40 Verses Of The Muddy Well 井泥四十韵
皇都依仁里， huáng dōu;dū yī rén lǐ，
西北有高斋。 xī běi yǒu gāo zhāi。
昨日主人氏， zuó rì zhǔ rén shì，
治井堂西陲。 zhì jǐng táng xī chuí。
工人三五辈， gōng rén sān wǔ bèi，
辇出土与泥。 niǎn chū tǔ yǔ ní。
到水不数尺， dào shuǐ bù shǔ;shù;shuò chǐ;chě，
积共庭树齐。 jī gòng tíng shù qí。
他日井甃毕， tā rì jǐng zhòu bì，
用土益作堤。 yòng tǔ yì zuò dī。
曲随林掩映， qū suí lín yǎn yìng，
缭以池周回。 liáo yǐ chí zhōu huí。
下去冥寞穴， xià qù míng mò xué，
上承雨露滋。 shàng chéng yǔ lù zī。
寄辞别地脉， jì cí bié dì mài，
因言谢泉扉。 yīn yán xiè quán fēi。
升腾不自意， shēng téng bù zì yì，
畴昔忽已乖。 chóu xī hū yǐ guāi。
伊余掉行鞅， yī yú diào xíng;háng;xìng yǎng，
行行来自西。 xíng;háng;xìng xíng;háng;xìng lái zì xī。
一日下马到， yī rì xià mǎ dào，
此时芳草萋。 cǐ shí fāng cǎo qī。
四面多好树， sì miàn duō hǎo;hào shù，
旦暮云霞姿。 dàn mù yún xiá zī。
晚落花满地， wǎn luò huā mǎn dì;de，
幽鸟鸣何枝? yōu niǎo míng hé zhī。
萝幄既已荐， luó wò jì yǐ jiàn，
山樽亦可开。 shān zūn yì kě kāi。
待得孤月上， dāi dé;děi;de gū yuè shàng，
如与佳人来。 rú yǔ jiā rén lái。
因之感物理， yīn zī gǎn wù lǐ，
恻怆平生怀。 cè chuàng píng shēng huái。
茫茫此群品， máng máng cǐ qún pǐn，
不定轮与蹄。 bù dìng lún;qiāng yǔ tí。
尧得舜可禅， xǐ dé;děi;de shùn kě chán;shàn，
不以瞽瞍疑。 bù yǐ gǔ sǒu yí。
禹竟代舜立， yǔ jìng dài shùn lì，
其父吁咈哉。 qí fù yù;xū fú zāi。
嬴氏并六合， yíng shì bìng liù hé，
所来因不韦。 suǒ lái yīn bù wéi。
汉祖把左契， hàn zǔ bǎ zuǒ qì，
自言一布衣。 zì yán yī bù yī。
当涂佩国玺， dāng;dàng tú pèi guó xǐ，
本乃黄门携。 běn nǎi huáng mén xié。
长戟乱中原， cháng;zhǎng jǐ luàn zhōng yuán，
何妨起戎氏? hé fáng qǐ róng dǐ。
不独帝王尔， bù dú dì wáng ěr，
臣下亦如斯。 chén xià yì rú sī。
伊尹佐兴王， yī yǐn zuǒ xìng;xīng wáng，
不藉汉父资。 bù jiè;jí hàn fù zī。
磻溪老钓叟， pán;bō qī lǎo diào sǒu，
坐为周之师。 zuò wèi;wéi zhōu zhī shī。
屠狗与贩缯， tú gǒu yǔ fàn zèng;zēng，
突起定倾危。 tū qǐ dìng qīng wēi。
长沙启封土， cháng shā qǐ fēng tǔ，
岂是出程姬? qǐ shì chū chéng jī。
帝问主人翁， dì wèn zhǔ rén wēng，
有自卖珠儿。 yǒu zì mài zhū er;ér。
武昌昔男子， wǔ chāng xī nán zǐ，
老苦为人妻。 lǎo kǔ wéi rén qī。
蜀王有遗魄， shǔ wáng yǒu yí pò，
今在林中啼。 jīn zài lín zhōng tí。
淮南鸡舐药， huái nán jī shì yào，
翻向云中飞。 fān xiàng yún zhōng fēi。
大钧运群有， dà jūn yùn qún yǒu，
难以一理推。 nán yǐ yī lǐ tuī。
顾于冥冥内， gù yú míng míng nèi，
为问秉者谁? wèi;wéi wèn bǐng zhě shuí。
我恐更万世， wǒ kǒng gèng;gēng wàn shì，
此事愈云为。 cǐ shì yù yún wèi;wéi。
猛虎与双翅， měng hǔ yǔ shuāng chì，
更以角副之。 gèng;gēng yǐ jiǎo fù zhī。
凤凰不五色， fèng huáng bù wǔ sè，
联翼上鸡栖。 lián yì shàng jī qī。
我欲秉钧者， wǒ yù bǐng jūn zhě，
朅来与我偕? qiè lái yǔ wǒ xié。
浮云不相顾， fú yún bù xiàng;xiāng gù，
寥泬谁为梯? liáo jué shuí wèi;wéi tī。
悒怏夜参半， yì yàng yè jiāng;jiàng bàn，
但歌井中泥。 dàn gē jǐng zhōng ní。
West of Luoyang, In the Yiren neighborhood
A great house lies to the northeast
Yesterday evening, before the host’s clan
A water well was dug on the mansion’s west side
Three generations of workers together toiled
Carts bore dirt and mud from the bottom.
With several chi still to go
Mounds of dirt towered by the trees
Days later they lay bricks about the wall,
And built up the earth embankment
Its curved line set apart the woods
Behind, it embraced the pond
Down stretched a deep black cave
Above, a rainy mist loomed
One bids farewell to the veins in the earth,
As well as to the spring within.
“I didn’t expect such a rush of water,
How unlike the unruly past.”
I arrange my bridle
And slowly walk west
I walk my horse all day, alighting here
How pleasant is the smell of the grass
Trees are on all sides
Morning and evening bring so many colored clouds
In the evening fallen flowers cover the ground
Strange birds sing from what unseen branches?
A wisteria vine canopy, a carpet of grass
A cup of ale to toast the mountain to one’s heart’s content
Wait until the lonely moon rises
Like a lovely lady approaching
But, because one realizes everything changes
One’s heart is wretched all through life
Vast and boundless is everything
Always moving like the cart wheels and horse’s hoofs
Rao happily abdicated the throne for Shu[1]
Not because of stupidity and stubbornness, he had no doubts
Yu replaced Shu
His father made many sigh!
Ying Zheng united six kingdoms, [2]
All because of his father Lu Buwei!
The Han race completed the deal
With a king who once wore coarse clothes
The Han pendant became the Imperial jade seal
The first generation were adopted in the Yellow Door[3]
Military force disrupted the people of the Central Plains
Naturally, the Rong and Di tribes arose
Not only the King failed
Nobles did so too
Prince Yiren helped the King recover
Without a father’s aid
The old fisherman of Panxi
Would become the teacher of King Zhou
Then, a dog meat merchant and a silk vendor
Suddenly snatched peace from the brink of disaster
When at Chang Shan he set the border
Who knew that he was related to Lady Ji?
Or when a king inquired of an old man
Whose father once sold pearls
A man in Wuchang pretended to be a woman
And married a man through poverty until death
King Shu lost his soul to a little bird
That now warbles in the forest
The Sage of Huainan’s chickens and dogs ate magic pills[4]
Turning to the clouds, up they flew!
The potter’s wheel spins out all things.
Hard it is to rotate just once.
Peering into the great depths
I ask the Great Spirit, wherefore all this change?
I dread to think that ten thousand worlds from now
One will be at a loss in the face of great disruption.
The fierce tiger will grow great wings
And add two horns for invincibility
The phoenix will no longer have five colors
But quickly be joined by chickens in a coop
How I wish that whoever turns the wheel
Would leave it and offer me company
Floating clouds and deserts come and go, not seeing each other
Who will build a ladder to heaven for me?
Despondent as midnight arrives
I can only sing of the mud in the well!
Wind and Rain 风雨
凄凉宝剑篇， qī liáng bǎo jiàn piān，
羁泊欲穷年。 jī bó yù qióng nián。
黄叶仍风雨， huáng yè réng fēng yǔ，
青楼自管弦。 qīng lóu zì guǎn xián。
新知遭薄俗， xīn zhī zāo bò;báo;bó sú，
旧好隔良缘。 jiù hǎo gé liáng yuán。
心断新丰酒， xīn duàn xīn fēng jiǔ，
销愁斗几千? xiāo chóu dòu;dǒu jǐ qiān?
The miserable story of the double edged sword
Brings to mind a wandering, ever shorter life
Yellowed leaves are tossed in the wind and the rain
An orchestra sounds in a splendid, purple mansion
New friendships face the setbacks of slander and customs
Old friends are too far away to be much good
My heart loses itself, for Xinfeng beer I send
To dispel my worries, how many thousands must I spend?
Ding Zi 定子
檀槽一抹广陵春， tán cáo yī mò;mā guǎng líng chūn，
定子初开睡脸新。 dìng zǐ chū kāi shuì liǎn xīn。
却笑邱墟隋炀帝， què xiào qiū xū suí yáng dì，
破家亡国为何人。 pò jiā wáng guó wèi hé rén
The cao wood pipa[5] brings to mind springtime in Guangling
Ding Zi’s fresh face wakes me from sleep[6]
She mocks Lady Qiu and Sui Xing’s reign[7]
Would one have destroyed families and scholars had she been heard?
