与好命无缘，榜单公布后，叶生依旧落了榜。他垂头丧气地回到家，觉得辜负了知己，羞愧难当，瘦得只剩皮包骨，神情呆滞，像个木偶。丁乘鹤听说后，把他叫来安慰。叶生流泪不止。丁乘鹤怜惜他，约定等自己任期满了进京时，带他一同北上。叶生十分感动，也深为感激。他告辞回家，从此关起门来，不再外出。
There was a scholar of Huaiyang named Ye; his given name has been lost. In prose and in poetry he stood above everyone of his day. Yet nothing he attempted went his way, and he was stuck fast in the examinations. It happened that Ding Chenghe, a man from east of the passes, came to be magistrate of the county. Ding saw Ye’s writing and thought it remarkable. He sent for him to talk, and was delighted with him. He had Ye come and study at the county office, gave him lamps and candles, and from time to time sent money and grain to help his family. When the qualifying examination came round, Lord Ding sang his praises to the education commissioner, and Ye came out first. Ding’s hopes for him were very high. After the provincial examination he asked to read Ye’s essays, and beat time on the table in admiration. But who would have thought that fate sets limits on a man, and that fine writing hates its author to prosper? When the list was posted, Ye had failed once again, his wings clipped. He went home crushed, ashamed to have failed the one man who understood him. He wasted away to skin and bone, and sat dazed like a wooden puppet. When Lord Ding heard of it, he sent for him and comforted him. Ye could not stop weeping. Ding pitied him, and promised that when his term of office was up and he went to the capital, he would take Ye north with him. Ye was deeply moved and grateful. He took his leave, went home, and shut his door to the world.
無何，寢疾。公遺問不絕；而服藥百裹，殊罔所效。公適以忤上官免，將解任去。函致生，其略云：「僕東歸有日；所以遲遲者，待足下耳。足下朝至，則僕夕發矣。」傳之臥榻。生持書啜泣。寄語來使：「疾革難遽瘥，請先發。」使人返白，公不忍去，徐待之。逾數日，門者忽通葉生至。公喜，逆而問之。生曰：「以犬馬病，勞夫子久待，萬慮不寧。今幸可從杖履。」公乃束裝戒旦。抵里，命子師事生，夙夜與俱。公子名再昌，時年十六，尚不能文。然絕慧，凡文藝三兩過，輒無遺忘。居之期歲，便能落筆成文。益之公力，遂入邑庠。生以生平所擬舉子業，悉錄授讀。闈中七題，並無脫漏，中亞魁。公一日謂生曰：「君出餘緒，遂使孺子成名。然黃鐘長棄，奈何！」生曰：「是殆有命。借福澤為文章吐氣，使天下人知半生淪落，非戰之罪也，願亦足矣。且士得一人知己，可無憾，何必拋卻白紵，乃謂之利市哉。」公以其久客，恐誤歲試，勸令歸省。生慘然不樂。公不忍強，囑公子至都，為之納粟。公子又捷南宮，授部中主政。攜生赴監，與共晨夕。逾歲，生入北闈，竟領鄉荐。會公子差南河典務，因謂生曰：「此去離貴鄉不遠。先生奮跡雲霄，錦還為快。」生亦喜，擇吉就道。抵淮陽界，命僕馬送生歸。
