Chinese Poems

烛影摇红·听梨园太监陈进朝弹琴 顾太清 雪意沈沈， 北风冷触庭前竹。 白头阿监抱琴来， 未语眉先蹙。 弹遍瑶池旧曲， 韵泠泠， 水流云瀑。 人间天上， 四十年来， 伤心惨目。 尚记当初， 梨园无数名花簇。 笙歌缥缈碧云间， 享尽神仙福。 叹息而今老仆。 受君恩， 沾些微禄。 不堪回首， 暮景萧条， 穷途哀哭。 Zhuying yao hong: Hearing Eunuch Chen Jinchao of the Pear Garden [the Imperial Troupe] Play the Qin Gu Taiqing A sense of snow hangs heavy, North winds coldly cuff a courtyard bamboo-clump1 A white-haired eunuch enters, bearing his zither; Ere he speaks, his brows knit in fret. He plays through all those old Jasper Pool2 tunes: Tones purling, clear waters flow, clouds cascade. Here on earth, up in heaven, Well on forty years now Hurts the heart, stabs the eye.3 I still recall, back at first Pear Garden’s numberless bevy of famous blossoms. Pipe and song drifting aloft among slate clouds: We enjoyed all the luck of the sylphs. Heave a sigh: and now this aging servant Thanks to milord’s grace draws a scanty stipend. I can’t bear to turn back Dusky prospects dim and desolate Crying a song at road’s dead-end.4 1. The first lines of this poem recall an allegorical ode to bamboos Su Shi (Su Dongpo) wrote while jailed by Censorate officials. His first six lines: “Today the wind comes from the south/And blows atumble…...

醉桃源·题墨栀子团扇寄云姜 顾太清 花肥叶大两三枝， 香浮白玉巵。 轻罗团扇写冰姿， 何劳腻粉施。 新雨后， 好风吹， 闲阶月上时。 碧天如水影迟迟， 清芬晚更宜。 Zui Taoyuan: Inscribed on a Fan with Ink-Sketched Gardenias, Sent to Yunjiang1 Gu Taiqing Blossoms plump, leaves big: two or three boughs. Perfume drifts from a jade-white cup.2 A light, gauzy round fan limns icy raiments. Why bother to put on powder and paint? After fresh rains, A fine breeze blows. Idle stairs in the hour of moonrise. Cobalt sky like water, shadows slowly furl. Pure scent, even better in the dark. 1. Yunjiang was Gu’s closest friend. 2. Jade-white cup (yuzhi) describes the gardenia, names a flower nymph, and puns on “jade-white limbs” (yuzhi). （David McCraw 译）...

山坡羊·述怀 薛昂夫 大江东去， 长安西去， 为功名走遍天涯路。 厌舟车， 喜琴书， 早星星鬓影瓜田暮。 心待足时名便足。 高，高处苦； 低，低处苦。 Revelation of Sentiment To the Tune of Sheep on the Hillside Xue Angfu Along the Yangtze River eastward, To Chang’an I travel westward, For fame and rank I hustle and bustle around the world. I’m travel-worn, But fond of art, Leading a secluded farming life in my old age, I’m content with my present life with page. High in rank, the experience is bitter; Low in position, you have to suffer. （周方珠 译）...

庆东原·韩信 薛昂夫 已挂了齐王印， 不撑开范蠡船， 子房公身退何曾缠？ 不思保全， 不防未然， 刬地据位专权。 岂不闻自古太平时， 不许将军见！ Han Xin To the Tune of Celebration in Dongyuan Xue Angfu At the seat of the power of the Qi Kingdom, Han Xin refused to follow Fan Li’s example. Zhang Liang would rather retire than be an official of high rank, But Han Xin played a childish prank. Instead of taking preventive measures, He arrogated all powers to himself. Unaware since ancient times emperors when in time of peace, To their doyens they begin to show their teeth. （周方珠 译）...

塞鸿秋·无题 薛昂夫 功名万里忙如燕， 斯文一脉微如线。 光阴寸隙流如电， 风霜两鬓白如练。 尽道便休官， 林下何曾见？ 至今寂寞彭泽县。 Tune: Autumn Swan on Frontier Xue Angfu Busy for far-flung fame as swallows in flight, Culture hangs by a thread, none cares to be polite. Time flies away as fast as flashing light, Like frosted silk the hair on our forehead turns white. All say it is good to retire, But to be a hermit none has the desire. Up to now only The poet-hermit still feels lonely. （许渊冲 译） Untitled to the tune of Swan on the Autumn Frontier Xue Angfu Like busy swallows people travel far for success and renown, Like a fragile thread the ancient rights come down, Like lightening, time, inch by inch, flies, Like white girdles my temples are snowing to my surprise. Often you hear people say they prefer to resign from their post, But you seldom find hermits in secluded places most. So far, alas, that lonely Tao the Prefect finds no companions as they boast. （辜正坤 译）...

