徐灿·《御街行·燕京元夜》英译

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正御陌、

游尘绝。

素裳粉袂玉为容，

人月都无分别。

丹楼云淡，

金门霜冷，

纤手摩挲怯。

三桥宛转凌波蹑。

敛翠黛、

低回说。

年年长向凤城游，

曾望蕊珠宫阙。

茫茫咫尺，

眼前千里，

况是明年月。

Yujie Xing:

The Lantern Festival in Beijing    

Xu Can

Having watched the decorated lanterns, I move away on fragrant clogs.

Now on the imperial avenue

All roving dust is gone.

With white skirt, powdered sleeves and jade for a face,

There is no difference between lady and moon.

The clouds over the cinnabar tower look pale;

The frost on the golden gates turns cold

My delicate hands are afraid to touch them.

Along the Third Bridge I wind in light wave-traversing steps.¹

My kohl brows knit,

I say in a subdued voice:

“Year after year, may I always roam the Phoenix City, ²

Knowing that I’ve gazed upon those flower-beaded palaces.

But it’s vague and dim even at close hand,

A thousand miles just before the eyes

Let alone next year’s moon.”

1. A reference to a phrase from Cao Zhi, “Lo shen fu” (Rhyme-prose on the goddess of the River Luo): “Traversing the waves with light steps.”    

2. The “Phoenix City” is the capital, Beijing.      

（Charles Kwong 译）