周末读首诗（第十二周）

Version 1

On Wuyi Lane

by Liu Yuxi

On Zhuque Bridge the weeds do overgrow;

Down the Wuyi Lane slants the sunset glow.

The swallows, flying home to the plain houses,

Once homed in the lofty mansions long ago.

Translator's Note: Zhuque（朱雀）, literally, a red bird,  a mythological bird alleged to be able to bring people good fortune; Wuyi（乌衣），literally, a black robe, worn by a high-ranked official in Han dynasty (202 BC--220 AD), similar to the scarlet robe (紫袍）in later dynasties. Hence, the Zhuque Bridge and the Wuyi Lane/Street(s) symblize the district where the noble households reside exclusively. In this poem, this residential area of nobles, the Wuyi Lane (or Wuyi Street(s)), has in a long course of histry deteriorated to a comunity of lower class.

Version 2

On The Wuyi Streets

by Liu Yuxi

Nearby the Zhuque Bridge o'ergrown with weeds

Under the sunset stand the Wuyi  streets,

Where, once homed on the mansion's gilded beams,

The swallow, now in the mean cottage, dreams.

Tr. Zhibuzhizhai

乌衣巷

刘禹锡（唐）

朱雀桥边野草花，乌衣巷口夕阳斜。

旧时王谢堂前燕，飞入寻常百姓家。