< 一老年人:
恭賀新禧,並祝各位身體健康,馬到功成,財才如意!
《甲午賀新歲》 夜月星河
午來巳去慶新年,
萬馬騰空掃霧天;
大地陽回人意好,
春光麗日物華姸。
步星河兄韻雅和一首七絕如下>:
《賀馬年》 一老年人
送蛇迎馬慶新年,
萬眾同歡假數天;
恭祝人人身體好,
財星高照樂豐研。
"Celebrating the Year of the Horse"
-- by 一老年人 'A Man of Advanced Years'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
A joyful celebration indeed --
Sending off the Snake, welcoming the nice Steed!
Happy on holidays thousands upon thousands,
During this festive Chinese New Year season!
Let's drink to Everyone's Good Health,
Abundance in Content and Wealth!
A brief collection of my attempted English renditions of selected Chinese poems, both contemporary and classical. (Each original classical Chinese poem may be presented in both the traditional and simplified forms, followed by the English translation.) Comments and suggested amendments welcome. (But I may not have the time to respond to every comment.) I am a follower of Andrew W F Wong's excellent blog "Classical Chinese Poems in English".
Friday, 31 January 2014
Thursday, 30 January 2014
夜月星河 午來巳去慶新年 萬馬騰空掃霧天 Welcome! -- In comes 'Jiawu' Baby
歳詩一首 from 夜月星河
《甲午賀新歲》 夜月星河
午來巳去慶新年,
萬馬騰空掃霧天;
大地陽回人意好,
春光麗日物華姸。
"Ringing In Chinese New Year 'Jiawu'"
-- by 夜月星河 'Night Moon Starry River'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Welcome! Welcome! -- In comes 'Jiawu' Baby;
Out goes Old Man 'Guisi' -- Good-bye to thee!
Myriad Horses in the sky galloping,
The haze and smog away sweeping!
The Sun's warmth has returned to the Earth,
To Good Will toward All it gives birth.
In bright Spring-time the shiny Sun
Makes gay E'erything and E'eryone!
夜月星河:
< 羡魚兄,早安!
欣賞英譯拙作, 祝新春快樂,
贈君賀歳詩一首 (as above)> :
Thank you v much 夜月星河,
a v Happy, Healthful and Prosperous CNY to you 2!
and thank you for the v lively pic of the Horse (reproduced below).
there are 2 flying horses 2 -- most appropriate for this blog where one's
imagination and creativity may soar limitless and free!
祝君 馬年事事如意,馬到功成!
The Chinese New Year 'Jiawu' 甲午新歲
begins today, on January 31, 2014.
Happy Birthday, Baby 'Jiawu' !
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
九鳥 新年頌吉祥 甲午望文昌 On this Chinese New Year Day
"On this Chinese New Year Day"
-- by 九鳥 'Nine Birds'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
On this Chinese New Year Day,
Let's all be thankful and pray --
For Fortune and Peace to All!
We hope 'Baby Jiawu' will bring
Civility and Prosperity hence-forth,
To make our hearts sing!
O Fine Stallion, do lead us to the Land
(-- We'll follow hand-in-hand --)
Of Milk, Honey and Peace
While the Fish-Dragon
soars o'er the Seven Seas!
1. Chinese New Year this year falls on Saturday,
January 31, 2014.
2. 甲午 'Jiawu' nian is the Year of the Horse
on the Chinese calendar.
堵霞 愁,幾片飛花過小樓 Grief and gloom --
《十六字令 . 春望》 清 . 堵霞
愁,
幾片飛花過小樓。
春歸否,尚在柳梢頭。
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng "16-character Ci"
TITLE: Chūn Wàng "Spring Pining"
-- by Dǔ Xiá (Qīng Dynasty)
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Grief and gloom --
Several petals fly o'er the attic;
flow'rs no longer in bloom!
Will Spring ever return? Tell me.
