春宵
原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋）
英译: 闵晓红(2024.03)
春宵一刻值千金，
花有清香月有阴。
歌管楼台声细细，
秋千院落夜沈沈。
A Hymn to Spring Night
Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo')
English translation: Julia Min (Mar. 2024)
The spring night values a thousand in real gold. -
Bustling blossoms revel in refreshing fragrance,
With dreaming moonlight roving the secret grove.
Rhyming with the scented air is a song so sweet, -
A flute melody from the floodlit tower and terrace,
Rippling past a garden swing to my spring dream.
Appreciation:
The composition time for this beautiful little poem is yet unknown, which leaves us with more imaginations. It could be a happy period in his early or prime years where he was enjoying a great night celebrating with friends, or a solitary night where he was just a distant observer of the happy scene. What have you figured out? Please share your comments below.
The first line has become a famous saying often used to emphasize how much we should cherish a budding spring night, usually implying sensual enjoyments for lovers. The romantic vibes stream vividly from a blooming garden gilded by the soft and serene moonlight, to the captivating music, through the empty swing, and further to his sweet dream. Now your imagination is taking you beyond, wondering about the beauty that was giggling on the swing and smiling in his dream…
Reference:
picture from 搜狐号@残阳落幕