Li Qingzhao

Li Qingzhao 蝶恋花 . 晚止昌乐馆寄姊妹 作者：李清照英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 泪湿罗衣脂粉满, 四叠阳关， 唱到千千遍。 人道山长山又断， 萧萧微雨闭孤馆。 惜别伤离方寸乱， 忘了临行， 酒盏深和浅。 好把音书凭过雁， 东莱不似蓬莱远 Long into the night I sing "Yang-guan's" refrain (to my Friends from my Hotel at Chang-le) - To the Tune of Dielianhua Translated by Gordon Osing and Julia Min Long into the night I sing "Yang-guan's" refrain, till my brocade gown by powders and tears stained, cut off by so much more than rivers and mountains, rain-showers cover my whispers in seclusion. In fierce sorrow I go, a heart broken with pain. I forget which cup this is, or how many I've drained. Let the flying geese be the messengers we send! Donglai is not as far as Penglai, that fairy land! Appreciation: This ci is thought to have been composed in 1120 on her way from Qingzhou to join her husband Zhao Mincheng who became governor of Laizhou. Li Qing-zhao had lived in Qingzhou for over ten years and had intimate friends there. These friends would have followed her out several miles from the town to see her off. She has come to her first night alone in a hotel and it has been raining all night while she passed painfully her lonely…

Li Qingzhao 如梦令.常记溪亭日暮 原作：【宋】李清照 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 常记溪亭日暮， 沉醉不知归路。 兴尽晚回舟， 误入藕花深处。 争渡，争渡， 惊起一滩鸥鹭。 Always I see that stream, the pavilion, the reddening sun - to the Tune of Rumengling trans. by Gordon Osing and Julia Min Always I see that stream, the pavilion, the reddening sun, and the girls lost their way home, too taken with wine. and too joy-filled to start back so late in the day, into a world of lotus blooms we strayed. Pull, she said, pull, if only to startle the gulls and herons from this maze. Appreciation: According to scholars, this poem was probably written in 1107, when Li Qing-zhao was in her early twenties. It is sometimes called "Drinking Joy" which we dropped for the first line since the image resonates with her happy moments of childhood memories. It is believed this ci depicts an event in her life, a day outing with her dear friends. They were caught in maze of lotus blooms and hundreds of birds rising up around them, an image of carefree joy and innocent pleasure in the junior world. Notes: 1. "chen zui": deeply drunk, but not simply in the sense of intoxication, also in the sense of Keats' reverie, in…

Li Qingzhao 转调满庭芳.芳草池塘 原作：李清照（宋） 英译：闵晓红 补字：闵晓红 芳草池塘， 绿阴庭院， 晚晴寒透窗纱。 几声金鏁， 管是客来唦。 寂寞尊前席上， 惟笑我， 海角天涯。 能留否？ 酴釄落尽， 犹赖有黄花。 当年， 曾胜赏， 生香熏袖， 活火分茶。 更游龙骄马， 流水轻车。 不怕风狂雨骤， 恰才称, 煮酒残花。 如今也， 不成怀抱， 得似旧时那？ 注：‘几声’, ‘笑我’, ‘黄花’, ‘更游’ 本为原版缺字，后闵晓红不满意其它版本的补字，又根据词意补上。 The Fragrant Grass by the Pond - to the tune of Mantingfang written by Li Qingzhao translated by Julia Min The fragrant grass by the pond has stirred my memory beyond. The wind sends chill through the screens, waking my dream in the shaded green. Did I hear knockings at the gate? Maybe I have friends joining dinner today?- Well, nothing gold can ever stay. Just me at the table, drinking alone. Here, laugh if you will at this sickening lady who’d not care as she’s so remote from home. Now that bramble roses faded to mud, we have but to expect for chrysanthemum. I remember, I remember, the happy parties with friends over, -- the creamy teas made on pot fire followed by warm rice wine in a hall with incense burners, until our sleeves are filled with the aroma until our spirits flew in feathers… Not to mention the gallant horses, and crafted carriages flowing like river. Even thunderstorm couldn’t stand in our way.…

