周德清·《折桂令·倚蓬窗》英译

倚蓬窗无语嗟呀，<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

七件儿全无，

做甚么人家？

柴似灵芝，

油如甘露，

米若丹砂。

酱瓮儿恰才罄撒，

盐瓶儿又告消乏。

茶也无多，

醋也无多。

七件事尚且艰难，

怎生教我折柳攀花！

Tune: Plucking Laurel Branch

Zhou Deqing

Leaning on windowsill, speechless I sigh.

Without the seven necessities,

How could households be called families?

The fuel is as dear as wood cut from on high,

Oil as nectar of dew,

And rice as pearls all new.

The sauce is used up in the jar,

The salt bottle is empty, you see,

There’s no more tea,

Nor vinegar.

I can hardly afford these seven necessities,

How could I enjoy flowers and willow trees?