Sui Palace 隋宫(紫泉宫殿锁烟霞)
紫泉宫殿锁烟霞， zǐ quán gōng diàn suǒ yān xiá，
欲取芜城作帝家。 yù qǔ wú chéng zuò dì jiā。
玉玺不缘归日角， yù xǐ bù yuán guī rì jiǎo，
锦帆应是到天涯。 jǐn fān yīng;yìng shì dào tiān yá。
于今腐草无萤火， yú jīn fǔ cǎo wú yíng huǒ，
终古垂杨有暮鸦。 zhōng gǔ chuí yáng yǒu mù yā。
地下若逢陈后主， dì xià ruò féng chén hòu zhǔ，
岂宜重问后庭花? qǐ yí zhòng;chóng wèn hòu tíng huā。
In misty clouds, the Palace of Purple Springs lies locked[8]
The Wu capital might have been the king’s home
Had not the Imperial seal been passed on
Brocaded sails would have traveled Earth’s end, at the distant Horn
Today, the foul grass bears no fireflies
Forever, the sleeping willows will carry crows at dusk
If, in the afterlife, one were to meet King Chen Houzhu
Wouldn’t one ask to see flower dance? [9]
Wu Palace 吴宫
龙槛沉沉水殿清， lóng jiàn chén chén shuǐ diàn qīng，
禁门深掩断人声。 jìn;jīn mén shēn yǎn duàn rén shēng。
吴王宴罢满宫醉， wú wáng yàn bà;ba mǎn gōng zuì，
日暮水漂花出城。 rì mù shuǐ piǎo;piào;piāo huā chū chéng。
Dragons gambol in the clear depths of the Water Palace
The gates are shut, sounds within are muted and low
King Wu’s banquet fills the halls with drunken revelry
At sunset, from out of the city, flowers on the water flow.
Visiting the Past 览古
莫恃金汤忽太平， mò shì jīn tāng hū tài píng，
草间霜露古今情； cǎo jiān;jiàn;xiàn shuāng lù gǔ jīn qíng；
空糊赬壤真何益， kōng hú;hù chēng rǎng zhēn hé yì，
欲举黄旗竟未成； yù jǔ huáng qí jìng wèi chéng；
长乐瓦飞随水逝， cháng;zhǎng lè;yuè wǎ fēi suí shuǐ shì，
景阳钟堕失天明； jǐng yáng zhōng duò shī tiān míng；
回头一吊箕山客， huí tóu yī diào jī shān kè，
始信逃尧不为名。 shǐ xìn táo yáo bù wèi;wéi míng。
Do not build metal walls and moats and ignore the peace
The lesson from the past is brief and clear as frost on leaves
Just what purpose these brash red walls and fading plaster?
How vain to dream nature is at the service of the yellow banner.
Even changle tiles[10] fly, as water washes all away
Jingyang Tower’s clock was lost in the bright of day
Turning my head towards the tomb for whom Xu You is named, [11]
I trust when he fled from King Yao, he didn’t do it for fame.
Composed With Friends At The Tomb Of Lady Zhen 和人题真娘墓
虎丘山下剑池边， hǔ qiū shān xià jiàn chí biān，
长遣游人叹逝川。 cháng;zhǎng qiǎn yóu rén tàn shì chuān。
罥树断丝悲舞席， juàn shù duàn sī bēi wǔ xí，
出云清梵想歌筵。 chū yún qīng fàn xiǎng gē yán。
柳眉空吐效颦叶， liǔ méi kōng tǔ xiào pín yè，
榆荚还飞买笑钱。 yú jiá hái;huán fēi mǎi xiào qián。
一自香魂招不得， yī zì xiāng hún zhāo bù dé，
只应江上独婵娟。 zhī;zhǐ yīng;yìng jiāng shàng dú chán juān。
Below the Huqiu hills, next to Sword Pool
As in Sichuan, the wanderer, dispatched, heaves a long sigh
Vines from trees fall over her sad dome like silk sleeves
Clouds roll, the sutras chant in musical feasts
Brows are knotted on the willow trees
Elm pods fly, like money, laughing, free
Here is a single soul that no one loves
Just a beauty alone on the Jiang.
Jingyang Palace Well of the Two Phoenix’ 景阳宫井双桐
秋港菱花干， qiū gǎng líng huā gān;gàn;hàn，
玉盘明月蚀。 yù pán míng yuè shí。
血渗两枯心， xiě shèn liǎng kū xīn，
情多去未得。 qíng duō qù wèi dé;děi;de。
徒经白门伴， tú jīng bái mén bàn，
不见丹山客。 bù jiàn dān shān kè。
未待刻作人， wèi dāi kè zuò rén，
愁多有魂魄。 chóu duō yǒu hún pò。
谁将玉盘与， shuí jiāng;jiàng yù pán yǔ，
不死翻相误。 bù sǐ fān xiàng;xiāng wù。
天更阔于江， tiān gèng;gēng kuò yú jiāng，
孙枝觅郎主。 sūn zhī mì láng zhǔ。
昔妒邻宫槐， xī dù lín gōng huái，
道类双眉敛。 dào lèi shuāng méi liǎn。
今日繁红樱， jīn rì fán hóng yīng，
抛人占长簟。 pāo rén zhàn;zhān cháng;zhǎng diàn。
翠襦不禁绽， cuì rú bù jīn zhàn，
留泪啼天眼。 liú lèi tí tiān yǎn。
寒灰劫尽问方知， hán huī jié jìn;jǐn wèn fāng zhī，
石羊不去谁相绊。 shí yáng bù qù shuí xiàng;xiāng bàn。
In autumn the pond is as dry and empty as a petalled mirror
The moon’s glint is lost in the jade surface
Like blood that has oozed from two broken hearts[12]
Their passion was so great, their love unattainable
Advancing towards the crows of White Gate
I do not see the Red Mountain Phoenix
No artist could sculpt their images
Their souls so bent with grief
Who is there in the jade pool
Whose tryst did not end in shame and death?
The sky is so much more vast than the Jiang
The tender shoot seeks its master
So jealous are the pagoda trees by the palace
Their leaves are arched like angry brows
Now, the future favors the red peach blossoms
Others are tossed aside for their welcome mat
Their silk coats must be wet
Tears fall from their floating eyes[13]
What’s to become, one asks, of these tragic ashes
Who is the companion of the tombstone that remains?
Jingyang Well 景阳井
景阳宫井剩堪悲， jǐng yáng gōng jǐng shèng kān bēi，
不尽龙鸾誓死期。 bù jìn lóng luán shì sǐ qī。
肠断吴王宫外水， cháng duàn wú wáng gōng wài shuǐ，
浊泥犹得葬西施。 zhuó ní yóu dé;děi;de zàng xī shī。
A mood of tragedy over the Jingyang Palace well, hovers
Unresolved, where the Phoenix and Luan swam to their deaths
Water flows outside the home of the heartbroken King Wu[14]
Xi Shi’s grave is now just a muddy ditch.
Song of Qi 齐宫词
永寿兵来夜不扃， yǒng shòu bīng lái yè bù jiōng，
金莲无复印中庭。 jīn lián wú fù yìn zhōng tíng。
梁台歌管三更罢， liáng tái gē guǎn sān gēng bà;ba，
犹自风摇九子铃。 yóu zì fēng yáo jiǔ zǐ líng。
Yongshou Temple’s door is open, as soldiers arrive at night
Her gold lotus feet will not touch the courtyard again[15]
Liang Palace songs and dances stretch to the third night watch
The gently knocking wind sounds like her nine jade bells.
Historical Poem 咏诗北潮南埭水漫漫
北湖南埭水漫漫， běi hú nán dài shuǐ màn màn，
一片降旗百尺竿。 yī piān jiàng qí bǎi chǐ;chě gān。
三百年间同晓梦， sān bǎi nián jiān;jiàn;xiàn tóng;tòng xiǎo mèng，
钟山何处有龙蟠？ zhōng shān hé chǔ yǒu lóng pán？
Northern Lake’s southern reservoir stretches far[16]
100 chi high, the imperial flag was lowered in surrender
Three hundred years of the same morning dreams
Where was Zhongshan’s coiled dragon?
Southern Dynasty 南朝
玄武湖中玉漏催， xuán wǔ hú zhōng yù lòu cuī，
鸡鸣埭口绣襦回。 jī míng dài kǒu xiù rú huí。
谁言琼树朝朝见， shuí yán qióng shù cháo;zhāo cháo jiàn，
不及金莲步步来。 bù jí jīn lián bù bù lái。
敌国军营漂木柹， dí guó jūn yíng piǎo;piào;piāo mù shì，
前朝神庙锁烟煤。 qián cháo;zhāo shén miào suǒ yān méi。
满宫学士皆颜色， mǎn gōng xué shì jiē yán sè，
江令当年只费才。 jiāng lìng dāng nián zhī;zhǐ fèi cái。
The jade waterclock announces evening over Xuanwu Lake
Roosters crow by the reservoir, emroidered jackets return home
What king sang of seeing jeweled trees at dawn
Or preferred the gilded lily feet that approach step by step?
Shattered zither boards floated past enemy barracks
Generations of ancestral temples were sold as coal
The Palace was full of scholars with pretty faces
General Hong’s command to wait was such a waste of talent! [17]
Southern Dynasty 南朝(地险悠悠天险长)
地险悠悠天险长， dì xiǎn yōu tiān xiǎn cháng，
金陵王气应瑶光。 jīn líng wáng qì yìng yáo guāng。
休夸此地分天下， xiū kuā cǐ dì fēn tiān xià，
只得徐妃半面妆。 zhǐ dé xú fēi bàn miàn zhuāng。
Meandering through narrow land, long is the Chang Jiang river
Above the Nanjing King the seventh constellation glimmers
Stop praising this place as where heaven meets earth
All you have is a concubine’s makeup, half applied at that!
