Selected Poems of Poetry and Song - One Hundred Tang Poems

Author: Wu Xiongru / Xu Feng et al. (Translation and Annotation)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-05-01
Features: Excerpt:
When Li [Wang Xun] and I met, the evening sky was clear and bright. Before the Yue Terrace under the red bougainvillea flowers. In the shadows, I glanced back with deep affection. Left behind a pair of green hairpins. Riding the elephant, I crossed the water before her. (Modern Translation)
In the twilight of a rain-washed sky, red with dawn clouds, we met in surprise.
Before the Yue King’s Terrace, where the crowd gathered, the bougainvillea flowers in the Lingnan sunset were vibrant red.
In the dim light, I stole a glance back, giving you a deep, loving look.
Hurriedly pretending to have lost a pair of green hairpins.
And so, riding the elephant, I crossed the water and left without her. (Annotation)
① Bougainvillea: A plant name, also known as sea paulownia, native to the south, resembling the Paulownia tree but with thorns, with deep red flowers. Yue Terrace: Refers to the Yue King’s Terrace, located on Yuexiu Mountain in the north of modern Guangzhou, built by the Nanyue King Zhao Teng during the Han Dynasty.
② To belong (zhǔ): To be infatuated with, to show affection.
③ Double green hairpins: A pair of green feathers, hair ornaments. (Commentary)
The poem depicts the reserved love of a southern girl, vivid in imagery, almost paintable. The language is elegant and pure, free of pretense—a rare quality in The Flower Pavilion Collection. The first three lines describe the time and place of the meeting: in the evening after rain, with the sky red like dawn clouds, before the blooming bougainvillea flowers at the Yue King’s Terrace, a scene distinctly southern. The last three lines focus on the character: the girl is infatuated with the young man, torn between love and shame. She is both affectionate and fearful of being discovered, conveying her love through a subtle glance and a lingering look of parting. She also pretends to lose a pair of green hairpins, leaving a token behind. Finally, with anticipation in her heart, she quietly mounts an elephant and crosses the water to leave. The psychological portrayal is delicate and true, the character’s demeanor lifelike. Here, there is neither the reserved demeanor of a noblewoman nor the direct, decisive tone of Wei Zhuang’s "I propose to marry myself to you." Instead, it is lively, playful, and shy, showcasing the unique customs and culture of the Lingnan region from different angles and perspectives.