沒過多久，葉生便病倒在床。丁乘鶴不斷派人來問候，可他服了上百包藥，仍然毫無效果。丁乘鶴這時恰好因為觸怒上司被免了職，準備卸任離去。他寫信給葉生，大意說：「我回東方老家的日子已經定了，之所以遲遲不走，只是為了等您。您若早上到，我當天晚上就出發。」信送到了葉生的病床前。他捧著信抽泣，托來人帶話說：「我的病已經很重，一時難以痊癒，請您先走吧。」來人回去稟告，丁乘鶴不忍離去，便繼續等候。過了幾天，守門人忽然通報，說葉生來了。丁乘鶴十分高興，迎出去詢問他的病情。葉生說：「因為我這場病，讓您等了這麼久，我心裡一直很不安。如今幸好能跟隨您出行了。」丁乘鶴便收拾行裝，準備清早動身。到了家鄉，他讓兒子拜葉生為師，早晚跟著他學習。丁乘鶴的兒子名叫再昌，當時十六歲，還不會寫文章。但他極其聰明，凡是文章，讀上兩三遍就能記住，一點也不忘。在葉生身邊學了一年，他便能提筆寫成文章。再加上丁乘鶴的幫助，便進了縣學。葉生把自己一生擬寫的科舉文章全都抄下來，交給他學習。鄉試出的七道題，竟全在這些文章之中，沒有一道遺漏，再昌考中了第六名。一天，丁乘鶴對葉生說：「您只拿出學問的一點餘力，就讓孩子考取了功名。可您這口黃鐘卻長久遭到棄置，這又該怎麼辦呢！」葉生說：「這大概是命中註定的。能借您家的福氣，讓我的文章揚眉吐氣，使天下人知道我半生潦倒，並不是因為我本領不夠，我的心願也就滿足了。況且，讀書人能有一個知己，就可以沒有遺憾，何必非得脫下這身白紵衣，才算交了好運呢？」丁乘鶴見他離家做客已久，怕他耽誤歲試，便勸他回鄉探望家人。葉生聽了，神情悽慘，很不高興。丁乘鶴不忍勉強，便囑咐兒子到了京城，替葉生繳納糧食，取得監生資格。再昌後來又考中了會試，被授予部中主政的官職。他帶葉生到國子監，兩人仍舊朝夕相伴。一年後，葉生參加了京城的鄉試，終於考中了舉人。恰逢再昌奉派到南河辦理河務，便對葉生說：「這次去的地方，離您的家鄉不遠。先生如今已經考取功名，前途遠大，衣錦還鄉，真是一件快事。」葉生也很高興。他們選了個吉日上路，到了淮陽境內，再昌便派僕人備好車馬，送葉生回家。
无何，寝疾。公遗问不绝；而服药百裹，殊罔所效。公适以忤上官免，将解任去。函致生，其略云：「仆东归有日；所以迟迟者，待足下耳。足下朝至，则仆夕发矣。」传之卧榻。生持书啜泣。寄语来使：「疾革难遽瘥，请先发。」使人返白，公不忍去，徐待之。逾数日，门者忽通叶生至。公喜，逆而问之。生曰：「以犬马病，劳夫子久待，万虑不宁。今幸可从杖履。」公乃束装戒旦。抵里，命子师事生，夙夜与俱。公子名再昌，时年十六，尚不能文。然绝慧，凡文艺三两过，辄无遗忘。居之期岁，便能落笔成文。益之公力，遂入邑庠。生以生平所拟举子业，悉录授读。闱中七题，并无脱漏，中亚魁。公一日谓生曰：「君出余绪，遂使孺子成名。然黄钟长弃，奈何！」生曰：「是殆有命。借福泽为文章吐气，使天下人知半生沦落，非战之罪也，愿亦足矣。且士得一人知己，可无憾，何必抛却白纻，乃谓之利市哉。」公以其久客，恐误岁试，劝令归省。生惨然不乐。公不忍强，嘱公子至都，为之纳粟。公子又捷南宫，授部中主政。携生赴监，与共晨夕。逾岁，生入北闱，竟领乡荐。会公子差南河典务，因谓生曰：「此去离贵乡不远。先生奋迹云霄，锦还为快。」生亦喜，择吉就道。抵淮阳界，命仆马送生归。
没过多久，叶生便病倒在床。丁乘鹤不断派人来问候，可他服了上百包药，仍然毫无效果。丁乘鹤这时恰好因为触怒上司被免了职，准备卸任离去。他写信给叶生，大意说：“我回东方老家的日子已经定了，之所以迟迟不走，只是为了等您。您若早上到，我当天晚上就出发。”信送到了叶生的病床前。他捧着信抽泣，托来人带话说：“我的病已经很重，一时难以痊愈，请您先走吧。”来人回去禀告，丁乘鹤不忍离去，便继续等候。过了几天，守门人忽然通报，说叶生来了。丁乘鹤十分高兴，迎出去询问他的病情。叶生说：“因为我这场病，让您等了这么久，我心里一直很不安。如今幸好能跟随您出行了。”丁乘鹤便收拾行装，准备清早动身。到了家乡，他让儿子拜叶生为师，早晚跟着他学习。丁乘鹤的儿子名叫再昌，当时十六岁，还不会写文章。但他极其聪明，凡是文章，读上两三遍就能记住，一点也不忘。在叶生身边学了一年，他便能提笔写成文章。再加上丁乘鹤的帮助，便进了县学。叶生把自己一生拟写的科举文章全都抄下来，交给他学习。乡试出的七道题，竟全在这些文章之中，没有一道遗漏，再昌考中了第六名。一天，丁乘鹤对叶生说：“您只拿出学问的一点余力，就让孩子考取了功名。可您这口黄钟却长久遭到弃置，这又该怎么办呢！”叶生说：“这大概是命中注定的。能借您家的福气，让我的文章扬眉吐气，使天下人知道我半生潦倒，并不是因为我本领不够，我的心愿也就满足了。况且，读书人能有一个知己，就可以没有遗憾，何必非得脱下这身白纻衣，才算交了好运呢？”丁乘鹤见他离家做客已久，怕他耽误岁试，便劝他回乡探望家人。叶生听了，神情凄惨，很不高兴。丁乘鹤不忍勉强，便嘱咐儿子到了京城，替叶生缴纳粮食，取得监生资格。再昌后来又考中了会试，被授予部中主政的官职。他带叶生到国子监，两人仍旧朝夕相伴。一年后，叶生参加了京城的乡试，终于考中了举人。恰逢再昌奉派到南河办理河务，便对叶生说：“这次去的地方，离您的家乡不远。先生如今已经考取功名，前途远大，衣锦还乡，真是一件快事。”叶生也很高兴。他们选了个吉日上路，到了淮阳境内，再昌便派仆人备好车马，送叶生回家。
Before long he fell ill. Lord Ding sent to ask after him again and again, but a hundred packets of medicine did him no good at all. Just then Ding offended a superior and was dismissed, and was about to leave his post. He wrote to Ye, and the gist of the letter was: “The day of my return east is near. The reason I am lingering is to wait for you. If you come in the morning, I leave that evening.” The letter was brought to Ye’s sickbed. Ye held it and sobbed. He sent word back by the messenger: “My illness is grave and will not mend soon. Please go on ahead.” The messenger came back and