Releasing My Sorrow 2, Yuan Zhen (300 Tang Shi #206)
Wednesday, 17 May 2023 08:25![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lnhammerIn former days, we joked about our post-life plans.
This morning, they arrived before my eyes.
Your clothing will be donated—I’ll see to that soon.
Your sewing kit remains—I can’t bear opening it.
I still have feelings for you, so am fond of your maid.
I now rely on dreams, and send you paper money.
I know well this regret: everyone will have it.
A humble couple will all sorts of matters mourn.
遣悲怀 之二
昔日戏言身后事，
今朝都到眼前来。
衣裳已施行看尽，
针线犹存未忍开。
尚想旧情怜婢仆，
也曾因梦送钱财。
诚知此恨人人有，
贫贱夫妻百事哀。
The point of the somewhat compressed line 5 is that, because he still loves his dead wife, he’s fond of someone he associates with her, her dressing maid. I could possibly unpack that a little better. Paper replicas of money were (and still are) burned as part of offerings for the dead.
---L.
This morning, they arrived before my eyes.
Your clothing will be donated—I’ll see to that soon.
Your sewing kit remains—I can’t bear opening it.
I still have feelings for you, so am fond of your maid.
I now rely on dreams, and send you paper money.
I know well this regret: everyone will have it.
A humble couple will all sorts of matters mourn.
遣悲怀 之二
昔日戏言身后事，
今朝都到眼前来。
衣裳已施行看尽，
针线犹存未忍开。
尚想旧情怜婢仆，
也曾因梦送钱财。
诚知此恨人人有，
贫贱夫妻百事哀。
The point of the somewhat compressed line 5 is that, because he still loves his dead wife, he’s fond of someone he associates with her, her dressing maid. I could possibly unpack that a little better. Paper replicas of money were (and still are) burned as part of offerings for the dead.
---L.