延年术
苏轼
自省事以来，闻世所谓道人有延年之术者，如赵抱一、徐登、张元梦，皆近百岁，然竟死，与常人无异。及来黄州，闻浮光有朱元经尤异，公卿尊师之者甚众，然卒亦病，死时中风搐搦。但实能黄白，有余药，金皆入官。不知世果无异人耶，抑有而人不见，此等举非耶？不知古所记异人虚实，无乃与此等不大相远，而好事者缘饰之耶？
The Secret of Longevity
Su Shih
Ever since I was a child, I have heard of Taoists who can prolong life. But people like Chao Paoyi, Shü, and Chang Yuanmeng all lived to about a hundred, and died just like any other people. After I came to Huanchow, I heard of Chu Yuanching at Foukuang, who enjoyed a high reputation and was regarded as a master by many high officials. But he, too, died of an illness in a violent paroxysm. However, he really could transmute gold and left some gold and power behind, now in the hands of the government. I am beginning to wonder whether such immortals ever existed, or whether they do exist but are not seen by people. Or are we all mistaken? Is it not possible that the stories in the ancient books about Taoists who never died are just like the cases mentioned above and exaggerated by the writers?
（林语堂 译）
