Original title: 相逢行
Translator: ayszhang
Riding a horse of five colours*, I left the palace after seeing the emperor
A lady of unknown origins on a carriage painted with clouds lifted up the bead curtain
I pointed mine gold whip at the distance but mine steed would not move forth
Being very close to the carriage, I asked for directions; she was so stunning I thought she came from heaven
Together we stepped past Qingyi Gate*; together we sang and drank
Coyly, she hid her complexion behind a fan while she drank, like the clouds concealing the moon
Meet we could but be intimate we could not; then it’d be better to not meet
For the feelings would only deepen; the hearts spoke without words
Why does she guard an empty bedroom and hug the blankets until the late of night?
The blankets have a deeper bond with the silk veils
The winds of love are blowing but why has the rain only come now in the evening?
May the Sanqing* birds deliver our feelings for each other
Time does not wait; the greying hairs start to creep in overnight
If not able to enjoy life when young, there will only be loneliness and sadness when old
May the Sanqing take this secret message lest we miss this opportunity to meet.
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1 It is said that the best horses have fur of five colours.
2 Qingyi Gate was the gate of farewells in the ancient capital of Chang'an (current Xi'an).
3 Sanqing birds were three messenger birds of Xiwangmu, a goddess who lived on the Penglai Mts.
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This translation was meant to be read with the novel translation Cold Sands.
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