Apricot Flower 杏花
上国昔相值， shàng guó xī xiàng;xiāng zhí，
亭亭如欲言。 tíng tíng rú yù yán。
异乡今暂赏， yì xiāng jīn zàn shǎng，
脉脉岂无恩。 mài mài qǐ wú ēn。
援少风多力， yuán shǎo;shào fēng duō lì，
墙高月有痕。 qiáng gāo yuè yǒu hén。
为含无限意， wèi;wéi hán wú xiàn yì，
遂对不胜繁。 suì duì bù shèng fán。
仙子玉京路， xiān zǐ yù jīng lù，
主人金谷园。 zhǔ rén jīn gǔ yuán。
几时辞碧落， jǐ shí cí bì luò，
谁伴过黄昏。 shuí bàn guò huáng hūn。
镜拂铅华腻， jìng fú qiān huá nì，
炉藏桂烬温。 lú zàng;cáng guì jìn wēn。
终应催竹叶， zhōng yīng;yìng cuī zhú yè，
先拟咏桃根。 xiān nǐ yǒng táo gēn。
莫学啼成血， mò xué tí chéng xiě，
从教梦寄魂。 cóng;zòng;cōng jiào;jiāo mèng jì hún。
吴王采香径， wú wáng cǎi xiāng jìng，
失路入烟村。 shī lù rù yān cūn。
Long ago, in the Capitol, how valued you were
Fair and slim, you wanted to say something
Today, in a strange place, I briefly treasure you
Yet, how can your amorous eyes be so heartless?
There are too few fences, the wind’s too strong
Lofty walls even block out the moon
Among countless dreams and ideals
There is no way to win all these battles
You are as lovely as the Jade Maiden
As beautiful as Immortal Jinggu
How long can they leave the green void?
Who will be with me at dusk?
Flecks of makeup are on the mirror
Warm cassia cinders lie on the stove.
Hurry and drink some bamboo leaf wine
Then finally draw a sketch of the the peach blossom tree
Do not study the cuckoo’s bloody cries
Or how dreams carry one’s soul into epistles
King Wu’s path was laid with fragrant flowers
Clouded in mist, one loses one’s way into the village.
First Month at Chongrang Villa 正月崇让宅
密锁重关掩绿苔， mì suǒ zhòng;chóng guān yǎn lǜ tāi，
廊深阁迥此徘徊。 láng shēn dū;gé jiǒng cǐ pái huí。
先知风起月含晕， xiān zhī fēng qǐ yuè hán yùn;yūn，
尚自露寒花未开。 shàng zì lù;lòu hán huā wèi kāi。
蝙拂帘旌终展转， biān fú lián jīng zhōng zhǎn zhuǎi，
鼠翻窗网小惊猜。 shǔ fān chuāng wǎng xiǎo jīng cāi。
背灯独共馀香语， bèi;bēi dēng dú gòng yú xiāng yǔ;yù，
不觉犹歌起夜来。 bù jué yóu gē qǐ yè lái。
Thick, locked, heavy, desolate, drowning in the green moss
Dark verandas, on many pavilions I pace back and forth
I first feel the breeze, then the moon’s halo, overfull, rising
I enjoy the bracing cold, the unopened flowers around me
Bats touch the screens, forms are revealed
The mouse flips the curtain’s gauze, startling the quiet feel
In the dim candelight, memories of your scents and words
I imagine you’re about to sing the song As Night Falls
The Eastern Jiang 江东
惊鱼拨剌燕翩翾， jīng yú bō là;lá yàn piān xuān，
独自江东上钓船。 dú zì jiāng dōng shàng diào chuán。
今日春光太漂荡， jīn rì chūn guāng tài piǎo;piào;piāo dàng，
谢家轻絮沈郎钱。 xiè jiā qīng xù shěn;chén láng qián。
The frightened fish sparkles, the swallow darts
On the eastern jiang, I sit alone on a fishing boat
The water sloshes too much on a spring day so bright
Thank willow catkins and the elm’s coins[18], small and light
Secluded in Late Winter 幽居冬暮
羽翼摧残日， yǔ yì cuī cán rì，
郊园寂寞时。 jiāo yuán jì mò shí。
晓鸡惊树雪， xiǎo jī jīng shù xuě，
寒鹜守冰池。 hán wù shǒu bīng chí。
急景忽云暮， jí jǐng hū yún mù，
颓年寖已衰。 tuí nián jìn yǐ shuāi;cuī。
如何匡国分， rú hé kuāng guó fēn，
不与夙心期。 bù yǔ sù xīn qī。
Today the bird’s wings are clipped[19]
A lonely time in the city suburbs
Cock calls at dawn shake snowflakes off the trees
In the cold the duck guards the frozen pond
Ever shorter are the hours and days
I am fast growing old this year
To do my part for my country
Is a dream whose time has passed.
Cold Night 夜冷
树绕池宽月影多， shù rào chí kuān yuè yǐng duō，
村砧坞笛隔风萝。 cūn zhēn wù dí gé fēng luó。
西亭翠被余香薄， xī tíng cuì bèi yú xiāng bò;báo;bó，
一夜将愁向败荷。 yī yè jiāng;jiàng chóu xiàng bài hè;hé。
Sweeping around the lake, trees glimmer in the moonlight
The inn’s flute, a village anvil sounds, vines tremble in the wind
The emerald quilts of West Pavilion are scented with herbs
Will the water lotus share with me an evening of wine?
On Being Drunk And Bewildered At Changran Villa’s West Pavilion 崇让宅东亭醉后沔然有作
曲岸风雷罢， qū àn fēng léi bà;ba，
东亭霁日凉。 dōng tíng jì rì liáng。
新秋仍酒困， xīn qiū réng jiǔ kùn，
幽兴暂江乡。 yōu xìng;xīng zàn jiāng xiāng。
摇落真何遽， yáo luò zhēn hé jù，
交亲或未忘。 jiāo qīn;qìng huò wèi wàng。
一帆彭蠡月， yī fān péng;bāng lí yuè，
数雁塞门霜。 shǔ;shù;shuò yàn sè;sài;sāi mén shuāng。
俗态虽多累， sú tài suī duō lěi;lèi;léi，
仙标发近狂。 xiān biāo fā;fà jìn kuáng。
声名佳句在， shēng míng jiā jù zài，
身世玉琴张。 shēn shì yù qín zhāng。
万古山空碧， wàn gǔ shān kōng bì，
无人鬓免黄。 wú rén bìn miǎn huáng。
骅骝忧老大， huá liú yōu;yǒu lǎo dà，
鶗鴂妒芬芳。 tí;chí jué dù fēn fāng。
密竹沈虚籁， mì zhú shěn;chén xū lài，
孤莲泊晚香。 gū lián bó wǎn xiāng。
如何此幽胜， rú hé cǐ yōu shèng;shēng，
淹卧剧清漳。 yān wò jù qīng zhāng。
On the curving embankment, driving wind and thunder
East Pavilion is cool right after the rain
Autumn is fresh, but the wine bewilders
A luminous view recalls the Southern Jiang River
Rising and falling, I suddenly see
Friends and family gone, never again
Under the moonlight, a sail on Pengyang Lake
Countless lonely,wild geese, frost over the gates
One is so tired of endless customs,
Celestials urge me to become mad
And hear the magical sounds and words
My mortal body hears the zither’s strings
An ancient mountain bears no trees
Without people, clouds would have no color
Beautiful horses turn away the old teachers
The cuckoo envies the sweetest scents
Empty and sad, huddled bamboos whistle
Evening brings the scent of the scattered lotus
How is it I’ve collapsed like sick Liu Zhen
My home sinks into the clear waters of the Zhang?
Two Poems on The Southern Garden Of The Li Family Of Old Zhao State 过招国李家南园二首
其一
潘岳无妻客为愁， pān yuè wú qī kè wèi;wéi chóu，
新人来坐旧妆楼。 xīn rén lái zuò jiù zhuāng lóu。
春风犹自疑联句， chūn fēng yóu zì yí lián jù，
雪絮相和飞不休。 xuě xù xiāng hè fēi bù xiū。
其二
长亭岁尽雪如波， cháng tíng suì jìn;jǐn xuě rú bō，
此去秦关路几多。 cǐ qù qín guān lù jǐ duō。
惟有梦中相近分， wéi yǒu mèng zhōng xiāng jìn fēn，
卧来无睡欲如何。 wò lái wú shuì yù rú hé。
1st Poem
Pan Yue’s guests were vexed because he had no wife
New folks ended up in her old boudoir
I questioned her couplets in the spring breeze, playfully
We were snowy willow blossoms, flying without rest.
2nd Poem
Outside the Great Hall, waves of snow
Only Qin could close up all those paths
In my dreams alone I am close to you
I wonder how, when I am sleepless and alone.
Leyou Garden 乐游原
万树鸣蝉隔岸虹， wàn shù míng chán gé àn hóng，
乐游原上有西风。 lè;yuè yóu yuán shàng yǒu xī fēng。
羲和自趁虞泉宿， xī hé zì chèn yú quán sù;xiǔ，
不放斜阳更向东。 bù fàng xié yáng gèng;gēng xiàng dōng。
Over the embankment a rainbow, cicadas beneath thousands of trees,
Above the teeming Leyou Garden, the west wind blows
Xi He seeks a place to cast his sunbeams[20]
Alas, the slanting rays already face the East!