It's still hiding atop the willow tree.
from the net:
< 堵霞 (约1652年前后在世),清诗人、书画家。字岩如,号绮斋,又号蓉湖女士。梁溪(今江苏无锡)人。进士 堵廷芳 女,庠生吴元音(明代遗民,同乡)室。少嗜读书,博通经史,喜于吟咏,游情绘事,兼工小楷。其诗清婉韶秀,高出晚唐,有烟霞想,无脂粉气。画法宋人,丽艳 雅胜,出自天然,随意点染,皆臻神妙,非形似者所能比。而花卉写生深得徐熙笔意。著有《三到堂稿》、《含烟阁诗》、《含烟阁词》并行于世。为明末清初女画 家中杰出的人物。
堵霞 有一首 解语花《草兰》:
柳腰斜舞,杏靥含娇,明媚春光好。
绿窗清悄,香径软、百卉迎花如笑。
丛兰独巧,忽并蒂、四花连绕。
想从来、一本根苗,两样繁美少。
陋室俨如蓬岛,似仙娥群聚,弄晴春晓。
花容窈窕,湘帘下、素影参差回抱。
香魂缥缈。又浑似、一群娇鸟,
趁东风,齐上琼枝。带绿烟轻袅。>
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
欧阳修 春艳艳 江上晚山三四点 O Colourful, colourful Spring!
《歸自謠·春艳艳》宋·欧阳修/五代·馮延己(?)
春艳艳。江上晚山三四点,
柳丝如剪花如染。
香闺寂寂门半掩。
愁眉敛,泪珠滴破胭脂脸。
TUNE: Guī Zì Yáo "My Own Song of
Returning" (34-character Ci)
TITLE: "O Colourful, Colourful Spring!"
-- by OUYANG XIU (1007-1072)
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
O
Colourful, colourful Spring!
At
dusk, above the quiet river hazy,
Three
or four dots of vibrant hills
(one might see).
Willow
ribbons floating like swallow tails,
Flowers
dyed pink and red by wine and ale!
Her
boudoir so lonely, lonely!
Waiting door
left ajar, only.
Brows
tightly knit by sorrow,
Teardrops
streaming down the face rouge
(--
Like there is no tomorrow) !
from the net:
< 归自谣 《乐府雅词》注 “道调宫”。一名《风光子》,赵彦端词名 《思佳客》。
《词律》 编入《归国谣》 者误。
Monday, 27 January 2014
夜月星河 雲片片,點樹桃花紅又見 Beneath scales upon scales
《歸自謠 . 春影》 夜月星河
雲片片,點樹桃花紅又見,
陽回大地深深院。
呢喃展翼雙飛燕。
鶯聲囀,東風吹暖行人面。
TUNE: Guī Zì Yáo "My Own Song of
Returning" (34-character Ci)
TITLE: Chūn Yǐng "Spring Shadows!"
-- by 夜月星河 'Night Moon Starry River'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Beneath scales upon scales of white cloud,
Dotting the trees crimson peach flow'rs
are again seen now.
The Sun's great warmth has returned
to the Earth,
Vibrant new lives in the deep, deep
courtyard, brings to birth!
Merrily chirping,
Together the newly-wed swallow
couple are winging.
With the orioles' lullaby,
The east breeze blows warm kisses on
the faces o' passers-by.
from the net:
< 归自谣 《乐府雅词》注 “道调宫”。一名《风光子》,赵彦端词名 《思佳客》。
《词律》 编入《归国谣》 者误。
归自谣 双调三十四字,前后段各三句、三仄韵 欧阳修
香闺寂寞门半掩 愁眉敛 泪珠滴破胭脂脸
中中中中平中仄韵 平中仄韵 中平仄仄平平仄韵 ... >
春艳艳 江上晚山三四点 柳丝如剪花如染
平仄仄韵 中仄中平平仄仄韵 中平中仄平平仄韵
平仄仄韵 中仄中平平仄仄韵 中平中仄平平仄韵
香闺寂寞门半掩 愁眉敛 泪珠滴破胭脂脸
中中中中平中仄韵 平中仄韵 中平仄仄平平仄韵 ... >
Saturday, 25 January 2014
O Stars on high -- 星, 黑漆穹蒼點點晶
O Stars on high --
Spark'ing dots in dark, endless skies.
Floating clouds sparse --
Brightly shines the Moon in space clear
Amid diamond sparks far and near.
"Take 2" for the following little ci:
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng: "16-character Ci "
TITLE: Xīng: "Stars"
-- by 一老年人 'A Man of Advanced Years'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
《十六字令 ‧ 星》 一老年人
星,
黑漆穹蒼點點晶。
浮雲少, 清碧伴娟明。
Thursday, 23 January 2014
夜月星河 天!不測風雲悵未眠。Good Heavens!
《十六字令 · 天》夜月星河
天!
不測風雲悵未眠。
西樓照,幾許月娟娟?
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng: "16-
Character Ci "
Character Ci "
TITLE: Tian: "Good Heavens!"
-- by 夜月星河 'Night Moon Starry River'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Good Heavens!
Such unpredictable weather appalling!
O When will the Sandman come
a-calling?
