الفتاة الفقيرة (秦韜玉) / The Poor Girl (Qin Taoyu)

貧女(秦韜玉) · Three Hundred Tang Poems

Original Chinese text from Chinese Wikisource (public domain). The translation is machine-made and may contain errors. · Original text ↗

English translation 中文原文

I have never known the scent of silks and brocades behind my humble door,

And the thought of entrusting a matchmaker to find a husband only deepens my sorrow.

Who appreciates refinement and noble taste?

All admire the thrifty styles of the present day.

I dare not boast of my clever fingers at needlework,

Nor do I compete in painting my brows long.

I bitterly resent year after year pressing the golden thread,

Stitching wedding garments for others while I remain unwed.

貧女(秦韜玉)

蓬門未識綺羅香，擬託良媒益自傷。

誰愛風流高格調，共憐時世儉梳妝。

敢將十指誇偏一作「纖」巧，不把雙眉鬬畫長。

苦恨年年壓金線，爲他人作嫁衣裳。