Evening Thoughts 夜思
银箭耿寒漏，yín jiàn gěng hán lòu，
金釭凝夜光。jīn gāng níng yè guāng。
彩鸾空自舞，cǎi luán kōng zì wǔ，
别燕不相将。biè;bié yàn bù xiāng jiāng。
寄恨一尺素，jì hèn yī chǐ sù，
含情双玉珰。hán qíng shuāng yù dāng。
会前犹月在，huì;kuài qián yóu yuè zài，
去后始宵长。qù hòu shǐ xiāo cháng;zhǎng。
往事经春物，wǎng shì jīng chūn wù，
前期托报章。qián qī tuō bào zhāng。
永令虚粲枕，yǒng lìng xū càn zhěn，
长不掩兰房。cháng;zhǎng bù yǎn lán fáng。
觉动迎猜影，jué;jiào dòng yíng cāi yǐng，
疑来浪认香。yí lái làng rèn xiāng。
鹤应闻露警，hè yīng;yìng wén lù;lòu jǐng，
蜂亦为花忙。fēng yì wèi;wéi huā máng。
古有阳台梦，gǔ yǒu yáng tái mèng
今多下蔡倡。jīn duō xià cài chàng。
何为薄冰雪，hé wèi;wéi báo bīng xuě，
消瘦滞非乡。xiāo shòu zhì fēi xiāng。
The water clock’s silver arrow points true and cold
Evening light congeals in the oil lamp.
The radiant luan dances in an empty room[1]
Flying alone, the wild goose bids farewell.
One hates posting these long silk missives
Filled with thoughts of love and gifts of earrings.
When we meet it is as though the moon is right here
Then, after you leave, the long night begins.
Before, so much spring scenery
Now, this is the time for letters.
One is forever lost among these brilliant, empty pillows
Their scent overwhelmed by the lotus fence
Feelings startled, welcoming, guessing whose shadow
Comes, or what strange perfume.
The heron knows of being vigilant
The bee also is busy among the flowers.
In ancient times there was the goddess of Mount Wu
Today ones sings of the City of Chu
From whence this thin, icy snow?
Starved, one languishes in foreign places.
Jingshan Mountain 荆山
压河连华势孱颜，yà;yā hé lián huā;huá shì chán;càn yán，
鸟没云归一望间。niǎo méi;mò yún guī yī wàng jiān;jiàn;xiàn。
杨仆移关三百里，yáng pú;pū yí guān sān bǎi lǐ，
可能全是为荆山。kě néng quán shì wèi;wéi jīng shān。
Your craggy peaks press down on the Yellow River up to Hua Mountain
In the cloudless sky, the bird returns to glance within.
General Yang moved his forces three hundred Li to the canyon close
Perhaps it was to see Jingshan Mountain, who knows?
Playfully Presented To Secretary Zhang 戏赠张书记
别馆君孤枕，bié guǎn jūn gū zhěn，
空庭我闭关。kōng tíng wǒ bì guān。
池光不受月，chí guāng bù shòu yuè，
野气欲沉山。yě qì yù chén shān。
星汉秋方会，xīng hàn qiū fāng huì;kuài，
关河梦几还。guān hé mèng jǐ;jī hái;huán。
危弦伤远道，wēi xián shāng yuǎn dào，
明镜惜红颜。míng jìng xī hóng yán。
古木含风久，gǔ mù hán fēng jiǔ，
平芜尽日闲。píng wú jìn;jǐn rì xián;jiàn。
心知两愁绝，xīn zhī liǎng chóu jué，
不断若寻环。bù duàn ruò xún huán。
In the guest villa my pillow lies alone on the floor
The courtyard empty, I have closed the door
No place for the moon where the dark waters fill
The countryside seeks out the sullen hills
In Autumn, on the Milky Way, we may meet, it seems
Separated by the river, I still have you in my dreams
Far away my beloved pines
Her lovely face in the luminous mirror shines
The wind fills up where ancient trees stand
Day looks down upon the empty grassland
One heart knows both hearts’ pain
As though it is recycled again and again
The Towers of Anding City 安定城楼
迢递高城百尺楼，tiáo dì gāo chéng bǎi chǐ;chě lóu，
绿杨枝外尽汀洲。lǜ yáng zhī wài jìn;jǐn tīng zhōu。
贾生年少虚垂泪，gǔ shēng nián shào xū chuí lèi，
王粲春来更远游。wáng càn chūn lái gèng yuǎn yóu。
永忆江湖归白发，yǒng yì jiāng hú guī bái fà，
欲回天地入扁舟。yù huí tiān dì rù piān zhōu。
不知腐鼠成滋味，bù zhī fǔ shǔ chéng zī wèi，
猜意鸳雏竟未休。cāi yì yuān chú jìng wèi xiū。
Above the city wall, the imperial edict reaches towers 100 chi high
Beyond the green branches of the Song trees sand bars and islets lie
Master Jia shed vain tears in his youthful years[2]
Wang Cai left for distant places when Spring appeared
Forever remembering the lakes and rivers, I will return with my hair white
Before heaven and earth I will go back in the little boat only after a good fight
Not knowing the odor was of dead rats
Who would guess the firebird wouldn’t stop and rest? [3]
The Ba River Coast 灞岸
山东今岁点行频，shān dōng jīn suì diǎn xíng pín
几处冤魂哭虏尘。jǐ;jī chù;chǔ yuān hún kū lǔ chén。
灞水桥边倚华表，bà shuǐ qiáo biān yǐ huá biǎo，
平时二月有东巡。píng shí èr yuè yǒu dōng xún。
This year many expeditions came to Shandong
In many places wronged souls shed dusty tears to those enslaved and gone
By the Ba River Bridge, against the lofty columns I lean.
In peacetime, during the second month, the Emperor’s Eastern tour is seen.
The Willows of Ba River 巴江柳
巴江可惜柳，bā jiāng kě xī liǔ，
柳色绿侵江。liǔ sè lǜ qīn jiāng。
好向金銮殿，hǎo;hào xiàng jīn luán diàn，
移阴入绮窗。yí yīn rù qǐ chuāng。
How beautiful are the willows of Ba River
Their green shadows spread over the waters
Reaching the Temple of Golden Bells
They slip quietly through the ornamented windows
Northern Bird 北禽
为恋巴江好，wèi;wéi liàn bā jiāng hǎo;hào，
无辞瘴雾蒸。wú cí zhàng wù zhēng。
纵能朝杜宇，zòng;zōng néng cháo;zhāo dù yǔ，
可得值苍鹰。kě děi zhí cāng yīng。
石小虚填海，shí xiǎo xū tián hǎi，
芦铦未破矰，lú xiān;kuò;tiǎn;guā wèi pò zēng，
知来有乾鹊，zhī lái yǒu qián què，
何不向雕陵。hé bù xiàng diāo líng。
As for falling in love by the Ba River
I am at a loss in this fog and miasma
Can the cuckoo in the palace
Avoid flying into the goshawks?
Small stones are faintly seen on shore
Sharp reeds fail to stop the streaming arrows
Hark, the busy magpies arrive
How can one not head for Ling Mound?
The Green Glazed Tiles 碧瓦
碧瓦衔珠树，bì wǎ xián zhū shù，
红轮结绮寮。hóng lún;qiāng jié;jiē qǐ liáo。
无双汉殿鬓，wú shuāng hàn diàn bìn，
第一楚宫腰。dì yī chǔ gōng yāo。
雾唾香难尽，wù tuò xiāng nán jìn;jǐn，
珠啼冷易销。zhū tí lěng yì xiāo。
歌从雍门学，gē cóng;zòng;cōng yōng mén xué，
酒是蜀城烧。jiǔ shì shǔ chéng shāo。
柳暗将翻巷，liǔ àn jiāng;jiàng fān xiàng，
荷欹正抱桥。hè;hé yī zhèng;zhēng bào qiáo。
钿辕开道入，diàn;tián yuán kāi dào rù，
金管隔邻调。jīn guǎn gé lín diào。
梦到飞魂急，mèng dào fēi hún jí，
书成即席遥。shū chéng jí xí yáo。
河流冲柱转，hé liú chōng zhù zhuǎi，
海沫近槎飘。hǎi mò jìn chá piāo。
吴市蠀蛦甲，wú shì cī yí jiǎ，
巴賨翡翠翘。bā cóng fěi cuì qiáo。
他时未知意，tā shí wèi zhī yì，
重叠赠娇饶。chóng dié zèng jiāo ráo。
By green glazed tiles the pearl trees grow
Red yarn circles the ornamented window
Her cloudy temples are beautiful, unique, so dear
Her Chu Palace waist truly has no peer
How hard to be delightful when her cloudy soul spits
How easy to ignore those pearly tears, bit by bit
She sings as one who studied Yongmen’s songs of pity
Wine fuels a passion that burns like Chu’s last city
The leaves of willows fill the arbors’ gloomy lustre
Beneath the bridge the lotus flowers cluster
Her elegant cart enters the road
The neighbor tunes a shengxiao lacquered with gold
In my dream I fly to her so fast, so fast
Too distant to mail, these letters I complete at last
The swirling water dashes against the post
The frothy waves near the drifting skiff
I can beg for a zui turtle shell
Or a jadite Bazei hairpiece to give her
But then she wouldn’t understand, rather
I write to my beloved with these untiring hands!
