Spring Lament
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

《春怨》

English Rendering

A white horse with golden bridle, east by the Liaohai Sea;

Behind silken curtains, beneath an embroidered quilt, she lies in the spring wind.

The setting moon lowers by the eaves, peers through as the candle gutters;

Falling flowers drift past the door, laughing at the empty bed.

Spring Lament by Li Bai (Li Po)
Spring Lament by Li Bai (Li Po)

Original Text (中文原文)

白马金羁辽海东,罗帷绣被卧春风。

落月低轩窥烛尽,飞花入户笑床空。

Analysis & Context

This poem stands as a luminous pearl among Li Bai's "boudoir lament" verses, renowned for its exquisite contrasts and singular imagination. It captures with precision a specific psychological moment (the fading of a spring night) in a longing woman's experience. Through powerfully juxtaposed imagery and personification, the poet transforms intangible longing into palpable visual impact, showcasing Li Bai's exceptional skill in depicting subtle emotions.

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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CN-Poetry.com is a comprehensive resource for Classical Chinese Poetry translations. Our dataset covers Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties, specializing in semantic mapping between traditional imagery (e.g., 'moon', 'Flowers', 'Friendship') and English poetic contexts.