lines forthe que qiao xian melody

　　QinGuan

　　thesetransparent clouds so delicate and beautiful

　　themilky way so luminous a star vanishes in it

　　thatfalling star which carries regret like a messenger

　　forthe cowherd and the woman at the loom

　　altairand vega

　　thoselovers who can meet only once in a year

　　butfor them this is more wonderful

　　thanthe countless times

　　lovesin this world meet

　　theyare joined for one long perfected moment

　　theymerge into each other like slow running waters

　　theirhappy loving is the kindliest of dreams

　　ohthey have to know the sadness of looking back

　　asthey depart on their separate ways

　　travelingover the bridge of birds

　　butbecause what they feel shines in them forever

　　itsurely does not distress them

　　eachday and each night they cannot be together

　　(王守義、約翰·諾弗爾 譯)

　　Immortal Lovers on Magpie Bridge

　　(Que-qiao-xian)

　　QinGuan

　　Withsubtlety delicate clouds sway,

　　Flyingstars their fierce love-feelings convey:

　　Thelovers stealthily cross the lengthy Milky Way.

　　Oncethe golden breeze and jade dews have encountered,

　　Countlesspairs in the human world are bettered.

　　Tenderfeelings like a stream,

　　Joyfultryst seems a dream,

　　Howcan they bear to look at the bridge of magpies

　　Theirparting way?

　　Shouldthe feelings of both eternal stay,

　　Whyneed to be with each other night ’n’ day?

　　(賀淯濱 譯)

　　P’u – Ch’ü Ch’iao Hsien

　　(Tothe tune-title ‘Immortals of the Magpie Bridge’)

　　The Weaver-Girl and the Herd-Boy

　　Ch’inKuan

　　Aslovely clouds contrive new patterns

　　Theseflying stars fulfil their yearnings,

　　Indarkness crossing the distant gulf of the Milky Way.

　　Whatthough they only meet in the Golden Wind and the Pearly Dew?

　　Theyare happier far than the countless people living on earth.

　　Hergentle heart is soft as water,

　　Theblissful hours flow like a dream.

　　Ofthe journey back by the Magpie Bridge can they bear a thought?

　　Whenfeelings stir in the hearts of lovers deeper than time’s abyss

　　Doesit matter how seldom they meet?

　　(Alan Ayling & Duncan Mackintosh譯)

　　Tune: Queqiaoxian

　　QinGuan

　　Cloudsfloat like works of art,

　　Stars bring the grief of love.

　　Acrossthe Milky Way, the Cowherd meets the Maid.

　　Whenthe golden autumn’s wind encounters with dew of jade,

　　Theirmeeting is better than many times on earth.

　　Theirtender love flows like a stream,

　　Theirhappy date seems as sweet dreams.

　　Howshe bears the sight of Magpie Bridge without a tear!

　　Ifthe affection on both sides can endure,

　　Whyneed they stay together night and day?

　　(毛小雨 譯)