Farewell to Xue Yanbin 别薛岩宾
曙爽行将拂，shǔ shuǎng xíng jiāng fú，
晨清坐欲凌。chén qīng zuò yù líng。
别离真不那，bié lí zhēn bù nà;nèi，
风物正相仍。fēng wù zhèng;zhēng xiàng;xiāng réng。
漫水任谁照，màn shuǐ rèn shuí zhào，
衰花浅自矜。shuāi;cuī huā qiǎn zì jīn。
还将两袖泪，hái;huán jiāng;jiàng liǎng xiù lèi，
同向一窗灯。tóng;tòng xiàng yī chuāng dēng。
桂树乖真隐，guì shù guāi zhēn yǐn，
芸香是小惩。yún xiāng shì xiǎo chéng。
清规无以况，qīng guī wú yǐ kuàng，
且用玉壶冰。qiě yòng yù hú bīng。
The light of daybreak is about to emerge
A clear morning presses in its wake
I bid thee farewell
All around us seems unchanged
Whose face should be in the cresting water？
The fading flowers pity this fading self
Both our sleeves are still soaked with tears
Towards the window lamp we move as peers
Obedience and Truth hide in the Cassia trees
Art is a minor punishment for me
Following the rules doesn’t make a difference
A jade pitcher of icy water holds no deliverance
Sent On Hearing Of Your Amorous And Drunken Pleasures At Hedong While I Was Ill 病中闻河东公乐营置酒口占寄上
闻驻行春旆，wén zhù xíng;háng;xìng chūn pèi，
中途赏物华。zhōng tú shǎng wù huā;huá。
缘忧武昌柳，yuán yōu;yǒu wǔ chāng liǔ，
遂忆洛阳花。suì yì luò yáng huā。
嵇鹤元无对，jí hè yuán wú duì，
荀龙不在夸。xún lóng bù zài kuā。
只将沧海月，zhī;zhǐ jiāng;jiàng cāng hǎi yuè，
长压赤城霞。cháng;zhǎng yà;yā chì chéng xiá
兴欲倾燕馆，xìng;xīng yù qīng yàn guǎn，
欢终到习家。huān zhōng dào xí jiā。
风长应侧帽，fēng cháng;zhǎng yīng;yìng cè mào，
路隘岂容车。lù ài qǐ róng chē。
楼迥波窥锦，lóu jiǒng bō kuī jǐn，
窗虚日弄纱。chuāng xū rì nòng;lòng shā。
锁门金了鸟，suǒ mén jīn le;liǎo;liào niǎo，
展障玉鸦叉。zhǎn zhàng yù yā chā。
舞妙从兼楚，wǔ miào cóng;zòng;cōng jiān chǔ，
歌能莫杂巴。gē néng mò zá bā。
必投潘岳果，bì tóu pān yuè guǒ，
谁掺祢衡挝。shuí chān mí héng zhuā。
刻烛当时忝，kè zhú dāng shí;dàng shí tiǎn，
传杯此夕赊。zhuàn;chuán bēi cǐ xī shē。
可怜漳浦卧，kě lián zhāng pǔ wò，
愁绪独如麻。chóu xù dú rú má。
Between tours, trailing spring banners
Halfway, one appreciates various things
The willows are mournful at Wuchang
Bringing to mind the peonies of Luoyang
The crane is without his mate
A dragon is unable to boast
The moon is over the deep blue sea
Pressing down over the long rosy clouds at Chichang
Happily head towards the swallow’s nest
Get blessedly drunk on Xijia Lake
Let the wind tip hats to the side
A street is so narrow how can it let one’s chariot inside?
Brocaded screens in many towers are reflected in the waves
Sunlight plays with the window’s gauze
The gold bird latch seals the gate
Outwards extend crow hairpins of jade
Dancers ingeniously intertwine in the style of Wu
Their songs are not concerned about folk tales
You must offer Pan Yue’s fruit
Or what girl will the drums beat for?
Create new verses before the candle is clipped
Otherwise gulp down the wine until the sun sets
Pity this Zhangzhan invalid
Gloomsy and lonely as a strip of hemp!
The Weeping Willow 垂柳
娉婷小苑中，pīng tíng xiǎo yuàn zhōng，
婀娜曲池东。ē nuó qū chí dōng。
朝佩皆垂地，cháo;zhāo pèi jiē chuí dì;de，
仙衣尽带风。xiān yì;yī jìn;jǐn dài fēng。
七贤宁占竹，qī xián nìng;níng zhàn;zhān zhú，
三品且饶松。sān pǐn qiě ráo sōng。
肠断灵和殿，cháng duàn líng hé diàn，
先皇玉座空。xiān huáng yù zuò kōng。
Graceful your demeanor within the little park
Lithe your figure along the winding eastern bank
Your courtly sashes all droop to the ground
The wind lifts the magic raiments in a rush of sound
Let the Seven Virtues hide among the bamboo
Or the Empress’s Three Gifts stay with the poplars too[4]
One seeks unrequited love before the temple grounds
The first Emperor’s Jade Throne is vacant all around
First Rising 初起
想像咸池日欲光，xiǎng xiàng xián;xiān chí rì yù guāng，
五更钟后更回肠。wǔ gēng zhōng hòu gèng;gēng huí cháng。
三年苦雾巴江水，sān nián kǔ wù bā jiāng shuǐ，
不为离人照屋梁。bù wèi;wéi lí;róu rén zhào wū liáng
Imagine the sunken city before daylight
At this late hour, how bitter is my angst
Three years of darkness and fog in Ba’s waters
The rays on the rafters are not for one who is leaving!
Passing Chu Palace 过楚宫
巫峡迢迢旧楚宫，wū xiá tiáo tiáo jiù chǔ gōng，
至今云雨暗丹枫。zhì jīn yún yǔ àn dān fēng。
微生尽恋人间乐，wēi shēng jìn;jǐn liàn rén jiān;jiàn;xiàn lè;yuè，
只有襄王忆梦中。zhǐ yǒu xiāng wáng yì mèng zhōng
In remote Wu Xia lies the Chu Palace of legends and fables
To this day beneath clouds and rain, wrapped by silent, red maples
Brief lives and passionate love mark our mortal coil
Only this King Xiang remembers her in his joyful dreams.
Spring Outing 春游
桥峻斑骓疾，qiáo jùn bān zhuī jí，
川长白鸟高。chuān cháng;zhǎng bái niǎo gāo。
烟轻惟润柳，yān qīng wéi rùn liǔ，
风滥欲吹桃。fēng làn yù chuī táo。
徙倚三层阁，xǐ yǐ sān céng dū;gé，
摩挲七宝刀。mó suō qī bǎo dāo。
庾郎年最少，yǔ láng nián zuì shǎo，
青草妒春袍。qīng cǎo dù chūn páo。
Gazing from heights, I see galloping piebald mares
Long rivers and lofty white winged crows
A light mist and a glistening willow, lone and bare
Whistling through the peaches, the wind overflows
By the three level pavilion one comes and goes
One strokes the seven jeweled blade
The thin scholar is of the youngest age,
A green shoot that envies the Official’s spring clothes[5]
First Mailed To Official Yuan While Lodging At Shanzhou 次陕州先寄源从事
离思羁愁日欲晡，lí;róu sī jī chóu rì yù bū，
东周西雍此分涂。dōng zhōu xī yōng cǐ fēn tú。
回銮佛寺高多少，huí luán fó sì gāo duō shǎo，
望尽黄河一曲无。wàng jìn;jǐn huáng hé yī qū wú。
Farewell thoughts, a horse’s bridle, unsettled thoughts, sunset arriving
Here, a path, Zhou in the East and Yong in the West, dividing
The Temple of the Returning King of the Bell, the adorned carriage is how high?
Is there not even one bend in the Yellow River for me, as I strain my eyes?
To The Most Talented Gentleman Dong At The Unveiling Of His Bride 代董秀才却扇
莫将画扇出帷来，mò jiāng;jiàng huà shān chū wéi lái，
遮掩春山滞上才。zhē yǎn chūn shān zhì shàng cái。
若道团圆似明月，ruò dào tuán yuán sì míng yuè，
此中须放桂花开。cǐ zhōng xū fàng guì huā kāi。
The painted fans will not emerge from behind the curtains
How tongue-tied is this poet when sping mountains are covered
The courtyard path is as round as the full moon
Here the Cassia flowers must bloom within.
A Private Missive To The Palace of Wei 代魏宫私赠
来时西馆阻佳期，lái shí xī guǎn zǔ jiā qī，
去后漳河隔梦思。qù hòu zhāng hé gé mèng sī。
知有宓妃无限意，zhī yǒu mì fēi wú xiàn yì，
春松秋菊可同时。chūn sōng qiū jú kě tóng shí。
The wedding party is over by the time I arrive at West Inn
Then, the Jiang river kept me from my thoughts and dreams
Knowing how passionate was concubine Mi fei
Can a Spring Pine and an Autumn Chrysanthemum ever be together again?
