Linghu ‘8th Lost Property Assessor’ Tao Beckons Pei Shisi Back To Huazhou 令狐八拾遗见招送裴十四归华州
二十中郎未足希， èr shí zhōng láng wèi zú xī，
骊驹先自有光辉。 lí jū xiān zì yǒu guāng huī。
兰亭宴罢方回去， lán tíng yàn bà;ba fāng huí qù，
雪夜诗成道韫归。 xuě yè shī chéng dào yùn guī。
汉苑风烟吹客梦， hàn yuàn fēng yān chuī kè mèng，
云台洞穴接郊扉。 yún tái dòng xué jiē jiāo fēi。
嗟予久抱临邛渴， jiē;juē yǔ jiǔ bào lín qióng kě，
便欲因君问钓矶。 biàn;pián yù yīn jūn wèn diào jī。
Twelve officials failed to follow in your esteemed footsteps
You first rode the horse and attained great glory
May Fang Hui go to the banquet at the Orchid Pavilion[1]
As the Snowy Night Poems grow may Daoyun herself return[2]
The wind and haze of Hanyuan Temple inspires a traveler’s dreams
The caves of Cloud Terrace welcome those from the suburbs
From the vantage of Thirsty Mound long have I lamented
And wished I could learn from the gentleman the study of the hook[3].
Presented to A Daoist Priest 赠白道者
十二楼前再拜辞， shí èr lóu qián zài bài cí，
灵风正满碧桃枝。 líng fēng zhèng;zhēng mǎn bì táo zhī。
壶中若是有天地， hú zhōng ruò shì yǒu tiān dì，
又向壶中伤别离。 yòu xiàng hú zhōng shāng bié lí
I bid farewell again before the twelfth tower
A biting wind fills the peach tree bowers
It is as if the wine flagon contains the world
From its center, the pain of leaving disperses
A New Poem Enthusiastically Mailed With Apt Words For General Zhao Of Nanshan At His Evening Banquet 南山赵行军新诗盛称游宴之洽，因寄一绝
莲幕遥临黑水津， lián mù yáo lín hēi shuǐ jīn，
櫜鞬无事但寻春。 gāo jiàn;jiān wú shì dàn xún chūn。
梁王司马非孙武， liáng wáng sī mǎ fēi sūn wǔ，
且免宫中斩美人。 qiě miǎn gōng zhōng zhǎn měi rén。
From the distance the lotus tent overlooks the damp black pond
Your arrows lie in their pouch, unused, even as you seek spring pleasures
Minister of War Liang Wang is unlike General Sunwu[4]
I will not behead palace beauties, nor you!
Presented To Elder Father Wang the High Official Of the Hongnong clan of Dongchuan 送从翁从东川弘农尚书幕
大镇初更帅， dà zhèn;chēn chū gèng;gēng shuài，
嘉宾素见邀。 jiā bīn sù jiàn;xiàn yāo。
使车无远近， shǐ chē wú yuǎn jìn，
归路更烟霄。 guī lù gèng;gēng yān xiāo。
稳放骅骝步， wěn fàng huá liú bù，
高安翡翠巢。 gāo ān fěi cuì cháo。
御风知有在， yù fēng zhī yǒu zài，
去国肯无聊。 qù guó kěn wú liáo。
早忝诸孙末， zǎo tiǎn zhū sūn mò，
俱从小隐招。 jù;jū cóng xiǎo yǐn zhāo。
心悬紫云阁， xīn xuán zǐ yún dū;gé，
梦断赤城标。 mèng duàn chì chéng biāo。
素女悲清瑟， sù nǚ bēi qīng sè，
秦娥弄玉箫。 qín é nòng;lòng yù xiāo。
山连玄圃近， shān lián xuán pǔ jìn，
水接绛河遥。 shuǐ jiē jiāng hé yáo。
岂意闻周铎， qǐ yì wén zhōu duó，
翻然慕舜韶。 fān rán mù shùn sháo。
皆辞乔木去， jiē cí qiáo mù qù，
远逐断蓬飘。 yuǎn zhú duàn péng piāo。
薄俗谁其激， bò;báo;bó sú shuí qí jī，
斯民已甚恌。 sī mín yǐ shèn tiāo。
鸾皇期一举， luán huáng qī yī jǔ，
燕雀不相饶。 yàn què bù xiàng;xiāng ráo。
敢共颓波远， gǎn gòng tuí bō yuǎn，
因之内火烧。 yīn zhī nèi huǒ shāo。
是非过别梦， shì fēi guò biè;bié mèng，
时节惨惊飙。 shí jié cǎn jīng biāo。
未至谁能赋， wèi zhì shuí néng fù，
中干欲病痟。 zhōng gān;gàn;hàn yù bìng xiāo。
屡曾纡锦绣， lǚ céng;zēng yū jǐn xiù，
勉欲报琼瑶。 miǎn yù bào qióng yáo。
我恐霜侵鬓， wǒ kǒng shuāng qīn bìn，
君先绶挂腰。 jūn xiān shòu guà yāo。
甘心与陈阮， gān xīn yǔ chén ruǎn，
挥手谢松乔。 huī shǒu xiè sōng qiáo。
锦里差邻接， jǐn lǐ chā;chà;chāi lín jiē，
云台闭寂寥。 yún tái bì jì liáo。
一川虚月魄， yī chuān xū yuè pò，
万崦自芝苗。 wàn yān zì zhī miáo。
瘴雨泷间急， zhàng yǔ lóng jiān;jiàn;xiàn jí，
离魂峡外销。 lí;róu hún xiá wài xiāo。
非关无烛夜， fēi guān wú zhú yè，
其奈落花朝。 qí nài luò huā cháo;zhāo。
几处逢鸣佩， jǐ;jī chù;chǔ féng míng pèi，
何筵不翠翘。 hé yán bù cuì qiáo。
蛮童骑象舞， mán tóng qí xiàng wǔ，
江市卖鲛绡。 jiāng shì mài jiāo xiāo。
南诏知非敌， nán zhào zhī fēi dí，
西山亦屡骄。 xī shān yì lǚ jiāo。
勿贪佳丽地， wù tān jiā lì dì;de，
不为圣明朝。 bù wèi;wéi shèng míng cháo;zhāo。
少减东城饮， shǎo;shào jiǎn dōng chéng yǐn，
时看北斗杓。 shí kàn;kān běi dòu;dǒu sháo;biāo。
莫因乖别久， mò yīn guāi biè;bié jiǔ，
遂逐岁寒凋。 suì zhú suì hán diāo。
盛幕开高宴， shèng;chéng mù kāi gāo yàn，
将军问故僚。 jiāng jūn wèn gù liáo。
为言公玉季， wèi;wéi yán gōng yù jì，
早日弃渔樵。 zǎo rì qì yú qiáo。
When the brigadier general first attained his position
The esteemed and excellent guest was seen and invited
The Consul’s chariot was not too far away
On the road back an auspicious mist was sighted
Steady is the pace of the good horse
Lofty and safe the kingfisher’s nest
Although you know how to ride the wind
Wouldn’t one think it useless to leave the Capitol steps?
