解语花·上元英译

　　Intelligent Flower

　　Lantern Festival

　　Zhou Bangyan

　　The candle flames redden with the breeze;

　　The lotus lanterns seem to freeze.

　　The sky brightens the fair and the fair the sky.

　　The titles are steeped in moonlight

　　When fleecy clouds disperse in flight,

　　The Moon Goddess would come down from on high.

　　In elegant dress appear

　　The southern maidens tender

　　With waist so slender.

　　The drums boom far and near,

　　The crowd's shadows rise and fall,

　　Fragrance wafts over all.

　　I remember the capital's lantern night:

　　A thousand doors overwhelmed with light,

　　People made merry in laughter.

　　From golden cabs silk handkerchiefs *ped down,

　　The gallants ran after

　　The cabs as dim dust raised by steeds in the town.

　　But years have passed,

　　Now I see only for my part

　　With an unfeeling heart

　　How time flies fast.

　　The cabs will not come back again

　　And people have sung and danced in vain.