Willow 柳
曾逐东风拂舞筵， céng;zēng zhú dōng fēng fú wǔ yán，
乐游春苑断肠天。 lè;yuè yóu chūn yuàn duàn cháng tiān。
如何肯到清秋日， rú hé kěn dào qīng qiū rì，
已带斜阳又带蝉。 yǐ dài xié yáng yòu dài chán。
Long has the east wind touched your dancing mat
Spring at Leyou Garden brings a day of heartbreak
Who has allowed this clear autumn day
To carry the cicadas’ cries, where the sunset lies.
Plum Flowers 李花
李径独来数， lǐ jìng dú lái shǔ;shù;shuò，
愁情相与悬。 chóu qíng xiāng yǔ xuán。
自明无月夜， zì míng wú yuè yè，
强笑欲风天。 qiǎng xiào yù fēng tiān。
减粉与园箨， jiǎn fěn yǔ yuán tuò，
分香沾渚莲。 fēn xiāng zhān zhǔ lián。
徐妃久已嫁， xú fēi jiǔ yǐ jià，
犹自玉为钿。 yóu zì yù wèi;wéi diàn;tián。
Many times I travel alone on the plum tree path
Over which my own similar woes seem to hang
Though there is no moon, you shine tonight
You scoff at those who long for love’s respite
Blossoms fade on the bamboo shoots
Each lotus is moist with a special scent
Xu Fei’s marriage was long indeed
Hers was a path from jade to coins, it seems
Zhengda’s Hidden Abode 题郑大有隐居
结构何峰是， jié gòu hé fēng shì，
喧闲此地分。 xuān xián;jiàn cǐ dì fēn。
石梁高泻月， shí liáng gāo xiè;xì yuè，
樵路细侵云。 qiáo lù xì qīn yún。
偃卧蛟螭室， yǎn wò jiāo chī shì，
希夷鸟兽群。 xī yí niǎo shòu qún。
近知西岭上， jìn zhī xī lǐng shàng，
玉管有时闻。 yù guǎn yǒu shí wén。
Where the aspen grows on the mountain top
Noise and the stillness divide
Beneath the stone bridge, a waterfall faces the moon
Firewood trails crisscross into the clouds
Lying on my back by the Dragon Ravine
I am drawn to the sounds of animals and birds
And, from the nearby mountain ridge
What must be the sound of an immortal’s jade flute
Reflecting on Han History while on horseback to Yudu 鄠杜马上念汉书
世上苍龙种， shì shàng cāng lóng zhòng ，
人间武帝孙。 rén jiān wǔ dì sūn。
小来惟射猎， xiǎo lái wéi shè liè，
兴罢得乾坤。 xìng bà dé qián kūn。
渭水天开苑， wèi shuǐ tiān kāi yuàn，
咸阳地献原。 xián yáng dì xiàn yuán。
英灵殊未已， yīng líng shū wèi yǐ，
丁傅渐华轩。 dīng fù jiān huā xuān。
Above the ground the green dragon shimmers
King Wu’s grandson lived in the mortal world
Only the small people hunt for prey
The radiant ones seek the universe
The Wei river reveals a divine garden
Emperor Xiao Xuan left us Duling tomb
The great spirits of the past are no longer with us
Ding Fu rides the chariot now. [21]
To A Guest From Shu 寄蜀客
君到临邛问酒垆， jūn dào lín qióng wèn jiǔ lú，
近来还有长卿无。 jìn lái hái yǒu cháng;zhǎng qīng wú。
金徽却是无情物， jīn huī què shì wú qíng wù，
不许文君忆故夫。 bù xǔ wén jūn yì gù fū。
You have arrived in Linqiang, at the old wine stand
Asking if Si Maxiang is still around[22]
Cold is your pipa with the golden stamp
Forbidden are the memories of your husband.
On giving Mr Zonglu a Bamboo Walking Stick赠宗鲁筇竹杖
大夏资轻策， dà xià zī qīng cè，
全溪赠所思。 quán xī zèng suǒ sī。
静怜穿树远， jìng lián chuān shù yuǎn，
滑想过苔迟。 huá xiǎng guò tāi chí。
鹤怨朝还望， hè yuàn cháo;zhāo hái;huán wàng，
僧闲暮有期。 sēng xián;jiàn mù yǒu qī。
风流真底事， fēng liú zhēn dǐ shì，
常欲傍清羸。 cháng yù bàng qīng léi。
Daxia State produces light bamboo canes
At Quanxi, I only thought of buying you one
Deep in a curtain of cool still trees
One slowly walks over moss quite slippery
In the morning, a crane’s undisturbed gaze is mine
At sunset, the monk rests, now is the time
No matter where the wandering wind blows
I often want to be next to your peaceful, skinny bones!
Extremely startled,A Spontaneous Exchange With Han Donglang. He Urges Us To Create A Few Words On ‘This Very Night, Seated And Pacing Back And Forth’ In An Unhurried Fashion, As A Farewell Present, And Out Of Respect For His New Official Assignment. 韩冬郎即席为诗相送,一座尽惊.他日余方追吟 \”连宵侍坐徘徊久\”之句,有老成之风,因成二绝寄酬,兼呈畏之员外
剑栈风樯各苦辛， jiàn zhàn fēng qiáng gè;gě kǔ xīn，
别时冰雪到时春。 biè;bié shí bīng xuě dào shí chūn。
为凭何逊休联句， wèi;wéi píng hé xùn xiū lián jù，
瘦尽东阳姓沈人。 shòu jìn;jǐn dōng yáng xìng shěn rén。
How arduous is the Sword Pavilion Trail
When I left, it was ice and snow, even as it turned to spring
How can Master He Xun[23] possibly request I create a verse
Mister Shen Dongyang is just tattered bones, how on earth!
At Choubi Station 筹笔驿
猿鸟犹疑畏简书， yuán niǎo yóu yi wèi jiǎn shū，
风云常为护储胥。 fēng yún cháng wèi;wéi hù chǔ xū。
徒令上将挥神笔， tú lìng shàng jiàng huī shén bǐ，
终见降王走传车。 zhōng jiàn;xiàn jiàng wáng zǒu zhuàn;chuán chē。
管乐有才原不忝， guǎn yuè yǒu cái yuán bù tiǎn，
关张无命欲何如？ guān zhāng wú mìng yù hé rú？
他年锦里经祠庙， tā nián jǐn lǐ jīng cí miào，
梁父吟成恨有余。 liáng fǔ yín chéng hèn yǒu yú .
Even birds and apes would pause before his orders
Wind and the clouds often protected these bamboo posts[24]
The supreme strategist welded his immortal brush
At last he saw Emperor Liu take the reins
Guan Le had talent, and would not hesitate
Could he be as willful as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei ?
That year, in the temple of Jinli
He grew to hate the song of .
