In the Han garden, scattered—limited;
Along the Sui embankment, adorning—endless.
The three springs' work is given to the east wind;
Bright moon and plum blossom—all a dream.
Several courts with fallen red;
Whose perfumed snow fills the curtained windows?
North and south of the river—all the same;
But for the parted one, the grief weighs heaviest.
English titles, text, and notes are AI-assisted for reading only; for scholarship cite the Chinese and authoritative editions.
Annotation
Li Wan's willow catkin lyric from Chapter 70. 'The three springs' work given to the east wind' describes catkins scattered by wind while foreshadowing the three young ladies' fates being swept away. 'The parted one's grief weighs heaviest' reflects a widow's deeper sensitivity to separation.
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