Li Qingzhao 醉花阴.薄雾浓云愁永昼（重阳） 原作：【宋】李清照英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 薄雾浓云愁永昼， 瑞脑消金兽。 佳节又重阳， 玉枕纱厨， 半夜凉初透。 东篱把酒黄昏后， 有暗香盈袖。 莫道不销魂， 帘卷西风， 人似黄花瘦。 On the Double Ninth Festival - to the tune of Zuihuayin written by : Li Qingzhao (1084-1155?) translated by: Gordon Osing & Julia Min A light mist and impenetrable heaven weary the day till Karuing incense is ashes in the golden beast. On this, the Double Ninth, reunion festival, our bed’s gauze nets and my dream pillow of jade are filled already at twilight with midnight's cold. I took my wine alone in the garden after dusk, till my sleeves smell the subtle fragrance. Don't say it doesn't lead the soul away. When autumn wind raises the curtain, this lady is drawn as the bitten chrysanths’ golden rays. Appreciation: This ci is regarded as part of her early works when Li Qingzhao was 20 years old, two years after her wedding. She wrote to express her longings for her husband Zhao Mingcheng who was away on an official appointment. It was a late autumn day which should be shorter every day but seemed the hours pass so slowly as she felt alienated by the usual intimacies of home. She portrays herself as the wan, neglected lady…

Li Qingzhao 钓台 原作：【宋】李清照 英译：闵晓红 巨舰只缘因利往， 扁舟亦是为名来。 往来有愧先生德， 特地通宵过钓台。 The River Traffic by Yan’s Fishing Pavilion translated by Julia Min Look at all the boats coming for a token of fame, and the ships sail away for silver and gold. I can’t help feeling ashamed of my escape, so we sneaked passed in midnight’s cold. Appreciation: Again, our poet chose the form of Poem instead of Ci when she expressed a stronger theme, an open criticism against the weakness of the ruling Court in military defence, and more ironically, the gentlemen’s society that were still busy in the hustle and bustle of fame-seeking game when they were expected to seek for national integrity threated by Jin from the North. Even Li Qingzhao herself ran for her life following the Empress Dowager’s long team of escape, hence, she chose to pass Yan’s fishing spot in the dark feeling so ashamed of doing it in daylight. It appears as if it’s her shame but a much stronger irony is meant for the gentlemen’s society. Females in the Song were not accepted in the army, otherwise she might have joined and written to encourage a stronger defence in some military force. I wouldn’t…

Li Qingzhao 渔家傲. 天接云涛连晓雾 作者：李清照英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 天接云涛连晓雾， 星河欲转千帆舞。 仿佛梦魂归帝所。 闻天语， 殷勤问我归何处。 我报路长嗟日暮， 学诗谩有惊人句。 九万里风鹏正举。 风休住， 蓬舟吹取三山去！ Where Cloud Waves and Morning Mists Rejoin - to the Tune of Yujia’ao written by Li Qingzhao translated by Gordon Osing and Julia Min Where cloud waves and morning mists rejoin, where Star River's countless sails see the turn, as if my soul had dreamed itself to Heaven, "Whence could you ever return?" she heard to herself kindly spoken. "The road is long, and my days are gone.” she said, "whatever good rhymes and vibes." The Roc has taken wings towards Heaven. Please cease not, my dear Wind, just send my little boat to the Three Fairy Mountains. Appreciation: Some editions title this poem "My Dream", because it is written entirely in a state of mind between sleep and waking. Scholars generally attribute the piece to the period in her life just after she fled south before the invaders, because the language in the original departs significantly from that of earlier poems, is more bold and defensively reflective. It’s most likely her real life experience on the sea as she had been following long team of the Royal family and court officials who fled to…

