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The Songs 87 Ah, my feelings of love will never die. Where has he gone now, who once held my hand? My lover has gone! 0 you geese, carry to him these broken-hearted words of mine. Song 17 Concord Grass Concord grass grows near the winding balustrade, but It hopes to be uprooted and planted near the peony. Even though flowers will wither and die, who would have thought spring would be so languid? It is like being separated from you, my lord, by barriers and mountains, You have cast me off; you have flown away, a goose without its mate. o geese, in northern lands and southern skies you have grown accustomed to sorrow,65 But I am blown about in the houses of entertainment. I alone know how tormented I am. The day is cold. My sleeves are thin. And I lean on the balustrade longing for you to return; The west wind blows. The blinds are rolled up. I feel so much alone; My lord, you enjoying your pleasures are unaware of my excruciating anguish. It is for you that my eyes are straining. Because of you my heart is broken. Because of you I can neither eat nor sleep. When you were at home I warned you that your wandering away would only do us harm. How could I ever have guessed that wandering on the lakes and rivers [i.e. as a wanderer on earth] you would be unwilling to return home? Other lovers would have heeded their mistress's warning, But you spurned mine. You did not heed my advice. And here I am left wringing my hands in secret. 65 See Song 16, line 2, note. The Songs 87 Ah, my feelings of love will never die. Where has he gone now, who once held my hand? My lover has gone! 0 you geese, carry to him these broken-hearted words of mine. Song 17 Concord Grass Concord grass grows near the winding balustrade, but It hopes to be uprooted and planted near the peony. Even though flowers will wither and die, who would have thought spring would be so languid? It is like being separated from you, my lord, by barriers and mountains, You have cast me off; you have flown away, a goose without its mate. o geese, in northern lands and southern skies you have grown accustomed to sorrow,65 But I am blown about in the houses of entertainment. I alone know how tormented I am. The day is cold. My sleeves are thin. And I lean on the balustrade longing for you to return; The west wind blows. The blinds are rolled up. I feel so much alone; My lord, you enjoying your pleasures are unaware of my excruciating anguish. It is for you that my eyes are straining. Because of you my heart is broken. Because of you I can neither eat nor sleep. When you were at home I warned you that your wandering away would only do us harm. How could I ever have guessed that wandering on the lakes and rivers [i.e. as a wanderer on earth] you would be unwilling to return home? Other lovers would have heeded their mistress's warning, But you spurned mine. You did not heed my advice. And here I am left wringing my hands in secret. 65 See Song 16, line 2, note. 88 Cantonese Love Songs Today you are far away, on the edge of the horizon, and I have little hope of seeing you; Tears forever drench my spring garments. You brought me so much sorrow, so much lovesickness. I sigh as I clasp the pipa to my breast.66 Ah, night is falling, And my mirror tells me my beauty is fading. My lord, it is one thing to pluck a flower; it is quite another to plant and tend it. Song 18 Flowers Are Beautiful Flowers are so beautiful. Why do they look so sad all the time? A beautiful flower will be ashamed of you, my lord. I warn you not to lose your spring radiance [i.e. lose this opportunity]. Before you cast me off, think of the past: How every day I had to suffer from the deep wound of passion you inflicted on me. How could I have ever known that my spring dream would end today? In the past I believed your passion for me was true, but now I know you are nothing but a...

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