On again entering the Shrine of the Goddess重过圣女祠
白石岩扉碧藓滋， bái shí yán fēi bì xiǎn zī，
上清沦谪得归迟。 shàng qīng lún zhé dé;děi;de guī chí。
一春梦雨常飘瓦， yī chūn mèng yǔ cháng piāo wǎ，
尽日灵风不满旗。 jìn;jǐn rì líng fēng bù mǎn qí。
萼绿华来无定所， è lǜ huā;huá lái wú dìng suǒ，
杜兰香去未移时。 dù lán xiāng qù wèi yí shí。
玉郎会此通仙籍， yù láng huì;kuài cǐ tōng xiān jí，
忆向天阶问紫芝。 yì xiàng tiān jiē wèn zǐ zhī 。
Green moss grows on the cliff’s white stone gate[25]
Fallen from lofty jade reaches, she will return quite late
In my spring dreams rain often buffets tiles where you lay
Never satisfied, boisterous winds strike your banners all day
Calyx Flower arrives, she has no habitude or home
Fragrant Orchid doesn’t leave for long, she too roams[26]
The Jade Lad has joined the heavenly See
Remembering to ask for the purple sesame
The Tong Trees of Shu 蜀桐
玉垒高桐拂玉绳， yù lěi gāo tóng fú yù shéng，
上含非雾下含冰。 shàng hán fēi wù xià hán bīng。
枉教紫凤无栖处， wǎng jiào;jiāo zǐ fèng wú qī chù;chǔ，
斫作秋琴弹坏陵。 zhuó zuò qiū qín tán;dàn huài ling。
A jade rope leads to the emerald parapet and lofty Tong trees
Above, mist fills the sky, below, fields of ice
The strange phoenix has no place to perch
In autumn all the zither songs are of death
A Song Sent To My Friend From The State Of Zi 梓州罢吟寄同舍
不拣花朝与雪朝， bù jiǎn huā cháo;zhāo yǔ xuě cháo;zhāo，
五年从事霍嫖姚。 wǔ nián cóng shì huò piáo yáo。
君缘接坐交珠履， jūn yuán jiē zuò jiāo zhū lǚ，
我为分行近翠翘。 wǒ wèi;wéi fēn háng jìn cuì qiáo。
楚雨含情皆有托， chǔ yǔ hán qíng jiē yǒu tuō，
漳滨多病竟无憀。 zhāng bīn duō bìng jìng wú liáo。
长吟远下燕台去， cháng yín yuǎn xià yàn tái qù，
惟有衣香染未销。 wéi yǒu yì;yī xiāng rǎn wèi xiāo。
No matter whether courts of flowers turned into those of snow
For five years, through work and brothels I seemed to flow
A welcomed guest, I sought the pearly shoes
And lined up to be close to the dancers’ emerald jewels
Clear Rain’s charms entranced all
While I lay sick in a miserable bed
With a long sigh, the sparrow leaves the stage to rest
Leaving behind just the perfume of one’s dress
A Courtesan Discreetly Sends A Poem To Friend Dugu Yun of Wuchang 妓席暗记送同年独孤云之武昌
叠嶂千重叫恨猿， dié zhàng qiān zhòng;chóng jiào hèn yuán，
长江万里洗离魂。 cháng jiāng wàn lǐ xǐ lí;róu hún。
武昌若有山头石， wǔ chāng ruò yǒu shān tóu shí，
为拂苍苔检泪痕。 wèi;wéi fú cāng tāi jiǎn lèi hén。
Birds and beasts scream from 3 Gorges’ lofty peaks
Your soul leaves me, washed ten thousand miles up the great river
Wuchang has become like Wangfu rock
Whose mossy face is stained with tears
While Drinking, Two Things Prepared On Behalf Of The Palace Concubine 饮席代官妓赠两从事
新人桥上著春衫， xīn rén qiáo shàng zhù;zhuó;zhāo chūn shān，
旧主江边侧帽檐。 jiù zhǔ jiāng biān cè mào yán。
愿得化为红绶带， yuàn dé;děi;de huà wéi hóng shòu dài，
许教双凤一时衔。 xǔ jiào;jiāo shuāng fèng yī shí xián。
The stranger on the bridge wears an indigo robe
The old customer on the river bank tips his shirt
How I wish I were the scarlet tassel
And we two phoenix could take the path together。
While Drinking, Playfully Given To A Friend饮席戏赠同舍
洞中屐响省分携， dòng zhōng jī xiǎng shěng;xǐng fēn xié，
不是花迷客自迷。 bú shì huā mí kè zì mí。
珠树重行怜翡翠， zhū shù zhòng;chóng xíng;háng;xìng lián fěi cuì，
玉楼双舞羡鹍鸡。 yù lóu shuāng wǔ xiàn kūn jī。
兰回旧蕊缘屏绿， lán huí jiù ruǐ yuán píng;bǐng lǜ，
椒缀新香和壁泥。 jiāo zhuì xīn xiāng hé bì ní。
唱尽阳关无限叠， chàng jìn;jǐn yáng guān wú xiàn dié，
半杯松叶冻颇黎。 bàn bēi sōng yè dòng pō lí。
In her magical cave, the sound of departing clogs fades
It isn’t the flower, but the guest who is dazed
In the pearl forest where red and blue sparrows dance
The great cranes admire dance duets on jade towers
Orchids adorn the green fans
A spicy décor and sweet perfume surround the walls
I soar to the heights on your sunny song
My glass mug half full of poplar leaf wine.
Lyric thoughts on the Nantan 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。
Sima Xiangru must gently visit[27]
Thank the teacher who has already climbed the mountain
Sing 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 close
Smoke resolutely climbs up the vines
The beauty reveals her jade teeth
To her guest tilts her vermilion fan
May you think of this sick invalid
While he still has time to compose.
Courtesan 妓席
乐府闻桃叶， yuè fǔ wén táo yè，
人前道得无。 rén qián dào dé wú。
劝君书小字， quàn jūn shū xiǎo zì，
慎莫唤官奴。 shèn mò huàn guān nú。
Even the official registrar has heard of Peach Leaf
Can one offer me the privilege too?
May the gentleman provide me a little nickname
And not call me a prostitute?
Two Poems On Attempting To Meet Someone, Twice Without Success 访隐者不遇成二绝
其一
秋水悠悠浸墅扉， qiū shuǐ yōu yōu jìn shù fēi，
梦中来数觉来稀。 mèng zhōng lái shǔ;shù;shuò jué;jiào lái xī。
玄蝉去尽叶黄落， xuán chán qù jìn;jǐn yè huáng luò;lào;là，
一树冬青人未归。 yī shù dōng qīng rén wèi guī。
其二
城郭休过识者稀， chéng guō xiū guò shí zhě xī，
哀猿啼处有柴扉。 āi;yǐ yuán tí chù;chǔ yǒu chái fēi。
沧江白石渔樵路， cāng jiāng bái shí yú qiáo lù，
日暮归来雨满衣。 rì mù guī lái yǔ mǎn yì;yī。
1st Poem
Autumn rain slowly seeps, under the green fig doors
Awakening from dreams, I hardly feel a thing
Blood red cicadas flee, yellow leaves droop,
Winter evergreen trees, no-one returns
2nd Poem
Few travelers meet at Cheng Peak
Apes scream from behind purple leaf doors
By the blue Jiang is the white stone fisherman’s path
I return at sunset, drenched with rain
A Toast To The Enlightened Cong Xiong at Chan Courtyard明禅师院酬从兄见寄
贞吝嫌兹世， zhēn lìn xián zī shì，
会心驰本原。 huì xīn chí běn yuán。
人非四禅缚， rén fēi sì chán;shàn fù，
地绝一尘喧。 dì;de jué yī chén xuān。
霜露欹高木， shuāng lù yī gāo mù，
星河压故园。 xīng hé yà;yā gù yuán。
斯游傥为胜， sī yóu tǎng wèi;wéi shèng;shēng，
九折幸回轩。 jiǔ zhé;shé xìng huí xuān。
Loyalty, grace, disgrace, suspicion in this world
The soul should draw from its original nature
Mankind need keep the Four Meditations apart
Earth rejects this mote of dust that calls out
Frost gleams off the lofty trees
A stream of silver stars press down on the old garden
Were I to have entered that courtyard
How many of my life’s matters would have been settled.
Red script presented to Shou Shier 赠庾十二朱版
固漆投胶不可开， gù qī tóu jiāo bù kě kāi，
赠君珍重抵琼瑰。 zèng jūn zhēn zhòng dǐ qióng guī。
君王晓坐金銮殿， jūn wáng xiǎo zuò jīn luán diàn，
只待相如草诏来。 zhī;zhǐ dāi xiàng;xiāng rú cǎo zhào lái。
The lacquer of these words cannot be easily removed
This gift to a guest, though light, is as precious as fine jade
From the early hours, the emperor waited before the golden pagoda
To present Sima Xiangru with his bamboo slips! [28]
Desires 人欲
人欲天从竟不疑， rén yù tiān cóng;zòng;cōng jìng bù yí，
莫言圆盖便无私。 mò yán yuán gě;gài biàn;pián wú sī。
秦中已久乌头白， qín zhōng yǐ jiǔ wū tóu bái，
却是君王未备知。 què shì jūn wáng wèi bèi zhī。
What men want, no doubt, is heavens to give
Are there really no secrets to heaven , even when one doesn’t complain?
When the heads of the Qin Emperor’s crows turned white
What a pity he wasn’t there to behold the sight!
Monk Hua 华师
孤鹤不睡云无心， gū hè bù shuì yún wú xīn，
衲衣筇杖来西林。 nà yì;yī qióng zhàng lái xī lín。
院门昼锁回廊静， yuàn mén zhòu suǒ huí láng jìng，
秋日当阶柿叶阴。 qiū rì dāng;dàng jiē shì yè yīn。
The lonely heron, sleepless, heart quite free
Clad in rags, bearing a bamboo staff through the forest’s eastern trees
Finding the temple gate is locked during the day, returns to the peaceful porch
It’s Autumn, the persimmon leaves are hidden by the steps
The Temple Walk 题僧壁
舍生求道有前踪， shè;shě shēng qiú dào yǒu qián zōng，
乞脑剜身结愿重。 qǐ nǎo wān shēn jié;jiē yuàn zhòng;chóng。
大去便应欺粟颗， dà qù biàn;pián yīng;yìng qī sù kē，
小来兼可隐针锋。 xiǎo lái jiān kě yǐn zhēn fēng。
蚌胎未满思新桂， bàng tāi wèi mǎn sī xīn guì，
琥珀初成忆旧松。 hǔ pò chū chéng yì jiù sōng。
若信贝多真实语， ruò xìn bèi duō zhēn shí yǔ;yù，
三生同听一楼钟。 sān shēng tóng;tòng tīng yī lóu zhōng。
The path you seek, the ancients foresaw
The wishes that torment you, have bothered men before
What is large can go and enter a grain of millet
What is small can come and hide in a pin head
The impatient mussel thinks of the cassia rising
As it forms, the amber remembers the ancient pines
If one sincerely and honestly says the sanscrit sutras
Then tower bells will be heard in the present, future and the past
The Peonies in the Temple Courtyard 僧院牡丹
薄叶风才倚， bò;báo;bó yè fēng cái yǐ，
枝轻雾不胜。 zhī qīng wù bù shèng。
开先如避客， kāi xiān rú bì kè，
色浅为依僧。 sè qiǎn wèi;wéi yī sēng。
粉壁正荡水， fěn bì zhèng;zhēng dàng shuǐ，
缃帏初卷灯。 xiāng wéi chū juǎn;juàn dēng。
倾城惟待笑， qīng chéng wéi dāi xiào，
要裂几多缯。 yào;yāo liè jǐ duō zèng;zēng。
Your fragile leaves lean away from the wind
Your light branches tremble in the fog
When you first bloom, you shun your guests
Colors are faint and modest as a monk’s raiments
A powdery wall of white peonies
Or a hazy yellow curtain
you alone bear a smile in this pleasant town
Always peeking through the banners that abound
To Monk Chugong: Offerings On The White Stoned Lotus Terrace 题白石莲花寄楚公
白石莲花谁所共， bái shí lián huā shuí suǒ gòng，
六时长捧佛前灯。 liù shí cháng;zhǎng pěng fú;fó qián dēng。
空庭苔藓饶霜露， kōng tíng tāi xiǎn ráo shuāng lù，
时梦西山老病僧。 shí mèng xī shān lǎo bìng sēng。
大海龙宫无限地， dà hǎi lóng gōng wú xiàn de，
诸天雁塔几多层。 zhū tiān yàn tǎ jǐ duō céng。
漫夸鹙子真罗汉， màn kuā qiū zǐ zhēn luó hàn，
不会牛车是上乘。 bù huì niú chē shì shàng chéng。
Who makes offerings at the white stoned Lotus Terrace
holding lamps for six hours before the Temple?
