After the Ming occupation and the reconquest of national independence by Le Loi and Nguyen Trai, Le Thanh Tong’s reign (1460-1497) was one of the most brilliant of Vietnamese monarchy. The prestige of literature was then considerable and nom, the national script was used at the Court.
King Le Thanh Tong valued Ngo Chi Lan’s literary talent and entrusted her with the task of educating the women of his harem.
Native of Kim Hoa district in Vinh Phu province, Ngo Chi Lan married Phu Thuc Hoanh. a scholar, a virtuous and talented man. Professor at the Royal College.
The poem Tu thoi Khuc (Poem of the Four Seasons) is attributed to her: from classicism she keeps trite phrases and cliches but adds an extraordinary gift for rendering colours and nuances…
WINTER
I light the incense burner, small silver vase,
With a glass of wine, the morning air warms…
I light the incense burner, small silver vase,
With a glass of wine, the morning air warms.
The cold of snow enters the curtained window
On the water, hoar-frost is shaken by the wind.
The fair lady retires to her chamber
Behind windows made draught-proof with paper.
Yet to prepare in secret spring’s return.
An apricot-tree bud opens on the mountain.
AUTUMN
Autumn invades the horizon, pure air, serene sky.
A lonely wild goose heralds the coming mist…
Autumn invades the horizon, pure air, serene sky.
A lonely wild goose heralds the coming mist
In jade basins lotus blooms wither, their scent fading.
At the third night watch, birch leaves are scattered on the cold water of the Ngo River
A jacket is now too thin against the cold
The distant flute makes me dream
And ask where is the Phoenix of the fairy-land.
SUMMER
The wind scatters the red pomegranate flowers
In the garden, a beautiful woman swings in a hammock…
The wind scatters the red pomegranate flowers
In the garden, a beautiful woman swings in a hammock,
On a branch, the oriole sadly sings of springtime slipping away,
A pair of violet swallows grieve for a distant landscape.
She ceases her sewing, silent, eyes lowered.
For a moment leans her listless head on the silken folds,
Giving herself to dream.
Someone comes, pulls the curtain,
Alas, her wandering soul can no longer join him at Lieu Tay
SPRING
The new sun rays warm men and skies
Spring landscapes, soft air bathing palaces and monuments…
The new sun rays warm men and skies
Spring landscapes, soft air bathing palaces and monuments.
Through the curtains orioles are seen hopping among the willows
Outside the veranda, butterflies flit about the flowers.
Daylight lengthens on the threshold,
A touch of perfume permeates the green silk,
The child ignorant of sadness Leans on the banister and smiles.
