istudy

I Step Forward But Hold My Tongue by Hanshan ~ 寒山·《花上黄莺子》 with English Translations

寒山:唐代著名高僧,长住天台山客岩幽窟中。与拾得、丰干皆隐栖天台山国清寺,故称“国清三隐”。寒山好峰谤唱偈,每有篇句,即题于石间树上。寥山诗有鲜明的乐府民歌风,通俗易懂,机趣昂然,多作佛门警世语。全唐诗汇编成《寒山子诗阜》一卷,收录诗歌三百余首。 寒山·《花上黄莺子》 花上黄莺子,关关声可怜。 美人颜似玉,对此弄鸣弦。 玩之能不足,眷恋在龆年。 花飞鸟亦散,洒泪秋风前。 I Step Forward But Hold My Tongue Hovering over the spring flowers, A golden oriole trills its aubade. Nearby, a lovely girl, jade-complected, replies, Her fingers lingering on the zither’s strings. She would play forever, she believes: Such are the love-thoughts of her spring years. But let the petals […]

I Step Forward But Hold My Tongue by Hanshan ~ 寒山·《花上黄莺子》 with English Translations Read More »

The Mansion of Willowby Liu Dakui ~ 刘大魁·《游万柳堂记》 with English Translations

《游万柳堂记》 是清代文学大家刘大櫆创作的一篇游记散文。这篇散文第一段是叙述部分的前导,说明富贵人家修建林园别墅是没有什么意义的。中间两段是记叙,以精练的笔触叙写了三次游览万柳堂的情况。最后一段写万柳堂的变化,进一步引起作者的议论。这篇文章采用了夹叙夹议的写法,层次清楚,主题思想明确。 刘大魁·《游万柳堂记》 昔之人贵极富溢,则往往为别馆以自娱,穷极土木之工而无所爱惜。既成,则不得久居其中,偶一至焉而已,有终身不得至者焉。而人之得久居其中者,力又不足以为之。夫贤公卿勤劳王事,固将不暇于此;而卑庸者类欲以此震耀其乡里之愚。 临朐相国冯公,其在廷时无可訾,亦无可称。而有园在都城之东南隅。其广三十亩,无杂树,随地势之高下,尽植以柳,而榜其堂曰”万柳之堂”。短墙之外,骑行者可望而见其中。径曲而深,因其洼以为池,而累其土以成山;池旁皆兼葭,云水萧疏可爱。 雍正之初,予始至京师,则好游者咸为予言此地之胜。一至,犹稍有亭榭。再至,则向之飞梁架于水上者,今欹卧于水中矣。三至,则凡其所植柳,斩焉无一株之存。 人世富贵之光荣,其与时升降,盖略与此园等。然则士苟有以自得,宜其不外慕乎富贵。彼身在富贵之中者,方殷忧之不暇,又何必朘民之膏以为苑囿也哉! The Mansion of Willow Liu Dakui When people in the past became extremely exalted and rich, they would build garden villas for their pleasure, exhausting all the superb workmanship of the building craft, sparing nothing within their reach. But after the completion of the villas, they could not

The Mansion of Willowby Liu Dakui ~ 刘大魁·《游万柳堂记》 with English Translations Read More »

Hanshan: I Considered Painting Two Flowers ~ 寒山·《重岩我卜居》 with English Translations

寒山:唐代著名高僧,长住天台山客岩幽窟中。与拾得、丰干皆隐栖天台山国清寺,故称“国清三隐”。寒山好峰谤唱偈,每有篇句,即题于石间树上。寥山诗有鲜明的乐府民歌风,通俗易懂,机趣昂然,多作佛门警世语。全唐诗汇编成《寒山子诗阜》一卷,收录诗歌三百余首。 寒山·《重岩我卜居》 重岩我卜居,鸟道绝人迹。 庭际何所有,白云抱幽石。 住兹凡几年,屡见春冬易。 寄语钟鼎家,虚名定无益。 I Considered Painting Two Flowers Perhaps wind and rain etch my life in the cliffs, Or the birds record my solitary promenades. My courtyard? Clouds and tumbled stone. Winter melts into forests year by year, And I number each spring quietly. Below me great men cast bronze bells, Carve

Hanshan: I Considered Painting Two Flowers ~ 寒山·《重岩我卜居》 with English Translations Read More »

