Drinking Alone In The Little Orchard                                  小园独酌

柳带谁能结，  liǔ dài shuí néng jié;jiē，

花房未肯开。  huā fáng wèi kěn kāi。

空馀双蝶舞，  kōng yú shuāng dié wǔ，

竟绝一人来。  jìng jué yī rén lái。

半展龙须席，  bàn zhǎn lóng xū xí，

轻斟玛瑙杯。  qīng zhēn  mǎ nǎo bēi。

年年春不定，  nián nián chūn  bù dìng，

虚信岁前梅。  xū xìn suì qián méi。

 

Who has tied the willow’s straps?

The flower buds cannot open, trapped

Two butterflies dance in an open space

I see not a single face

I unfurl half the dragon whisker mat

And lightly drink from the horsehead vat

Year after year, when Spring will arrive is anyone’s guess

The plum arrived early, it seems to confess

Fu To The Silent Plum And Peach Trees                 赋得桃李无言

夭桃花正发，  yāo  táo huā zhèng;zhēng fā;fà，

秾李蕊方繁。  nóng lǐ ruǐ fāng fán。

应候非争艳，  yīng;yìng hòu fēi zhēng yàn，

成蹊不在言。  chéng xī  bù zài yán。

静中霞暗吐，  jìng zhōng xiá àn tǔ，

香处雪潜翻。  xiāng chù;chǔ xuě qián fān。

得意摇风态，  dé yì yáo fēng tài，

含情泣露痕。  hán qíng qì lù;lòu hén。

芬芳光上苑，  fēn fāng guāng shàng yuàn，

寂默委中园。  jì mò wěi zhōng yuán。

赤白徒自许，  chì bái tú zì xǔ，

幽芳谁与论。  yōu fāng shuí yǔ lùn。

 

Tender peach blossoms grow and fly

The plum stamens, profuse, multiply

This is not the time for colors that clash

Without a word, they create new paths

In the quiet, the sunset pours out its glow

Everywhere fragrant snowflakes billow

Firmly, the wind gently, gently shakes

Full of passion, falling tears it seems to make

The Lin Garden with a rich scent is filled

Abandoned in a yard lovely but still

Along these red and white paths I find my role

Who will be my kindred soul?

 

Fu To The Moon That Illuminates The Frozen Pond         赋得月照冰池

皓月方离海，  hào yuè fāng lí;róu hǎi，

坚冰正满池。  jiān bīng zhèng;zhēng mǎn chí。

金波双激射，  jīn bō shuāng jī shè，

璧彩两参差。  bì cǎi liǎng  cēn cī。

影占徘徊处，  yǐng zhàn;zhān  pái huí chù;chǔ，

光含的皪时。  guāng hán de;dì;dí lì shí。

高低连素色，  gāo dī lián sù sè，

上下接清规。  shàng xià jiē  qīng guī。

顾兔飞难定，  gù tù fēi nán dìng，

潜鱼跃未期。  qián yú yuè wèi qī。

鹊惊俱欲绕，  què jīng jù;jū yù rào，

狐听始无疑。  hú tīng shǐ  wú yí。

似镜将盈手，  sì jìng jiāng;jiàng yíng shǒu，

如霜恐透肌。  rú shuāng kǒng tòu jī。

独怜游玩意，  dú lián  yóu wán yì，

达晓不知疲。  dá xiǎo  bù zhī pí。

 

The bright moon sets itself apart from the sea

Frozen ice completely covers the pond

The moonlight plays with these waves of gold

A jade coin with a hole that dips and rolls

Shadows fall as it paces back and forth

Trembling beneath the glowing pearl

A black strip links the mountains and the plain

High and low, the moonlight unfurls

It is hard to say where the lunar rabbit will fly

Who knows where the pearlfish will leap

Startled, circling the trees are black magpies

The fox listens, knows when the ice has taken hold

It seems the mirror grasps my hand

Fearful is the frost beneath my skin

In my solitude, wandering this cold playland

Sleepless until dawn, not weary, I’m all in.

 

Hating Being Unable To See The Capitol’s Bright Lights On The 15th Night Of The 1st Month Of The Lunar Year                             正月十五夜闻京有灯恨不得观

月色灯山满帝都，  yuè sè dēng shān mǎn  dì dū，

香车宝盖隘通衢。  xiāng chē bǎo gě;gài ài tōng qú。

身闲不睹中兴盛，  shēn xián;jiàn bù dǔ zhōng  xīng shèng，

羞逐乡人赛紫姑。  xiū zhú  xiāng rén sài zǐ gū。

The moon and the lamps light the Emperor’s home

Beautiful carts and magnificent steeds roam through narrow streets

Idle, unable to see the glorious parade

I’m left with the plain folks to honor the Purple Maid

Joyous Snow                                                                                      喜雪

朔雪自龙沙，  shuò xuě zì  lóng shā，

呈祥势可嘉。  chéng xiáng shì  kě jiā。

有田皆种玉，  yǒu tián jiē  zhǒng;zhòng  yù，

无树不开花。  wú shù bù  kāi huā。

班扇慵裁素，  bān shàn;shān yōng cái sù，

曹衣讵比麻。  cáo yì;yī jù bǐ má。

鹅归逸少宅，  é guī yì shǎo;shào zhái，

鹤满令威家。  hè mǎn lìng wēi jiā。

寂寞门扉掩，  jì mò  mén fēi yǎn，

依稀履迹斜。  yī xī lǚ jī xié。

人疑游面市，  rén yí yóu miàn shì，

马似困盐车。  mǎ sì kùn yán chē。

洛水妃虚妒，  luò shuǐ fēi xū dù，

姑山客漫夸。  gū shān kè màn kuā。

联辞虽许谢，  lián cí suī xǔ xiè，

和曲本惭巴。  hé qū běn cán bā。

粉署闱全隔，  fěn shǔ wéi quán gé，

霜台路正赊。  shuāng tái lù zhèng;zhēng shē。

此时倾贺酒，  cǐ shí qīng hè jiǔ，

相望在京华。  xiāng wàng zài  jīng huá。

 

