From the River
- Poetry of Wen Tingyun

《河传·湖上》

English Rendering

Unoccupied

By the lakeside,

She gazes on far-flung pathways,

Flowery bridges and beach in rainy haze.

It's a sad sight the songstress fair 

Knitting her soft brows cannot bear 

All the day long.

How can she forget the evening tidal song?

Where is his boat which has to roam 

Far,far from her and far from home?

It is late spring,

And her heart will break to hear orioles sing.

Taking a look,

West of the brook,

At the long willowy pathway,

She cannot hear the horse of the roamer neigh.

From the River by Wen Tingyun
From the River by Wen Tingyun

Original Text (中文原文)

湖上。闲望。雨萧萧。

烟浦花桥路遥。谢娘翠蛾愁不销。

终朝。梦魂迷晚潮。

荡子天涯归棹远。春已晚。

莺语空肠断。

若耶溪,溪水西。

柳堤。不闻郎马嘶。

Analysis & Context

This lyric depicts the sorrow of a fair songstress who,gazing in the rain on the pathway where her beloved parted from her,and remembering the evenings they used to spend together,is waiting in vain for his return.

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The Essence of the Verse

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Reading Between the Lines

Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.

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