The Works of Li Qingzhao, poems 1.6 to 1.12

[x_los]

Welcome back to The Works of Li Qingzhao, freely available via De Gruyter's Library of Chinese Humanities in Mandarin and English and via several publication formats, including two open access options (the pdf appears to be better formatted than the ebook; it might be worth someone letting them know as much). This week we're reading poems 1.6 to 1.12, inclusive.

This collection uses footnotes and end notes to explicate the work. A few of this week's poems have footnotes, so look out for that.

CLP has an episode on Li Qingzhao you might find relevant.

Comments

10.11上樞密韓公工部尚書胡公 (二) Presented to Lord Han of the Military Affairs Bureau II

[x_los]

第二

想見皇華過二京
壺漿夾道萬人迎。
連昌宮裏桃應在
華萼樓前鵲定驚。
但說帝心憐赤子
須知天意念蒼生。
聖君大信明如日
長亂何須在屢盟。


II

We imagine the envoys’ splendor as they pass the two capitals:
vats of liquor line the highway as thousands rush to welcome them.
Peach trees must still blossom in Lianchang Palace,
magpies are startled before Flower Calyx Tower.
Say only that our emperor cherishes his little children,
heaven is mindful, they must know, of our commoners.
His Majesty’s great trust is as bright as the sun—
why must it be that frequent treaties prolong the strife?

Re: 10.11上樞密韓公工部尚書胡公 (二) Presented to Lord Han of the Military Affairs Burea

[x_los]

Kind of interesting that she does draw the Du Fu comparison when he seems to have a similar poetic career to her, in historical terms

What does trust bright as the sun mean?

Re: 10.11上樞密韓公工部尚書胡公 (二) Presented to Lord Han of the Military Affairs Burea

[superborb]

Baike's vernacular tl of that line reads like "His Majesty, a master brilliant as the sun", with 'brilliant master' being a specific term used to flatter the emperor.