楚天遥过清江引·送春 薛昂夫 有意送春归， 无计留春住。 明年又着来， 何似休归去。 桃花也解愁， 点点飘红玉。 目断楚天遥， 不见春归路。 Tune: From Far-flung Southern Sky to Song of Clear River Farewell to Spring Xue Angfu Tune: Far-flung Southern Sky I have a mind to say farewell to spring, But I have no means to stay her lingering. Spring will come back again next year, Would it not be better to stay forever here? Peach blossoms seem to know my grief, Falling like red jade petal on petal, leaf on leaf, I gaze as far as the Southern Sky, But I can’t see the way spring will go by. 清江引 春若有情春更苦， 暗里韶光度。 夕阳山外山， 春水渡傍渡， 不知那答儿是春住处？ Tune: Song of Clear River If spring had a heart, she would feel sadder still To see time fly away, The sun go down from hill to hill, And water flow from rill to rill. But where, where is the place for her to stay? （许渊冲 译）...

殿前欢·冬 薛昂夫 浪淘淘， 看渔翁举网趁春潮， 林间又见樵夫闹。 伐木声高， 比功名客更劳。 虽然道， 他终是心中乐。 知他是渔樵笑我， 我笑渔樵。 Winter To the Tune of Pleasure in Front of Palace Xue Angfu Forward are waves surging, Fishermen cast nets while spring tide is coming, In the woods woodmen are busy working. So loud is the sound of cutting, Harder than politicians of vanity fair they’re toiling, Even so strenuous, Enjoying their life they are vigorous. Whether fishermen and woodmen are laughing at me I wonder, Or I’m laughing at them as they are ridiculous. （周方珠 译）...

libai 古风其十一·黄河走东溟 李白 黄河走东溟，白日落西海。 逝川与流光，飘忽不相待。 春容舍我去，秋发已衰改。 人生非寒松，年貌岂长在。 吾当乘云螭，吸景驻光彩。 The Yellow River Flows East Ancient Wind 11 Li Pai Taking a jade cup, I fill it with good wine; after coming to see you off, we two riding together under the willows, then toasting each other good-bye; you going out over the horizon maybe, and then perhaps crossing the great ocean on out to the Isle of Green; now we drink and part; no use to keep on until we are drunk. （Rewi Alley 译）...

下终南山过斛斯山人宿置酒 libai 李白 暮从碧山下，山月随人归。 却顾所来径，苍苍横翠微。 相携及田家，童稚开荆扉。 绿竹入幽径，青萝拂行衣。 欢言得所憩，美酒聊共挥。 长歌吟松风，曲尽河星稀。 我醉君复乐，陶然共忘机。 Descending Zhongnan Mountain and Meeting Si the Hermit Li Bai At dusk I leave the hills behind, The moon escorts me all the way. Looking back, I see the path wind Across the woods so green and gray. We come to your cot hand in hand, Your lad opens the gate for me. Bamboos along the alley stand And vines caress my cloak with glee. I’m glad to talk and drink good wine Together with my hermit friend. We sing the songs of wind and pine, And stars are set when singings end. I’m drunk and you’re merry and glad: We both forget the world is sad. （杨宪益、戴乃迭 译） Descending from Chungnan Mountain Li Pai At evening I descended from Chungnan Mountain, and it was as if the moon accompanied me; I looked around and up at the track I had come from, seeing just a line of green away up there; friends accompanied me home and at the gate a youngster opened our picket gate; through it we went on a winding path hung over with wisteria that brushed me as I passed, and I said how good a place…...

libai 与夏十二登岳阳楼 李白 楼观岳阳尽，川迥洞庭开。 雁引愁心去，山衔好月来。 云间连下榻，天上接行杯。 醉后凉风起，吹人舞袖回。 Going Up Yoyang Tower with a Friend Li Pai We climbed Yoyang Tower with all the scene around coming into vision; looking up the Great River seeing boats turn and enter the Tungting Lake; geese crying farewell to the river as they flew south; evening falling as if mountain tops put up the moon with their lips; and we in the Yoyang Tower as if with heads amongst the cloud, drinking wine as if the cups came from heaven itself; then having drunk our fill there blew a cold wind filling out our sleeves, it seeming as though we were dancing in time with it. （Rewi Alley 译） Ascending the Tower of Yueyang1 with Xia the Twelfth Li Bai On scenes so vast the Tower feasts our eye; The river stretches into the Lake of South2. Taking away our sorrow, wild geese fly; Green mountains throw the moon up from their mouth. Make of white cloud a comfortable bed, And pass around wine-cups in azure skies. Drunken, let cooling breezes blow and spread Our dancing sleeves which flap like butterflies. In Hunan Province. The Dongting Lake. （许渊冲 译）...

