February 2023

Zhu Shuzhen: A Vehicle for My Feelings [first of two poems] ~朱淑真·《寓怀二首·其一》 with English Translations

朱淑真(约1135~约1180),号幽栖居士,宋代女诗人,亦为唐宋以来留存作品最丰盛的女作家之一。南宋初年时在世,祖籍歙州(治今安徽歙县),《四库全书》中定其为“浙中海宁人”,一说浙江钱塘(今浙江杭州)人。生于仕宦之家。夫为文法小吏,因志趣不合,夫妻不睦,终致其抑郁早逝。又传淑真过世后,父母将其生前文稿付之一炬。其余生平不可考,素无定论。 朱淑真·《寓怀二首·其一》 淡月疏云九月天,醉霜危叶坠江寒。 孤窗镇日无聊赖,编辑诗词改抹看。 A Vehicle for My Feelings [first of two poems] Zhu Shuzhen Pale moon, sparse clouds, the sky in the ninth month. Reckless leaves drunk with frost fall into the chill river. Alone by the window, I pass a day of boredom and lethargy, Editing my poems and songs, experimenting with words […]

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Zhu Shuzhen: The Double Ninth ~ 朱淑真·《九日》 with English Translations

《九日》是宋朝朱淑真的诗作。朱淑真(约1135~约1180),号幽栖居士,宋代女诗人,亦为唐宋以来留存作品最丰盛的女作家之一。南宋初年时在世,祖籍歙州(治今安徽歙县),《四库全书》中定其为“浙中海宁人”,一说浙江钱塘(今浙江杭州)人。生于仕宦之家。夫为文法小吏,因志趣不合,夫妻不睦,终致其抑郁早逝。又传淑真过世后,父母将其生前文稿付之一炬。其余生平不可考,素无定论。 朱淑真·《九日》 去年九月愁何恨,重上心来益断肠。 秋色夕阳俱淡薄,闺情离思共凄凉。 征鸿有序全无信,黄菊多情更有香。 自觉年来清瘦了,懒将鸾镜照容光。 The Double Ninth Zhu Shuzhen Last year on the Double Ninth I thought my sorrow knew no bounds. This year it breaks my heart still more. Autumn tints and setting sun both pale and weak; Trace of tears, thoughts of parting both chill and bleak. Though the migrating geese

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Yu Xuanji: Sent to Feiqing ~ 鱼玄机·《寄飞卿》 with English Translations

鱼玄机,女,晚唐诗人,长安(今陕西西安)人。初名鱼幼微,字蕙兰。咸通(唐懿宗年号,860—874)中为补阙李亿妾,以李妻不能容,进长安咸宜观出家为女道士。后被京兆尹温璋以打死婢女之罪名处死。鱼玄机性聪慧,有才思,好读书,尤工诗。与李冶、薛涛、刘采春并称唐代四大女诗人。鱼玄机其诗作现存五十首,收于《全唐诗》。有《鱼玄机集》一卷。其事迹见《唐才子传》等书。 鱼玄机·《寄飞卿》 阶砌乱蛩鸣,庭柯烟露清。 月中邻乐响,楼上远山明。 珍簟凉风著,瑶琴寄恨生。 嵇君懒书札,底物慰秋情。 To a Friend Yu Xuanji Crickets are chirping by the stepping stones; mist and dew are clearing in the garden boughs. Music in the moonlight makes a nearby echo; seen from the upper chamber, the distant hills are aglow. A cold wind clings to my bamboo mat, the sorrow

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Yu Xuanji: Selling Wilted Peonies ~ 鱼玄机·《卖残牡丹》 with English Translations

这首诗属女诗人鱼玄机后期作品。这首诗以残败的牡丹花自况。没有人赏识她高贵美丽。“卖”字极为伤感,主动兜售都无人问津,一腔忿限倾泄而出,读来荡气回肠,感人至深。 鱼玄机·《卖残牡丹》 临风兴叹落花频,芳意潜消又一春。 应为价高人不问,却缘香甚蝶难亲。 红英只称生宫里,翠叶那堪染路尘。 及至移根上林苑,王孙方恨买无因。 Selling Leftover Peonies Yu Xuanji Heaving a sign in the wind, the flower petals keep falling; when vernal feelings have faded away, again there comes the spring. Is it because the price is high that no one has inquired? It seems the fragrance is so strong that butterflies cannot

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Sikong Tu: The Natural ~ 司空图·《二十四诗品·自然》 with English Translations

司空图的《二十四诗品》作为中国古代文论史上的一部经典之作,采用四言诗的形式写成,言简义丰。《自然》篇在《二十四诗品》中居于第十篇,它所展示出的”自然”境界,是中国古代文人创作所追求的最高境界,它以老庄哲学为基础,倡导道法自然,反对人工的雕琢和刻意的营造。 司空图·《二十四诗品·自然》 俯拾即是,不取诸邻。 俱道适往,着手成春。 如逢花开,如瞻岁新。 真与不夺,强得易贫。 幽人空山,过雨采苹。 薄言情悟,悠悠天韵。 The Natural Stoop, and there it is: Seek it not right and left. All roads lead thither,– One touch and you have spring!(1) As though coming upon opening flowers, As though gazing upon the new year, Verily I will not snatch it, Forced, it will dwindle away.

