《红楼梦》·《宴海棠赏花诗·其二》英译

海棠何事忽摧聩，今日繁花为底开？

应是北堂增寿考，一阳旋复占先梅。

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I asked the crab-tree why at blossom-time it failed,

Yet now profusely bloomed so long before the spring?

The tree replied: “Midwinter marks the birth of light.

Glad tidings to the Mistress of this House I bring.”

（David Hawkes 译）

For what cause did the hai-t’ang suddenly collapse?

Why do the luxuriant flowers open today?

It must be that in the northern hall long life is added.

Once the yang returns in its revolution it takes precedence of the plum.

（B.S. Bonsall 译）

What made the crab-apple wither away?

And today why have fresh blossoms come?

To foretell a long life for our Old Ancestress

It is flowering anew, ahead of the plum.

（杨宪益、戴乃迭 译）