translation~~The Ballad of Mulan(木兰诗）

The Ballad of Mulan

Rattle, rattle, on and on
and Mulan wove at door
But a sigh was weakly heard
and Mulan wove no more

‘What hath thou remembered, maid,
and what art thou thinking?’
‘Nay, naught have I remembered,
and naught am I thinking.
Mails of armies last night
and soldiers are at need;
The lists of names were countless
and Father’s name was seen.
Father has no grown-up son
nor I elder brother;
yet a sword I shall wield
and fight for my father.

‘From East market bought the horse
and settle from the West;
From South Market bought the rein
and long whips from the North.
At dawn I leave my parents
at dusk by Riv. Yellow:
their calls can be heard no more
away the waters flowed.
At dawn I leave River’s bank
at dusk by Mountain Dark:
their calls can be heard no more
the horses moan neath stars.

‘Thousands of miles towards war
mountains pass as flying;
in Northern air runs cymbals’ sound
the coldest light shining.
Through countless battle few returns
to home from the fighting.

‘Thus hither to see the Khan
in Halls he sits brightly:
Our names shall be ever known
He rewards us highly.
He asked Mulan what he would
yet no honor he needs:
a horse shall he only ask
to homeland he shall speed.

‘Out of town my parents came
when returned their daughter;
elder sister decks at door
when returns her sister;
to greet me he made a feast
O grown-up little brother.
Let open my bedroom door
I sit upon my bed
the armours I wear no more
I put on my old dress;
once again I comb my hair
with patterns on my face.
My brother-in-arms I greet
and O their shocks are great:
for decade with Mulan lived
but knew not that’s a maid.

‘The male hares’ feet always shake
the eyes of females’ squint
But how can you tell them part
when together they sprint?’