李贺·《苏小小墓》英译

Su Xiaoxiao’s¹ Tomb

Li He

Orchid dew

Like sobbing eyes

Nothing the hearts in one to unite

Young blossoms devastated by cutting

Grass like carpet

Pines like canopies

Wind as dresses

Water as pendants

Painted sedan

Waiting at dusk

Cold bluish candles

Shinning in vain

Under Xiling² (cypresses and pines)

Winds driving rains

1. Su Xiaoxiao was a popular courtesan in Qi of the Southern Dynasties. Her life-time aspiration is summed up in Songs of Su Xiaoxiao:

I ride in a painted sedan,

You on a piebald steed;

Where to unite our hearts in one?

Under the Xiling cypresses and pines.

2. Xiling is close to the West Lake in today’s Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

（任治稷、余正 译）

Little Su’s Tomb

Li He

Dewy Orchids–

Eyes with tears.

Nothing to twist a love-know, –

The flowers around are hazy mist.

Pines–her shelter,

Grass–her mattress;

Winds–her dress,

Waters–her pendant-jades.

An oil-paint carriage

Night long waits.

Cold green candles¹

Shine in vain.

Under West Mound

The wind blows the rain.

1. will-o-the-wisps.

（飞白 译）

By Lady Su Xiaoxiao’s Tomb¹

Li He

The dewdrops on the orchid leaves,

Remember the tears on thy cheeks.

Nothing ensures thy bond of love,

Thou can’t bear to trim the snuff.

Lawns, thy carpet,

Pines, thy umbrella,

Winds, thy dress,

Streams, thy pendant,

Painted wagon, at your service,

Green candlelight, so gloomy,

Somewhere in Hangzhou, ²

The rain pours and gales blow.

1. Su Xiaoxiao: A famous prostitute in the Southern Qi Dynasty (479-502 AD).

2. It is believed that Su Xiaoxiao’s Grave is located somewhere in Hangzhou, now the capital city of Zhejiang Province.

（卢炳群 译）