Zui Hua Yin -- Ninth of the Ninth
- Poetry of Li Qingzhao

《醉花阴》

English Rendering

Thin mist, dense clouds, o’ercast all day, downcast ‘cos you’re away.

A bronze-lion incense burner, borneol exhales.

‘Tis again the festive day of Ninth of the Ninth;

My jade-like pillow, gauze-veiled bed,

By midnight, a chill will’ve begun to permeate.

Aft dusk, at the eastside ‘santhemum hedge: to our health, a cup I take;

And up my sleeves, a faint sweet scent pervades.

O say not my heart is not with gloom consumed!

Let the west wind whirl up my curtain

To betray I’m frailer than the yellow floriage.

Zui Hua Yin -- Ninth of the Ninth by Li Qingzhao
Zui Hua Yin -- Ninth of the Ninth by Li Qingzhao

Original Text (中文原文)

薄雾浓云愁永昼,瑞脑消金兽。

佳节又重阳,玉枕纱厨,半夜凉初透。

东篱把酒黄昏后,有暗香盈袖。

莫道不消魂,帘卷西风,人比黄花瘦。

Analysis & Context

The Double Ninth Festival was the 9th day of the 9th lunar month,Mountain-climbing Day,according to Chinese custom.This lyric depicts how the poetess passed that day from morning till night,her soul consumed by her separation from her husband.

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