The Lantern Festival Night - to the tune of the Green Jade Desk

Xin Qi-Ji

​

One night's east wind adorns a thousand trees with flowers

And blows down stars in showers. 

Fine steeds and carved cabs spread fragrance en route;

Music vibrates from the flute;

The moon sheds its full light

While fish and dragon lanterns dance all night.

In gold-thread dress, with moth or willow ornaments,

Giggling, she melts into the throng with trails of scents

But in the crowd once and again

I look for her in vain.

When all at once I turn my head,

I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.

​

*translated by Xu Yuan-Chong and Xu Ming-Yi