of Chu situated in the central and southeast part of the country.
多情自古伤离别，更那堪，冷落清秋节！
Lovers would grieve at parting as of old. How could I stand this clear autumn day so cold!
Since time immemorial, lovers have grieved at parting Made more poignant in the fallow season of autumn.
今宵酒醒何处？杨柳岸、晓风残月。
Where shall I be found at daybreak From wine awake? Moored by a riverbank planted with willow trees Beneath the waning moon and in the morning breeze. What is this place where I have sobered from my drunken stupor? “The riverside is strewn with willow trees, The morning breeze wafts in with a waning moon.”2
Bells Ringing in the Rain 许渊冲
--柳永
Yu Lin Ling 杨宪益，戴乃迭
寒蝉凄切，对长亭晚，骤雨初歇。
Cicadas chill Drearily shrill. We stand face to face in an evening hour Before the pavilion, after a sudden shower. Mournfully chirr the cicadas, As the shower of rain stops And we face the roadside pavilion at dusk.
都门帐饮无绪，留恋处，兰舟催发。
Can we care for drinking before we part? At the city gate We can lingering late, But the boat is waithout cheer in the tent outside the city gate; It is the moment we are loath to part But the magnolia-wood boat beckons me on.
2. A scene the poet imagines might occur on his journey.
此去经年，应是良辰好景虚设。便纵有千种风情， 更与何人说？
I’ll be gone for a year. In vain would good times and fine scenes appear. However gallant I am on my part, To whom can I lay bare my heart? Our parting will last for years, Fine hours and scenes of beauty have no appeal Even though my heart is filled with tender feelings, But, with whom can I share them?
执手相看泪眼，竟无语凝噎。
Hand in hand we gaze at each other’s tearful eyes And burst into sobs with words congealed on our lips.
Hands clasped together we see our tears, So overcome, unable to utter a single word.
念去去、千里烟波，暮霭沉沉楚天阔。
I’ll go my way, Ahead lies a journey a Far, far away. thousand li of misty waves On miles and miles of And the vast sky of Chu1 misty waves where sail hangs with heavy evening ships, haze. And evening clouds hang low in boundless Southern skies. 1. Referring to the region of the ancient State
雨霖铃 --柳永
寒蝉凄切， 对长亭晚， 骤雨初歇。 都门帐饮无绪， 留恋处， 兰舟催发。 执手相看泪眼， 竟无语凝噎。 念去去、千里烟波， 暮霭沉沉楚天阔。 多情自古伤离别， 更那堪，冷落清秋节！ 今宵酒醒何处？ 杨柳岸、 晓风残月。 此去经年， 应是良辰好景虚设。 便纵有千种风情， 更与何人说？
雨霖铃