The first snow brings to mind the Dragon Sands

Powerful and auspicious, joyous as it lands

Fields are planted with jade so white

Trees, everyone of them, flower bright

Snowflakes cut against the lazy fans

Cao clothes are like white sesame, or tan

The white geese returns to Master Yishao’s farm, loyal

In Liu wei’s home the heron stays, lest it the whiteness spoils

The covered fig door knob is lovely

Boot prints are faint and rare

Everyone doubts this is the city’s face

As horse carts laden with salt take their place

Light as the jealous concubine of the Luo River

Lighter than the Mountain Goddess – a guest can only quiver

Although the fine melody ‘Willow Catkins’ deserves our thanks

More than popular songs, snow outranks

Office side gates are completely blocked

Frost on roads and stages soaks the shops

Now is the time to toast with wine

Let us gaze on our Capitol so fine!

 

Fading Snow                                                                                      残雪

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。

 

With the rising son, 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, light peaks through

Warming jade poplars, green shoots growing too

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

Scary, step after step, walking 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.

 

Remembering the Snow                                                                     忆雪

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。

 

This lover of winter scenes is joyous

The sky changes as the 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 six 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 concubine’s tower brocades stream, hang free

Auspicious, the field is one chi deep

In a  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^[1]

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!

 

Thoughts On An Autumn Evening                                       秋日晚思

桐槿日零落，  tóng jǐn rì  líng luò，

雨馀方寂寥。  yǔ yú fāng  jì liáo。

枕寒庄蝶去，  zhěn hán zhuāng dié qù，

窗冷胤萤销。  chuāng lěng yìn yíng xiāo。

取适琴将酒，  qǔ shì qín jiāng;jiàng jiǔ，

忘名牧与樵。  wàng míng mù yǔ qiáo。

平生有游旧，  píng shēng yǒu yóu jiù，

一一在烟霄。  yī yī zài yān xiāo。

 

Tong trees and the Hibiscus daily droop and wither

After the rain, it is lonely and deserted, hither and thither

From a cool pillow, Master Zhang’s butterfly flees^[2]

By the freezing window, Scholar Yu used fireflies to read

Be glad and happy to have the zither and wine

Forget about flocks and firewood this time

All one’s life, one can travel with an old friend

May we to the hazy clouds ascend!

 

Chrysanthemum                                                                                菊花

暗暗淡淡紫，  àn àn  dàn dàn zǐ，

融融冶冶黄。  róng róng yě yě huáng。

陶令篱边色，  táo lìng lí biān sè，

罗含宅里香。  luó;luō hán zhái lǐ xiāng。

几时禁重露，  jǐ shí jìn;jīn zhòng;chóng lù;lòu，

实是怯残阳。  shí shì qiè  cán yáng。

愿泛金鹦鹉，  yuàn fàn jīn  yīng wǔ，

升君白玉堂。  shēng jūn bái yù táng。

 

Your purple hues are so dimly felt

Your golden shards blend and melt

Tao commanded the hedge colors have a lively bent

Luo Hans’s villa was filled with their pleasant scent

When you float in the parrot shaped cup of gold

Up to the White Jade Hall you lift my soul!

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.

On Prefect Ma’s poem ‘Seeing The Shifting Chrysanthemum’和马郎中移白菊见示

陶诗只采黄金实，  táo shī zhī;zhǐ cǎi  huáng jīn shí，

郢曲新传白雪英。  yǐng qū xīn zhuàn;chuán bái xuě yīng。

素色不同篱下发，  sù sè  bù tóng lí xià fā;fà，

繁花疑自月中生。  fán huā yí zì  yuè zhōng shēng。

浮杯小摘开云母，  fú bēi xiǎo zhāi kāi  yún mǔ，

带露全移缀水精。  dài lù quán yí zhuì  shuǐ jīng。

偏称含香五字客，  piān chèn hán xiāng wǔ zì kè，

从兹得地始芳荣。  cóng;zòng;cōng zī dé;děi;de dì;de shǐ fāng róng。

The Gold Chrysanthemum is all that Poet Tao can sing

Now The White Petal is the favorite song of the Capital of Ying

All manner of pale flowers appear by the hedges

Profuse, as though from the moon’s gleaming edges

Petals float in the cup like ‘mother  clouds’ picked apart

A trellis of flowers, like a brocade made of crystal

The rich scent may be called the ‘5 Woods of Grace’^[3]

From now on, your glorious fragrance will spread from place to place

Sent with thoughts of Prefect Ma at Jongde Station                                                                         寄和水部马郎中题兴德驿，时昭义已平

仙郎倦去心，  xiān láng quán;juàn qù xīn，

郑驿暂登临。  zhèng yì zàn  dēng lín。

水色潇湘阔，  shuǐ sè xiāo xiāng kuò，

沙程朔漠深。  shā chéng  shuò mò shēn。

鹢舟时往复，  yì zhōu shí  wǎng fù，

鸥鸟恣浮沉。  ōu niǎo zì  fú chén。

更想逢归马，  gèng;gēng xiǎng féng guī mǎ，

悠悠岳树阴。  yōu yōu yuè  shù yīn。

 

