张先·《菩萨蛮· 哀筝一弄》英译

哀筝一弄《湘江曲》，

声声写尽湘波绿。

纤指十三弦，

细将幽恨传。

当筵秋水慢，

玉柱斜飞雁。

弹到断肠时，

春山眉黛低。

Buddhist Dance

Zhang Xian

On th’ expressive zheng (1) “Song of th’ Xiangjiang Rill” she plays.

At first th’ limpidity each not lively portrays,

Then in detail th’ pent-up grief she does impart;

Her nimble fingers on th’ thirteen strings dart—

Till the waters in front slow down for th’ plight,

And wild geese from Jade Hill droop in their flight.

At last she strikes up the most plaintive strain,

When th’ mountains seem to knit their brows for pain.