垓下歌(项羽)
力拔山兮气盖世,
时不利兮骓不逝.
骓不逝兮可奈何,
虞兮虞兮奈若何!
The Last Song
I could pull down a mountain with my might,
My fortune wanes and e'en my steed won't fight,
Whether my steed will fight, I do not care.
What can I do with you, my lady fair?
大风歌(刘邦)
大风起兮云飞扬,
威加海内兮归故乡,
安得猛士兮守四方!
Song Of The Big Wind
A big wind rises, clouds are driven away.
Home am I now the world is under my sway.
Where are brave men to guard the four frontiers today!
古诗十九首(Nineteen Old Poems)
之一
行行重行行，
与君生别离。
相去万余里，
各在天一涯。
道路阻且长，
会面安可知。
胡马依北风，
越鸟巢南枝。
相去日已远，
衣带日已缓。
浮云蔽白日，
游子不顾返。
思君令人老，
岁月忽已晚。
弃捐勿复道，
努力加餐饭。
(I)
You travel on and on
And leave me all alone.
Away ten thousand li,
At the end of the sea
Servered by hard, long way,
Oh, can we meet someday?
Northern steeds love cold breeze,
and southern birds warm trees.
The farther you are away,
The thinner I am each day.
The cloud has veiled the sun;
You won't come back, dear one.
Missing you makes me old;
Soon comes the winter cold.
Alas! Of me you're quit.
I hope you will keep fit.
之二
青青河畔草，
郁郁园中柳。
盈盈楼上女，
皎皎当窗牖。
娥娥红粉妆，
纤纤出素手。
昔为娼家女，
今为荡子夫。
荡子行不归，
空床难独守。
(II)
Green, green, the riverside grass,
Fair, fair, the embowered lass.
White, white, from the windows she sees
Lush, lush, the garden's willow trees.
In rosy, rosy, dress she stands;
She puts forth slender, slender hands.
A singing girl in early life,
Now she is a deserted wift.
Her husband's gone far, far away.
How can she bear her lone, lone day!
之六
涉江采芙蓉，
兰泽多芳草。
采之欲遗谁，
所思在远道。
还顾望旧乡，
长路漫浩浩。
同心而离居，
忧伤以终老。
(VI)
I gather lotus blooms across the stream,
In orchid swamps the fragrant flowers teem.
To whom am I to send this sweet bouquet?
The one I love is living far away.
Towards our old abode I turned my eyes
To find a long, long way between us lies.
We have same heart but live still far apart;
This grief can't be consoled e'en when I'm old.
之十三
驱车上东门，
遥望郭北墓。
白杨何萧萧，
松柏夹广路。
下有陈死人，
杳杳即长暮。
潜寐黄泉下，
千载永不寤。
浩浩阴阳移，
年命如朝露。
人生忽如寄，
寿无金石固。
万岁更相送，
贤圣莫能度。
服食求神仙，
多为药所误。
不如饮美酒，
被服纨与素。
(XIII)
I drive my chariot up to Eastern Gate
And see the northern graveyard from afar.
It's shaded by rustling aspens antiquate;
Flanked with pines and yews the pathways are.
Beneath lie those who died long, long ago,
Buried in eternal darkness they remain.
They sleep beside the Yellow Spring below,
From year to year they never wake again.
How many days and nights have come and gone!
Like morning dew our fleeting life will pass.
Man is an ephemeral phenomenon,
While fore'er last metals, stone and brass.
Do you want to enjoy longevity?
But in the end e'en saints and sages die.
If you by food seek immortality,
There's no elixir on which you can rely.
It's better to drink good wine while you may
And dress in silk and satin every day.
之十五
生年不满百，
常怀千岁忧。
昼短苦夜长，
何不秉烛游！
为乐当及时，
何能待来兹？
愚者爱惜费，
但为後世嗤。
仙人王子乔，
难可与等期。
(XV)
Few live to a hundred years,
Their sorrow longer still appears.
Whey day grows short and long grows night,
Why not go out in candlelight?
Enjoy the present time with laughter!
Why worry about the hereafter?
If you won't spend the wealth you've got,
Posterity will call you sot.
We cannot hope to rise as high
As an immortal in the sky.
十五从军征
十五从军征,
八十始得归.
道逢乡里人,
家中有阿谁.
