今天请欣赏英文小诗《Zhaojun》，是英文诗系列 “Ladies in Classics Series" 的第四篇，基于昭君出塞的故事。之前在本刊第15，16和48期陆续发布了《Juliet》，《Lady Macbeth》和《Eve》。

Zhaojun 

By Ken Fan

Descending into a modest home was this girl,

With an angel-like heart knowing no evil. 

The prettiest recruit she was into the Royal Court, 

But a greedy artist she unfortunately ignored.

Northern tribes became a daily annoyance, 

It was proposed to send a princess for union.

The Emperor had known her only by a picture, 

And was flabbergasted at her beauty upon departure. 

The portrait artist was promptly decapitated, 

But the fair lady was on a northbound journey already.

The air was frozen with Pipa tunes so sorrowful, 

Wild geese kept falling from sky sad and dazzled. 

Her tomb remains so remote and humble, 

A secure nation owes her a memory lovely and tearful.