表兄话旧
窦叔向[1]
夜合花[2]开香满庭,
夜深微雨醉初醒。
远书[3]珍重何由达?
旧事[4]凄凉不可听。
去日[5]儿童皆长大,
昔年亲友半凋零[6]。
明朝又是孤舟别,
愁见河桥酒幔[7]青。
注释:
[1] 窦叔向:唐代进士,《千家诗》注说:“夜合,朝开而暮合。与表兄叙饮于花下,微雨初醒之时,言别后远隔,有书难寄也。旧日之事凄楚难言。因忆别时乡里之儿童,今已长大;昔年之亲友半已凋零。明朝兄又别去,相送河桥,见酒幔而不胜愁也。”实相见时难别亦难。
[2] 夜合花:夜来香,一种花,夜晚花香尤浓。
[3] 远书:来自远方的书信。
[4] 旧事:往事。
[5] 去日:昔日。
[6] 凋零:凋谢零落,指去世。
[7] 酒幔:酒旗,过去酒家的标志。
For My Cousin
Dou Shuxiang
The courtyard fragrant with the sensitive plants fine,
The drizzle at the dead of night wakes us from wine.
How can I send you letters when we’re far apart?
Talking of dreary bygone days would break our heart.
Youngsters of olden times become all grown-up now;
Half of our kins and friends have gloomy furrowed brow.
Your lonely boat will bid adieu again tomorrow;
The streamer of wineshop will fill my heart with sorrow.