High above, from a j ade chamber, songs float half-way to heaven, The palace-girls' gay voices are mingled with the wind - But now they are still, and you hear a water-clock drip in the Court of the Moon... They have opened the curtain wide, they are facing the River of Stars.
Original Poem:
「宫词」
顾况
玉楼天半起笙歌，风送宫嫔笑语和。
月殿影开闻夜漏，水晶帘卷近秋河。
Interpretation:
This poem is a palace grievance poem, even if it does not say grievances, and grievances have long been revealed in the words.
The first two lines: the jade tower, high in the clouds, plays a burst of pianoforte songs; the laughter of the concubines drifts with the wind to accompany it.
High to half a day's jade building pheng songs, palace concubines cheerful laughter with the wind, the palace is so luxurious, the palace people are all in the joy of talking and laughing it?
The last two lines: the moon palace shadows move, only to hear the night leakage monotonous ticking; roll up the crystal curtain, I seem to be close to the Milky Way.
My eyes see the silver glow of the bright moon shining on the palace court, and my ears hear the ticking of the funnel's timekeeping. Rolling up the crystal-like pearl curtains, looking out of the window the Milky Way is stretching across the autumn night sky. As a courtesan, she was alone when the songs and concubines were singing and laughing, looking at the moonlight reflecting on the palace and listening to the sound of the dripping funnel, which symbolized the passing of youth. She may have been a favorite, but now a new favorite has taken her place.
This poem brings out a feeling of sorrow and grief in a light atmosphere.
About the poet:
Gu Kuang (顾况), 725 - 814 A.D., was a native of Suzhou. He was a skilled painter of landscapes and a good poet, with many poems reflecting reality, caring for the people's illnesses, and having satirical significance.
