Two Poems on Mawei Slope                                                  马嵬二首

冀马燕犀动地来，jì mǎ yàn xī dòng dì;de lái，

自埋红粉自成灰。zì mái  hóng fěn zì chéng huī。

君王若道能倾国，jūn wáng ruò dào néng qīng guó，

玉辇何由过马嵬。yù niǎn hé yóu guò mǎ wéi。

 

海外徒闻更九州，hǎi wài tú wén gèng;gēng  jiǔ zhōu，

他生未卜此生休。tā shēng wèi bo;bǔ cǐ shēng xiū。

空闻虎旅传宵柝，kōng wén hǔ lǚ zhuàn;chuán xiāo tuò，

无复鸡人报晓筹。wú fù jī rén  bào xiǎo chóu。

此日六军同驻马，cǐ rì liù jūn tóng;tòng zhù mǎ，

当时七夕笑牵牛。dāng shí;dàng shí  qī xī xiào  qiān niú。

如何四纪为天子，rú hé sì jì wèi;wéi  tiān zǐ，

不及卢家有莫愁。bù jí lú jiā yǒu mò chóu。

 

Poem 1

 

The war horses of Ji and the Rhinos of Yan arrived with a thunderous clash

The lady’s bouquets of rouge and perfume became piles of ash

Had the monarch known such beauty would cause cities and kingdoms to fall

Would his jade carriage ever have crossed to Ma Wei at all? [1]

 

Poem 2

 

Beyond the Outer Seas,  or of the nine divisions of China, one hears

It is peaceful still, even as this Emperor becomes alarmed and cries out

In the emptiness, as the tiger sentries roam and the watchman’s clappers sound

Never again will the ‘chicken men’ of old the morning drums pound

This day the six generals halted each their horses

That seventh night the cowherd and the spinning maiden happily joined forces

How could the Emperor under Heaven rule for four decades

And not have someone like the Lu family’s ‘No Worry’ Maid?

 

 

Xian Station                                                                            思贤顿

内殿张弦管，nèi diàn zhāng xián guǎn，

中原绝鼓鼙。zhōng yuán jué gǔ pí。

舞成青海马，wǔ chéng  qīng hǎi mǎ，

斗杀汝南鸡。dòu shā rǔ nán jī。

不见华胥梦，bù jiàn huā;huá xū mèng，

空闻下蔡迷。kōng wén xià cài mí。

宸襟他日泪，chén jīn  tā rì lèi，

薄暮望贤西。bó mù wàng xián xī。

 

In the Palace the bows and pipes sound

On the plains, the drums stop, then pound and pound

The Blue Sea Horses begin to dance their rill

The Runan Cocks fight to kill

There is no dream of Utopia here

How empty and vain the Xiacha beauties appear

The king’s waistcoat would be soaked with tears for a long duration

As he looked westwards towards Xian Station.

 

 

Farewell to Scholar Man Qian                                                          曼倩辞

 

十八年来堕世间，shí bā nián lái duò  shì jiān，

瑶池归梦碧桃闲。yáo chí guī mèng  bì táo xián;jiàn。

如何汉殿穿针夜，rú hé hàn diàn  chuān zhēn yè，

又向窗中觑阿环。yòu xiàng chuāng zhōng qù ā;ē huán。

 

For 18 years you deigned to live in the Mortal World

You retired to the green peaches and dreams of Yao Pond

When the ritual needles of the Han Temple poke into the night

You head to Ahuan’s chamber to steal a glimpse of her, is that right?

 

 

 

 

The Radiant Spirit                                                                              明神

明神司过岂令冤，míng shén sī guò qǐ lìng yuān，

暗室由来有祸门。àn shì  yóu lái yǒu huò mén。

莫为无人欺一物，mò wèi;wéi  wú rén qī yī wù，

他时须虑石能言。tā shí xū lǜ shí néng yán

 

When the Radiant Spirit judges, can one be wronged?

Misfortune arises when one uses secret ploys

In no case has there not been a deceiver that 

In the end, the Stone declared him cast into the void

 

 

 

 

The Lily Magnolia                                                                                          木兰

二月二十二，èr yuè  èr shí èr，

木兰开坼初。mù lán kāi chè chū。

初当新病酒，chū dāng;dàng xīn bìng jiǔ，

复自久离居。fù zì jiǔ lí;róu jū。

愁绝更倾国，chóu jué gèng;gēng qīng guó，

惊新闻远书。jīng  xīn wén yuǎn shū。

紫丝何日障，zǐ sī hé rì zhàng，

油壁几时车。yóu bì  jǐ shí chē。

弄粉知伤重，nòng;lòng fěn zhī shāng zhòng;chóng，

调红或有馀。diào hóng huò yǒu yú。

波痕空映袜，bō hén kōng yìng wà，

烟态不胜裾。yān tài  bù shèng jū。

桂岭含芳远，guì lǐng hán fāng yuǎn，

莲塘属意疏。lián táng  zhǔ yì shū。

瑶姬与神女，yáo jī yǔ  shén nǚ，

长短定何如。cháng duǎn dìng  hé rú。

 

On the 22nd day of the 2nd month

The lily magnolia opens with a blast

For the first time, I was sick with drinking wine

Home was already a thing of the past

Before my troubles, how charming was your face

Although the letter was a surprise, reminding me of that old place

How does the sun produce your purple silk shields

That often into walls and under carts recklessly press?

Your inner whiteness knows how to shatter the strong

Although your lips are carmine, it seems in excess.

Surging waves shimmer over the empty nets

Your misty presence overpowers your gown

The scent of cassia fills ridges far and wide

One must notice the lotus banks further down

Before me Maid Yao and the Goddess lie

Who knows which is the greater prize?

 

 

The Magnolia                                                                                     木兰花

洞庭波冷晓侵云，dòng tíng bō lěng xiǎo qīn yún，

日日征帆送远人。rì rì zhēng fān sòng  yuǎn rén。

几度木兰舟上望，jǐ;jī dù  mù lán zhōu shàng wàng，

不知元是此花身。bù zhī yuán shì cǐ huā shēn。

 

Dongting’s cold waters press the dawn clouds

Day after day, ships bear strangers above their oars

So often, from magnolia wood boats they peer

Little do they know these once were flowers so dear.

 

 

 

When I Took A Lonely Stroll By The Winding River One Autumn Evening 暮秋独游曲江

荷叶生时春恨生，hé yè shēng shí chūn hèn shēng，

荷叶枯时秋恨成。hé yè kū shí qiū hèn chéng。

深知身在情长在，shēn zhī shēn zài qíng cháng;zhǎng zài，

怅望江头江水声。chàng wàng jiāng tóu jiāng shuǐ shēng。

 

When the lotus leaves appeared, my spring sadness grew

By the time they withered, the autumn melancholy was full and true

From deep within, feelings will appear as long as I am around

Sadly, I look out where the river begins, where the water sounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lyric Thoughts On The Nanton Pavilion’s Evening Beauty, After My Illness 南潭上亭宴集以疾后至因而抒情

 

马卿聊应召，mǎ qīng liáo  yìng zhào，

谢傅已登山。xiè fù yǐ  dēng shān。

歌发百花外，gē fā;fà bǎi huā wài，

乐调深竹间。lè;yuè diào shēn zhú jiān;jiàn;xiàn。

鹢舟萦远岸，yì zhōu yíng yuǎn àn，

鱼钥启重关。yú yào qǐ zhòng;chóng guān。

莺蝶如相引，yīng dié rú xiàng;xiāng yǐn，

烟萝不暇攀。yān luó  bù xiá pān。

佳人启玉齿，jiā rén qǐ yù chǐ，

上客颔朱颜。shàng kè hàn zhū yán。

肯念沉痾士，kěn niàn chén ē shì，

俱期倒载还。jù;jū qī dào;dǎo zài hái;huán

 

Miss Maqing gently calls out

Thanking the teacher who has already climbed the mountain

Singing songs while a hundred flowers bloom

Joy spreads through the thick bamboo thicket

Boats and fishhawks coil together far from the banks

Fish rush the locks again and again

Orioles and butterflies draw together

Smoke resolutely climbs up the vines

The beauty reveals her jade teeth

Gently dips her lovely jade fan before her guest

May you think of this sick invalid

While he still has the time to be drunk.

