Introduction Post: Female poets in Ancient China

[snowynight]

I am snowynight and I will be your host this week.I love poetry because something about how it plays with the language and condense idea and image fascinates me. I have read poetry since I was very young, and they still catch my imagination to this day.

This week I 'd like to introduce to you female poets in ancient China. Because of sexual discrimination, women in ancient China seldom received education. Women were not expected to write so their work were usually lost to the time. Today I bring to you the poem of the first recorded female poet: Lady Lu Xu. She wrote this poem on her way to ask for assistance to save her own country.

载驰载驱，归唁卫侯。 驱马悠悠，言至于漕。 大夫跋涉，我心则忧。 既不我嘉，不能旋反。 视尔不臧，我思不远。 既不我嘉，不能旋济？ 视尔不臧，我思不閟。 陟彼阿丘，言采其蝱。 女子善怀，亦各有行。 许人尤之，众稚且狂。 我行其野，芃芃其麦。 控于大邦，谁因谁极？ 大夫君子，无我有尤。 百尔所思，不如我所之。

I Gallop I gallop while I go To share my brother's woe. I fide down along road To my brother's abode. The deputies will thwart My plan and fret my heart. Although you say me nay, I won't go backward way. Does not my project seem More far-fetched than your scheme? Although you say me nay, I won't stop on my way. Does not my project seem More prudent than your scheme? I climb the sloping mound To pick toad-lilies round. Of woman don't make light! My heart knows what is right. My countrymen put blame On me and feel no shame. I walk across the plains; Thick and green grow the grains. I'll plead to mighty land. Who'd hold out helping hand? Deputies, don't you see The fault lies not with me? Whatever you design, It's not so good as mine.     (Translated by Xu yuanchong 许渊冲 译)

 

Comments

[lnhammer]

*\o/*

[zirconium]

Heroine!

[bookblather]

Hah, I like this lady. She's got attitude.

May I ask who did the translation?