Wen Tingyun: The Jade Censer Breathes Out Fragrant Incense 温庭筠 玉爐香 紅蠟淚 偏照畫堂秋思 Poem by Frank Yue

Geng Lou Zi (The Water-Clock)
(Autumnal Sentiments) No.1
- Wen Tinyun (812-870)
- Translated by Frank C Yue

The jade censer breathes out fragrant incense,
The candle weeps red tears without pretence.
Painted pale-green eyebrows are on the wane,
While temple hair is greying without fain.
So deep and dark the night, it still drags on -
Quilt and pillow can't resist the chill strong.

Pity, pity the lonesome phoenix tree,
Past midnight: drenched in rain; cold rain and sleet.
Now, from leaf to leaf fall -
One PLOP - plops one, plop all...
Dripping on empty outdoor steps - Pitter!
Dripping until the new day breaks - Patter!


更漏子 (一) : 秋意 温庭筠

玉爐香 紅蠟淚
偏照畫堂秋思
眉翠薄 鬢雲殘
夜長衾枕寒

梧桐樹 三更雨
不道離情正
一葉葉 一聲聲
空階滴到明