无名氏·《忆江南》英译

莫攀我，

攀我太心偏。

我是曲江临池柳，

这人折了那人攀，

恩爱一时间。

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Yijiangnan

Anonymous

Touch me not, if you can help it, or I’d protest:

You have favored me at the expense of the rest.

I am but a courtesan at Qujiangchi (1),

For men to take any liberties with me.

If, of all the girls, on picks and chooses me,

Mere personal preference; love, it can’t be.

If someone shows, for me, a little care,

That is only a momentary affair.

(1)    Qujiangchi: a royal garden of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, located in today’s Xian, Shaanxi Province