lines forthe que qiao xian melody
QinGuan
thesetransparent clouds so delicate and beautiful
themilky way so luminous a star vanishes in it
thatfalling star which carries regret like a messenger
forthe cowherd and the woman at the loom
altairand vega
thoselovers who can meet only once in a year
butfor them this is more wonderful
thanthe countless times
lovesin this world meet
theyare joined for one long perfected moment
theymerge into each other like slow running waters
theirhappy loving is the kindliest of dreams
ohthey have to know the sadness of looking back
asthey depart on their separate ways
travelingover the bridge of birds
butbecause what they feel shines in them forever
itsurely does not distress them
eachday and each night they cannot be together
(王守义、约翰·诺弗尔 译)
Immortal Lovers on Magpie Bridge
(Que-qiao-xian)
QinGuan
Withsubtlety delicate clouds sway,
Flyingstars their fierce love-feelings convey:
Thelovers stealthily cross the lengthy Milky Way.
Oncethe golden breeze and jade dews have encountered,
Countlesspairs in the human world are bettered.
Tenderfeelings like a stream,
Joyfultryst seems a dream,
Howcan they bear to look at the bridge of magpies
Theirparting way?
Shouldthe feelings of both eternal stay,
Whyneed to be with each other night ’n’ day?
(贺淯滨 译)
P’u – Ch’ü Ch’iao Hsien
(Tothe tune-title ‘Immortals of the Magpie Bridge’)
The Weaver-Girl and the Herd-Boy
Ch’inKuan
Aslovely clouds contrive new patterns
Theseflying stars fulfil their yearnings,
Indarkness crossing the distant gulf of the Milky Way.
Whatthough they only meet in the Golden Wind and the Pearly Dew?
Theyare happier far than the countless people living on earth.
Hergentle heart is soft as water,
Theblissful hours flow like a dream.
Ofthe journey back by the Magpie Bridge can they bear a thought?
Whenfeelings stir in the hearts of lovers deeper than time’s abyss
Doesit matter how seldom they meet?
(Alan Ayling & Duncan Mackintosh译)
Tune: Queqiaoxian
QinGuan
Cloudsfloat like works of art,
Stars bring the grief of love.
Acrossthe Milky Way, the Cowherd meets the Maid.
Whenthe golden autumn’s wind encounters with dew of jade,
Theirmeeting is better than many times on earth.
Theirtender love flows like a stream,
Theirhappy date seems as sweet dreams.
Howshe bears the sight of Magpie Bridge without a tear!
Ifthe affection on both sides can endure,
Whyneed they stay together night and day?
(毛小雨 译)