Early I was humbled to be with the latest of a kingly line
Summoned as a youth to learn with you
My heart hangs over the Purple Cloud Pavilion
My dream of Red City Mountain lies interrupted too.
The angel sadly plays the 25 stringed zither
The Qin Maiden fools with the Sheng flute
There the Mountain was close to the Garden of Immortals
The water came from the Milky Way’s farthest routes
When one hears the proclamation bells of Zhou
Instantly, it is an occasion of splendid glory
We all bid farewell to our hometowns
While afar, we refrain making our lives an unfocused story
Superficial the customs they all follow
Those people who follow frivolous ways
The king and the Luan have their rendezvous
The sparrows and swallows rarely have such fortunate days
Brave the waves far from what is decayed
Because deep within you is a powerful blaze
You absolutely have not abandoned your dreams
In a time marked by tragedy and heaving seas
In the end who will favor me,
As this sickly diarrhetic seeks his iron core
For the gifts of brocade you often presented me
I have worked hard to pay you back with this work’s precious alure
How unsettling that when frost has entered my hair
Your excellency already has the seal of office about your waist
Willingly I hold company with secretaries Chen and Ruan (worked for General Cao Cao）
For Song and Qiao I wave my hand in thanks towards their heavenly place
The township of Jin is close to the border
The Temple of Clouds is shuttered and closed
The moon’s soul spreads emptiness over the plain
Among countless mountains this sesame seedling grows.
A pestilential rain amid gorges rushes deep
My soul flees the valleys to make itself known abroad
Not that there will be dark nights
Or that those days of flowers I will no longer keep
How many places have not heard of the bird hairpin,
Musn’t the kingfisher brooch still arise from the bedroom mat?
The Man and Zhuang[5] youth ride horses like dancers
In the Southern Jiang mermaid woven silk is sold on racks
Southern Imperial edicts did not call them enemies,
But West Mountain tribes are still arrogant
Admonish corruption in beautiful places
Not for courtiers providing favors pay fees
Lessen the drinking and carousing at West City
Look often at the northern stars of the Great Dipper
Not just because our parting will be for so long
Will friendship easily grow old and wither
Raise the cup and tent high at this banquet
The general asks after the monk’s hut
May elder Gong Yuji say a few words
That we may early ditch the firewood,fish and go to work!
Chu Waters 曲池
日下繁香不自持， rì xià fán xiāng bù zì chí，
月中流艳与谁期。 yuè zhōng liú yàn yǔ shuí qī。
迎忧急鼓疏钟断， yíng yōu;yǒu jí gǔ shū zhōng duàn，
分隔休灯灭烛时。 fēn gé xiū dēng miè zhú shí。
张盖欲判江滟滟， zhāng gě;gài yù pàn jiāng yàn yàn，
回头更望柳丝丝。 huí tóu gèng;gēng wàng liǔ sī sī。
从来此地黄昏散， cóng lái cǐ dì huáng hūn sǎn，
未信河梁是别离。 wèi xìn hé liáng shì bié lí。
Below the Capital, the rich scent of flowers all around, I won’t hold back
Within the moonlight, at this time, who will meet me in this rush of love?
I nervously await, as the temple bells silence the evening drums
Up till the time each lamp fades or the candle is no longer welcome
The boat sail opens as if it would part the billowing waves
I turn my head to the willow’s silken leaves, and gaze
At dusk, it was always here we used to walk
One cannot believe this bridge our farewell marks
To Fellow Scholar and Taoist Monk Peng in His Lofty Void 同学彭道士参寥
莫羡仙家有上真， mò xiàn xiān jiā yǒu shàng zhēn，
仙家暂谪亦千春。 xiān jiā zàn zhé yì qiān chūn。
月中桂树高多少， yuè zhōng guì shù gāo duō shǎo，
试问西河斫树人。 shì wèn xī hé zhuó shù rén。
Don’t envy the Immortal Master who attained the True Way
He will be banished for the short space of 1000 springs to the day
How tall is the moon’s cassia tree?
Ask the woodcutter of West River, he’s the one to say![6]
While Sick I Pay An Early Visit To Supreme General Li Who Brings His Family To The Qu River- Two Poems 病中早访招国李十将军遇挈家游曲江
十顷平波溢岸清， shí qǐng píng bō yì àn qīng，
病来惟梦此中行。 bìng lái wéi mèng cǐ zhōng xíng;háng;xìng。
相如未是真消渴， xiàng;xiāng rú wèi shì zhēn xiāo kě，
犹放沱江过锦城。 yóu fàng tuó jiāng guò jǐn chéng。
The clear waves top the river banks
When sick, one’s sole wish is to be among their ranks
You can not really be ill with a melting thirst[7]
Or you would have crossed to Brocade City, having swallowed the Tuo first! [8]
A Farewell Gift For The Friend I Did Not Meet At The Inn 访人不遇留别馆
卿卿不惜锁窗春， qīng qīng bù xī suǒ chuāng chūn，
去作长楸走马身。 qù zuò cháng;zhǎng qiū zǒu mǎ shēn。
闲倚绣帘吹柳絮， xián;jiàn yǐ xiù lián chuī liǔ xù，
日高深院断无人。 rì gāo shēn yuàn duàn wú rén。
You spare no effort, my sweet little nothing, to close the Spring Window
Along long arbors of Rowan Trees, I ride my horse
The willow catkins blow, resting against the brocaded curtains
In the middle of the day, deep in the courtyard, no one is to be found.
Late in the Day 日高
镀镮故锦縻轻拖， dù huán gù jǐn mí qīng tuō，
玉匙不动便门锁. yù chí bù dòng biàn mén suǒ
水精眠梦是何人， shuǐ jīng mián mèng shì hé rén，
栏药日高红髲騀. lán yào rì gāo hóng bì;pǒ ě
飞香上云春诉天， fēi xiāng shàng yún chūn sù;xīn tiān，
云梯十二门九关。 yún tī shí èr mén jiǔ guān。
轻身灭影何可望， qīng shēn miè yǐng hé kě wàng，
粉蛾帖死屏风上。 fěn é tiě;tiē sǐ píng fēng shàng。
The light silk hangs from the door knocker
The jade key lies still, the door remains locked
Who sleeps and dreams beneath the crystal curtains?