遥看是君家,
松柏冢垒垒.
兔从狗窦入,
雉从梁上飞.
中庭生旅谷,
井上生旅葵.
舂谷持作饭,
采葵持作羹.
羹饭一时熟,
不知贻阿谁.
出门东向看,
泪落沾我衣.
Homecoming After War
At fifteen I left home to fight the foe
And could not go back till I was four-score.
On the way I meet a countryman I know;
I ask him who remains within my door.
"Seen from afar, your house is over there,
'Mid graves where pine and cypress stand aloof."
Arrived, I see in dog hole run a hare
And a pheasant fly from beam of roof.
In middle courtyard grows only wild grain
And by the well grows mallow I can eat.
I pluck the grain and boil it as food plain
And put the mallow in the soup I heat.
When I have cooked the simple, homely fare,
Who will eat it with me? No one appears.
I go outdoors and eastwards fix my stare,
My furrowed face and clothes wet with tears.
上山采蘼芜
上山采蘼芜,
下山逢故夫.
长跪问故夫,
新人复如何.
新人虽言好,
未若故人姝.
颜色类相似,
手爪不相如.
新人从门入,
故人从阖去.
新人工织缣,
故人工织素.
织缣日以匹,
织素五丈余.
将缣来比素,
新人不如故.
The Old Wife And The New
She goes uphill where herbs appear;
Downhill, she meets her former husband dear.
She kneels and asks him, "How do you...
How do you find your young wife new?"
"Though my new wife is no less fair,
My old wife is beyond compare.
In looks by your side she may stand,
But she's less clever with her hand.
Since she came in through the front door,
At home I can find you no more.
She's good at embroidering skein,
While you are good at sewing plain.
She weaves one foot of silk a day;
You weave five feet without delay.
Her work compared with yours, all told,
The new is not up to the old."
陌上桑
日出动南隅,
照我秦氏楼.
秦氏有好女,
自名为罗敷.
罗敷喜蚕桑,
采桑城南隅.
青丝为笼系,
桂枝为笼钩.
头上倭堕髻,
耳中明月珠.
湘绮为下裙,
紫绮为上襦.
行者见罗敷,
下担捋髭须.
少年见罗敷,
脱帽著鞘头.
耕者忘绮犁,
锄者忘绮锄.
来归相怒怒,
但坐观罗敷.
使君从南来,
五马立踟蹰.
使君遣吏往,
问是谁家姝.
秦氏有好女,
自名为罗敷.
罗敷年几何.
二十尚不足,
十五颇有余.
使君谢罗敷,
宁可共载不.
罗敷前置词,
使君一何愚.
使君自有妇,
罗敷自有夫.
东方千余骑,
夫婿居上头.
何用识夫婿,
白马从骊驹.
青丝系马尾,
黄金络马头.
腰中鹿卢剑,
可值千万余.
十五府小史,
二十朝大夫.
二十侍中郎,
四十专城居.
为人洁白皙,
鬑鬑颇有须.
盈盈公府步,
冉冉府中趋.
坐中数千人,
皆言夫婿殊.
The Roadside Mulberry
The rising sun from southeast nooks
Shines on the house of Qin, who
Has a daughter of lovely looks;
She calls herself Luo-fu.
She picks mulberry leaves still new
To feed silkworms in southern nook,
Her basket's bound with silk thread blue,
Of laurel bough is made a hook.
Her hair is dressed in pretty braid,
Like moonbeams her pearl earrings shine,
Of yellow silk her apron's made,
Her cloak of purple damask fine.
When she is seen by passers-by,
The stroke their beards and there take root;
When she appears in young men's eye,
They doff their caps and make salute.
The ploughman thinks not of his plough,
The hoer leaves in field his hoe.
Back, they find fault with their wives now,
For they have seen Luo-fu aglow.
From the south comes the governor,
Whose carriage and five stop and stay.
He sends men to inquire of her.
"Who are you, pretty maid?" ask they.
"I call my humble self Luo-fu."
"Pretty Luo-fu, how old are you?"
"My age is still less than a score,
But much more than fifteen, much more."
"Our lord bids us to ask Luo-fu,
Will you ride with our lord, will you?"
Luo-fu steps forth and makes reply:
"What nonsense you are talking! Why,
Your Excellency has his wife;
I have my husband dear for life.
