Chinese Classical Literature

Yu Xuanji: Reply to a Friend ~ 鱼玄机·《酬李郢夏日钓鱼回见示》 with English Translations

《酬李郢夏日钓鱼回见示》是唐代诗人鱼玄机的作品之一。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。与文学家温庭筠为忘年交,唱和甚多。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。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·《酬李郢夏日钓鱼回见示》 住处虽同巷,经年不一过。 清词劝旧女,香桂折新柯。 道性欺冰雪,禅心笑绮罗。 迹登霄汉上,无路接烟波。 Reply to a Friend Yu Xuanji Though we live on the same street, you haven’t passed by all year. Fine poetry pleased your former lady, distinguished laurels, your new degree. A Taoist nature cares not at all for the cold of ice and snow, a Buddhist heart laughs aloud […]

Yu Xuanji: Reply to a Friend ~ 鱼玄机·《酬李郢夏日钓鱼回见示》 with English Translations Read More »

Yu Xuanji: Early Autumn ~ 鱼玄机·《早秋》 with English Translations

《早秋》是唐朝鱼玄机创作的一首五言律诗。此诗中间四句对偶。秋凉天气,相思倍增。无人传达书信,无可奈何。 鱼玄机·《早秋》 嫩菊含新彩,远山闲夕烟。 凉风惊绿树,清韵入朱弦。 思妇机中锦,征人塞外天。 雁飞鱼在水,书信若为传。 Early Autumn Yu Xuanji Tender young chrysanthemums are freshly tinged with color; distant mountains, far away, lock in the evening haze. A cool breeze startles verdant trees, pure melody’s found in a crimson lute. The lot of the longing wives is the brocade in their looms; the lot of

Yu Xuanji: Early Autumn ~ 鱼玄机·《早秋》 with English Translations Read More »

Yu Xuanji: A Conscientious Objector Builds the Temple of Prosperity ~ 鱼玄机·《题任处士创资福寺》 with English Translations

《题任处士创资福寺》是唐代诗人鱼玄机于公元861年(咸通二年)创作的一首五言律诗。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。与文学家温庭筠为忘年交,唱和甚多。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。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·《题任处士创资福寺》 幽人创奇境,游客驻行程。 粉壁空留字,莲宫未有名。 凿池泉自出,开径草重生。 百尺金轮阁,当川豁眼明。 A Conscientious Objector Builds the Temple of Prosperity Yu Xuanji A recluse creates a realm apart, Where travelers stop on their way; anonymous writings are left on the walls, the shrine has not yet been named. He dug a pond, and a spring emerged; he cleared the path, but

Yu Xuanji: A Conscientious Objector Builds the Temple of Prosperity ~ 鱼玄机·《题任处士创资福寺》 with English Translations Read More »

Yu Xuanji: A Love Note ~ 鱼玄机·《情书》 with English Translations

《情书》是晚唐女诗人鱼玄机所做的一首五律。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·《情书》 饮冰食檗志无功,晋水壶关在梦中。 秦镜欲分愁堕鹊,舜琴将弄怨飞鸿。 井边桐叶鸣秋雨,窗下银灯暗晓风。 书信茫茫何处问,持竿尽日碧江空。 A Love Note Yu Xuanji Living a simple life in austere faithfulness my aim has no connection with ordinary success. Still there I my dreams Remains the scenery of yore, rivers and mountains of the West where we were before. Now the mirror of our union lies broken on

Yu Xuanji: A Love Note ~ 鱼玄机·《情书》 with English Translations Read More »

Tune: “Water Music Prelude” ~ 蒋士铨·《水调歌头·舟次感成》 with English Translations

《水调歌头·舟次感成》是清代诗人蒋士铨所创作的一首词。此词上片抒分离别居痛苦,写的尤为凄楚;下片抒夫妻相思之情,从时序落笔,言时时相思。此词多次使用比喻手法,贴切、自然,富有较强的表现力。此词作于清乾隆十九年(1754年)十月南归途中。蒋士铨于清乾隆十年(1745年)二月聘张氏,同年十一月成婚,此后常年在外求学、游历,与妻子相聚时日甚少,1752年(清乾隆十七年),其长子蒋知廉出生的消息也是在旅途中才得知的。词人浮舟秋河之上,念及爱妻千里之远,不禁鼻酸眼热,写下这首词。 蒋士铨·《水调歌头·舟次感成》 偶为共命鸟, 都是可怜虫。 泪与秋河相似, 点点注天东。 十载楼中新妇, 九载天涯夫婿, 首已似飞蓬。 年光愁病里, 心绪别离中。 咏春蚕, 疑夏雁, 泣秋蛩。 几见珠围翠绕, 含笑坐东风。 闻道十分消瘦, 为我两番磨折。 辛苦念梁鸿。 谁知千里度, 各对一灯红。 Tune: “Water Music Prelude” [Shui-tiao Ko-t’ou] Memories on a Journey by Boat Chaing Shih-ch’üan Lovebirds once sag in paradise Who now like piteous bugs crawl each alone. A tear for each star of the

Tune: “Water Music Prelude” ~ 蒋士铨·《水调歌头·舟次感成》 with English Translations Read More »

