Before the twelfth month the Lord of the East’s messenger arrives. It’s as pure as dragon nectar incense, fragrant and moist. The pale yellow blossoms refuse to open all at once— compared to the river plum, it is more elegant by far. The slender branches, thin and green, are naturally delicate. Too bad they are readily harmed by even slight cold. Master Liu only knew to be deluded by peach blossoms, how sad that this year’s springtime is already spent!
3.49
臘前先報東君信。
清似龍涎香得潤。
黃輕不肯整齊開
比著江梅仍更韻。
纖枝瘦綠天生嫩。
可惜輕寒摧挫損。
劉郎只解誤桃花
惆悵今年春又盡。
To the tune “Spring in the Jade Tower”
Before the twelfth month the Lord of the East’s messenger arrives. It’s as pure as dragon nectar incense, fragrant and moist. The pale yellow blossoms refuse to open all at once—
compared to the river plum, it is more elegant by far.
The slender branches, thin and green, are naturally delicate. Too bad they are readily harmed by even slight cold. Master Liu only knew to be deluded by peach blossoms,
how sad that this year’s springtime is already spent!