Thank you, Hyun Woo! What a poem! I remember this, read many years ago. Even though I forgot the words, it remained in my mind as a vivid ideal of love between a man and a woman. I would love to hear this read in Chinese!
I think Ezra Pound translated this poem too. After all, it is an extremely famous poem. Here is a video where it is recited in Chinese. Wish you all the best!
It reminds me of various poems and stories about the old Irish. They often tell of the wives of many a seaman waiting, walking on the seashore, hoping to espy the tops of a sail.
I've always loved various translations of this poem, so I was so happy to see this in my inbox this morning! I love your translation and the context in your commentary—I never knew the reference to the legend of Weisheng and that young boys of that time and era walked "on bamboo stilts." Thank you for sharing, and Happy New Year, Hyun Woo!
Happy New Year, Ramya! People are often divided in interpreting the legend of Weisheng : some consider his trust to be beautiful, while the others think it was an unnecessary death caused by rigidity. It was a source of many arguments even in the ancient times. I tend to agree with the former, while Zhuangzi belonged to the latter.
Hyun Woo, I think your translation of 竹馬 might be wrong. It is an ancient Chinese toy, a bamboo stick often with a wooden horse head attached. A child would ride the stick between his legs, pretending it was a real horse. You can click on the link to see a schematic drawing of this toy.
By the way, I'm not sure about the translation of the poem's title. In Chinese, it is Changgan, not Zhanggan. Although it could be debated, people in Nanjing claim that Changgan is a neighborhood where Li Bai had lived during his long stay in the ancient capital. (Nanjing was called Jinling back in the Tang Dynasty.) There are many references in Li Bai's poems, and many streets still bear names that are traceable to the poems even nowadays. For instance, there is a Changgan Qiao, a bridge spanning the city moat. Also, there is a block called Changgan Li. (Incidentally, I spent my childhood in the area. )
Thank you so much for this comment. I think you are correct in both of the points you made. Though in theory 長 can also be pronounced as zhang, I guess the people of Nanjing would be quite reliable in this matter. And regarding 竹馬, I checked, and it turns out it indeed was a misunderstanding of mine. You might already know this, but 竹馬 refers to stilts in Korea and Japan. Couldn't imagine it means something different in China. I am fixing the translation. Thanks again!
You are more than welcome! I'm so glad that you have started this daunting undertaking of translating 300 ancient Chinese poems. I once tried to translate 韦庄. 菩萨蛮. No. 2 for a side project of mine. After weeks of deliberation, I was still unhappy with my tenth draft, especially the following four lines
垆边人似月，皓腕凝霜雪。
未老莫还乡，还乡须断肠。
I wonder if this poem is included in your 300 poems. I would love to see your translation.
BS"D
Thank you, Hyun Woo! What a poem! I remember this, read many years ago. Even though I forgot the words, it remained in my mind as a vivid ideal of love between a man and a woman. I would love to hear this read in Chinese!
Best wishes for 2025 and always,
Peter
Baruq haShem!
I think Ezra Pound translated this poem too. After all, it is an extremely famous poem. Here is a video where it is recited in Chinese. Wish you all the best!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1t7fXl2C_1w&pp=ygUJ6ZW35bmy6KGM
I live for this poetry! Thank you for the translation and the thorough explanation.
Glad you are enjoying it!
so many lovers that do not return! is this common?
Maybe it's universal. Even today's pop culture is full of such stories.
It reminds me of various poems and stories about the old Irish. They often tell of the wives of many a seaman waiting, walking on the seashore, hoping to espy the tops of a sail.
Oh I should look into it. Thanks!
I've always loved various translations of this poem, so I was so happy to see this in my inbox this morning! I love your translation and the context in your commentary—I never knew the reference to the legend of Weisheng and that young boys of that time and era walked "on bamboo stilts." Thank you for sharing, and Happy New Year, Hyun Woo!
Happy New Year, Ramya! People are often divided in interpreting the legend of Weisheng : some consider his trust to be beautiful, while the others think it was an unnecessary death caused by rigidity. It was a source of many arguments even in the ancient times. I tend to agree with the former, while Zhuangzi belonged to the latter.
I'm with you—I think that kind of trust is beautiful!
Hyun Woo, I think your translation of 竹馬 might be wrong. It is an ancient Chinese toy, a bamboo stick often with a wooden horse head attached. A child would ride the stick between his legs, pretending it was a real horse. You can click on the link to see a schematic drawing of this toy.
https://1drv.ms/u/c/f8d9673042ab5a1c/EU2uevr0wntAniRjgobfGRUBztRP-HmD8-9PDuktfAtZGQ?e=lAZl1x
By the way, I'm not sure about the translation of the poem's title. In Chinese, it is Changgan, not Zhanggan. Although it could be debated, people in Nanjing claim that Changgan is a neighborhood where Li Bai had lived during his long stay in the ancient capital. (Nanjing was called Jinling back in the Tang Dynasty.) There are many references in Li Bai's poems, and many streets still bear names that are traceable to the poems even nowadays. For instance, there is a Changgan Qiao, a bridge spanning the city moat. Also, there is a block called Changgan Li. (Incidentally, I spent my childhood in the area. )
Thank you so much for this comment. I think you are correct in both of the points you made. Though in theory 長 can also be pronounced as zhang, I guess the people of Nanjing would be quite reliable in this matter. And regarding 竹馬, I checked, and it turns out it indeed was a misunderstanding of mine. You might already know this, but 竹馬 refers to stilts in Korea and Japan. Couldn't imagine it means something different in China. I am fixing the translation. Thanks again!
You are more than welcome! I'm so glad that you have started this daunting undertaking of translating 300 ancient Chinese poems. I once tried to translate 韦庄. 菩萨蛮. No. 2 for a side project of mine. After weeks of deliberation, I was still unhappy with my tenth draft, especially the following four lines
垆边人似月，皓腕凝霜雪。
未老莫还乡，还乡须断肠。
I wonder if this poem is included in your 300 poems. I would love to see your translation.
Carry on your great work, Hyun Woo!
A great way to start the New Year!
It is, right?
I loved this poem.
So glad to hear that.
A beautiful love poem. Happy New Year, Hyun Woo!
Happy New Year!