Lu Chi: On Originality ~ 陆机·《文赋·戒雷同》 with English Translations

《文赋》是晋代陆机的文艺理论作品。该赋序言说明创作缘由和意图,指出“意不称物,文不逮意”的困惑,认为对写作的认识,虽然可以借览前人的经验,但主要靠个人在实践中摸索。 陆机·《文赋·戒雷同》 或藻思绮合,清丽千眠。炳若缛绣,凄若繁弦。必所拟之不殊,乃暗合乎曩篇。虽杼轴於予怀,怵佗人之我先。苟伤廉而愆义,亦虽爱而必捐。 On Originality Lu Chi The mind weaves elaborate tapestries with elegant, multicolored foliage. The composition must move the heart like music from an instrument with many strings. There are no new ideas, only those that rhyme with certain classics. The shuttle has worked in my heart as it worked the hearts of

Lu Chi: On Originality ~ 陆机·《文赋·戒雷同》 with English Translations Read More »

Liu Zai: Telltale Behaviour ~ 《刘宰》·《增补智囊补》 with English Translations

刘宰(1167—1240)字平国,号漫塘病叟,镇江金坛(今属江苏)人 。绍熙元年(1190)举进士。历任州县,有能声。寻告归。理宗立,以为籍田令。迁太常丞,知宁国府,皆辞不就。端平间,时相收召誉望略尽,不能举者仅宰与崔与之二人。隐居三十年,于书无所不读。既卒,朝廷嘉其节,谥文清。宰为文淳古质直,著有《京口耆旧传》九卷、《漫塘文集》三十六卷,《四库总目》又作有语录,并传于世。 大意:刘宰为泰兴令时,当地百姓报案遗失金钗。案发现场只有主人的两名仆妾在,经过审讯,两人矢口否认行窃。刘宰命两人分别各拿一只葫芦,说:“这葫芦有灵,如果不曾偷取金钗,明天葫芦的大小不会改变;若是偷了金钗,那手上的葫芦就会长大两寸。”第二天刘宰命两人各自拿着葫芦前来,其中一只不变,另外一只却少了两寸,原来那偷金钗的仆妾害怕葫芦长大,所以事先切去两寸。 《刘宰》·《增补智囊补》 宋刘宰为泰兴令,民有亡金钗者,唯二仆妇在。讯之莫肯承,宰命各持一芦去,曰:”不盗者,明日芦自若,果盗明旦则必长二寸。”明视之则一自若,一去芦二寸矣。盖虑其长也,盗遂服。 Telltale Behaviour When Liu Zai was the Magistrate of Taixing District, the loss of a golden hairpin was reported to him. Only two women working as servants were present at the scene. Upon being cross-examined neither admitted to stealing the hairpin. Liu Zai ordered them each to take a reed

Liu Zai: Telltale Behaviour ~ 《刘宰》·《增补智囊补》 with English Translations Read More »

Zhu Shuzhen: A Vehicle for My Feelings [first of two poems] ~朱淑真·《寓怀二首·其一》 with English Translations

朱淑真(约1135~约1180),号幽栖居士,宋代女诗人,亦为唐宋以来留存作品最丰盛的女作家之一。南宋初年时在世,祖籍歙州(治今安徽歙县),《四库全书》中定其为“浙中海宁人”,一说浙江钱塘(今浙江杭州)人。生于仕宦之家。夫为文法小吏,因志趣不合,夫妻不睦,终致其抑郁早逝。又传淑真过世后,父母将其生前文稿付之一炬。其余生平不可考,素无定论。 朱淑真·《寓怀二首·其一》 淡月疏云九月天,醉霜危叶坠江寒。 孤窗镇日无聊赖,编辑诗词改抹看。 A Vehicle for My Feelings [first of two poems] Zhu Shuzhen Pale moon, sparse clouds, the sky in the ninth month. Reckless leaves drunk with frost fall into the chill river. Alone by the window, I pass a day of boredom and lethargy, Editing my poems and songs, experimenting with words

Zhu Shuzhen: A Vehicle for My Feelings [first of two poems] ~朱淑真·《寓怀二首·其一》 with English Translations Read More »