There are more than a thousand steeds
In the east that my husband leads."
"But how can I your husband know?"
"Ah, by his horse as white as snow,
Whose tail is tied with a blue thread,
With golden halters round its head;
By the sword with its hilt of jade,
For which its weight in gold he paid.
"At fifteen he was a junior clerk;
At twenty he did a courtier's work;
At thirty he wore chamberlain's gown;
At forty he was lord of a town.
"His face and skin are white and fair,
A rather long beard he does wear.
In the court he walks to and fro,
And goes to the palace with steps slow.
Among the thousands in the hall,
He's deemed the most distinguished of all."
落叶哀蝉曲
(刘彻)
罗袂兮无声,
玉墀兮尘生
虚房冷而寂寞,
落叶依于重扃
望彼美之女兮安得,
感余心之未宁
The Fair Lady Li
Tune:"Fallen Leaves And Plaintive Cicada"
No Rustle of her silken sleeves,
On marble steps dust lies,
Her empty room is cold with sighs.
Against her locked door are heaped up fallen leaves.
In vain I'm longing for my lady fair,
My heart is aching, for she's gone for'er.
秋风辞
秋风起兮白云飞,
草木黄落兮雁南归.
兰有秀兮菊有芳,
怀佳人兮不能忘.
泛楼船兮济汾河,
横中流兮扬素波.
箫鼓鸣兮发棹歌,
欢乐极兮哀情多.
少壮几时兮奈老何
Song Of The Autumn Wind
The Autumn wind rises and white clouds fly,
when leaves turn yellow, wild geese head for southern sky.
The orchids and chrysanthemums still sweeten the air.
Oh, how can I forget my lady sweet and fair!
I go aboard a bark to cross the river long;
It reaches midstream when I see the waves rise white.
The flutes ad drums keep time to the rowers' song,
But sorrow comes when pleasure reaches its height.
How long will youth endure when old age is in sight!
秋扇怨(班婕妤)
新裂齐纨素,
鲜洁如霜雪.
裁为合欢扇,
团团似明月.
出入君怀袖,
动摇微风发.
常恐秋节至,
凉飙夺炎热.
弃捐箧笥中,
恩情中道绝.
Lament Of The Autumn Fan
Fresh from the weaver's loom, O silk so white,
As clear as frost, as winter snow as bright.
Fashioned into a fan, token of love,
You are as round as brilliant moon above.
In my lord's sleeve when in or out he goes,
You wave and shake and a light wind blows.
I fear when comes the autumn day,
And chilling wind drives summer heat away,
You'll be discarded to a lonely place,
And with my lord fall into disgrace.
别妻(苏武)
结发为夫妻,
恩爱两不疑.
欢娱在今夕,
燕婉及良时.
征夫怀往路,
起视夜何其.
参辰皆已没,
去去从此辞.
行役在战场,
相见未有期.
握手一长叹,
泪为生别滋.
努力爱春华,
莫忘欢乐时.
生当复来归,
死当长相思.
To My Wife
In wedlock we are man and wife,
Our love is never borken by doubt.
Let us enjoy once more such life,
Because tomorrow I'll set out.
Thinking of the long way I'll go,
I rise and see how old is night.
Dim in the sky all the stars grow;
I'll part from you before daylight.
Away to battlefield I'll hie,
I know not when we'll meet again.
Holding your hand, I give a sigh;
Letting it go, my teardrops rain.
Try to love spring's delightful view;
Do not forget our happy days!
Safe and sound, I'll come back to you;
E'en dead, my soul with you e'er stays.
观沧海(曹操)
东临碣石，
以观沧海。
水何澹澹，
山岛竦峙。
树木丛生，
百草丰茂。
秋风萧瑟，
洪波涌起。
日月之行，
若出其中；
星汉灿烂，
若出其里。
幸甚至哉！
歌以咏志。
The Sea
I come to view the boundless ocean
From Stony Hill on eastern shore.
Its water rolls in rhythmic motion,
And islands stand amid its roar.
Tree on tree grows from peak to peak;
Grass on grass looks lush far and nigh.
The autumn wind blows drear and bleak;
The monstrous billows surge up high.
The sun by day, the moon by night
Appear to rise up from the deep.
The Milky Way with stars so bright
Sinks down into the sea in sleep.
