Lyrics to the Imperial Drive Melody
- Poetry of Yan Jidao

《御街行·街南绿树春饶絮》

English Rendering

South of the main streets catkins drift over greening trees,

Like snow they fall all over spring excursion paths.

Blossoms on trees are glamorous and the clouds light,

Under the foliage of trees is an established estate with a crimson gateway.

From its northern loft, where the curtains are raised high,

Directly in sight are the trees south of the main streets


Against the balustrade in her languor she lingers,

There fall a few evening showers.

In previous years late in spring, he used to rest his horse stamping on mosses,

By a tree of dense foliage and long he there stood.

Here fallen blossoms remain, half extended is the delicate screen hiding view,

Where has the familiar face disappeared to?

Lyrics to the Imperial Drive Melody by Yan Jidao
Lyrics to the Imperial Drive Melody by Yan Jidao

Original Text (中文原文)

街南绿树春饶絮,雪满游春路。

树头花艳杂娇云,树底人家朱户。

北楼闲上,疏帘高卷,直见街南树。

阑干倚尽犹慵去,几度黄昏雨。

晚春盘马踏青苔,曾傍绿荫深驻。

落花犹在,香屏空掩,人面知何处?

Analysis & Context

By Yan Jidao

Reader's Companion

The Essence of the Verse

Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.

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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