Homes are empty, frost glistens on rich moss
An old, sick monk has time to dream of West Mountain
On the great sea, The Dragon Palace has no bounds
In the vast skies, great towers are of many heights
Just try to deceive the great, honest Arhut Yazi[29]
No way you will join him on the ox-cart!
Tearfully Sent To Minister Fei On News Of The Death Of Mingxiong闻著明凶问哭寄飞卿
昔叹谗销骨， xī tàn chán xiāo gú，
今伤泪满膺。 jīn shāng lèi mǎn yīng。
空余双玉剑， kòng yú shuāng yù jiàn，
无复一壶冰。 wú fù yī hú bīng。
江势翻银砾， jiāng shì fān yín lì，
天文露玉绳。 tiān wén lù;lòu yù shéng。
何因携庾信， hé yīn xié yǔ xìn，
同去哭徐陵。 tóng;tòng qù kū xú líng。
Then, slanderous whispers could melt one’s bones,
Now, they bring heroes to tears
The jade double sword is unused
No more icy pitchers
The Jiang’s billowing waves roil the silver heaven
Astronomers discover the Jade Sash
Musn’t whoever bears Yu Xin[30]
Also cry for Xu Ling?
After The Banquet, While Walking On The Willow Path And Humming About Returning To Work 江亭散席循柳路吟（归官舍）
春咏敢轻裁， chūn yǒng gǎn qīng cái，
衔辞入半杯。 xián cí rù bàn bēi。
已遭江映柳， yǐ zāo jiāng yìng liǔ，
更被雪藏梅。 gèng;gēng bèi xuě zàng;cáng méi。
寡和真徒尔， guǎ hé zhēn tú ěr，
殷忧动即来。 yīn;yān yōu;yǒu dòng jí lái。
从诗得何报， cóng;zòng;cōng shī dé;děi;de hé bào，
惟感二毛催。 wéi gǎn èr máo cuī。
This is a light spring ode I dared to write up
What I hold in my mouth falls into half a cup
I have already disturbed the water’s reflection of the willows
Even more the plum trees hidden beneath the snow
I walk in solitude,
My angst quickens, then arrives
In my poems what do people see?
These feelings only hasten my senility!
Today 即 日
一岁林花即日休，yī suì lín huā jí rì xiū，
江间亭下怅淹留。jiāng jiān;jiàn;xiàn tíng xià chàng yān liú。
重吟细把真无奈，zhòng;chóng yín xì bǎ zhēn wú nài，
已落犹开未放愁。yǐ luò;lào;là yóu kāi wèi fàng chóu。
山色正来衔小苑，shān sè zhèng;zhēng lái xián xiǎo yuàn，
春阴只欲傍高楼。chūn yīn zhī;zhǐ yù bàng gāo lóu。
金鞍忽散银壶漏，jīn ān hū sǎn yín hú lòu，
更醉谁家白玉钩。gèng;gēng zuì shuí jiā bái yù gōu。
After a year, the forest flowers seem to fade in a day
Under the pavilion by the river, jangled thoughts stay
Who knows why, I feel I must sing again
A flower drops, open, as though to dismiss my pain
Colored hills loom above the little garden
At dusk, a spring mist brushes tall towers
My golden saddle drifts, ignoring the silver water clock
Drunk to the gills, who lifts my white jade wine spoon?
To Willow 赠柳
章台从掩映， zhāng tái cóng;zòng;cōng yǎn yìng，
郢路更参差。 yǐng lù gèng;gēng cēn cī。
见说风流极， jiàn;xiàn shuō;shuì fēng liú jí，
来当婀娜时。 lái dāng;dàng ē nuó shí。
桥回行欲断， qiáo huí xíng;háng;xìng yù duàn，
堤远意相随。 dī yuǎn yì xiàng;xiāng suí。
忍放花如雪， rěn fàng huā rú xuě，
青楼扑酒旗。 qīng lóu pū jiǔ qí。
You are the perfect match for Zhangtai’s pleasures
Yinglu avenue is such a bumpy road!
What exquisite pleasure, they say
When the lithe and graceful carriage unloads
A winding bridge, oh for a shorter path
To that distant shore where my thoughts dwell
How can one endure these icy flowers
Where ale houses assail lacquered green towers?
Willow 柳
江南江北雪初消， jiāng nán jiāng běi xuě chū xiāo，
漠漠轻黄惹嫩条。 mò mò qīng huáng rě nèn tiáo。
灞岸已攀行客手， bà àn yǐ pān xíng;háng;xìng kè shǒu，
楚宫先骋舞姬腰。 chǔ gōng xiān chěng wǔ jī yāo。
清明带雨临官道， qīng míng dài yǔ lín guān dào，
晚日含风拂野桥。 wǎn rì hán fēng fú yě qiáo。
如线如丝正牵恨， rú xiàn rú sī zhèng;zhēng qiān hèn，
王孙归路一何遥。 wáng sūn guī lù yī hé yáo。
South of the river, north of the river, the first snowflakes melt
The mist, a yellow haze, absorbs your tender shoots
Already profuse on the Bi River’s shores, brushing the visitor’s hands
Chu’s palace did not interrupt, as this slender concubine danced
On the day of the departed carries your rain overlooked Guan highway
Strong evening winds shake the village bridge
They hang straight like silky threads, hating to move
This king’s grandson has no path back home! [31]
From the heart to Minister Zai Mengfei 有怀在蒙飞卿
薄宦频移疾， bò;báo;bó huàn pín yí jí，
当年久索居。 dāng nián jiǔ suǒ jū。
哀同庾开府， āi;yǐ tóng;tòng yǔ kāi fǔ，
瘦极沈尚书。 shòu jí shěn;chén shàng shū。
城绿新阴远， chéng lǜ xīn yīn yuǎn，
江清返照虚。 jiāng qīng fǎn zhào xū。
所思惟翰墨， suǒ sī wéi hàn mò，
从古待双鱼。 cóng;zòng;cōng gǔ dāi shuāng yú。
An official often wanders, is often ill
This year how long have I searched for a place to dwell
Sorrowful like Yu Kaifu[32]
Thinner than Shen Shangshu[33]
A green city whose presence reaches far
My reflection vacant in the river’s clear water
My thoughts are only of my ink brush
Of hunting for a pair of fish among the ancients
Remembering a Plum 忆梅
定定住天涯， dìng dìng zhù tiān yá，
依依向物华。 yī yī xiàng wù huā;huá。
寒梅最堪恨， hán méi zuì kān hèn，
常作去年花。 cháng zuò qù nián huā。
Lingering I am at the edge of the world
Reluctant to leave these worldly things
How I hate this cold and distant plum
Its flowers bloomed last year
On Yang Bensheng meeting With My Son Agun In Chang An 杨本胜说于长安见小男阿衮
闻君来日下， wén jūn lái rì xià，
见我最娇儿。 jiàn;xiàn wǒ zuì jiāo ér。
渐大啼应数， jiàn;jiān dà tí yīng;yìng shǔ;shù;shuò，
长贫学恐迟。 cháng;zhǎng pín xué kǒng chí。
寄人龙种瘦， jì rén lóng zhǒng;zhòng shòu
失母凤雏痴。 shī mǔ fèng chú chī。
语罢休边角， yǔ;yù bà xiū biān jiǎo，
青灯两鬓丝。 qīng dēng liǎng bìn sī。
I heard you arrived from under the Sun[34]
Where you saw my most darling son
Growing old, he was always crying out for more
How I feared he would fall behind in his studies, being poor
While he received missives from his bony dragon father
The little phoenix turned silly, having lost his mother
Words are laid to rest, as the frontier bugle sounds
By the green oil lamplight, gray silk on my forehead can be found
Fang’s Coral Powder 房君珊瑚散
不见姮娥影， bù jiàn héng é yǐng，
清秋守月轮。 qīng qiū shǒu yuè lún。
月中闲杵臼， yuè zhōng xián;jiàn chǔ jiù，
桂子捣成尘。 guì zǐ dǎo chéng chén。
I cannot see Chang E’s shadow
In the autumn chill, her orb lies guarded
The pestle swings wildly on the moon
Seeds she bore are ground to cassia dust[35]
Sick Leave 属疾
许靖犹羁宦， xǔ jìng yóu jī huàn，
安仁复悼亡。 ān rén fù dào wáng。
兹辰聊属疾， zī chén liáo shǔ jí，
何日免殊方。 hé rì miǎn shū fāng。
秋蝶无端丽， qiū dié wú duān lì;lí，
寒花只暂香。 hán huā zhī;zhǐ zàn xiāng。
多情真命薄， duō qíng zhēn mìng bò;báo;bó，
容易即回肠。 róng yì jí huí cháng。
Xujing seems to ready his bridles for the Inn
Anren falls again into mourning[36]
Starcrossed,a time of sick leave
When can I go from this strange place?
