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Showing posts with the label Tang poems

Du Mu Poem: Sighing over Fallen Flowers – 杜牧《叹花》

叹花 杜牧 自恨寻芳去校迟, 不须惆怅 [1] 怨芳时。 狂风落尽深红色, 绿叶成阴子 [2] 满枝。 注释: [1] 惆怅:伤感;失意。 [2] 子:草木的果实,如《汉武故事》中有“因指谓上,王母种桃,三千年结一子”。 Sighing over Fallen Flowers Du Mu I regret to be late to seek for blooming spring; The flowers not in full bloom in years past I’ve seen. The strong wind blows down flowers which sway and swing, The tree will be laden with red fruit and leaves green. It was said that the poet met with a beautiful maiden and asked for her hand, but next year when he came she was married, so he compares the maiden to a tree with fruit. 《叹花》是唐代诗人杜牧创作的一首七绝。全诗四句二十八字。诗人借寻春迟到,芳华已逝,花开花落、子满枝头,喻少女青春已过,含蓄委婉地抒发机缘已误,时不再来的惆怅之情。此诗通篇采用“比”的手法,形象生动,含蓄自然,耐人寻味。 “Sighing over Fallen Flowers” is a seven-part poem written by Du Mu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty. The poem is composed in four lines of twenty-eight characters. The poet makes use of the late search for spring, the passing of fragrant flowers, the blossoming and falling of flowers, and the fullness of children on the branches to describe the pass...

Li Shangyin Poem: On the Plain of Imperial Tombs – 李商隐《乐游原》

乐游原 [1] 李商隐 向晚 [2] 意不适 [3] , 驱车登古原; 夕阳无限好, 只是近黄昏。 注释: [1] 乐游原:在长安城南,地势较高。《长安志》:“升平坊东北隅,汉乐游庙。”注云:“汉宣帝所立,因乐游苑为名。在高原上,余址尚有。……其地居京城之最高,四望宽敞。京城之内,俯视指掌。每正月晦日,三月三日,九月九日。京城士女咸就此登赏祓禊。” [2] 向晚:傍晚。 [3] 意不适:情绪不好。 On the Plain of Imperial Tombs Li Shangyin At dusk my heart is filled with gloom; I drive my cab to ancient tomb. The setting sun seems so sublime, But it is near its dying time. The Merry-making Plain was also called Plain of Imperial Tombs for emperors were buried there. The last two lines are proverbial as “He laughs best who laughs last.” 《乐游原》是唐代诗人李商隐的诗作。此诗赞美黄昏前的绮丽风光,表达自己的感受。前两句点出登原游览的原因:由于黄昏日暮心情不适,便驱车登上古原;后两句极力赞叹晚景之美:在夕阳余晖照耀下,涂抹上一层金色的世界。后两句诗历来脍炙人口,其意蕴非常丰富,具有极高的美学价值和思想价值。全诗语言明白如话,毫无雕饰,节奏明快,感喟深沉,富于哲理。 “On the Plain of Imperial Tombs” is a poem by Li Shangyin, a poet of the Tang Dynasty. This poem praises the beautiful scenery before dusk and expresses his feelings. The first two lines point out the reason for ascending to the plain: because of the discomfort at dusk and sun...

Li Shangyin Poem: The Sad Zither – 李商隐《锦瑟》

锦瑟 李商隐 锦瑟 [1] 无端 [2] 五十弦, 一弦一柱思华年 [3] 。 庄生晓梦迷蝴蝶 [4] , 望帝春心托杜鹃 [5] 。 沧海月明珠有泪 [6] , 蓝田日暖玉生烟 [7] 。 此情可待 [8] 成追忆, 只是当时已惘然。 注释: [1] 锦瑟:《周礼·乐器图》:“雅瑟二十三弦,颂瑟二十五弦,饰以宝玉者日宝瑟,绘文如锦者日锦瑟。”《汉书·郊祀志上》:“秦帝使素女鼓五十弦瑟,悲,帝禁不止,故破其瑟为二十五弦。”古瑟大小不等,弦数亦不同。一般说法,古瑟是五十条弦,后来的有二十五弦或十七弦等不同的瑟。 [2] 无端:没来由;无缘无故。此隐隐有悲伤之感,乃全诗之情感基调。 [3] “一弦”句:柱,是调整弦的音调高低的“支柱”,它把弦“架”住。“思”字应变读去声。律诗中不许有一连三个平声的出现。 [4] “庄生”句:《庄子·齐物论》:“庄用梦为蝴蝶,栩栩然蝴蝶也;自喻适志与!不知周也。俄然觉,则蘧蘧然周也。不知周之梦为蝴蝶与?蝴蝶之梦为周与?”商隐此引庄周梦蝶故事,以言人生如梦,往事如烟之意。 [5] “望帝”句:望帝,古代蜀国的君主,名杜宇,传说他让位死后,化为杜鹃鸟,悲啼不已。春心,伤春之心。 [6] “沧海”句:相传珍珠是由南海鲛人(神话中的人鱼)的眼泪变成,古人还认为海里的蚌珠随月亮盈亏而有圆缺变化,这里糅合了以上的典故。 [7] “蓝田”句:蓝田,即蓝田山,在今陕西蓝田县,为有名的产玉之地。日暖玉生烟,相传宝玉埋在地下,在阳光的照耀下,良玉上空会出现烟云。 [8] 可待:岂待;何待。 The Sad Zither Li Shangyin Why should the sad zither have fifty strings? Each string, each strain evokes but vanished springs: Dim morning dream to be a butterfly; Amorous heart poured out in cuckoo’s cry. In moonlit pearls see tears in mermaid’s eyes; From sunburnt jade in Blue Field let smoke rise. Such feeling cannot be recalled again;...

