Lyrics to the Imperial Drive Melody
- Poetry of Yan Jidao

《御街行·街南绿树春饶絮》
Lyrics to the Imperial Drive Melody by Yan Jidao
English Translation

South of the main streets catkins drift over greening trees,

Like snow they fall all over spring excursion paths.

Blossoms on trees are glamorous and the clouds light,

Under the foliage of trees is an established estate with a crimson gateway.

From its northern loft, where the curtains are raised high,

Directly in sight are the trees south of the main streets


Against the balustrade in her languor she lingers,

There fall a few evening showers.

In previous years late in spring, he used to rest his horse stamping on mosses,

By a tree of dense foliage and long he there stood.

Here fallen blossoms remain, half extended is the delicate screen hiding view,

Where has the familiar face disappeared to?

By Yan Jidao

中文原文( Chinese )

街南绿树春饶絮，雪满游春路。

树头花艳杂娇云，树底人家朱户。

北楼闲上，疏帘高卷，直见街南树。

阑干倚尽犹慵去，几度黄昏雨。

晚春盘马踏青苔，曾傍绿荫深驻。

落花犹在，香屏空掩，人面知何处？

- Last updated: 2025-06-12 10:15:12
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Why Chinese poems is so special?
The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.
How to read a Chinese poem?
Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

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