reported this, but Ding could not bear to leave, and waited on. A few days later the gatekeeper suddenly announced that Ye had come. Ding was delighted, went out to meet him and asked how he was. “This miserable illness of mine kept you waiting so long, sir,” said Ye, “that I have had no peace of mind. Now, happily, I am fit to follow you.” So Ding packed his things and set off at dawn. When they reached his home, he had his son take Ye as his teacher, and the two were together day and night. The son, Zaichang, was sixteen and still could not write an essay. But he was extremely clever: any piece of writing he went over two or three times, he never forgot. After a year with Ye he could write an essay straight off. With his father’s influence added, he entered the county school. Ye copied out all the examination essays he had drafted in his whole life and gave them to the boy to study. Of the seven topics set in the examination hall, not one was missing from them, and the boy passed sixth on the list. One day Lord Ding said to Ye, “You gave the boy only the scraps of your learning, and they have made his name. Yet the great bell lies cast aside for good. What is to be done?” “It must be fate,” said Ye. “If through your family’s good fortune my writing can at last breathe freely, and the world can see that my half a life of failure was no fault of my fighting, that is all I could wish. Besides, a scholar who finds one man who understands him has nothing to regret. Why must he throw off his plain white gown before he can call himself lucky?” Since Ye had been away from home so long, Ding was afraid he would miss the annual examination, and urged him to go home and see his family. Ye looked stricken and was unhappy. Ding could not bear to press him. He told his son, when he went to the capital, to buy Ye a place at the Imperial Academy. Zaichang went on to pass the metropolitan examination as well, and was made a secretary in one of the ministries. He took Ye with him to the Academy, and they were together morning and evening. The next year Ye sat the provincial examination in the capital, and at last he passed. Then Zaichang was sent south to take charge of river works, and he said to Ye, “This takes us not far from your home, sir. You have risen to the clouds; how fine to go home in brocade!” Ye was glad too. They chose a lucky day and set out. At the border of Huaiyang, Zaichang sent a servant with horses to see Ye home.