Li Qingzhao 殢人娇·后亭梅花 原作：【宋】李清照 英译：闵晓红 玉瘦香浓， 檀深雪散。 今年恨， 探梅又晚。 江楼楚馆， 云闲水远。 清昼永， 凭栏翠帘低卷。 坐上客来， 尊前酒满。 歌声共， 水流云断。 南枝可插， 更须频剪。 莫直待， 西楼数声羌管。 The blooming plum trees at Houting - to the tune of Tirenjiao translated by Julia Min Again this year I missed the curdled view of snow embracing the budding blooms. From jade-like petals tiered on slender branches, Spring has melted the plum trees for her perfume. By the Chu Hotel the river slowly flows down, meeting beyond a sky with roaming clouds. Behind the green curtains over the tower rails, a quietude finds the long day a useless charade. At last our invited guests arrived in the room, and all the cups are filled to brim full, for now we’ll sing “Flowing Waters Chasing Clouds”. So make the most of it, my friends, if you could when the south branches are loaded with blooms. Pluck some to grace your room, or your hairdo. You don’t want to regret amid the flute music from west room “The Falling of Plum Blooms”. Appreciation: This ci poem is considered as Li Qingzhao’s work as the language and style reads very much like her creation. Geographically, Houting is most likely located on the…

Li Qingzhao 诉衷情 . 夜来沈醉卸妆迟 原作：【宋】李清照 英译：闵晓红 夜来沈醉卸妆迟， 梅萼插残枝。 酒醒熏破春睡， 梦远不成归。 人悄悄， 月依依， 翠帘垂。 更挼残蕊， 更捻馀香， 更得些时。 A bit tipsy, I slept with make-up on -to the tune of Suzhongqing translated by Julia Min Far into the mist extends the private garden. Barred cloud enfolds tops of pavilions. For whom in winter frost is she waiting? Must be the flirting buds on south branches her cold dreams feel so cosy with sweet kisses. Stop playing the song “The Fall of Crimsons”, when she’s blushing with delicate blossoms. Would this gentle grace win her love’s glimpse, Or Spring wind cares for her happiness, Or her pilgrim soul lived to see prunus blooms? Appreciation: Composed around 1127 shortly after the fall of Northern Song and the first Southern Song emperor was throned. It was a period of turmoil due to the Jin’s invasion. With the loss of their capital, the new court became mobile from place to place in the south. Jiangning ( later Jiangkang, today’s Nanjing) was one of the temporary court venues. Qingzhao’s husband was appointed the Mayor of Jiangning, so the couple had to leave their Qingzhou home ( in today’s Shandong Province) to the mercy of the Jin…

Li Qingzhao 忆秦娥 . 临高阁 原作：【宋】李清照 英译：闵晓红 临高阁， 乱山平野烟光薄。 烟光薄， 栖鸦归后， 暮天闻角。 断香残酒情怀恶， 西风催衬梧桐落。 梧桐落， 又还秋色， 又还寂寞。 From the balcony to the bare distance - to the tune of Yiqin’e translated by Julia Min From the balcony to the bare distance, A light mist spreads to the hills and lands. With a late autumn chill it also sends in army horns from the west on the crows’ returns. My chamber now senses no more incense, no more wine, and no more sweet dreams. The wicked wind has robbed the last leaves of parasol trees before a winter more bleak. Appreciation: Notes:yā – the black crows; The symbolic meaning in English sees magic power, intelligence, teamwork and psychic abilities, hence it is often used for names such as Adelaide Crows (Adelaide Football Club). But it represents doomed fate, death and fear in Chinese literature. Jiǎo – horn, referring to the invaders from the Jin State. wú tóng – parasol tree, representing lonely sentiments in late autumn and winter. Pinying and Word -For-Word Translation: qìng qīng cháo màn jìn wò dī zhāng ， diāo lán qiǎo hù ， jiù zhōng dú zhàn cán chūn 。 róng huá dàn zhù ， chāo yuē…

