How to Read Chinese Poetry A Guided Anthology

214 t He tang Dy na s t y

C 1 0. 1 2

Autumn Songs of the Hall of Abiding Faith

On the paulownia by the golden well, autumn leaves have yellowed

The pearl blinds are not rolled against the night-coming frost

By fragrant drying rack and jade pillow, her face is pale

She lies listening to the south palace clock—clear drops without end

An autumn wash stone by the high hall sounds far into the night

Deep frost still recalls the chill of an imperial robe

Beside silver lantern and painted door lock—she puts aside her sewing

And looks toward the golden city, and her Bright Lord

Clutching a broom at daybreak, she opens the golden hall

Then, clasping her round moon fan, she wanders for a while

Her jade face can’t compare with the brightness of cold crows

Which still carry reflections of the sun at Zhaoyang Palace

Obsessed with thoughts of a truly ill-fated life

In dreams seeing her lord, and upon waking, almost believing

Torches shine in the western palace, proof of night revels

In palace corridors this night, clearly someone has found favor

The autumn moon is bright within Changxin Hall

The slapping sound of washing clothes below Zhaoyang Palace

In a mansion of white dew—traces of thin grass

Under a canopy of red silk—limitless feelings

[QTS 4:143.1445]

長信秋詞五首  

(cháng xìn qiū cí)

gold well paulownia — autumn leaf yellow 金井梧桐秋葉黃   

(jīn jĭng wú tóng qiū yè huáng)

pearl blind not roll night come frost 珠簾不捲夜來霜  

(zhū lián bù juăn yè lái shuāng)

smoke rack jade pillow no face color 熏籠玉枕無顏色

(xūn lóng yù zhĕn wú yán sè)

recline listen south palace clear drip long 臥聽南宮清漏長 

(wò tīng nán gōng qīng lòu cháng)

high palace autumn wash stone sound night late 高殿秋砧響夜闌  

(gāo diàn qiū zhēn xiăng yè lán)

frost deep still remember imperial robe cold 霜深猶憶御衣寒   

(shuāng shēn yóu yì yù yī hán)

silver lamp dark gate sew stitch rest 銀燈青瑣裁縫歇

(yín dēng qīng suŏ cái féng xiē)