Frail,Frail a Bamboo
- Poetry of Anonymous

《冉冉孤生竹》

English Rendering

Frail,frail a bamboo that grows alone 

Takes root beneath Mount Tai's earth and stone.

I'm newly wed to you,a man so fine,

Like dodder clinging to a creeping vine.

As dodder has its proper prime of life,

So man should grasp the time to meet his wife.

We're joined in wedlock a thousand li away,

With mounts and rivers lying on the way.


Thought of you is tearing me apart;

How slow in coming is your canopied cart!

I do feel sorry for the orchid flower,

Which is beaming with youth and power.

If you don't pick the flower in its prime,

It'll wither with the grass in autumn time.

Since you remain so faithful to this day,

What complaints are there that I may say?

Frail,Frail a Bamboo by Anonymous
Frail,Frail a Bamboo by Anonymous

Original Text (中文原文)

冉冉孤生竹,结根泰山阿。

与君为新婚,兔丝附女萝。

兔丝生有时,夫妇会有宜。

千里远结婚,悠悠隔山陂。

思君令人老,轩车来何迟!

伤彼蕙兰花,含英扬光辉;

过时而不采,将随秋草萎。

君亮执高节,贱妾亦何为?

Analysis & Context

Anonymous

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The Essence of the Verse

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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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