 

 

 

Seventh Evening                                                        七夕·鸾扇斜分凤

 

鸾扇斜分凤幄开，luán shàn;shān xié fēn fèng wò kāi，

星桥横过鹊飞回。xīng qiáo  héng guò què fēi huí。

争将世上无期别，zhēng jiāng;jiàng  shì shàng wú qī biè;bié，

换得年年一度来。huàn dé;děi;de  nián nián  yī dù lái。

 

The luan fan discreetly tilts, the phoenix screen opens

Among the stars a bridge of magpies finally flying home

Parted by the strife between heaven and earth, forever,

Would that I could see you too in a year! [2]

 

 

 

 

At A Farewell Banquet, Delivered While Traveling From Shu Across Ziuzhou

饯席重送从叔余之梓州

 

莫叹万重山，mò tàn wàn zhòng;chóng shān，

君还我未还。jūn hái;huán wǒ wèi hái;huán。

武关犹怅望，wǔ guān yóu chàng wàng，

何况百牢关。hé kuàng bǎi láo guān。

 

Ten thousand mountains crossed without a sigh

The gentlemen no longer pay attention, nor they I

At Wu Pass, homesick I gaze outwards

But not as much as at at Bailao Pass.

 

 

 

 

 

At A Farewell Banquet, Delivered While Traveling From Shu Across Zizhou 饯席重送从叔余之梓州

 

莫叹万重山，mò tàn wàn zhòng;chóng shān，

君还我未还。jūn hái;huán wǒ wèi hái;huán。

武关犹怅望，wǔ guān yóu chàng wàng，

何况百牢关。hé kuàng bǎi láo guān。

 

 

Ten thousand mountains crossed without a sigh

The gentlemen no longer mention me, nor they I

At Wu Pass, homesick I gaze outwards

But not as much as at at Bailao Pass.

 

 

 

 

Requesting Leave To Return To The Capital From Governer Hong Nongwei Of Xianzhou任弘农尉献州刺史乞假还京

 

黄昏封印点刑徒，huáng hūn  fēng yìn diǎn xíng tú，

愧负荆山入座隅。kuì  fù jīng shān rù zuò yú。

却羡卞和双刖足，què xiàn biàn hé shuāng yuè zú，

一生无复没阶趋。yī shēng wú fù méi;mò jiē qū。

 

At sunset I guard the seal and check that things official are on track

The beauty of Jingshan mountain shames me, as I perform these tasks

How I admire the crippled Bianhe who, on his two severed limbs,

Never tired to climb its steps, as long as there was life in him.

 

 

 

 

 

At Floating Mug Pavilion On The 10th Day Of The 3rd Month三月十日流杯亭

 

身属中军少得归，shēn shǔ  zhōng jūn shǎo;shào dé;děi;de guī，

木兰花尽失春期。mù  lán huā jìn;jǐn shī chūn qī。

偷随柳絮到城外，tōu suí  liǔ xù dào chéng wài，

行过水西闻子规。xíng;háng;xìng guò shuǐ xī wén  zǐ guī。

 

In the army one rarely returns home

Lily magnolias quickly lose their spring bloom[3]

The willow catkins stealthily drift towards the City’s outer walls

As I walk the western shores, I hear the cuckoo call!

 

 

 

 

Youth                                                                                           少年

 

外戚平羌第一功，wài qī píng qiāng  dì yī gōng，

生年二十有重封。shēng nián  èr shí  yǒu zhòng fēng。

直登宣室螭头上，zhí dēng xuān shì chī tóu shàng，

横过甘泉豹尾中。héng guò  gān quán bào wěi zhōng。

别馆觉来云雨梦，bié guǎn jué;jiào lái  yún yǔ mèng，

后门归去蕙兰丛。hòu mén  guī qù  huì lán cóng。

灞陵夜猎随田窦，bà líng yè liè suí tián dòu，

不识寒郊自转蓬。bù shí hán jiāo  zì zhuǎi péng。

 

Your family’s first achievement was the suppression of the Qiang

You were offered your second title at twenty, so you didn’t wait long

You would climb the chi dragons on the palace rails

In sweet spring you acted reckless and crazy with the leopard’s tail

In the mansion you drank dreamy ‘cloud and rain’ wine

Behind the gates you would return to the orchids to recline

Hunting as far as Baling at night, you wouldn’t even give the moles a pass

Not knowing how cold and abandoned I lay in the shifting grass.

 

 

 

 

 

Spearing The Fish Song                                               射鱼曲

 

思牢弩箭磨青石，sī láo  nǔ jiàn mò;mó  qīng shí，

绣额蛮渠三虎力。xiù é mán qú sān hǔ lì。

寻潮背日伺泅鳞，xún cháo bèi;bēi rì cì qiú lín，

贝阙夜移鲸失色。bèi quē;què yè yí jīng  shī sè。

纤纤粉簳馨香饵，xiān xiān fěn gǎn xīn xiāng ěr，

绿鸭回塘养龙水。lǜ yā huí táng yǎng lóng shuǐ。

含冰汉语远于天，hán bīng  hàn yǔ yuǎn yú tiān，

何由回作金盘死。hé yóu huí zuò jīn pán sǐ。

 

A ‘Silao’ bamboo crossbow over bleached stones

A Manzu fisherman,  forehead tattood with flowers, fierce as 3 tigers

The Sun behind him, he scans the lake for bright fish scales

Startled, they swim to the cowrie towers

Tempted by fragrant cakes on slender bamboo sticks

Green headed mallards, even swifter, swoop down to the pond

Covered with ice, sent to a Capitol that speaks a different language

Must they end up dead on golden platters?

 

 

 

 

The Lost Ape                                                                              失猿

 

祝融南去万重云，zhù róng nán qù wàn zhòng;chóng yún，

清啸无因更一闻。qīng xiào wú yīn gèng;gēng yī wén。

莫遣碧江通箭道，mò qiǎn bì jiāng tōng jiàn dào，

不教肠断忆同群。bù jiào;jiāo  cháng duàn yì tóng;tòng qún。

 

Ten thousand clouds drift south with you, honored friends

In the stillness, not a sound can be heard

The path of your departure is straight as an arrow, through the Blue Jiang

I cannot bear the memories of the times we shared!

 

 

 

 

Viewing the Plum Blossoms on the border of Fufeng County in the middle of the 11th Month十一月中旬至扶风界见梅花

 

匝路亭亭艳，zā lù  tíng tíng yàn，

非时裛裛香。fēi shí yì yì xiāng。

素娥惟与月，sù é wéi yǔ yuè，

青女不饶霜。qīng nǚ  bù ráo shuāng。

赠远虚盈手，zèng yuǎn xū yíng shǒu，

伤离适断肠。shāng lí;róu shì  duàn cháng。

为谁成早秀，wèi;wéi shuí chéng zǎo xiù，

不待作年芳。bù dài zuò nián fāng。

 

Around the road your gorgeous blossoms climb

Your scent spreads, even now when it is not your time

On the moon only Chang’E is to be seen

Much frost has deserted even the Ice Queen

You’re too far for me to offer these blossoms that fill my hands

The pain of leaving matches my heart’s bitter pangs

For whom did you reveal yourself so soon?

Forget about being a seasonal bloom

 

 

 

Leisurely Thoughts On Ancient Stories About Water And The Sky水天闲话旧事

 

月姊曾逢下彩蟾，yuè zǐ céng;zēng féng xià cǎi chán，

倾城消息隔重帘。qīng chéng  xiāo xī gé zhòng;chóng lián。

已闻佩响知腰细，yǐ wén pèi xiǎng zhī yāo xì，

更辨弦声觉指纤。gèng;gēng biàn  xián shēng jué;jiào zhǐ xiān;qiàn。

暮雨自归山峭峭，mù yǔ zì  guī shān qiào qiào，

秋河不动夜厌厌。qiū hé  bù dòng yè yàn yàn。

王昌且在墙东住，wáng chāng qiě zài qiáng dōng zhù，

未必金堂得免嫌。wèi bì jīn táng dé;děi;de miǎn xián。

 

Once, how the Moon’s sister would flirt with the magic toad

Behind heavy curtains, a woman planned her wily road

It seems the Phoenix has already grasped her lithesome waist

The lyre ravishes her with its brash, seductive strains

Over lofty peaks the dusk showers return

The Milky Way is still, as the night turns

At East Wall, King Jin has yet to meet

In the Golden Hall, how will one thus avoid ill-will?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts Of Returning                                                       思归

 

固有楼堪倚，gù yǒu lóu kān yǐ，

能无酒可倾。néng wú jiǔ kě qīng。

岭云春沮洳，lǐng yún chūn jǔ rù，

江月夜晴明。jiāng yuè yè  qíng míng。

鱼乱书何托，yú luàn shū hé tuō，

猿哀梦易惊。yuán āi;yǐ mèng yì jīng。

旧居连上苑，jiù jū lián shàng yuàn，

时节正迁莺。shí jié zhèng;zhēng qiān yīng。

 

Even though the tower has tilted

Has the wine been affected?

At night the moon in the clear river appears

High ridges are moist with summer tears

I reach for my books, like fish floundering they seem

I am easily startled by the screams of apes, when I dream.