Two Poems in Reply 代应二首
沟水分流西复东，gōu shuǐ fèn liú xī fù dōng，
九秋霜月五更风。jiǔ qiū shuāng yuè wǔ gēng fēng。
离鸾别凤今何在，lí luán biè;bié fèng jīn hé zài，
十二玉楼空更空。shí èr yù lóu kōng gèng;gēng kōng。
昨夜双钩败，zuó yè shuāng gōu bài，
今朝百草输。jīn zhāo bǎi cǎo shū。
关西狂小吏，guān xī kuáng xiǎo lì，
惟喝绕床卢。wéi hē rào chuáng lú
(1)
Water rushing in the gulley splits to the West and then the East
Ninety days of Autumn, a frosty moon, breezes when the fifth bell toll has ceased[6]
Where are we when the departing Phoenix has bid farewell to his Luan? [7]
On the 12th jade tower it is so empty, so forlorn.
(2)
Yesterday evening, you lost at two hooks
This morning you lost at white grass
You crazy little clerk from Guanxi
You’re only acclaimed when you circle my bed!
General Wu’s Secret Reply From Yancheng County 代元城吴令暗为答
背阙归藩路欲分，bèi;bēi quē;què guī fān lù yù fēn，
水边风日半西曛。shuǐ biān fēng rì bàn xī xūn。
荆王枕上原无梦，jīng wáng zhěn shàng yuán wú mèng，
莫枉阳台一片云。mò wǎng yáng tái yī piān yún。
Behind Yique Mountain, the path splits towards the Kingdom of Fan
A breeze on the riverbank, half the day gone as sunset arrives
The King of Chu’s pillow offered no dreams
Not a single balcony or cloud.
An Offered Poem 代赠
杨柳路尽处，yáng liǔ lù jìn;jǐn chù;chǔ，
芙蓉湖上头。fú róng hú shàng tou。
虽同锦步障，suī tóng;tòng jǐn bù zhàng，
独映钿箜篌。dú yìng diàn;tián kōng hóu。
鸳鸯可羡头俱白，yuān yāng kě xiàn tóu jù;jū bái，
飞去飞来烟雨秋。fēi qù fēi lái yān yǔ qiū。
All over the road the willows loom
Above the lake the heads of hibiscus bloom
Although two lovers may string out rolls of silk sashes
On the harp’s inlay an image of one’s lonely self still flashes[8]
White headed mandarin ducks – I envy you so
In autumn’s mist and rain you easily fly to and fro!
Butterfly 蝶
初来小苑中，chū lái xiǎo yuàn zhōng，
稍与琐闱通。shāo yǔ suǒ wéi tōng。
远恐芳尘断，yuǎn kǒng fāng chén duàn，
轻忧艳雪融。qīng yōu;yǒu yàn xuě róng。
只知防皓露，zhī;zhǐ zhī fáng hào lù;lòu，
不觉逆尖风。bù jué nì jiān fēng。
回首双飞燕，huí shǒu shuāng fēi yàn，
乘时入绮栊。chéng;shèng shí rù qǐ lóng。
First you enter the little garden
Quickly pass through the furnished gate
From afar you fear the dust will obstruct you
Light, colored snowflakes of pollen worry you
You only know you must guard against the vast waters
And instinctively roll with the jerky wind
You look back to see two flying swallows
As you escape into the ornamented window
Second Day of The Second Month 二月二日
二月二日江上行，èr yuè èr rì jiāng shàng xíng;háng;xìng，
东风日暖闻吹笙。dōng fēng rì nuǎn wén chuī shēng。
花须柳眼各无赖，huā xū liǔ yǎn gè;gě wú lài，
紫蝶黄蜂俱有情。zǐ dié huáng fēng jù;jū yǒu qíng。
万里忆归元亮井，wàn lǐ yì guī yuán liàng jǐng，
三年从事亚夫营。sān nián cóng shì yà fū yíng。
新滩莫悟游人意，xīn tān mò wù yóu rén yì，
更作风檐夜雨声。gèng;gēng zuò fēng yán yè yǔ shēng。
On the second day of the second month I strolled by the river
The day was warm, in the east wind I heard the reed pipe sound
Tantalizing, beguiling: flowers stood erect, leaves half awake
Purple butterflies and yellow bees were all so much in love
Ten thousand memories of Yuanling Well
Three years, spent following Ya Fu’s soldiers
Innocent, the riverbank knew nothing of my thoughts
There was just the sound of the wind and evening rain falling on the eaves
Love Song 房中曲
蔷薇泣幽素，qiáng wéi qì yōu sù，
翠带花钱小。cuì dài huā qián xiǎo。
娇郎痴若云，jiāo láng chī ruò yún，
抱日西帘晓。bào rì xī lián xiǎo。
枕是龙宫石，zhěn shì lóng gōng shí，
割得秋波色。gē dé;děi;de qiū bō sè。
玉簟失柔肤，yù diàn shī róu fū，
但见蒙罗碧。dàn jiàn;xiàn méng;mēng;měng luó;luō bì。
忆得前年春，yì dé;děi;de qián nián chūn，
未语含悲辛。wèi yǔ;yù hán bēi xīn。
归来已不见，guī lái yǐ bù jiàn，
锦瑟长于人。jǐn sè cháng yú rén。
今日涧底松，jīn rì jiàn dǐ sōng，
明日山头檗。míng rì shān tóu bò。
愁到天池翻，chóu dào tiān chí fān，
相看不相识。xiāng kàn bù xiāng shí。
A rose’s tears, one is desolate, alone
You were my precious bamboo flower
Newly married , your husband’s head was in the clouds
The western facing screen embraced the morning light
A stony dragon palace was my pillow
Tearing those autumn ripples, your eyes, from my sight,
My jade mat no longer has your soft touch
All I see is a blue coverlet
I remember that summer gone by
Wordlessly, full of pain and with a bitterness
I don’t see you when I return
The ornamented zither outlasts all of us
The melancholy pine lies in the ravine
Tomorrow it will be bitter bark on a hillside scene
The world for me has turned from high to low
What I see, I no longer know.
On The Decree At Tai Yuangong Offered To Former Scholar Yang Dai And Again Offering A Post To Governer Yang Rong 奉和太原公送前杨秀才戴兼招杨正字戎
潼关地接古弘农，tóng guān dì;de jiē gǔ hóng nóng，
万里高飞雁与鸿。wàn lǐ gāo fēi yàn yǔ hóng。
桂树一枝当白日，guì shù yī zhī dāng;dàng bái rì，
芸香三代继清风。yún xiāng sān dài jì qīng fēng。
仙舟尚惜乖双美，xiān zhōu shàng xī guāi shuāng měi，
彩服何由得尽同。cǎi fú hé yóu dé;děi;de jìn;jǐn tóng;tòng。
谁惮士龙多笑疾，shuí dàn shì lóng duō xiào jí，
美髭终类晋司空。měi zī zhōng lèi jìn sī kōng。
Where the High Pass joins Hongneng county
The wild goose and the swan fly high for ten thousand Li
The Gui tree’s branches reaches into daylight,
Fragrant Rue grass rises through a family’s three generations
The immortals in their ships cherished these wo obedient Worthies
Whence such gorgeous clothes, can both ascend, these twins? [9]
What can the Dragon Scholar who laughs too much be afraid of?
For what a beautiful mustache has Minister of Works Jin!
Fu On A Proud Rooster 赋得鸡
稻粱犹足活诸雏，dào liáng yóu zú huó zhū chú，
妒敌专场好自娱。dù dí zhuān chǎng hǎo;hào zì yú。
可要五更惊晓梦，kě yào;yāo wǔ gēng jīng xiǎo mèng，
不辞风雪为阳乌。bù cí fēng xuě wèi;wéi yáng wū。
All the young flock to the bridge over the paddy field
You seem to delight in the spectacle of their jealousy and rivalry
On the Fifth Toll of the bells, from peaceful dreams you rouse this one
You refuse to leave the wind and the snow to the crow in the sun. [10]
The Nobleman 公子
一盏新罗酒，yī zhǎn xīn luó;luō jiǔ，
凌晨恐易消。líng chén kǒng yì xiāo。
归应冲鼓半，guī yīng;yìng chōng gǔ bàn，
去不待笙调。qù bù dài shēng diào。
歌好惟愁和，gē hǎo;hào wéi chóu hé，
香浓岂惜飘。xiāng nóng qǐ xī piāo。
春场铺艾帐，chūn chǎng pù;pū ài zhàng，
下马雉媒娇。xià mǎ zhì méi jiāo。
One cup of Korean Wine, I’m afraid
Is an easy sell in the early morning
He returns just before the morning reveille
Ignoring the reed pipe left behind
Good songs only make him worry about singing alone
Why appreciate the rich incense smoke, he wonders?
