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A Beauty


By Du Fu

Translated by Tang Yihe


There was a woman of matchless beauty,

Living in seclusion in a hollow valley.

She says she was born into a respectable family

And has become destitute and homeless, what a pity!

"During the turmoils and bloodshed in the Guanzhong Area,

My brothers were killed.

What's the use of being high officials?

Their corpses couldn't be collected and buried.

As power and influence are gaining and waning,

This world is so wicked, now warm, then cold!

My husband is a frivolous guy;

Beautiful as jade, he's got a new bride.

Mandarin ducks don't sleep alone;

Roses of Sharon know time to close at night.

You only see your new bride smiling;

You didn't hear your deserted wife weeping!

Spring water in hills is pure and clear;

When flowing out, it turns foul and turbid.

Having returned from selling pearls, my maid helped

To repair my thatched cottage with rattans.

Picking flowers, I don't put them onto my hair;

Pluking cypresses, I have them handful to wear.

My sleeves are thin, weather freezing;

I lean against bamboos, the sun drooping."


作者:杜甫


绝代有佳人,幽居在空谷。 自云良家子,零落依草木。 关中昔丧败,兄弟遭杀戮。 官高何足论,不得收骨肉。 世情恶衰歇,万事随转烛。 夫婿轻薄儿,新人美如玉。 合昏尚知时,鸳鸯不独宿。 但见新人笑,那闻旧人哭。 在山泉水清,出山泉水浊。 侍婢卖珠回,牵萝补茅屋。 摘花不插发,采柏动盈掬。 天寒翠袖薄,日暮倚修竹。


注:合昏,即木槿,也叫沙崙野花,晨舒而昏合。

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