Li Qingzhao 南歌子·天上星河转 原作：【宋】李清照 英译：闵晓红 天上星河转， 人间帘幕垂。 凉生枕簟泪痕滋。 起解罗衣， 聊问夜何其。 翠贴莲蓬小， 金销藕叶稀。 旧时天气旧时衣。 只有情怀， 不似旧家时。 The Starry River Turns her Sails - To the tune of Nangezi translated by Julia Min The Starry River turns her sails where the spirit of my blessed dwells. Deep in sleep the Earth seems so still; Alone I’m awake into midnight chill. My pillow is wet with tears, so is my night dress, After changing, my maid persuades me to bed. Then my eyes touched my gown - the golden threads on lotus leaves, the seed head left alone by herself... Alas, this is the very dress of your taste, So is the season in the same pleasant phase. Only my heart’s rhymes and vibes go astray, Without you, the world is never the same. Appreciation: There are different opinions about the time she wrote this ci. This song poem, in my understanding, was most likely composed soon after her husband’s sudden death in Jiankang ( today’s Nanjing City). She wrote quite a few during this mourning period, and the other one on our list here is A chill wind woke me before dawn (“浪淘沙.帘外五更风”). You could feel these two poems are quite similar…

Li Qingzhao 摊破浣溪沙 . 揉破黄金万点轻 原作：李清照英译：闵晓红 揉破黄金万点轻， 剪成碧玉叶层层。 风度精神如彦辅， 大鲜明。 梅蕊重重何俗甚， 丁香千结苦麄生。 熏透愁人千里梦， 却无情。 Hidden under leaves shaped like green jade - to the tune of Tanpo Huanxisha written by: Li Qingzhao ( 1084 – 1155?) translated by Julia Min Hidden under leaves shaped as green jade are spotted blossoms like golden sun rays. Unworldly as Yanfu, the man of honest grace, she is also a mirror of her soul and pure taste. Plum trees shy away for the cluttered filaments, so are the tacky lilacs arrayed in tiered blossoms. Yet this fragrance, so sensible, kills the romance, and fumigate my sweet dream beyond reasons. For appreciation: This poem could be written by Li Qingzhao as agreed by most scholars. The last sentence could be an indication of the composing time being after she settled in Lin’an where her only hope of returning home is in her dream. Osmanthus together with chrysanthemum, are the most favoured by the Chinese among the few flowers blooming in Autumn, and so they are often the subjects in literature, especially associated with the Moon Festival. The first stanza is on the sensual features concluded with the unique quality of a crystal soul, the highlight…

Li Qingzhao 渔家傲 原作：李清照 （宋） 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 雪里已知春信至， 寒梅点缀琼枝腻。 香脸半开娇旖旎， 当庭际， 玉人浴出新妆洗。 造化可能偏有意， 故教明月玲珑地。 共赏金尊沈绿蚁， 莫辞醉， 此花不与群花比。 In the snowy yard I see Spring's messenger arrived - to the Tune of Yujia’ao written by Li Qingzhao （ 1084-1155？） translated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min In the snowy yard I see Spring just arrived, cold plum blossoms on branches jade-like. there, mirrors a beauty bathed in moonlight, so delicate, lips opening, sweetness personified. Her, the Creation favours above all her like, so let the vivid moon shine all the brighter. Let’s fill our golden cups with new wine tonight. A toast to this brave lady blooming alone in winter. For appreciation: Scholars associate the exuberance of this ci with the earlier phase of Li Qingzhao's career, before she and her kind began fleeing from foreign encroachments. Western readers would do well to imagine the absolute unity she pictured, between the snowy yard, the moon, herself, and, of course, the special, beautiful eloquence on the plum blossoms – a symbol of the brave, the proud, the enduring, the noble and the traditional qualities of a gentleman / gentlewoman in China still today. Notes: 1. "spring message": the plum tree blossoms before all…

