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Music to Plead with Heaven: On the Xiling Road
English Poetic Translation
Mist-woven waves and peach-leaf paths along Xiling's shore,
Ten years my spirit snapped at the tidal stream's tail.
I grasp old willows once more, gulls scatter from our parting place,
Atop the perilous pavilion I lean alone amidst fading traces.
A sudden chill wind starts to blow.
Across vast misty sandbanks, a sail flies by;
In the gathering dusk, distant mountains lie in emerald bands.
Only the river blossoms remain,
Together with autumn's mirror reflecting my withered face.
In the magnificent hall, flickering candles speed the parting guest;
Where her bright eyes glance back,
Her fragrant beauty flows like water.
Slender bones frozen as ice, soft fingers dipped in snow—
I still recall the deep intent of sharing the melon.
The clear wine goblet is yet unwashed.
Dreams cannot moisten the drifting clouds,
They only vainly stain my lingering tears.
What a pity, this autumn night,
Amidst the din of crickets and sparse, drifting rain.
Ten years my spirit snapped at the tidal stream's tail.
I grasp old willows once more, gulls scatter from our parting place,
Atop the perilous pavilion I lean alone amidst fading traces.
A sudden chill wind starts to blow.
Across vast misty sandbanks, a sail flies by;
In the gathering dusk, distant mountains lie in emerald bands.
Only the river blossoms remain,
Together with autumn's mirror reflecting my withered face.
In the magnificent hall, flickering candles speed the parting guest;
Where her bright eyes glance back,
Her fragrant beauty flows like water.
Slender bones frozen as ice, soft fingers dipped in snow—
I still recall the deep intent of sharing the melon.
The clear wine goblet is yet unwashed.
Dreams cannot moisten the drifting clouds,
They only vainly stain my lingering tears.
What a pity, this autumn night,
Amidst the din of crickets and sparse, drifting rain.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
煙波桃葉西陵路，十年斷魂潮尾。
古柳重攀，輕鷗聚別，陳跡危亭獨倚。
涼颸乍起。
渺煙磧飛帆，暮山橫翠。
但有江花，共臨秋鏡照憔悴。
華堂燭暗送客，眼波回盼處，芳豔流水。
素骨凝冰，柔蔥蘸雪，猶憶分瓜深意。
清尊未洗。
夢不溼行雲，漫沾殘淚。
可惜秋宵，亂蛩疏雨裏。
古柳重攀，輕鷗聚別，陳跡危亭獨倚。
涼颸乍起。
渺煙磧飛帆，暮山橫翠。
但有江花，共臨秋鏡照憔悴。
華堂燭暗送客，眼波回盼處，芳豔流水。
素骨凝冰，柔蔥蘸雪，猶憶分瓜深意。
清尊未洗。
夢不溼行雲，漫沾殘淚。
可惜秋宵，亂蛩疏雨裏。
Philological Direct Translation
Mist waves peach leaves Xiling road, ten years broken soul tide tail.
Ancient willows again climbed, light gulls gathered parted, old traces dangerous pavilion alone leaned.
Cool breeze suddenly rises.
Vast misty sandbar flying sail, evening mountains horizontal kingfisher.
Only have river flowers, together facing autumn mirror reflect haggard.
Splendid hall candle dark sending guest, eye waves turning glancing place, fragrant brilliance flowing water.
White bone condensed ice, soft scallion dipped snow, still remember dividing melon deep meaning.
Clear goblet not yet washed.
Dream not wet-moving cloud, vainly stained remaining tears.
Regrettable autumn night, chaotic crickets sparse rain inside.
Ancient willows again climbed, light gulls gathered parted, old traces dangerous pavilion alone leaned.
Cool breeze suddenly rises.
Vast misty sandbar flying sail, evening mountains horizontal kingfisher.
Only have river flowers, together facing autumn mirror reflect haggard.
Splendid hall candle dark sending guest, eye waves turning glancing place, fragrant brilliance flowing water.
White bone condensed ice, soft scallion dipped snow, still remember dividing melon deep meaning.
Clear goblet not yet washed.
Dream not wet-moving cloud, vainly stained remaining tears.
Regrettable autumn night, chaotic crickets sparse rain inside.