Shall I Compare Thee to an April Day?

Chapter 2

Shall I Compare Thee to an April Day?

–A Psalm of Love

Lin Huiyin

Shall I compare thee to an April Day?

Thou laughter has lifted up breezes far and near,

And swiftly, dazzled everything in the vernal air.

Thee are the thin mist rising in the April dawn,

The evening breeze coming soft, the stars winking.

For naught, and the drizzles soaking the bugs in thirst.

The delicacy, the grace characteristics thee; Sublime

The crown of flowers belongs to thee. Innocent,

Sacred, thee are the full moon shining high every night!

In the ivory field of newly melted snow, I see you

And in the newly sprouted shoots of green emerald,

In the white lily opening joyfully in the shimmering lake!

Thee are the flowers in bloom, and swallows whistling

On the beam. Thee are love, warmth, a beautiful poem,

And after all—thee are the most lovely April day of charm!

Translated by Li Zhen