Wang His-chih: Orchid Pavilion ~ 王羲之·《兰亭》 with English Translations

王羲之(303年—361年) ,字逸少,琅琊临沂(今山东省临沂市)人。善于书法,兼善隶、草、楷、行各体,精研体势,心摹手追,广采众长,备精诸体,冶于一炉,摆脱汉魏笔风,自成一家,影响深远。风格平和自然,笔势委婉含蓄,遒美健秀。在书法史上,与钟繇并称”钟王”,与其子王献之合称“二王”。李志敏评价:“王羲之的书法既表现以老庄哲学为基础的简淡玄远,又表现以儒家的中庸之道为基础的冲和。” 王羲之·《兰亭》 仰视碧天际,俯瞰禄水滨。 寥阒无厓观,寓目理自陈。 大矣造化工,万殊莫不均。 群籁虽参差,适我无非新。 Orchid Pavilion Wang His-chih Looking up: blue sky’s end. Looking down: green water’s brim. Deep solitude: rimless view. Before the eyes, a Pattern displays itself. Immense, Transformation! A million differences, none out of tune. Pipings all variegated: What fits me, none strange. (Wai-lim Yip 译)

Wang His-chih: Orchid Pavilion ~ 王羲之·《兰亭》 with English Translations Read More »

Li Te-yü: To Patriarch Sun at Hua-yang1 Grotto ~ 李德裕·《寄茅山孙炼师三首·其一》 with English Translations

李德裕(787—849),字文饶,唐代赵郡赞皇(今河北赞皇县)人,与其父李吉甫均为晚唐名相。唐文宗时,受李宗闵、牛僧儒等牛党势力倾轧,由翰林学士出为浙西观察使。太和七年,入相,复遭奸臣郑注、李训等人排斥,左迁。唐武宗即位后,李德裕再度入相,执政期间外平回鹘、内定昭义、裁汰冗官、协助武宗灭佛,功绩显赫。会昌四年八月,进封太尉、赵国公。唐武宗与李德裕之间的君臣相知成为晚唐之绝唱。后唐宣宗即位,李德裕由于位高权重,五贬为崖州司户。李德裕两度为相,太和年间为相1年8个月,会昌年间为相5年7个月,两次为相7年3个月。 李德裕·《寄茅山孙炼师三首·其一》 何地最翛然,华阳第八天。 松风清有露,萝月净无烟。 乍警瑶坛鹤,时嘶玉树蝉。 欲驰千里恋,惟有凤门泉。 To Patriarch Sun at Hua-yang1 Grotto Li Te-yü I In what place is one most free of bonds? At Hua-yang, eighth of the Heavens. The wind in the pines carries dew in all its clarity; The moon, through the bearded lichen, is cleansed of mist. Suddenly startled—a crane at

Li Te-yü: To Patriarch Sun at Hua-yang1 Grotto ~ 李德裕·《寄茅山孙炼师三首·其一》 with English Translations Read More »

Meng Chiao: On Failing the Examination ~ 孟郊·《落第》 with English Translations

唐代诗人孟郊所作《落第》是一首五言律诗。孟郊,(751~814),唐代诗人。字东野。汉族,湖州武康(今浙江德清)人,祖籍平昌(今山东临邑东北),先世居洛阳(今属河南)。唐代著名诗人。现存诗歌500多首,以短篇的五言古诗最多,代表作有《游子吟》。有”诗囚”之称,又与贾岛齐名,人称”郊寒岛瘦”。元和九年,在阌乡(今河南灵宝)因病去世。张籍私谥为贞曜先生。 孟郊·《落第》 晓月难为光,愁人难为肠。 谁言春物荣,独见叶上霜。 雕鹗失势病,鹪鹩假翼翔。 弃置复弃置,情如刀剑伤。 On Failing the Examination Meng Chiao The dawn moon struggles to shine its light, the man of sorrows struggles with his feelings. Who says in spring things are bound to flourish? All I see is frost on the leaves. The eagle sickens, his power vanishes, while little wrens soar

Meng Chiao: On Failing the Examination ~ 孟郊·《落第》 with English Translations Read More »

Gu Kuang: In Reply to a Poem on a Plane Leaf ~ 顾况·《和梧叶诗》 with English Translations

顾况,字逋翁,号华阳真逸(隐),苏州海盐县(今浙江省海盐县)。唐朝大臣、诗人、画家、鉴赏家。 顾况·《和梧叶诗》 愁见莺花柳絮飞,上阳宫里断肠时。 帝城不禁东流水,叶上题诗欲寄谁? In Reply to a Poem on a Plane Leaf Gu Kuang Upset by warblers warbling and willow fluff a-flying, You maid confined, your youthful days away you’re sighing. Yet it isn’t it kind of His Majesty—ne’er to block this brook? The leaf with your verse may reach one taking pity on

Gu Kuang: In Reply to a Poem on a Plane Leaf ~ 顾况·《和梧叶诗》 with English Translations Read More »

《菜根谭》(未雨绸缪、有备无患) with English Translations

《菜根谭》是元末明初道人洪应明收集编著的一部论述修养、人生、处世、出世的语录世集。本节大意:清廉而有容忍的雅量,仁慈而又能当机立断,精明而不防害细察,刚正而又不至执撒,这种道理就像蜜饯虽然浸在糖里即不过分的甜,海产的鱼虾虽然腌在缸里却不过分的咸,一个人要能把持住不偏不倚的尺度才算是处人 做事的美德。 《菜根谭》(未雨绸缪、有备无患) 闲中不放过,忙处有受用;静中不落空,动处有受用;暗中不欺隐,明处有受用。 When at leisure do not let precious times slip idly by. You will discover the great value of such advice in your busy days. In times of tranquility do not forget to improve yourself. You will see the importance of this when you get down to work. If you can resist

《菜根谭》(未雨绸缪、有备无患) with English Translations Read More »