The old house lies close to Scholars Park

Come New Year this oriole must depart!

 

 

 

About The 4th Year When I Returned To My Home At Yongle In Puzhou, Taken With The Desire For The Farming Life, I Remembered The Snow And Wrote 100 Verses On The Eve Of Winter, Then Sent A Passionate Letter About This Old Journey.四年冬以退居蒲之永乐，渴然有农夫望岁之志，遂作忆雪，又作残雪诗各一百言，以寄情于游旧

 

 

忆雪                yì xuě

 

爱景人方乐，ài jǐng rén fāng lè;yuè，

同雪候稍愆。tóng;tòng xuě hòu shāo qiān。
徒闻周雅什，tú wén zhōu  yǎ shí，

愿赋朔风篇。yuàn fù  shuò fēng piān。
欲俟千箱庆，yù sì qiān xiāng qìng，

须资六出妍。xū zī  liù chū yán。
咏留飞絮后，yǒng liú  fēi xù hòu，

歌唱落梅前。gē chàng luò;lào;là méi qián。
庭树思琼蕊，tíng shù sī qióng ruǐ，

妆楼认粉绵。zhuāng lóu rèn fěn mián。
瑞邀盈尺日，ruì yāo yíng chǐ;chě rì，

丰待两岐年。fēng dāi liǎng qí nián。
预约延枚酒，yù yuē yán méi jiǔ，

虚乘访戴船。xū chéng;shèng fǎng dài chuán。
映书孤志业，yìng shū gū zhì yè，

披氅阻神仙。pī chǎng zǔ  shén xiān。
几向霜阶步，jǐ;jī xiàng shuāng jiē bù，

频将月幌褰。pín jiāng;jiàng yuè huǎng qiān。
玉京应已足，yù jīng yīng;yìng yǐ zú，

白屋但颙然。bái wū dàn yóng rán。
残雪                cán xuě

 

旭日开晴色，xù rì  kāi qíng sè，

寒空失素尘。hán kōng shī sù chén。

绕墙全剥粉，rào qiáng quán bāo fěn，

傍井渐消银。bàng jǐng jiàn;jiān xiāo yín。

刻兽摧盐虎，kè shòu cuī yán hǔ，

为山倒玉人。wèi;wéi shān dào;dǎo yù rén。

珠还犹照魏，zhū huán yóu zhào wèi，

璧碎尚留秦。bì suì shàng liú qín。

落日惊侵昼，luò rì jīng qīn zhòu，

馀光误惜春。yú guāng wù xī chūn。

檐冰滴鹅管，yán bīng dī é guǎn，

屋瓦镂鱼鳞。wū wǎ lòu  yú lín。

岭霁岚光坼，lǐng jì lán guāng chè，

松暄翠粒新。sōng xuān cuì lì xīn。

拥林愁拂尽，yōng lín chóu fú jìn;jǐn，

著砌恐行频。zhù;zhuó;zhāo qì kǒng xíng;háng;xìng pín。

焦寝忻无患，xī;jiāo qǐn xīn  wú huàn，

梁园去有因。liáng yuán qù yǒu yīn。

莫能知帝力，mò néng zhī dì lì，

空此荷平均。kōng cǐ hè;hé  píng jūn。

 

Remembering the Snow

 

This lover of winter scenes is joyous

The sky changes as reddish clouds hover

Walking here brings to mind Zhou Ya’s words of the past

When he compared the snow to the north’s cold wintry blasts

As if preparing a harvest of baskets in the thousands

Snowflakes must have 6 faces all around

After the catkins have flown a sound remains

The song of the falling plums has its refrain

Jade stamens cover so many houses and trees

On the consubine’s tower brocades stream, hang free

Auspicious, the field is one chi deep

Ina  year when the maize stalks two ears keep

The Mei wine extends our time together, we note

How the King’s Son hosted Master Dai on his boat[4]

One can earnestly study by the light of the snow

The cloak covers one like an immortal in tow

Frost creeps up the steps one by one

Upwards to the moon, past drapes and curtains.

Snow must already have covered the Capitol

Here I look up from the white hatch houses and wish it would fall!

 

Fading Snow

 

With the rising sun, colors brighten

A cold sky, dusty white, lightens

Around walls, snow falls away

Falling, melting, a silver wetness lays

Against beastly figures, a salt tiger rushes

Onto jade women, the mountain crushes

Pearly forms still shine on the Kingdom of Wei

Broken jade is still enjoyed, as in Qin’s day

The setting sun, startled by an invasive light

Remains, welcoming spring too early, yet so bright

Melting ice drips, like a goose’s neck

Fish scales engraved on tiles, cover the house’s deck

After rain, on misty heights, the light peaks through

Warming jade poplars, green shoots growing too.

Wrapped, the trees frown each time the branches take a lick

Scary, step after step, on layers of bricks

Healthy still is half naked Master Jiao

Leaving Liang Garden makes sense now

The power of a King is beyond me, I know

But on empty spaces it falls equally, this snow.

 

 

 

 

Fifty Verses Offered To General Li Of The 1000 Bull Knife Group On His Departure To Que送千牛李将军赴阙五十韵

 

