In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

126 Cantonese Love Songs So that I will not wake up separated from you, alone to face the red lamp?137 Song 52 Do Not Dream I advise you not to dream, because I fear we may meet in our dreams, And once awakened, nothing remains; The very word 'parting' burns my soul. My lord, you have travelled to the edge of the horizon, while I am a weed138 drifting on the water's surface. Thinking of you I secretly play my pipa;139 Oh! How many sorrows pulsate in each finger! Were you not so constant a lover, my lord, you could not have brought me to such a pass: See how thin I have grown. Can I still say I am like a flower? Although today my love-passion is great, it is of no avail. Woe is me! Sadness has ten thousand roots. You have wronged me in leaving me lovesick and without a master [i.e. one to protect and support]. I have cried blood-red tears. Song 53 The Bonds of Love The bonds of love bind two hearts together. But your loved one is confined in the tender village [i.e. the house of entertainment]. My lord, either you are unwilling to loose these bonds or I have tied them too tightly. Your mind is dazed like that of a self-indulgent ruler [i.e. a debauchee, a rake]. 137 See Songs 64, line 4; 91. 138 See Songs 12 (Part 4), line 2, note; 35 (Part 2), line 14; 52, line 4; 54, line 6; 69, line 24. 139 See Song 12 (Part 4), note. 126 Cantonese Love Songs So that I will not wake up separated from you, alone to face the red lamp?137 Song 52 Do Not Dream I advise you not to dream, because I fear we may meet in our dreams, And once awakened, nothing remains; The very word 'parting' burns my soul. My lord, you have travelled to the edge of the horizon, while I am a weed138 drifting on the water's surface. Thinking of you I secretly play my pipa;139 Oh! How many sorrows pulsate in each finger! Were you not so constant a lover, my lord, you could not have brought me to such a pass: See how thin I have grown. Can I still say I am like a flower? Although today my love-passion is great, it is of no avail. Woe is me! Sadness has ten thousand roots. You have wronged me in leaving me lovesick and without a master [i.e. one to protect and support]. I have cried blood-red tears. Song 53 The Bonds of Love The bonds of love bind two hearts together. But your loved one is confined in the tender village [i.e. the house of entertainment]. My lord, either you are unwilling to loose these bonds or I have tied them too tightly. Your mind is dazed like that of a self-indulgent ruler [i.e. a debauchee, a rake]. 137 See Songs 64, line 4; 91. 138 See Songs 12 (Part 4), line 2, note; 35 (Part 2), line 14; 52, line 4; 54, line 6; 69, line 24. 139 See Song 12 (Part 4), note. The Songs 127 Although a skilled craftsman says he could unravel these bonds, yet I have no way to ask him. Even with a sharp knife, you would find it hard to rend asunder this root of passion.140 If you are wise, make up your mind to cut yourself loose of this bond, and do not regret it. How could I ever have thought that in time to come you would grow tired of me, yet still in my dreams would pursue me? Oh Heaven! You made man. Why did you give him 'passion' to be his guide? Passion, either long or short, has certainly been pre-ordained. You cannot deny it, if men did not abuse true passion, we would never suffer distress; You might be distressed for a brief moment, but there would be a happy end to it. Truly the best time to possess me is in the moment of delirium. Ah! Everything is chaotic. Whether I am clever or stupid is not important. Passion's gates are hard to break down; even in death I will follow you. Song 54 The Tree of Love The tree of love is planted in the city of sorrow; Without branches, without leaves, it is...

Share