Late in the day, on her hair, vermillion peonies spread
Spring arrives, fragrant, soaring above the clouds
To the 12th steps and the 9th gate of the celestial city
Only one with a body immaterial, light as a shadow can see,
As a powder moth goes to his death, its soul borne aloft on the wind
A Poem On Flies, Butterflies, Chicken, Deer And Two Phoenix In Love蝇蝶鸡麝鸾凤等成篇
韩蝶翻罗幕， hán dié fān luó;luō mù，
曹蝇拂绮窗。 cáo yíng fú qǐ chuāng。
斗鸡回玉勒， dòu jī huí yù lè，
融麝暖金釭。 róng shè nuǎn jīn gāng。
玳瑁明书阁， dài mào míng shū dū;gé，
琉璃冰酒缸。 liú lí bīng jiǔ gāng。
画楼多有主， huà lóu duō yǒu zhǔ，
鸾凤各双双。 luán fèng gè;gě shuāng shuāng
Images of the Han lady’s butterfly cover the screens[9]
Master Can’s fly whisks against the window[10]
The virile rooster lookd bsvk at the horse’s jade bit
Where the deer blends into the warm wicker lamp
Light bathes the scrolls in the Turtle Room and
Cool ale fills colored tile jars
Each painted mansion has its master
Each a luan and phoenix in a warm embrace
Naughty Cherry 嘲樱桃
朱实鸟含尽， zhū shí niǎo hán jìn;jǐn，
青楼人未归。 qīng lóu rén wèi guī。
南园无限树， nán yuán wú xiàn shù，
独自叶如帏。 dú zì yè rú wéi。
Solid red, the birds have their fill
No one has returned to the Blue Tower
There are countless trees in South Park
I am all alone, like a leaf on a bed’s curtain
Honeybee 蜂
小苑华池烂熳通， xiǎo yuàn huā;huá chí làn màn tōng，
后门前槛思无穷。 hòu mén qián jiàn sī wú qióng。
宓妃腰细才胜露， mì fēi yāo xì cái shèng;shēng lù;lòu，
赵后身轻欲倚风。 zhào hòu shēn qīng yù yǐ fēng。
红壁寂寥崖蜜尽， hóng bì jì liáo yá mì jìn;jǐn，
碧帘迢递雾巢空。 bì lián tiáo dì wù cháo kōng。
青陵粉蝶休离恨， qīng líng fěn dié xiū lí;róu hèn，
长定相逢二月中。 cháng;zhǎng dìng xiāng féng èr yuè zhōng
Around the spirit pool, in the little park, you dash here and there
By the railing behind my room my thoughts are on a tear
Mi Fei’s waist is so slender, her beauty such a tease
Zhao Hou’s lithesome body wants to lean into the breeze[11]
Above the red walls the solitary peak drips with honey
Behind the green curtains, birds’ nests appear empty, foggy
How the resting butterfly hates to leave the Blue Mausoleum
In the middle of the second month, after a long wait, she will finally see him.
Having Passed The Exam And Heading Back East, Written For My Classmates Left Behind At Upper Ba River 及第东归次灞上却寄同年
芳桂当年各一枝， fāng guì dāng nián gè;gě yī zhī，
行期未分压春期。 xíng qī wèi fēn yà;yā chūn qī。
江鱼朔雁长相忆， jiāng yú shuò yàn zhǎng xiàng yì，
秦树嵩云自不知。 qín shù sōng yún zì bù zhī。
下苑经过劳想像， xià yuàn jīng guò láo xiǎng xiàng，
东门送饯又差池。 dōng mén sòng jiàn yòu chā chí。
灞陵柳色无离恨， bà líng liǔ sè wú lí;róu hèn，
莫枉长条赠所思。 mò wǎng cháng tiáo zèng suǒ sī。
The cassia flowers each form a stalk for the prime of our lives
We have not been separated that long and the end of spring is imminent
The Jiang fish and the Geese of the Lunar Moon have long memories of each other[12]
While the Qin Oaks and the Clouds on Mount Song know nothing of their condition
How hard it is to imagine us passing through the Lower Park[13]
When the farewell dinner at West Gate fell short and we missed each other
The colors of the willows at Ba Mausoleum make our farewell bearable
Their long and straight leaves deliver to you all my thoughts
The Marriage Of The Princess Of Long Life And Peace 寿安公主出降
沩水闻贞媛， wéi shuǐ wén zhēn yuán，
常山索锐师。 cháng shān suǒ ruì shī。
昔忧迷帝力， xī yōu;yǒu mí dì lì，
今分送王姬。 jīn fēn sòng wáng jī。
事等和强虏， shì děng hé qiáng;qiǎng lǔ，
恩殊睦本枝。 ēn shū mù běn zhī。
四郊多垒在， sì jiāo duō lěi zài，
此礼恐无时。 cǐ lǐ kǒng wú shí。
It is said that a beautiful, virtuous woman within the Gui River fords
At Chang Shan was betrothed to a famous lord
In those days his court did not know of proper etiquette
These days we expect marriage with a virtuous beauty should be properly set
Pending weighty matters of peace and power, ransom was paid through her
Even though by recognizing a matriarchal line, the emperor gave her favor
It was here the rebels of the Western suburbs arose
A shame how fear and respect ebbs and flows
Given Playfully At The Farewell Dinner To A Fellow Classmate On The Occasion Of Him Arriving At His New Home In The West.韩同年新居饯韩西迎家室戏赠
籍籍征西万户侯， jí jí zhēng xī wàn hù hóu，
新缘贵婿起朱楼。 xīn yuán guì xù qǐ zhū lóu。
一名我漫居先甲， yī míng wǒ màn jū xiān jiǎ，
千骑君翻在上头。 qiān qí jūn fān zài shàng tou。
云路招邀回彩凤， yún lù zhāo yāo huí cǎi fèng，
天河迢递笑牵牛。 tiān hé tiáo dì xiào qiān niú。
南朝禁脔无人近， nán cháo;zhāo jìn luan wú rén jìn，
瘦尽琼枝咏四愁。 shòu jìn;jǐn qióng zhī yǒng sì chóu
In the West, countless homes are under the illustrious general’s power
Favored by society, his son in law raises a pearl tower
In vain did I attain the exam results of the level Jia[14]
The One Thousand Horse noble exceeded my height by far
The glimmering phoenix is welcomed back from the white road
Far across the Milky Way, the cowherd smiles and glows
I dare not approach the Southern Emperor’s tasty pork chops
This emaciated jade piece can only sing the “Four Worries” a lot!