Li He Poem: Drinking Song – 李贺《将进酒》

将进酒 李贺 琉璃钟,琥珀浓,小槽酒滴真珠红。 烹龙炮凤玉脂泣,罗帏绣幕围香风。 吹龙笛,击鼍鼓 [1] ;皓齿歌,细腰舞。 况是青春日将暮,桃花乱落如红雨。 劝君终日酩酊醉,酒不到刘伶 [2] 坟上土! 注释: [1] 鼍(tuó)鼓:鼍,即扬子鳄,产于长江中下游,亦称鼍龙,俗称猪婆龙。鼍鼓即鼍皮制成的鼓。 [2] 刘伶:魏晋时期的文坛领袖、“竹林七贤”之一。他酷好饮酒,自诩为“天生刘伶,以酒为名”。其每每外出饮酒,必带一小童背铁锹相随,告之曰:“死便埋我。”旷世骇俗,无出其右。 Drinking Song Li He A glazed cup full of amber wine, The strong drink drips like red pearls fine. The dragon boiled and phoenix roasted would weep; The fragrant breeze blows into broidered curtains deep. The dragon flute is played; Beaten the drums covered with alligator’s skin. The songstress sings with teeth as bright as jade, And dancers dance with waist as slender as hairpin. The prime of your life like the sun on the decline, Peach blossoms fall pell-mell like rain of petals pink. So I advise you to get drunk with wine. When buried in the grave, what could you take to drink? This imaginative song is full of sensual beauty. The reader may see amber wine and red pearls, hear the drink drip and the phoenix weep, smell the fragrant breeze and to...

Li He Poem: Official Drums – 李贺《官街鼓》

官街鼓 李贺 晓声隆隆催转日, 暮声隆隆催月出。 汉城 [1] 黄柳映新帘, 柏陵 [2] 飞燕埋香骨。 捶碎千年日长白, 孝武秦王听不得。 从君翠发芦花色, 独共南山 [3] 守中国。 几回天上葬神仙, 漏声 [4] 相将无断缘。 注释: [1] 汉城:指唐都城长安。 [2] 柏陵:指坟墓。 [3] 南山:指终南山。西起甘肃省天水,东至河南省陕县,绵亘千余里。 [4] 漏声:铜壶滴漏的声音。滴漏是古代计时的漏器,用铜壶盛水滴漏来计时刻。 Official Drums Li He At dawn official drumbeats hasten the sunrise; At dusk the booming drums call the moon to the skies. When yellow willows put forth new buds in the town, In tomb is buried the favorite of the crown. The drums have boomed a thousand years, still shines the sun, But ancient emperors of Qin and Han have done. Your hair once black may turn white as reed flowers stand, The drums with southern hills will ever guard our land. Even immortals were buried in the sky, The drumbeats and the water-clock will never die. The time-marking drumbeats, says the poet, will last longer than imperial dynasty and human life. 《官街鼓》是唐代诗人李贺创作的一首七古。此诗前六句写鼓声朝朝暮暮响不停,催转日月,草木生长、人之老死的正常现象,以及追求长生的秦始皇、汉武帝的老死,讽刺昔日帝王讲神仙、求长生的愚妄。后四句写人生变化生发,人的头发由黑变白,更言神仙也会老死,从根本上否定追求长生,迷信神仙的愚蠢行为。全诗构思奇巧,...

