Po Chü-i’s “Song of Lasting Regret”: A New Translation

Tang Studies 8-9 (1990-91) PO CHU-I'S "SONG OF LASTING REGRET' A NEW TRANSLATION PAULW.KROLL UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER Monarch of Han, he doted on beauty, yearned for a bewitching temptress; Through the dominions of his sway, for many years he sought but did not find her. There was in the family of Yang a maiden just then reaching fullness, 4 Raised in the women's quarters protected, unacquainted yet with others. Heaven had given her a ravishing form, impossible for her to hide, And one morning she was chosen for placement at the side of the sovereign king. When she glanced behind with a single smile, a hundred seductions were quickened; 8 All the powdered and painted ones in the Six Palaces now seemed without beauty of face. In the coolness of springtime, she was permitted to bathe in the Hua-ch'ing pools, Where the slickening waters of the hotsprings washed over her firm flesh. Supported as she rose by a waiting-maid, she was so delicate, listless: 12 This was the moment when first she acceded to His favor and beneficence. Cloud-swept tresses, flowery features, quivering hair-pendants of gold, And behind the warmth of lotus-bloom drapings, they passed the springtime nights— Springtime nights so grievously brief, as the sun rose again high! 16 From this time onward the sovereign king no longer held early court. Taken with pleasure, she attended on the feasts, continuing without let; Springtime followed springtime outing, evening after evening she controlled. Of the comely beauties of the rear palace, there were three thousand persons, 20 And preferments and affection for all three thousand were placed on her alone. In her golden room, with makeup perfect, the Delicate One serves for the night; In a tower of jade, with the feast concluded, drunkenness befits love in spring. Her sisters and brothers, older or younger, all were enfeoffed with land; 24 The most enviable brilliance and glory quickened their doorways and gates. Then it came to pass, throughout the empire, that the hearts of fathers and mothers No longer valued the birth of a son but valued the birth of daughters. 97 Kroll: "Song of Lasting Regret" The high sites of Mount Li's palace reached into clouds in the blue, 28 And transcendent music, wafted on the wind, was heard there everywhere. Measured songs, languorous dancing merged with sound of strings and bamboo, As the sovereign king looked on all day long, never getting enough ... Until, out of Yii-yang, horse-borne war-drums came, shaking the earth, 32 To dismay and smash the melody of "Rainbow Skirts and Feathered Vestments." By the nine-layered walls and watchtowers, dust and smoke arose, And a thousand chariots, ten thousand riders moved off to the southwest. The halcyon-plumed banners jounced and joggled along, moving and stopping again, 36 As they went forth westward from the metropolis' gates, something more than a hundred li. And then the Six Armies would go no farther—there was no other recourse But the fluently curved moth-eyebrows must die before the horses. Floriform filigrees were strewn on the ground, to be retrieved by no one, 40 Halcyon tailfeathers, an aigrette of gold, and hairpins made of jade. The sovereign king covered his face—he could not save her; When he looked back, it was with tears of blood that mingled in their flow. Yellowish grit spreads and scatters, as the wind blows drear and doleful; 44 Cloudy walkways turn and twist, climbing Saber Gallery's heights. Below Mount O-mei there are very few men who pass by; Lightless now are the pennons and flags in the sun's dimmer aura. Waters of Shu's streams deepest blue, the mountains of Shu are green— 48 For the Paragon, the Ruler, dawn to dawn, night upon night, his feelings: Seeing the moon from his transient palace—a sight that tears at his heart; Hearing small bells in the evening rain—a sound that stabs his insides. Heaven revolves, the days roll on, and the dragon carriage was turned around; 52 Having reached the spot, faltering he haltered, unable to leave it again. But...