Monday 18 March 2013

李清照 落日鎔金,暮雲合璧,人在何處? The setting Sun, itself smelted like gold, taints all like gold; Ev'ning clouds close ranks to form piece of sculpted jade, like so.

【永遇樂】   南宋 • 李清照


落日鎔金,暮雲合璧,人在何處?
染柳煙濃,吹梅笛怨,春意知幾許。
元宵佳節,融和天氣,次第豈無風雨。
來相召,香車寶馬,謝他酒朋詩侶。
  
中州盛日,閨門多暇,記得偏重三五。
鋪翠冠兒,撚金雪柳,簇帶爭濟楚。
如今憔悴,風鬟霜鬢,怕見夜間出去。
不如向,簾兒底下,聽人笑語。


 

TUNE: YONG YU LE ("Forever A-meeting Happiness")
-- by Li Qingzhao (1084-1151)

-- Translated by Frank C Yue

The setting Sun, itself smelted like gold, taints all like gold;
Ev'ning clouds close ranks to form piece of sculpted jade, like so.
Alas! Where is my dear husband, though?
Willows dyed dripping green,
Thick chimney smokes rising, by all seen,
Plum-blossoms swaying in the breeze there,
Flute's sad tunes from nowhere --
O! Vibrant Spring is now in the air!
On this fine 'Everyone's Birthday' today,
The weather is warm, people are gay.
Despite all this, the wind and rain may not stay away!
I'm thankful for the invitation: Fragrant carriage, precious steeds,
Drinking friends, rhyming companions, come a-visiting at speed.

On this double feast day (this leap year) at the Middle Kingdom,
Be idling in their boudoirs, young ladies would seldom --
Enjoying bright lanterns and full Moon is the common wisdom.
Ladies' new hats adorned with fine feathers and jade green,
Bright, gold-trimmed silk-flower cut-outs are sharp and clean.
But, I'm so dreary,
And I'm so weary!
Of wind and frost, my graying hair has its share;
Going out after dusk, I do not care.
It's better to sit by the curtain, out of sight,
Listening to the people's talks and laughter at night!    

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