In the years when we are burying our heads and memorizing ancient poems, we must remember such a girl: when she was violated in her hometown, she disguised herself as a man, rode a war horse, rushed to the frontier, and made achievements all the way... The name Mulan has become the most classical feminist symbol.
We feel the generous and heroic spirit of Mulan in "Walking in the military plane thousands of miles away, and passing through the mountains and mountains." We also see her softness when she takes off her military uniform, and in the poem "I have been with her for twelve years, I don't know that Mulan is a girl."
In an era when women can only take care of their husbands and children, she told us that women are not born to marry, not only soft, they do not need to abide by the three obediences and four virtues, nor do they have to wait to be saved. She can be brave, powerful, can jump on her horse, and can defend her country.
Today we will experience the multi-version English translation of "Mulan Ci":
Mulan Ci The Mulan Ballad
Translation: Wang Rongpei
Jiji Fujiji, Mulan is weaving in the same family.
Don’t hear the sound of the loom, but only hear the sigh of the girl.
Ask the girl what she thinks? What do you think of the girl?
The girl has nothing to think about, and the girl has nothing to remember.
I saw the military post last night, Khan Dadian soldiers,
twelve volumes of military books, and the volume is full of the name of my master.
Grandpa has no eldest son, Mulan has no elder brother,
is willing to be a city horse, and from then on, he will be the best place for his grandfather.
Alas oh alas! Alas oh alas!
Mulan is weaving clothes of topmost class.
Listen and you don't hear the spinning drone;
You only hear the maiden sight and moan.
"Good lass, what thought has occurred your mind?
Good lass, what thought can you not leave behind?"
"I've nothing that has occurred my mind;
I've nothing that I cannot leave behind.
I saw the new recruiting lists last night;
The Khan is summoning the men to fight.
The twelve lists are literally the same;
In every list there is my father's name.
My dad does not have any grown-up son;
I have no older brother to carry the gun.
I'll go and buy a stalwart horse and pad
So as to go to battle for my dad."
Buy horses in the east market, buy saddles in the west market, buy bridles in the south market, and buy Beishi long whip.
Leave my grandmother and stay by the Yellow River in the evening.
Don’t hear the grandmother calling the female voice, but you hear the sound of the Yellow River waters.
left the Yellow River at night and reached the head of Heishan Mountain in the evening.
Don’t hear the grandmother calling the female voice, but you hear the sound of the Hu Ji in Yanshan.
0,000 miles to travel to the military, and the mountains pass by like flying.
The north qi spreads the golden thorn, and the cold light shines on the iron cloak.
The general died in hundreds of battles and returned for ten years.
She buys a strong steady in the eastern market;
She buys a saddle in the western market;
She buys a bridle in the southern market;
She buys a long whip in the northern market.
She leaves her dearest parents by daylight,
And stays by the Yellow River for the night.
She can no longer hear her parents' sound,
But only hears the rushing flood around.
She leaves the Yellow River by daylight.
Arrives at Mount Heishan at early night.
She can no longer hear her parents' sound;
She only hears the Tartar steams around.
She goes for miles and miles to join the war,
And crosses hills and valleys with the crops.
The northern wind resounds the watchmen's hair;
The chilly moon shines on their coats of mail.
Countless men die on the battlefields.
While other men return with swords and shileds.
Return to see the emperor, and the emperor sits in the Mingtang.
twelve turns of the title, rewarding hundreds of thousands of strong people.
Khan asked what he wanted, "Mulan doesn't need a Shangshu Lang,
I wish to borrow a thousand miles of miles of my life to send my son back to my hometown."
The grandmother heard that his daughter came, and went out to support the general.
My sister heard that she was here and she was good at red makeup.
My younger brother heard that sister came and sharpened his knife to the pig and sheep.
Mulan receives an audience from the Khan,
Who makes a huge grant to the Valiant “man.”
Mulan is tried and offered the highest post,
And given piles of treasures she can boost.
She says when asked what she would like to do,
"High posts at court are not what I pursuit.
All I want is a camel with its crew
To send me home to start my life anew.”
On hearing that Mulan will soon be home,
Her parents leave the courtyard arm in arm.
On hearing that Mulan will soon be home,
Her younger sister makes up to add charm.
On hearing that Mulan will soon be home,
Her younger brother butches pigs on the farm.
On hearing that Mulan will soon be home,
Her younger brother butches pigs on the farm.
On hearing that Mulan will soon be home,
Her younger brother butches pigs on the farm.
On hearing that my east pavilion door and sit on my west pavilion bed.
Take off my war robe and wear my old clothes.
is used to clean the cloudy temples when the window is used, and the flowers are yellow in front of the mirror.
Go out to see the fire companion, and the fire companions are all panicked.
has been with her for twelve years, but I don’t know that Mulan is a girl.