Spring’s domain is trapped in the mugwort’s net
Before him, as he dismounts, an attractive pheasant lies.
The Palace Concubine 宫妓
珠箔轻明拂玉墀，zhū bó qīng míng fú yù chí，
披香新殿斗腰支。pī xiāng xīn diàn dòu;dǒu yāo zhī。
不须看尽鱼龙戏，bù xū kàn;kān jìn;jǐn yú lóng xì，
终遣君王怒偃师。zhōng qiǎn jūn wáng nù yǎn shī。
The resplendent pearl curtain gently brushes against the jade steps
The new palace’s fragrant intrigues wrap your slender waist
No need to look too closely at the playful dinosaurs
In the end, the King always yells at the puppeteer.
Passing The Stables of the Splendid Palace 过华清内厩门
华清别馆闭黄昏，huā;huá qīng bié guǎn bì huáng hūn，
碧草悠悠内厩门。bì cǎo yōu yōu nèi jiù mén。
自是明时不巡幸，zì shì míng shí bù xún xìng，
至今青海有龙孙。zhì jīn qīng hǎi yǒu lóng sūn。
At twilight the gates of the splendid Palace are closed
In the stables, free and careless the green grass grows
As usual, tomorrow one will not inspect or ride
Up to now, Qinghai has grasped the dragon’s grandson.[11]
Song of the Inner Palace 宫中曲
云母滤宫月，yún mǔ lǜ gōng yuè，
夜夜白于水。yè yè bái yú shuǐ。
赚得羊车来，zhuàn dé yáng chē lái，
低扇遮黄子。dī shàn;shān zhē huáng zǐ。
水精不觉冷，shuǐ jīng bù jué lěng，
自刻鸳鸯翅。zì kè yuān yāng chì。
蚕缕茜香浓，cán lǚ qiàn xiāng nóng，
正朝缠左臂。zhèng;zhēng cháo;zhāo chán zuǒ bì。
巴笺两三幅，bā lán;jiān liǎng sān fú，
满写承恩字。mǎn xiě chéng ēn zì。
欲得识青天，yù dé;děi;de shí qīng tiān，
昨夜苍龙是。zuó yè cāng lóng shì。
Moonlight rolls over the Palace’s mica screens
Through the night a virgin whiteness streams
At long last, the Ox Cart arrives
Lowered fans obscure its golden skin
Pearly sheets do not feel cold
Embracing, the mandarin ducks spread their wings
Blood red the thick woven silk
Proof of love tied about her left arm
Two or three notes are written on Sichuan paper
Happily describing one’s contentment
Seek to enquire of Heaven’s mission
Yesterday was the night of the azure dragon
Banquet Dedication In The The Style Of Dufu For Heqing County And Zhao Shikun 河清与赵氏昆季宴集得拟杜工部
胜概殊江右，shèng gài shū jiāng yòu，
佳名逼渭川。jiā míng bī wèi chuān。
虹收青嶂雨，hóng shōu qīng zhàng yǔ，
鸟没夕阳天。niǎo méi;mò xī yáng tiān。
客鬓行如此，kè bìn xíng;háng;xìng rú cǐ，
沧波坐渺然。cāng bō zuò miǎo rán。
此中真得地，cǐ zhōng zhēn dé;děi;de dì;de，
漂荡钓鱼船。piǎo;piào;piāo dàng diào yú chuán。
The scenery exceeds even that of Jiangyou
The water’s sound is as lovely as that of Weizhou
A rainbow after the rain, a bluish mountain peak
A school of birds in the day’s last rays
This gray haired guest in a strange land
Azure waves over a vast expanse
The Yellow River truly calls out to me
As I drift by on my fishing boat.
With Han Lushi Escorting The Palace Maidens To The Way Of The Dao 和韩录事送宫人入道
星使追还不自由，xīng shǐ zhuī huán bù zì yóu，
双童捧上绿琼輈，shuāng tóng pěng shàng lǜ qióng zhōu，
九枝灯下朝金殿，jiǔ zhī dēng xià cháo;zhāo jīn diàn，
三素云中侍玉楼。sān sù yún zhōng shì yù lóu。
凤女颠狂成久别，fèng nǚ diān kuáng chéng jiǔ bié，
月娥孀独好同游。yuè é shuāng dú hǎo;hào tóng;tòng yóu。
当时若爱韩公子，dāng shí;dàng shí ruò ài hán gōng zǐ，
埋骨成灰恨未休。mái gú chéng huī hèn wèi xiū。
Pursued, the spirits are still not free
Praise The Gold Boy and Jade Maiden in the Green Chariot[12]
The Nine Branched Lamp descends to the Golden Court
Where The Jade Tower is decorated with the Three Colors
Demented, the Phoenix Maiden will be away for so long
Lonely, The Moon Goddess will also have a similar desire to roam[13]
Were one to fall in love with the Han Prince
One would never stop hating how ash covers his bones.
To Scholar He Zhang On The Emotions Aroused By Falling Flowers 和张秀才落花有感
晴暖感馀芳，qíng nuǎn gǎn yú fāng，
红苞杂绛房。hóng bāo zá jiāng fáng。
落时犹自舞，luò;lào;là shí yóu zì wǔ，
扫后更闻香。sào;sǎo hòu gèng;gēng wén xiāng。
梦罢收罗荐，mèng bà;ba shōu luó jiàn，
仙归敕玉箱。xiān guī chì yù xiāng。
回肠九回后，huí cháng jiǔ huí hòu，
犹有剩回肠。yóu yǒu shèng huí cháng。
Clear and warm feelings, a bountiful fragrance
The room is vermilion with a mix of red blooms
The falling flowers seem to dance with one
Afterwards, swept up, their scent remains
The grass bedding interrupts our dreams
The spirits return to set their jade boxes in order
We can revisit our lost loves nine times over
But it seems the heartbreak still remains.
With Weipan the Elder On The 12th Day Of The 7th Month While Based At Chizhou, Sent To Official Li 和韦潘前辈七月十二日夜泊池州城下先寄上李使君
桂含爽气三秋首，guì hán shuǎng qì sān qiū shǒu，
蓂吐中旬二叶新。míng tǔ zhōng xún èr yè xīn。
正是澄江如练处，zhèng shì chéng;dèng jiāng rú liàn chù;chǔ，
玄晖应喜见诗人。xuán huī yīng;yìng xǐ jiàn;xiàn shī rén。
The cassia’s branches fill with a cool wind at the start of the 3rd season
In the middle of the lunar month, from the magic flower a second petal grows
Truly Chengjiang is like a training ground
This poet would be delighted to meet Xuanhui[14]
With Official Zhang Yu I Offer Twenty Verses On The Occasion Of Being In The Home Of King Ruyang’s Grandson, Listening To Maidens Playing The Zheng
和郑愚赠汝阳王孙家筝妓二十韵
冰雾怨何穷，bīng wù yuàn hé qióng，
秦丝娇未已。qín sī jiāo wèi yǐ。
寒空烟霞高，hán kōng yān xiá gāo，
白日一万里。bái rì yī wàn lǐ。
碧嶂愁不行，bì zhàng chóu bù xíng，
浓翠遥相倚。nóng cuì yáo xiàng;xiāng yǐ。
茜袖捧琼姿，qiàn xiù pěng qióng zī，
皎日丹霞起。jiǎo rì dān xiá qǐ。
孤猿耿幽寂，gū yuán gěng yōu jì，
西风吹白芷。xī fēng chuī bái zhǐ。
回首苍梧深，huí shǒu cāng wú shēn，
女萝闭山鬼。nǚ luó bì shān guǐ。
荒郊白鳞断，huāng jiāo bái lín duàn，
别浦晴霞委。biè;bié pǔ qíng xiá wěi。
长彴压河心，cháng;zhǎng zhuó yà;yā hé xīn，
白道连地尾。bái dào lián dì;de wěi。
秦人昔富家，qín rén xī fù jiā，
绿窗闻妙旨。lǜ chuāng wén miào zhǐ。
鸿惊雁背飞，hóng jīng yàn bèi;bēi fēi，
象床殊故里。xiàng chuáng shū gù lǐ。
因令五十丝，yīn lìng wǔ shí sī，
中道分宫徵。zhōng dào fēn gōng zhǐ。
斗粟配新声，dòu;dǒu sù pèi xīn shēng，
娣侄徒纤指。dì zhí tú xiān;qiàn zhǐ。
风流大堤上，fēng liú dà dī shàng，
怅望白门里。chàng wàng bái mén lǐ。
蠹粉实雌弦，dù fěn shí cí xián，
灯光冷如水。dēng guāng lěng rú shuǐ。
羌管促蛮柱，qiāng guǎn cù mán zhù，
从醉吴宫耳。cóng;zòng;cōng zuì wú gōng ěr。
满内不扫眉，mǎn nèi bù sǎo méi，
君王对西子。jūn wáng duì xī zǐ。
初花惨朝露，chū huā cǎn zhāo lù，
冷臂凄愁髓。lěng bì qī chóu suǐ。
一曲送连钱，yī qū sòng lián qián，
远别长于死。yuǎn biè;bié cháng yú sǐ。
玉砌衔红兰，yù qì xián hóng lán，
妆窗结碧绮。zhuāng chuāng jié;jiē bì qǐ。
九门十二关，jiǔ mén shí èr guān，
清晨禁桃李。qīng chén jìn;jīn táo lǐ。
How is it there is no shortage of mystery and regret,
When the sweet strains of the Qin zither persist?
