Imagine trying to maintain an army in a country where the snow starts to fall in August. You have to keep your armor on even though it’s cold. Hard service on the frontier. Hard even if the steppe people never attack, just hard because of the weather and distance from home.
Technically, the "August" Cen Can talks about is in fact September since he would have used the lunar calendar. Still, that doesn't make it much less harsh.
This is a really beautiful poem. I first heard of Cen Cen only recently, through the character based on him in Longest Day in Chang'an.
My favourite lines:
At the Central Army, a table is set, and a traveller who will return drinks;
A barbarian zither, a lute, and a Qiang people's flute.
I love your translations, you are a real poet, your translations breathe, have poetry, have rhythm. I love your translation of 胡琴 as 'barbarian zither'. 🙏
Imagine trying to maintain an army in a country where the snow starts to fall in August. You have to keep your armor on even though it’s cold. Hard service on the frontier. Hard even if the steppe people never attack, just hard because of the weather and distance from home.
Technically, the "August" Cen Can talks about is in fact September since he would have used the lunar calendar. Still, that doesn't make it much less harsh.
It strangely speaks to me too much; I wonder why
Thank you as always
We all have memories of parting with those who had stayed with us through harsh times.
This is a really beautiful poem. I first heard of Cen Cen only recently, through the character based on him in Longest Day in Chang'an.
My favourite lines:
At the Central Army, a table is set, and a traveller who will return drinks;
A barbarian zither, a lute, and a Qiang people's flute.
I love your translations, you are a real poet, your translations breathe, have poetry, have rhythm. I love your translation of 胡琴 as 'barbarian zither'. 🙏
'Barbarian zither' definitely sounds better than just Huqin, doesn't it? Thanks!
infinitely more so!