咏怀·其三 阮籍 嘉树下成蹊，东园桃与李。 秋风吹飞藿，零落从此始。 繁华有憔悴，堂上生荆杞。 驱马舍之去，去上西山趾。 一身不自保，何况恋妻子。 凝霜被野草，岁暮亦云已。 Meditations Ruan Ji III There are trodden paths under lovely trees— The peaches and plums in gardens in the east. When bean leaves drift about in autumn breeze. The leaves begin to fall as life has ceased. The pretty blossoms too have had their day; The mighty mansions someday will be still. I’ll ride a horse and soon be on my way To live alone beneath the Western Hill. It’s hard enough to keep me safe and sound And harder still to protect my wife and child. When chilly frost hits grass upon the ground, The year will bring an end to things grown wild. （汪榕培 译） III Under the beautiful trees paths have formed, in the Eastern Garden—peaches, plum trees, bean-leaves flying everywhere, in Autumn wind. But from now on, everything withers and dies. Blossoming flowers will one day shrivel, Thorns and weeds will sprout in the courtyard. Time to mount my horse, to leave it all, and head for the Western Hills: when you can’t be sure of your own security how can you care for your wife and children? Frost thickens the wild grass. The year grows old—there’s no more…...

菩萨蛮·春花春月 纳兰性德 春花春月年年客， 怜春又怕春离别。 只为晓风愁， 催花扑玉钩。 娟娟双蛱蝶， 宛转飞花侧。 花底一声歌， 疼花花奈何。 Buddhist Dancers Nalanshinde Spring flowers under the Spring moon each year Are susceptible for their ephemeral glory. It’s in the doleful dawning breeze That flowers are hied to flap the jade crooks. How graceful are the leaf butterflies in pairs, That are flitting beside the flowers. Though under them, the merry chant goes all gooey, The flowers wilt regardless of any prizes for all the tea. （吴松林 译）...

菩萨蛮 纳兰性德 窗前桃蕊娇如倦， 东风泪洗胭脂面。 人在小红楼， 离情唱《石洲》。 夜来双燕宿， 灯背屏腰绿。 香尽雨阑珊， 薄衾寒不寒？ Buddhist Dancers Nalanshinde Delicate are the peach blossoms before the window, Tears streaming down the rouge face in the easterly wind. The person in the small red floor, Chanting in the most bitter touch of parting sorrow. The couple swallows lodging for the night, Their silhouette becomes dimmed on the mid-screen. The incense burns out in the rain drawing to a close, And in the thin quilt, are you all right? （吴松林 译）...

libai 沐浴子 李白 沐芳莫弹冠，浴兰莫振衣。 处世忌太洁，至人贵藏晖。 沧浪有钓叟，吾与尔同归。 Bathed and Washed Li Po ‘Bathed in fragrance, do not brush your hat; Washed in perfume, do not shake your coat: ‘Knowing the world fears what is too pure, The wisest man prizes and stores light!’ By Bluewater an old angler stat: You and I together, let us go home. （Arthur Cooper 译） Fisherman Friend Li Pai If you have washed your hair in scented water, do not dust your hat; then if you have the fragrance of the baths still on you, do not shake your clothes; no one likes one who is too good; the wise man hides his perfections; hey there, old fisherman friend1, wait for me, I’m coming along with you! 1. The old fisherman is a typical common man. （Rewi Alley 译）...

品画 袁枚 品画先神韵，论诗重性情。 蛟龙生气尽，不若鼠横行。 Talking Art Yuan Mei In painting it’s catching the “spirit” and “essence.” In poems that’s “nature” and “feelings.” An elegant dragon, with its life’s breath gone? Better a rat, with some scurry left in him. （J.P. Seaton 译）...