The divine prefect, exhausted, thinks of home

For a brief moment, up and down Zhongde Station he roams

The watery hues shimmer over the vast Xiang River

Deep is the journey across the deserts of the Northern Lands

The Yi bird boat floats back and forth^[4]

Gulls lazily meander without purpose

How I imagine meeting your horse homeward bound

Leisurely entering Hua Mountain, where shady trees lie all around

For The Homes Of Yang Le The Counties’ Prayers For Rain Are At Long Last Granted, Hence I Write This Fu所居永乐县久旱，县宰祈祷得雨，因赋诗

甘膏滴滴是精诚，  gān gāo dī dī shì  jīng chéng，

昼夜如丝一尺盈。  zhòu yè rú sī yī chǐ;chě yíng。

只怪闾阎喧鼓吹，  zhī;zhǐ guài lǘ yán xuān  gǔ chuī，

邑人同报朿长生。  yì rén tóng;tòng bào cì cháng;zhǎng shēng

 

The pure, sweet ointment drips,and falls at last

The long evening is filled with shards of silk, one for each day past

The locals loud drums and whistles surprise the gods they entertain

The people also entreated Master Tu to grant them rain

  

On The Evening View From The Green Spirit Pavilion, Sent To Wei Pingshi In Yunzhou                      灵仙阁晚眺寄郓州韦评事

愚公方住谷，  yú gōng fāng zhù gǔ，

仁者本依山。  rén zhě běn yī shān。

共誓林泉志，  gòng shì lín quán zhì，

胡为尊俎间。  hú wèi;wéi zūn zǔ jiān;jiàn;xiàn。

华莲开菡萏，  huā;huá lián kāi hàn dàn，

荆玉刻孱颜。  jīng yù kè chán;càn yán。

爽气临周道，  shuǎng qì lín zhōu dào，

岚光入汉关。  lán guāng rù hàn guān。

满壶从蚁泛，  mǎn hú cóng;zòng;cōng yǐ fàn，

高阁已苔斑。  gāo gé yǐ tāi bān。

想就安车召，  xiǎng jiù ān chē zhào，

宁期负矢还。  nìng;níng qī fù shǐ hái;huán。

潘游全璧散，  pān yóu quán bì sǎn，

郭去半舟闲。  guō qù bàn zhōu xián;jiàn。

定笑幽人迹，  dìng xiào yōu  rén jì，

鸿轩不可攀。  hóng xuān  bù kě pān。

 

To live in the canyon of the foolish mandarin

Is to be close to nature, itself not a sin

Indeed, can’t one show fealty to forests and lakes

Rather than to plates of meat and pitchers of mead?

Hua Mountain’s Handan Peak with lotus blooms,

Before jade petals the face of Chan Cliff looms

A fresh breeze washes over the Road of Zhou

Over Hanguan Pass a misty gaze forms and glows

Floating ants form bubbles in the wine

Patches of moss grow on pavilions that were once so fine

How I want to ride the ceremonial cart

And receive oaths and pledges of the heart!

To be like Pan Yue when he was as beautiful as a jade Bi

Or when he and Master Zhou rested on a boat, so free!

Go ahead and scoff that this hermit is a bore

Yet above whom even the swan goose cannot soar!

Offering These Gentlemen 4 Rhymes On Middle River Official  Ren Zhongcheng’s Creation, The River Pavilion                       奉同诸公题河中任中丞新创河亭四韵之作

万里谁能访十洲，  wàn lǐ shuí néng fǎng shí zhōu，

新亭云构压中流。  xīn tíng yún gòu yà;yā  zhōng liú。

河鲛纵玩难为室，  hé jiāo zòng;zōng wán;wàn  nán wei shì，

海蜃遥惊耻化楼。  hǎi shèn yáo jīng chǐ huà;huā lóu。

左右名山穷远目，  zuǒ yòu míng shān qióng yuǎn mù，

东西大道锁轻舟。  dōng xi;dōng xī  dà dào suǒ  qīng zhōu。

独留巧思传千古，  dú liú  qiǎo sī zhuàn;chuán  qiān gǔ，

长与蒲津作胜游。  cháng;zhǎng yǔ pú jīn zuò shèng;shēng yóu。

 

How many thousands will visit the magical county of Shi Zhou

Where a proud and lofty new pavilion bears down as the river flows

There mermaids play, reluctant to return to their homes so soon

In the distance, startled sea clams are ashamed of the towers they groom

From its view, Ming Mountain seems puny to the left or to the right

The East West thoroughfares seem locked together by a skiff quite light

One alone remains, to marvel at a creation that will last for ages

With Puyin Pass, long will it be a scenic sight as the traveler gazes

 

On Passing the Ideal Son Yao’s Home                     过姚孝子庐偶书

拱木临周道，  gǒng mù lín zhōu dào，

荒庐积古苔。  huāng lú jī gǔ tāi。

鱼因感姜出，  yú yīn gǎn jiāng chū，

鹤为吊陶来。  hè wèi;wéi diào táo lái。

两鬓蓬常乱，  liǎng bìn péng cháng luàn，

双眸血不开。  shuāng móu xiě bù kāi。

圣朝敦尔类，  shèng cháo dūn ěr lèi，

非独路人哀。  fēi dú  lù rén āi;yǐ。

 

Trees tickle the sky and overlook the great Zhou road

Moss on the dilapidated house gathers and grows old

Jiang left to fish because he cared so much

For Tao the herons paid homage without a fuss^[5]

I imagine your often fluffy and discheveled brows

To open your eyes – this your tears of blood did not allow

God and King urge such filial loyalty

This traveler does not mourn for you alone,  you see!