歸見門戶蕭條，意甚悲惻。逡巡至庭中，妻攜簸具以出，見生，擲具駭走。生淒然曰：「我今貴矣。三四年不覿，何遂頓不相識？」妻遙謂曰：「君死已久，何復言貴？所以久淹君柩者，以家貧子幼耳。今阿大亦已成立，將卜窀穸。勿作怪異嚇生人。」生聞之，憮然惆悵。逡巡入室，見靈柩儼然，仆地而滅。妻驚視之，衣冠履舄如脫委焉。大慟，抱衣悲哭。子自塾中歸，見結駟于門，審所自來，駭奔告母。母揮涕告訴。又細詢從者，始得顛末。從者返，公子聞之，涕墮垂膺。即命駕哭諸其室；出橐營喪，葬以孝廉禮。又厚遺其子，為延師教讀。言于學使，逾年游泮。
葉生回到家，看到門戶冷落蕭條，心裡十分悲傷。他遲疑著走進院子，妻子正拿著簸箕出來，一見他，便扔下簸箕，驚恐地跑開。葉生悽然說道：「我如今已經有功名了。三四年沒見，怎麼竟一下子不認得我了？」妻子遠遠地對他說：「你已經死了很久，怎麼還說什麼有功名？你的棺材一直停著沒有下葬，只是因為家裡窮，孩子又小。如今阿大也已經長大成人，正準備選地方安葬你。別再鬧鬼，嚇唬活人了。」葉生聽後，茫然失落，滿懷惆悵。他遲疑著走進屋裡，見自己的棺材端端正正地擺在那裡，便倒在地上，消失了。妻子驚懼地上前檢視，只見衣服、帽子和鞋子留在地上，像是脫下後丟在那裡的一樣。她放聲痛哭，抱著衣服，悲傷不已。兒子從私塾回來，見門口停著四匹馬拉的車，問清來歷，便驚慌地跑去告訴母親。母親擦著眼淚，把剛才的事告訴了他。他們又仔細詢問隨行的僕人，這才知道事情的來龍去脈。僕人回去後，再昌聽說了，眼淚不斷落在胸前。他立即叫人備車，趕到葉生家中哭悼，拿出自己的錢替他辦理喪事，按照舉人的禮儀安葬了他。再昌又送給葉生的兒子許多錢財，替他請老師教他讀書，還向學使舉薦了他。一年後，葉生的兒子也成了縣學的生員。
归见门户萧条，意甚悲恻。逡巡至庭中，妻携簸具以出，见生，掷具骇走。生凄然曰：「我今贵矣。三四年不觌，何遂顿不相识？」妻遥谓曰：「君死已久，何复言贵？所以久淹君柩者，以家贫子幼耳。今阿大亦已成立，将卜窀穸。勿作怪异吓生人。」生闻之，怃然惆怅。逡巡入室，见灵柩俨然，仆地而灭。妻惊视之，衣冠履舄如脱委焉。大恸，抱衣悲哭。子自塾中归，见结驷于门，审所自来，骇奔告母。母挥涕告诉。又细询从者，始得颠末。从者返，公子闻之，涕堕垂膺。即命驾哭诸其室；出橐营丧，葬以孝廉礼。又厚遗其子，为延师教读。言于学使，逾年游泮。
叶生回到家，看到门户冷落萧条，心里十分悲伤。他迟疑着走进院子，妻子正拿着簸箕出来，一见他，便扔下簸箕，惊恐地跑开。叶生凄然说道：“我如今已经有功名了。三四年没见，怎么竟一下子不认得我了？”妻子远远地对他说：“你已经死了很久，怎么还说什么有功名？你的棺材一直停着没有下葬，只是因为家里穷，孩子又小。如今阿大也已经长大成人，正准备选地方安葬你。别再闹鬼，吓唬活人了。”叶生听后，茫然失落，满怀惆怅。他迟疑着走进屋里，见自己的棺材端端正正地摆在那里，便倒在地上，消失了。妻子惊惧地上前查看，只见衣服、帽子和鞋子留在地上，像是脱下后丢在那里的一样。她放声痛哭，抱着衣服，悲伤不已。儿子从私塾回来，见门口停着四匹马拉的车，问清来历，便惊慌地跑去告诉母亲。母亲擦着眼泪，把刚才的事告诉了他。他们又仔细询问随行的仆人，这才知道事情的来龙去脉。仆人回去后，再昌听说了，眼泪不断落在胸前。他立即叫人备车，赶到叶生家中哭悼，拿出自己的钱替他办理丧事，按照举人的礼仪安葬了他。再昌又送给叶生的儿子许多钱财，替他请老师教他读书，还向学使举荐了他。一年后，叶生的儿子也成了县学的生员。
When he got home, Ye found the gate desolate and the house run down, and his heart was full of grief. He hesitated, then walked into the courtyard. His wife came out carrying a winnowing basket. When she saw him she threw it down and ran off in terror. “I am a man of rank now,” said Ye sadly. “We have not seen each other for three or four years. How can you not know me?” His wife spoke to him from a distance. “You have been dead a long time. What is this talk of rank? I have kept your coffin unburied all this while only because we were poor and our son was small. Now our eldest is grown, and we are