水调歌头翻译及注释免费（Farewell my concubine A translation and annotation of the popular Chinese b

Farewell my concubine: A translation and annotation of the popular Chinese ballad - 送别

送别 (Sòng bié) is one of the most famous Chinese ballads of all time. It was written by the great Tang dynasty poet Wang Wei (王维) around the year 742, and tells the story of a young woman forced to leave behind her lover to marry another man. This is a translation of the poem, along with some background information and annotations.

Translation

Amidst deep sorrow I hear the wild geese cry,
A departure that leaves two hearts wrenched and dry.
Soft breezes brush past with bittersweet sighs,
Breaking the peace of a moonlit sky.
With tear-wet cheeks and a heavy heart,
I watch my lover vanish from sight.
Alone in the world, I can only sigh,
Till the sound of his horse fades in the night.

Annotations

- The wild geese symbolize the distance between the two lovers. The melancholy cry of the geese accentuates the pain of parting.
- The \"departure\" in the second line refers to the woman's forced separation from her lover. The phrase \"leaves two hearts wrenched and dry\" pities both the woman and her lover for their separation.
- \"Soft breezes\" or \"faint wind\" is a common expression in Chinese poetry. The word \"bittersweet\" captures both the beauty and sadness of the moment.
- \"Moonlit sky\" is another common image in Chinese poetry. The idea of a peaceful night sky being disturbed by such a momentous event was widely used in Tang poetry.
- \"Tear-wet cheeks\" shows the woman's heartbreak, while \"a heavy heart\" emphasizes the depth of her sadness.
- \"vanish from sight\" expresses the sudden and permanent character of departure. The last two lines emphasize the woman's loneliness and her sense of powerlessness in the face of events beyond her control. The sound of the horse fading into the distance is a final reminder of what has been lost.

Conclusion

送别 (Sòng bié) has been a favorite of Chinese poets and scholars for over a thousand years, not only for its literary value but also for its emotional power. The power of this poem lies in its simplicity and universality. The themes of separation, loss, and longing are universal human experiences, and this poem captures them in a way that is both beautiful and poignant. It is a reminder of the power of great poetry to touch the human soul in ways that words alone cannot express.