The Works of Li Qingzhao, Ci Poems 3.33 - 3.40

[x_los]

The fifth instalment of Li Qingzhao’s ci poetry. This book is 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). We're reading the poems 3.33 through 3.40, inclusive.
 

How to Read Chinese Poetry has three chapters on the ci forms Li Qingzhao uses here:

 

Chapter 12, Ci Poetry: Short Song Lyrics (Xiaoling) 

Chapter 13, Ci Poetry: Long Song Lyrics (Manci) 

Chapter 14, Ci Poetry: Long Song Lyrics on Objects (Yongwu Ci)

This week, we look at Chapter 14 as recommended additional reading. 

Recall from the introduction that everything after 3.35 is relatively likely to be misattributed.

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Comments

3.34

[x_los]

鷓鴣天
桂

暗淡輕黃體性柔。
情疏跡遠只香留。
何須淺碧輕紅色
自是花中第一流。
梅定妒
菊應羞。
畫欄開處冠中秋。
騷人可煞無情思
何事當年不見收。

To the tune “Partridge Sky” The Osmanthus Tree

A pale wash of light yellow, gentle in substance and character. Aloof by nature, yet its fragrance carries afar.
What need is there of light cyan or pale red blossoms?
This one ranks first among all the flowers.
The plum must be jealous,
the chrysanthemum humbled.
Blossoming beside the painted railing, it is supreme in autumn.
How could the ancient poet be so unfeeling and careless? Why did he omit this flower from his work?

Re: 3.34

[x_los]

“What need is there of light cyan or pale red blossoms?” So is pale red plum? What’s the cyan? chrysanthemum?? How are those blue?

“osmanthus or sweet- olive tree” wait how is this sweet olive, isn’t this tree the basis of many deserts?

Re: 3.34

[superborb]

Baike's vernacular uses green-- the word is another one that could be blue or green. Interestingly, the vernacular tl uses 'crimson' instead of pale red.

One of the 'famous reviews' says that it's saying that the osmanthus might not be as bright and colorful, but is elegant and gentle.

Sweet olive is just another name for osmanthus.

Re: 3.34

[x_los]

Like sweet olive is a weird name for a plant that seems to have nothing to do with olives tho.

Re: 3.34

[superborb]

It's from the same family-- I assume (without evidence) that it's so named for the similarity in its fruit.