Bai Juyi Poem: Drinking Together with Liu Yuxi – 白居易《与梦得沽酒闲饮 且约后期》

与梦得沽 [1] 酒闲饮且约后期 白居易 少时犹不忧生计, 老去谁能惜酒钱? 共把十千沽一斗, 相看七十欠三年。 闲征雅令穷经史, 醉听清吟胜管弦。 更待菊黄家酿熟, 共君一醉一陶然 [2] 。 注释: [1] 梦得:刘禹锡,字梦得,与白居易同龄。开成二年(837),白、刘(六十七岁,故云“相看七十欠三年”)同在洛阳。刘任太子宾客分司,白任太子少傅,都是闲职,故得“闲饮且约后期”。 [2] 陶然:舒畅快乐的样子。 Drinking Together with Liu Yuxi Bai Juyi While young, I was not worded about livelihood. Old now, how could I grudge money for buying wine? Let’s spend ten thousand coins for a jarful of drink good! Looking in face, two years more we’ll be sixty-nine. We read and play the drinkers’ wager game at leisure; Drunk, we listen to verse better than music light. When chrysanthemums yellow, may 1 have the pleasure To invite you to drink my home-brew with delight? The poet expresses his delight in drinking together with an old friend. 《与梦得沽酒闲饮且约后期》是唐代诗人白居易所作的一首七律。这首诗首联写人生不同时段的感受;颔联、颈联明写“醉听清吟”对饮的乐趣,暗含对政治上遭冷遇的不满;尾联紧扣题意,作者把眼前的聚会引向未来,把友情和诗意推向高峰。尾句的“一醉一陶然”,既表达了作者对挚友的深情厚谊,又表现出作者在现实面前的哀伤和愁苦。全诗言简意赅,语淡情深。 The poem “Drinking Together with Liu Yuxi” is a seven-line poem written by Bai Juyi...

Bai Juyi Poem: Song of a Pipa Player – 白居易《琵琶行》

琵琶行 白居易 浔阳江 [1] 头夜送客, 枫叶荻花 [2] 秋瑟瑟。 主人下马客在船, 举酒欲饮无管弦。 醉不成欢惨将别, 别时茫茫江浸月。 忽闻水上琵琶声, 主人忘归客不发。 寻声暗问弹者谁? 琵琶声停欲语迟 [3] 。 移船相近邀相见, 添酒回灯重开宴。 千呼万唤始出来, 犹抱琵琶半遮面。 转轴拨弦三两声, 未成曲调先有情。 弦弦掩抑声声思, 似诉平生不得志。 低眉信手续续弹, 说尽心中无限事。 轻拢慢捻抹复挑 [4] , 初为《霓裳》后《六幺》 [5] 。 大弦嘈嘈如急雨 [6] , 小弦切切如私语。 嘈嘈切切 [7] 错杂弹, 大珠小珠落玉盘。 间关莺语花底滑 [8] , 幽咽泉流水下滩 [9] 。 水泉冷涩弦凝绝, 凝绝不通声暂歇。 别有幽愁暗恨生, 此时无声胜有声。 银瓶乍破水浆迸 [10] , 铁骑突出刀枪鸣。 曲终收拨当心画 [11] , 四弦一声如裂帛。 东船西舫悄无言, 唯见江心秋月白。 沉吟放拨插弦中 [12] , 整顿衣裳起敛容。 自言本是京城女, 家在虾蟆陵 [13] 下住。 十三学得琵琶成, 名属教坊第一部 [14] 。 曲罢常教善才伏 [15] , 妆成每被秋娘 [16] 妒。 五陵年少争缠头 [17] , 一曲红绡 [18] 不知数。 钿头银篦击节碎 [19] , 血色罗裙翻酒污。 今年欢笑复明年, 秋月春风等闲度。 弟走从军阿姨死, 暮去朝来颜色故。 门前冷落车马稀, 老大嫁作商人妇。 商人重利轻别离, 前月浮梁 [20] 买茶去。 去来江口守空船, 绕船月明江水寒。 夜深忽梦少年事, 梦啼妆泪红阑干 [21] 。 我闻琵琶已叹息, 又闻此语重唧唧 [22] 。 同是天涯沦落人, 相逢何必曾相识! 我从去年辞帝京, 谪居卧病浔阳城。 浔阳地僻无音乐, 终岁不闻丝竹声。 住近湓江地低湿, 黄芦苦竹绕宅生。 其间旦暮闻何物? 杜鹃 [23] 啼血猿哀鸣。 春江花朝秋月夜, 往往取酒还独倾。 岂无山歌与村笛? 呕哑嘲哳 [24] 难为听。 今夜闻君琵琶语, 如听仙乐耳暂明。 莫辞更坐弹一曲, 为君翻作 [25] 琵琶行。 感我此言良久立, 却坐 [26] 促弦弦转急。 凄凄不似向前声, 满座重闻皆掩泣。 座中泣下谁最多, 江州司马 [27] 青衫湿。 注释: [1] 浔阳江:长江流经浔阳郡境内的一段。 [2] 荻(dí)花:荻是水生植物...