Weeping over Consul Yang of Qianzhou 哭虔州杨侍郎
汉网疏仍漏， hàn wǎng shū réng lòu，
齐民困未苏。 qí mín kùn wèi sū。
如何大丞相， rú hé dà chéng xiàng;xiāng，
翻作弛刑徒。 fān zuò chí xíng tú。
中宪方外易， zhōng xiàn fāng wài yì，
尹京终就拘。 yǐn jīng zhōng jiù jū。
本矜能弭谤， běn jīn néng mǐ bàng，
先议取非辜。 xiān yì qǔ fēi gū。
巧有凝脂密， qiǎo yǒu níng zhī mì，
功无一柱扶。 gōng wú yī zhù fú。
深知狱吏贵， shēn zhī yù lì guì，
几迫季冬诛。 jǐ;jī pò jì dōng zhū。
叫帝青天阔， jiào dì qīng tiān kuò，
辞家白日晡。 cí jiā bái rì bū。
流亡诚不吊， liú wáng chéng bù diào，
神理若为诬。 shén lǐ ruò wèi;wéi wū。
在昔恩知忝， zài xī ēn zhī tiǎn，
诸生礼秩殊。 zhū shēng lǐ zhì shū。
入韩非剑客， rù hán fēi jiàn kè，
过赵受钳奴。 guò zhào shòu qián nú。
楚水招魂远， chǔ shuǐ zhāo hún yuǎn，
邙山卜宅孤。 máng shān bǔ zhái gū。
甘心亲垤蚁， gān xīn qīn;qìng dié yǐ，
旋踵戮城狐。 xuán zhǒng lù chéng hú。
阴骘今如此， yīn zhì jīn rú cǐ，
天灾未可无。 tiān zāi wèi kě wú。
莫凭牲玉请， mò píng shēng yù qǐng，
便望救焦枯。 biàn;pián wàng jiù jiāo kū
Holes in the web of justice are there for one to discern
Even as the common people’s troubles roil and churn
How could a powerful prime minister
Be threatened with jail in a way so sinister?
The Imperial Censor easily expelled him
The monarch finally detained him
One can boast and stop aspersions coming in
But one should first be impartial to kith and kin
How adept are some at applying makeup and oily goo
When up there, not a single branch can one turn to
Only the valuable jailer knows it all
How many punishments occur after the Fall?
After appeals to the emperor in the clear of day, soon
You bid farewell to your family the middle of the afternoon
Honesty casts one down into exile
How could one slander one so divine?
It used to be that kindness was known through humility
Then, scholars were treated quite differently
To enter the rank of a chivalrous swordsman like Hanfei
Official Zhao suffered the pincer[15] and slavery day to day
The Chu Water song <<Revival Of The Dead>> of distant
Souls creating a city on Mang Mountain – how lonely this intent
I would willingly live in an anthill mound
If I could instantly slaughter those crafty foxes surging around
Today good deeds may be done in secret
But great disasters cannot be thus treated
Do not rely on sacrificial jade cloths
See and do something to save the withered branches aloft
One Hundred Verses On The Expedition To The Western Suburbs行次西郊作一百韵
蛇年建午月， shé nián jiàn wǔ yuè，
我自梁还秦。 wǒ zì liáng hái;huán qín。
南下大散岭， nán xià dà sǎn lǐng，
北济渭之滨。 běi jǐ;jì wèi zhī bīn。
草木半舒坼， cǎo mù bàn shū chè，
不类冰雪晨。 bù lèi bīng xuě chén。
又若夏苦热， yòu ruò xià kǔ rè，
燋卷无芳津。 jiāo juǎn;juàn wú fāng jīn。
高田长檞枥， gāo tián cháng;zhǎng jiě lì，
下田长荆榛。 xià tián cháng;zhǎng jīng zhēn。
农具弃道旁， nóng jù qì dào páng，
饥牛死空墩。 jī niú sǐ kōng dūn。
依依过村落， yī yī guò cūn luò，
十室无一存。 shí shì wú yī cún。
存者皆面啼， cún zhě jiē miàn tí，
无衣可迎宾。 wú yì;yī kě yíng bīn。
始若畏人问， shǐ ruò wèi rén wèn，
及门还具陈。 jí mén hái;huán jù chén。
右辅田畴薄， yòu fǔ tián chóu bò;báo;bó，
斯民常苦贫。 sī mín cháng kǔ pín。
伊昔称乐土， yī xī chèn lè tǔ，
所赖牧伯仁。 suǒ lài mù bǎi rén。
官清若冰玉， guān qīng ruò bīng yù，
吏善如六亲。 lì shàn rú liù qīn。
生儿不远征， shēng er;ér bù yuǎn zhēng，
生女事四邻。 shēng nǚ shì sì lín。
浊酒盈瓦缶， zhuó jiǔ yíng wǎ fǒu，
烂谷堆荆囷。 làn gǔ duī jīng jūn。
健儿庇旁妇， jiàn ér bì páng fù，
衰翁舐童孙。 shuāi;cuī wēng shì tóng sūn。
况自贞观后， kuàng zì zhēn guān hòu，
命官多儒臣。 mìng guān duō rú chén。
例以贤牧伯， lì yǐ xián mù bǎi，
征入司陶钧。 zhēng rù sī táo jūn。
降及开元中， jiàng jí kāi yuán zhōng，
奸邪挠经纶。 jiān xié náo jīng lún。
晋公忌此事， jìn gōng jì cǐ shì，
多录边将勋。 duō lù biān jiāng;jiàng xūn。
因令猛毅辈， yīn lìng měng yì bèi，
杂牧升平民。 zá mù shēng píng mín。
中原遂多故， zhōng yuán suì duō gù，
除授非至尊。 chú shòu fēi zhì zūn。
或出幸臣辈， huò chū xìng chén bèi，
或由帝戚恩。 huò yóu dì qī ēn。
中原困屠解， zhōng yuán kùn tú jiě，
奴隶厌肥豚。 nú lì yàn féi tún。
皇子弃不乳， huáng zǐ qì bù rǔ，
椒房抱羌浑。 jiāo fáng bào qiāng hún。
重赐竭中国， zhòng;chóng cì jié zhōng guó，
强兵临北边。 qiáng;qiǎng bīng lín běi biān。
控弦二十万， kòng xián èr shí wàn，
长臂皆如猿。 cháng;zhǎng bì jiē rú yuán。
皇都三千里， huáng dōu;dū sān qiān lǐ，
来往同雕鸢。 lái wang;lái wǎng tóng;tòng diāo yuān。
五里一换马， wǔ lǐ yī huàn mǎ，
十里一开筵。 shí lǐ yī kāi yán。
指顾动白日， zhǐ gù dòng bái rì，
暖热回苍旻。 nuǎn rè huí cāng mín。
公卿辱嘲叱， gōng qīng rǔ zhāo;cháo chì，
唾弃如粪丸。 tuò qì rú fèn wán。
大朝会万方， dà cháo;zhāo huì;kuài wàn fāng，
天子正临轩。 tiān zǐ zhèng;zhēng lín xuān。
彩旂转初旭， cǎi qí zhuǎi chū xù，
玉座当祥烟。 yù zuò dāng;dàng xiáng yān。
