The poem was written on a boat trip along the Yangtze river, when Li Bai was 26-years-old. He bid farewell to the family and went on a long trip, ready to explore the world. Translation Li Bai (701-762 AD) 李白 On the Ferry: A Farewell …
Read MoreYuan Jie’s “Drunk on Stone Fish Lake” (300 Tang Poems #65)
LINK TO CHINESE READING Preface I am a free old man1, using the rice from public fields to make wine, for in my leisure I often carry wine to the lake and become intoxicated. Happily drunk on the lakeside shore, I extend my arm …
Read MoreDu Fu’s “Watching Lady Gongsun’s Disciple Perform a Sword Dance” (300 Tang Dynasty Poems #64)
Preface On October 19th in the second year of the Dali era (766-779), in the house of the Kueifu official, Yuanchi, I watched a young lady, Li of Lingying, perform a sword dance with robust and impressive footing. I asked who her teacher was …
Read MoreDu Mu’s “Overnight in a Lodge” (300 Tang Poems #153)
Click here to listen to the Chinese reading Translation Du Mu (803-852) 杜牧 Overnight in a Lodge 旅宿 In a lodge, without companion, 旅館無良伴 I meditate in sorrow. 凝情自悄然 It’s cold and by the lamp I ponder the past, 寒燈思舊事 For a stray goose has …
Read MoreBai Juyi’s “Farewell on the Ancient Grassy Plains”
Click here to listen to the Chinese reading Translation Bai Juyi (772-846) 白居易 Assigned Title: “Farewell on the Ancient Grassy Plains” 賦得古原草送別 Throughout, the meadow is covered in grass; 離離原上草 Each year it withers and each year it thrives. 一歲一枯榮 Fire burns the field, but …
Read MoreZhang Jie’s “An Old Friend Missing in Tibet” (300 Tang #151)
Click here to listen to the Chinese version Translation Zhang Jie 張籍 An Old Friend Missing in Tibet 沒蕃故人 Two years ago the army marched to Tibet; 前年戍月支 Outside the city walls, all the troops were lost. 城下沒全師 From Tibet to China, news was severed, …
Read MoreLiu Yuxi’s “Temple of the Shu-Han Dynasty’s First Lord” (300 Tang #150)
Click here to listen to the Chinese reading Translation Liu Yuxi (772-842) 劉禹錫 Temple of the Shu-Han Dynasty’s First Lord 蜀先主廟 Among the heavens and earth, a heroic spirit 天地英雄氣 Inspired awe for a thousand years. 千秋尚凜然 When power divided, like a three-legged cauldron, 勢分三足鼎 …
Read MoreSikong Shu’s “The Rebels Put Down, I See Off My Friend on His Return North” (300 Tang #149)
Click here to listen to the Chinese reading Translation Sikong Shu (720-790) 司空曙 The Rebels Put Down, I See Off My Friend on His Return North 賊平後送人北歸 When the chaos came, we fled together to the south; 世亂同南去 Now that it is peaceful, you return …
Read MoreSikong Shu’s “Enjoying a Visit with My Cousin Lu Lun” (300 Tang #148)
Translation Sikong Shu (720-790) 司空曙 Enjoying a Visit with My Cousin Lu Lun 喜外弟盧綸見宿 Quiet night, all around there are no neighbors, 靜夜 四無鄰 Living in isolation on the family’s ancient farm. 荒居 舊業貧 In the midst of rain, a tree with yellow leaves; 雨中 …
Read MoreSikong Shu’s “At a Yunyang Lodge: Staying Overnight and Parting from Han Shen” (300 Tang #147)
Translation Sikong Shu (720-790) 司空曙 At a Yunyang Lodge: Staying Overnight and Parting from Han Shen 雲陽館 與韓紳宿別 Old friend, parted by sea, 故人江海別 The countless mountains and streams. 幾度隔山川 I saw you suddenly, as if in a dream; 乍見翻疑夢 We talked of our years …
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