about to choose a grave for you. Don’t come back haunting and frightening the living.” When Ye heard this he stood lost and desolate. He hesitated, then went into the room and saw his coffin standing there. He fell to the ground and vanished. His wife, frightened, went to look: his cap and gown and shoes lay there like a shed skin. She broke down and wept, hugging the clothes. Their son came home from his lessons, saw a team of horses at the gate, and asked where they came from. Then he ran in fright to tell his mother. Wiping away her tears, she told him what had happened. They questioned the servant closely, and only then learned the whole story. When the servant returned and Zaichang heard it, his tears fell until they soaked his chest. At once he called for his carriage and went to weep at Ye’s house. He paid for the funeral from his own purse and buried Ye with the rites due to a provincial graduate. He also gave Ye’s son generous gifts and hired a tutor for him. He spoke to the education commissioner on the boy’s behalf, and a year later the boy entered the county school.
異史氏曰：「魂從知己，竟忘死耶？聞者疑之，余深信焉。同心倩女，至離枕上之魂；千里良朋，猶識夢中之路。而況繭絲蠅跡，嘔學士之心肝；流水高山，通我曹之性命哉！嗟乎！遇合難期，遭逢不偶。行蹤落落，對影長愁；傲骨嶙嶙，搔頭自愛。嘆面目之酸澀，來鬼物之揶揄。頻居康了之中，則鬚髮之條條可醜；一落孫山之外，則文章之處處皆疵。古今痛哭之人，卞和惟爾；顛倒逸群之物，伯樂伊誰？抱刺于懷，三年滅字；側身以望，四海無家。人生世上，只須合眼放步，以聽造物之低昂而已。天下之昂藏淪落如葉生其人者，亦復不少，顧安得令威復來，而生死從之也哉？噫！」
異史氏說：「魂魄追隨知己，竟然忘了自己已經死去嗎？聽到這件事的人都懷疑，我卻深信不疑。與愛人心意相通的倩女，魂魄竟能離開枕上的身體；相隔千里的好友，在夢中仍能認得相訪的道路。何況那些細如蠶絲、小如蠅跡的字裡，傾注了讀書人的全部心血；像高山流水一般的知音之情，更與我們這些人的性命相通！唉！知己難求，命運又總不如意。獨來獨往，只能對著自己的影子長久憂愁；一身傲骨，抓著頭髮，也只能自己珍惜自己。感嘆自己面容寒酸困窘，卻招來鬼怪的嘲笑。屢次落榜，連每一根鬍鬚和頭髮都被人看作醜陋；只要一次名落孫山，文章就被說得處處都是毛病。古往今來，為珍寶不被賞識而痛哭的人，卞和，只有你了；出眾的駿馬被錯當成劣馬，誰又是能認出它的伯樂呢？懷裡揣著求見的名帖，過了三年，連字跡都磨沒了；側著身子向遠處張望，天下雖大，卻沒有一個可以安身的地方。人生在世，只能閉上眼睛放步往前走，任憑造物者把自己抬高或壓低罷了。天下像葉生這樣氣度不凡卻潦倒失意的人，也著實不少，可到哪裡才能盼得令威再來，讓他們無論生死都能追隨他呢？唉！」
异史氏曰：「魂从知己，竟忘死耶？闻者疑之，余深信焉。同心倩女，至离枕上之魂；千里良朋，犹识梦中之路。而况茧丝蝇迹，呕学士之心肝；流水高山，通我曹之性命哉！嗟乎！遇合难期，遭逢不偶。行踪落落，对影长愁；傲骨嶙嶙，搔头自爱。叹面目之酸涩，来鬼物之揶揄。频居康了之中，则须发之条条可丑；一落孙山之外，则文章之处处皆疵。古今痛哭之人，卞和惟尔；颠倒逸群之物，伯乐伊谁？抱刺于怀，三年灭字；侧身以望，四海无家。人生世上，只须合眼放步，以听造物之低昂而已。天下之昂藏沦落如叶生其人者，亦复不少，顾安得令威复来，而生死从之也哉？噫！」
