Du Mu - "Qixi Festival"
The cold autumn light of silver candles paints the screen, and the small light fan flutters at the flowing fireflies.
The night in Tianjie is as cool as water. I lie down and watch Altair and Vega.
Notes:
Silver candle: One is a red candle. Tianjie: One is Yaojie.
Lying and watching: Sitting and watching.
Painted screen: a screen with patterns.
Qingluo: soft silk fabric.
Liuying: flying fireflies.
Tian steps: open-air stone steps.
Altair and Vega: the names of two constellations.
Rhyme translation:
On the autumn night, the white candlelight reflects the deserted painting screen;
I hold a small silk fan in my hand and lightly beat the flowing fireflies.
The night on Tianjie Street is as cool as well water;
Looking up at the stars from the couch, Altair is facing Vega.
Appreciation:
This is a story about the loneliness and resentment of a frustrated palace maid. The first sentence describes the autumn scenery, using the word "cold" to hint at the cold autumn atmosphere and bring out the protagonist's inner loneliness. The second sentence is about using fireflies to pass the time and relieve sadness. Three sentences are written about being unable to sleep late at night, waiting for luck to come. The sky and streets are like water, which is a metaphor for your love as ice. The last sentence expresses the sadness in my heart by admiring the Morning Glory and the Weaver Girl.
A retired scholar from Hengtang commented: "The layers of scenery are like a colored figure painting. Just the word 'lying and watching' evokes emotions and makes the whole body lively."