金障既特设， jīn zhàng jì te she ,
珠帘亦高褰。 zhū lián yì gāo qiān。
捋须蹇不顾， luō xū jiǎn bù gù，
坐在御榻前。 zuò zài yù tà qián。
忤者死艰屦， wǔ zhě sǐ jiān jù，
附之升顶颠。 fù zhī shēng dǐng diān。
华侈矜递炫， huā;huá chǐ jīn dì xuàn，
豪俊相并吞。 háo jùn xiàng;xiāng bìng tūn。
因失生惠养， yīn shī shēng huì yǎng，
渐见征求频。 jiàn;jiān jiàn;xiàn zhēng qiú pín。
奚寇东北来， xī kòu dōng běi lái，
挥霍如天翻。 huī huò rú tiān fān。
是时正忘战， shì shí zhèng;zhēng wàng zhàn，
重兵多在边。 zhòng bīng duō zài biān。
列城绕长河， liè chéng rào cháng hé，
平明插旗幡。 píng míng chā qí fān。
但闻虏骑入， dàn wén lǔ qí rù，
不见汉兵屯。 bù jiàn hàn bīng tún;zhūn。
大妇抱儿哭， dà fù bào er;ér kū，
小妇攀车轓。 xiǎo fù pān chē fān。
生小太平年， shēng xiǎo tài píng nián，
不识夜闭门。 bù shí yè bì mén。
少壮尽点行， shào zhuàng jìn;jǐn diǎn xíng，
疲老守空村。 pí lǎo shǒu kōng cūn。
生分作死誓， shēng fen zuò sǐ shì，
挥泪连秋云。 huī lèi lián qiū yún。
廷臣例獐怯， tíng chén lì zhāng qiè，
诸将如羸奔。 zhū jiāng;jiàng rú léi bēn。
为贼扫上阳， wèi;wéi zéi sào;sǎo shàng yáng，
捉人送潼关。 zhuō rén sòng tóng guān。
玉辇望南斗， yù niǎn wàng nán dòu;dǒu，
未知何日旋。 wèi zhī hé rì xuán。
诚知开辟久， chéng zhī kāi pì jiǔ，
遘此云雷屯。 gòu cǐ yún léi tún;zhūn。
逆者问鼎大， nì zhě wèn dǐng dà，
存者要高官。 cún zhě yào;yāo gāo guān。
抢攘互间谍， qiāng rǎng hù jiàn dié，
孰辨枭与鸾？ shú biàn xiāo yǔ luán？
千马无返辔， qiān mǎ wú fǎn pèi，
万车无还辕。 wàn chē wú hái;huán yuán。
城空鸟雀死， chéng kōng niǎo qiāo sǐ，
人去豺狼喧。 rén qù chái láng xuān。
南资竭吴越， nán zī jié wú yuè，
西费失河源。 xī fèi shī hé yuán。
因令右藏库， yīn lìng yòu zàng;cáng kù，
摧毁惟空垣。 cuī huǐ wéi kōng yuán。
如人当一身， rú rén dāng;dàng yī shēn，
有左无右边。 yǒu zuǒ wú yòu biān。
筋体半痿痹， jīn tǐ bàn wěi bì，
肘腋生臊膻。 zhóu yè shēng sào;sāo shān。
列圣蒙此耻， liè shèng méng;mēng;měng cǐ chǐ，
含怀不能宣。 hán huái bù néng xuān。
谋臣拱手立， móu chén gǒng shǒu lì。
相戒无敢先。 xiàng;xiāng jiè wú gǎn xiān。
万国困杼轴， wàn guó kùn zhù zhóu，
内库无金钱。 nèi kù wú jīn qián。
健儿立霜雪， jiàn ér lì shuāng xuě，
腹歉衣裳单。 fù qiàn yī cháng dān;chán。
馈饷多过时， kuì xiǎng duō guò shí，
高估铜与铅。 gāo gū tóng yǔ qiān。
山东望河北， shān dōng wàng hé běi，
爨烟犹相联。 cuàn yān yóu xiàng;xiāng lián。
朝廷不暇给， cháo tíng bù xiá gěi，
辛苦无半年。 xīn kǔ wú bàn nián。
行人榷行资， xíng rén què xíng;háng;xìng zī，
居者税屋椽。 jū zhě shuì wū chuán。
中间遂作梗， zhōng jiān suì zuò gěng，
狼藉用戈鋋。 láng jí yòng gē chán。
临门送节制， lín mén sòng jié zhì，
以锡通天班。 yǐ yáng;xí tōng tiān bān。
破者以族灭， pò zhě yǐ zú miè，
存者尚迁延。 cún zhě shàng qiān yán。
礼数异君父， lǐ shù yì jūn fù，
羁縻如羌零。 jī mí rú qiāng líng。
直求输赤诚， zhí qiú shū chì chéng，
所望大体全。 suǒ wàng dà tǐ quán。
巍巍政事堂， wēi wēi zhèng shì táng，
宰相厌八珍。 zǎi xiàng yàn bā zhēn。
敢问下执事， gǎn wèn xià zhí shì，
今谁掌其权？ jīn shuí zhǎng qí quán？
疮疽几十载， chuāng jū jǐ;jī shí zài，
不敢抉其根。 bù gǎn jué qí gēn。
国蹙赋更重， guó cù fù gèng;gēng zhòng;chóng，
人稀役弥繁。 rén xī yì mí fán。
近年牛医儿， jìn nián niú yī er;ér，
城社更攀缘。 chéng shè gèng;gēng pān yuán。
盲目把大旆， máng mù bǎ dà pèi，
处此京西藩。 chù;chǔ cǐ jīng xī fān。
乐祸忘怨敌， lè;yuè huò wàng yuàn dí，
树党多狂狷。 shù dǎng duō kuáng juàn。
生为人所惮， shēng wéi rén suǒ dàn，
死非人所怜。 sǐ fēi rén suǒ lián。
快刀断其头， kuài dāo duàn qí tóu，
列若猪牛悬。 liè ruò zhū niú xuán。
凤翔三百里， fèng xiáng sān bǎi lǐ，
兵马如黄巾。 bīng mǎ rú huáng jīn。
夜半军牒来， yè bàn jūn dié lái，
屯兵万五千。 tún bīng wàn wǔ qiān。
乡里骇供亿， xiāng lǐ hài gòng;gōng yì，
老少相扳牵。 lǎo shào xiàng;xiāng bān qiān。
儿孙生未孩， ér sūn shēng wèi hái，
弃之无惨颜。 qì zhī wú cǎn yán。
不复议所适， bù fù yì suǒ shì，
但欲死山间。 dàn yù sǐ shān jiān;jiàn;xiàn。
尔来又三岁， ěr lái yòu sān suì，
甘泽不及春。 gān zé bù jí chūn。
盗贼亭午起， dào zéi tíng wǔ qǐ，
问谁多穷民。 wèn shuí duō qióng mín。
节使杀亭吏， jié shǐ shā tíng lì，
捕之恐无因。 bǔ zhī kǒng wú yīn。
咫尺不相见， zhǐ chǐ;chě bù xiāng jiàn，
旱久多黄尘。 hàn jiǔ duō huáng chén。
官健腰佩弓， guān jiàn yāo pèi gōng，
自言为官巡。 zì yán wèi;wéi guān xún。
常恐值荒迥， cháng kǒng zhí huāng jiǒng，
此辈还射人。 cǐ bèi hái;huán shè rén。
愧客问本末， kuì kè wèn běn mò，
愿客无因循。 yuàn kè wú yīn xún。
郿坞抵陈仓， méi wù dǐ chén cāng，
此地忌黄昏。 cǐ dì jì huáng hūn。
我听此言罢， wǒ tīng cǐ yán bà;ba，
冤愤如相焚。 yuān fèn rú xiàng;xiāng fén。
昔闻举一会， xī wén jǔ yī huì;kuài，
群盗为之奔。 qún dào wèi;wéi zhī bēn。
又闻理与乱， yòu wén lǐ yǔ luàn，
系人不系天。 xì;jì rén bù xì;jì tiān。
我愿为此事， wǒ yuàn wèi cǐ shì，
君前剖心肝。 jūn qián pōu xīn gān。
叩头出鲜血， kòu tóu chū xiān xuè，
滂沱污紫宸。 pāng tuó wū zǐ chén。
九重黯已隔， jiǔ zhòng;chóng àn yǐ gé，
涕泗空沾唇。 tì sì kōng zhān chún。
使典作尚书， shǐ diǎn zuò shàng shū，
厮养为将军。 sī yǎng wèi;wéi jiāng jūn。
慎勿道此言， shèn wù dào cǐ yán，
此言未忍闻！ cǐ yán wèi rěn wén！
In the 12th month of the winter of the year Dingsi[16]
I travelled back through the Western suburbs from Liang County