照席琼枝秀，zhào xí qióng zhī xiù，

当年紫绶荣。dāng nián zǐ shòu róng。

班资古直阁，bān zī gǔ zhí dū;gé，

勋伐旧西京。xūn fá jiù xī jīng。

在昔王纲紊，zài xī wáng gāng wèn，

因谁国步清。yīn shuí  guó bù qīng。

如无一战霸，rú wú yī zhàn bà，

安有大横庚。ān yǒu dà héng;hèng gēng。

内竖依凭切，nèi shù  yī píng qiè;qiē，

凶门责望轻。xiōng mén zé wàng qīng。

中台终恶直，zhōng tái zhōng è;wù;ě zhí，

上将更要盟。shàng jiàng gèng;gēng yào;yāo méng。

丹陛祥烟灭，dān bì xiáng yān miè，

皇闱杀气横。huáng wéi  shā qì héng;hèng。

喧阗众狙怒，xuān tián zhòng jū nù，

容易八蛮惊。róng yì bā mán jīng。

梼杌宽之久，chóu;táo;dào wù kuān zhī jiǔ，

防风戮不行。fáng fēng lù  bù xíng。

素来矜异类，sù lái jīn  yì lèi，

此去岂亲征。cǐ qù qǐ  qīn zhēng。

舍鲁真非策，shè;shě lǔ zhēn fēi cè，

居邠未有名。jū bīn wèi  yǒu míng。

曾无力牧御，céng;zēng  wú lì mù yù，

宁待雨师迎。nìng;níng dāi yǔ shī yíng。

火箭侵乘石，huǒ jiàn qīn chéng;shèng shí，

云桥逼禁营。yún qiáo bī jìn;jīn yíng。

何时绝刁斗，hé shí jué  diāo dǒu，

不夜见欃枪。bù yè jiàn;xiàn chán qiāng。

屡亦闻投鼠，lǚ yì wén tóu shǔ，

谁其敢射鲸。shuí qí gǎn shè jīng。

世情休念乱，shì qíng xiū niàn luàn，

物议笑轻生。wù yì xiào  qīng shēng。

大卤思龙跃，dà lǔ sī lóng yuè，

苍梧失象耕。cāng wú shī xiàng gēng。

灵衣沾愧汗，líng yì;yī zhān  kuì hàn，

仪马困阴兵。yí mǎ kùn yīn bīng。

别馆兰薰酷，bié guǎn lán xūn kù，

深宫蜡焰明。shēn gōng là yàn míng。

黄山遮舞态，huáng shān zhē wǔ tài，

黑水断歌声。hēi shuǐ duàn  gē shēng。

纵未移周鼎，zòng;zōng wèi yí zhōu dǐng，

何辞免赵坑。hé cí miǎn zhào kēng。

空拳转斗地，kōng quán zhuǎi dòu;dǒu dì;de，

数板不沈城。shǔ;shù;shuò bǎn bù shěn;chén chéng。

且欲凭神算，qiě yù píng  shén suàn，

无因计力争。wú yīn jì  lì zhēng。

幽囚苏武节，yōu qiú sū wǔ jié，

弃市仲由缨。qì shì zhòng yóu yīng。

下殿言终验，xià diàn yán zhōng yàn，

增埤事早萌。zēng pí shì zǎo méng。

蒸鸡殊减膳，zhēng jī shū jiǎn shàn，

屑麹异和羹。xiè qū yì hé gēng。

否极时还泰，fǒu;pǐ jí shí hái;huán tài，

屯余运果亨。tún;zhūn yú yùn guǒ hēng。

流离几南渡，liú lí jǐ;jī nán dù，

仓卒得西平。cāng zú dé;děi;de xī píng。

神鬼收昏黑，shén guǐ shōu  hūn hēi，

奸凶首满盈。jiān xiōng shǒu  mǎn yíng。

官非督护贵，guān fēi dū hù guì，

师以丈人贞。shī yǐ zhàng rén zhēn。

覆载还高下，fù zài hái;huán  gāo xià，

寒暄急改更。hán xuān jí gǎi gèng;gēng。

马前烹莽卓，mǎ qián pēng mǎng zhuō，

坛上揖韩彭。tán shàng yī hán péng;bāng。

扈跸三才正，hù bì sān cái zhèng;zhēng，

回军六合晴。huí jūn  liù hé qíng。

此时惟短剑，cǐ shí wéi  duǎn jiàn，

仍世尽双旌。réng shì jìn;jǐn shuāng jīng。

顾我由群从，gù wǒ yóu qún cóng;zòng;cōng，

逢君叹老成。féng jūn tàn  lǎo chéng 。

庆流归嫡长，qìng liú guī dí cháng;zhǎng，

贻厥在名卿。yí jué zài míng qīng。

隼击须当要，sǔn jī xū dāng;dàng yào;yāo，

鹏抟莫问程。péng tuán mò wèn chéng。

趋朝排玉座，qū cháo;zhāo pái yù zuò，

出位泣金茎。chū wèi qì jīn jīng。

幸藉梁园赋，xìng jiè;jí liáng yuán fù，

叨蒙许氏评。dāo méng;mēng;měng xǔ shì píng。

中郎推贵婿，zhōng láng tuī guì xù，

定远重时英。dìng yuǎn zhòng;chóng shí yīng。

政已标三尚，zhèng yǐ biāo sān shàng，

人今伫一鸣。rén jīn zhù yī míng。

长刀悬月魄，cháng;zhǎng dāo xuán yuè pò，

快马骇星精。kuài mǎ hài xīng jīng。

披豁惭深眷，pī huò;huá cán shēn juàn，

睽离动素诚。kuí lí;róu dòng sù chéng。

蕙留春晼晚，huì liú chūn wǎn wǎn，

松待岁峥嵘。sōng dāi suì  zhēng róng。

异县期回雁，yì xiàn qī huí yàn，

登时已饭鲭。dēng shí yǐ fàn qīng。

去程风刺刺，qù chéng fēng cì cì，

别夜漏丁丁。biè;bié yè lòu  zhēng zhēng。

庾信生多感，yǔ xìn shēng duō gǎn，

杨朱死有情。yáng zhū sǐ  yǒu qíng。

弦危中妇瑟，xián wēi zhōng fù sè，

甲冷想夫筝。jiǎ lěng xiǎng fū zhēng。

会与秦楼凤，huì;kuài yǔ qín lóu fèng，

俱听汉苑莺。jù;jū tīng hàn yuàn yīng。

洛川迷曲沼，luò chuān mí qū zhǎo，

烟月两心倾。yān yuè liǎng xīn qīng。

 

At the brilliant banquet your visage is bright as jade branches

In your prime, you were honored with the purple sash

You were directly raised to the high ranks

As meritorious as your grandfather’s service to the Western Capitol in days past

In those days the court was in turmoil

And who would lead the country with a clear eye?

If there were not one battle and a tyrant

Would switching the turtle’s great wrinkled shell have brought peace by and by?

The emperor relied closely on the straight backed eunuchs

Marching out of ‘death gate’ was a responsibility of which the king made light

Finally, when the middle court hated the straight talk

The great generals had to form alliances left and right

Auspicious, the mist dispersed over the vermillion steps

The mood in the palace was sombre and of death

All the court apes clamored with rage

He of the Eight Luan Hall drew a quick breath

The rapacious wolf held broad sway for long

He resisted the winds of change with murder

As foreign barbarians would have been treated,

With a personal expedition, the emperor should have gone further!

The Exile of Lu truly had no strategy,

The jeweled home was no longer a place of welcome

The shepherd had no will to drive the sheep

All would rather to the rain god succumb?

The fire arrows pierce the stone steps

The scaling ramparts press the palace walls

When will the bells of war be silent?

The comet is seen before night falls!

People dismissed the ruckus

For who would dare to shoot the whale?

The world rested any thoughts of chaos

Clearly they scoffed at victories as tall tales

The leaping dragon pondered raising forces at Dalu

The ploughing elephant was lost in Cangwu

The priest’s raiments were soaked with sweat of shame

To defend the tomb terracotta horses couldn’t be blamed

Leaving the palace the scent of magnolias was bitter

Candle flames shone from deep inside

Dances were hidden behind the yellow mountain’s side

Black water interrupted the sound of songs

The Ding of Zhou moved from north to south

How was one’s departure to avoid the fate of Zhaokung’s?

With bare hands soldiers turned to resist the siege

Walls many ban high could not suppress the city’s needs

One wants to rely on magical prophesies

With no reason to plan for the sword

How strange that noble Suwu was captured

As when Zhong and You became martyred lords

Below the temple, words finally turned to the clash of blades

The parapets of Shenyang started to bloom

Even the king had no chicken to eat in the famine

Recall stories of slaughter, cannibalism and the imperial kitchen’s empty room

From great extremities fortune eventually turns

Excessive Hardship results in good fortune and kind deeds

Wandering south time and time again

Quickly, General Western Peace his army leads

The spirits answered the darkness with light

The predators at first came out in force

Official Fei organized the protection of the city

In prayer, priests raised their hands to support the fight

What the sky covers,  all the  land bears

So in one year how much all had changed

The ‘foul grasses’ were boiled before the horses

Han and Peng bowed, their execution thus arranged

The three imperial carriage returned in procession

One turns one’s head to see soldiers north, south, east, west, up and down

Then one’s skill was only with the short sword

Your family’s double banner was hoisted by all around

Happily I was graced with the companionship

Of a noble whose sighs showed a mind practical and wise

Your eminence was carried across generations through the true first wife

Finally to grandsons who were ministers highly prized

It was your duty to attack and defend

You didn’t plan for the great role you met

You entered the court by grace of the jade throne

You would bear the golden quill as you left

Auspicious was my Liang garden fu

Unworthy of Father in law She’s praise

He recommended your ‘esteemed’ brother in law

Of you, again Dingyuan had good things to say

The government has already tossed aside the preferences of the Tricameral court

Today one upright man amazes with his sparkle

The long sword hangs below the moonlight

Among the stars the heavenly horses are startled

Your openness shames those who depend only on their families

From your honest path you refuse to stray

The orchid remains as spring’s sun sets

The poplar on the cliff is in its prime and still holds sway

When the wild geese delivers from a strange place your reply

The mackerel will already be prepared and cooked

When you go forth the wind whistles and whistles

The night you leave the water clock drips and drips

Master Yuxin had so much passion

Yang Zhu’s death held great meaning

The rebellious harmonies among the strains of the wife’s se,

With the husband’s zither  of the indifferent heavens matching

Before you meet with the Qin mansion Luan

You must first listen to the Han garden oriole

How bewitching is Luochuan’s winding pond

Our hearts lean into each other beneath the moon’s cloudy soul.

 

 

 

Two Poems To My Exalted Master                                    送臻师二首

 

【其一】

昔去灵山非拂席，xī qù líng shān fēi fú xí，

今来沧海欲求珠。jīn lái  cāng hǎi  yù qiú zhū。

楞伽顶上清凉地，léng qié;jiā;gā dǐng shàng  qīng liáng dì;de，

善眼仙人忆我无。shàn yǎn  xiān rén yì wǒ wú。

 

【其二】

苦海迷途去未因，kǔ hǎi  mí tú qù wèi yīn，

东方过此几微尘。dōng fāng guò cǐ  jī wēi chén。

何当百亿莲花上，hé dāng;dàng bǎi yì  lián huā shàng，

一一莲花见佛身。yī yī  lián huā jiàn;xiàn fú;fó shēn。

 

1st Poem

 

Lost in a sea of sorrow for no reason

How many lives are spent before the West wind comes

Passing over how many billions of lotus flowers

Each flower, one by one, a fulfilled life?

 

2nd Poem

 

On days past, at Vulture Mountain, there were no welcome mats

Today, on the dark green sea, how I seek the vermillion cloak

On Sila’s peak all is cool and at peace

Does the goddess’s kind eyes remember me still?

 

 

Visiting Lingjia Temple                                                          游灵伽寺

 

碧烟秋寺泛湖来，bì yān qiū sì fàn hú lái，

水打城根古堞摧。shuǐ dǎ;dá  chéng gēn gǔ dié cuī。

尽日伤心人不见，jìn;jǐn rì  shāng xīn rén  bù jiàn，

石榴花满旧琴台。shí liú huā mǎn jiù qín tái。
In autumn, at the evening tide, misty clouds appear at the temple

Water dashes against the ancient city’s toothy walls

Throughout the day,how sad it is no one sees you

Pomegranates, flowers, zithers lie scattered on the stage.