Liu Yuxi Poem: Bamboo Branch Song – 刘禹锡《竹枝词九首(其七)》

竹枝词九首(其七) 刘禹锡 瞿塘 [1] 嘈嘈 [2] 十二滩, 此中道路古来难。 长恨人心不如水, 等闲平地起波澜。 注释: [1] 瞿塘:瞿塘峡,又名夔峡,西起奉节白帝城,东至巫山县大溪镇,全长八公里。瞿塘峡是三峡中最短、最窄、最险的峡谷。 [2] 嘈嘈:流水发出的嘈杂声。 Bamboo Branch Song (Ⅶ) Liu Yuxi From beach to beach the torrent splashes down its way; It’s hard to sail in the Three Gorges since olden day. But human heart is more dangerous than a whirlpool; You may be drowned in it though it seems calm and cool. The poet compares human heart to a dangerous whirlpool.

Meng Jiao Poem: Successful at the Civil Service Examinations – 孟郊《登 科后》

登科后 孟郊 昔日龌龊 [1] 不足夸, 今朝放荡 [2] 思无涯。 春风得意马蹄疾, 一日看尽长安花。 注释: [1] 龌龊(wò chuò):本指齿相近,这里指登科前处境不如意。思想行为拘束、局促。 [2] 放荡:自由自在,不受拘束。与“旷荡”、“放达”义近。但不同于现代的“放浪”的意思。 Successful at the Civil Service Examinations Meng Jiao Gone are all my past woes! What more have I to say? My body and my mind enjoy their fill today. Successful, faster runs my horse in vernal breeze; I’ve seen within one day all flowers on the trees. This is the most balanced verse in Tang poetry. 《登科后》是唐代诗人孟郊于贞元十二年(796年)进士及第时所作的一首七绝。此诗前两句将作者过去失意落拓的处境和现今考取功名的得意情境进行今昔对比,突现今朝跃入新天地时的思绪沸腾;后两句说他在春风里洋洋得意地跨马疾驰,一天就看完了长安的似锦繁花,表现出极度欢快的心情。全诗节奏轻快,一气呵成,在“思苦奇涩”的孟诗中别具一格。 The first two lines of the poem contrast the author’s past disillusionment and his present success. The first two lines of the poem compare the author’s past disillusioned and desolate situation with his present success in the examinations, highlighting the boiling thoughts of the present day when he leaps into a new world; the second two lines say that he proudly galloped on...

Du Fu Poem: On the Height – 杜甫《登高》

登高 [1] 杜甫 风急天高猿啸哀 [2] , 渚 [3] 清沙白鸟飞回 [4] 。 无边落木萧萧下 [5] , 不尽长江滚滚来。 万里悲秋常作客 [6] , 百年 [7] 多病独登台。 艰难苦恨繁霜鬓 [8] , 潦倒新停浊酒杯 [9] 。 注释: [1] 登高:指农历九月九日重阳节登高。 [2] 猿啸哀:三峡多猿,啼声凄厉哀切。 [3] 渚:水中沙洲。 [4] 鸟飞回:因风急所以飞鸟盘旋。 [5] “无边”句:无边,无边无际。落木,落叶。萧萧,落叶声。 [6] 客:旅居在外的人,这里是诗人自指。 [7] 百年:一生。 [8] “艰难”句:艰难,指长期漂泊在外所经历的艰难困苦。苦恨,深恨。繁霜鬓,白发增多。 [9] “潦倒”句:潦倒,失意、衰颓。新停浊酒杯。诗人因肺病而戒酒。 On the Height Du Fu The wind so swift, the sky so wide, apes wail and cry; Water so clear and beach so white, birds wheel and fly. The boundless forest sheds its leaves shower by shower; The endless river rolls its waves hour after hour. A thousand miles from home, I’m grieved at autumn’s plight; Ill now and then for years, alone I’m on this height. Living in times so hard, at frosted hair I pine; Cast down by poverty, I have to give up wine. This is the most balanced verse in Tang poetry. 《登高》是唐代诗人杜甫的诗作。此诗作于大历二年(767)作者在夔州之时。前四句写景,述登高见闻,紧扣秋天的季节特色,描绘了江边空旷寂寥的景致。首联为局部近景,颔联为整体远景。后四句抒情,写登高所感,围绕作者自己的身世遭遇,抒发了穷困潦倒、年老多病、流寓他乡的悲哀之情。颈联自伤身世,将前四句写景所蕴含的比兴、象征、暗示之意...