Bathing the west tower with soft light,
The bright Moon does shine, how
many nights?
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
七月星/九鳥 蠻,驟雨狂風萬變間 Barbaric -- The showers and howling winds
it is interesting to see how, by just mainly changing "one character" in this the shortest of chinese "ci"s, the theme of the poem is also changed. ... <" 十六字令" 開首一字乃是詞主,其餘十五字皆為她效勞,> ...
《十六字令 ‧ 蠻》 七月星/九鳥
蠻,
驟雨狂風萬變間,
聲雷動,
急把北門關。
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng: "16-Character Ci "
TITLE: Mán: "Barbaric"
-- by 七月星/九鳥
'Seven Moon Stars'/'Nine Birds'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Barbaric --
The showers and howling winds will
come as they must,
In the midst of countless changes of
the weather.
Loudly roars a rolling thunder --
Quickly, I have the north-facing door shut.
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
七月星 還,狂雨急風萬變間。Returning Amid myriad changes
《十六字令 ‧ 還》 七月星
還,
狂雨急風萬變間。
聲雷動,
急把窗門關。
TITLE: Wen: "Returning"
-- by 七月星 'Seven Moon Stars'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Amid myriad changes -- gusts cutting,
rains maddening,
Thunders roaring mightily --
I shut the windows and doors in a jiffy!
Monday, 20 January 2014
一老年人 星 黑漆穹蒼點點晶 Stars -- In the pitch-black dome, sparkling
一老年人
依韻雅和 劍客、金弓兄《星》 :
《十六字令 ‧ 星》 一老年人
星,
黑漆穹蒼點點晶。
浮雲少, 清碧伴娟明。
《十六字令 ‧ 星》 一老年人
星,
黑漆穹蒼點點晶。
浮雲少, 清碧伴娟明。
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng: "16-Character Ci "
TITLE: Xīng: "Stars"
-- by 一老年人 'A Man of Advanced Years'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Stars --
In the pitch-black dome, sparkling
Are countless dots... and dots... twinkling!
In clear sky with floating clouds light,
Flashing stars with the Moon shine bright!
無求劍客 星 天際銀光伴月明 Stars -- In the sky, twinkl'ng
《十六字令 ‧ 星》 無求劍客
星,
天際銀光伴月明。
人踪滅,
夜静雪初晴。
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng: "16-character Ci "
TITLE: Xīng: "Stars"
-- by 無求劍客 'No Desire Swordsman'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Stars --
In the sky, twinkl'ng silver star-lights
Sing praises to the full Moon bright.
Silent night, of footprints there's none --
After the snows, here comes the Sun!
Sunday, 19 January 2014
一老年人 冬 靜聽窗寒瑟瑟風 Winter -- In silence, listening to howling winds
《十六字令 ‧ 冬夜》一老年人
冬,
靜聽窗寒瑟瑟風。
深宵已,獨坐未眠翁。
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng: "16-character Ci "
TITLE: Dōng: "Winter"
-- by 一老年人 'A Man of Advanced Years'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Winter --
In silence, listening to howling winds in flight
By the windows cold,
In the deep of night,
Seated alone, a sleepless man old.
Saturday, 18 January 2014
蔡伸 天!休使圆蟾照客眠 Good Heavens! I'm a sleepless
《十六字令 · 天!》 南宋 · 蔡伸
天!
休 使 圆 蟾 照 客 眠。
人 何 在? 桂 影 自 婵 娟。
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng: "16-charater Ci "
TITLE: Tian! "Good Heavens!"
-- by Cài Shēn (1088—1156)
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Good Heavens!
I'm a sleepless trav'ller -- O Please
Do keep the full Moon 'way from me?
Where am I?
Lonesome like the Beauty on high!
from 'baidu.com':
<《十六字令》,词牌名,因全词仅十六字而得名;又名《苍梧谣》、《归梧谣》、《归字谣》。单调,十六字,三平韵,属于最短的词。此调为单调。四句,十六字。第一、二、四句押韵,均用平声韵。
1 格律
─ 表示平声,│表示仄声,┼ 表示可平可仄。
—(韵)。
┼ │— —││—(韵)。
— — │。 ┼ ││— —(韵)。... >
<【释义】
蔡伸,南北宋之交时人。这首词表现旅居外地,因为思念亲人而失眠的烦恼。作者不说自己心情烦乱,却把责任f刁罪于月光的照射于是高喊:天啊! 不要让圆月照着我这客居的人睡眠吧。“圆蟾”,传说月中有蟾蜍(cho),这里代指圆月。他呼天无效,于是感叹:“我现在是在哪儿呀?月影空自美好,岂不增加我孤独的痛苦吗?” “桂影”,传说月中有一株五百丈的桂树,这里代指月影。全词仅十六字,含意尽在言外。
感情强烈,手法别致。>
from the net too:
< ... 《苍悟谣》里的这位 “离人”,叫明月照得失眠了,于是他苦恼极了,呼天而叹:“天!休使圆蟾照客眠!” (圆蟾,即圆月;传说月中有蟾蜍。)意思是说老 天啊, 不要再让这圆月照得这我离家的人睡不着觉了!这位他乡之客本来就满怀离愁别绪;何况月下独立,又怎能不思念 “隔千里兮共明月” 的那一位呢?