Zhu Shuzhen: The Double Ninth ~ 朱淑真·《九日》 with English Translations

《九日》是宋朝朱淑真的诗作。朱淑真(约1135~约1180),号幽栖居士,宋代女诗人,亦为唐宋以来留存作品最丰盛的女作家之一。南宋初年时在世,祖籍歙州(治今安徽歙县),《四库全书》中定其为“浙中海宁人”,一说浙江钱塘(今浙江杭州)人。生于仕宦之家。夫为文法小吏,因志趣不合,夫妻不睦,终致其抑郁早逝。又传淑真过世后,父母将其生前文稿付之一炬。其余生平不可考,素无定论。 朱淑真·《九日》 去年九月愁何恨,重上心来益断肠。 秋色夕阳俱淡薄,闺情离思共凄凉。 征鸿有序全无信,黄菊多情更有香。 自觉年来清瘦了,懒将鸾镜照容光。 The Double Ninth Zhu Shuzhen Last year on the Double Ninth I thought my sorrow knew no bounds. This year it breaks my heart still more. Autumn tints and setting sun both pale and weak; Trace of tears, thoughts of parting both chill and bleak. Though the migrating geese

Zhu Shuzhen: The Double Ninth ~ 朱淑真·《九日》 with English Translations Read More »

Yu Xuanji: Sent to Feiqing ~ 鱼玄机·《寄飞卿》 with English Translations

鱼玄机,女,晚唐诗人,长安(今陕西西安)人。初名鱼幼微,字蕙兰。咸通(唐懿宗年号,860—874)中为补阙李亿妾,以李妻不能容,进长安咸宜观出家为女道士。后被京兆尹温璋以打死婢女之罪名处死。鱼玄机性聪慧,有才思,好读书,尤工诗。与李冶、薛涛、刘采春并称唐代四大女诗人。鱼玄机其诗作现存五十首,收于《全唐诗》。有《鱼玄机集》一卷。其事迹见《唐才子传》等书。 鱼玄机·《寄飞卿》 阶砌乱蛩鸣,庭柯烟露清。 月中邻乐响,楼上远山明。 珍簟凉风著,瑶琴寄恨生。 嵇君懒书札,底物慰秋情。 To a Friend Yu Xuanji Crickets are chirping by the stepping stones; mist and dew are clearing in the garden boughs. Music in the moonlight makes a nearby echo; seen from the upper chamber, the distant hills are aglow. A cold wind clings to my bamboo mat, the sorrow

Yu Xuanji: Sent to Feiqing ~ 鱼玄机·《寄飞卿》 with English Translations Read More »

Sikong Tu: The Natural ~ 司空图·《二十四诗品·自然》 with English Translations

司空图的《二十四诗品》作为中国古代文论史上的一部经典之作,采用四言诗的形式写成,言简义丰。《自然》篇在《二十四诗品》中居于第十篇,它所展示出的”自然”境界,是中国古代文人创作所追求的最高境界,它以老庄哲学为基础,倡导道法自然,反对人工的雕琢和刻意的营造。 司空图·《二十四诗品·自然》 俯拾即是,不取诸邻。 俱道适往,着手成春。 如逢花开,如瞻岁新。 真与不夺,强得易贫。 幽人空山,过雨采苹。 薄言情悟,悠悠天韵。 The Natural Stoop, and there it is: Seek it not right and left. All roads lead thither,– One touch and you have spring!(1) As though coming upon opening flowers, As though gazing upon the new year, Verily I will not snatch it, Forced, it will dwindle away.

Sikong Tu: The Natural ~ 司空图·《二十四诗品·自然》 with English Translations Read More »

Wang Ling: A Spring Outing ~王令·《春游》 with English Translations

《春游》是北宋诗人王令创作的一首七言绝句。这首诗写春游的欢乐情景,表达了诗人由春游产生悲愁的独特感受。前两句写春城儿女春游的欢乐情景,后两句写诗人对春光无限珍惜的悲愁。用语平平,但能传达出意味深长之感。 王令·《春游》 春城儿女纵春游,醉倚层台笑上楼。 满眼落花多少意,若何无个解春愁? A Spring Outing Wang Ling The boys and girls of the city are all out for a spring outing; They lean on tower rails, drunk or ascend to top floor, laughing. There’re fallen flowers everywhere whenever I cast my glance; Why is there on one who knows my heartfelt, doleful feeling?

Wang Ling: A Spring Outing ~王令·《春游》 with English Translations Read More »