 

 

 

Wu Palace                                                                                          隋宫

 

乘兴南游不戒严，chéng xìng nán yóu bù  jiè yán，

九重谁省谏书函。jiǔ zhòng;chóng shuí shěng;xǐng  jiàn shū hán。

春风举国裁宫锦，chūn fēng  jǔ guó cái gōng jǐn，

半作障泥半作帆。bàn zuò zhàng ní bàn zuò fān。

 

Dragons gambol in the murky depths of the Water Palace

The gates are shut, sounds muted within

King Wu’s banquet fills the halls with drunken revelry

At sunset, flowers drift from the city walls.

 

 

 

Given To Official Cui Jue While On The Way To Xichuan送崔珏往西川

 

年少因何有旅愁，nián shào  yīn hé yǒu lǚ chóu，

欲为东下更西游。yù wèi;wéi dōng xià gèng;gēng xī yóu。

一条雪浪吼巫峡，yī tiáo xuě làng hǒu wū xiá，

千里火云烧益州。qiān lǐ huǒ yún shāo yì zhōu。

卜肆至今多寂寞，bo;bǔ sì  zhì jīn duō  jì mò，

酒垆从古擅风流。jiǔ lú cóng;zòng;cōng gǔ shàn  fēng liú。

浣花笺纸桃花色，huàn huā lán;jiān zhǐ  táo huā sè，

好好题诗咏玉钩。hǎo hāo tí shī yǒng yù gōu。

 

In youth, how is it one worried about traveling on the road

Preferring East, instead settled for a Western route

Roaring waves and snow buffet Xi Xia Gorge

Thousands of burning summer clouds seem to light up Yi Zhou

The astrologer’s tents, so many, so alone

Replaced by wine stands for those who meander and roam

I use Xue Tao paper with peaches and flowers

Writing songs of jade wine ladles – of these one never tires

 

 

 

 

 

At Home                                                                                            所居

 

窗下寻书细，chuāng xià xún shū xì，

溪边坐石平。qī biān zuò shí píng。

水风醒酒病，shuǐ fēng  xǐng jiǔ bìng，

霜日曝衣轻。shuāng rì pù yì;yī qīng。

鸡黍随人设，jī shǔ suí rén shè，

蒲鱼得地生。pú yú dé;děi;de dì;de shēng。

前贤无不谓，qián xián  wú bù wèi，

容易即遗名。róng yì jí yí míng。

 

Under the drapes, one pores over the Classics

Over smooth stones, water from the little stream passes

The wind’s gentle caress wakes me from a drunken sleep

My clothes quickly dry in the Autumn air

Chicken and millet soup are prepared

The land abounds  with Puzhou fish

Former worthies have their reasons,

Even if they lose their names.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inscription To Li Shangmao                                    题李上谟壁

 

旧著思玄赋，jiù zhù;zhuó;zhāo sī xuán fù，

新编杂拟诗。xīn biān zá nǐ shī。

江庭犹近别，jiāng tíng yóu jìn biè;bié，

山舍得幽期。shān  shě de yōu qī。

嫩割周颙韭，nèn gē zhōu yóng jiǔ，

肥烹鲍照葵。féi pēng bào zhào kuí。

饱闻南烛酒，bǎo wén nán zhú jiǔ，

仍及拨醅时。réng jí bō pēi shí。

 

In past times, you steeped yourself in the mystics

Your works were written in the classic style

Here are a few parting words at River Pavilion

May we secretly meet at Shanshe

Zhouyang chopped the tender chives

Baozhao boiled plump sunflowers[5]

Now I am filled with Nanzhu wine

And still am thirsting for moonshine beer!

 

 

 

Paying A Visit With Official Cui To Monk Rong Of Yao Mountain同崔八诣药山访融禅师

 

共受征南不次恩，gòng shòu zhēng nán bù cì ēn，

报恩惟是有忘言。bào ēn wéi shì yǒu wàng yán。

岩花涧草西林路，yán huā jiàn cǎo xī lín lù，

未见高僧只见猿。wèi jiàn;xiàn  gāo sēng zhī;zhǐ jiàn;xiàn yuán。

 

Official Zhang has not begrudged us his kindness

So how we can repay by forgetting to say a word?

Flowers on the peaks, grass in the ravines line the West Wood Road

Yet of the animals or monks, not one glimpse unfolds.

 

 

Master Wei Chan                                                                            韦蟾

 

谢家离别正凄凉，xiè jiā  lí bié zhèng;zhēng  qī liáng，

少傅临岐赌佩囊。shǎo;shào fù lín qí dǔ  pèi náng。

却忆短亭回首处，què yì  duǎn tíng  huí shǒu chù;chǔ，

夜来烟雨满池塘。yè lái  yān yǔ mǎn  chí táng。

 

Leaving Mr Grateful’s home is so distressing

The young master would have bet his sachet

Leaving, towards the little pavilion I look back

Night is here, a fine mist settles over the riverbank

 

 

 

 

Wang Zhaojun                                                                         王昭君

 

毛延寿画欲通神，máo  yán shòu huà yù tōng shén，

忍为黄金不顾人。rěn wèi;wéi  huáng jīn  bù gù rén。

马上琵琶行万里，mǎ shàng  pí pa xíng wàn lǐ，

汉宫长有隔生春。hàn gōng cháng;zhǎng yǒu gé shēng chūn。

 

Mao Yanshou’s painted to be immortal

Yet, for the sake of gold, wronged a woman[6]

For ten thousand miles she rode, as the pipa consoled her

To the Han Palace, and the Barbarian King who so long sought her

 

 

 

 

The Broken Mirror                                                                                        破镜

 

玉匣清光不复持，yù xiá qīng guāng bù fù chí，

菱花散乱月轮亏。líng huā  sǎn luàn  yuè lún kuī。

秦台一照山鸡后，qín tái yī zhào shān jī hòu，

便是孤鸾罢舞时。biàn;pián shì gū luán bà;ba wǔ shí

 

The dazzle from the mirror box is now in the past

Broken, a bronze lily frame. a moon’s wheel is lost

After the Mountain Rooster basked in your glow[7]

The phoenix had to dance alone, it shows.

 

 

 

A Poem About The Northern Ji Song ‘Singing Of No Worries Leads to Worries’无愁果有愁曲北齐歌

东有青龙西白虎，dōng yǒu  qīng lóng xī bái hǔ，

中含福星包世度。zhōng hán  fú xīng bāo shì dù。

玉壶渭水笑清潭，yù hú wèi shuǐ xiào qīng tán;dǎn，

凿天不到牵牛处。záo tiān  bù dào  qiān niú chù;chǔ。

骐驎踏云天马狞，qí lín tà  yún tiān mǎ níng，

牛山撼碎珊瑚声。niú shān hàn suì  shān hú shēng。

秋娥点滴不成泪，qiū é  diǎn dī  bù chéng  lèi，

十二玉楼无故钉。shí èr yù lóu  wú gù dīng。

推烟唾月抛千里，tuī yān tuò yuè pāo  qiān lǐ，

十番红桐一行死。shí fān hóng tóng  yī xíng sǐ。

白杨别屋鬼迷人，bái yáng biè;bié wū guǐ  mí rén，

空留暗记如蚕纸。kōng liú  àn jì rú  cán zhǐ。

日暮向风牵短丝，rì mù  xiàng fēng qiān duǎn;duān sī，

血凝血散今谁是。xiě  níng xiě sǎn jīn shuí shì。

 

Eastwards the Green Dragon, west the White Tiger

In the center the Auspicious Star grasped the Mortal World

The Wei River’s water clock scoffed at the clear deep waters

The Heavenly sky did not reach as far as the Cowherd’s domain

The unicorn trampled the clouds while the divine steeds bared their horrible visage

The sounds of shattered coral were heard at Cow Mountain [8]

The Autumn beauty did not shed a tear for her country

The 12 Jade Walls had no nails to support them

The cloudy Moon, shoved and spat at, was tossed 1000 Li

The red blooms of ten stems were eliminated in one generation

Ghosts lurk in the resting place of the white poplars

Lingering  memories and stories are as empty as silkworm paper

In the sunset, the wind bends the short grasses

Over which a bloody mood congeals and passes.

