辛弃疾:汉宫春
Xin Qiji (1140-1207): to the tune “Spring in the Han palace”
春已归来,看美人头上,袅袅春幡。
Spring is back, on all the maidens’ heads the springtime papercuts.
无端风雨,未肯收尽余寒。
Ceaseless wind and rain, and still a little bit of cold.
年时燕子,料今宵,梦到西园。
The seasonn when the swallows breed chicks is come, but in the night, I walk in dream in Kaifeng’s West Garden.
浑未办,黄柑荐酒,更传青韭堆盘。
No finished yet the orange liqueur, we first serve the green scallions plate.
却笑东风,从此便熏梅染柳,更没些闲。
Now we laugh with the eastwind, perfuming plums and coloring willows, to have more leisure time.
闲时又来镜里,转变朱颜。
In leisure time then we look again in the mirror, to change the rouge on our cheeks.
清愁不断,问何人会解连环。
But our simple sadness never ceases, asking who can loose these chains?
生怕见,花开花落,朝来塞雁先还。
I’m afraid to see again this place in my life. Opening flowers, falling flowers – the dawn impedes the geese to fly home.