异史氏说：“魂魄追随知己，竟然忘了自己已经死去吗？听到这件事的人都怀疑，我却深信不疑。与爱人心意相通的倩女，魂魄竟能离开枕上的身体；相隔千里的好友，在梦中仍能认得相访的道路。何况那些细如蚕丝、小如蝇迹的字里，倾注了读书人的全部心血；像高山流水一般的知音之情，更与我们这些人的性命相通！唉！知己难求，命运又总不如意。独来独往，只能对着自己的影子长久忧愁；一身傲骨，抓着头发，也只能自己珍惜自己。感叹自己面容寒酸困窘，却招来鬼怪的嘲笑。屡次落榜，连每一根胡须和头发都被人看作丑陋；只要一次名落孙山，文章就被说得处处都是毛病。古往今来，为珍宝不被赏识而痛哭的人，卞和，只有你了；出众的骏马被错当成劣马，谁又是能认出它的伯乐呢？怀里揣着求见的名帖，过了三年，连字迹都磨没了；侧着身子向远处张望，天下虽大，却没有一个可以安身的地方。人生在世，只能闭上眼睛放步往前走，任凭造物者把自己抬高或压低罢了。天下像叶生这样气度不凡却潦倒失意的人，也着实不少，可到哪里才能盼得令威再来，让他们无论生死都能追随他呢？唉！”
The Historian of the Strange says: A soul that follows the one who understood it, and forgets that it is dead? Those who hear of it doubt it; I believe it deeply. A girl of one heart with her lover can send her soul out from the pillow where she lies; a good friend a thousand li away still knows the road in his dream. How much more a scholar who has spat out his heart and liver in lines as fine as silk thread and fly tracks, and whose life is bound to ours by flowing water and high mountains! Alas! A true meeting of minds cannot be hoped for, and fortune does not fall our way. He goes his lonely road, grieving before his own shadow; his proud bones stand out sharp, and he scratches his head and holds himself dear. He sighs at his own sour, pinched face, and ghosts come out to jeer at him. Let him sit among the failed time after time, and every hair of his head and beard is ugly; let his name fall but once below the last on the list, and every line of his writing is flawed. Of all who have wept bitterly, past and present, only Bian He, weeping over his jade, was your like; and for a steed that outruns the herd but is judged all wrong, where is a Bole to know it? He carries his name card in his breast till in three years the writing has worn away; he turns sideways and looks about him, and in all the four seas he has no home. A man in this world can only shut his eyes and stride on, and let the Creator raise him up or bring him low. There are many in the world, fine and upright yet sunk in failure, like Ye; but where can one find a Ding Lingwei to come again, whom they might follow in life and in death? Alas!