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Sparse Shadows: On the Plum Blossom
English Poetic Translation
Mossy boughs are studded with jade,
And tiny emerald birds
Perch together as night descends.
In a stranger's town we meet at dusk by the fence corner,
Silent, leaning against slender bamboos.
Lady Zhaojun, unaccustomed to distant Tartar sands,
Secretly broods on the rivers, south and north.
I imagine her jade pendants returning in the moonlight,
Transforming into this solitary blossom.
We still recall old tales of the inner palace,
When she slept, and blossoms drifted near her painted brows.
Do not be like the spring breeze that ignores fragile beauty,
Failing to secure a golden chamber early on.
Only to let petals scatter away with the flowing current,
While we lament the jade flute's mournful song.
By the time we seek out that secluded fragrance once more,
It has already passed into a painted window scroll.
And tiny emerald birds
Perch together as night descends.
In a stranger's town we meet at dusk by the fence corner,
Silent, leaning against slender bamboos.
Lady Zhaojun, unaccustomed to distant Tartar sands,
Secretly broods on the rivers, south and north.
I imagine her jade pendants returning in the moonlight,
Transforming into this solitary blossom.
We still recall old tales of the inner palace,
When she slept, and blossoms drifted near her painted brows.
Do not be like the spring breeze that ignores fragile beauty,
Failing to secure a golden chamber early on.
Only to let petals scatter away with the flowing current,
While we lament the jade flute's mournful song.
By the time we seek out that secluded fragrance once more,
It has already passed into a painted window scroll.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
苔枝綴玉。
有翠禽小小，枝上同宿。
客裏相逢，籬角黃昏，無言自倚修竹。
昭君不慣胡沙遠，但暗憶、江南江北。
想佩環、月夜歸來，化作此花幽獨。
猶記深宮舊事，那人正睡裏，飛近蛾綠。
莫似春風，不管盈盈，早與安排金屋。
還教一片隨波去，又卻怨、玉龍哀曲。
等恁時、重覓幽香，已入小窗橫幅。
有翠禽小小，枝上同宿。
客裏相逢，籬角黃昏，無言自倚修竹。
昭君不慣胡沙遠，但暗憶、江南江北。
想佩環、月夜歸來，化作此花幽獨。
猶記深宮舊事，那人正睡裏，飛近蛾綠。
莫似春風，不管盈盈，早與安排金屋。
還教一片隨波去，又卻怨、玉龍哀曲。
等恁時、重覓幽香，已入小窗橫幅。
Philological Direct Translation
Mossy branches stud jade.
There are jade birds tiny, on the branches together lodging.
As a traveler in guest lands meeting, at the fence corner dusk, without words leaning against slender bamboos.
Zhaojun was unaccustomed to barbarian sands far away, but secretly remembers, south of the river and north of the river.
Imagining jade pendants, on a moonlit night returning, transformed into this flower, secluded and alone.
Still remembering deep palace old affairs, that person was right in sleep, flying close to moth-eyebrows.
Do not be like the spring wind, not caring for the delicate ones, early arranging a golden house.
Still making a single petal drift away with the waves, then again complaining of the jade dragon flute's sorrowful tune.
Waiting for that time, searching again for the secluded fragrance, it has already entered the small window's horizontal scroll.
There are jade birds tiny, on the branches together lodging.
As a traveler in guest lands meeting, at the fence corner dusk, without words leaning against slender bamboos.
Zhaojun was unaccustomed to barbarian sands far away, but secretly remembers, south of the river and north of the river.
Imagining jade pendants, on a moonlit night returning, transformed into this flower, secluded and alone.
Still remembering deep palace old affairs, that person was right in sleep, flying close to moth-eyebrows.
Do not be like the spring wind, not caring for the delicate ones, early arranging a golden house.
Still making a single petal drift away with the waves, then again complaining of the jade dragon flute's sorrowful tune.
Waiting for that time, searching again for the secluded fragrance, it has already entered the small window's horizontal scroll.