4 short ancient Chinese poems

Submitted by kenji on Thu, 02/03/2005 - 05:18
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  • CHANG CHI: AT ANCHOR IN THE EVENING BY THE MAPLE BRIDGE
  • The moon sets, the crows caw, hoar frost is in the air,
  • By the maples at the riverside twinkles the light of the
  • Fishermen's boats as i take my troubled rest.
  • Outside the city of Soochow stands the Han Shan monastery
  • And at midnight there comes to me in my boat
  • The tolling of the temple bell.
  • PO CHU-I: BEING ON DUTY ALL NIGHT IN THE PALACE
  • At the western window i paused from writing rescripts;
  • The pines and bamboos were all buried in stillness.
  • The moon rose and a calm wind came;
  • Suddenly, it was like an evening in the hills.
  • And so, as i dozed, i dreamed of the South West
  • And thought i was staying at the Hsien0yu temple.
  • When i woke and heard the dripping of the Palace clock
  • I still thought it the murmur of a mountain stream.
  • TAO CH'IEN: READING THE BOOK OF HILLS AND SEAS In the month of June the grass grows high
  • And round my cottage thick-leaved branches sway.
  • There is not a bird but delights in the place where it rests:
  • And i too - love my thatched cottage.
  • I have done my ploughing:
  • I have sown my seed.
  • Again i have time to sit and read my books.
  • In the narrow lane there are no deep ruts:
  • Often my friends' carriages turn back.
  • In high spirits i pour out my spring wine
  • And pluck the lettuce growing in my garden.
  • A gentle rain comes stealing up from the East
  • And a sweet wind bears it company.
  • My thoughts float idly over the story of King Chou,
  • My eyes wander over the pictures of Hills and Seas.
  • In a single glance i survey the whole universe.
  • He will never be happy, whom such pleasures fail to please!
  • TU FU: RAIN AT NIGHT
  • The good rain knows when to fall,
  • Coming in this spring to help the seeds,
  • Choosing to fall by night with a friendly wind,
  • Silently moistening the whole earth.
  • Over this silent wilderness the clouds are dark.
  • The only light shines from a river boat.
  • Tomorrow morning everything will be red and wet
  • And all Chengtu will be covered with blossoming flowers.