 

 

 

 

 

40 Five Syllable Lyric Verses Wholeheartedly Offered In All Humility To My Brother,  Noble Official Du五言述德抒情诗一首四十韵献上杜七兄仆射相公（杜悰）

 

帝作黄金阙，dì zuò  huáng jīn quē;què，

仙开白玉京。xiān kāi bái yù jīng。

有人扶太极，yǒu rén fú tài jí，

惟岳降元精。wéi yuè jiàng yuán jīng。

耿贾官勋大，gěng gǔ guān xūn dà，

荀陈地望清。xún chén dì;de wàng qīng。

旂常悬祖德，qí cháng xuán zǔ dé，

甲令著嘉声。jiǎ lìng zhù;zhuó;zhāo jiā shēng。

经出宣尼壁，jīng chū xuān ní bì，

书留晏子楹。shū liú yàn zǐ yíng。

武乡传阵法，wǔ xiāng zhuàn;chuán zhèn fǎ，

践土主文盟。jiàn tǔ zhǔ wén méng。

自昔流王泽，zì xī liú wáng zé，

由来仗国桢。yóu lái zhàng guó zhēn。

九河分合沓，jiǔ hé fēn hé;gé tà，

一柱忽峥嵘。yī zhù hū  zhēng róng。

得主劳三顾，dé zhǔ láo sān gù，

惊人肯再鸣。jīng rén kěn zài míng。

碧虚天共转，bì xū tiān gòng zhuǎi，

黄道日同行。huáng dào rì  tóng háng;tóng xíng。

后饮曹参酒，hòu yǐn cáo cān;shān;shēn jiǔ，

先和傅说羹。xiān hé fù shuō;shuì gēng。

即时贤路辟，jí shí  xián lù pì;bì，

此夜泰阶平。cǐ yè tài jiē píng。

愿保无疆福，yuàn bǎo  wú jiāng fú，

将图不朽名。jiāng;jiàng tú  bù xiǔ míng。

率身期济世，shuài;lǜ shēn qī  jì shì，

叩额虑兴兵。kòu é lǜ  xīng bīng。

感念殽尸露，gǎn niàn yáo shī lù;lòu，

咨嗟赵卒坑。zī jiē;juē zhào zú kēng。

傥令安隐忍，tǎng lìng ān  yǐn rěn，

何以赞贞明。hé yǐ zàn zhēn míng。

恶草虽当路，è;wù;ě cǎo suī  dāng lù，

寒松实挺生。hán sōng shí tǐng shēng。

人言真可畏，rén yán zhēn kě wèi，

公意本无争。gōng yì běn wú zhēng。

故事留台阁，gù shì liú  tái gé，

前驱且旆旌。qián qū qiě pèi jīng。

芙蓉王俭府，fú róng wáng jiǎn fǔ，

杨柳亚夫营。yáng liǔ yà fū yíng。

清啸频疏俗，qīng xiào pín shū sú，

高谈屡析酲。gāo tán lǚ xī chéng。

过庭多令子，guò tíng duō lìng zǐ，

乞墅有名甥。qǐ shù  yǒu míng shēng。

南诏应闻命，nán zhào yīng;yìng wén mìng，

西山莫敢惊。xī shān mò gǎn jīng。

寄辞收的博，jì cí shōu de;dì;dí bó，

端坐扫欃枪。duān zuò sào;sǎo chán qiāng。

雅宴初无倦，yǎ yàn chū wú quán;juàn，

长歌底有情。cháng;zhǎng gē dǐ  yǒu qíng。

槛危春水暖，jiàn wēi chūn shuǐ nuǎn，

楼迥雪峰晴。lóu jiǒng xuě fēng qíng。

移席牵缃蔓，yí xí qiān xiāng màn;mán，

回桡扑绛英。huí ráo;náo pū jiāng yīng。

谁知杜武库，shuí zhī dù  wǔ kù，

只见谢宣城。zhī;zhǐ jiàn;xiàn xiè xuān chéng。

有客趋高义，yǒu kè qū  gāo yì，

于今滞下卿。yú jīn zhì xià qīng。

登门惭后至，dēng mén cán hòu zhì，

置驿恐虚迎。shì yì kǒng xū yíng。

自是依刘表，zì shì yī  liú biǎo，

安能比老彭。ān néng bǐ lǎo péng;bāng。

雕龙心已切，diāo lóng xīn yǐ qiè;qiē，

画虎意何成。huà hǔ yì hé chéng。

岂有曾黔突，qǐ yǒu céng;zēng qián tū，

徒劳不倚衡。tú láo bù yǐ héng。

乘时乖巧宦，chéng;shèng shí  guāi qiǎo huàn，

占象合艰贞。zhàn;zhān xiàng hé;gé jiān zhēn。

废忘淹中学，fèi wàng yān  zhōng xué，

迟回谷口耕。chí huí gǔ kǒu gēng。

悼伤潘岳重，dào shāng pān yuè zhòng;chóng，

树立马迁轻。shù lì mǎ qiān qīng。

陇鸟悲丹觜，lǒng niǎo bēi dān zuǐ，

湘兰怨紫茎。xiāng lán yuàn zǐ jīng。

归期过旧岁，guī qī guò jiù suì，

旅梦绕残更。lǚ mèng rào cán gèng;gēng。

弱植叨华族，ruò zhí dāo huā;huá zú，

衰门倚外兄。shuāi;cuī mén yǐ wài xiōng。

欲陈劳者曲，yù chén láo zhě qū，

未唱泪先横。wèi chàng lèi xiān héng;hèng。

 

The Emperor  built the golden watchtower

Celestial beings opened the City of White Jade

Mortals obeyed the Supreme Ultimate

From the great peaks emerged great souls

Geng and Jia were distinguished officials

Xuan and Chen were of exceptional fame and rank

The flag fluttered with your good deeds

Prominent was your family’s support of laws and decress

The 5 Classics lined Master Kong’s walls

Books remain in Yan Zi’s palace

The Marquis of Wu spread the principles of warcraft

Jiantu’s alliance was a legal writ

When you carried out the Imperial Edict

Then the backbone of the state appeared

Nine river branches blended into one

Unperturbed,it was a lofty and magnificent peak

Hard working, the third time you attained glory

A single individual again startled the world

The heavens revolved with the green void

The sun traveled along the Yellow Path

Afterwards, you drank wine like Cao Cao

But first sung songs like Fu Shuo

At once a road of new possibilities opened

Tonight, the Qin stars are all at peace

You wish to preserve a boundless, auspicious future

Map out an immortal glory

Leading soldiers to benefit mankind

You knock your forehead when you consider deploying troops

You are moved when your soldier’s bodies are exposed to the elements

And sighed deeply when surrendering soldiers of Zhao were tossed into pits

Although the grass that lines the road is foul

The wintry poplar still grows strong

Fear the man who speaks the truth

The people will remain calm

Stories of your exploits will be shared on pavilions and stages

Good preparation will deliver the banners and flags

Manage the government like the Lotus King Wang Jian

Handle the army like Ya Fu of lotus and poplar fame

Whistle clearly, sift again and again through customs

But repeatedly analyse different points of view

In an outstanding family of excellent sons

A villa was freely given to a nephew that observed the Edicts

With the Southern Edict, you pursued your destiny

West Mountain dared not surprise you

Your orders are to pacify Dibo

Be upright and swift as a comet

Do not be the first to tire at great banquets

Even long songs are simply fun

When danger is imminent, spring water is warm

Towers are varied and snowy peaks are clear

When the master moves he gently touches the light yellow vines

Circling back he then picks the deep red petals

Everyone knows of Du Wuku

And has heard of his public acclaim

A guest is called to high account

Who up to now has been slugging away in the fields

I am ashamed I often pay you a visit

For I am afraid my letters will elicit no reply

I am just a supplicant of Lin Biao

But secretly am capable of more than Lao Zeng

The dragon’s heart has already been carved

Now it has attained the thoughts of a tiger

To leave behind the black chimneys of the past

Prudence does not rely just on railings and hard work

May you use ingenious officials less

Instead let your fate resolve difficulties through loyalty

Don’t forget to study the flooded waters

Slowly return and dig at the gorge’s mouth

Pan Yu’s tragedies are so moving and yet

Next to Sima’s virtues, unimportant

Red beaked is the bird of Long Shou Mountain

Resentful are the purple sprouts by the Xiang River’s banks

I have wanted to return for over a year

In my dreams my paths of travel coil in on me

This weak plant is unworthy of your noble family

This decaying door rests on a distant brother

May I display my hard won songs?

Without music, my tears would spread on the ground!