Du Fu Poem: The Winding River – 杜甫《曲江二首》

曲江二首 (其一) 杜甫 一片花飞减却 [1] 春, 风飘万点正愁人。 且看欲尽花经眼 [2] , 莫厌伤多酒 [3] 入唇。 江上小堂巢翡翠 [4] , 苑边高冢卧麒麟 [5] 。 细推 [6] 物理 [7] 须行乐, 何用浮荣绊此身? 注释: [1] 却:去,掉。 [2] “且看”句:且看,但看。欲尽花,将要落尽的花。欲,将。经眼,打眼前经过。 [3] 伤多酒:过量的酒。伤,过度、过量。这句说,不要腻烦过多的酒入口。 [4] “江上”句:小堂,指曲江的楼堂建筑。巢,鸟做窝。翡翠,鸟名,喙长而直,有蓝色和绿色的羽毛,羽毛可做装饰品。 [5] “苑边”句:苑,指唐代的宫苑芙蓉苑,又叫芙蓉园,在曲江西南。高冢,或指杜陵汉宣帝墓,墓近芙蓉苑。卧麒麟,古代帝王及贵族坟墓的墓道两旁,都立有石兽。这里说麒麟一类的石兽已经倒卧在地了。 [6] 推:推究。 [7] 物理:事物盛衰变化之理。 The Winding River (Ⅰ) Du Fu Spring fades when petals on petals fly as they please; It grieves me to see dots on dots waft in the breeze. Enjoy the blooms passing away before your eyes; Do not refuse to drown your grief in wine and sighs! In the riverside halls kingfishers build their nest; Before the tomb the stone animals lie at rest. The law of Nature tells us to enjoy as we may. Why spoil our joy by sheer vanity of the day? The poet tells us to enjoy delight on the Winding River while we may. 曲江二首(其二) 杜甫 朝回日日典春衣 [1] ,每日江头尽醉归。 酒债寻常行处有 [2] ,人生七十古来稀。 穿花蛱蝶深深见 [3] ,点水蜻蜓款款 [4] 飞。 传语风光共流转 [5] ,暂时相赏莫相违 [...

Li Bai Poem: Life and Death – 李白《拟古十二首(其九)》

拟古十二首(其九) 李白 生者为过客,死者为归人。 天地一逆旅 [1] ,同悲万古尘。 月兔空捣药,扶桑 [2] 已成薪。 白骨寂无言,青松岂知春。 前后更叹息,浮荣何足珍? 注释: [1] 逆旅:旅舍。逆,迎。古人以生为寄,以死为归,如《尸子》:“老菜子曰:人生于天地之间,寄也;寄者固归也。”又如《古诗》:“人生天地间,忽如远行客。”此用其意。 [2] 扶桑:东方的一棵神树,此树位于东方大海一座山的温泉山谷中,太阳由此升腾而起。 Life and Death (Ⅸ) Li Bai The living are but passers-by, And those are going home who die. The sky and earth are hotels just For all to grieve over age-old dust. The Moon Goddess lives long in vain; The sacred tree’s cut down with pain. The bleached bones can nor speak nor sing. Could green pines feel the warmth of spring? Ancestors and posterity, Don’t prize but sigh for vanity! This is a philosophical poem in which the poet equalizes life and death, imagines the sacred tree cut down, from which rose the sun, and sighs for the vanity of man.

Li Bai Poem: Drinking Alone under the Moon – 李白《月下独酌四首》

月下独酌 [1] 四首(其一) 李白 花间一壶酒, 独酌无相亲。 举杯邀明月, 对影成三人 [2] 。 月既 [3] 不解 [4] 饮, 影徒随我身。 暂伴月将 [5] 影, 行乐须及春。 我歌月徘徊, 我舞影零乱。 醒时同交欢 [6] , 醉后各分散。 永结无情 [7] 游, 相期 [8] 邈 [9] 云汉 [10] 。 注释: [1] 独酌:一个人饮酒。 [2] 成三人:明月和我以及我的影子恰是三人。 [3] 既:且。 [4] 不解:不懂。 [5] 将:和。 [6] 交欢:一起欢乐。 [7] 无情:忘却世情。 [8] 相期:相约。 [9] 邈:遥远。 [10] 云汉:银河。 Drinking Alone under the Moon (Ⅰ) Li Bai Among the flowers, from a pot of wine I drink without a companion of mine. I raise my cup to invite the Moon who blends Her light with my Shadow and we’re three friends. The Moon does not know how to drink her share; In vain my Shadow follows me here and there. Together with them for the time I stay, And make merry before spring’s spent away. I sing and the Moon lingers to hear my song; My Shadow’s a mess while I dance along. Sober, we three remain cheerful and gay; Drunken, we part and each may go his way. Our friendship will outshine all earthly love; Next time we’ll meet beyond the stars above. The lonely poet thinks it happy to drink with the moon and hi...

