群芳過後西湖好
狼籍殘紅
飛絮蒙蒙
垂柳欄幹盡日風
笙歌散盡遊人去
始覺春空
垂下簾右櫳
雙燕歸來細雨中
Tune: Picking Mulberries Ouyang Xiu (1007-1072) 江紹倫譯
Rid of colourful flowers the West Lake stays fair
Scattered red petals everywhere
Catkins fill the air like a mist veil
Wavy willows along rails invite breezes all day
Music and singers gone with visitors
Feeling spring empty
I lower the blinds in vain
A pair of swallows appear returning in drizzling rain
寶髻鬆鬆挽就
鉛華淡淡妝成
青姻翠霧罩輕盈
飛絮游絲無定
相見不如不見
有情還似無情
笙歌散後酒微醒
深院月明人靜
Tune: Moon on West River Sima Guang (1019-1086) 江紹倫譯
She has her hair done up in a bun fluffy
Wearing simple makeup she appears happy
Delightful as engulfed in a purple mist
Her graceful steps light as willow downs I shall miss
Before we part we already wish to meet
Our love appears casual it is by no means weak
Tipsiness overcomes there are no more songs
Nobody around in the deep courtyard the moon shines on
《詩經 鄭風》女曰雞鳴
女曰雞鳴 士曰昧旦 子興視夜
明星有爛 將翱將翔 弋鳧與鴈
弋言加之 與子宜之 宜言飲酒
與子偕老 琴瑟在御 莫不靜好
知子之來之 雜佩以贈之
知子之順之 雜佩以問之
知子之好之 雜佩以報之
Hark Crows the Cock Book of Poetry 江紹倫譯
Hark crows the cock maiden says
‘Tis not yet dawn man says
Why not rise to watch the night sky
And see stars shining bright
Wild geese and ducks soar and fly
I will bring them down from high
Shooting games you are good
Cooking them I’ll make fine food
Together let us share this wine
Together we will grow old so fine
With zither by our side
Harmony we shall abide
I know you will tenderly care
Pearls are yours to wear
I know you will willingly obey
How could pearls ever repay
I know your committal love
Nothing more shall I ask
望海潮 柳永 (987-1053)
Tune: Watching the Tides Liu Yong (987-1053) 江紹倫譯
東南形勝 江吳都會 錢塘自古繁華
Southeast scenic splendor
Capital of ancient Kingdom Wu
Qiantang thrives today as ever
煙柳畫橋 風簾翠幕 參差十萬人家
Misty willows along painted bridges
Breezy windows their curtains green
To adorn a hundred thousand dwellings
雲樹繞堤沙 怒濤卷霜雪 天塹無涯 市列珠璣 戶盈羅绮競豪奢
Cloud-crowned tees surround the sandy banks
Roaring waves roll up a sky of snowy sands
This river extends to land’s end
Mounts of pearly jewels on display at the daily fair
Homes filled with splendid silk and satin array
Folks here compete in magnificent opulence
…
重湖疊瓛清嘉 有三秋桂子 十裏荷花
Layers of lakes reflect the peaks and serene towers
Autumn fragrances linger with osmanthus flowers
Ten thousand li of blooming lotus
羌管弄晴 菱歌泛夜 嬉嬉釣叟蓮娃
Northern pipes play with sunshine
Water chestnut songs sung on starry nights
Old fishermen and native maidens beam with delight
千騎擁高牙 乘醉聽簫鼓 吟賞煙霞
A thousand stallions hoisting flags to bid your arrival
Tipsy you may best appreciate melodies of flutes and drums
Chanting praises for this wonderful land beneath the sun
異日圖將好景 歸去鳳池誇
On a future date you might render this grand scene in flowery narrations
And boast your experience to the court with warm affection
憶帝京 柳永 (987-1053)
Tune: Recalling the Imperial Capital Liu Yong (987-1053) 江紹倫譯
薄衾小枕天氣 乍覺别離滋味
展轉數寒更 起了還重睡
畢竟不成眠 一夜長如歲
In meager quilt and small pillow when weather is cold
I begin to suffer the parting sorrow
Tossing in bed I count the chilly hours
Getting up only to return to bed however
Can’t sleep
The night feels lonely as year
也擬待 卻回征轡
又争奈 已成行計
萬種思量 多方開解 隻恁寂寞厭厭地
How I wish to return to you for perpetual stay
But I’m already far away
A thousand deliberations entertained
Mounts of excuses said in vain
They only accentuate my loneliness as much as I hate
系我一身心 負你千行淚
My heart is tied to you my remaining years
Not enough to compensate for all your tears
勸君莫惜金縷衣
勸君惜取少年時
花開堪折直須折
莫待無花空折枝
The Golden Dress (Tang Dynasty) Anonymous 江紹倫譯
Love not your dress of golden threads I say
Love the hours of your youthful days
Gather flowers in full bloom while you may
Wait not until they turn into dry twigs I pray
海上生明月 天涯共此時
情人怨遙夜 竟夕起相思
滅燭憐光滿 披衣覺露滋
不堪盈手贈 還寝夢佳期
Pining for you in Moonlight Zhang Jiu Ling (678-740) 江紹倫譯
The moon floods her brilliance over the ocean face
A moment shared by people in all places
While lovers complain the unending night
Yearning to see each other till dawn appears in sight
竹帛煙銷帝業虛
關河空鎖祖龍居
坑灰未冷山東亂
劉項原來不讀書
Book Burning Pit Zhang Jie (837 – ?) 江紹倫譯
Smoke of burning classics rise to signal the empire’s fall
Wall gates and rivers fail to guard the imperial dragon hall
Before the burning pit cooled the rebels east of the mountain is gathering speed
The leaders Liu and Xian are not interested to read
父耕原上田
子斸山下荒
六月禾未秀
官家已修倉
Peasants (Tang) Nie Yi Zhong (837-884) 江紹倫譯
On the old plain fathers toil
Down hills sons cultivate land into soil
In the sixth moon crops are still in blade
Official granaries are busily made