An English translation of a work of ancient Chinese literature, 《木兰诗》. An attempt by Abby Lu.
Original work:
《木兰诗》，無名氏
唧唧复唧唧，木兰当户织。不闻机杼声，唯闻女叹息。问女何所思？问女何所忆？女亦无所思，女亦无所忆。昨夜见军帖，可汗大点兵，军书十二卷，卷卷有爷名。阿爷无大儿，木兰无长兄，愿为市鞍马，从此替爷征。东市买骏马，西市买鞍鞯，南市买辔头，北市买长鞭。朝辞爷娘去，暮宿黄河边。不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻黄河流水鸣溅溅。旦辞黄河去，暮至黑山头。不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻燕山胡骑声啾啾。万里赴戎机，关山度若飞。朔气传金柝，寒光照铁衣。将军百战死，壮士十年归。归来见天子，天子坐明堂。策勋十二转，赏赐百千强。可汗问所欲，“木兰不用尚书郎，愿借明驼千里足，送儿还故乡。”爷娘闻女来，出郭相扶将。阿姊闻妹来，当户理红妆。小弟闻姊来，磨刀霍霍向猪羊。开我东阁门，坐我西阁床。脱我战时袍，著我旧时裳。当窗理云鬓，对镜贴花黄。出门看火伴，火伴皆惊惶。同行十二年，不知木兰是女郎。“雄兔脚扑朔，雌兔眼迷离；两兔傍地走，安能辨我是雄雌！”
English Translation by A.L:
“Ode to Mulan,” Anonymous
Again and again, the sound of thread. Mulan weaves by the door. There is no sound of the loom, just the hush of a woman’s sigh. Ask the girl what she is pondering, ask the girl what she is reminiscing. The girl is not pondering, nor is she reminiscing. A decree was issued yesterday night of a conscription from the general. In all the twelve scrolls of the parchment with enlisted names, Father’s name appeared in all. Father had no mature son, Mulan has no elder brother. There bloomed a will to buy a horse in the city, and, from now on, to enlist in father’s place. Picking up a stallion in the Eastern market, a saddle in the Western market; a bridle from the South, and a whip from the North. Leaving father and mother, camping near the yellow river. There is no call from awaiting parents, only the roaring currents of the Yellow River. Journeying on from the Yellow River, sleeping under the Black Mountain’s trees. There is no call from awaiting parents, only the shrieks of the enemies’ mounts. Ten thousand miles later to the battle field, passing obstacles and mountains with the speed of flight. The Northern air transported the sound of gongs, and frigid light reflected off metal armour. Soldiers dying by the hundreds, veterans returning after a decade. Returning to bow before the emperor sitting in his ethereal throne of light, rewarding the strong with fame, prosperity, status, and wealth. The emperor inquires for Mulan’s wish, but Mulan had no interest in wealth or status. She just wanted a strong and steady stallion to take her home. Father and Mother coming out from the house embracing each other as they hear Mulan’s return; Mulan’s sister combing hair by her desk as her little sister comes home; Mulan’s little brother sharpening a knife for a feast to honor Mulan, the veteran. Mulan opened her Eastern doors and sat on her Western bed. She shed her armour from war and dressed in garbs of her past. She caressed her flowing hair like wisps of smoke by the window, and dressed in feminine accessories in front of a looking glass. Mulan stepped out to greet her comrades, and they were all shocked. After twelve years of camaraderie, they never once suspected Mulan might be a woman.
Only when lifted up does the male rabbit kick his legs and the female rabbit shut her eyes. When the two rabbits are running side by side, how one differentiate them ?
About the Translator:
Abby Lu
See About page.
The Big Duck 