Ouyang Xiu: O! So Deep, Deep And Lonesome, How Deep Is The Court? 歐陽修 庭院深深深幾許？ 楊柳堆煙，簾幕無重數 Poem by Frank Yue

TUNE: DIE LIAN HUA (Butterfly Romancing Flowers)
- Ouyang Xiu (1007－1072: Northern Song)
- Translated by Frank C Yue

O! So deep, deep and lonesome, how deep is the court?
A misty screen twisty, weaving willow leaves sport --
Like countless curtains (cloaking a closed fort) .

Riding adorned steed, my spouse in wine and laughter shall souse;
From my mansion I can't see the road to the Bawdy House.

With heavy rains and strong gusts raging in late Spring,
To shut out the failing light, the doors back I fling.
How could one ever detain sweet Spring's everything?

In tears, I inquired but silent remain the flowers;
O'er the swing, petals flew amok in the past hours.

Another version:

TUNE: DIE LIAN HUA - Butterflies Romancing Flowers
TITLE: 'How deep, deep is the deep courtyard lonely? '
-- by OUYANG XIU (1007-1072）
-- Translated by Frank C. Yue

How deep, deep is the deep courtyard lonely?
Amidst the mists, the willows weep sorely,
As if shielded by layers of curtains many.
With jade harness, he rides around on carved saddle;
High mansions block my view of my
Gallant fickle.

The rains and winds are raging in late Spring;
Beyond the doors, dying sun sinks.
I'm powerless to stop Spring from taking wing!
With teary eyes I ask of the flowers, but in vain;
Red petals fly o'er the swing again and again!


《蝶戀花》北宋 歐陽修

庭院深深深幾許？ 楊柳堆煙，簾幕無重數。
玉勒雕鞍游冶處，樓高不見章臺路。

雨橫風狂三月暮，門掩黃昏，無計留春住。
淚眼問花花不語，亂紅飛過鞦韆去。