On the pavilion
- Poetry of Yan Shu

《浣溪沙 · 一曲新詞酒一杯》

English Rendering

On the pavilion,same day,same weather,

you'd left me without sound,now afterglow floated,

i wrote a new song,prepared a grape wine.

Nothing could return like those fallen flowers,

it seemed that i saw you in this cherry field.

wandered my soul with the wind in singing of pink petals.

On the pavilion by Yan Shu
On the pavilion by Yan Shu

Original Text (中文原文)

一曲新词酒一杯,去年天气旧亭台。

夕阳西下几时回?

无可奈何花落去,似曾相识燕归来。

小园香径独徘徊。

Analysis & Context

Yan Shu(991-1055)passed the civil service examinations in his early teens and became prime minister under the reign of Emperor Song Ren Zong (reigned 1022-1063).This poem was written for a beautiful songstress for whom he had composed lyrical songs one year before.

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The Essence of the Verse

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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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