English中文
Spring in the Jade Tower: Since Parting, I Know Not Where You Are
别后不知君远近，
触目凄凉多少闷。
渐行渐远渐无书，
水阔鱼沉何处问。
Since we parted I have not known whether you are far or near; all I see is desolation, and so much dull pain. Further and further you go, until no letters come; the waters are wide and the fish swim deep — where can I ask?
夜深风竹敲秋韵，
万叶千声皆是恨。
故攲单枕梦中寻，
梦又不成灯又烬。
Deep in the night, wind in the bamboo beats out an autumn tune; ten thousand leaves, a thousand sounds, and every one of them regret. I lean on the lonely pillow and seek you in dreams; the dream will not form, and the lamp burns down to ash.
Reading notes
鱼沉 evokes the traditional image of fish carrying letters: news has ceased, rather than merely becoming less frequent. The leaning posture written 攲 also appears with the forms 敧 and 欹; this page retains 攲.