From the south I descended to Dasan Pass
Northwards crossing the banks of the River Wei
The brush and trees were partly growing
It was not a typical ice-covered frosty winter morning
It seemed oppressive as during the height of summer
Withered,scorched they lay, surrounded by arid patches
Here, tall Mongolian oaks on high lands grow
Brambles and thorns on the fields below
Farming tools lay abandoned by the road
The carcasses of starved cattle lay in heaps
Into a shuttered village we despondently arrived,
Where out of every ten houses not a single family had survived
Behind us we heard the sound of weeping
The villagers had no clothes to welcome guests
When we asked what had happened
First scared, they then proceeded to explain
The farmland in Youchou is bare
The people are bitterly poor
The Land of Happiness was once its name
But relied on good governance all the same
The leadership of the officials was clear as ice or jade
The Clerks’ kindness made them like family in every way
Boys grew up close to home
Girls married neighbors they had known
The clay Fou were filled with rough rice wine
In the round valleys, rice for the granaries piled high
Robust young men courted women from abroad[17]
Old men doted on their grandkids like cows licking calves
As for our condition after the Year of Zhenguan
Officials were civilians appointed to follow Confucian ways
As a rule, the senior officials managed their districts as they should
The prime minister allocated posts for the people’s good
Near the middle of the Years of Emperor Xuanzong[18]
A crafty chancellor turned our lives into chaos
The Duke of Jin was jealous of the state of affairs
Officials often received commendations he did not share
He sought out vicious and cruel frontier commanders
And mayhem ruled over the docile people
Zhongyuan had many incidents of pillage and rape
Officials received appointments that were unsanctioned and fake
Some were for favored officials
Some were on account of the King’s relatives
The people of Zhongyuan were sacrificed and killed
Masters and slaves, like fat pigs, took their greasy fill
The emperor’s son was framed and forced to commit suicide
The pepper rooms embraced those of Qiang and Hun[19]
Generous grants exhausted the riches of the land
While the Northern Passes were controlled by his bands
Archers were two hundred thousand strong
Their physiques were all vigorous as apes
The capital was three thousand Li[20] away from his base
Like kites and eagles they moved back and forth with a rapid pace
Horses would be changed every five Li
Every ten one would pull out the mats and have a feast
Where his eyes pointed, legs would shake the ground that day
For whatever mood he felt, heaven and earth would pay
The high court officials were ridiculed and rebuked
Or spit aside like balls of shit
The court convened all the high officials of the land
The emperor placed his seat square before and above, grand,
The flags fluttered brilliantly towards the first light of dawn
Across from the emperor clouds of smoke arose and curled
A golden pheasant screen had been enlisted
Before the couch, pearl curtains were lifted
Unconcerned, he[21] stroked his beard
Even as the emperor sat before him
Those who offended him would lie dead beneath his feet
Those who were close were raised to the highest ranks
His extravagance and arrogance grew and grew
To amass great power was his skill, his tool
Because he was mistakenly granted favors
His extortion and blackmail grew
From the North East arrived the rebel army
And as quickly all below heaven was turned topsy turvy
At that time many had forgotten about the possibility of war
And many soldiers were guarding the North west
By the city walls and around the Yellow river the bandits stream
By late morning , from every point, his banners could be seen
On hearing the news that the tiger had ridden in
The people do not see their Han protectors
Women clutch their babies, crying
Other girls clamber onto the carts, mud flying.
From youth they had known years of peace and tranquillity
They did not know gates should be shut at night.
The young and strong were quickly conscripted
The elderly, left to defend empty villages, were exhausted.
