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

The Songs Ah, it is hard to sever the bonds of love; The lover goes. The root of love remains. 143 I cannot bear to look back. I must put one question to Tathagata [i.e. the highest epithet of the Buddha].179 Song 73 Sent Far Away Do not be too inflamed with passion. Passion that is too inflamed will be hard to cast aside. Even one single day's separation leaves me truly desolate. Though I may be beautiful I have not yet come safely through; our predestined union has not yet been completed. Moreover, dry wood near a flame can easily catch fire: You tell me to wait three years for you. But I am still young, and I fear that when I am grown to maturity, I will have no one to rely on. Today my mistake will begin [i.e. if she decides to wait three years for him]. From now on, I will disclose my feelings only in the company of orioles and swallows;18o Alone I grieve that since I must continue to offer the goblets and wine cups, my sin is not yet forgiven. What I regret is that my fate is as frail as a flower and that men are so worthless; Had fate been kind, would I today have to live in this hut [i.e. this house of entertainment]? I hope one day, covered with honours, you will return home dressed in your academic robes.181 When you have paid your book-debt [i.e. fulfilled his duty of studying], my flower-debt too will be cancelled. But now alone in your lodgings you are wrapped in your soul's dream. Ah! No news from you. 179 See Introduction p. 27. 180 See Song 4. 181 See Song 50; 58, line 6; 88, line 8. The Songs 143 Ah, it is hard to sever the bonds of love; The lover goes. The root of love remains. I cannot bear to look back. I must put one question to Tathagata [i.e. the highest epithet of the Buddha].179 Song 73 Sent Far Away Do not be too inflamed with passion. Passion that is too inflamed will be hard to cast aside. Even one single day's separation leaves me truly desolate. Though I may be beautiful I have not yet come safely through; our predestined union has not yet been completed. Moreover, dry wood near a flame can easily catch fire: You tell me to wait three years for you. But I am still young, and I fear that when I am grown to maturity, I will have no one to rely on. Today my mistake will begin [i.e. if she decides to wait three years for him]. From now on, I will disclose my feelings only in the company of orioles and swallows;18o Alone I grieve that since I must continue to offer the goblets and wine cups, my sin is not yet forgiven. What I regret is that my fate is as frail as a flower and that men are so worthless; Had fate been kind, would I today have to live in this hut [i.e. this house of entertainment]? I hope one day, covered with honours, you will return home dressed in your academic robes.181 When you have paid your book-debt [i.e. fulfilled his duty of studying], my flower-debt too will be cancelled. But now alone in your lodgings you are wrapped in your soul's dream. Ah! No news from you. 179 See Introduction p. 27. 180 See Song 4. 181 See Song 50; 58, line 6; 88, line 8. 144 Cantonese Love Songs When will the good omen of red snuff appear on my oillamp?182 See, glorious Peking is ten-thousand Ii across the water. Song 74 (Part 1) Spring Spring, do not go away just yet, I have something to talk to you about. Year after year we part and each time my feelings are wounded. When I see how frightful is the plight of flowers, my soul is delirious. I think life is uncertain, so that meetings and partings are irregular. Were my fate not wedded to yours, I would not be so insistent; Why having been so close for three months are we now separated in two different places? See, my prince has gone home; my disappointment increases; I had no means of keeping you here; it seems I have flouted the sights...

Share