In modern Western literature and art, there are so-called symbolists, and Mr. Jing’an’s works are close to them; this poem should belong to the “state of no self” as the highest level of poetry; the meaning of the words is unique and elegant, and a little is better than… a lot.
近代西洋文艺有所谓象征主义者，静安先生之作殆近之焉；此词应属于作为词的最高格的“无我之境”；词意奇逸，以少许胜……多许。
《浣溪沙》 王国维
山寺微茫背夕曛，
鸟飞不到半山昏；
上方孤罄定行云。
试上高峰窥皓月，
偶开天眼觑红尘；
可怜身是眼中人。
Tune: “Echoing Heaven’s Everlastingness”
A mountain temple dim and far away, its back against the setting sun—
No birds can reach that height far in the shade..
From above, at the single note of its chime, clouds pause in their passing.
When I try to climb the peak, to peer at the bright moon,
By chance I obtain the Eye of Heaven (1) to look at the mundane world—
And I find in its revelation, alas, I am but a man.
(1) “T’ien-yen” is a Sanskrit term (divyacaksus) meaning “divine sight or unlimited vision.”