Cold and indifferent, lofty mist and clouds
Lie over one hundred days and ten thousand Li of roads
The green mountains, worried, permit no access
Their verdant trees, against each other close and press.
Pure jade bears her xian dyed sleeve,
Brilliant, through the ochre clouds the sun takes its leave
Lonely and abandoned, you cannot sleep.
The west wind whistles past iris so white it gleams
I turn my head back to see the forest thick with ashen Wu
The mountain goddess has bid the poplars huddle together, loom.
My white fish scales are interrupted by this desolate tune
From the river a tortuous path winds beneath a clear rosy view.
A single plank bridge presses over the river’s heart
The white road links to the land’s inner paths.
These musicians of Qin used to be of wealthy homes
From under the green windows was music marvelous to behold.
Now the swan goose has been startled, the wild goose north has flown
This bed is so unlike that of home.
The fifty string zither, after it was decreed,
Was severed in the middle between the tones of Gong and zhi.
A dou of millet, pounded, accompanies this new sound
My sister in law’s niece walks her delicate fingers round and round.
Wind and water rushes past the embankment
From the white doors I gaze out, disconsolate.
Here, worm-eaten seems the sixth tone
The bright lamp is like water, cold, alone.
A Qiang flute assists the rapacious moth,
Drunk the ears of the Palace of Wu
Content within, she doesn’t groom her eyebrows
Like Xishi, known as the King’s alter ego.
Saddened, the dewy flower beckons the morrow
Cold hands, worried, are chilled to the marrow
You offer a tune to the horses that are left.
Distant farewells inevitably lead to death.
The jade steps bear the red magnolias
You dress yourself in the curtain’s green silk folds.
Before the Palace’s twelve gates, forlorn
The sounds of Peach Li cease in the clear dawn.
Banquet for Master Zhou of Huazhou 华州周大夫宴席
郡斋何用酒如泉，jùn zhāi hé yòng jiǔ rú quán，
饮德先时已醉眠。yǐn dé xiān shí yǐ zuì mián。
若共门人推礼分，ruò gòng mén rén tuī lǐ fēn，
戴崇争得及彭宣。dài chóng zhēng dé jí péng;bāng xuān。
The prefect’s rooms are overflowing with rivers of wine
The Master graciously drinks when we are already drunk or dozing
Were we disciples to each offer courtesy
Would Daichong fight to be noticed above this clamor?
Huaiyang Road 淮阳路
荒村倚废营，huāng cūn yǐ fèi yíng，
投宿旅魂惊。tóu sù lǚ hún jīng。
断雁高仍急，duàn yàn gāo réng jí，
寒溪晓更清。hán qī xiǎo gèng;gēng qīng。
昔年尝聚盗，xī nián cháng jù dào，
此日颇分兵。cǐ rì pō fēn bīng。
猜贰谁先致，cāi èr shuí xiān zhì，
三朝事始平。sān cháo;zhāo shì shǐ píng。
A deserted village leans against the ruins
Frightened souls search for a temporary abode
Startled, the flock of wild geese rises and breaks apart
The spring’s cold waters are so clear at daybreak
In former days groups of bandits tested this place
Then the soldiers were quite divided
When one is of two minds, who should go first?
Matters were settled in peace during the last three Imperial courts.
To the Scholar Ling Hu 寄令狐学士
秘殿崔嵬拂彩霓，mì diàn cuī wéi fú cǎi ní，
曹司今在殿东西。cáo sī jīn zài diàn dōng xi;dōng xī。
赓歌太液翻黄鹄，gēng gē tài yè fān huáng hú，
从猎陈仓获碧鸡。cóng;zòng;cōng liè chén cāng huò bì jī。
晓饮岂知金掌迥，xiǎo yǐn qǐ zhī jīn zhǎng jiǒng，
夜吟应讶玉绳低。yè yín yīng;yìng yà yù shéng dī。
钧天虽许人间听，jūn tiān suī xǔ rén jiān tīng，
阊阖门多梦自迷。chāng hé mén duō mèng zì mí。
Your secret temple’s heights brush the coloured rainbow
Today, government offices run east to west across the court
The sounds of golden swans, thriving, fill Tai Ye Pond
When the hunters of Chen Cong caught the Green Rooster, they were blessed
In the morning, who knew one could drink so near to the Golden Palm
Or, at night, hear songs under jade stars strung so low?
Although men are permitted to hear of Heaven’s delights
They nevertheless dream of paths on which they will never alight!
Two Poems On The Huizhong Peony Battered By The Rain 回中牡丹为雨所败二首
下苑他年未可追，xià yuàn tā nián wèi kě zhuī，
西州今日忽相期。xī zhōu jīn rì hū xiàng;xiāng qī。
水亭暮雨寒犹在，shuǐ tíng mù yǔ hán yóu zài，
罗荐春香暖不知。luó;luō jiàn chūn xiāng nuǎn bù zhī。
舞蝶殷勤收落蕊，wǔ dié yīn qín shōu luò;lào;là ruǐ，
有人惆怅卧遥帷。yǒu rén chóu chàng wò yáo wéi。
章台街里芳菲伴，zhāng tái jiē lǐ fāng fēi bàn，
且问宫腰损几枝？qiě wèn gōng yāo sǔn jǐ;jī zhī？
浪笑榴花不及春，làng xiào liú huā bù jí chūn，
先期零落更愁人。xiān qī líng luò gèng;gēng chóu rén。
玉盘迸泪伤心数，yù pán bèng lèi shāng xīn shǔ;shù;shuò，
锦瑟惊弦破梦频。jǐn sè jīng xián pò mèng pín。
万里重阴非旧圃，wàn lǐ zhòng;chóng yīn fēi jiù pǔ，
一年生意属流尘。yī nián shēng yì shǔ liú chén。
前溪舞罢君回顾，qián qī wǔ bà;ba jūn huí gù，
并觉今朝粉态新。bìng jué;jiào jīn zhāo fěn tài xīn。
That season I failed to follow you through the splendid park
Now in the Western District how all has come to naught.
Here the evening drizzle over the water pavilion makes everything so cold
In spite of the spring fragrance that runs through the room’s bedding fold by fold
The butterfly welcomes the falling petals, diligently, dancing with grace
My beautiful love, disconsolate, lies beneath a curtain in a distant place
I used to have friends among the fragrant willows of Zhang Tai
Dear Palace, I ask, how many branches must be pulled away from their sides?
When late in the spring, as if with a mocking laugh, the pomegranate flowers,
How sad it is that the peony starts to shrivel and wither, and loses its powers.
How many times my troubled heart mourns, like the tear drops the jade leaves bring,
My dreams again and again interrupted with the jarring sound of an ornamented zither’s string.
Ten thousand miles of stormy clouds, far from the winding river plains of olden days,
A year of my life spent floating, like a mote of dust swept away.
I look back to see petals dance, shake and drop in their multitudes,
So beautiful, one feels as though they bloom anew.
Holiday 假日
素琴弦断酒瓶空，sù qín xián duàn jiǔ píng kōng，
倚坐欹眠日已中。yǐ zuò yī mián rì yǐ zhōng。
谁向刘灵天幕内，shuí xiàng liú líng tiān mù nèi，
更当陶令北窗风。gèng;gēng dāng;dàng táo lìng běi chuāng fēng。
The white zither strings are silent, the pitchers of beer are empty
The chair tilts, even as I doze in the middle of the day
Who let Master Liu admire the heavens alone?
Judge Tao let only the wind of North Window hear his tones.
Sent to Official Luo Shaoyu 寄罗劭兴
棠棣黄花发，táng dì;dài;tì huáng huā fā;fà，
忘忧碧叶齐。wàng yōu;yǒu bì yè qí。
人闲微病酒，rén xián;jiàn wēi bìng jiǔ，
燕重远兼泥。yàn zhòng;chóng yuǎn jiān ní。
混沌何由凿，hùn dùn hé yóu záo，
青冥未有梯。qīng míng wèi yǒu tī。
高阳旧徒侣，gāo yáng jiù tú lǚ，
时复一相携。shí fù yī xiàng;xiāng xié。
The day lilys’ yellow flowers bloom
As their emerald leaves cluster, neatly groomed
Wine eases the lives of men of leisure
From afar, the sparrow returns with a beak quite muddied
Where is the chisel to break through the chaos?
There is no ladder leading up to the clear blue kael.
To drink Gaoyang wine with a buddy,
Is something to repeat without fail!
