The story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai (Butterfly Lovers) is based upon a historical legend known to every Chinese.

梁山伯与祝英台的故事是中国人皆知的一个传说。

It was in the feudal¹ China, when love as young people's own choice was considered to be devious² from the norm of the society.

在中国的封建社会，青年男女自由恋爱被视为离经叛道之事。

However, two young people fell in love, and in a very dramatic way.

然而就有这么一对年轻人以一种极其戏剧化的方式相爱了。

Having been close friends at school,

梁山伯与祝英台在学校时本是好友。

the young man, Liang Shanbo would never imagine that his pal³ Zhu Yingtai should turn out to be a fair lady when they were back home after finishing their school.

梁山伯未曾想到毕业回家的朋友竟是位美丽的小姐。

As a matter of fact, in those days, the sphere of activity of women was none other than their homes.

那时的女子大门不出，二门不进，

In order to receive education as man did, the girl had disguised herself as a boy.

为了读书，祝英台才女扮男装。

During the three years of study,

3年的同窗生涯，

she fell in love with Liang Shanbo,

祝英台爱上了梁山伯，

who was unaware⁴ of her real identity.

梁山伯却不知道祝英台是女儿身。

At departing, Zhu invited Liang to visit “his” family,

临别之际，祝英台邀请梁山伯到祝家庄去，

and told him “ he ” would ask parents to marry “his” sister to Liang.

并说要告诉父母把自己的妹妹嫁给梁山伯为妻。

But since Liang was short of money, he delayed the visit.

可梁山伯因为囊中羞涩，迟迟未能成行。

Councilor Zhu betrothed⁵ Zhu Yingtai to childe Ma.

而祝员外已将祝英台许配给马公子。

Two years later, Liang Shanbo went to visit Zhu.

两年后，梁山伯去祝家庄拜访祝英台，

Only then did he realize that the “sister” was actually Zhu Yingtai herself.

才知道所谓的“妹妹”就是祝英台自己。

Liang was in deep remorse⁶.

梁山伯后悔不迭，从此一病不起，

He fell ill and failed to recover.

不久便病死了。

He succumbed⁷ to the disease soon.

到了成亲的日子，马公子派花舟来接祝英台。

On the day of wedding ,childe Ma sent a flower boat to Zhu's home to bring her lover.

当新娘的花舟经过梁山伯的墓地时，突然刮起了大风，

When the flower boat for the bride passed Liang’s tomb，there came a fresh gale⁸,

直吹得波浪滔天，船不能行。

which caused the wave to surge so that the boat could not go any further,

祝英台一问才知道，

informed that Liang’s tomb was on the shore，

梁山伯的墓地就在岸边。

Zhu ran there and knelt down in front of the tomb waiting bitterly.

祝英台跑到岸上，跪在梁山伯的墓前放声大哭。

Suddenly the skies fell and the earth cracked.

突然一声天崩地裂，

Liang’s tomb split open.

梁山伯的坟墓裂开了，

Seizing this opportunity, Zhu jumped into the tomb,

祝英台趁机跳进了坟墓。

and soon the tomb closed, burying Zhu inside.

坟墓很快又合了起来，将祝英台也埋在了里面。

Then the rain passed off, and the sky cleared up； the wind abated⁹, and waves calmed down.

这时，早已经雨过天晴，风平浪静，

A couple of butterflies danced gracefully¹⁰ among the wild flowers.

只见一对美丽的蝴蝶在坟墓前的野花丛中翩翩起舞。