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Spring in the Han Palace: On the Arrival of Spring
English Poetic Translation
Spring has returned at last to deck the hair
Of courtly maids with fluttering silk and spring-wrought gear.
Yet sudden gales and driving rains still dare
To harbor winter's lingering chill and fear.
The swallows of last year, I well surmise,
Dream back tonight to walk the western lawn,
Unready yet with yellow citrus prize
Or green spring leeks upon the banquet dawn.
The eastern wind is now a restless sprite,
That dyes the willows and imbues the plum,
Denying earth a moment's respite light,
As busy seasons to the mirror come.
It turns the youthful crimson cheek to gray,
While quiet sorrow weaves its endless chain;
Who knows the art to untie grief away?
I dread to watch the petals wax and wane,
When morning brings the wild geese home again.
Of courtly maids with fluttering silk and spring-wrought gear.
Yet sudden gales and driving rains still dare
To harbor winter's lingering chill and fear.
The swallows of last year, I well surmise,
Dream back tonight to walk the western lawn,
Unready yet with yellow citrus prize
Or green spring leeks upon the banquet dawn.
The eastern wind is now a restless sprite,
That dyes the willows and imbues the plum,
Denying earth a moment's respite light,
As busy seasons to the mirror come.
It turns the youthful crimson cheek to gray,
While quiet sorrow weaves its endless chain;
Who knows the art to untie grief away?
I dread to watch the petals wax and wane,
When morning brings the wild geese home again.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
春已歸來，看美人頭上，嫋嫋春幡。
無端風雨，未肯收盡餘寒。
年時燕子，料今宵、夢到西園。
渾未辦、黃柑薦酒，更傳青韭堆盤。
卻笑東風從此，便薰梅染柳，更沒些閒。
閒時又來鏡裏，轉變朱顏。
清愁不斷，問何人、會解連環。
生怕見、花開花落，朝來塞雁先還。
無端風雨，未肯收盡餘寒。
年時燕子，料今宵、夢到西園。
渾未辦、黃柑薦酒，更傳青韭堆盤。
卻笑東風從此，便薰梅染柳，更沒些閒。
閒時又來鏡裏，轉變朱顏。
清愁不斷，問何人、會解連環。
生怕見、花開花落，朝來塞雁先還。
Philological Direct Translation
Spring already has returned, look beauties' on heads, fluttering spring banners.
Groundless wind rain, not yet willing to withdraw all remaining chill.
Year's time swallows, reckon this evening dreams arrive at west garden.
Altogether not prepared yellow citrus to recommend wine, further passing green leeks piled on plate.
Yet laugh east wind from henceforth, then scenting plums dyeing willows, no more any leisure.
Leisure time again comes into mirror, transforming vermilion face.
Clear sorrow unceasing, ask what person can understand interlocking rings.
Extreme fear to see flowers open flowers fall, morning coming border geese first return.
Groundless wind rain, not yet willing to withdraw all remaining chill.
Year's time swallows, reckon this evening dreams arrive at west garden.
Altogether not prepared yellow citrus to recommend wine, further passing green leeks piled on plate.
Yet laugh east wind from henceforth, then scenting plums dyeing willows, no more any leisure.
Leisure time again comes into mirror, transforming vermilion face.
Clear sorrow unceasing, ask what person can understand interlocking rings.
Extreme fear to see flowers open flowers fall, morning coming border geese first return.