THE MUME BLOSSOMS

Bao Zhao

(Southern Dynasties)

In midcourt stand manifold trees;

To mume my admiration goes.

Why should you favor it so, please?

Against the cold alone it blows.

It can bear fruit in spite of frost

And dance in wind to greet spring day,

While other blooms in blasts are lost

When from the branches they're torn away.

梅花落

[南朝]鲍照

中庭杂树多,

偏为梅咨嗟。

问君何独然？

念其霜中能作花,

露中能作实,

摇荡春风媚春日。

念尔零落逐寒风,

徒有霜花无霜质！

About the poet 

Bao Zhao was a Southern Dynasties (420-589) poet who was born in poverty but was respected by many for his prolific works.  

About the translator 

Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University.

About the book 

Golden Treasury of Chinese Poetry in Han, Wei and Six Dynasties Translated by Xu Yuanchong Published by China Intercontinental Press