This Month On The Second Day, Although Totally Unworthy, I Have Written A Miserable 40 Verse Poem For Your Eminence. I Bow And Offer, For Your Kindness And Grace, Something For You To Read And Peruse. Expressing More Than It Seems, It Lets My Affectionate Feelings Spill Into Words. May You Turn Towards This Dredging Of The Weeds To Let Me Again Toast You With This 5 Syllable 40 Verse Poem. Also, The Poet Writes Not Enough To Do You Justice今月二日不自量度辄以诗一首四十韵干渎尊严。伏蒙任恩俯赐披览，奖逾其实，情溢于辞。故惟疏芜，曷用酬戴，輒复五言四十韵诗献上，亦诗人咏叹不足之义也
家擅无双誉，jiā shàn wú shuāng yù，
朝居第一功。cháo;zhāo jū dì yī gōng。
四时当首夏，sì shí dāng;dàng shǒu xià，
八节应条风。bā jié yīng;yìng tiáo fēng。
涤濯临清济，dí zhuó lín qīng jǐ;jì，
巉岩倚碧嵩。chán yán yǐ bì sōng。
鲍壶冰皎洁，bào hú bīng jiǎo jié，
王佩玉丁东。wáng pèi yù dīng dōng。
处剧张京兆，chù;chǔ jù zhāng jīng zhào，
通经戴侍中。tōng jīng dài shì zhōng。
将星临迥夜，jiāng;jiàng xīng lín jiǒng yè，
卿月丽层穹。qīng yuè lì;lí céng qióng。
下令销秦盗，xià lìng xiāo qín dào，
高谈破宋聋。gāo tán pò sòng lóng。
含霜太山竹，hán shuāng tài shān zhú，
拂雾峄阳桐。fú wù yì yáng tóng。
乐道乾知退，lè dào qián zhī tuì，
当官蹇匪躬。dāng guān jiǎn fěi gōng。
服箱青海马，fú xiāng qīng hǎi mǎ，
入兆渭川熊。rù zhào wèi chuān xióng。
固是符真宰，gù shì fú zhēn zǎi，
徒劳让化工。tú láo ràng huà gōng。
凤池春潋艳，fèng chí chūn liàn yàn，
鸡树晓曈曨。jī shù xiǎo tóng lóng。
愿守三章约，yuàn shǒu sān zhāng yuē;yāo，
还期九译通。hái;huán qī jiǔ yì tōng。
薰琴调大舜，xūn qín diào dà shùn，
宝瑟和神农。bǎo sè hé shén nóng。
慷慨资元老，kāng kài;kāng kǎi zī yuán lǎo，
周旋值狡童。zhōu xuán zhí jiǎo tóng。
仲尼羞问阵，zhòng ní xiū wèn zhèn，
魏绛喜和戎。wèi jiāng xǐ hé róng。
款款将除蠹，kuǎn kuǎn jiāng;jiàng chú dù，
孜孜欲达聪。zī zī yù dá cōng。
所求因渭浊，suǒ qiú yīn wèi zhuó，
安肯与雷同。ān kěn yǔ léi tóng。
物议将调鼎，wù yì jiāng;jiàng diào dǐng，
君恩忽赐弓。jūn ēn hū cì gōng。
开吴相上下，kāi wú xiàng;xiāng shàng xià，
全蜀占西东。quán shǔ zhàn;zhān xī dōng。
锐卒鱼悬饵，ruì zú yú xuán ěr，
豪胥鸟在笼。háo xū niǎo zài lǒng;lóng。
疲民呼杜母，pí mín hū dù mǔ，
邻国仰羊公。lín guó yǎng yáng gōng。
置驿推东道，shì yì tuī dōng dào，
安禅合北宗。ān chán;shàn hé;gé běi zōng。
嘉宾增重价，jiā bīn zēng zhòng jià，
上士悟真空。shàng shì wù zhēn kōng。
扇举遮王导，shàn;shān jǔ zhē wáng dǎo，
樽开见孔融。zūn kāi jiàn;xiàn kǒng róng。
烟飞愁舞罢，yān fēi chóu wǔ bà;ba，
尘定惜歌终。chén dìng xī gē zhōng
岸柳兼池绿，àn liǔ jiān chí lǜ，
园花映烛红。yuán huā yìng zhú hóng。
未曾周顗醉，wèi céng zhōu yǐ zuì，
转觉季心恭。zhuǎi jué;jiào jì xīn gōng。
系滞喧人望，xì;jì zhì xuān rén wàng，
便蕃属圣衷。biàn;pián fán shǔ shèng zhōng。
天书何日降，tiān shū hé rì jiàng，
庭燎几时烘。tíng liáo jǐ shí hōng。
早岁乖投刺，zǎo suì guāi tóu cì，
今晨幸发蒙。jīn chén xìng fā mēng。
远途哀跛鳖，yuǎn tú āi;yǐ bǒ biē，
薄艺奖雕虫。bò;báo;bó yì jiǎng diāo chóng。
故事曾尊隗，gù shì céng;zēng zūn wěi，
前修有荐雄。qián xiū yǒu jiàn xióng。
终须烦刻画，zhōng xū fán kè huà，
聊拟更磨礱。liáo nǐ gèng;gēng mò;mó lóng。
蛮岭晴留雪，mán lǐng qíng liú xuě，
巴江晚带枫。bā jiāng wǎn dài fēng。
营巢怜越燕，yíng cháo lián yuè yàn，
裂帛待燕鸿。liè bó dāi yàn hóng。
自苦诚先檗，zì kǔ chéng xiān bò，
长飘不后蓬。cháng;zhǎng piāo bù hòu péng。
容华虽少健，róng huá suī shǎo;shào jiàn，
思绪即悲翁。sī xù jí bēi wēng。
感激淮山馆，gǎn jī huái shān guǎn，
优游碣石宫。yōu yóu jié shí gōng。
待公三入相，dāi gōng sān rù xiàng;xiāng，
丕祚始无穷。pī zuò shǐ wú qióng。
Your family has many achievements, unique
Court accomplishments next to none
Your four seasons were as gentle as the fourth month
The northeast wind graced your eight solar terms[15]
The clear Ji has cleansing waters
Stony crags rest against the blue Gao hills
The Bi pitcher’s ice deeply sparkles
Ding dong, the jade trinkets sound
Zhang Jingxiao had dreams
Dui Shizhang had learned wisdom
The stars of Jiang overlook the varied nights
The Qing moon vaults over the lovely storied dome
Your were ordered to rout the bandits of Qin
Great decisions pacified Songlong
Frost covered the bamboos of Tao Mountain
The Tong trees of Yin Yang were like a mist
The path to fulfillment lies in hearing the past
Even the bandit bowed before the honest official
One steers the horse past Qing Hui
Or seeks auspicious omens in the bears of Yichuan
Solid is your understand of life’s working
No need for false modesty
The Phoenix pool may overflow with spring water
At dawn a dim light falls on the rooster trees
You wish for 3 auspicious meetings
But make sure to do nine analyses each time!
You soothe the Emperor like a fragrant Qin
And make peace with the Farming God like a jade zither
The great statesman passionately shares his wealth
And straightens out the wily, foxy lads
Master Kong gently questioned battle formations
Jiang of Wei loved to pacify with arms
Resolutely, you rid us of moths
Diligently you strain to attain more wisdom
As everybody follows the muddy Wei,
Do you silently agree to what others have said?
Welcoming the criticism of the people
This sage first thinks, and spurns mere flattery
You developed the kingdom of Wu throughout
Conquered all from West to East
Good soldiers turned fish into cakes
Bullying birds were placed in their cages
An exhausted people cried out for Du Mu
The neighboring states welcomed the benevolent lamb
Though recommended by your host
Through the Buddha you brought peace to Beizong
The price of your quest was high
As the Buddha sought enlightenment
The lowered fan concealed the King who
Opened the wine and saw poet Kong Rong
Incense spreads with this sad dance
The rafters shake in praise of this song
By the green lake shore the willows seemed to meld
In the red glow of candles, the park flowers shimmered
Never drunk like Zhouji
You were respectful and courteaou through changing seasons
Popularity and acclaim lead to sluggish systems
Who bothers to flourish in harmony with one’s inner voice?
What day did the Emperor’s command fall on you?
What time did you profer incense to the household altar?
Early in life, one understands not to throw barbs
Early in the morning, one is fortunate to solve problems
This lame turtle is sad that it has traveled so far
His threadbare art and miserable writing is so honored
The old stories praised Master Kui
The sage retains the hero’s spirit
In the end, you are no doubt irritated at other’s depictions
Perhaps too at this lizard’s
Snow glimmers on savage mountain ridges
In the evening, maples circle the Ba River
Pity the southern swallow that builds a nest
It’s missives are carried in torn silk
My bitter life was at first an honest sprout
Long a wanderer, but afterwards no longer unkempt
Although my appearance is young
My thoughts are those of a sad elder
I am indebted to Huashan prefecture
Happy and carefree at Stone Palace
May you lead the people through these times
And your great blessings become immeasurable!
