Revealing one's true love·It is too late to remove makeup when one is too drunk at night [Song Dynasty] Li Qingzhao
When one is too late to remove makeup when one is too drunk at night, the calyx of a plum tree is inserted into a broken branch. Awakening from alcohol breaks spring sleep, and dreams are far from coming back. The people are quiet, the moon is shining, and the green curtains are hanging down. The remaining pistils are removed, the remaining fragrance is twisted, and the time is gained. Translation and Notes
Translation I got drunk at night and fell asleep with my clothes on without taking off my headdress. The petals of the plum blossom on my head fell off, and only the calyx remained on the branch. As the alcohol gradually wore off, the strong fragrance of plum blossoms woke me up from my spring sleep, preventing me from returning to my distant hometown that I missed day and night. The night is silent, the moon is nostalgic, and the green curtains are low. I could only rub the damaged petals with my hands in boredom, smell the lingering fragrance in my hands, and spend the time in a daze.
Note: Telling the Heart: Originally the name of Tang Jiaofang's song, it was later used as the name of the song. Wen Tingyun of the Tang Dynasty created this tune based on the meaning of "Li Sao" "Everyone can't talk about it, who can tell the rest of the world". There are forty-four characters in double tone, with three flat rhymes in the upper and lower pieces. Intoxicated: Drunk. Plum calyx: The sepal of plum, here refers to plum. Calyx, a small support outside the petals. Smoked quilt: A quilt that has been smoked with spices. Far: one means "break". Appreciation
Most of the plum blossoms sung in general poems are those that bloom in full bloom in the cold weather and stand proudly on the branches, but they disdain to praise the broken plum blossoms. This poem about plum blossoms does not fall behind the predecessors' stereotypes and chooses a new angle to write about plum blossoms.
In the last film, the poet wrote the poem after she fell asleep drunk, and the fragrance of the remaining plum blossoms had an effect on her. Although the first sentence does not describe the motive and scene of drinking, but simply writes about falling asleep after drinking, the word "indulged" can give a glimpse of the poet's excessive drinking and evil mood. The word "chi" further reveals the state of intoxication, the depression of the mood and the tired look of the poet who is too lazy to take off his clothes.
The next sentence "sober up" comes from the first sentence "intoxicated". From drunk to sober, the content has improved a level and the writing style has opened up. At the same time, there is a Zhang version of "Smoke Breaking the Spring Sleep": Only when the drunkenness gradually subsides, the spring sleep will be broken by the fragrance of plum blossoms. The word "Xunpo" emphasizes the strong fragrance of plum blossoms through the sense of smell. Spring sleepiness is compounded by intoxication, so the sleep must be very sweet; in the dream, I have to return to my hometown, so my mood is temporarily beautiful. "Dreams are far from coming home." The author uses dreams to describe his sorrow, revealing the main theme of the whole poem. "Dream Far" means returning to a distant hometown in a dream. The poet seems to complain that the plum fragrance is too strong and interrupts his sweet dream.
Creative background