To the Tune of “Pure Peace” 2, Li Bai (Tang Shi #318)
Tuesday, 21 April 2020 08:42![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lnhammerA branch of crimson splendor, fragrant, thick with dew—
Rain-clouds upon Mt Wu and broken hearts are in vain.
Who, I ask, in the Han palace could compare?
No, pity Feiyan, who had to use fresh makeup.
清平调之二
一枝红艳露凝香，
云雨巫山枉断肠。
借问汉宫谁得似，
可怜飞燕倚新妆。
Continuing the Yang Guifei flatterfest. The crimson branch is understood as the red flowers of a tree peony. “Rain (and) clouds” is, again, an idiom for having sex, and Mt Wu in western Hubei was reputed to be a home for beautiful fairies. Consort Zhao Feiyan (see #314) was a great beauty in the court of Han Emperor Cheng, and like the present empress consort monopolized her husband’s attention (for a time).
---L.
Rain-clouds upon Mt Wu and broken hearts are in vain.
Who, I ask, in the Han palace could compare?
No, pity Feiyan, who had to use fresh makeup.
清平调之二
一枝红艳露凝香，
云雨巫山枉断肠。
借问汉宫谁得似，
可怜飞燕倚新妆。
Continuing the Yang Guifei flatterfest. The crimson branch is understood as the red flowers of a tree peony. “Rain (and) clouds” is, again, an idiom for having sex, and Mt Wu in western Hubei was reputed to be a home for beautiful fairies. Consort Zhao Feiyan (see #314) was a great beauty in the court of Han Emperor Cheng, and like the present empress consort monopolized her husband’s attention (for a time).
---L.
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Date: 21 April 2020 19:48 (UTC)no subject
Date: 21 April 2020 20:38 (UTC)