While Staying At The Haozhou Provincial Office, I Wrote This Vivid Description Of The Peaceful Dao School At Zhongtiao Mountain, Built By Official Wangyan                  题道静院，院在中条山，故王颜中丞所置，虢州刺史舍官居此，今写真存焉

紫府丹成化鹤群，  zǐ fǔ dān chéng  huà hè qún，

青松手植变龙文。  qīng  sōng shǒu zhí biàn lóng wén。

壶中别有仙家日，  hú zhōng biè;bié yǒu xiān jiā rì，

岭上犹多隐士云。  lǐng shàng yóu duō  yǐn shì yún。

独坐遗芳成故事，  dú zuò yí fāng chéng  gù shì，

褰帷旧貌似元君。qiān wéi jiù  mào sì yuán jūn。

自怜筑室灵山下，zì lián zhú;zhù shì líng shān xià，

徒望朝岚与夕曛。tú wàng cháo;zhāo lán yǔ xī xūn。

 

In the Purple Court, the flock of herons have attained the Way – just so

The green poplar tended by your hands is now covered with dragon scales

These days, Huzhong’s caves are a wonderland where spirits sail

To Zhongtiao Mountain many hermits retreat

The uplifting spirit from their stories is evident from my lonely seat

One seems to see celestial spirits, even while raising old bedcurtains

I would love to build a home before the mountains, that’s certain

To view the morning mist and the remnants of the sunset’s glow.

Houseboat                                                                                           水斋

多病欣依有道邦，  duō bìng xīn yī  yǒu dào bāng，

南塘宴起想秋江。  nán táng yàn qǐ xiǎng qiū jiāng。

卷帘飞燕还拂水，  juǎn;juàn lián fēi yàn hái;huán fú shuǐ，

开户暗虫犹打窗。  kāi hù àn chóng yóu dǎ;dá chuāng。

更阅前题已披卷，  gèng;gēng yuè qián tí yǐ  pī juàn，

仍斟昨夜未开缸。  réng zhēn  zuó yè wèi kāi gāng。

谁人为报故交道，  shuí  rén wéi bào gù  jiāo dào，

莫惜鲤鱼时一双。  mò xī  lǐ yú shí  yī shuāng。

 

Although quite sick, I still find happiness in the Way

The winding river brings to mind South Bank’s easy days

The rolled up curtains and the darting swallows touch the water

Insects bang the windows, doors opens to a place without her

I read the preface again, scrolls lie here and there

Unopened lies the pitcher of wine made yesterday

Who will report to an old friend how I fared

And that when the carp was offered, I did not care? [6]

Slanting Sunbeams                                                                            日射

日射纱窗风撼扉，  rì shè  shā chuāng fēng hàn fēi，

香罗拭手春事违。  xiāng luó;luō shì shǒu chūn shì wēi。

回廊四合掩寂寞，  huí láng sì hé;gé yǎn  jì mò，

碧鹦鹉对红蔷薇。  bì  yīng wǔ duì hóng  qiáng wéi。

 

Slanting sunbeams strike the gauze curtains, door fans sway in the wind

You wash your hands in scented rooms, and time just idles away

Throughout these winding corridors you are so alone

The emerald parrot faces the red rose, uttering nary a tone

Climbing the Yi Tower on Mount  Huo                    登霍山驿楼

庙列前峰迥，  miào liè qián fēng jiǒng，

楼开四望穷。  lóu kāi  sì wàng qióng。

岭鼷岚色外，  lǐng xī lán sè wài，

陂雁夕阳中。  pō;pí yàn  xī yáng zhōng。

弱柳千条露，  ruò liǔ qiān tiáo lù;lòu，

衰荷一面风。  shuāi;cuī hè;hé  yī miàn fēng。

壶关有狂孽，  hú guān yǒu kuáng niè，

速继老生功。  sù jì  lǎo shēng gōng。

 

The splendid peak rises before the temple gates

Seen from the tower, all seems to fade away

Around Xi Ridge forms this cloudy haze

A flock of gulls play in the dusky rays

One thousand leaves droop from the willow tree

The lotus, sinking, is roused by the wind so free

In the Hu Pass once lurked the crazy devil^[7]

Until Luo Sheng quickly ended this rebel’s evil

 

Playfully presented to Mi Mountain’s Post House Officer Wang Quan                                                           戏题赠稷山驿吏王全

绛台驿吏老风尘，  jiāng tái  yì lì lǎo  fēng chén，

耽酒成仙几十春。  dān jiǔ chéng xiān jǐ;jī shí chūn。

过客不劳询甲子，  guò kè bù láo xún  jiǎ zǐ，

惟书亥字与时人。  wéi shū hài zì yǔ shí rén。

 

The Jiangtai posthouse officer has long struggled through dust and wind

From his love of drink, he has become an immortal after so many springs

Of his age, the traveler does not attempt to enquire or talk

Only the Haizi records reveal to us his (56) years of work

Pleasing Oneself                                                                                 自喜

自喜蜗牛舍，  zì xǐ  wō niú shè;shě，

兼容燕子巢。  jiān róng  yàn zi cháo。

绿筠遗粉箨，  lǜ yún yí fěn tuò，

红药绽香苞。  hóng yào zhàn xiāng bāo。

虎过遥知阱，  hǔ guò yáo zhī jǐng，

鱼来且佐庖。  yú lái qiě zuǒ páo。

慢行成酩酊，  màn xíng chéng  mǐng dǐng，

邻壁有松醪。  lín bì yǒu sōng láo。

 

