Three Poems to My Wife ( 赠妇诗三首 )
When Qin jia was sent on a mission to the capital in the reign of Emperor Huan of Han,unable to say good-bye to his wife …
Read Translation & Analysis →Ⅰ
Man's life is like the morning dew,
Filled with many hardships,too.
Distress and care will never wait
While joy and ease oft come too late.
Business at the end of the year
Estranges me from you,my dear.
I send a cart to welcome thee,
But you cannot come back to me.
Your tender letter makes me think
And I neglect my food and drink.
I sit alone my time to bide;
With whom can I my thought confide?
Deprived of sleep all through the night,
I toss and turn until daylight.
Distress that hits me wave on wave
Is not a mat stored in a grave!
Ⅱ
The god on high is just and fair;
It favours good deeds everywhere.
It is a pity you and I
Are never happy though we try.
Since we became man and wife,
We've not enjoyed enough of life.
As I shall very soon depart,
I wish we chatter heart to heart!
The river's wide with no boat nor bridge;
The way is near but lies a ridge.
I'm sad before I'm on the way;
The horses pause and stop and neigh.
The clouds are drifting o'er the hill;
The wind is moaning in the gill.
My steeds will by no means return;
My wheels,howe'er,refuse to turn.
Take your balms on time,my dear,
For care and grief won't bring me near.
I'm bound to love you all my life;
Mere words will not suffice,dear wife.
Ⅲ
The men prepare the cart with care,
With crisp bells tinkling in the air.
As I shall set out at daylight,
I'm fully dressed for all the night.
When I look at the empty room,
O'er me your figure seems to loom.
About to leave,I feel distressed,
Hard to put my mind at rest.
How can I bare my heart to you?
My words and gifts will give the clue.
The precious pin emits its light;
In the mirror you'll look bright.
The perfume sweet will clear the air;
The lute plays tunes beyond compare.
A poet received a quince from the lass
And gave her jade of topmost class.
Compared with your kind heart to me,
I have but slight requite to thee.
Although I know my gifts are few,
They show my heartfelt love for you.
