12月20日

浣溪沙
宋 晏殊 ( 991~1055 )

一曲新詞酒一杯，
去年天氣舊亭臺，
夕陽西下幾時回？
無可奈何花落去，
似曾相似燕歸來，
小園香徑獨徘徊。

一向年光有限身，
等閑離別易銷魂，
酒筵歌席莫辭頻。
滿目山河空念遠，
落花風雨更傷春，
不如憐取眼前人。

──選自《珠玉詞》

December 20

Silk-Washer's Creek
Yan Shu (991 - 1055, Song Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang

With each new song, I down another cup of wine,
Same as last year's old pavilion, the weather is fine.
When will the sun return once in the West it sets?
There is no choice but to watch the flowers fade.
Seemingly familiar, the sparrows have come home,
Across fragrant paths of the garden I linger alone.

Such limited days this short life holds,
Regular partings could easily melt our souls.
Refuse not the banquet and songs,
Far off with the mountains and rivers memories begone.
Nothing hurts Spring more than fallen flowers and storms,
It is better to appreciate those right before your eyes.

── from Zhu Yu Ci (Beads of Jade)