Saturday Rave: The Young Seamstress by Heo Nanseolheon, translated by David R. McCann

 

Heo Nanseolheon was was born much too early (1563) and died much too soon (1589) to have much of a career as a poet. Even so, she left us over two hundred wonderful poems in Chinese verse (hanshi).

She was lucky in having two poet brothers who recognised her talent at a very early age and fostered it. Sadly, her elder brother was exiled for his political beliefs, and, even more sadly, Heo Nanseolheon was unhappily married to a civil servant who deserted her for long periods of time.

Heo Nanseolheon seems to have an isolated and lonely life, but she left us such beauty. Here is a poem which is to be found in Early Korean Literature: Selections and Introductions by David R McCann New York: Columbia UP, 2000.

貧女吟 豈是乏容色 工鍼復工織 少小長寒門 良媒不相識 夜久織未休 戛戛鳴寒機 機中一匹練 終作阿誰衣 手把金翦刀 夜寒十指直 爲人作嫁衣 年年還獨宿

The Young Seamstress How can this worn face appeal? Working at embroidery, then returning to work at the weaving from behind a gate where there is little or nothing and long without heat The matchmaker won't let anyone know of one so meek. All night without rest weaving the hempen cloth, the loom going clack-clack, clack-clack, a chilly sound. Weave one roll on the loom, and wonder for whose house, whose daughter will it be a dowry? Scissors in hand, cut the cloth in pieces; and though the night is cold, all ten fingers are straight. I make clothes for others going to be married, while year after year, it is I who must sleep alone.

—Translated by David R. McCann Word To Use Today: dowry. This word comes from the Anglo-French douarie, from the Latin dōtārium, from the Latin dōs, which means gift.