How happy I feel at this sight!
I croon this poem in delight.
龟虽寿
神龟虽寿，
猷有竟时。
腾蛇乘雾，
终为土灰。
老骥伏枥，
志在千里；
烈士暮年，
壮心不已。
盈缩之期，
不但在天；
养怡之福，
可得永年。
幸甚至哉！
歌以咏志。
The Indomitable Soul
Although long lives the tortoise wise,
In the end he cannot but die.
The dragon in the mist may rise,
But in the dust he too shall lie.
Although the stabled steed is old,
He dreams to run a thousand li.
In life's December heroes bold
Indomitable still will be.
It is not up to Heaven alone
To lengthen or shorten our days.
Let's cultivate our minds and live on
Through long years, if we know the ways.
How happy I feel at this thought!
I croon this poem as I ought.
短歌行(曹丕)
仰瞻帷幕,
俯察几筵.
其物为故,
其人不存.
神灵倏忽,
弃我遐迁.
靡瞻靡恃,
泣涕涟涟.
呦呦游鹿,
衔草鸣麂.
翩翩飞鸟,
挟子巢栖.
我独孤焚,
怀此百离.
犹心孔疚,
莫我能知.
人变有言,忧令人老.
嗟我白发,生一何早.
长吟永叹,怀我对考.
曰仁考寿,胡不是保.
On The Death Of My Father
Raising my eyes, I see his screen;
Bending my head, his table clean.
These things are there just as before,
The man who owned them is no more.
Suddenly his spirit has flown
And left me fatherless, alone.
Who'd look to me? On whom rely?
Tear upon tear streams from my eyes.
The deer are bleating here and there,
They feed the young ones in their care.
The birds are flying east and west,
Feeding the nestlings in the nest.
Alone I'm desolate the drear,
Servered from the father I revere.
Deep in my heart grief overflows,
But no one knows, no one knows.
'Tis said that sorrow makes us old
And early grow white hair. Behold!
For the deceased I wail and sigh;
If the good live long, why should he die!
七步诗(曹植)
煮豆燃豆箕,
豆在釜中泣.
本是同根生,
相煎何太急.
Written While Taking Seven Paces
Pods burned to cook peas,
Peas weep in the pot:
"Grown from the same trees,
Why boil us so hot?"
七哀
明月照高楼,
流光正徘徊.
上有愁思妇,
悲叹有余哀.
借问叹者谁,
云是宕子妻.
君行逾十年,
孤妾常独栖.
君若清路尘,
妾若浊水泥.
浮沉各异势,
会合何时谐.
愿为西南风,
长逝入君怀.
君怀良不开,
贱妾当何依.
Lament
Softly on the tower streams of light play;
It seems the moon is loath to move away.
For here is beauty wilting, tender sighs,
Telling of a tender heart in pain, which cries.
May we ask who is there so full of ruth?
A wife in name, a widow, ah, in truth!
"You are far, far away for o'er ten years;
I am alone, alone and oft in tears.
"You're like the dust drawn upward on the way;
Like mud in dirty water still I stay.
One sinking, the other swimming we remain.
If ever, when are we to meet again?
"Would that I were the wind from the southwest,
That I could rush across the land to your breast!
From your embrace, if you should shut me out,
Where should I go? Where should I roam about?"
