Lu Yu: Light Rain In the Middle of a Very Cold Boat

 

Light Rain In the Middle of a Very Cold Boat, Frequently Sleep Until Sunset

 

小 雨 极 凉 舟 中 熟 睡 至 夕
舟 中 一 雨 扫 飞 蝇
半 脱 纶 巾 卧 翠 藤。
清 梦 初 回 窗 日 晚
数 声 柔 橹 不 巴 陵。
Xiao Yu Ji Liang Zhou Zhong Shu Shui Zhi Xi

Zhou zhong yi yu sao fei ying
Ban tuo guan jin wo cui teng.
Qing meng chu hui chuang ri wan
Shu sheng rou lu bu ba ling.

 

Light Rain In the Middle of a Very Cold Boat, Frequently Sleep Until Sunset

Rainfall, shoo away a buzzing housefly from the center of the boat
Half-removed blue-ribbon silk scarf, lie down on a green lounger.
Dreams with clarity begin to return through windows, day and night
From numerous gentle sounds of the rear tiller come Baling images.

 

Notes:

Blue-ribbon scarf: This type of headscarf comes from ancient days. It is also known as the “Zhuge Scarf” . Zhuge Liang (181-234 AD), who was a Shu state official during the Three Kingdoms period. He was famous in Chinese folklore for his wisdom and resourcefulness. When used in the army, it also became known as the attire of Confucian generals.