The Hibiscus Flowers 槿花
风露凄凄秋景繁，fēng lù;lòu qī qī qiū jǐng fán，
可怜荣落在朝昏。kě lián róng luò;lào;là zài cháo hūn。
未央宫里三千女，wèi yāng gōng lǐ sān qiān nǚ，
但保红颜莫保恩。dàn bǎo hóng yán mò bǎo ēn。
Exposed to wind, in chilly and bleak autumn foliage, your flowers flourish
How sad that from morning until dusk your loveliness seems to recede
Weiyang Palace has three thousand beauties
But protects painted faces, not kind hearts.
A Gift Written In Haste While Returning To Jinchang One Evening晋昌晚归马上赠
西北朝天路，xī běi cháo;zhāo tiān lù，
登临思上才。dēng lín sī shàng cái。
城闲烟草遍，chéng xián;jiàn yān cǎo biàn，
村暗雨云回。cūn àn yǔ yún huí。
人岂无端别，rén qǐ wú duān biè;bié，
猿应有意哀。yuán yīng;yìng yǒu yì āi;yǐ。
征南予更远，zhēng nán yǔ gèng yuǎn，
吟断望乡台。yín duàn wàng xiāng tái。
Northwest on Heaven Court road
My thoughts briefly turn to your noble self
The city is peaceful as evening mist settles over the grass
Above quiet villages, rain clouds circle
I do not want to bid farewell
The ape understands this harsh cry
A southern expedition would be too far
Cry that one no longer can see one’s home!
The Jing Stars 井络
井络天彭一掌中，jǐng luò;lào tiān péng;bāng yī zhǎng zhōng，
漫夸天设剑为峰。màn kuā tiān shè jiàn wèi;wéi fēng。
阵图东聚燕江石，zhèn tú dōng jù yàn jiāng shí，
边柝西悬雪岭松。biān tuò xī xuán xuě lǐng sōng。
堪叹故君成杜宇，kān tàn gù jūn chéng dù yǔ，
可能先主是真龙。kě néng xiān zhǔ shì zhēn lóng。
将来为报奸雄辈，jiāng lái wèi;wéi bào jiān xióng bèi，
莫向金牛访旧踪。mò xiàng jīn niú fǎng jiù zōng。
Tianpeng mountains and Jing stars go hand in hand
Heaven, overflowing, turns swords into peaks
In the eastern rapids, smoky boulders form for battle
In the remote west, under snowy ridges and pines, the sounds of night watch clappers
With a sigh, the nobleman turns into a cuckoo
Perhaps the first king was truly a dragon?
Warn future generations of heros and knaves
Lest they take the ancient path of the golden calf.
The Mirror Pavilion 镜槛
镜槛芙蓉入，jìng jiàn fú róng rù，
香台翡翠过。xiāng tái fěi cuì guò。
拨弦惊火凤，bō xián jīng huǒ fèng，
交扇拂天鹅。jiāo shàn;shān fú tiān é。
隐忍阳城笑，yǐn rěn yáng chéng xiào，
喧传郢市歌。xuān zhuàn;chuán yǐng shì gē。
仙眉琼作叶，xiān méi qióng zuò yè，
佛髻钿为螺。fú;fó jì diàn;tián wèi;wéi luó。
五里无因雾，wǔ lǐ wú yīn wù，
三秋只见河。sān qiū zhī;zhǐ jiàn;xiàn hé。
月中供药剩，yuè zhōng gòng;gōng yào shèng，
海上得绡多。hǎi shàng dé;děi;de xiāo duō。
玉集胡沙割，yù jí hú shā gē，
犀留圣水磨。xī liú shèng shuǐ mó。
斜门穿戏蝶，xié mén chuān xì dié，
小阁锁飞蛾。xiǎo dū;gé suǒ fēi é。
骑襜侵鞯卷，qí chān qīn jiān juǎn;juàn，
车帷约幰鈋，chē wéi yuē;yāo xiǎn é，
传书两行雁，zhuàn;chuán shū liǎng xíng;háng;xìng yàn，
取酒一封驼。qǔ jiǔ yī fēng tuó。
桥迥凉风压，qiáo jiǒng liáng fēng yà;yā，
沟横夕照和。gōu héng;hèng xī zhào hé。
待乌燕太子，dāi wū yàn tài zǐ，
驻马魏东阿。zhù mǎ wèi dōng ā;ē。
想像铺芳褥，xiǎng xiàng pù;pū fāng rù，
依稀解醉罗。yī xī jiě zuì luó;luō。
散时帘隔露，sǎn shí lián gé lù;lòu，
卧后幕生波。wò hòu mù shēng bō。
梯稳从攀桂，tī wěn cóng;zòng;cōng pān guì，
弓调任射莎。gōng diào rèn shè suō;shā。
岂能抛断梦，qǐ néng pāo duàn mèng，
听鼓事朝珂。tīng gǔ shì cháo;zhāo kē。
The hibiscus steals into the Mirror Pavilion
Over the scented platform the jade leaves sway
‘Fiery Phoenix’ suddenly plucks her strings
Another strokes her ‘Heaven’s Goose’ fan away
Yang Cheng gives a secret smile
Amidst the bustle of the Ying City tune
The goddess’ brows are leaves of jade
A buddha pin gleams like a snails whorl groomed
For five Li the mist keeps us apart
For three seasons I have only seen the Milky Way
The moon offers what’s left of the pilfered pills
Mermaids knit much while on the sea they lie
The jade collection is cut at Hushao
The rhino horn is milled at Shengshui
The butterfly plays by the door drapes
Moths fly above the small pavilion’s locked gate
Discourteous, the horses’ saddles push up ladies’ robes
But the carriage is enveloped in drapes and curtains
The wild goose bears letters back and forth
Bearing wine, the single humped camel onward drones
A cool wind presses down on a bridge lofty and great
The evening light falls on the channels running east to west
Where the duke of Yan had his white headed crow
And King Dong Ah of Wei stopped his horse to wait
I imagine your sweet odor enveloping me
You dimly appear in a drunken haze
As I walk the drapes conceal me
Behind my bed the tent flaps like waves
I firmly climb the ladder to the Cassia tree
The arrow has pointed to a new place
How can I leave behind these interrupted dreams
Listening to the horses halters and drums of reveille?
The Nine Lives Palace 九成宫
十二层城阆苑西，shí èr céng chéng làng yuàn xī，
平时避暑拂虹霓。píng shí bì shǔ fú hóng ní。
云随夏后双龙尾，yún suí xià hòu shuāng lóng wěi，
风逐周王八骏蹄。fēng zhú zhōu wáng ba jùn tí。
吴岳晓光连翠巘，wú yuè xiǎo guāng lián cuì yǎn，
甘泉晚景上丹梯。gān quán wǎn jǐng shàng dān tī。
荔枝卢橘沾恩幸，lì zhī lú jú zhān ēn xìng，
鸾鹊天书湿紫泥。luán què tiān shū shī zǐ ní。
Twelve tiered towers and cities rise in this heavenly park,
In normal times they would easily brush up against the rainbow’s arch
The tails of the Xia Lord’s two dragons, the clouds pursue
In the wake of King Zhou’s eight stallions, the wind listened, and grew.
The glow of morning links Wuyue Mountain’s peaks
The evening scene reveals crimson turrets over streams so sweet
Stained with the benevolent juice of lichees and golden pears,
Paper decrees bear moist purple ink, luans and magpies, of Imperial affairs
A Pity 可叹
幸会东城宴未回，xìng huì;kuài dōng chéng yàn wèi huí，
年华忧共水相催。nián huá yōu;yǒu gòng shuǐ xiàng;xiāng cuī。
梁家宅里秦宫入，liáng jiā zhái lǐ qín gōng rù，
赵后楼中赤凤来。liáng jiā zhái lǐ qín gōng rù，
冰簟且眠金镂枕，bīng diàn qiě mián jīn lòu zhěn，
琼筵不醉玉交杯。qióng yán bù zuì yù jiāo bēi。
宓妃愁坐芝田馆，mì fēi chóu zuò zhī tián guǎn，
用尽陈王八斗才。yòng jìn chén wáng ba dòu;dǒu cái。
Honored at the Eastern Capital’s banquet, you haven’t returned
Oppressed by the splendor of it all, how sad am I
The noble Lady of Qing enters King Liang’s palace
A red luan arrives at Princess Zhao’s mansion
I sleep on the cold mat and you on the golden pillow
At the magnificent feast one is sober as jade cups change hands
Anxious Mi Fei sits in her chamber among the sesame fields
Talented King Chen strives so hard to do well.