No matter how beautiful the autumn butterfly is,
A cold flower bears a short-lived scent
Great affection is rare in this life
To despair is an easy thing!
Three Poems for Madame Li 李夫人三首
其一
一带不结心， yī dài bù jié;jiē xīn，
两股方安髻。 liǎng gǔ fāng ān jì。
惭愧白茅人， cán kuì bái máo rén，
月没教星替。 yuè méi;mò jiào;jiāo xīng tì。
其二
剩结茱萸枝， shèng jié;jiē zhū yú zhī，
多擘秋莲的。 duō bò qiū lián de;dì;dí。
独自有波光， dú zì yǒu bō guāng，
彩囊盛不得。 cǎi náng shèng;chéng bù dé。
其三
蛮丝系条脱， mán sī xì;jì tiáo tuō，
妍眼和香屑。 yán yǎn hé xiāng xiè。
寿宫不惜铸南人， shòu gōng bù xī zhù nán rén，
柔肠早被秋眸割。 róu cháng zǎo bèi qiū móu gē。
清澄有馀幽素香， qīng chéng yǒu yú yōu sù xiāng，
鳏鱼渴凤真珠房。 guān yú kě fèng zhēn zhū fáng。
不知瘦骨类冰井， bù zhī shòu gú lèi bīng jǐng，
更许夜帘通晓霜。 gèng;gēng xǔ yè lián tōng xiǎo shuāng。
土花漠漠云茫茫， tǔ huā mò mò yún máng máng，
黄河欲尽天苍苍。 huáng hé yù jìn;jǐn tiān cāng cāng。
1st Poem
A single sash, our hearts unbound
Folded gently about your hair
Those bearing white reed offerings , be ashamed.
Stars pale next to a moon so fair.
2nd Poem
Left behind, pick up the remnants of the prickly ash
Pick apart many of the lotus seeds
Alone, your reflection shimmers still
Spendid, a receptacle never to be filled.
3rd Poem
Knotted Man silks, gold bracelets removed
Amorous eyes, charming makeup
Shu Palace welcomes southern tycoons
Quite early, autumn’s blasts tore at your soft heart
Limpid, your eyes were warmer than white silk
Widowed fish and thirsty phoenixes stay in a home of pearls
Little did you know of the skinny bones in icy depths
Or how early morning reveals frost on the night shades
The vast blue sky is indifferent to earthly flowers
The yellow Jiang rivers thunder against heaven’s bowers.
Seventh Evening 七夕
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, flying homewards
These endless partings on earth are hard to bear
Would that I too could see you in a year! [37]
Two Casual Poems 偶题二首
其一
小亭闲眠微醉消， xiǎo tíng xián;jiàn mián wēi zuì xiāo，
山榴海柏枝相交。 shān liú hǎi bǎi zhī xiāng jiāo。
水文簟上琥珀枕， shuǐ wén diàn shàng hǔ pò zhěn，
傍有堕钗双翠翘。 bàng yǒu duò chāi shuāng cuì qiáo。
其二
清月依微香露轻， qīng yuè yī wēi xiāng lù;lòu qīng，
曲房小院多逢迎。 qū fáng xiǎo yuàn duō féng yíng。
春丛定见饶栖鸟， chūn cóng dìng jiàn ráo qī niǎo，
饮罢莫持红烛行。 yǐn bà;ba mò chí hóng zhú xíng;háng;xìng。
1st Poem
Nested in the small pavilion, a slight hangover dispelled
The foreign cypress and mountain pomengranate tree crisscross branches
Above the mat’s rippling waves, an amber pillow lies
Next to me, two kingfishers plumes and your fallen hairclip
2nd Poem
A faint scent, the radiant moon expands
A winding corridor and small courtyard meet
Spring’s pleasure are plentiful, their clothes, their perches
Drink and please do not line up the red candles!
Thirty Rhymes Delivered To Tai Yuanlu and Si Kong寄太原卢司空三十韵
隋舰临淮甸， suí jiàn lín huái diàn，
唐旗出井陉。 táng qí chū jǐng xíng。
断鳌支四柱， duàn áo zhī sì zhù，
卓马济三灵。 zhuō mǎ jǐ;jì sān líng。
祖业隆盘古， zǔ yè lóng;lōng pán gǔ，
孙谋复大庭。 sūn móu fù dà tíng。
从来师俊杰， cóng lái shī jùn jié，
可以焕丹青。 kě yǐ huàn dān qīng。
旧族开东岳， jiù zú kāi dōng yuè，
雄图奋北溟。 xióng tú fèn běi míng。
邪同獬廌触， xié tóng;tòng xiè zhì chù，
乐伴凤凰听。 lè;yuè bàn fèng huáng tīng。
酣战仍挥日， hān zhàn réng huī rì，
降妖亦斗霆。 jiàng yāo yì dòu;dǒu tíng。
将军功不伐， jiāng jūn gōng bù fá，
叔舅德惟馨。 shū jiù dé wéi xīn。
鸡塞谁生事， jī sè;sài;sāi shuí shēng shì，
狼烟不暂停。 láng yān bù zàn tíng。
拟填沧海鸟， nǐ tián cāng hǎi niǎo，
敢竞太阳萤。 gǎn jìng tài yáng yíng。
内草才传诏， nèi cǎo cái zhuàn;chuán zhào，
前茅已勒铭。 qián máo yǐ lè míng。
那劳出师表， nà;nèi láo chū shī biǎo，
尽入大荒经。 jìn;jǐn rù dà huāng jīng。
德水萦长带， dé shuǐ yíng cháng dài，
阴山绕画屏。 yīn shān rào huà píng;bǐng。
只忧非綮肯， zhī;zhǐ yōu;yǒu fēi qǐ kěn，
未觉有膻腥。 wèi jué;jiào yǒu shān xīng。
保佐资冲漠， bǎo zuǒ zī chōng mò，
扶持在杳冥。 fú chí zài yǎo míng。
乃心防暗室， nǎi xīn fáng àn shì，
华发称明廷。 huá fà chèn míng tíng。
按甲神初静， àn jiǎ shén chū jìng，
挥戈思欲醒。 huī gē sī yù xǐng。
羲之当妙选， xī zhī dāng;dàng miào xuǎn，
孝若近归宁。 xiào ruò jìn guī níng。
月色来侵幌， yuè sè lái qīn huǎng，
诗成有转櫺。 shī chéng yǒu zhuǎi líng。
罗含黄菊宅， luó;luō hán huáng jú zhái，
柳恽白蘋汀。 liǔ yùn bái pín tīng。
神物龟酬孔， shén wù guī chóu kǒng，
仙才鹤姓丁。 xiān cái hè xìng dīng。
西山童子药， xī shān tóng zǐ yào，
南极老人星。 nán jí lǎo rén xīng。
自顷徒窥管， zì qǐng tú kuī guǎn，
于今愧挈瓶。 yú jīn kuì qiè píng。
何由叨末席， hé yóu dāo mò xí，
还得叩玄扃。 hái;huán dé;děi;de kòu xuán jiōng。
庄叟虚悲雁， zhuāng sǒu xū bēi yàn，
终童漫识鼮。 zhōng tóng màn shí tíng。
幕中虽策画， mù zhōng suī cè huà，
剑外且伶俜。 jiàn wài qiě líng pīng。
俣俣行忘止， yǔ yǔ xíng;háng;xìng wàng zhǐ，
鳏鳏卧不瞑。 guān guān wò bù míng。
身应瘠于鲁， shēn yīng;yìng jí yú lǔ，
泪欲溢为荥。 lèi yù yì wèi;wéi xíng。
禹贡思金鼎， yǔ gàng;gòng sī jīn dǐng，
尧图忆土铏。 yáo tú yì tǔ xíng。
公乎来入相， gōng hū lái rù xiàng;xiāng，
王欲驾云亭。 wáng yù jià yún tíng。
From Emperor Sui’s armada on the banks of the Huai river
The Tang banners entered Jingxing
Ao the great sea turtle carried the sky’s 4 pillars
Horses galloped into the three lands[38]
At Pangu, the centre of heaven and earth, great events began
The rise of the Farmer God was uninterrupted
From a line of martial heroes
Their immortal exploits inscribed in cinnabar red
Lu shi began his work in the eastern mountains[39]
And made great cause in the northern seas
Like the fabulous Oracle bird that knew good from evil
The East heard the sound of the phoenix
After hard won battles, you led the sun
Evil was surrounded by lightning bolts
No one dared to disturb the roosters
Even the lurking wolf couldn’t briefly remain
You were like are the bird who tried to fill the sea with pebbles
As brave as the firefly that challenged the sun!