孔雀东南飞
孔雀东南飞
五里一徘徊
十三能织素
十四学裁衣
十五弹箜篌
十六诵诗书
十七为君妇
心中常苦悲
君既为府吏, 守节情不移
贱妾留空房, 相见常日稀
鸡鸣入机织
夜夜不得息
三日断五疋
大人故嫌迟
非为织作迟
君家妇难为
妾不堪驱使
徒留无所施
便可白公姥
及时相遣归
府吏得闻之
堂上启阿母
儿已薄禄相
幸复得此妇
结发同枕席
黄泉共为友
共事二三年
始而未为久
女行无偏斜
何意致不厚
阿母谓府吏
何乃太区区
此妇无礼节
举动自专由
吾意久怀忿
汝岂得自由
东家有贤女
自名秦罗敷
可怜体无比
阿母为汝求
便可速遣之
遣去慎莫留
府吏长跪告
伏惟启阿母
今若遣此妇
终老不复娶
阿母得闻之
槌床便大怒
小子无所畏
何敢助妇语
吾已失恩意
会不相从许
府吏默无声
再拜还入户
举言谓新妇
哽咽不能语
我自不驱卿
逼迫有阿母
卿但暂还家
吾今且报府
不久当归还
还必相迎取
以此下心意
慎勿违我语
新妇谓府吏
勿复重纷纭
往昔初阳岁
谢家来贵门
奉事循公姥
进止敢自专
昼夜勤作息
伶俜萦苦辛
谓言无罪过
供养卒大恩
仍更被驱遣
何言复来还
妾有绣腰襦
葳蕤自生光
红罗复斗帐
四角垂香囊
箱帘六七十
绿碧青丝绳
物物各具异
种种在其中
人贱物亦鄙
不足迎后人
留待作遣施
于今无会因
时时为安慰
久久莫相忘
鸡鸣外欲曙
新妇起严妆
著我绣夹裙
事事四五通
足下蹑丝履
头上玳瑁光
腰若流纨素
耳著明月当
指如削葱根
口如含珠丹
纤纤作细步
精妙世无双
上堂谢阿母
母听怒不止
昔作女儿时
生小出野里
本自无教训
兼愧贵家子
受母钱币多
不堪母驱使
今日还家去
念母劳家里
却与小姑别
泪落连珠子
新妇初来时
小姑始扶床
今日被驱遣
小姑如我长
勤心养公姥
好自相扶将
初七及下九
嬉戏莫相忘
出门登车去
涕落百余行
府吏马在前
新妇车在后
隐隐何甸甸
俱会大通口
下马入车中
低头共耳语
誓不相隔卿
且暂还家去
吾今且赴府
不久当还归
誓天不相负
新妇谓府吏
感君区区怀
君既若见录
不久望君来
君当作磐石
妾当作蒲苇
蒲苇韧如丝
磐石无转移
我有亲父兄
性行暴如雷
恐不任我意
逆以煎我怀
举手长劳劳
二情同依依
入门上家堂
进退无颜仪
阿母大拊掌
不图子自归
十三教汝织
十四能裁衣
十五弹箜篌
十六知礼仪
十七遣汝嫁
谓言无誓违
汝今何罪过
不迎而自归
兰芝怼阿母 儿实无罪过
阿母大悲摧
还家十余日
县令遣媒来
云有第三郎
窈窕世无双
年始十八九
便言多令才
阿母谓阿女
汝可去应之
阿女含泪答
兰芝初还时
府吏见叮咛
结誓不别离
今日违情义
恐此事非奇
自可断来信
徐徐更谓之
阿母白媒人
贫贱有此女
始适还家门
不堪吏人妇
岂合令郎君
幸可广问讯
不得便相许
媒人去数日
寻遣丞请还
说有兰家女
丞籍有宦官
云有第五郎
娇逸未有婚
遣丞为媒人
主簿通语言
直说太守家
有此令郎君
既欲结大义
故遣来贵门
阿母谢媒人
女子先有誓
老姆岂敢言
阿兄得闻之
怅然心中烦
举言谓阿妹
作计何不量
先嫁得府吏
后嫁得郎君
否泰如天地 足以荣汝身
不嫁义郎体
其往欲何云
兰芝仰头答
理实如兄言
谢家事夫君
中道还兄门
处分适兄意
那得自任专
虽与府吏约
后会永无缘
登即相许和
便可作婚姻
媒人下床去 诺诺复尔尔
还部白府君
下官奉使命 言谈大有缘
府君得闻之 心中大欢喜
视历复开书
便利此月内
六合正相应
良吉三十日
今已二十七
卿可去成婚
交语速装束
络绎如浮云
青雀白鹄舫
四角龙子幡 婀娜随风转
金车玉作轮 踯躅青骢马
流苏金缕鞍
斋钱三百万 皆用青丝穿
杂采三百疋
交广市鲑珍
从人四五百 郁郁登郡门
阿母谓阿女
适得府君书
明日来迎汝
何不作衣裳
莫令事不举
阿女默无声
手巾掩口啼
泪落便如泻
移我琉璃榻
出置前厅下
左手持刀尺
右手执绫罗
朝成绣夹裙
晚成单罗衫
暗暗日欲暝
愁思出门啼
府吏闻此变
因求假暂归
未至二三里
摧藏马悲哀
新妇识马声
蹑履相逢迎
怅然遥相望
知是故人来
举手拍马鞍
嗟叹使心伤
自君别我后
人事不可量
果不如先愿
又非君所详
我有亲父母
逼迫兼弟兄
以我应他人
君还何所望
府吏谓新妇
贺君得高迁
磐石方且厚
可以卒千年
蒲苇一时韧
便作旦夕间
卿当日胜贵
吾独向黄泉
新妇谓府吏
何意出此言
同是被逼迫
君尔妾亦然
黄泉下相见
勿违今日言
执手分道去
各各还家门
生人作死别
恨恨那可论
念与世间辞
千万不复全
府吏还家去
上堂拜阿母
今日大风寒 寒风摧树木
严霜结庭兰
儿今日冥冥
令母在后单
故作不良计
勿复怨鬼神
命如南山石
四体康且直
阿母得闻之
零泪应声落
汝是大家子
仕宦于台阁
慎勿为妇死
贵贱情何薄
东家有贤女
窈窕艳城郭
阿母为汝求
便复在旦夕
府吏再拜还 长叹空房中
作计乃尔立
转头向户里
渐见愁煎迫
其日牛马嘶
新妇入青庐
奄奄黄昏后
寂寂人定初
我命绝今日
魂去尸长留
揽裙脱丝履
举身赴清池
府吏闻此事
心知长别离
徘徊庭树下
自挂东南枝
两家求合葬
合葬华山傍
东西植松柏
左右种梧桐
枝枝相覆盖
叶叶相交通
中有双飞鸟
自名为鸳鸯
仰头相向鸣
夜夜达五更
行人驻足听
寡妇起彷徨
多谢后世人
戒之慎勿忘
A Pair of Peacocks Southeast Fly
A pair of peacocks southeast fly;
At each mile they look back and cry.
"I could weave," said Lan-zhi, "at thirteen
And learned to cut clothes at fourteen;
At fifteen to play music light;
At sixteen to read and to write.
