张先·《诉衷情·花前月下》英译

Zhang Xian

Before flowers, beneath the moon, shortly we met

Only to part with bitter regret.

What’s more, I wake from wine and dreams

To find fallen flowers and dim moonbeams.

Flowers will bloom again;

The moon will wax and wane.

Would our hearts be the same?

I’d turn the flame

Of my heart, string on string,

Into willow twigs to retain

The breeze of spring.