Chapter 20

On the day when the lotus bloomed, alas¹, my mind was straying, and I knew it not. My basket was empty and the flower remained unheeded.
 
Only now and again a sadness fell upon me, and I started up from my dream and felt a sweet trace of a strange fragrance² in the south wind.
 
That vague sweetness made my heart ache with longing³ and it seemed to me that is was the eager breath of the summer seeking for its completion.
 
I knew not then that it was so near, that it was mine, and that this perfect sweetness had blossomed in the depth of my own heart.
 
莲花开放的那天，唉，我不自觉地心魂飘荡．我的花篮空着，花儿我也没有去理睬．
 
不时地有一段幽愁来袭击我。我从梦中惊起，觉得南风里有一阵奇香的芳踪．
 
这迷茫的温馨，使我想望得心痛，我觉得这仿佛是夏天渴望的气息，寻求圆满．
 
我那时不晓得它离我是那么近，而且是我的，这完美的温馨，还是在我自己心灵的深处开放．

1 alas   

int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等)

参考例句：

• Alas!The window is broken!哎呀！窗子破了！
• Alas,the truth is less romantic.然而，真理很少带有浪漫色彩。

2 fragrance   

n.芬芳，香味，香气

参考例句：

• The apple blossoms filled the air with their fragrance.苹果花使空气充满香味。
• The fragrance of lavender filled the room.房间里充满了薰衣草的香味。

3 longing   

n.（for）渴望

参考例句：

• Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
• His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。