SONGS OF THE COURTESANS

(WRITTEN DURING THE LIANG DYNASTY)

ONE OF THE "SONGS OF THE TEN REQUESTS"

BY TING LIU NIANG

My skirt is cut out of peacock silk,

Red and green shine together, they are also opposed.

It dazzles like the gold-chequered skin of the scaly dragon.

Clearly so odd and lovely a thing must be admired.

My Lord himself knows well the size.

I beg thee, my Lover, give me a girdle.

AI AI THINKS OF THE MAN SHE LOVES

How often must I pass the moonlight nights alone?

I gaze far—far—for the Seven Scents Chariot.

My girdle drops because my waist is shrunken.

The golden hairpins of my disordered head-dress are all askew.

SENT TO HER LOVER YÜAN AT HO NAN (SOUTH OF THE RIVER) BY CHANG PI LAN (JADE-GREEN ORCHID) FROM HU PEI (NORTH OF THE LAKE)

My Lover is like the tree-peony of Lo Yang.

I, unworthy, like the common willows of Wu Ch'ang.

Both places love the Spring wind.

When shall we hold each other's hands again?

CH'IN, THE "FIRE-BIRD WITH PLUMAGE WHITE AS JADE," LONGS FOR HER LOVER

Incessant the buzzing of insects beyond the orchid curtain.

The moon flings slanting shadows from the pepper-trees across the courtyard.

Pity the girl of the flowery house,

Who is not equal to the blossoms

Of Lo Yang.