Eternal Love: Sonnet XLIII

To the great poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning, By Yiyan Han (c), 2020-11-08

In 2007-2008, I first came across Sonnet XLIII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and was immensely attracted. I thought why not to translate it into Chinese so other Chinese readers can enjoy it as well. Then was in the era of blogging that was getting popular in China. After my translation, the text shown in the image, was self published on 8 March 2008, in a Chinese blog site, it was very much welcomed by fellow bloggers who were following me there. Later this translation has been self published on a few web sites outside China.

I’m not the first, and, think, by no means the last person who translated or will attempt to translate Sonnet XLIII into Chinese. I found then there were a couple of Chinese translations on internet, with one particularly good by the late translator Mr FANG Ping (方平, 1921 – 2008). I believe my version is modern, and my Chinese text is rather passionate, and sounds poetic! Any language translation is subject to the translator’s understanding and interpretation, of course.

In my view, Mrs Browning’s Sonnet XLIII is enteral, and to me, the greatest English love poem ever. The Chinese title I've chosen for it means "Eternal Love" that is best reflected by the poem itself.
 

Some of the Chinese readers' comments on my translation of this greatest English love poem are listed on the following page:
https://cosmofunnel.com/stories/chinese-readers-comments-on-my-translation-of-sonnet-xliii-190837

Sonnet XLIII may be found on https://poets.org/poem/how-do-i-love-thee-sonnet-43

Footnote:

My Chinese translation has now been formally published on
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/20/11/24/n12572449.htm