Written in Jest after Rejoicing to meet Xiao Che in Jiangnan and Talking Over How We Caroused in Chang'an in the Old Days (excerpt)
I remember my boon companion of long ago
Who often accompanied me to the pleasure quarters.
We both dwelled in the Ward of Eternal Pleasure,
Discreetly consorted in the Ward of Tranquil Peace.
The Maestro would dig up some old songs
And singers would appear from inner rooms.
Blossoms teemed at the House of the Comely Slave,
Bamboo grew in disarray at the Hall of Gaining Tenderness;
Red peonies bloomed in evening gardens
And green willows shaded the hushed gateway.
All the houses lined the same lane,
Dwelling places strung wall to wall.
Tresses combed high was the fashion of the day,
Light make-up was the latest rage;
They wore flowers in their hair, red pinks,
And wrapped their shoulders in a halo of purple hue;
Coiffures had lotus wings that dangled, fluttering when they moved,
Little phoenix hairpins hung in rows;
They dusted their breasts with a fleecy powder-puff,
Warmed their hands with a little sachet.
We chose the finest to carry the silver candles,
Invited our favorites to raise goblets of jade.
Mist from censers formed an aura of musk,
The wine flowed with the color of gosling yellow.
Excited flutes paused, then played on,
As countless strings relaxed, then tightened up again.
Like flying snow, dancing sleeves did swirl,
And singing raised the dust around the very beams;
Running through old tunes made us smile,
Doing new songs made our spirits rise.
"Constance" was well known for her passion,
"Autumn Maid" for her repartee.
The breeze was warm as spring drew to a close,
Stars revolved in the young night sky.
The banquet over, they made themselves up again,
And changed clothes after sitting so long.
We paired off, retired to the inner court,
Respectively entered their boudoirs,
Opened colorful curtains decked with kingfishers,
Spread silken coverlets embossed with loveducks.
They tugged at our sleeves, coaxing us to stay the night,
Eager to lay, we each seized a couch.
Green windows, caged river shadows,
Red walls reflected the lamplight.
She asked for a mirror to undo her flower barrette,
Called someone to loosen her clothing.
A subtle tenderness adorned her dimpled smile
And when she whispered, her painted lips smelled sweet.
We dreaded the sound of the morning bell, and sitting up,
She shyed from the light, hid behind bright, silken sleeves.
I saw the traces of her fading eyebrows,
Her hairdo unravelled into cloud-tresses dark and long...
--Bai Juyi (772-846)
Translated by Jan W. Walls
《江南喜逢蕭九徹因話長安舊遊戲贈五十韻（見才調集）》白居易
憶昔嬉遊伴，多陪歡宴場。寓居同永樂，幽會共平康。
師子尋前曲，聲兒出內坊。花深態奴宅，竹錯得憐堂。
庭晚開紅藥，門閑蔭綠楊。經過悉同巷，居處盡連牆。
時世高梳髻，風流澹作妝。戴花紅石竹，帔暈紫檳榔。
鬢動懸蟬翼，釵垂小鳳行。拂胸輕粉絮，暖手小香囊。
選勝移銀燭，邀歡舉玉觴。爐煙凝麝氣，酒色注鵝黃。
急管停還奏，繁弦慢更張。雪飛回舞袖，塵起繞歌梁。
舊曲翻調笑，新聲打義揚。名情推阿軌，巧語許秋娘。
風暖春將暮，星回夜未央。宴餘添粉黛，坐久換衣裳。
結伴歸深院，分頭入洞房。彩帷開翡翠，羅薦拂鴛鴦。
留宿爭牽袖，貪眠各占床。綠窗籠水影，紅壁背燈光。
索鏡收花鈿，邀人解袷襠。暗嬌妝靨笑，私語口脂香。
怕聽鐘聲坐，羞明映縵藏。眉殘蛾翠淺，鬟解綠雲長。。。
Figurine of a fashionable lady, Tang Dynasty.
This post has been edited by Jake Holman: 20 July 2007 - 04:22 AM
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Thanks for sharing, Dave.
