The Sad Zither

［唐］李商隐

许渊冲（译）

Why should the zither sad have fifty strings?

Each string,each strain evokes but vanished springs.

Dim morning dream to be a butterfly;

Amorous heart poured out in cuckoo's cry.

In moonlit pearls see tears in mermaid's eyes;

From sunburnt emerald watch vapor rise!

Such feeling cannot be recalled again;

It seemed long lost even when it was felt then.

锦瑟无端五十弦，

一弦一柱思华年。

庄生晓梦迷蝴蝶，

望帝春心托杜鹃。

沧海月明珠有泪，

蓝田日暖玉生烟。

此情可待成追忆？

只是当时已惘然。