I please myself in my snail shell home

Harmonious as the swallow and her young in the nest

The green bamboo sheds its dusty shoots

The red flower bursts open with fragrant buds

The tiger leaves, sensing a distant trap

The fish arrives, now I can make my meal

I walk carefree in drunken abandon

Poplar leaf wine is served behind my neighbor’s walls

After Taiyuan’s Salt Flats I Moved My Family To Yang Le And Posted These 10 Verses To My Two Elders Liu And Wei, Who Often Used To Stay Here                                   大卤平后移家到永乐县居，书怀十韵寄刘韦二前辈，二公于此县寄居

驱马绕河干，  qū mǎ rào hé gān;gàn;hàn，

家山照露寒。  jiā shān zhào lù;lòu hán。

依然五柳在，  yī rán wǔ liǔ zài，

况值百花残。  kuàng zhí bǎi huā cán。

昔去惊投笔，  xī qù jīng tóu bǐ，

今来分挂冠。  jīn lái fēn  guà guàn。

不忧悬磬乏，  bù yōu;yǒu xuán qìng fá，

乍喜覆盂安。  zhà xǐ fù yú ān。

甑破宁回顾，  zèng pò nìng;níng  huí gù，

舟沉岂暇看。  zhōu chén qǐ xiá kàn;kān。

脱身离虎口，  tuō shēn lí;róu  hǔ kǒu，

移疾就猪肝。  yí jí jiù zhū gān。

鬓入新年白，  bìn rù  xīn nián bái，

颜无旧日丹。  yán wú  jiù rì dān。

自悲秋获少，  zì  bēi qiū huò shǎo;shào，

谁惧夏畦难。  shuí jù xià qí nán。

逸志忘鸿鹄，  yì zhì wàng  hóng hú，

清香披蕙兰。  qīng xiāng pī  huì lán。

还持一杯酒，  hái;huán chí  yī bēi jiǔ，

坐想二公欢。  zuò xiǎng èr gōng huān。

 

When I ride my horse and circle the river at night

My mountain home glows with a cold, cold light

The five willows still stand here

A hundred flowers fade and disappear

When I gave up writing, that was a surprising phase

One can say I have also hung up my cap these days

Not worried about the empty spaces

At first I was happy to find peaceful places

The rice steamer is broken, no need to look back

Does one have time when the boats have been sacked?

From the tiger’s den I pulled myself hither

With sick leave and meals of pork liver

As I enter the new year my brow turns white

A ruddy tone colors my face after just a few nights.

One’s tragedy is that autumn reaps yet few rewards

In summer, doesn’t one till until the sweat pours?

The hermit’s spirit has forgotten the swan

Fresh and fragrant orchids drape over me one by one

Not to mention I hold a cup of wine

Sitting, thinking of two comrades who are happy at this time

Uplifting Thoughts On A Spring Night                                 春宵自遣

地胜遗尘事，  dì;de shèng;shēng yí  chén shì，

身闲念岁华。  shēn xián;jiàn niàn suì huā;huá。

晚晴风过竹，  wǎn qíng fēng guò zhú，

深夜月当花。  shēn yè yuè dāng;dàng huā。

石乱知泉咽，  shí luàn zhī quán yàn;yè;yān，

苔荒任径斜。  tāi huāng rèn jìng xié。

陶然恃琴酒，  táo rán shì  qín jiǔ，

忘却在山家。  wàng què zài shān jiā。

 

The troubles of the mortal world are forgotten

My body leaves behind this passage through time

The evening breeze rushes through the bamboo

In deepest night, moonbeams light up the flowers

I hear the brook’s water run over the jumbled stones

I see the moss askew on the footpath

Poet Tao relied on wine and the zither

To forget he was in a mountain home

Responding to Cui Ba’s Gift Of The Poem “The Early Plum”酬崔八早梅有赠兼示之作

知访寒梅过野塘，  zhī fǎng hán méi guò yě táng，

久留金勒为回肠。  jiǔ liú jīn lè wèi;wéi  huí cháng。

谢郎衣袖初翻雪，  xiè láng  yī xiù chū fān xuě，

荀令熏炉更换香。  xún lìng xūn lú  gēng huàn xiāng。

何处拂胸资蝶粉，  hé chǔ fú xiōng zī dié fěn，

几时涂额藉蜂黄。  jǐ shí tú é jiè;jí fēng huáng。

维摩一室虽多病，  wéi mó yī shì suī  duō bìng，

亦要天花作道场。  yì yào;yāo  tiān huā zuò  dào chǎng。

 

I know you searched for the shivering plum^[8] by the wild river bank,

For a long time you held the golden reins, anxiety gnawing at your heart.

The tumbling snow was flicked off Scholar Xie’s sleeve

Its scent was richer than General Xun’s censer

Where does the butterfly’s pollen brush your chest?

When will the bee’s honey smear your forehead?

In his room, Master Wei Ma^[9] was often sick during the rites

He believed the falling snowflakes would add to his insight

The Hermit                                                                                         幽人

丹灶三年火，  dān zào  sān nián huǒ，

苍崖万岁藤。  cāng yá  wàn suì téng。

樵归说逢虎，  qiáo guī shuō;shuì féng hǔ，

棋罢正留僧。  qí bà;ba zhèng;zhēng liú sēng。

星斗同秦分，  xīng dǒu tóng;tòng qín fēn，

人烟接汉陵。  rén yān jiē hàn líng。

东流清渭苦，  dōng liú qīng wèi kǔ，

不尽照衰兴。  bù jìn zhào shuāi;cuī xìng;xīng。

 

For three years the incense has burned

Ancient vines grow from craggy peaks

Returning with firewood you saw a tiger, you said

You’re happy to play chess with a monk, your friend.

