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Banishing Pavilion: Deep Dreams and Lingering Rain
English Poetic Translation
Deep sleep dissolves, though heavy clouds refuse to clear,
and dawn breaks thin in blown and scattered rain.
The bamboo rails are cold, the orchid meadows stir;
a stealthy green reaches the southern dock again.
No footsteps yet stir the half-ajar red doors
of winding galleries deserted and forlorn.
My spirit sinks, worn.
I gaze in vain for imperial rainbow banners in the sky,
yet no brocade dispatch arrives to anchor me.
Along mossed paths I trace old memories, wondering who now stands
by the fragrant swing pillars and ribbon bands.
The cosmetic caskets are closed, the phoenix pillow sleeps alone;
she too must stand gazing, lost in stone.
Oh, how to bring her here, deep within the small hall
where floral mists fall?
Let her stay fast,
never to leave me, until youth and life have passed.
and dawn breaks thin in blown and scattered rain.
The bamboo rails are cold, the orchid meadows stir;
a stealthy green reaches the southern dock again.
No footsteps yet stir the half-ajar red doors
of winding galleries deserted and forlorn.
My spirit sinks, worn.
I gaze in vain for imperial rainbow banners in the sky,
yet no brocade dispatch arrives to anchor me.
Along mossed paths I trace old memories, wondering who now stands
by the fragrant swing pillars and ribbon bands.
The cosmetic caskets are closed, the phoenix pillow sleeps alone;
she too must stand gazing, lost in stone.
Oh, how to bring her here, deep within the small hall
where floral mists fall?
Let her stay fast,
never to leave me, until youth and life have passed.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
幽夢初回，重陰未開，曉色吹成疏雨。
竹檻氣寒，蕙畹聲搖，新綠暗通南浦。
未有人行，才半啓、迴廊朱戶。
無緒。
空望極霓旌，錦書難據。
苔徑追憶曾遊，念誰伴、鞦韆採繩芳柱。
犀奩黛卷，鳳枕雲孤，應也幾番凝佇。
怎得伊來，花霧繞、小堂深處。
留住。
直到老、不教歸去。
竹檻氣寒，蕙畹聲搖，新綠暗通南浦。
未有人行，才半啓、迴廊朱戶。
無緒。
空望極霓旌，錦書難據。
苔徑追憶曾遊，念誰伴、鞦韆採繩芳柱。
犀奩黛卷，鳳枕雲孤，應也幾番凝佇。
怎得伊來，花霧繞、小堂深處。
留住。
直到老、不教歸去。
Philological Direct Translation
Deep dream first returning, heavy clouds not yet parting, morning color blown into sparse rain.
Bamboo railing air cold, orchid plots sound shaking, fresh green secretly communicating with the southern pier.
Not yet any person walking, only half-opened, winding corridor vermillion doors.
Without mood.
Vainly gazing far to rainbow banners, brocade letters difficult to rely upon.
Mossy path pursuing memory once wandering, thinking who accompanies, swing colorful rope fragrant pillar.
Rhinoceros-horn cosmetic box eyebrow paint rolled, phoenix pillow cloud solitary, should also several times gaze fixedly.
How to get that person to come, flower mist surrounds, small hall deep place.
Stay to hold.
Right until old age, not letting return go.
Bamboo railing air cold, orchid plots sound shaking, fresh green secretly communicating with the southern pier.
Not yet any person walking, only half-opened, winding corridor vermillion doors.
Without mood.
Vainly gazing far to rainbow banners, brocade letters difficult to rely upon.
Mossy path pursuing memory once wandering, thinking who accompanies, swing colorful rope fragrant pillar.
Rhinoceros-horn cosmetic box eyebrow paint rolled, phoenix pillow cloud solitary, should also several times gaze fixedly.
How to get that person to come, flower mist surrounds, small hall deep place.
Stay to hold.
Right until old age, not letting return go.