Poetry
Three Songs of Xanadu Made New
G. G. Gach & C. H. Kwock
Unrequited Love
(to the tune of "A Clear River")
Unrequited love's
a creditor
Coming round each day
to make me pay.
Always shouldering
such a sack of woe,
I can't even defer for
the interest I owe—
& not until I meet
that lass again
could I settle this account.
—Hsü Tsai-szu
Untitled
(to the tune of "A Spring Tune")
Awakening
from drinking wine,
dreams
hovering over,
after twilight,
The boudoir soon
encircled in
moonlight,
evening lengthens,
& she pouts,
murmuring
Wake up,
Oh! my love,
this night's
so fine,—
its time
runs out!
—Anonymous
On Love
(to the tune of "Half and Half")
Blue silk curtains shut,
it's quiet,
no one's around.
He kneels down
onto the bed
& quickly begs
like this: let's
kiss & make
up!
She will bawl him
out like this: wretched
dog, repentant?—
although I'm making
a big hullaballoo
I'm saying
no,
&
yes.
—Kuan Han-ching
Notes:
"Songs of Xanadu" is a phrase coined by Prof. James I. Crump to refer to what's now known as Chinese opera aria as they emerged during the Yüan dynasty (1280-1369). The source of some of the greatest poetry of China, they haven't been translated until mid-20th century, and many remain untranslated today.
Kuan Han-ching was one of the most prolific writers of the form, with over 60 plays to his credit. Hsü Tsai-szu was known as a love lyricist. "Anonymous" was frequently the penname of women who could not use their own name.