Tune: “Drunk under the Shade of Flowers” Li Qingzhao (1084-1156)
薄雾浓云愁永昼，瑞脑消金兽。
佳节又重阳，玉枕纱厨，半夜凉初透。
东篱把酒黄昏后，有暗香盈袖。
莫道不消魂，帘卷西风，人比黄花瘦。
Tr. YK Chan 陈耀国译:
Worries shroud me like thin mists and heavy clouds all day long,
Incense in the bronze burner will soon be gone.
Another fine Chongyang Festival again,
midnight chill encroaches this jade pillow and canopied bed, where I’m torn.
Wine in hand by the mum grove after dusk,
a subtle fragrance permeates to adorn.
Isn’t it not a time to yearn? Window drape undulates in frigid breeze;
to the yellow flow’r I’m more gaunt.
__________
* For a video exposé in Mandarin, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GzrlmYRjmg
hi, y k,
nice piece of translation. may i submit my rendition — from another angle — below, please.
【醉花陰】 李清照
薄霧濃雲愁永晝。瑞腦消金獸。佳節又重陽，玉枕紗廚，半夜涼初透。
東籬把酒黃昏後。有暗香盈袖。莫道不消魂，簾捲西風，人似黃花瘦。
Tune: “Drunk” in the Flowery Shade Li Qingzhao
Covered by thin mists and thick clouds, it is so gloomy all day!
From the gold-like animal censer, strong fragrance soon fades away.
The fine Double Ninth Festival is, again, within sight.
My jade pillow and mosquito net tight,
The chill first comes a-visiting at midnight.
Amid yellow flow’rs at east fence after dusk I drink with restraint;
There comes a-filling my sleeves fragrance faint.
O What unspeakable pleasures are these?
Curtains a-flapping, because of the restless breeze —
Chrysanthemums, O I am as thin as these!