Li Bai Poem: Song on the River – 李白《江上吟》

江上吟 李白 木兰之枻沙棠舟 [1] ,玉箫金管 [2] 坐两头。 美酒尊中置千斛 [3] ,载妓随波任去留。 仙人有待乘黄鹤 [4] ,海客无心随白鸥 [5] 。 屈平词赋悬日月 [6] ,楚王台榭 [7] 空山丘。 兴酣落笔摇五岳 [8] ,诗成笑傲凌 [9] 沧洲 [10] 。 功名富贵若长在,汉水 [11] 亦应西北流。 注释: [1] 木兰之枻(yì)沙棠舟:木兰,又名玉兰,落叶乔木,高丈余。枻,船桨。沙棠,树名,古代传说,人吃了它的果实,可入水不溺。木兰枻、沙棠舟,形容船和桨的名贵。 [2] 玉箫金管:指吹箫、笛等乐器的人。 [3] 斛(hú):旧量器,方形,口小底大。十斗为一斛。 [4] “仙人”句:有待,语出《庄子·逍遥游》,意谓等待外力的帮助。黄鹤,湖北武汉武昌西有武昌山,山西北有黄鹤矶,峭立江中。传说仙人王子安乘黄鹤过此。本句是说:仙人骑黄鹤而飞行.还必须依靠外力(黄鹤)的帮助,并未得到真正的自由。 [5] “海客”句:《列子·黄帝篇》中有则寓言说,古时海边有一个人非常喜欢鸥鸟,每天清晨到海边,与鸥鸟游戏,常有成百白鸥飞集他身旁。这里诗人以海客自比。 [6] “屈平”句:屈平,即屈原,平是名,原是字。悬日月,如日月高悬,光辉四照。 [7] 楚王台榭(xiè):指战国时楚王游憩的台榭。榭,建筑在台上的房屋。 [8] 五岳:指东岳泰山、西岳华山、南岳衡山、北岳恒山、中岳嵩山,此处泛指山岳。 [9] 凌:凌驾的意思。 [10] 沧洲:泛指江海之地。 [11] 汉水:汉江,源出陕西宁强,东流到襄阳与白河汇合,南流由汉阳入长江。 Song on the River Li Bai In a ship of spice-wood with unsinkable oars, Musicians at both ends, we drift along the shores. We have sweet wine with singing girls to drink our fill, And so the waves may carry us wherever they will. Immortals could not fly without their yellow crane; Unselfish men might follow white gulls...

Li Bai Poem: Song of Sunrise and Sunset – 李白《日出入行》

日出入行 [1] 李白 日出东方隈 [2] , 似从地底来。 历天又复入西海, 六龙 [3] 所舍安在哉? 其始与终古不息, 人非元气 [4] , 安得与之久徘徊! 草不谢荣于春风 [5] , 木不怨落于秋天。 谁挥鞭策驱四运 [6] , 万物兴歇皆自然。 羲和 [7] !羲和! 汝奚汩没于荒淫之波 [8] ? 鲁阳何德, 驻景挥戈? 逆道违天 [9] , 矫诬实多。 吾将囊括大块 [10] , 浩然与溟涬同科。 注释: [1] 这是一首以乐府旧题抒发自我感慨的古体诗。《日出入》是乐府《汉郊祀歌》旧题,原诗大意谓:日之出入无有穷期,人命却很短促,故希望乘六龙升仙入天。李白此诗一反其意,指出日之无穷和人生短促都是自然规律,故主张顺应自然。 [2] 隈(wēi):山或河转弯的地方。 [3] 六龙:古代神话传说认为日乘车,以六龙驾之。 [4] 元气:天地未分前的混沌之气。 [5] 谢荣于春风:因为开花而向春风表示感谢。荣,草木开花。这两句诗,语出《庄子·内篇·大宗师》郭象注:“故圣人之在天下,暖焉若阳春之自和,故蒙泽者不谢;凄乎若秋霜之自降,故凋落者不怨也。” [6] 四运:指春、夏、秋、冬四时的运行。 [7] 羲和:神话传说中掌管太阳运行的神。 [8] “汝奚”句:奚,疑问副词,为什么。汩没,沉没。荒淫,这里是广大无边的意思。相传太阳没入虞渊之中。 [9] “逆道”句:道,指自然规律。天,指自然界。 [10] “吾将”二句:囊括;包罗。这里用以形容胸怀的广阔。大块,宇宙。浩然,这里也是用来形容胸怀的广阔。溟涬(xìnɡ),天地未形成前,自然之气混混沌沌的样子,泛指自然之气。同科,同类。 Song of Sunrise and Sunset Li Bai From the east the sun comes around; It seems to rise from underground. Crossing the sky, it sinks in the sea of the west. Where could the six dragons driving it take their rest? It never changes from beginning to end. Man is not a spirit, Could he accompany it As...

