To the Peony Flower

牡 丹

[唐] 薛涛（许渊冲译）

Petal by petal you fell in late spring last year;

Since you are gone, my paper’s wet with tear on tear.

I am afraid you’d vanish like cloud in a dream.

How can I wish to see you on Peach Blossom Stream?

Your fragrance sweet reveals you have a loving heart;

Your silence shows we know each other far apart.

By the side of your balustrade I’d only sleep;

To tell you how I long for you when night is deep.

去春零落暮春时，

泪湿红笺怨别离。

常恐便同巫峡散，

因何重有武陵期？

传情每向馨香得，

不语还应彼此知。

只欲栏边安枕席，

夜深闲共说相思。

[词汇] balustrade

n. 栏杆

All around the walls was a terraced patio with a balustrade.

上层的窗户通向阳台，围墙围着一方有栏杆的天井。