English中文
Immortal by the River: First Meeting by the Steps
斗草阶前初见，
穿针楼上曾逢。
罗裙香露玉钗风。
靓妆眉沁绿，
羞脸粉生红。
First I saw her on the steps where we matched herbs for sport; again we met in the tower where needles were threaded. Her silk skirt was sweet with dew, her jade pin caught the wind. With her lovely makeup, her brows were shaded green; her shy face bloomed red beneath its powder.
流水便随春远，
行云终与谁同。
酒醒长恨锦屏空。
相寻梦里路，
飞雨落花中。
The flowing water went off with the spring; with whom at last will the drifting cloud be one? Waking from wine, I always hate the empty brocade screen. I seek her on the road of dreams — flying rain, falling flowers.
Reading notes
This page retains 羞脸; another text has 羞艳. 靓妆 means lovely makeup or adornment; 靓 is read jìng here. Threading a needle evokes the Qixi tradition of testing skill.