At seventeen to you I was wed.
What an austere life I have led!
You're an official far away;
I toil as housewife night and day.
At daybreak I begin to weave;
At night the loom I dare not leave.
I've finished five rolls in three days,
Yet I am blamed for my delays.
Not that my work is done too slow,
But hard your housewife's role does grow.
If Mother thinks I am no good,
What use to stay, although I would?
Will you come and to Mother say,
Send me back home without delay?"
Jiao Zhong-qing came home at her call
And said to his mother in the hall,
"I'm destined for a humble life;
By fortune I have this good wife.
We've shared the pillow, mat and bed,
And we'll be man and wife till dead.
We've lived together but three years,
Which not too long to me appears.
She has done nothing wrong, I find.
Why should you be to her unkind?"
His mother said then in reply,
"You are indeed shortsighted. Why,
This wife of yours with me goes ill;
She always does whate'er she will.
I've been offended by her for long.
How dare you say she's done no wrong?
In the east there's a match for you,
A maiden whose name's Qin Luo-fu,
A peerless beauty of this land.
I'll go for you to ask her hand.
Now send your slut out of our door!
She should not stay here anymore."
Zhong-qing knelt down with trunk erect
And said to her with due respect,
"If you should send away my wife,
I won't remarry all my life."
The mother was angry at his word;
Her strumming on the stool was heard.
"Has filial reverence come to nil?
Defend your wife against my will!
You are such an ungrateful son!
Of your request I will grant none."
Zhong-qing dared not speak anymore,
But bowed and entered his own door.
He tells his wife when she appears,
His voice choked so with bitter tears,
"Not that I would send you away,
But Mother won't allow you to stay.
Return to your brother's house, so
That to my office I may go.
When I have finished my work, then
I'll come and fetch you home again.
Do not be grieved to say adieu,
But keep in mind what I''ve told you!"
"Nay, make no care to come for me!"
To her husband addresses she.
"One early spring day, I recall,
I left home for your entrance hall.
I've done what Mother ordered me.
Dare I be careless and carefree?
I do hard labour day and night;
Alone I toil with all my might.
I think I have done nothing wrong,
Still with Mother I can't get along.
To what avail to talk about
Returning now I'm driven out!
