Read 10 ci poems with pinyin and English translations. Notes record textual variants and differing attributions where relevant.
Li Yu
Last night the wind came with the rain; the curtains rustled with the sound of autumn. The candle gutters, the water-clock runs down; I shift upon the pillow again and again, sit up, and cannot find calm.
Li Yu
Spring blossoms and autumn moon — when will they end? And how much is known of all that has gone before? Last night the east wind blew again by the small tower; the old kingdom, unbearable to look back upon, in the bright moon.
Li Yu
The wind returns to the small courtyard, the weeds of the garden turn green; the willow's eyes carry on the spring. Leaning at the rail half the day, alone and wordless: still the sound of bamboo, the new moon, are as in years gone by.
Li Yu
Wordless, I climb the west tower alone; the moon is like a hook. The lonely paulownia tree locks the deep courtyard in clear autumn.
Li Yu
The forest flowers have shed their spring red — all in too great haste. Helpless before the cold rain of morning and the wind of evening.
Li Yu
One fold of hills, two folds of hills. The hills are far, the sky is high, the misty water cold; the maple leaves of my longing are red.
Li Yu
Beyond the blind the rain drips on; the mood of spring is fading. The silk quilt cannot bear the cold of the fifth watch. In dreams I did not know I was but a stranger here, and for a moment I greedily took my pleasure.
Li Yu
Since you went, spring is half spent; whatever I see breaks my tender heart. The fallen plum by the steps is tumbled like snow; I brush it from my robe, and it covers me again.
Li Yu
The deep courtyard is still, the little garden empty; fitfully the cold fulling-block, fitfully the wind.
Li Yu
Forty years, the house and the realm; three thousand li of hills and rivers. Phoenix pavilions and dragon towers reaching up to the Milky Way; jade trees and coral branches like mist and trailing vines — when did I ever know the clash of arms?