The departing swore oaths to the death
Tears wiped away seemed to link the autumn clouds
Officials were as startled as river deer
Various generals fled like skinny lambs in fear
Surrendering officials cleaned up Shangyang Palace to receive the Bandit[22]
Rebels forced able bodied men into arms to defend Tong Pass.
We looked towards the Southern Dipper, our thoughts of he in the Jade Carriage
Not knowing what day he would suppress the rebellion, or return with his entourage.
Everyone knew this was like the beginning of heaven and earth
The calamity was like the lightning of the First Chaos!
The disloyal sought the power of the Great Ding
Those, to loyal high Court Officials, demands they bring.
The soil was pillaged as each connived against the other
Who could tell apart the owl from the Luan?
One thousand horses would leaves their bridles behind
Ten thousand battle chariots have no axles, we find.
In the empty cities, sparrows and mice jostle to live
In the clamor, people fled the wolves and jackals.
Southern wealth was used up in the lands of Wu and Yue
The loss of the River’s source was the price paid in the Western plains
Therefore the Imperial public Treasury of the right
Quickly fell to ruins, leaving behind barren walls
It was as though someone’s body was not fully turned in
As though there was only the left, and the right was gone.
So like bodies with half the muscles numb and paralyzed,
Armpits and elbows stank like rotting meat
Future kings would face deception and humiliation
They could not say what was in their hearts[23]
The plotting nobles folded their arms tight
While others lacked the courage to speak out as they might
Looms all over the land lacked cloth
The treasuries were empty of gold.
The soldiers stood in the frost and snow
While thin garments covered their starving bellies cold.
Soldier’s pay and provisions were things of the past
Prices soared and copper coins became lead.
Looking east from Hua Mountain towards the northern Yellow river
The smoke of cooking fires seemed linked forever.
The court was too distracted to supply the border garrisons
The peasants barely had enough food for half a year.
For their goods, Merchants were levied taxes quite dear
While households were taxed room by room.
From Central China the rebel governors sowed discord,
In a series of incidents, pikes and staffs led to swords
Proofs of official posts were tossed over the walls
In order to break the rules and confer the best jobs
The families of those disloyal were slaughtered en masse
Those who remained played for time until things came to a pass
Many rituals were altered by ‘father’ nobles
To control vassal states like the Qiang and Lian
Was this simply the loss of Red Town[24]
So as to save the whole mess?
In the lofty hall, high officials did not work
The chancellor scoffed at his eight dishes
May I humbly ask this official of our land,
Today, power lies in who’s hands?
Scores of ulcers and sores have befallen the country
No one has the courage to root out the source of trouble
A shrinking nation confers us with ever greater taxes
People have less work and more bitter is each day that passes
In recent years, that son of the Cow doctor[25]
started to clamber up with the court foxes and rats
Great banners were housted for this blind thief
As if the capital was his Fengxian county fief
He forg0t that grief follows joy, old grudges and enemies too
His clique was arrogant and impetuous
When alive, others feted him
Dead, no one sympathized
Quickly his head was chopped off
And above the walls, like a piece of lamb or pork, hung aloft
Fenxiang was three hundred Li away from the capital
The Chu horses and troops ravaged the land with murderous evil
The orders to the troops came at the midnight hour
And 15,000 soldiers gathered in a show of power
In terrified villages, fearing their intentions
The old and very young fled in every direction
Sons and grandsons learned not to laugh
The faces of the abandoned were numbed to pain
No longer did they plan to leave again
They were resigned to death within the mountain
Three years later, that spring there was no sweet rain
Robbers and thieves started to pillage at high noon.
Many were poor themselves: Ask anyone, I assume
The Imperial censor executed the governor
Bandits were seized but no one dared to ask from where they came
No one saw each other, although they were side by side
As yellow dust multiplied on land that had long been dry
The stationed soldiers hung their bows on their waist pendants
Now they themselves were officials on inspections
Often afraid of being attacked in the worst places
These young men would target the people…
I am so sorry i cannot explain more
All I wish from my guest is don’t stay too long, let me show you the door
Meiwu is situated below Chencang
This road can be quickly crossed before sunset
I listened to these words and my resentment burned inside
There was a time when the arrival of Official Hui would cause the bandits to flee on every side
I’ve heard that in times of crises and chaos
Relationships between men count, rather than rely on heaven
It is because of these incidents
That before the Emperor I honestly vent my spleen
Even were I to kowtow until I bleed
And filthy stains fill the Purple Palace, Indeed
The 9th Empyrean realm of Chu Gate has been cut off from me
In vain do tears fall and moisten my empty lips.
Petty officials at once change into high courtiers
Slaves and footmen transform into generals
Let these words not be repeated for goodness sake
If I hear them again my heart will break!
Playing The Sheng Flute Over The Milky Way 银河吹笙
怅望银河吹玉笙， chàng wàng yín hé chuī yù shēng，
楼寒院冷接平明。 lóu hán yuàn lěng jiē píng míng。
重衾幽梦他年断， zhòng;chóng qīn yōu mèng tā nián duàn，
别树羁雌昨夜惊。 biè;bié shù jī cí zuó yè jīng。
月榭故香因雨发， yuè xiè gù xiāng yīn yǔ fā;fà，
风帘残烛隔霜清。 fēng lián cán zhú gé shuāng qīng。
不须浪作缑山意， bù xū làng zuò gōu shān yì，
湘瑟秦箫自有情。 xiāng sè qín xiāo zì yǒu qíng
Gazing across the Milky Way, I see you playing the Jade Sheng
The tower barren, dawn touches the chilly courtyard
The quilt is heavy, dreams obscure, broken by the passing years
What a shock, it feels like I bid farewell to my sweet bird last night
The rain drives the scent of withered flowers into the Moon Pavilion
The billowing curtain separates the dimming candle from the clear frost
There is no need to deceive me with the Daoism of Hou Mountain
No matter that concubine Xiang plays her Se, the Qin King his Xiao, for my heart is true. [26]
After Penyang, Given To Official Du ‘Candidate 27’ Sheng And Li ‘Candidate 17’ Pan, Who With This Person Of Mediocrity And Mistakes Were Historical Classic Students At The Anping Bureau. (Third Year Of Kai Cheng) 彭城公薨后赠杜二十七胜李十七潘二君并与愚同出故尚书安平公门下
梁山兖水约从公， liáng shān yǎn shuǐ yuē;yāo cóng;zòng;cōng gōng，
两地参差一旦空。 liǎng dì;de cēn cī yī dàn kōng。
谢墅庾村相吊后， xiè shù yǔ cūn xiàng;xiāng diào hòu，
自今岐路各西东。 zì jīn qí lù gè;gě xī dōng。
I look forward to meeting you two at Liangshan and Yanshui
Most unexpectedly these two places were vacated in a day
After those of Xie Villa and the Shou Tower passed away,
I find myself at a crossroads between East and West today.