咏怀·其五 阮籍 平生少年时，轻薄好弦歌。 西游咸阳中，赵李相经过。 娱乐未终极，白日忽蹉跎。 驱马复来归，反顾望三河。 黄金百镒尽，资用常苦多。 北临太行道，失路将如何。 Meditations Ruan Ji V Gone are the days when I was fresh and young; I was indulged in nightly dance and song. When I went west to the capital Xianyang, I teased the pretty maidens all day long. Before I fully tasted all the fun, I found that I had passed my prime of life. Now that a new life for me has begun, I look back at the region full of strife. As I have squandered all my gold, I’m always worrying about my cost. Like the man who takes a mistaken road, What am I to do since I’ve got lost? （汪榕培 译） V I remember when I was young at heart, I paid no heed, singing and playing. Off I went westward to Xianyang, the capital, there to tease the women, flirt with the rich. All this pleasure was still at its height when suddenly, night-time fell. Now I return, on horseback, and gaze across the far reaches of Three Rivers. Hundreds of yi of gold may have been wasted— never mind. We suffer from too much wealth. Before me the road runs away to the north; how can…...

咏怀·其四 阮籍 天马出西北，由来从东道。 春秋非有托，富贵焉长保。 清露被皋兰，凝霜沾野草。 朝为美少年，夕暮成丑老。 自非王子晋，谁能常美好。 IV The heavenly horse comes galloping out of the Northwest, and on it gallops, along the Eastern Road. Spring and Autumn come and go, but tell me— How can fortune be retained? At dawn, the violets shine with dew in the marsh, the frost clusters, saturating the grass. He who is young and handsome in the morning is ugly and old when evening falls. Prince Jin with his flute which sang like a phoenix flew, flew on a crane, to the peak of Immortal Mountain! But I am not him, who is forever beautiful. （吴伏生、Graham Hartill 译）...

误佳期 谈印梅 别后车轮常转， 死后蚕丝难断。 千般懊恼万般娇， 怜尔何曾惯。 爱极转生憎， 聚久何妨散。 明知归信尚难凭， 先把归程算。 Wu jiaqi Tan Yinmei After parting, the carriage wheels roll on forever, Yet after death, the silkworm’s threads are hard to break. A hundred kinds of teasing, a thousand sorts of coyness: Loving you never became mere habit. At its peak, love turns and breeds hate. So long together, who cares if we part? Well aware that news of your return is still unsure, I first count the miles of your journey home. （Grace Fong 译）...

Jia Dao 绝句 贾岛 海底有明月，圆于天上轮。 得之一寸光，可买千里春。 Quatrain Chia Tao At the bottom of the ocean: the moon, bright moon, round as the wheel of the sky. Just get a single hand full of this glory… And you could buy a thousand miles of spring. （J.P. Seaton 译）...

题诗后 贾岛 Jia Dao 二句三年得，一吟双泪流。 知音如不赏，归卧故山秋。 After Finishing a Poem Chia Tao Those two lines cost me three years: I chant them once and get two more, of tears. Friend, if you don’t like them… I’ll go home, and lie down, in the ancient mountain autumn. （J.P. Seaton 译）...

Jia Dao 寄远 贾岛 家住锦水上，身征辽海边。 十书九不到，一到忽经年。 A Letter Sent Chia Tao The family’s living up Brocade Creek, while I’ve struggled off to this distant sea. Of ten letters sent, maybe one gets through, and when it does, it says another year’s gone by. （J.P. Seaton 译）...

Wei Yingwu 寄诸弟 韦应物 岁暮兵戈乱京国，帛书间道访存亡。 还信忽从天上落，唯知彼此泪千行。 To My Cousins Wei Ying-wu Late last year when the capital was being looted I sent letters by back roads to see if you survived your answer has suddenly fallen from the sky all we know of each other are a thousand streams of tears （Red Pine 译）...

Wei Yingwu 子规啼 韦应物 高林滴露夏夜清，南山子规啼一声。 邻家孀妇抱儿泣，我独展转何时明。 The Call of the Cuckoo Wei Ying-wu Dew drips from tall trees on a clear summer night in the hills to the south a cuckoo calls the window next door comforts her child I turn in bed and wait for first light （Red Pine 译）...

Jia Dao 宿山寺 贾岛 众岫耸寒色，精庐向此分。 流星透疏木，走月逆行云。 绝顶人来少，高松鹤不群。 一僧年八十，世事未曾闻。 Overnight at a Mountain Temple Chia Tao Flock of peaks hunched up and colored cold. The path forks here, toward the temple. A falling star flares behind bare trees, and the moon breasts the current of the clouds. Few men come to the very top… One tall pine won’t hold a flock of cranes. One monk here, at eighty, has never heard tell of the “world” down below. （J.P. Seaton 译）...