 

 

On The 15th Of May Remembering Those Olden Days I Lived With Master Che   五月六日夜忆往岁秋与彻师同宿

 

紫阁相逢处，zǐ dū;gé  xiāng féng chù;chǔ，

丹岩议宿时。dān yán yì sù;xiǔ shí。

堕蝉翻败叶，duò chán fān bài yè，

栖鸟定寒枝。qī niǎo dìng hán zhī。

万里飘流远，wàn lǐ  piāo liú yuǎn，

三年问讯迟。sān nián  wèn xùn chí。

炎方忆初地，yán fāng yì chū dì;de，

频梦碧琉璃。pín mèng bì  liú lí。

 

At the Purple Pavilion we met,

By the vermillion cliffs we stayed

The cicada’s leaf was roiled and destroyed

The bird’s perch settled on indifferent branches

10,000 Li thrown afar by turbulent fate

For three years, inquiring after you, I was late

In southern climes, I remembered that seminal place

Many times dreaming of the pagoda’s green glaze

 

 

 

 

West Brook                                                             西溪·怅望西溪水

怅望西溪水，chàng wàng xī qī shuǐ，

潺湲奈尔何。chán yuán nài ěr hé。

不惊春物少，bù jīng chūn wù shǎo;shào，

只觉夕阳多。zhī;zhǐ jué;jiào  xī yáng duō。

色染妖韶柳，sè rǎn yāo sháo liǔ，

光含窈窕萝。guāng hán  yǎo tiǎo luó。

人间从到海，rén jiān cóng;zòng;cōng dào hǎi，

天上莫为河。tiān shàng mò wèi;wéi hé。

凤女弹瑶瑟，fèng nǚ tán;dàn yáo sè，

龙孙撼玉珂。lóng sūn hàn yù kē。

京华他夜梦，jīng huá tā yè mèng，

好好寄云波。hǎo hāo jì yún bō。

 

How unbearable is West Brook

Meandering water, overflowing

Who cares that the Spring days grow shorter

I only care for these many sunsets

The willow branches gracefully sparkle

Tender vines full of glowing light

Among mortals we reach towards the ocean

Ever separated from the Milky Sea above

You sound like the phoenix strumming his ballade

Or the fine horse shaking its jade trinkets

Jingshen too has night dreams

Drifting on waves of clouds.

 

 

West Brook                                                                             西溪

 

近郭西溪好，jìn guō xī qī hǎo;hào，

谁堪共酒壶。shuí kān gòng  jiǔ hú。

苦吟防柳恽，kǔ yín fáng liǔ yùn，

多泪怯杨朱。duō lèi qiè yáng zhū。

野鹤随君子，yě hè suí  jūn zi，

寒松揖大夫。hán sōng yī  dà fū。

天涯常病意，tiān yá cháng bìng yì，

岑寂胜欢娱。cén jì shèng;shēng  huān yú。

 

Near Guo the lovely West Brook flows

Who will share a pitcher of wine on the river bank?

Like Liu Yun, I gave out a bitter yell

Anxious as Yang Zhu, my tears are many

Wild storks escort the lords, Even

The solemn pine bows before the sage

At world’s end the sick man’s thoughts are long

How I prefer solitude to all that happiness and gaiety!

 

 

 

Playfully Presented To Secretary Zhang                   戏赠张书记

 

别馆君孤枕，bié guǎn jūn gū zhěn，

空庭我闭关。kōng tíng wǒ  bì guān。

池光不受月，chí guāng bù shòu yuè，

野气欲沉山。yě qì yù chén shān。

星汉秋方会，xīng hàn qiū fāng huì;kuài，

关河梦几还。guān hé mèng jǐ;jī hái;huán。

危弦伤远道，wēi xián shāng  yuǎn dào，

明镜惜红颜。míng jìng xī hóng yán。

古木含风久，gǔ mù hán fēng jiǔ，

平芜尽日闲。píng wú jìn;jǐn rì xián;jiàn。

心知两愁绝，xīn zhī liǎng chóu jué，

不断若寻环。bù duàn ruò xún huán。

 

In the guest villa y pillow lies alone on the floor

The courtyard empty, I have closed the door

The moon has no place where dark water lies stilll

The countryside seeks out the sullen hills

In Autumn, on the Milky Way, we may meet one day

Separated by the river, I still have you in my dreams

Far away my beloved pines

Her lovely face in the luminous mirror shines

The wind fills up where ancient trees stand

Day looks down upon the empty grassland

One heart knows both hearts’ pain

As though it is recycled again and again

 

 

 

A Song Written In Light Rain For The High Official He Dang细雨成咏献尚书河东公

 

洒砌听来响，sǎ qì  tīng lái xiǎng，

卷帘看已迷。juǎn;juàn lián kàn;kān yǐ mí。

江间风暂定，jiāng jiān;jiàn;xiàn fēng  zàn dìng，

云外日应西。yún wài rì yīng;yìng xī。

稍稍落蝶粉，shāo shāo luò;lào;là dié fěn，

班班融燕泥。bān bān róng yàn ní。

飐萍初过沼，zhǎn píng chū guò zhǎo，

重柳更缘堤。zhòng;chóng liǔ gèng;gēng yuán dī。

必拟和残漏，bì nǐ hé cán lòu，

宁无晦暝鼙。nìng;níng wú  huì míng pí。

半将花漠漠，bàn jiāng;jiàng huā  mò mò，

全共草萋萋。quán gòng cǎo  qī qī。

猿别方长啸，yuán biè;bié fāng cháng;zhǎng xiào，

乌惊始独栖。wū jīng shǐ dú qī。

府公能八咏，fǔ gōng néng bā yǒng，

聊且续新题。liáo qiě xù xīn tí。

 

The sound of falling rain reaches me

It is already misty behind the rolled up blinds

A gust of wind momentarily blows over the water

To the west, the sun lies above the clouds

The butterfly’s pollen briefly falls

Spotting swallows and the mud

Duckweed sways over the pond

How many willows stand on the embankment

At the 5th hour of the waterclock

I’d rather no pounding of the drums!

Fog covers half the flowers

Grassy fields are hush

May the ape not wail

Or the crow lose heart

Friend, let us create eight verses,  happily

Converse and make new poetry!

 

 

 

 

 

Light Rain                                                                               细雨

 

萧洒傍回汀，xiāo sǎ bàng huí tīng，

依微过短亭。yī wēi guò  duǎn tíng。

气凉先动竹，qì liáng xiān dòng zhú，

点细未开萍。diǎn xì wèi kāi píng。

稍促高高燕，shāo cù  gào gào yàn，

微疏的的萤。wēi  shū de de;dì;dí yíng。

故园烟草色，gù yuán  yān cǎo sè，

仍近五门青。réng jìn wǔ mén qīng。

 

By the gracefully winding shore

The small pavilions lie indistinct

First the cool wind stirs the bamboo leaves

A few drops of rain fail to open the duckweeds

Jittery, the swallow flies higher and higher

Scattering,  fireflies glow brighter and brighter

In the garden the shrubs are misty, agate.

They bring me closer to Chang An’s Five Gates.

 

 

 

Towards Evening                                                                                       向晚

 

当风横去幰，dāng;dàng fēng héng;hèng qù xiǎn，

临水卷空帷。lín shuǐ juǎn;juàn kōng wéi。

北土秋千罢，běi tǔ  qiū qiān bà;ba，

南朝祓禊归。nán cháo;zhāo fú xì guī。

花情羞脉脉，huā qíng xiū  mò mò，

柳意怅微微。liǔ yì chàng  wēi wēi。

莫叹佳期晚，mò tàn  jiā qī wǎn，

佳期自古稀。jiā qī zì  gǔ xī。

 

Wind sweeps in, the carriage screen is raised

Before the water, the bed screens are rolled up

The swing from the northern lands comes to rest

From the South the washing festival returns

Flowers lower eyes before one’s fixed gaze

Willows are uneasy, their long leaves sway

Don’t worry that festivals come late these days

In ancient times one rarely had time to play

 

 

Expressive Words                                                                 写意

 

燕雁迢迢隔上林，yàn yàn  tiáo tiáo gé shàng lín，

高秋望断正长吟。gāo qiū  wàng duàn zhèng;zhēng  cháng yín。

人间路有潼江险，rén jiān lù yǒu tóng jiāng xiǎn，

天外山惟玉垒深。tiān wài shān wéi yù lěi shēn。

日向花间留返照，rì xiàng huā jiān;jiàn;xiàn liú fǎn zhào，

云从城上结层阴。yún cóng;zòng;cōng chéng shàng jié;jiē céng yīn。

三年已制思乡泪，sān nián yǐ zhì sī xiāng lèi，

更入新年恐不禁。gèng;gēng rù  xīn nián kǒng  bù jīn。

 

The swallows of Yan pagoda each drift above the park

From the Autumn heights, my view interrupted, I give a long scream

Mortals paths encounter dangerous rapids

Beyond sky and mountains there is just the lush green forest

Sunlight glimmers between the flowers

Dark, congealing, clouds form layers above the city

I held back my tears for home for three years already.

New Year approaches, without end is this fear I face, unsteady.