The star topped skies are the limits of Qin, yet

In the mist, mortality lies with the Tomb of Han

Difficult the eastward path of the tumbling Wei^[10]

A watery mirror of glory and decline, day after day.

Remembering the Sage                                                                      忆住一师

无事经年别远公，  wú shì  jīng nián biè;bié yuǎn gōng，

帝城钟晓忆西峰。  dì chéng zhōng xiǎo yì xī fēng。

炉烟消尽寒灯晦，  lú yān xiāo jìn;jǐn hán dēng huì，

童子开门雪满松。  tóng zǐ  kāi mén xuě mǎn sōng。

 

In my youth my thoughts were always connected to Teacher Yuan

Each morning the capitol’s sounds of prayer recalled West Peak again and again

When candles putter out, and lamps lie gloomy and cool

The lad opens the door, revealing snow over the poplars end to end

On Seeing Liu Pingshi’s Letter When We Were Resting At Yongle 和刘评事永乐闲居见寄

白社幽闲君暂居，  bái shè  yōu xián jūn  zàn jū，

青云器业我全疏。  qīng yún qì yè wǒ quán shū。

看封谏草归鸾掖，  kàn;kān fēng jiàn cǎo guī luán yē，

尚贲衡门待鹤书。  shàng bì héng mén dāi hè shū。

莲耸碧峰关路近，  lián sǒng bì fēng guān lù jìn，

荷翻翠扇水堂虚。  hè;hé fān cuì shàn;shān shuǐ táng xū。

自探典籍忘名利，  zì tàn  diǎn jí wàng  míng lì，

欹枕时惊落蠹鱼。  yī zhěn shí jīng luò;lào;là  dù yú。

 

Gentle and serene, dressed in white, you retreated a while

The high official’s green was yours while my prospects lay scant indeed

The reprimand was drafted to return you to the Phoenix Court

Joyfully you received the emperor’s writ adorned above the door

Lotus flowers and emerald peaks sit astride the Pass

There are no blooming lilies and jade fans in the water hall

I search for ancient scrolls and forget all these names and things

By my pillow, a silverfish falls from the paper, startling me

 

North Qingluo                                                                                    北青萝

残阳西入崦，cán yáng xī rù yān，

茅屋访孤僧。máo wū fǎng gū sēng。

落叶人何在，luò yè rén  hé zài，

寒云路几层。hán yún lù jǐ;jī céng。

独敲初夜磬，dú qiāo  chū yè qìng，

闲倚一枝藤。xián;jiàn yǐ yī zhī téng。

世界微尘里，shì jiè wēi chén lǐ，

吾宁爱与憎。wú nìng;níng ài yǔ zēng。

 

Ever weaker, sunbeams from the west fall into Yan Mountain

I pay a visit to the monk’s thatched cottage

Who can live here, with these fallen leaves

And a path far up to cold clouds above?

The night drum sounds for the first time

We talk, he leans on a rattan cane

Such tiny specks in this world are we,

How is it we love and hate, says he to me.

The Return                                                                                         归来

旧隐无何别，  jiù yǐn  wú hé biè;bié，

归来始更悲。  guī lái shǐ gèng;gēng bēi。

难寻白道士，  nán xún  bái dào shì，

不见惠禅师。  bù jiàn huì  chán shī。

草径虫鸣急，  cǎo jìng chóng míng jí，

沙渠水下迟。  shā qú  shuǐ xià chí。

却将波浪眼，  què jiāng;jiàng  bō làng yǎn，

清晓对红梨。  qīng xiǎo duì hóng lí。

 

I left this old retreat for a short while

And returned to a great sadness

Hard was the search for the White Priest

Nor did I see Teacher Hui Xiang

Insects shriek along the grassy path

Water slowly sinks into sandy ditches

My eyes with tears flicker

Like red pears in a clear dawn

 

Monk Bai Yunfu’s Old Home                                                白云夫旧居

平生误识白云夫，  píng shēng wù shí bái yún fū，

再到仙檐忆酒垆。  zài dào xiān yán yì jiǔ lú。

墙外万株人绝迹，  qiáng wài wàn zhū rén  jué jì，

夕阳惟照欲栖乌。  xī yáng wéi zhào yù qī wū。

 

From time to time it was hard to recognize Monk Bai Yunfu

When he went to his celestial nook and indulged in his heady brew

Beyond the walls ten thousand tree trunks block the way

Only this crow’s perch shines in the last rays of the day

 

Calling Out To The Mountain                                                           谒山

从来系日乏长绳，  cóng lái xì;jì rì fá cháng;zhǎng shéng，

水去云回恨不胜。  shuǐ qù yún huí hèn  bù shèng。

欲就麻姑买沧海，  yù jiù má gū mǎi  cāng hǎi，

一杯春露冷如冰。  yī bēi chūn lù;lòu lěng  rú bīng。

 

Daylight never fails to be reeled in by that long long rope

As water drains, clouds return, leaving me weary and hopeless

Would that the Sesame Maiden bring the light back from the deep blue sea

For Spring’s cup quickly turns cold as ice, you see

 

Heyang Poem                                                                                     河阳诗