"Male rabbit's feet are shaky, female rabbit's eyes are blurred;
two rabbits walk by the ground, how can I tell if I am male and female!"
She opens doors of chambers east and westtml3
And sits upon her bed to take a rest.
She first takes off her warrior’s coat of mail
And then puts on her female dress and veil.
She stands by windows doing her long hair
And faces mirrors painting her browser fair.
When she meets her mates in female array,
They star at her in great surprise and say,
"We fight for twelve years in the same brigade,
But never know that Mulan was a maid!"
"The male rabbit hops and skips on the ground;
The female rabbit winks and blinks around.
When two rabbits curry to and fro,
Who knows which is the buck and which the doe?"
- Translation 2 -
Mulan's Word Song of Mulan 6
Translation: Xu Yuanchong
Jiji and Jiji, Mulan is weaving in the same family.
Don’t hear the sound of the loom, but only hear the sigh of the girl.
Ask the girl what she thinks? What do you think of the girl?
The girl has nothing to think about, and the girl has nothing to remember.
I saw a military post last night, and the Khan pointed out his troops.
twelve volumes of military books, and the master's name is in the volume.
Grandpa has no eldest son, Mulan has no elder brother,
is willing to be a city horse, and from then on, he will be the best place for his grandfather.
Alack, alas! Alack, alas!
She weaves and sees the shuttle pass.
You cannot hear the shuttle, why?
Its whir is drowned in her deep sight.
"Oh, what are you thinking about?
Will you tell us? Will you speak out?"
"I have no worry on my mind,
Nor have I grief of any kind.
I read the battle roll last night;
The Khan has ordered men to fight.
The roll was written in twelve books;
My father's name was in twelve nooks.
My father has no grown-up son,
For older brother I have none.
I'll get a horse of hardy race
And serve in my father's place."
Buy a horse in the east market, buy a saddle in the west market,
Buy a bridle in the south market, buy a long whip in the north market.
Leave my grandmother and stay by the Yellow River in the evening.
Don’t hear the grandmother calling the female voice, but you hear the sound of the Yellow River waters.
left the Yellow River at night and reached the head of Heishan Mountain in the evening.
Don’t hear the grandmother calling the female voice, but you hear the sound of the Hu Ji in Yanshan.
0,000 miles to travel to the military, and the mountains pass by like flying.
The north qi spreads the golden thorn, and the cold light shines on the iron cloak.
The general died in hundreds of battles and returned for ten years.
She buys a steamed at eastern fair,
A whip and saddle here and there.
She buys a bridle at the south
And metal bit for the horse's mouth.
At dawn she leaves her parents by the city wall;
At dusk she reaches Yellow River shore.
All night she listens for old folk's familiar call,
But only hears the Yellow River's roar.
At dawn she leaves the Yellow River shore;
To mountains Black she goes her way.
At night she hears old folk's familiar voice no more,
But only on north mountains Tartar horses neighbors.
For miles and miles the army march along
And cross the mountain barriers as in flight.
The northern wind has chilled the watchman's gong,
Their coat of mail glistens in wintry light.
In ten years they've lost many captains strong,
But battle-hardened warriors come back in delight.
Return to see the emperor, and the emperor sat in the Mingtang.
twelve turns of the title, rewarding hundreds of thousands of strong people.
Khan asked what he wanted, "Mulan doesn't need a Shangshu Lang,
I wish to borrow a thousand miles of miles of my life to send my son back to my hometown."
The grandmother heard that his daughter came, and went out to support the general.
My sister heard that she was here and she was good at red makeup.
My younger brother heard that sister came and sharpened his knife to the pig and sheep.
Back they have their audience with the Khan in the hall,
Honors and gifts are lavished on warriors all.
The Khan asks her what she wants as a grace.
"A camel fleet to carry me to my native place."
Hearing that she has come,
Her parents anxious to meet her at city gate.
Her sister rouges her face at home,
Her younger brother kills pig and sheep to celebrate.
Open my east pavilion door and sit on my west pavilion bed.
Take off my war robe and wear my old clothes.
is used to clean the cloudy temples when the window is used, and the flowers are yellow in front of the mirror.
Go out to see the fire companion, and the fire companions are all panicked.
has been with her for twelve years, but I don’t know that Mulan is a girl.
"Male rabbit feet are shaky, female rabbit eyes are blurred;
two rabbits walk by the ground, how can I tell if I am male and female!"
She opens the doors east and westtml3
And sits on her bed for a rest.
She doffs her garb wore under fire
And wears again female attire.
Before the window she arranges her hair
And in the mirror sees her image fair.
Then she comes out to see her former mate,
Who stars at her in amazement great:
"We have marched together for twelve years,
We did not know there was a lass' mid our competitors!"
"Both buck and doe have lilting gait
And both their eyes palpitate.