Li Bai Poem: Hard Is the Way of the World – 李白《行路难》

行路难 李白 大道如青天, 我独不得出。 羞逐长安社中儿, 赤鸡白狗 [1] 赌梨粟。 弹剑作歌 [2] 奏苦声, 曳裾王门 [3] 不称情。 淮阴市井笑韩信 [4] , 汉朝公卿忌贾生 [5] 。 君不见昔时燕家重郭隗 [6] , 拥彗折节 [7] 无嫌猜。 剧辛乐毅 [8] 感恩分, 输肝剖胆效英才。 昭王白骨萦蔓草, 谁人更扫黄金台 [9] 。 行路难,归去来。 注释: [1] 赤鸡自狗:指当时斗鸡走狗的博戏。 [2] 弹剑作歌:战国时齐公子孟尝君门下食客冯谖曾屡次弹剑作歌怨己不如意。《史记》:“冯谖闻孟尝君好客,蹑履而见之,孟尝君置传舍十日,孟尝君问传舍长曰:客何所为,答曰:冯先生甚贫,犹有一剑耳。又蒯缑,弹其剑而歌曰:长铗归来乎,食无鱼。孟尝君迁之幸舍,食有鱼矣。五日又问传舍长,答曰:客复弹剑而歌曰:长铗归来乎,出无舆。孟尝君迁之代舍,出入乘舆车矣。五日孟尝君复问传舍长,答曰:先生又尝弹剑而歌曰:长铗归来乎,无以为家。盂尝君不悦。” [3] 曳裾王门:寄食公卿王侯门下。裾,长裙。《汉书》:“邹阳曰:饰固陋之心,则何王之门不可曳长裾乎?” [4] “淮阴”句:地名。即今江苏淮阴县。汉封韩信为淮阴侯,即此。韩信,汉初淮阴人,少时受辱胯下,全市皆笑韩信怯懦,后为大将。《史记》:“韩信淮阴人,淮阴屠中少年有侮信者,曰:若虽长大,好带刀剑,中情怯耳。众辱之曰:信能死,刺我,不能死,出我胯下。于是,信熟视之,俯出胯下,蒲伏。一市人皆笑信,以为怯。” [5] 贾生:洛阳贾谊,曾上书汉文帝,劝其改制兴礼,受大臣反对。《史记》:“天子议以为贾生任公卿之位,绛、灌、东阳侯、冯敬之属尽害之,乃短贾生曰:洛阳之人,年少初学,专欲擅权,纷乱诸事。于是天子后亦疏之,不用其议。” [6] 郭隗(wěi):战国时燕人,昭王筑台师事之,乐毅、剧辛等闻风而至,燕以大治。 [7] 拥彗折节:比喻谦恭下士。彗,扫帚。拥彗,长者未来之前,持帚扫尘,以示恭敬。折节,弯腰,降低身份,礼待臣下。燕昭王曾亲自扫路,恐灰尘飞扬,用衣袖挡帚,以礼迎贤士邹衍。《史记》:“邹衍如燕,燕昭王拥彗先驱。” [8] 剧辛乐毅:皆战国时人。燕昭王招贤者,剧辛自赵往任国政。乐毅为燕昭王卿,率五国兵伐齐,下齐七十余城。 [9] 黄金台:在易水东南,燕昭王置千金于台上,以招揽天下士。 Hard Is the Way of th...

Wang Wei Poem: Sitting Alone on an Autumn Night – 王维《秋夜独坐》

秋夜独坐 王维 独坐悲双鬓, 空堂欲二更。 雨中山果落, 灯下草虫鸣。 白发 [1] 终难变, 黄金不可成 [2] 。 欲知除老病 [3] , 唯有学无生 [4] 。 注释: [1] 白发:《列仙传》载,稷丘君朱璜入山八十余年,“白发尽黑”。此反用典故。 [2] “黄金”句:古道士、方士谓烧炼丹药化为金银之事,又叫黄白之术。《史记·孝武本纪》:“致物而丹砂可化为黄金,黄金成,以为饮食器则益寿。” [3] 老病:佛教称生老病死为四苦。《释迦谱》:“以畏生老病死之苦,故于五欲不敢爱者。” [4] 无生:无生即无灭。佛家把世界看成绝对静止,认为一切皆虚幻。《仁王经》:“一切法性真实空,不来不去,无生无灭。” Sitting Alone on an Autumn Night Wang Wei Sitting alone, I grieve over my hair white; In empty room it approaches midnight. With the rain I hear in the mountain fruit fall; By lamplight the insects chirp in my hall. I cannot blacken my white hair while old, Nor can I turn a metal into gold. If you want to get rid of ills of old age, You can only learn from the Buddhist sage. The poet thinks it best to learn from the Buddhist sage. 《秋夜独坐》是唐代诗人王维创作的五律。此诗首联写诗人深思与悲哀的神情和意境:秋天雨夜、寂静无人,诗人独坐在空堂苦苦思索。颔联紧承首联,采用虚实相生的手法,描写环境的凄清。后两联写觉悟和学佛:万物有生必有灭,只有大自然才是永存的,而人及万物都是短暂的。全诗通俗易懂、言简意赅,写出诗人思想觉悟即禅悟的过程。从情入理,以情证理,写诗人时迈人老、感慨人生,斥神仙虚妄,悟佛义根本,流露出诗人想皈依佛门的禅思,表现了诗人决心修佛、永离人间苦海的愿望。 The poem “Sitting Alone on an Aut...