黄河摇溶天上来，  huáng hé yáo róng tiān  shàng lái，

玉楼影近中天台。  yù lóu yǐng jìn  zhōng tiān tái。

龙头泻酒客寿杯，  lóng tóu xiè;xì jiǔ kè shòu bēi，

主人浅笑红玫瑰。  zhǔ rén qiǎn xiào hóng  méi guī。

梓泽东来七十里，  zǐ zé dōng lái  qī shí lǐ，

长沟复堑埋云子。  cháng;zhǎng gōu fù qiàn mái yún zǐ。

可惜秋眸一脔光，  kě xī qiū móu yī luán guāng，

汉陵走马黄尘起。  hàn líng  zǒu mǎ huáng chén qǐ。

南浦老鱼腥古涎，  nán pǔ lǎo yú xīng gǔ xián，

真珠密字芙蓉篇。  zhēn zhū mì zì  fú róng piān。

湘中寄到梦不到，  xiāng zhōng jì dào mèng  bù dào，

衰容自去抛凉天。  shuāi;cuī róng zì qù pāo liáng tiān。

忆得蛟丝裁小卓，  yì dé;děi;de jiāo sī cái xiǎo zhuō，

蛱蝶飞回木绵薄。  jiá dié fēi huí mù  mián bó。

绿绣笙囊不见人，  lǜ xiù shēng náng  bù jiàn rén，

一口红霞夜深嚼。  yī kǒu hóng xiá yè shēn jué;jiáo。

幽兰泣露新香死，  yōu lán qì lù;lòu xīn xiāng sǐ，

画图浅缥松溪水。  huà tú qiǎn piǎo sōng qī shuǐ。

楚丝微觉竹枝高，  chǔ sī wēi jué;jiào zhú zhī gāo，

半曲新辞写绵纸。  bàn qū xīn cí xiě mián zhǐ。

巴西夜市红守宫，  bā xī  yè shì hóng  shǒu gōng，

后房点臂斑斑红。  hòu fáng diǎn bì  bān bān hóng。

堤南渴雁自飞久，  dī nán kě yàn zì fēi jiǔ，

芦花一夜吹西风。  lú huā yī yè chuī  xī fēng。

晓帘串断蜻蜓翼，  xiǎo lián chuàn duàn  qīng tíng yì，

罗屏但有空青色。  luó;luō píng;bǐng dàn  yǒu kòng  qīng sè。

玉湾不钓三千年，  yù wān bù diào sān  qiān nián，

莲房暗被蛟龙惜。  lián fáng àn bèi jiāo lóng xī。

湿银注镜井口平，  shī yín zhù jìng  jǐng kǒu píng，

鸾钗映月寒铮铮。  luán chāi yìng yuè hán  zhēng zhēng。

不知桂树在何处，  bù zhī  guì shù  zài hé chǔ，

仙人不下双金茎。  xiān rén bù xià shuāng jīn jīng。

百尺相风插重屋，  bǎi chǐ;chě xiàng;xiāng fēng chā  chóng wū，

侧近嫣红伴柔绿。  cè jìn  yān hóng bàn róu lǜ。

百劳不识对月郎，  bǎi láo bù shí duì yuè láng，

湘竹千条为一束。  xiāng zhú qiān tiáo wèi;wéi  yī shù。

 

Turbulent, these rolling waters of Heaven’s Yellow River,

The Jade Mansion shadow falls on Zhongtian Terrace hither.

The guest’s mug overflows with wine from the Dragon Head pitcher,

With a rosy dimpled smile the hostess gently laughs, and I with her.

Yize lies seventy li away in the Eastern zones,

There I passed long ravines and moats covered with mica like bones.

What I pity that I failed to see the autumn pools within your eyes

As if horses had pounded over the Han King’s tomb, raising a dusty sheen

Awaiting your news from the southern riverbank made me drool as over tasty fish of old,

Honest, sweet words and thoughts quietly adorned your hibiscus scented scrolls.

At Xiao Zhong my missive arrived but my dreams of seeing you were unfulfilled,

Autumn went, I departed, wan and sallow, saddened, failed.

Remembering the small table you cut and embroidered silk of mermaids and sharks,

Moths fly back to my pillow of cotton worn thin and stark.

No one plays the Sheng by the embroidered green coverlet,

Crimson silk threads sparkle in the deep of the night.

The orchid weeps to know your scent is gone ,

Greenish blue poplars and little brooks in a picture have shone.

The Chu Silk songs feel weak, the Bamboo branch poems are grand,

Half finished songs and new poems on the silk paper land.

The red Shou Palace lies in Baling’s night time city,

In their other homes bloody spots marked the arms of wasted beauties.

Yearning, I am a wild goose flying long over the southern banks,

Then at night, from the reeds the west wind blows me askance.

Morning, the curtain strings stop the dragonfly’s wings,

Empty, the netted screen is a simple green.

The Jade sea has not been fished for three thousand years,

While the lotus palace is cherished by a water dragon that rarely appears.

Wet silver pours into the mirror’s placid well,

The Luan hairpin clicks where a cold moon dwells

The Cassia tree has vanished, I reckon

The immortal’s double staff of gold has not beckoned

One hundred chi high, the weather vane sticks from the lofty tower

Close to bright vermillion and soft emerald walls

Aloft, the shrike cares not for the moon’s consort

Or the bamboo bouquet mottled with a thousand tears.