Before the inner sanctum issued your summons
The soldiers would have your name chiseled in stone
You prepared long and hard with wisdom and teachings
The land was filled with peace
‘Good water’ was depicted on your long sash
Ying Mountain was painted on the screen
You worried that there would be no unifying muscle,
Just the odor of meat and fish
Always living modestly,
Continuing to think deeply
Your heart was guarded against being in a closed place
Gray hair was respected at the court
In the beginning the God Meijia sought calm
The military reveille wakened our thoughts
Through Shaoting you were related to Wang Zhi[40]
A devoted son like Guining
Moonlight passes through the curtains
Poems are revealed in the latticework
Official Luo Han’s villa of yellow peonies
Mister Liu Yun’s white ferns on the riverbank
Like Gui Choukong a prodigy
Like He Xingding, a magical talent
Sustained as if with the celestial’s magic pills of Si Mountain
Or the the Old Man’s star over the North Pole
At one time, you saw only one spot on the leopard
These days you are careful about measuring one’s flesh
Although unworthy of the lowest servant
You still reach to open the doorknob
As wise as Master Zhuang’s Old Man whose duck wouldn’t chatter
Or Zhongtong, who knew much of the court
Although the imperial slats lay in the middle of your tent
How lonely you were in Jianwai
Stalwart and erect, you do not forget to keep walking
Although lonely, even sleeping you are awake
The body should be hungry and lean
As your tears long wash over Xing
Of Yu’s tribute, consider the golden ding
King Rao’s portrait recalls the 6 soup cauldrons
All urge you to enter with those such as you
And the Emperor have you ride above the clouds!
Changing From My Spring Clothes 春深脱衣
睥睨江鸦集， bì nì jiāng yā jí，
堂皇海燕过。 táng huáng hǎi yàn guò。
减衣怜蕙若， jiǎn yì;yī lián huì ruò，
展帐动烟波。 zhǎn zhàng dòng yān bō。
日烈忧花甚， rì liè yōu;yǒu huā shèn，
风长奈柳何。 fēng cháng;zhǎng nài liǔ hé。
陈遵容易学， chén zūn róng yì xué，
身世醉时多。 shēn shì zuì shí duō。
The crows, as if with disdain, gather by the river
Sea swallows hover over the banquet hall
I remove the clothes, cool as an orchid
Curtains open and billow, like waves
In the day’s blazing heat, I worry about my flower
When the wind roars, shouldn’t I care about my willow?
Chen Zong took to study so easily
How many times his body turned to drinks and carnal passion!
Secrets Under The Willow 柳下暗记
无奈巴南柳， wú nài bā nán liǔ，
千条傍吹台。 qiān tiáo bàng chuī tái。
更将黄映白， gèng;gēng jiāng;jiàng huáng yìng bái，
拟作杏花媒。 nǐ zuò xìng huā méi。
The willows of South Ba have no choice[41]
Clustering their thousand branches by Chuitai
How silly their leaves and white catkins glimmering together
As if heralding the blossoming of the apricots.
Visiting Yi Pushe’s Old Villa 过伊仆射旧宅
朱邸方酬力战功， zhū dǐ fāng chóu lì zhàn gōng，
华筵俄叹逝波穷。 huā;huá yán é tàn shì bō qióng。
回廊檐断燕飞去， huí láng yán duàn yàn fēi qù，
小阁尘凝人语空。 xiǎo dū;gé chén níng rén yǔ;yù kōng。
幽泪欲干残菊露， yōu lèi yù gān;gàn;hàn cán jú lù;lòu，
馀香犹入败荷风。 yú xiāng yóu rù bài hè;hé fēng。
何能更涉泷江去， hé néng gèng;gēng shè lóng jiāng qù，
独立寒流吊楚宫。 dú lì hán liú diào chǔ gōng。
The villa’s pearl gate extols his military glory
The magnificent carpet sighs at how life suddenly appears and goes
A twisting corridor and eaves block the swallow’s exit
Dust piles up in the small, silent, abandoned pavilion
Dead plum blossoms, like dried tears, emerge
The wind carries the heavy scents of the sad lotus.
How one braves crossing the rapids alone
In cold, swirling water, to pay homage to this Palace of Chu.
Chrysanthemum 野菊
苦竹园南椒坞边， kǔ zhú yuán nán jiāo wù biān，
微香冉冉泪涓涓。 wēi xiāng rǎn rǎn lèi juān juān。
已悲节物同寒雁， yǐ bēi jié wù tóng;tòng hán yàn，
忍委芳心与暮蝉。 rěn wěi fāng xīn yǔ mù chán。
细路独来当此夕， xì lù dú lái dāng;dàng cǐ xī，
清尊相伴省他年。 qīng zūn xiāng bàn shěng;xǐng tā nián。
紫云新苑移花处， zǐ yún xīn yuàn yí huā chù;chǔ，
不敢霜栽近御筵。 bù gǎn shuāng zāi jìn yù yán。
Next to Wu gorge, by the bitter bamboo and southern spices
A faint scent, a slow trickle of glistening teardrops
Already the desolate landscape seems at one with the shivering wild geese
At dusk, the cicadas’ cry as if seeking a woman’s love
On this little road, I arrive alone
Remembering those years we were together.
Notes:
[1] Rao and Shu were the mythical first kings of China
[2] The Emperor Qin (Yin Zheng) unified China from 6 kingdoms (259-210BC). He was the first king to use the official term ‘Emperor’.
[3] The yellow door represents the palace eunuchs
[4] The Western Han King of Huianan: after he ascended to Heaven, dogs and chickens found his apparatus for making the elixir of immortality, ate the pills and also ascended to heaven.
[5] Plucked string instrument resembling a guitar
[6] A famous beauty who helped destroy a kingdom.
[7] Ding Zi is the name of a maidservant of one of LSY’s acquaintances. Cao wood is used to make pipes, zithers etc.
[8] Chang An. LSY speculates if the Sui empire had succeeded over the Tang Empire.
[9] Chen Houzhu (553-604AD) was the last king of the Chen Dynasty, ultimately vanquished by the Sui Kingdom. His tastes were in art and women and his favorite concubine, Consort Zhang Lihua, was famous for her flower dance. She was beheaded by the Sui forces.
[10] Southern Han dynasty tiles used to build the imperial palace
[11] Xu You fled King Yao, a legendary sage king in ancient China
[12] The southern Han invasion led Emperor Du Cheng to hide with 2 female consorts in a well. When discovered, the consorts were executed
[13] Peach blossoms resemble eyes floating in the air.
[14] King Wu and his two female consorts hid in the well from the invading forces of the Kingdom of Sui. He was captured and his two consorts beheaded.
[15] Pan fei (about 500AD) was a celebrated concubine of the King of Wei. It is said that the palace was tiled with golden lotus images and that she developed a very light step, perhaps by cramping her foot. The king said ‘See! Every step she takes makes a lily grow!’. The King and Pan Fei were killed during the siege of Nanjing by what would become the kingdom of Liang.
[16] A scenic area often frequented by Kings of the Six Southern Dynasties
[17] King Chen Houzhu loved art and music so much, he delayed sending forces to relieve General Hong, and the country was overthrown.
[18] Elm leaves are shaped like round holed coins from the Wu Dynasty
[19] This work was written less than two years before LSY’s death.
[20] An immortal who raised the sun each morning
[21] The wife of the Shang Emperor Wu Ding (11BC), said to be a minority who adopted a Han name.
[22] The great Chinese poet Sima Xiangru (179-117BC), considered the greatest writer of the Fu poem style. 25 of his fu are listed in the Books of Han.
[23] LSY compares himself to Shen Dongyang, and his host to He Sun, a poet who once wrote, When I left, the snow was like flowers, when I returned the flowers were like snow.
[24] Prime Minister of Shu and war strategist Zhuge Liang ordered his Shu-Han army to camp at Choubi ststaion until the Emperor Liu Bei could join their forces. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were talented soldiers in Liu Bei’s army. Jinli Temple was located close to Chengdu, and was part of the Kingdom of Shu.
[25] This is a love poem to Daoist nuns. Rain, clouds and dreams are traditionally associated with love making.
[26] These are Immortals in Daoist literature. LSY could be associating himself with the Jade Lad, who was once mortal and then admitted to Heaven by eating the immortal herb, pill, or elixir.
[27] LSY likens himself to this poet, who often had to call on important people.
[28] Sima appeared before Emperor Wu and stated that he wished to compose a grand fu on the emperor’s excursions and hunts. The emperor had the chief steward of writing give Sima a supply of brushes and bamboo slips which Sima used to compose his magnum opus, a fu on the imperial hunting reserve usually entitled “Fu on the Shanglin Park” (Wikipedia)
[29] Known as Shelifu, or Sariputra, one of the principle disciples of Sakyamuni, or Buddha, and noted for his wisdom and learning.
[30] Yu Xin: (513-580AD) great poet of the southern Liang dynasty, author of Lament for The South
Xu Ling: Liang dynasty scholar
[31] LSY claimed his family had ancestral links to the royal famly
[32] Xu Xin (513-581AD) was a poet of the Liang and Northern Zhou dynasties. The place he governed came to be called Kaifu?
[33] Shen Yue was an ascetic scholar who studied the Shangshu (the classic compiled by Confucius)
[34] The Tang capitol Chang An
[35] Red coral powder was said to help cure eyesight problems. LSY was ill, with diabetes and poor eyesight. Fang was a noted hermit. The poem could be alluding to a Daoist nun’s abortion
[36] Anren AKA he poet Pan Yu, who wrote poems about his wife’s death, LSY was granted sick leave on the occasion of his wife Wang Shi’s passing.
[37] The Cowherd and the Spinning Girl were allowed to meet each other once a year, across a bridge of magpies.
[38] Sky, earth and people (literally, everything)
[39] Lu Shi was an official that LSY sought for a job recommendation
[40] The great calligrapher of the Jin dynasty (around 350AD)
[41] Apricot garden was the venue of successful exam candidates. Military barracks were at Chuitai. The poem can be seen as an exhortation for LSY’s son to return to the capitol for examinations.
A Tang Poet From Nairobi 