Li Qingzhao 玉楼春. 红酥肯放琼苞碎 原作：李清照 （宋）英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 红酥肯放琼苞碎。 探著南枝开遍未。 不知酝藉几多香， 但见包藏无限意。 道人憔悴春窗底。 闷损阑干愁不倚。 要来小酌便来休， 未必明朝风不起。 No sooner the jade buds are turned to rosy lips - to the Tune of Yulouchun written by Li Qingzhao （ 1084-1155？） translated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min No sooner the jade buds are turned to rosy lips, I fear already the south blooms were fading; one needn't care how rich are their perfumes to discover all of a soul's glowing yearnings. They say someone in my favorite window grows pale, whose hand drags along the balustrade of her distress; come to her soon, while the thirst declines not the least; tomorrow, who knows, if the blossoms fall to gales. For appreciation: In some editions, this ci is titled "The Plum Tree". According to Another Collection of Li Qing-zhao, this ci was composed sometime between 1108 and 1127, placing it in what is regarded as her second period of work. As carefully as she can, considering her distress in loneliness, Li Qing-zhao projects her anxieties into the days and hours of peak fragrance of the plum tree blossoms outside her window. Arguably, she could be asking her husband / lover to join her for a…

Li Qingzhao 鹧鸪天·暗淡轻黄体性柔 原作：李清照英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 暗淡轻黄体性柔， 情疏迹远只香留。 何须浅碧轻红色， 自是花中第一流。 梅定妒，菊应羞， 画阑开处冠中秋。 骚人可煞无情思， 何事当年不见收。 An Ode to the Golden Blossoms - to the tune ‘A Sky of Francolins’ (Zhegutian ) written by Li Qingzhaotranslated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min Pale, softest yellow and delicate her form is, or desolate, but far away her fine fragrance drifts. She needs no loud red on common green boughs to be found her blossoms blessed with the best. Now let plum blooms envy, and chrysanths confess. The carved rails display autumn’s highest praise. Qu Yuan must have lost the taste to appreciate. How come in Li Sao she’s not even possessed?   Appreciation: This ci is thought to have come from Li Qingzhao's early period (1108-1127), before she fled south. It is sometimes called an "Ode to Osmanthus Flowers." The great Chu State poet Qu Yuan had written a treatise on the virtues of each blossom in the flower Pantheon, forgetting to include the Osmanthus golden blossoms. Here the poet uses the osmanthus to suggest the unrecognized and the unappreciated, which could be her own creations, and, indeed, herself, too fine a lady to offer the world some loud address. Although she was already very…

Li Qingzhao 多丽·小楼寒 原作：李清照英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红   小楼寒， 夜长帘幕低垂。 恨萧萧、无情风雨， 夜来揉损琼肌。 也不似、贵妃醉脸， 也不似、孙寿愁眉。 韩令偷香， 徐娘傅粉， 莫将比拟未新奇。 细看取、屈平陶令， 风韵正相宜。 微风起， 清芬蕴藉， 不减酴釄。 渐秋阑、雪清玉瘦， 向人无限依依。 似愁凝、汉皋解佩， 似泪洒、纨扇题诗。 朗月清风， 浓烟暗雨， 天教憔悴度芳姿。 纵爱惜、不知从此， 留得几多时？ 人情好， 何须更忆， 泽畔东篱。 In her cold chamber the whole night long - to the tune of Duoli written by Li Qingzhao translated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min In her cold chamber the whole night long, the curtains sagging, tightly drawn, she hates the incessant winds and rains that chase to ruin her jade complexion. Forget Yang Guifei's tipsy smile, Sun Shou's frowned crescent eyebrows, or Han shou's stolen incense and Lady Xu's powdered face. Look closer, my friend, Qu Ping and Magistrate Tao knew better! The breeze lifts a subtle fragrance like raspberry, but all the sweeter. Autumn deepens, and her fine snowy skin shows an ultimate reluctance that is human, like the sorrow at Hangao for lost pendants, or Lady Ban’s poem of tears on her silk fan. Under the full moon in chilly winds, in thickening haze and darkening rains, the Gods spend all her fragrance. No matter how we cherish the moment, only out of time, she’s never for long. If the world weren't so wrong, who'd need…

