Congratulations to the Bridegroom · In Reply to Chen Liang
- Poetry of Xin Qiji

《贺新郎·同父见和再用韵答之》

English Rendering

What shall I say with my old age in view?

I have but close relations and friendship with you.

Ill when you came, I rose and crooned, we drank by day;

The startled snow on the roof flew away.

We laughed at rank and wealth as light as hair.

Who would listen to our brave words in the air?

I remember when night was deep,

Only the moon into my west window would peep.

We drank our wine again

And played on lute in vain.

Minds differ on one and the same thing.

I would ask them an answer to bring.

How many times has our sacred land been united

Or divided?

A fast steed used as a draft horse would lose its breath.

Should its value be unknown till its death?

I stretch my eyes to find the broken way

And admire you dancing before the break of day.

A hero should not fear to look death in the eye.

See how we try

To mend the sky!

Congratulations to the Bridegroom · In Reply to Chen Liang by Xin Qiji
Congratulations to the Bridegroom · In Reply to Chen Liang by Xin Qiji

Original Text (中文原文)

老大那堪说。似而今、元龙臭味,孟公瓜葛。我病君来高歌饮,惊散楼头飞雪。笑富贵千钧如发。硬语盘空谁来听?记当时、只有西窗月。重进酒,换鸣瑟。

事无两样人心别。问渠侬:神州毕竟,几番离合?汗血盐车无人顾,千里空收骏骨。正目断关河路绝。我最怜君中宵舞,道“男儿到死心如铁”。看试手,补天裂。

Analysis & Context

The poet blames the capitulationists not to recover the lost land.

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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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