银毫起砚墨招
The silver-tipped brush is lifted the inkstone calls forth ink
素笺轻春衫薄
The plain paper is light the spring robe is thin
横扫峨嵋竖牵罗裙
A horizontal stroke sweeps her delicate brows;a vertical one traces her silk skirt
春尽梨花片片零落
When spring ends pear blossoms fall petal after petal
情字难书伊落纸上
The word "affection"is hard to write yet her image rests on the paper
一笔温柔一笔惆怅
One stroke holds tenderness another carries sorrow
凝咽顿笔晕开两行
Choked with emotion I pause;ink blurs into two lines
明折芙蓉暗粉蜂黄
Openly I paint hibiscus secretly tint with golden pollen hue
帘半落初燕聒
The curtain hangs half-drawn new swallows chatter
清露沉绣衾重
Fresh dewdrops settle the embroidered quilt feels heavy
撇洒秋波捺点幽兰
A "pie"(left-falling stroke)scatters her tender glances;a "na"(right-falling stroke)dots the quiet orchid
春带红妆任尔轻笑
In spring adorned with rouge I let you smile softly
情字难书伊落纸上
The word "affection"is hard to write yet her image rests on the paper
一笔温柔一笔惆怅
One stroke holds tenderness another carries sorrow
凝咽顿笔晕开两行
Choked with emotion I pause;ink blurs into two lines
明折芙蓉暗粉蜂黄
Openly I paint hibiscus secretly tint with golden pollen hue
一点如萤一点知春
One dot shines like a firefly another knows spring’s arrival
欲写还休月色潇湘
Wanting to write yet holding back—under the moonlight over Xiao and Xiang Rivers