Li Qingzhao 晓梦 原作：李清照（宋） 英译：闵晓红 晓梦随疏钟， 飘然蹑云霞。 因缘安期生， 邂逅萼绿华。 秋风正无赖， 吹尽玉井花。 共看藕如船， 同食枣如瓜。 翩翩坐上客， 意妙语亦佳。 嘲辞斗诡辩， 活火分新茶。 虽非助帝功， 其乐莫可涯。 人生能如此， 何必归故家。 起来敛衣坐， 掩耳厌喧哗。 心知不可见， 念念犹咨嗟。   My Dream at Dawn translated by Julia Min The sleepy chimes sent me to a dream at dawn. I paddled along rosy clouds fluttering beyond. As if arranged I met Anqi of Penglai before long, and E Luhua, the fairy from ‘South Mount’. Autumn doesn’t have the taste to appreciate, the Yujin Lotus blooms being chased and gone. The lotus seeds we found are long like a boat, and big as melon are the dates we feast upon. Then other friends in white robes join the table. We echoed to and fro with ci, the lyric songs, in graceful elegance and whimsical eloquence, over fresh tea made on the pot fire till morn. A lady can never succeed by the Song throne, but I have so much joy in the dream beyond, What more could I ask for after this event? It’s better than my homeland dream long-drawn. I got dressed and sat in respect like a new born, feeling so real as if the dreamland’s where I belong. Ear shut to the bustling…

Li Qingzhao 凤凰台上忆吹箫·香冷金猊 原作：李清照 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 香冷金猊， 被翻红浪， 起来慵自梳头。 任宝奁尘满， 日上帘钩。 生怕离怀别苦， 多少事、欲说还休。 新来瘦， 非干病酒， 不是悲秋。 休休， 这回去也， 千万遍《阳关》， 也则难留。 念武陵人远， 烟锁秦楼。 惟有楼前流水， 应念我、终日凝眸。 凝眸处， 从今又添， 一段新愁。 The incense in the golden lion is now cold - to the tune of “Phoenix Tower on the Flute” written by Li Qingzhao translated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min The incense in the golden lion is now cold. Billowing red waves is my restless quilt. Still how tiresome to rise and fix hair, so, let the dresser disappear in dust there. If the sun's at the curtain hooks, who cares! If only I were not afraid of your departure! It gives me a pause to think of all I might say, but I'm wasted in another blooming year. It’s not because of much drinking yesterday; It’s I know this Fall will never go away. Alone from now on. Alone; the parting's done. Although we sang a thousand times the farewell song of "Yangguan", you can't stay. - What could I say? Lost in smoke is the Phoenix Tower, lost in the world the Wuling lover. Only the departing stream before our chamber knows me gazing into the distance every day. This yearning grows…

Li Qingzhao 念奴娇. 萧条庭院 原作：李清照 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 萧条庭院， 又斜风细雨， 重门须闭。 宠柳娇花寒食近， 种种恼人天气。 险韵诗成， 扶头酒醒， 别是闲滋味。 征鸿过尽， 万千心事难寄。 楼上几日春寒， 帘垂四面， 玉阑干慵倚。 被冷香消新梦觉， 不许愁人不起。 清露晨流， 新桐初到， 多少游春意。 日高烟敛， 更看今日晴未。 Retrieved from Google Rains threading across the wintered yard - to the Tune of Niannujao written by Li Qingzhao translated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min Rains threading across the wintered yard and all the doors desolate, locked shut, the Cold Food Festival is getting closer, a time for flowers and willows to flutter. I languish over a poem with hard rhymes, and at dawn still more of last night's wine. The messenger geese are gone, my mind too heavy anyway to send a word to anyone. How many days! The upper room's cold in spring! The limp curtains and balcony miss our company. The incense dead, my quilt chilled through the night, my dreams are gone and me, having no desire to rise. So what's this? The dew thick like jewels on the leaves sprouted on parasol trees inviting me for an outing? The sun seems lifting the grey before my eyes; But look again, it might not stay this clear in time. Appreciation: According to Another Collection of Li Qingzhao, this ci…

