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Yingtian Chang: Warm Breezes Spread Gentleness
English Poetic Translation
Mild airs disperse the thaw, and wandering mists cajole the clearing sky;
the water-gardens overflow with all of spring's design.
Now in the moonless hall, the bitter Cold Food shadows lie
in heavy dusk, while swallows from the eaves re-sign
the ancient pact as former guests of spring.
They seem to mock my solitary grief behind barred doors,
where scattered petals drift, and rue-scent lingers from adjoining floors,
across a garden floor where fallen blooms are perishing.
I still recall that long-ago encounter in the outer town,
when oiled-silk carriages drew rein beneath the afternoon;
and how the palace handed down the sacred tapers, floating down
in smoky haze above the high-born lords' pavilion.
Now emerald grasses blur the winding tracks;
with forced wine in my cup, I trace my solitary back
across the distant market bridge where willow-shrouded doors remain
to greet my weary steps in silent, knowing pain.
the water-gardens overflow with all of spring's design.
Now in the moonless hall, the bitter Cold Food shadows lie
in heavy dusk, while swallows from the eaves re-sign
the ancient pact as former guests of spring.
They seem to mock my solitary grief behind barred doors,
where scattered petals drift, and rue-scent lingers from adjoining floors,
across a garden floor where fallen blooms are perishing.
I still recall that long-ago encounter in the outer town,
when oiled-silk carriages drew rein beneath the afternoon;
and how the palace handed down the sacred tapers, floating down
in smoky haze above the high-born lords' pavilion.
Now emerald grasses blur the winding tracks;
with forced wine in my cup, I trace my solitary back
across the distant market bridge where willow-shrouded doors remain
to greet my weary steps in silent, knowing pain.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
條風布暖，霏霧弄晴，池塘遍滿春色。
正是夜堂無月，沈沈暗寒食。
梁間燕，前社客。
似笑我、閉門愁寂。
亂花過，隔院芸香，滿地狼藉。
長記那回時，邂逅相逢，郊外駐油壁。
又見漢宮傳燭，飛煙五候宅。
青青草，迷路陌。
強帶酒，細尋前跡。
市橋遠，柳下人家，猶自相識。
正是夜堂無月，沈沈暗寒食。
梁間燕，前社客。
似笑我、閉門愁寂。
亂花過，隔院芸香，滿地狼藉。
長記那回時，邂逅相逢，郊外駐油壁。
又見漢宮傳燭，飛煙五候宅。
青青草，迷路陌。
強帶酒，細尋前跡。
市橋遠，柳下人家，猶自相識。
Philological Direct Translation
Mild winds spread warmth, drifting mists play with clear weather, ponds are everywhere filled with spring colors.
Just as the night hall lacks a moon, deeply, darkly it is the Cold Food festival.
Between the beams, swallows, guests from the preceding spring-shearing festival.
Seeming to laugh at me, closing my gate in sorrowful loneliness.
Scattered blossoms pass by, across the courtyard rue-scent drifts, the ground is littered in disorder.
I long remember that time, when we chanced to meet, stopping oiled-curtain carriages outside the suburbs.
Again I see Han palace candles being passed, flying smoke over the five marquises' mansions.
Green, green grasses, obscure the pathway borders.
Strongly bearing wine, I carefully trace past footprints.
Market bridge is distant, beneath the willows people's homes, still recognize one another.
Just as the night hall lacks a moon, deeply, darkly it is the Cold Food festival.
Between the beams, swallows, guests from the preceding spring-shearing festival.
Seeming to laugh at me, closing my gate in sorrowful loneliness.
Scattered blossoms pass by, across the courtyard rue-scent drifts, the ground is littered in disorder.
I long remember that time, when we chanced to meet, stopping oiled-curtain carriages outside the suburbs.
Again I see Han palace candles being passed, flying smoke over the five marquises' mansions.
Green, green grasses, obscure the pathway borders.
Strongly bearing wine, I carefully trace past footprints.
Market bridge is distant, beneath the willows people's homes, still recognize one another.