丽人行
Fair Ladies: A Ballad
[唐]杜甫
Written by Du Fu
宇文所安 译
Translated by Stephen Owen

三月三日天气新，
On the third day of the third month, the weather is fresh,
长安水边多丽人。
by the waters of Chang'an are many lovely ladies.
态浓意远淑且真，
Appearance voluptuous, their mood remote, pure and true,
肌理细腻骨肉匀。
their skin's texture, delicate and glossy, flesh and bones well-matched.
绣罗衣裳照暮春，
Embroidered gossamer gowns shine in the end of spring,
蹙金孔雀银麒麟。
peacocks done in gold appliqué, unicorns of silver.
头上何所有？
And what do they have on their heads? —
翠微匎叶垂鬓唇。
kingfisher-feather fine leaf tiaras dangling in tresses to lips.
背后何所见？
And at their backs what do we see? —
珠压腰衱稳称身。
pearls encumbering waist aprons, fitted perfectly to the body.
就中云幕椒房亲，
Among them are the cloud-like tents, the kin of the Peppered Chambers,
赐名大国虢与秦。
those granted title to great states, to Guo and to Qin.
紫驼之峰出翠釜，
The purple hump of a camel comes forth from an azure cauldron,
水精之盘行素鳞。
and on a platter of crystal pale-white scales go.
犀箸厌饫久未下，
From surfeit the rhino-horn chopsticks long have not been plied,
鸾刀缕切空纷纶。
the threadlike slices of phoenix knives are a-flurry in vain.
黄门飞鞚不动尘，
The Yellow Gate's flying bridles do not stir the dust,
御厨络绎送八珍。
in continuous streams the Royal Kitchen sends along eight precious foods.
箫鼓哀吟感鬼神，
The mournful droning of pan-pipes and drums stirs the spirits and gods,
宾从杂遝实要津。
attendant guests throng around — this is truly the gate to power.
后来鞍马何逡巡，
A saddled horse comes later — how leisurely it advances!
当轩下马入锦茵。
at the great carriage he gets off the horse and goes in on the brocade mat.
杨花雪落覆白蘋，
Willow flowers fall like snow covering white water-clover.
青鸟飞去衔红巾。
a bluebird flies away, a red kerchief in its beak.
炙手可热势绝伦，
Heat that can burn the hands, power beyond all measure —
慎莫近前丞相嗔！
take care not to come close before the Minister's angry glare!
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