菩萨蛮

哀筝一弄湘江曲，

声声写尽湘波绿。

纤指十三弦，

细将幽恨传。

当筵秋水慢，

玉柱斜飞雁。

弹到断肠时，

春山眉黛低。

TUNE: BUDDHIST DANCERS

 

The zither grieves o’er Lady of River Xiang’s death;

Green wave on wave exhales her everlasting breath.

Fine fingers touch the thirteen strings;

Slowly her heartfelt sorrow sings.

Her rippling eyes, feast to the sight;

Slanting jade pegs, wild geese in flight.

When her heart-breaking music thrills,

Her eyebrows lower like spring hills.