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Courtyard Full of Fragrance: On the Cricket
English Poetic Translation
The moon has washed the towering parasol trees,
And heavy dew weighs down the hidden grass;
Beyond the Jeweled Hairpin Pavilion, autumn's breath grows deep.
Green moss climbs over earth-born blooms,
While wandering fireflies sink within the shadows of the wall.
I listen quietly to the cold song rising and fading, its broken, trembling notes
So desolate, choked, and full of grief.
They call for mates with urgent industry,
As if to urge the weavers on, their beating wings
Accelerating the heart of the approaching dawn's loom.
In childhood days, I well remember now,
We carried lanterns to flood their earthy burrows,
Stealthily trailing after every sound.
Though showers of floral shadows fell across our clothes,
We chased them still with tireless delight.
We gathered them to take inside the painted hall for sportive fights,
In tiny, artful cages overlaid with gold.
But speak no more of those old games!
Now let the cricket hide beneath his bed,
And through the chill night share my solitary song.
And heavy dew weighs down the hidden grass;
Beyond the Jeweled Hairpin Pavilion, autumn's breath grows deep.
Green moss climbs over earth-born blooms,
While wandering fireflies sink within the shadows of the wall.
I listen quietly to the cold song rising and fading, its broken, trembling notes
So desolate, choked, and full of grief.
They call for mates with urgent industry,
As if to urge the weavers on, their beating wings
Accelerating the heart of the approaching dawn's loom.
In childhood days, I well remember now,
We carried lanterns to flood their earthy burrows,
Stealthily trailing after every sound.
Though showers of floral shadows fell across our clothes,
We chased them still with tireless delight.
We gathered them to take inside the painted hall for sportive fights,
In tiny, artful cages overlaid with gold.
But speak no more of those old games!
Now let the cricket hide beneath his bed,
And through the chill night share my solitary song.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
月洗高梧，露幽草，寶釵樓外秋深。
土花沿翠，螢火墜牆陰。
靜聽寒聲斷續，微韻轉、悽咽悲沈。
爭求侶，殷勤勸織，促破曉機心。
兒時，曾記得，呼燈灌穴，斂步隨音。
任滿身花影，猶自追尋。
攜向花堂戲鬥，亭臺小、籠巧妝金。
今休說，從渠牀下，涼夜伴孤吟。
土花沿翠，螢火墜牆陰。
靜聽寒聲斷續，微韻轉、悽咽悲沈。
爭求侶，殷勤勸織，促破曉機心。
兒時，曾記得，呼燈灌穴，斂步隨音。
任滿身花影，猶自追尋。
攜向花堂戲鬥，亭臺小、籠巧妝金。
今休說，從渠牀下，涼夜伴孤吟。
Philological Direct Translation
Moon washes high phoenix-trees, dew dampens secluded grasses, outside the Jeweled Hairpin Pavilion autumn is deep.
Earth-flowers border emerald moss, fireflies drop into wall shadows.
Quietly listening to cold sounds intermittent, faint melodies turn, desolate, choked, and sorrowful.
Contending to seek companions, earnestly urging weaving, pressing to break the dawn loom's heart.
Childhood, once remembered, called for lanterns to flood cricket holes, gathered steps following the sound.
Allowing a full body of flower shadows, still continuing the pursuit.
Carrying them toward the flower hall for playful fighting, pavilions small, cages clever decorated with gold.
Now cease speaking, let it be under his bed, in the cool night accompanying solitary chanting.
Earth-flowers border emerald moss, fireflies drop into wall shadows.
Quietly listening to cold sounds intermittent, faint melodies turn, desolate, choked, and sorrowful.
Contending to seek companions, earnestly urging weaving, pressing to break the dawn loom's heart.
Childhood, once remembered, called for lanterns to flood cricket holes, gathered steps following the sound.
Allowing a full body of flower shadows, still continuing the pursuit.
Carrying them toward the flower hall for playful fighting, pavilions small, cages clever decorated with gold.
Now cease speaking, let it be under his bed, in the cool night accompanying solitary chanting.