A Taste of Early Spring
--to the ci tune “Tide-washed Sand”
Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Zizhan', art name 'Dongpo')
English translation & annotation: Julia Min (Nov. 2024)
From the east gate of Hangzhou City,
We set out for a taste of early spring.
Swelled on trees are buds clothed in sheath,
Over the fence the boughs of apricot trees,
In scarlet motion waving the call of Spring.
The village ahead is hidden in white snow.
The country road sensed a subtle fragrance.
Only Spring God makes such magic happen:
In a world of icy cold and pure serene,
Her first whisper honoured plum blossoms.
Analysis:
This little poem was composed in 1072, same period as the previous poem – “A Farewell Toast to Shugu at Youmei Hall”. For a better understanding of the background, please refer to the annotation in this anthology.
The spring theme is rather popular throughout history. What’s special here is an ingenuous blend of spring scene and spring sentiments. There’s an obvious contrast of what he saw and felt inside and outside the city wall. The city is mixed with charming flowers cluttered on boughs bowing to the pedestrians, whereas the country village in snow is blessed with the hidden grace of plum trees that were blooming in solitude in a world of pure serene. His personality and his value emerge from the contrast. Let your imagination go for the association and get to know why the Chinese poets and artists love the plum blossoms so much.
浪淘沙·探春
原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋）
昨日出东城,
试探春情,
墙头红杏暗如倾。
槛内群芳芽未吐，
早已回春。
绮陌敛香尘,
雪霁前村。
东君用意不辞辛。
料想春光先到处，
吹绽梅英。
Reference:
picture from https://so.ooopic.com/sousuo/1762538/
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