Li Qingzhao 长寿乐·南昌生日 原作：李清照（宋） 英译：闵晓红 微寒应候， 望日边， 六叶阶蓂初秀。 爱景欲挂扶桑， 漏残银箭， 杓回摇斗。 庆高闳此际， 掌上一颗明珠剖。 有令容淑质， 归逢佳偶。 到如今， 昼锦满堂贵胄。 荣耀， 文步紫禁， 一一金章绿绶。 更值棠棣连阴， 虎符熊轼， 夹河分守。 况青云咫尺， 朝暮重入承明后。 看彩衣争献、 兰羞玉酎。 祝千龄， 借指松椿比寿。 Nanchang’s Birthday - to the tune of Longevity Grace. written by Li Qingzhao translated by Julia Min On a day the calendar plant grew its sixth leaf, the winter sun about to rise by the mulberry tree, the water clock dripping low on silver arrow scale, the Dipper Stars on the Milky Way turning sails, you were born with a silver spoon in your palm, since then you were the moony pearl of charm, well-bred for gentle class n wedded to your oyster. For your birthday today, your offspring gathered, in the Place of Honour built by your forefather, who retired to return in glory from the Emperor. Now I see an array of blue-blooded gentlemen - the esteemed, the renowned and the eminent. For generations down, your family is civil servant to the Crowns, favoured for countless achievements. Many have held the seal of gold in green ribbon. Now both sons are appointed as governors, given the Tiger’s Tally to command on military mission, and a caroche with bear handrail…

Li Qingzhao 新荷叶.薄露初零 原作：李清照（宋） 英译：闵晓红 薄露初零， 长宵共、永昼分停。 绕水楼台， 高耸万丈蓬瀛。 芝兰为寿， 相辉映、簪笏盈庭。 花柔玉净， 捧觞别有娉婷。 鹤瘦松青， 精神与、秋月争明。 德行文章， 素驰日下声名。 东山高蹈， 虽卿相、不足为荣。 安石须起， 要苏天下苍生。 You came to the world on this day of Qiufen - to the tune of ‘New Lotus Leaves’ written by: Li Qingzhao ( 1084 – 1155?) translated by Julia Min You came to the world on this day of Qiufen when day and night share the same length. and the first dews in a year start to appear by streams winding to mansions and pavilions here, - a live vision of the fairyland, Penglai Islands. Amid the gifts like Ganoderma and boat orchards, and guests with jeweled hairpins and tablet scepters, the hall is served by girls in silk like floating angels. I wish to bless you live long as crane and pine and your spirit illuminating like the autumn moon. So well-received in the capital are your articles on morality and integrity, so crucial for our officials. The recluse in Mount East named Anshi, I recall, returned stronger than those in Royal Court. Would you answer the call of the Song like a hero leaving this fairyland to save the shaking world?! Appreciation: This ci poem was composed…

Li Qingzhao 行香子. 落日熔金 原作：李清照 （宋） 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 草际鸣蛩， 惊落梧桐。 正人间天上愁浓。 云阶月地， 关锁千重。 纵浮槎来， 浮槎去， 不相逢。 星桥鹊驾， 经年才见， 想离情别恨难穷。 牵牛织女， 莫是离中。 甚霎儿晴， 霎儿雨， 霎儿风。 The Crickets in Grasses Startle the Parasol Trees - to the Tune of Xingxiangzi written by Li Qingzhao （ 1084-1155？） translated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min The crickets in grasses startle the parasol trees into dropping leaves, and an ancient sorrow fills Heaven and Earth, even the steps of clouds are strewn with hurdles on the Moon grounds. Although the boats go searching to and fro, they rarely meet among the stars a single soul. Only once in a year over the vast Starry River, the magpies gather into a bridge for the lovers, the herdsman with his weaver, a moment together. The rest of the year they’re apart from each other, as today, an endless struggle like the weather. Nothing stays, rain or wind, sunshine or pleasure For appreciation: This ci comes from the period after the poet had moved south to avoid the conquering Jin armies, when her married 1ife was not only interrupted by her husband's departure on official duties, it was cast into peril for the unforeseeable future. The folktale of the…

