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Waves Washing the Sand: Day Darkens Heavy
English Poetic Translation
A heavy day gathers, frost withers the bank's long grass,
mists enfold the fortress walls.
On the southern lane, grease-oiled carriages wait to start;
at the eastern gate, the farewell feast is done.
Before us, drooping willows invite the tying of parting cables;
she hides her crimson tears, her jade hands snap a twig in two.
I think of the parted wild geese drifting toward the Han, where have they flown?
As seasons pass, all tidings cease.
Passion cuts deep.
Gazing out, the earth is distant, the sky immense.
Where dew is cold and wind is keen, in a desolate spot,
the steady night-clock drips with a sobbing sound.
Alas, myriad things are hard to forget, yet light partings are worst;
the emerald goblet is not yet drained.
I beg the broken clouds to hold back the waning moon above the western tower.
Silken sashes lose their luster, patterned coverlets lie folded;
jade rings are loosened, the ancient fragrance suddenly fades.
Lamenting songs drag on, the jade pitcher is struck until its rim is notched;
I hate how spring departs, breaking its promise to man,
playing with the nocturnal hues, leaving only the pear blossoms' snow across the ground.
mists enfold the fortress walls.
On the southern lane, grease-oiled carriages wait to start;
at the eastern gate, the farewell feast is done.
Before us, drooping willows invite the tying of parting cables;
she hides her crimson tears, her jade hands snap a twig in two.
I think of the parted wild geese drifting toward the Han, where have they flown?
As seasons pass, all tidings cease.
Passion cuts deep.
Gazing out, the earth is distant, the sky immense.
Where dew is cold and wind is keen, in a desolate spot,
the steady night-clock drips with a sobbing sound.
Alas, myriad things are hard to forget, yet light partings are worst;
the emerald goblet is not yet drained.
I beg the broken clouds to hold back the waning moon above the western tower.
Silken sashes lose their luster, patterned coverlets lie folded;
jade rings are loosened, the ancient fragrance suddenly fades.
Lamenting songs drag on, the jade pitcher is struck until its rim is notched;
I hate how spring departs, breaking its promise to man,
playing with the nocturnal hues, leaving only the pear blossoms' snow across the ground.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
晝陰重，霜凋岸草，霧隱城堞。
南陌脂車待發。
東門帳飲乍闋。
正拂面垂楊堪纜結。
掩紅淚、玉手親折。
念漢浦離鴻去何許，經時信音絕。
情切。
望中地遠天闊。
向露冷風清，無人處、耿耿寒漏咽。
嗟萬事難忘，唯是輕別。
翠尊未竭。
憑斷雲留取，西樓殘月。
羅帶光銷紋衾疊。
連環解、舊香頓歇。
怨歌永、瓊壺敲盡缺。
恨春去、不與人期，弄夜色，空餘滿地梨花雪。
南陌脂車待發。
東門帳飲乍闋。
正拂面垂楊堪纜結。
掩紅淚、玉手親折。
念漢浦離鴻去何許，經時信音絕。
情切。
望中地遠天闊。
向露冷風清，無人處、耿耿寒漏咽。
嗟萬事難忘，唯是輕別。
翠尊未竭。
憑斷雲留取，西樓殘月。
羅帶光銷紋衾疊。
連環解、舊香頓歇。
怨歌永、瓊壺敲盡缺。
恨春去、不與人期，弄夜色，空餘滿地梨花雪。
Philological Direct Translation
Day shadow heavy, frost withers bank grass, fog hides city ramparts.
Southern pathway oiled carriage waits to depart.
Eastern gate tent drinking just now concluded.
Right facing the face drooping poplars fit for cable binding.
Covering red tears, jade hands personally break off.
Thinking of Han river parting swans gone where, passing time news entirely cut off.
Emotion piercing.
In gazing direction earth distant sky vast.
Toward dew cold wind clear, no person place, gleaming chilly water-clock sobs.
Sighing myriad matters difficult to forget, only is light parting.
Emerald goblet not yet exhausted.
Rellying on broken clouds to retain, western pavilion waning moon.
Silk sash luster fades patterned quilts folded.
Linked rings untied, former fragrance suddenly ceases.
Lament songs protracted, jade pot beaten completely notched.
Hating spring goes, not with people keeping appointment, playing with night colors, emptily remaining full ground pear flower snow.
Southern pathway oiled carriage waits to depart.
Eastern gate tent drinking just now concluded.
Right facing the face drooping poplars fit for cable binding.
Covering red tears, jade hands personally break off.
Thinking of Han river parting swans gone where, passing time news entirely cut off.
Emotion piercing.
In gazing direction earth distant sky vast.
Toward dew cold wind clear, no person place, gleaming chilly water-clock sobs.
Sighing myriad matters difficult to forget, only is light parting.
Emerald goblet not yet exhausted.
Rellying on broken clouds to retain, western pavilion waning moon.
Silk sash luster fades patterned quilts folded.
Linked rings untied, former fragrance suddenly ceases.
Lament songs protracted, jade pot beaten completely notched.
Hating spring goes, not with people keeping appointment, playing with night colors, emptily remaining full ground pear flower snow.