Cross the Translucent Bridge: Southern Branches and Twigs
南 柯 子
银 渚 盈 盈 渡
金 风 缓 缓 吹。
晚 香 浮 动 五 云 飞。
月 姊 妒 人 颦 尽 一 弯 眉。
短 夜 难 留 处
斜 河 欲 淡 时。
半 愁 半 喜 是 佳 期。
一 度 相 逢 添 得 两 相 思。
Nan Ke Zi
Yin zhu ying ying du
Jin feng huan huan chui.
Wan xiang fu dong wu yun fei.
Yue zi du ren pin jin yi wan mei.
Duan ye nan liu chu
Xie he yu dan shi.
Ban chou ban xi shi jia qi.
Yi du xiang feng tian de liang xiang si.
Cross the Translucent Bridge: Southern Branches and Twigs
Go across the translucent bridge in the Milky Way
Slow and unhurried the golden winds blow.
Evening fragrances on the wind with drifting bright clouds
Moon goddess envies these two people, her frown one crescent eyebrow.
Evenings short, difficult to get and stay together
Fading Milky Way bridge thins during this season.
Halfway anxious, halfway joyous, this good couple awaits
After meeting they already ponder when they can be a couple again.
Notes:
This mythological story of two celestial lovers, Oxherd and Weaver Girl, who only once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, cross the Milky Way to unite. The Oxherd is represented by the star, Altair, while Weaver Girl by the star, Vega. They have been forbidden to meet, except on this one day. They must travel from opposite ends of the Milky Way on a bridge made by magpies. In the West similar to our Valentine’s Day.
Moon Goddess is a major Chinese goddess, whose beauty is famous.