When side by side two rabbits go,
Who can tell the buck from the doe?"
- Translation 3 -
Mulan dictionary Ode of Mulan
Translation: Han H. Frankel
Jiji and Jiji, Mulan is weaving in the same family.
Don’t hear the sound of the loom, but only hear the sigh of the girl.
Ask the girl what she thinks? What do you think of the girl?
The girl has nothing to think about, and the girl has nothing to remember.
I saw a military post last night, and the Khan pointed out his troops.
twelve volumes of military books, and the master's name is in the volume.
Grandpa has no eldest son, Mulan has no elder brother,
is willing to be a city horse, and from then on, he will be the best place for his grandfather.
Tsiek tsiek and again tsiek tsiek,
Mu-lan weaves, facing the door.
You don't hear the shuttle's sound,
You only hear Daughter's sights.
They ask Daughter who's in her heart,
They ask Daughter who's on her mind.
"No one is on Daughter's heart,
No one is on Daughter's heart,
No one is on Daughter's mind.
Last night I saw the draft posters,
The Khan is calling many troops,
The army list is in twelve scrolls,
On every scroll there's Father's name.
Father has no grown-up son,
Mu-lan has no older brother.
I want to buy a saddle and horse,
And serve in the army in Father's place.”
Buy a horse in the east market, buy a saddle in the west market,
Buy a bridle in the south market, and buy a long whip in the north market.
Leave my grandmother and stay by the Yellow River in the evening.
Don’t hear the grandmother calling the female voice, but you hear the sound of the Yellow River waters.
left the Yellow River at night and reached the head of Heishan Mountain in the evening.
Don’t hear the grandmother calling the female voice, but you hear the sound of the Hu Ji in Yanshan.
0,000 miles to travel to the military, and the mountains pass by like flying.
The north qi spreads the golden thorn, and the cold light shines on the iron cloak.
The general died in hundreds of battles and returned for ten years.
In the East Market she buys a spiritual horse,
In the West Market she buys a saddle,
In the South Market she buys a bridle,
In the North Market she buys a long whip.
At dawn she takes leave of Father and Mother,
In the evening camps on the Yellow River's bank.
She doesn't hear the sound of Father and Mother calling,
She only hears the Yellow River's flowing water cry tsien tsien.
At dawn she takes leave of the Yellow River,
In the evening she arrives at Black Mountain.
She doesn't hear the sound of Father and Mother calling,
She only hears Mount Yen's nomad horses cry tsiu tsiu.
She goes ten thousand miles on the business of war,
She crosses passes and mountains like flying.
Northern gusts carry the rattle of army pots,
Chilly light shines on iron armor.
Generals die in a hundred battles,
Stout soldiers return after ten years.
Return to see the emperor, the emperor sits in the Ming Hall.
twelve turns of the title, rewarding hundreds of thousands of strong people.
Khan asked what he wanted, "Mulan doesn't need a Shangshu Lang,
I wish to borrow a thousand miles of miles of my life to send my son back to my hometown."
The grandmother heard that his daughter came, and went out to support the general.
My sister heard that she was here and she was good at red makeup.
My younger brother heard that sister came and sharpened his knife to the pig and sheep.
On her return she sees the Son of Heaven,
The Son of Heaven sits in the Splendid Hall.
He gives out promotions in twelve ranks
And prizes of a hundred thousand and more.
The Khan asks her what she desires.
"Mu-lan has no use for a minister's post.
I wish to ride a swift mountml3
To take me back to my home."
When Father and Mother hear Daughter is coming,
They go outside the wall to meet her, leaning on each other.
When Elder Sister hears Younger Sister is coming
She fixes her rouge, facing the door.
When Little Brother hears Elder Sister is coming
He whats the knife, quick quick, for pig and sheep.
Open the door of my east pavilion and sit on my west pavilion bed.
Take off my war robe and wear my old clothes.
is used to clean the cloudy temples when the window is used, and the flowers are yellow in front of the mirror.
Go out to see the fire companion, and the fire companions are all panicked.
has been with her for twelve years, but I don’t know that Mulan is a girl.
"The male rabbit's feet are shaky, the female rabbit's eyes are blurred;
two rabbits walk by the ground, how can I tell that I am male and female!"
"I open the door to my east chamber,
I sit on my couch in the west room,
I take off my wartime gown
And put on my old-time clothes."
Facing the window she fixes her cloudlike hair,
Hanging up a mirror she dabs on yellow flower powder.
She goes out the door and sees her comrades,
Her comrades are all amazed and perplexed.
Traveling together for twelve years,
They didn't know Mu-lan was a girl.
"The he-hare's feet go hop and skip,
The she-hare's eyes are muddled and fuddled.
Two hares running side by side close to the ground,
How can they tell if I am he or she?"
Source: "English World"