"I'll leave my jacket of brocade,
Whose lacings bright of gold are made,
And my canopy of gauze red,
Whose four corners with perfume spread,
And sixty trunks and coffers tied
With silken threads all in green dyed,
Where different things you will find;
Not two of them are of a kind.
They are as cheap as I, it's true,
Not good enough for your spouse new.
So as gifts you may share them out,
As we can't meet again, no doubt.
Keep them in memory of me!
Forgetful we can never be."
At dawn she roses at the cockcrow
And made up with care, ready to go.
She put on an embroidered gown
And checked it over, up and down.
She put on shoes made of brocade,
Of tortoise shell her hairpin's made.
Her waist was girt with girdle white,
Her earrings shone like moonlight bright.
She had tapering finger tips,
Like rubies were her rouged lips.
She moved at slow and easy pace,
Unrivalled in the human race.
She came to his mother in the hall,
Who said no tender words at all.
"While young, before I was a spouse,
I lived but in a country house.
Not well instructed or wide read,
For noble heir I was ill-bred.
Though kindly you have treated me,
Yet I'm not dutiful," said she,
"So I must go back in despair,
Leaving to you all household care."
She said to his sister good-bye;
Bitter tears trickled from her eye.
"When your brother and I were wed,
You came around our nuptial bed.
You are as tall as I today,
When I am to be driven away.
Take good care of your mother old,
And take good care of your household!
When maidens hold their festive day,
Do not forget me while you play."
She went out and got on the cart;
Tears streamed down, heavy was her heart.
Jiao Zhong-qing rides before, his mind
Turning to his wife's cart behind.
The cart's rumble's heard to repeat,
The husband stops where four roads meet.
He gets down from his horse, comes near
His wife and whispers in her ear,
"I swear not to leave you long, my spouse.
Return now to your brother's house.
When I have finished my work, then
I'll come and fetch you home again.
I swear to heaven high above."
Lan-zhi says to her husband dear,
"I'm touched by your love sincere.
If I'm engraved deep in your mind,
Come then in time and not behind!
If as the rock your love is strong,
Then mine as creeping vine is long.
The vine's resistant as silk thread;
No one could lift a rock o'erhead.
But my brother's temper is hot,
Look on me kindly he will not.
I am afraid he'll never care
What I like, and it's hard to bear."
They wave their hands with broken heart,
From each other they will not part.
Lan-zhi came to her mother's place,
Feeling embarrassed in disgrace.
Her mother clapped loud in surprise:
"How can you come back in this guise!
You were taught to weave at thirteen;
To cut the clothes at fourteen;
At fifteen to play music light;
At sixteen to perform the rite.
At seventeen you were a bride;
By your husband you should abide.
Had you done nothing wrong at all,
Why come back alone to my hall?"
Lan-zhi told her mother the truth,
Who was moved to tears, full of ruth.
She had been back many a day,
A go-between then came to say,
"Our magistrate has a third son,
Whose good looks are second to none.
Though at eighteen or nineteen years,
For eloquence he has no peers."
Her mother said to her, "consent
To this proposal benevolent!"
But she only answered in tears,
"Can I forget my married years?
My husband vowed when we parted then,
Never should we sever again.
If I should break my word today,
I would regret for e'er and aye.
Will you please tell the go-between
Gently and clearly what I mean?"
Her mother told the messenger,
"This humble daughter of mine, sir,
Sent back by an official of late,
Can't match son of magistrate.
Why not inquire another house
Where may be found a better spouse?"
No sooner had gone this messenger
Than came one from the governor.
"You have a daughter fair," said he,
"Of an official's family.
Our governor has a fifth son,
Unmarried, he's a handsome one.
My lord's secretary asked me
His lordship's go-between to be.
I was told to say openly
I come for my lord's family.
His son will have your daughter for spouse.
That's why I'm sent to your noble house."
Mother LIu thanked the messenger,
But said she could not order her
Who'd made a vow, to break her word.
By Lan-zhi's brother this was heard;
As it troubled his worldly mind,
He spoke to Lan-zhi words unkind.
"Why don't you, sister, think it o'er?
You left then an official's door;
Now you may marry a noble son;
Good luck comes when bad luck is done.
If you refuse this honour great,
I know not what will be your fate."
Lan-zhi replied, raising her head,
"Brother, it's right what you have said.
I left you once to be a spouse
Sent back, again I'm in your house.