 

 

 

 

 

Distant And Falling                                                              摇落
摇落伤年日，yáo luò shāng nián rì，

羁留念远心。jī  liú niàn yuǎn xīn。

水亭吟断续，shuǐ tíng yín  duàn xù，

月幌梦飞沉。yuè huǎng mèng fēi chén。

古木含风久，gǔ mù hán fēng jiǔ，

疏萤怯露深。shū yíng qiè lù;lòu shēn。

人闲始遥夜，rén xián;jiàn shǐ yáo yè，

地迥更清砧。dì;de jiǒng gèng;gēng qīng zhēn。

结爱曾伤晚，jié;jiē ài céng;zēng shāng wǎn，

端忧复至今。duān yōu;yǒu fù  zhì jīn。

未谙沧海路，wèi ān  cāng hǎi lù，

何处玉山岑。hé chǔ  yù shān cén。

滩激黄牛暮，tān jī  huáng niú mù，

云屯白帝阴。yún tún;zhūn bái dì yīn。

遥知沾洒意，yáo zhī zhān sǎ yì，

不减欲分襟。bù jiǎn yù fēn jīn。

 

Distant and falling, leaves wounded by the year’s passing days

Starnded, my thoughts are of a far away soul

Intermittently, the sounds of water dripping on the pavilion

A bright moon, dreaming of birds and fish in cloudy waters

Breezes fill ancient trees

Nervous fireflies emerge from the darkness

People sleep and the long night now begins

Everywhere the clear sound of the anvil rings

How painful are these evenings full of love

Unbearable up to now.

The path to the deep blue sea is shrouded

Where can one see the Mountain of Immortals?

The Golden Ox Pool is dim

The White King  lurks in the clouds

My tears are the drops of wine

That refuse to fall off my tunic.

 

 

 

Night Over West Brook                                                  夜出西溪

 

东府忧春尽，dōng fǔ yōu;yǒu chūn jìn;jǐn，

西溪许日曛。xī qī xǔ rì xūn。

月澄新涨水，yuè chéng;dèng xīn  zhǎng shuǐ，

星见欲销云。xīng jiàn;xiàn yù xiāo yún。

柳好休伤别，liǔ hǎo;hào xiū shāng biè;bié，

松高莫出群。sōng gāo mò chū qún。

军书虽倚马，jūn shū suī yǐ mǎ，

犹未当能文。yóu wèi dāng;dàng néng wén。

 

Spring brings so many issues, at the east county seat

West Brook welcomes the days last rays

In the moonlight, the water is clear and deep

The clouds seem to be devoured by emerging stars

The swaying willows pause for a sad goodbye

The tall pines stand proud and alone

Although soldier’s commands are designed for horses

It is not as though we cannot write true verses!

 

 

 

Drunken Evening                                                                       夜饮

 

卜夜容衰鬓，bo;bǔ yè róng shuāi;cuī bìn，

开筵属异方。kāi yán shǔ yì fāng。

烛分歌扇泪，zhú fēn gē shàn;shān lèi，

雨送酒船香。yǔ sòng jiǔ chuán xiāng。

江海三年客，jiāng hǎi  sān nián kè，

乾坤百战场。qián kūn bǎi  zhàn chǎng。

谁能辞酩酊，shuí néng cí  mǐng dǐng，

淹卧剧清漳。yān wò jù qīng zhāng。

 

Evening revelry calls out this spent old man

The banquet straight away starts in the town of Dangchuan

In candlelight, tears flicker on the singer’s face

In spring rain, the scent of beer rises from the trays

Three years I’ve been a guest at Jiang Lake

The cosmos have seen hundreds of battles

Who will bid me a drunk farewell, anyone I know?

Enough to make the clear Zhang overflow?

 

 

 

With Emotion                                                                                                        有感

 

非关宋玉有微辞，fēi guān sòng yù yǒu  wēi cí，

却是襄王梦觉迟。què shì xiāng wáng mèng jué;jiào chí。

一自高唐赋成后，yī zì gāo táng fù chéng hòu，

楚天云雨尽堪疑。chǔ tiān  yún yǔ jìn;jǐn kān yí。

 

It’s not that Song Yu wrote many abstruse songs

But that Emperor Xiang’s dreams went on too long

Once the favor of Imperial Tang was his to gain

Doubt greeted his poetic stories of wind and rain!

 

 

 

A Piece On Flies, Butterflies, Chicken, Deer And Two Phoenix In Love与同年李定言曲水闲话戏作

 

海燕参差沟水流，hǎi yàn  cēn cī gōu  shuǐ liú，

同君身世属离忧。tóng;tòng jūn  shēn shì shǔ  lí yōu。

相携花下非秦赘，xiàng;xiāng xié huā xià fēi qín zhuì，

对泣春天类楚囚。duì qì  chūn tiān lèi  chǔ qiú。

碧草暗侵穿苑路，bì cǎo àn qīn chuān yuàn lù，

珠帘不卷枕江楼。zhū lián bù juǎn;juàn zhěn jiāng lóu。

莫惊五胜埋香骨，mò jīng wǔ shèng;shēng mái xiāng gú，

地下伤春亦白头。dì xià shāng chūn yì  bái tóu。

 

Butterflies cover the screens

Master Can’s fly whisks against the window[9]

The randy cock steers a horse’s jade mask

Where the deer blends into the warm wicker lamp.

Light bathes the scrolls in the Turtle Room and

Cool ale in colored tile jars

Each painted mansion has its master

Each a luan and phoenix in a warm embrace.

 

 

 

 

 

Presented As A Farewell To The Noble Official Qibi, Recently Appointed At Weizhou赠别前蔚州契苾使君

 

何年部落到阴陵，hé nián  bù luò dào yīn líng，

奕世勤王国史称。yì shì qín  wáng guó shǐ chèn。

夜卷牙旗千帐雪，yè juǎn;juàn yá qí qiān zhàng xuě，

朝飞羽骑一河冰。cháo;zhāo  fēi yǔ qí yī hé bīng。

蕃儿襁负来青冢，fán er;ér qiǎng fù lái qīng zhǒng，

狄女壶浆出白登。dí nǚ hú jiāng chū bái dēng。

日晚鸊鹈泉畔猎，rì wǎn pì tí quán pàn liè，

路人遥识郅都鹰。lù rén yáo shí zhì dōu;dū yīng。

 

How is it that for so long your duties to Yin Mountain were named?

Made censor to serve the Emperor, you have added to your distinguished family’s fame

While snow covers a thousand drapes, you roll up the battle flag at night,

You fly from the court and cross the cold rivers with your cavalry so light

Native men and women carrying infants arrive at the Emperor’s Tomb,

To greet the soldiers, Di women climb where Baideng mountain looms

Day and night one hunts by the banks of Pelican Stream

As passers by recall the Zhidou Eagle, it seems. [10]

 

 

 

 

Written On A Moonlit Night Again For Master Song Of Huayang Temple’s Two Sisters月夜重寄宋华阳姊妹

 

偷桃窃药事难兼，tōu táo qiè yào shì nán jiān，

十二城中锁彩蟾。shí èr chéng zhōng suǒ cǎi chán。

应共三英同夜赏，yīng;yìng gòng sān yīng tóng;tòng yè shǎng，

玉楼仍是水精帘。yù lóu  réng shì  shuǐ jīng lián。

 

Hard it is to steal the immortal pills and grab peach flowers

The toads are trapped in the city of twelve towers

We three should together behold and enjoy this night

The jade tower curtains will still be radiant and bright

 

[1] This poem refers to the An Lushen rebellion. When the rebel general’s forces approached Chang An in 756, the Emperor fled to Mawei Slope with his court. There, his beloved concubine Yang, hated by his soldiers, was strangled in a Buddhist temple.

[2] Referring to two celestial lovers who could meet each other once a year, over a bridge of magpies.

[3] Magnolia is also the name of a famous warrior maiden who joined the army out of respect for her father.

[4] Referencing a King’s son who wanted to pay his respects to a famous scholar, but instead returned on his boat

[5] Zhouyang and Baozhao were officials who becames ascetics, committed to a simple life in the mountains

[6] Wang Zhaojun was a Western Han Dynasty beauty who was married to a Xiongnu minority King. She refused to bribe the official painter, who painted an unflattering picture, for which he was subsequently executed.

[7] A rooster who danced himself to death on seeing himself on a mirror, also implies sadness at the loss of an ideal.

[8] Ancient Chinese legends refer to the Green dragon and White tiger, as well as linking them to constellations. Cow Mountain is in Shandong province, and was said to overlook or be near the Northern Jin Dynasty capital. This poem alludes to a song by Emperor Wu of Liang (502-49AD) that mentions a married woman called Mo Chou (No worries) who pined after a handsome neighbor.

[9] This poem refers to the Daoist fairyland, the home of the Jade King and the Immortals.

[10] Can Buxing was a noted painter who reputedly drew a fly so lifelike someone tried to whisk it away.