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".
Thursday 4 April 2013
蘇東坡 世事一場大夢,人生幾度秋涼。World affairs, howe'er glamorous, are but a big dream still! In our short, transient life just how many Autumns chill?
【西江月】 宋 • 蘇東坡
世事一場大夢,人生幾度秋涼。
夜來風葉已鳴廊,看取眉頭鬢上。
酒賤常愁客少,月明多被雲妨。
中秋誰與共孤光,把盞淒然北望。
XI JIANG YUE: "Moon Over West River"
-- by SU SHI (1036-1011)
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
World affairs, howe'er glamorous, are but a big dream still!
In our short, transient life just how many Autumns chill?
Night falls, rustling winds through leaves echo in the corridor;
Come into view in mirror: Eyebrows and temple-hair hoar.
With cheap wine, I oft worry my guests will be less and less;
By dark clouds, Alas, the pure bright Moon is often suppress'd!
Mid-Autumn night: Who will come to me in light loneliness?
I raise my wine-cup, gaze toward the north, and drink in sadness.
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