So I'm at your disposal now.
Can I do what you don't allow?
Though I vowed to my husband dear,
We cannot meet again, I fear.
So you may marry me at will,
My obligation I'll fulfill."
The go-between learned what they said,
To his lord's house he went ahead.
He said his errand was well done;
The lord rejoiced for his fifth son.
He found in the almanac soon
The auspicious date of that moon.
He said to his subordinate,
"The thirtieth day is the best date.
That is only three days ahead.
Arrange the marriage in my stead."
The lord's order was given loud;
People bustled like floating cloud.
They painted with bird designs the boat
And with dragons the flag afloat.
A golden cab with wheels trimmed with jade
And golden saddles for steeds were made.
Three thousand strings of coins were sent
And silks to the bride with compliment.
Delicacies from land and sea
Were bought by two corteges or three.
Mother Liu told her daughter, "Word
Comes from the govrnor have you heard?
Tomorrow is your wedding day.
Put yourself in bridal array.
Make your own dress ere it's too late!"
Lan-zhi sat in a pensive state.
She sobbed 'neath her handkerchief,
And streaming tears revealed her grief.
She dragged a marble-seated chair
Towards the windows in despair,
In her left hand the scissors bright
And silk and satin in her right.
At noon a jacket new was made
And at dusk a robe in brocade.
Behind dark clouds the sun down crept,
Grief-stricken, she went out and wept.
Zhong-qing, at this news of his spouse,
Asks leave and starts out for her house.
After a short ride on his way,
His horse makes an anguished neigh.
This neigh is familiar to her ears;
She comes out before he appears.
She gazes afar, at a loss
What to say when he comes across.
She pats the horse when it comes nigh,
And then says with a woeful sigh,
"Alas! Since you parted with me,
What's happened we could not foresee,
Our hope cannot be realized.
On hearing this, you'll be surprised.
I was compelled by my own mother
Together with my tyrant brother
To wed another man at last.
What can we do? The die is cast."
Jiao Zhong-qing tells his former wife,
"I wish you a happier life!
The lofty rock steadfast appears;
It will stand for thousands of years.
Howe'er resistant the vine may be,
'Twill lose its toughness easily.
May you live happier day by day!
Alone to death I'll go my way."
"Why say such cruel things to me?"
To her former husband says she,
"We are compelled, both you and I
How could I live if you should die?
E'en dead, let us together stay!
Forget not what we've said today!"
They stand long hand in hand before
They go each to his or her door.
No lovers know a sharper pain
Than to part till death joins them again.
They're willing to breathe their last breath;
A severed life is worse than death.
Jiao Zhong-qing went home full of gloom;
He went straight to his mother's room.
"Today the cold wind blows down trees;
Bitten by frost, the orchids freeze.
I fear my life will end like the tree,
Leaving you alone after me.
That's what such forebodings proclaim.
Don't lay on gods or ghosts the blame!
May you like hillside rock live long
With your four limbs both straight and strong!"
On hearing this, his mother shed
Copious tears before she said,
"As sone of noble family,
A high official you should be.
How could you die for such a wife?
Don't play down on your noble life!
There's a maiden in east neighborhood,
Beside her no one else is good.
I have wooed her to be your spouse;
Soon the reply will come to our house."
Zhong-qing retired to his empty room,
Determined not to be a bridegroom.
He sighed and glanced towards the hall,
Seeing his tragic curtain fall.
In the blue tent on her wedding day
Lan-zhi heard cows low and steeds neigh.
At dusk the ghostly twilight waned;
The guests gone, lonely she remained.
"My life," she thought, "will end today.
My soul will go, but my body stay."
She doffed her silken shoes to drown
Herself in uprolled wedding gown.
This news came to her Zhong-qing's ear;
He would not be severed from his dear.
To and fro in the yard paced he,
Then hanged himself beneath a tree.
Their families, after they died,
Buried them by the mountainside.
Pine trees were planted left and right,
And planes and cypresses on the site.
Their foliage darkens the groud;
Their branches intertwined are found.
A pair of peacocks fly above;
They are well known as birds of love.
Heads up, they sing song after song,
From night to night, and all night long.
A passer-by would stand spellbound;
A lonely widow would wake dumfound.
Men of poserity, I pray,
Do not forget that bygone day!