Yi Gyubo (李奎報, 이규보, 1168-1241) was a literary servant and scholar from the Goryeo Dynasty (高麗, 고려, 918–1392). He was of the Yeoju Yi Clan (驪州李氏, 여주이씨). His courtesy name (字, 자) was Chun’gyeong (春卿, 춘경); his pen names (號, 호) were Baek’un’geosa (白雲居士, 백운거사) and Jiheon (止軒, 지헌); and his posthumous name (諡, 시) was Munsun (文順, 문순). After passing the civil servant exam (文科, 문과) in 1189, he held various positions in the Goryeo government. He was also a well renowned poet and prose writer and the most famous of his work is the Collection of the Eastern Country’s Prime Minister Lee’s Works (東國李相國集, 동국이상국집).
While Picking Flowers
A peony holds a dew like grains of pearl;
A beautiful lady, having trimmed one and picking it up, passes before the window.
Holding a smile, she asks her husband:
“Is the flower more beautiful? Or is your wife’s complexion more beautiful?”
The husband purposefully teases her:
“More beautiful, I say, is the flower; its branches I like.”
The beautiful lady turns jealous at the flower being favored;
Stomping and breaking the flower and its branches, she says:
“If this flower is more favored than your wife,
Tonight, go sleep with the flower!”
- 强(강) has been translated as “more beautiful”; however, the literal translation would be “stronger” (강하다) or “more vital” (왕성하다).
- 牡丹(모란) – Peony (모란).
- 顆(과) – Grains (낟알).
- 檀(단) – A type of birch tree (박달나무).
- 道(도) – Here, it means “to say” (말하기를).
- 故(고) – Here, it means “purposefully” or “intentionally” (고의로, 일부러).
- 妬(투) – To become jealous (강샘하다).