再说,如水月光,也容易使人毫无睡意,“明月皎皎照我床”,“牵牛织女遥相望”(曹不《燕歌行》),这怎么能睡得着呢?而那月光,又偏爱照失眠人,这 真是:“明月不谙离恨苦,斜光到晓穿朱户!”(晏殊《蝶恋花》)月圆之夜,本是亲人团聚之时。可是词人现在呢?却是月圆人未圆。难怪这位离人终于压抑不 住,不得由仰天长叹了。可见,这句 “天!休使圆蟾照客眠”。 是经过一番千回百折的苦恼之后发出的百般无奈的叹息之词!
月光如练,然而人隔千里,这边是他乡仰望,那边是闺中独看。这位痴情人不禁异想天开了:月亮啊,据说你是一面宝镜,你能照出她的芳姿倩影吗? “人何在?桂影自婵娟!” 他凝视着那轮明月,那嫦娥般美丽的身影在何处呢?只有桂影疏密有致,空自盘旋罢了。
此时此地,他可能情不自禁地想起他俩月下携手漫步的美好时光。然而现在呢? 人却远隔千里,这多么令人愁怅啊!
这首小词通过对圆月观感,抒发出沉挚的思念之情。寥寥十六个字,然而曲折有致。这种 “含不尽之意见于言外”
(梅尧臣语)的高妙描写手法,真可谓 “以少胜多”了。... >
夜月星河 冬 飄舞銀花凛凛風 Winter. They dance low, they dance high
《十六字令 . 寒江獨釣》 夜月星河
冬,
飄舞銀花凛凛風。
寒江雪,獨釣一漁翁。
TUNE: Shí Liù Zì Lìng: "16-character Ci"
TITLE: Hán Jiān Dú Diào " Cold River – Angling Alone"
-- by 夜月星河 'Night Moon Starry River'
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
Winter --
They dance low, they dance high,
O Silvery flow’rs in the sky.
On the cold river so snowy
Angles a fisherman lonely.
O boy!
i do really like this Shí Liù Zì Lìng ("16-character Ci"),
the shortest form of all 'long and short verses'.
they are short, sweet, nice and quite easy to translate.
from 'baidu.com':
<《十六字令》,词牌名,因全词仅十六字而得名;又名《苍梧谣》、《归梧谣》、《归字谣》。单调,十六字,三平韵,属于最短的词。此调为单调。四句,十六字。第一、二、四句押韵,均用平声韵。
1 格律
─ 表示平声,│表示仄声,┼ 表示可平可仄。
—(韵)。
┼ │— —││—(韵)。
— — │。 ┼ ││— —(韵)。
2 代表词作
苍梧谣
南宋 · 蔡伸
天!
休 使 圆 蟾 照 客 眠。
人 何 在? 桂 影 自 婵 娟。
【释义】
蔡伸,南北宋之交时人。这首词表现旅居外地,因为思念亲人而失眠的烦恼。作者不说自己心情烦乱,却把责任f刁罪于月光的照射于是高喊:天啊! 不要让圆月照着我这客居的人睡眠吧。“圆蟾”,传说月中有蟾蜍(cho),这里代指圆月。他呼天无效,于是感叹:“我现在是在哪儿呀?月影空自美好,岂不增加我孤独的痛苦吗?” “桂影”,传说月中有一株五百丈的桂树,这里代指月影。全词仅十六字,含意尽在言外。
感情强烈,手法别致。>
愚九少讀書,... 小鳥多操喙,易失假斯文。
送上新年祝願 :
九小鳥 好! Thank you v much!
May i pass on your blessed fine Greetings to all those Folks
who celebrate the Chinese New Year (w/ an English version) --
《新年頌吉祥》 九鳥
新年頌吉祥
甲午望文昌
馬到平安地
魚翔七大洋