Li Qingzhao 临江仙.庭院深深深几许 (欧阳公作《蝶恋花》，有“深深深几许”之句，予酷爱之。 用其语作“庭院深深”数阕，其声即旧《临江仙》也。) 原作：李清照 （宋） 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 庭院深深深几许？ 云窗雾阁常扃。 柳梢梅萼渐分明。 春归秣陵树， 人老建康城。 感月吟风多少事， 如今老去无成。 谁怜憔悴更凋零。 试灯无意思， 踏雪没心情。 How deeply shrouded her courtyard had been - to the Tune of Linjiangxian written by Li Qingzhao （ 1084-1155？） translated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min How deeply shrouded her courtyard had been, the windows clouded with mist, chambers shut. But see! The tips of willows, plum buds, and a full Spring returned to the Moling trees, as if for an aging stranger locked in J.K. City. Who sings so softly of the moon and the wind, of getting old too, and cut-off from honors, … and no one pitying her, pallid and withering, too glum for the festival lanterns of Spring, unable to go out in the fresh snow fallen. For appreciation: According to Another Collection of Li Qingzhao, this ci was composed in 1129, after she had joined her husband in Jiankang, now the city of Nanjing. Before the Lantern Festival（元宵节）, the last day of Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), people tried on lanterns to be used the next night. Our poet cannot bring herself to participate; she can't give up thinking about her own and her country's sad retreats…

Li Qingzhao 永遇乐. 落日熔金 原作：李清照 （宋） 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 落日熔金， 暮云合璧， 人在何处。 染柳烟浓， 吹梅笛怨， 春意知几许。 元宵佳节， 融和天气， 次第岂无风雨。 来相召、香车宝马， 谢他酒朋诗侣。 中州盛日， 闺门多暇， 记得偏重三五。 铺翠冠儿， 捻金雪柳， 簇带争济楚。 如今憔悴， 风鬟霜鬓， 怕见夜间出去。 不如向、帘儿底下， 听人笑语。 Again, the sun melted gold in a jade ring - to the Tune of Yongyuyue written by Li Qingzhao （ 1084-1155？） translated by Gordon Osing & Julia Min Again, the sun melted gold in a jade ring of clouds, but where is my life all gone? Mists envelope willows and bittersweet’s the tune "The Falling of Plum Blooms", hardly our Spring! The last day on Lantern Festival and already warm, why does one dread at every hour a storm? Friends came for me, in carriages and horses bedecked with ornaments. Of course I ignored. Remembering other days, and better, in Zhongzhou, a lady at home in her boudoir, toasting this festival wearing a cap of inlaid jade, and twisting rolled gold to snow willows for children, a vision of elegance,… But now! Pallid and thin, hair frosted, dishevelled, how ought she dare to appear for their merriment? She's best seen not at all, curtained and listening to their laughter, loud and empty as their talk. For appreciation: This ci could be…

Li Qingzhao 添字采桑子.窗前种得芭蕉树 原作：李清照 （宋） 英译：戈登.奥赛茵，闵晓红 窗前种得芭蕉树， 阴满中庭。 阴满中庭， 叶叶心心， 舒卷有余情。 伤心枕上三更雨， 点滴凄清。 点滴凄清， 愁损离人， 不惯起来听。 Before my Window - to the Tune of Tianzicaisangzi written by Li Qingzhao ( 1084-1155?) trans.by Gordon Osing and Julia Min Before my window, day in, day out, a dreamy shadow dominates my patio -- the banana tree, most reluctantly, unfolding her tender leaves. Awaked midnight by the drippings, my pillow of sorrow hears the rain, like a story of melancholy in endless weeping. A wanderer's heart breaks, unable to bear such listening. For appreciation: This ci was written in a season of profound homesickness, sometime after 1127, a time of turmoil when Northern Song just came to an end after the fall of the capital. The Royal Court moved south，opening a new page, the Southern Song dynasty. Banana tree bears a symbolic meaning associated with sorrow and separation in Chinese literature, especially for lovers or loved ones. It could be offered during a funeral to show deep love and respect, and a reluctance to let go of the dead. It’s also a favourable plant used to enhance feng shui both indoors and outdoors. So, the subject of this ci is well chosen, is…