秦观·《鹊桥仙》英译

鹊桥仙

秦观

纤云弄巧，

飞星传恨，

银汉迢迢暗渡。

金风玉露一相逢，

便胜却人间无数。

柔情似水，

佳期如梦，

忍顾鹊桥归路。

两情若是久长时，

又岂在朝朝暮暮。

Queqiaoxian

Qin Guan

Clouds have their peculiar flair and skill;

They can change their size and shape, as they will.

Stars have qualities more wonderful still;

The hopes of their fellows, they can fulfill,

In those celestial regions, high above,

As links for one star to approach her love,

They help “Lassie” to cross the Milky Way,

To see her “Laddie” once a year, this day.

Their love is like heavenly dew for gods to drink.

To the human level, it would never sink.

One rendezvous between them is of more worth –

Than countless such as we have on this, our earth.

Their love is constant, as water is, in its flow.

Their lover’s meeting is short, as sweet dreams go.

How she bears the sight of Magpie Bridge without a tear,

Which Marks their separation for another year!

Since their affection is something that endure,

Must they bill and coo as daily renewer?

（徐忠杰 译）

Immortals at the Magpie Bridge

Qin Guan

Clouds float like works of art,

Stars shoot with grief at heart.

Across the Milky Way the Cowherd meets the Maid.

When Autumn’s Golden Wind embraces Dew of Jade,

All the love scenes on earth, however many, fade.

Their tender love flows like a stream;

Their happy date seems but a dream.

How can they bear a separate homeward way?

If love between both sides can last for aye,

Why need they stay together night and day?

（许渊冲 译）

Immortal at Magpie Bridge

Qin Guan

Fine clouds float easy and free,

Shooting stars shine with sorrow.

They enjoy a secret date once a year over the far-off Milky Way.

As fall wind hugs the chill dew,

They outshine all worldly dates.

Their tender love flows like a stream,

Their nice date is but a fancy dream.

How can they bear to go each one’s way homeward?

If the love for each other goes on as ever,

Why need they stay together day and night?

（黄新渠 译）

Que Qiao Xian

Qin Guan

The fleecy clouds affect patterns delicate;

The flying stars communicate their grief e’er so deep,

Crossing the expansive Milky Way they meet.

Alas! That single meet amid celestial winds and dews

Surpasses countless meets on earth.

Sweet tenderness overflows their hearts,

Short rendezvous passes like a dream:

Mournfully she contemplates her homeward way

Across the magpie-bridge!

Yet if two hearts are ever steadfast,

Though parted, they are together

Night and day!

（黄宏荃 译）

To the Melody

<The Magpie-Bridge Legend>

Chin Guan

The Weaving-Girl with skillful fingers is clever,

As if gentle clouds were flying faster and faster.

Silently the Cowboy-Star crossed the Milky Way,

For releasing her grief on the Double-Seventh-Day*,

Like Golden Wind and Jade Dew merged once again.

No meeting was happier than the couple’s reunion.

Their water-like tenderness was pretty warm,

Their reunion date’s like a wonderful dream.

Weaving-Girl and Cowboy were reluctant to be apart,

The two heavenly stars knew true love would ever last,

Regardless of their mutual separation day and night.

* Chinese Double-Seventh-Day is similar to the Valentine’s Day in the West.

（朱曼华 译）