 

When My Good Friend Official Weipan At Shizi Stream Could Not Visit, And I Was Living At Guo Binning Villa In Shuici.                         十字水期韦潘侍御同年不至时韦寓居水次故郭汾宁宅

伊水溅溅相背流，  yī shuǐ  jiān jiān xiàng;xiāng bèi;bēi liú，

朱栏画阁几人游。  zhū lán huà dū;gé jǐ;jī rén yóu。

漆灯夜照真无数，  qī dēng yè zhào zhēn  wú shù，

蜡炬晨炊竟未休。  là jù  chén chuī jìng wèi xiū。

顾我有怀同大梦，  gù wǒ yǒu huái  tóng dà mèng，

期君不至更沈忧。  qī jūn bù zhì gèng;gēng shěn;chén yōu;yǒu。

西园碧树今谁主，  xī yuán bì shù jīn shuí zhǔ，

与近高窗卧听秋。  yǔ jìn gāo chuāng wò tīng qiū。

 

The Yi waters pitter patter as the river rushes away

How many now visit the Vermillion Lattice Pavilion?

Truly, countless lacquer lamps shine at night

And in the early morning, always the kitchen fires and the burning candles

For my kindred spirit to visit me would be a dream

They cannot, and my hopes are dashed

Who now hosts West Park’s green boughs?

He rests behind lofty windows, listening to the Autumn

 

The King Of Donghe                                                             东阿王

国事分明属灌均，  guó shì  fēn míng shǔ guàn jūn，

西陵魂断夜来人。  xī líng hún duàn yè  lái rén。

君王不得为天子，  jūn wáng  bù dé wèi;wéi  tiān zǐ，

半为当时赋洛神。  bàn wèi;wéi  dāng shí;dàng shí fù luò shén。

 

Great affairs of State were entrusted to Official Guo Jun

The soul at the Royal West Tomb forbade visitors at night

The monarch could not become the Son of Heaven

As half his time was spent writing Fus to God Luo[11]

 

West View Bridge At Tianjin                                                 天津西望

虏马崩腾忽一狂，lǔ mǎ bēng téng hū yī kuáng，

翠华无日到东方。cuì huā;huá  wú rì dào  dōng fāng。

天津西望肠真断，tiān jīn xī wàng cháng zhēn duàn，

满眼秋波出苑墙。mǎn yǎn  qiū bō chū yuàn qiáng。

 

Prisoners collapse, horses gallop by in a mad blind rush

Each passing day, the kingfisher banners have yet to arrive in the East

My heart shattered, from the Westview Bridge I gaze

At government walls as the waters of the Luo fill my eyes.

 

 Wading Through The Luo River                                           涉洛川

通谷阳林不见人，  tōng gǔ yáng lín  bù jiàn rén，

我来遗恨古时春。  wǒ lái  yí hèn  gǔ shí chūn。

宓妃漫结无穷恨，  mì fēi màn jié;jiē  wú qióng hèn，

不为君王杀灌均。  bù wèi;wéi  jūn wáng shā guàn jūn。

 

No one is to be seen in the poplar forests of Tong Ravine

I arrive seething with contempt for ancient rules of love and passion

Endless knots and slander nurtured in Mi Fei a boundless distaste

Indeed, It was not for the monarch that Guan Jun^[12] slaughtered and killed.

 

 The Expedition Palace                                                                       旧顿

东人望幸久咨嗟，  dōng rén wàng xìng jiǔ zī jiē;juē，

四海于今是一家。  sì hǎi  yú jīn shì yī jiā。

犹锁平时旧行殿，  yóu suǒ  píng shí jiù xíng;háng;xìng diàn，

尽无宫户有宫鸦。  jìn;jǐn wú gōng hù yǒu gōng yā。

 

Craving a glimpse, the western locals wait long and happily with  bated breath

Today the four seas are just one big family

These old expedition palaces are normally locked up^[13]

Just as suddenly there no gatekeepers – just palace crows

Impressions of Black Stallion Mountain                               骊山有感

骊岫飞泉泛暖香，  lí xiù  fēi quán fàn nuǎn xiāng，

九龙呵护玉莲房。  jiǔ lóng ā;hē;ō hù yù  lián fáng。

平明每幸长生殿，  píng míng měi xìng cháng;zhǎng shēng diàn，

不从金舆惟寿王。  bù cóng;zòng;cōng jīn yú wéi shòu wáng。

From Black Stallion Caves the rapids rush, the air fragrant and warm

Nine dragons loudly guard the chamber around which the jade lotus forms ^[14]

Each daybreak, in the Temple of Long Life，incense is lit

Before the Emperor’s gold carriage

Notes:
[1] A King’s son who wanted to pay his respects to a famous scholar and sailed to his home, but then changed his mind and returned.

[2] Master Zhang was a disciple of Confucius who dreamed he was  a butterfly and when he awoke, wondered if he was a butterfly dreaming he was a man.

[3] 5 Woods Of Grace refers to the 5 principles of courtesy e.g. avoid being slack in one’s duties.

[4] A fishing boat

[5] Yao, Jiang and Tao were sons who exemplified respect for their parents. Yao was abused by a stepmother and half-brother, Jiang gave his fish to his mother while starving, and Tao tended to his mother rather than to guests from heaven.

[6] Offering carp –  a metaphor of exam achievement or career advancement

[7] Crazy Devil –rebel general Liu Zhen. Luo Sheng was a general of the Sui Dynasty (571-618AD)

[8] A plum that appears in the winter, as though arriving in advance of spring

[9] An ascetic who prayed half naked in the snow

[10] The Wei river

[11] Known as Cao Pi (187-226), second son of Cao Cao 曹操, king then emperor of Cao Wei 曹魏 from 220, ruled as Emperor Wen 魏文帝, also a noted calligrapher and wrote poems called Fu

[12] Guan Jun was an official of Wei State (221BC) who inspected territory on behalf of the emperor.

[13] Expedition palaces were used for the emperor when he left the capital, often on long trips.

[14] Nine dragons represents the Tang Emperor submitting to his concubine, and thus disgraced.