Translation of Chinese Poetry: Su Tung-po ’ s “ Prelude to Water Melody ”

Translation of Chinese Poetry: Su Tung-po’s “Prelude to Water Melody” Lin-Hsiu Su 蘇琳琇

Outline • Introduction • Literature Review • Methodology • References

Introduction • Background • The inclusion of the Chinese characters • The literal English translations • The rhyming reservation • Chinese poems can be sung • A Clay Doll • To Mend the Broken Net • Expecting the Spring Wind

Introduction • Purpose • Understanding Chinese culture through the Chinese poetry

Introduction • The Author---Su Tung-p’o (1037-1101) • One of the greatest poets in the history of Chinese poetry • In politics, he opposed to Wang- An-shih’s radical policies.

Literature Review • Samples • Four version • Goal • In an attempt to preserve the singing or musical quality in Chinese

The first version--- How long shall we have the bright moon? Winecup raised, I ask the blue sky. I wonder what year it is tonight In heaven’s palace up high. I would like to ride on the wind home, But fear the crystal halls and jade dome May be too high and cold to vie. To dance with one’s won shadow light Liking not in men’s world hereby. Round the red mansions Through the gauzed windows, On the sleepless guy, The moon should have no spite; Then she’s apt to be full when men part, why? Men have woes or joys, part or unite; Moon may wane or wax, be dim or bright. None has been perfect all the way. Just wish we will live long and share Her beauty, thought we’re miles away. Literature Review－By Shih Ying-Jhou

The second version--- When may we have a bright moon? Holding my wine cup, I ask the blue sky. I don not know what year it is up in the heavenly palaces tonight. I would like to return on the back of the wind, But I am afraid that the crystal palaces and the jade mansions, up so high, are too unbearably cold. I get up and dance with my shadow, There is nothing better than our mortal world! Rounding the vermilion towers, Bending low to the laced door, The moon shines on this sleepless me. I should not entertain grudges, But why should you wax so round when we are apart? For mortals, there are sorrows and joys, separations and reunions. For you, moon, there are clouds and clear skies, waxing and waning. Perfect happiness has become so rare since ancient times! I only pray that we may live a long time, One thousand li apart we may watch the same beautiful moon goddess. Literature Review－By Kuo Ying Paul Tsai

The third version--- How long will the bright moon appear? Wine-cup in hand, I ask the sky. I do not know what time of year It would be tonight in the palace on high. Riding the wind, there I would fly, Yet I fear the crystal palace would be Far too high and cold for me. I rise and dance, with my shadow I play. On high as on earth, would it be as gay? The moon goes round the mansion red Through gauze-draped windows soft to shed Her light upon the sleepless bed. Against man she should have no spite Why then when people part is she oft full and bright? Men have sorrow and joy, they part or meet again; The moon may be bright or dim, she may wax or wane. There has been nothing perfect since the olden days. So let us wish that man Will live long as he can! Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays. Literature Review－By Xu Yuan-Zhong

The fourth version--- “When did this glorious moon begin to be?” Cup in hand, I asked of the azure sky: And wondered in the palaces of the air What calendar this night do they go by. Yes, I would wish to mount the winds and wander there At home; but dread those onyx towers and halls of jade Set so immeasurably cold and high. To tread a measure, to sport with fleshless shade, How alien to our frail mortality! Her light round scarlet pavilion, ‘neath broidered screen, down streams On me that sleepless lie. Ah, vain indeed is my complaining: But why must she beam at the full on those that sundered sigh? As men have their weal and woe, their parting and meeting, it seems The moon has her dark and light, her phases of fullness and waning. Never is seen perfection in things that die. Yet would I crave one solitary boon: Long be we linked with light of the fair moon Over large leagues of distance, thou and I. Literature Review－By Rev. John Turner, S.J.

Methodology • Search for the books • Compare with the translation

References • Shih Ying-Jhou. Tang and Song Poetry: Chinese-English 2006; p.194 • Kuo Ying Paul Tsai. Chinese Poems with English translations 1975; p.155

Translation of Chinese Poetry: Su Tung-po ’ s “ Prelude to Water Melody ”