Once there lived a rich man who was justly proud of his cellar and the wine therein. And there was one jug¹ of ancient vintage kept for some occasion known only to himself.

从前，有个富翁，不无理由地以他的酒窖和窖藏美酒自豪。其中有一瓶远年陈葡萄酒，是他珍藏着留作盛会用的，究竟是什么盛会，可只有他自己知道。

The governor of the state visited him, and he bethought him and said, "That jug shall not be opened for a mere² governor."

地方官来拜访他，他心中寻思道："不过是地方官罢了，不必为他开这瓶酒。"

And a bishop³ of the diocese visited him, but he said to himself, "Nay⁴, I will not open that jug. He would not know its value, nor would its aroma⁵ reach his nostrils⁶."

教区的主教来拜访他，可他跟自己说道："不，我不愿为他开这瓶酒。他不会懂得这酒的价值，这酒的香味地也闻不出来。"

The prince of the realm came and supped with him. But he thought, "It is too royal a wine for a mere princeling."

王国的王子来临，和他一同进餐。但是他想："他不过是个小小的王子，不配喝那么高贵的美酒。"

And even on the day when his own nephew was married, he said to himself, "No, not to these guests shall that jug be brought forth⁷."

甚至在他自己的侄儿结婚的时候，他也对自己说道："不，那瓶酒可不拿出来给那些客人们喝。"

And the years passed by, and he died, an old man, and he was buried like unto every seed and acorn⁸.

岁月流逝，这老头儿终于死了，埋了，像种子和橡实一样。

And upon the day that he was buried the ancient jug was brought out together with other jugs⁹ of wine, and it was shared by the peasants of the neighbourhood. And none knew its great age.

他下葬的那天，那瓶远年陈葡萄酒和其它的酒都拿出来了，被农民和邻居们分着喝掉了。没有一个人辨别出这瓶酒是远年陈酒。

To them, all that is poured into a cup is only wine

对他们说来，凡是倒进酒杯里的，都不过是酒罢了。