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The Songs 115 If the moon knew how to have compassion on fragrance [i.e. courtesans] why does it allow us to fade? If the moon shines for a long time on you, then even if the flower fades, still your heart will not be troubled. There are twelve months in a year. Only twelve times are you fully round. And although flowers bloom in all four seasons, they blossom for but a brief spell. Since our fate is as frail as a flower, it is hard for us to look you [i.e. the moon] in the face; If when I am in full bloom I look at the moon, it seems already waned by half. Although the moon waxes with such great effort, it seems to be full for only one day. When flowers fade, men will wait until they bloom again - but only after a whole year has passed. Our lover is away on the edge of the horizon. We lament our fate to the flowers and the moon. Ah, woe is me! Distraught am I! My eyes are strained; my heart will break. My lord, I fear that before your very eyes flowers now in bloom will wither but the waning moon wax round. Song 40 On Pre-ordained Fate I will trouble you for a while to stop and think about pre-ordained fate. Why do I in this life fall into the red dust [i.e. become a courtesan]?117 I think that to be born into this life as a woman is indeed pitiable; Moreover, young girls in the houses of entertainment have broken stems and they lack roots. The splendour, the glamour lasts no longer than the drinking of a cup of wine; l17 See Song 30, line 12. The Songs 115 If the moon knew how to have compassion on fragrance [i.e. courtesans] why does it allow us to fade? If the moon shines for a long time on you, then even if the flower fades, still your heart will not be troubled. There are twelve months in a year. Only twelve times are you fully round. And although flowers bloom in all four seasons, they blossom for but a brief spell. Since our fate is as frail as a flower, it is hard for us to look you [i.e. the moon] in the face; If when I am in full bloom I look at the moon, it seems already waned by half. Although the moon waxes with such great effort, it seems to be full for only one day. When flowers fade, men will wait until they bloom again - but only after a whole year has passed. Our lover is away on the edge of the horizon. We lament our fate to the flowers and the moon. Ah, woe is me! Distraught am I! My eyes are strained; my heart will break. My lord, I fear that before your very eyes flowers now in bloom will wither but the waning moon wax round. Song 40 On Pre-ordained Fate I will trouble you for a while to stop and think about pre-ordained fate. Why do I in this life fall into the red dust [i.e. become a courtesan]?117 I think that to be born into this life as a woman is indeed pitiable; Moreover, young girls in the houses of entertainment have broken stems and they lack roots. The splendour, the glamour lasts no longer than the drinking of a cup of wine; 117 See Song 3D, line 12. 116 Cantonese Love Songs Wait until the guests are gone and the lights are dead, then you will feel broken-hearted. My 'guest' calls me, 'My lady'; but without a 'guest', I have no standing with anyone; An instant of coldness makes me vile three times over. If you meet a 'guest' who has passion, you have someone to rely on for support. In my heart what I fear most are drunks, they are a deadly plague. From the day I sank to the depths in houses of entertainment I began to regret it. Ah! No matter what, I am going to give vent to my anger: Suffer we must until our tears run dry and we are withered, and this they say - is 'living'!118 Song 41 Repentance I really am very far from being pleased with myself, For my inconstancy in love has cast a slur on you. Wait until my heart veers round...

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