(34) On Parting Grief
别离情
Guan Yun-shi (1286-1324)
贯云石
How bitter parting grief is! Io!
圩别离之苦兮，
How lush on Southern Plain the vernal grasses grow!
苍梧之野春草青。
How endless streams before the royal temple flow!
黄陵庙前春水生。
The queens' green robes at sunset undulate like waves;
日暮湘裙动轻翠，
The tall bamboos are dyed in red tears at their graves.
玉树亭亭染红泪。
Don't you hear Lady Yu in her besieged tent weep,
又闻垓下虞姬泣，
Surprised at the besiegers' song when night was deep?
斗帐初惊楚歌毕。
The beauty left the hero, shedding tears in flood;
佳人阁泪弃英雄，
She killed herself and let the grass reddened with blood.
剑血不销原草碧。
What do we call the parting grief, alas!
何物谓之别离情，
The broken heart is heard just as a broken brass.
肝肠剥剥如铜声。
Why not cut down the tear-specked bamboo, though slender,
不如斫其竹，
And mow the blood-stained grass
翦其草，
Lest parting grief should grow and break your heart so tender?
免使人生谓情老。