24 Verses Lamenting The Fate Of Consul Xiao Of Suizhou 哭遂州萧侍郎二十四韵
遥作时多难，yáo zuò shí duō nán，
先令祸有源。xiān lìng huò yǒu yuán。
初惊逐客议，chū jīng zhú kè yì，
旋骇党人冤。xuán hài dǎng rén yuān。
密侍荣方入，mì shì róng fāng rù，
司刑望愈尊。sī xíng wàng yù zūn。
皆因优诏用，jiē yīn yōu;yòu zhào yòng，
实有谏书存。shí yǒu jiàn shū cún。
苦雾三辰没，kǔ wù sān chén méi;mò，
穷阴四塞昏。qióng yīn sì sè;sài;sāi hūn。
虎威狐更假，hǔ wēi hú gèng;gēng jiǎ;jià，
隼击鸟逾喧。sǔn jī niǎo yú xuān。
徒欲心存阙，tú yù xīn cún quē;què，
终遭耳属垣。zhōng zāo ěr shǔ yuán。
遗音和蜀魄，yí yīn hé shǔ pò，
易箦对巴猿。yì kuì duì bā yuán。
有女悲初寡，yǒu nǚ bēi chū guǎ，
无男泣过门。wú nán qì guò mén。
朝争屈原草，cháo;zhāo zhēng qū yuán cǎo，
庙馁莫敖魂。miào něi mò ào;áo hún。
迥阁伤神峻，jiǒng dū;gé shāng shén jùn，
长江极望翻。cháng jiāng jí wàng fān。
青云宁寄意，qīng yún nìng;níng jì yì，
白骨始沾恩。bái gú shǐ zhān ēn。
早岁思东阁，zǎo suì sī dōng dū;gé，
为邦属故园。wèi;wéi bāng shǔ gù yuán。
登舟惭郭泰，dēng zhōu cán guō tài，
解榻愧陈蕃。jiě tà kuì chén fán。
分以忘年契，fēn yǐ wàng nián qì，
情犹锡类敦。qíng yóu yáng;xí lèi dūn。
公先真帝子，gōng xiān zhēn dì zǐ，
我系本王孙。wǒ xì;jì běn wáng sūn。
啸傲张高盖，xiào ào zhāng gāo gě;gài，
从容接短辕。cóng róng jiē duǎn;duān yuán。
秋吟小山桂，qiū yín xiǎo shān guì，
春醉后堂萱。chūn zuì hòu táng xuān。
自叹离通籍，zì tàn lí;róu tōng jí，
何尝忘叫阍。hé cháng wàng jiào hūn。
不成穿圹入，bù chéng chuān kuàng rù，
终拟上书论。zhōng nǐ shàng shū lùn。
多士还鱼贯，duō shì hái;huán yú guàn，
云谁正骏奔。yún shuí zhèng;zhēng jùn bēn。
暂能诛倏忽，zàn néng zhū shū hū，
长与问乾坤。cháng;zhǎng yǔ wèn qián kūn。
蚁漏三泉路，yǐ lòu sān quán lù，
螀啼百草根。jiāng tí bǎi cǎo gēn。
始知同泰讲，shǐ zhī tóng;tòng tài jiǎng，
徼福是虚言。jiào;jiǎo fú shì xū yán。
Being banished so far away was hard indeed
The first edicts were the reason for this misfortune
First feelings of shock swirled around
Astonishment at the political injustice
Secretly, homage was paid to his accomplishments
Even the jailer treated his prisoner with respect
Because all was by imperial order
Written records had to be maintained
The bitter fog reached up to heaven’s three levels
With the sunset, a barren darkness spread everywhere
The tiger was ferocious and the foxes duplicitous
As the falcon attacked, the birds were particularly noisy
Your heart guided you towards the court
In the end, ears in the walls brought you misfortune
The sound of the soul of Shu was lost
One slept on mats suited for the Apes of Ba
Your daughter was tragically widowed
You have no sons to mourn at the door
Courts fought over drafts of Chu Yuan’s statutes
Temples provided no food for this spirit of Aohun
The many pavilions pained the mountain spirits
The great rivers saw extreme turbulence
Was the path of advancement a tranquil one?
Tears of kindness fall first on white bones
From childhood you thought of the Eastern Pavilion
To help unite the regions into one country
Guo Tai felt ashamed to climb into the boat
Chenfan lost face when he separated the beds
If distance can make one forget our bond
Our feelings are as solid as tin
You are among all first an emperor’s son
I am basically a king’s grandson
Whistle confidently above the open carriage
Unhurriedly welcome the lowly axle
In Autumn recite poems under Little Cassia Mountain
In spring get drunk behind the hall’s daylilies
One sighs at leaving the books
Not that one forgets to call the gatekeeper!
I don’t want to make too much of one’s death
But finally I can draft an explanation in writing
Many scholars follow each other like fish
Whose horse will be fated to bolt along the straight path?
It takes an instant to execute a person
But questions linger long after in heaven and earth
The ant creeps from three streams
The cicada cries from under every sort of plant
First know what is said in tranquil speech
That praying for fortune is fool’s talk!
Parting Thoughts 离思
气尽前溪舞，qì jìn;jǐn qián qī wǔ，
心酸子夜歌。xīn suān zǐ yè gē。
峡云寻不得，xiá yún xún bù dé，
沟水欲如何。gōu shuǐ yù rú hé。
朔雁传书绝，shuò yàn zhuàn;chuán shū jué，
湘篁染泪多。xiāng huáng rǎn lèi duō。
无由见颜色，wú yóu jiàn;xiàn yán sè，
还自托微波。hái;huán zì tuō wēi bō。
The dance of the brook is so exhausting
So bitter is one’s heart, as in the ‘Midnight Songs’
This morning, I vainly seek the clouds above the peak
Like gulley waters that lie beyond a man’s reach
Early, the wild north geese bear your tidings, interrupted
Tears are sprinkled over bamboo groves and mottled leaves
No need to see what the light will bring
All I can entrust to you is the barest touch!
Willow 柳
动春何限叶，dòng chūn hé xiàn yè，
撼晓几多枝。hàn xiǎo jǐ duō zhī。
解有相思否，jiě yǒu xiāng sī fǒu;pǐ，
应无不舞时。yīng;yìng wú bù wǔ shí。
絮飞藏皓蝶，xù fēi zàng;cáng hào dié，
带弱露黄鹂。dài ruò lù;lòu huáng lí。
倾国宜通体，qīng guó yí tōng tǐ，
谁来独赏眉。shuí lái dú shǎng méi。
Spring brings forth many leaves
Morning shakes so many branches
Can one pine for love?
Is this not a time to dance?
Catkins conceal flying white butterflies
A yellow oriole emerges from the twigs
All fitting, a beautiful world
Let each who come marvel at her lovely lashes!
The Luan And The Phoenix 鸾凤
旧镜鸾何处，jiù jìng luán hé chǔ，
衰桐凤不栖。shuāi;cuī tóng fèng bù qī。
金钱饶孔雀，jīn qián ráo kǒng què，
锦段落山鸡。jǐn duàn luò shān jī。
王子调清管，wáng zǐ diào qīng guǎn，
天人降紫泥。tiān rén jiàng zǐ ní。
岂无云路分，qǐ wú yún lù fēn，
相望不应迷。xiāng wàng bù yīng;yìng mí。
Where is the luan bird that in the mirror I used to see?
Her loved phoenix has no perch now on the fading tung tree
The peacock is wrapped in lucre and gold
The pheasant lays down brocades fold by fold
The sound of the Emperor’s flute feels just right
To the angels he surrenders the purple seal
Is there no chance of a splendid career?
Between us let’s not lose our way!
Crazy Stones 乱石
虎踞龙蹲纵复横，hǔ jù lóng dūn zòng;zōng fù héng;hèng，
星光渐减雨痕生。xīng guāng jiàn jiǎn yǔ hén shēng。
不须并碍东西路，bù xū bìng ài dōng xi;dōng xī lù，
哭杀厨头阮步兵。kū shā chú tóu ruǎn bù bīng。
Like lions crouching, dragons coiling, they lie up and down, left and right
Now scarred, rain has washed their starry glow from our sight
On the East – West road, nothing can pass
To the grief of Officer ‘Kitchen’ Ruan!
[1] A luan is a female phoenix
[2] Jia Yi (201-169BC) a scholar of the Han Dynasty. Wang Cai (177-217AD) , a poet whose work often expressed homesickness.
[3] Refering to an incorruptible phoenix who recognized something corrupt, and flew on instead without stopping.
[4] The Seven Virtues to refer to seven celebrated scholars or accolades. The three gifts refer to poplar trees specially favored by the Emperor (or Empress).
[5] Low ranked officials often wore green.
[6] Fifth bell is early morning
[7] A luan is a female phoenix
[8] Literally the konghou was an ancient plucked instrument
[9] This poem uses several allusions to refer to the promotion of a friend, and the wish of his comrade (LSY) to be similarly honored.
[10] Myths from Japan and southern China refer to a cock inducing the sun to rise, when the earth was created and all was darkness. A three legged raven is also reputed to live in the sun.
[11] The Qinghai dragon or horse symbolized lost opportunities
[12] In Daoist belief The Golden Boy and Jade Maiden were attendants of the Daoist Immortals, and greeted those who ascended to heaven, in their Green Chariot.
[13] Purple, White and Yellow. The Phoenix Maiden and the Moon Goddess (Chang ‘E) likely refer to palace concubines and ladies respectively.
[14] Xuanhui was a famous poet
[15] Referring to times in the agricultural calendar
A Tang Poet From Nairobi 