The Jewel Stairs’ Grievance Lyrics
The jewelled steps are already quite white with dew,
It is so late that the dew soaks my gauze stockings,
And I let down the crystal curtain
And watch the moon through the clear autumn.
Note.- Jewel stairs, therefore a palace. Grievance, therefore there is something to complain of. Gauze stockings, therefore a court lady, not a servant who complains. Clear autumn, therefore he has no excuse on account of weather. Also she has come early, for the dew has not merely whitened the stairs, but has soaked her stockings. The poem is especially prized because she utters no direct reproach.
It is so late that the dew soaks my gauze stockings,
And I let down the crystal curtain
And watch the moon through the clear autumn.
Note.- Jewel stairs, therefore a palace. Grievance, therefore there is something to complain of. Gauze stockings, therefore a court lady, not a servant who complains. Clear autumn, therefore he has no excuse on account of weather. Also she has come early, for the dew has not merely whitened the stairs, but has soaked her stockings. The poem is especially prized because she utters no direct reproach.
About
Genius Annotation
Chinese Original
玉階怨
玉階生白露,夜久侵羅襪。
卻下水晶簾,玲瓏望秋月。
注解
1.羅襪:絲織品做的襪子。
2.卻下:還下。
3.玲瓏句:雖下簾仍望月而待,以至不能成眠。
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- 7.The Jewel Stairs’ Grievance
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