Writing About The Pengyang Memorial Inscription With Emotion 撰彭阳公志文毕有感
延陵留表墓， yán líng liú biǎo mù，
岘首送沈碑。 xiàn shǒu sòng shěn;chén bēi。
敢伐不加点， gǎn fá bù jiā diǎn，
犹当无愧辞。 yóu dāng;dàng wú kuì cí。
百生终莫报， bǎi shēng zhōng mò bào，
九死谅难追。 jiǔ sǐ liàng nán zhuī。
待得生金后， dāi dé;děi;de shēng jīn hòu，
川原亦几移。 chuān yuán yì jǐ;jī yí.
The inscriptions of glory remain on the tomb
Xianshou Mountain bestowed the black memorial tablet
Bravely cut without a superfluous word
As though absolutely sure of what to say
Even a hundred lives couldn’t proclaim such news
Even after nine deaths it would be hard to follow
When such tablets gives forth their gold
one may be inspired to move rivers and plains ten fold.
Two Poems Sent To My Fellow Exam Entrant Han (When He Was Heading Back To Spirit Cave) 寄恼韩同年二首
帘外辛夷定已开， lián wài xīn yí dìng yǐ kāi，
开时莫放艳阳回。 kāi shí mò fàng yàn yáng huí。
年华若到经风雨， nián huá ruò dào jīng fēng yǔ，
便是胡僧话劫灰。 biàn;pián shì hú sēng huà jié huī。
龙山晴雪凤楼霞， lóng shān qíng xuě fèng lóu xiá，
洞里迷人有几家。 dòng lǐ mí rén yǒu jǐ;jī jiā。
我为伤春心自醉， wǒ wèi;wéi shāng chūn xīn zì zuì，
不劳君劝石榴花。 bù láo jūn quàn shí liú huā。
1st Poem
Outside the window curtains the magnolias’ brushes
Opening, their colors and strength will not return
It is as though these years I have braved the wind and the rain
And Monk Hu’s words are ashen relics
2nd Poem
On Dragon Mountain’s clear snow,the phoenix tower rosy glows
How many spirits live in the Magic Caves?
My drunken stupor helps the hurt of spring’s love abate
Painlessly, eagerly I drink juice from the pomegranate
The Broken Mirror 破镜
玉匣清光不复持， yù xiá qīng guāng bù fù chí，
菱花散乱月轮亏。 líng huā sǎn luàn yuè lún kuī。
秦台一照山鸡后， qín tái yī zhào shān jī hòu，
便是孤鸾罢舞时。 biàn;pián shì gū luán bà;ba wǔ shí。
The dazzle from the mirror box is now in the past
Broken, a bronze lily frame. a moon’s wheel is lost
After the Mountain Rooster basked in your glow[27]
The phoenix had to dance alone, it shows.
Sent Afar 寄远
姮娥捣药无时已， héng é dǎo yào wú shí yǐ，
玉女投壶未肯休。 yù nǚ tóu hú wèi kěn xiū。
何日桑田俱变了， hé rì sāng tián jù;jū biàn le;liǎo;liào，
不教伊水向东流。 bù jiào;jiāo yī shuǐ xiàng dōng liú。
Chang ‘E never forgets how she pounded the magic pills
The Jade Maiden cannot stop playing the pitch-pot game[28]
One day, when mulberry fields are what’s left of the oceans below,
Who can say the Yi River will really eastwards flow?
Sent To Dao Master Yong 寄永道士
共上云山独下迟， gòng shàng yún shān dú xià chí，
阳台白道细如丝。 yáng tái bái dào xì rú sī。
君今并倚三珠树， jūn jīn bìng yǐ sān zhū shù，
不记人间落叶时。 bù jì rén jiān luò yè shí。
To the cloudy mountaintop we climb, reluctant to descend
Before us, the white paths of Yang Tai Mountain are strips of silk
Today the Three Pearl Trees help support you
Forgetting this mortal beneath their falling leaves
[1] Fang Hui one of the guests with Wang Xizhi when he wrote his calligraphy masterwork at the Orchard Pavilion.
[2] Daoyun was a great beauty described in a set of poems
[3] The hook refers to the idiom “Jiang Ziya is fishing, if you want it, take the hook” (refers to early sage 姜子牙 fishing with no bait and the hook above the water) i.e. to put one’s head in the noose
[4] Sunwu wrote the Art of War in which he describes the beheading of a concubine who couldn’t organize her team and laughed instead
[5] Minority tribes
[6] The woodcutter was an immortal who tended to mulberry and cassia trees in the heavens
[7] Melting thirst: diabetes Brocade City: Chengdu Tuo: Tuo River
[9] According to legend, a woman who was recincarnated as a butterfly
[10] Can Buxing was a noted painter who reputedly drew a fly so lifelike someone tried to whisk it away.
[11] Zhao Feiyan (45-1BC) a Han Empress who came from common beginnings and was said said to be so light, she could dance on one’s palm,.
[12] The fish and geese, trees and clouds are metaphors for former classmates separated by distance
[13] A scenic spot in the capitol of Chang An
[14] LSY sat for the Imperial Examinations, and failed the first time
[15] Of torture
[16] Year of the Snake 837-838AD
[17] Women from abroad were considered prostitutes or concubines for easy pleasures, and marriage was to local women
[18] The Tang Emperor who was responsible for the An Lushan rebellion, a climactic and decisive event that weakened the Tang Empire.
[19] Minority tribes or barbarian tribes
[20] Unit of distance equal to 0.31 miles
[21] The barbarian general An Lushan, who had gained the emperor’s favor
[22] In the city of Luo Yang, where An Lushan established his rebel headquarters
[23] Towards the end of the Tang empire, emperors were not as powerful as before, and were manipulated by the eunuchs and provincial governors.
[24] A region in Inner Mongolia
[25] Official Cheng Chu, formerly a doctor, plotted with the emperor to kill the eunuchs, and failed in the ‘Sweet Dew’ incident.
[26] The se is a large stringed musical instrument, the xiao is a vertical bamboo flute
[27] A rooster who danced himself to death on seeing himself on a mirror, also refers to sadness at the loss of an ideal.
[28] The jade maid was a goddess who played the game of pitching arrows into a pot with the immortal Prince of the East, who lost – and the heavens opened up and laughed.
A Tang Poet From Nairobi 