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Wang Ling: A Spring Outing ~王令·《春游》 with English Translations

《春游》是北宋诗人王令创作的一首七言绝句。这首诗写春游的欢乐情景,表达了诗人由春游产生悲愁的独特感受。前两句写春城儿女春游的欢乐情景,后两句写诗人对春光无限珍惜的悲愁。用语平平,但能传达出意味深长之感。 王令·《春游》 春城儿女纵春游,醉倚层台笑上楼。 满眼落花多少意,若何无个解春愁? A Spring Outing Wang Ling The boys and girls of the city are all out for a spring outing; They lean on tower rails, drunk or ascend to top floor, laughing. There’re fallen flowers everywhere whenever I cast my glance; Why is there on one who knows my heartfelt, doleful feeling?

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Lin Yining: Thinking of My Father, Yudu ~ 林以宁·《忆父禹都》 with English Translations

林以宁,著有墨庄诗文集及凤箫楼集,《杭州府志》亦作曲,著有芙蓉峡传奇,《曲录》并传于世。她是进士林纶之女,监察御史钱肇修之室。与其姑顾玉蕊,均工诗文骈体。玉蕊曾集合当地能诗女子,组织蕉园诗社。当时所谓“蕉园五子”。即指以宁及徐灿、柴静仪、朱柔则、钱云仪五人。以宁于归后,继续姑志,重组蕉园七子社。七子为五子中加入张槎云、毛安芳、冯又令、顾启姬,而徐灿、朱柔则不在内。当时七子之名,颇蜚声于西子湖滨。又擅长书画,尤长于墨竹。 林以宁·《忆父禹都》 晓登百尺楼,遥望中条山。 天际有白云,日夕自往还。 去来何寥邈,引领难追攀。 谁云生女好,少长违亲颜。 岂不眷庭闱,安能事閒关。 问寝久疏阔,视膳良以艰。 回步循南陔,踯躅泪汍澜。 Thinking of My Father, Yudu Lin Yining At dawn I climb a hundred-foot tower To look out at the central massif in the distance. At the edge of the sky are white clouds That day and night leave and return as they will. Going or coming,

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Lin Yining: Crossing at the Confluence of the Yi and the Lo Rivers ~ 林以宁·《渡伊洛合流》 with English Translations

林以宁,著有墨庄诗文集及凤箫楼集,《杭州府志》亦作曲,著有芙蓉峡传奇,《曲录》并传于世。她是进士林纶之女,监察御史钱肇修之室。与其姑顾玉蕊,均工诗文骈体。玉蕊曾集合当地能诗女子,组织蕉园诗社。当时所谓“蕉园五子”。即指以宁及徐灿、柴静仪、朱柔则、钱云仪五人。以宁于归后,继续姑志,重组蕉园七子社。七子为五子中加入张槎云、毛安芳、冯又令、顾启姬,而徐灿、朱柔则不在内。当时七子之名,颇蜚声于西子湖滨。又擅长书画,尤长于墨竹。 林以宁·《渡伊洛合流》 历尽山川险,方知行路难。 寒风鸣大谷,怪石激流湍。 歧路心常怯,穷途泪未乾。 波光应笑我,独自上河干。 Crossing at the Confluence of the Yi and the Lo Rivers Lin Yining One by one I have experienced all the hazards of mountains and rivers; Now at last I understand “the hardships of the road.” Cold winds wailing through wide gorges, Grotesque rocks roiled round in rushing rapids.

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Lin Yining: Painting Bamboo ~ 林以宁·《画竹》 with English Translations

林以宁,著有墨庄诗文集及凤箫楼集,《杭州府志》亦作曲,著有芙蓉峡传奇,《曲录》并传于世。她是进士林纶之女,监察御史钱肇修之室。与其姑顾玉蕊,均工诗文骈体。玉蕊曾集合当地能诗女子,组织蕉园诗社。当时所谓“蕉园五子”。即指以宁及徐灿、柴静仪、朱柔则、钱云仪五人。以宁于归后,继续姑志,重组蕉园七子社。七子为五子中加入张槎云、毛安芳、冯又令、顾启姬,而徐灿、朱柔则不在内。当时七子之名,颇蜚声于西子湖滨。又擅长书画,尤长于墨竹。 林以宁·《画竹》 新竹出短篱,亭亭如织翠。 明月升东轩,竹影宛在地。 铜砚磨松煤,濡毫写其意。 清幽固可嘉,爱此坚贞志。 Painting Bamboo Lin Yining New bamboo has emerged from the low hedge; Tall and erect, it seems spun from kingfisher feathers. When a shining moon rises over the east porch, Traceries of bamboo shadow cover the ground.(1) I rub pineblack on a bronze inkstone And wet the brush to

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Lin Yining: Lament for Chai Jixian ~ 林以宁·《哭柴季娴》 with English Translations

林以宁,生卒年均不详,约清圣祖康熙中前后在世。她是进士林纶之女,监察御史钱肇修之室。与其姑顾玉蕊,均工诗文骈体。玉蕊曾集合当地能诗女子,组织蕉园诗社。当时所谓“蕉园五子”。即指以宁及徐灿、柴静仪、朱柔则、钱云仪五人。以宁于归后,继续姑志,重组蕉园七子社。七子为五子中加入张槎云、毛安芳、冯又令、顾启姬,而徐灿、朱柔则不在内。当时七子之名,颇蜚声于西子湖滨。又擅长书画,尤长于墨竹。 林以宁·《哭柴季娴》 婆娑壁间画,手泽犹芳鲜。 清夜发光芒,睨视不敢前。 想见落笔时,气足而神全。 非徒貌幽花,自写翠袖翩。 每思弃尘务,从君事丹铅。 岂期不我顾,倏忽长相捐。 一恸云为愁,梁月藏婵娟。 Lament for Chai Jixian Lin Yining The painting of Mahakasyapa on the wall Is a relic of your work, still beautiful and vivid.(1) In the cool of night, it gives off such a shimmering light, I glance at it sideways, not daring to look directly. I

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