Chen Zi’ang Poem: On the Tower at Youzhou – 陈子昂《登幽州台歌》

登幽州台歌 陈子昂 前不见古人, 后不见来者。 念天地之悠悠, 独怆然 [1] 而涕 [2] 下。 注释: [1] 怆(chuànɡ)然:凄伤的样子。 [2] 涕:泪。 On the Tower at Youzhou Chen Zi’ang Where are the great men of the past And where are those of future years? The sky and earth forever last; Here and now I alone shed tears. The poet sighs for he has not done great deeds as the great men of yore. 《登幽州台歌》是唐代诗人陈子昂的诗作。此诗通过描写登楼远眺,凭今吊古所引起的无限感慨,抒发了诗人抑郁已久的悲愤之情,深刻地揭示了封建社会中那些怀才不遇的知识分子遭受压抑的境遇,表达了他们在理想破灭时孤寂郁闷的心情,具有深刻的典型社会意义。全诗语言苍劲奔放,富有感染力,结构紧凑连贯,又留有充分的空间:前二句俯仰古今,写出时间漫长;第三句登楼眺望,写出空间辽阔;在广阔无垠的时空背景中,第四句描绘了诗人孤独寂寞苦闷的情绪,两相映照,分外动人,读来酣畅淋漓又余音缭绕。多个版本的语文教科书选录了此诗。 The poem “On the Tower at Youzhou” is a poem written by Chen Ziang, a poet of the Tang Dynasty. The poem expresses the poet’s long-standing depression and anger by describing the infinite emotions caused by climbing up the tower and looking down on the past, and profoundly reveals the suppressed situation of those intellectuals who were not successful in feudal society, and expresses their lonely an...

Liu Xiyi Poem: Admonition on the Part of a White-haired Old Man – 刘希夷 《代悲白头翁》

代悲白头翁 刘希夷 洛阳城东桃李花, 飞来飞去落谁家? 洛阳女儿惜颜色, 坐见落花长叹息。 今年落花颜色改, 明年花开复谁在? 已见松柏摧为薪 [1] , 更闻桑田变成海 [2] 。 古人无复洛城东, 今人还对落花风。 年年岁岁花相似, 岁岁年年人不同。 寄言全盛红颜子, 应怜半死白头翁。 此翁白头真可怜, 伊昔红颜美少年。 公子王孙芳树下 [3] , 清歌妙舞落花前。 光禄 [4] 池台文锦绣 [5] , 将军 [6] 楼阁画神仙。 一朝卧病无相识, 三春行乐在谁边? 婉转蛾眉 [7] 能几时? 须臾鹤发乱如丝。 但看古来歌舞地, 唯有黄昏鸟雀悲! 注释: [1] 松柏摧为薪:松柏被砍伐作柴薪。《古诗十九首》:“古墓犁为田,松柏摧为薪。” [2] 桑田变成海:《神仙传》:“麻姑谓王方平曰:’接待以来,已见东海三为桑田。’” [3] “公子”二句:这两句说,白头翁年轻时曾和公子王孙在树下花前共赏清歌妙舞。 [4] 光禄:光禄勋。用东汉马援之子马防的典故。《后汉书·马援传》(附马防传)载:马防在汉章帝时拜光禄勋,生活很奢侈。 [5] 池台文锦绣:指以锦绣装饰池台中物。 [6] 将军:指东汉贵戚梁冀,他曾为大将军。《后汉书·粱冀传》栽:梁冀大兴土木,建造府宅。 [7] 婉转蛾眉:本为年轻女子的面部化妆,此代指青春年华。 Admonition on the Part of a White-haired Old Man Liu Xiyi The peach and plum flowers east of the capital Fly up and down and here and there. Where will they fall? The maiden in the capital loves rosy hue; She would sigh for the flowers falling out of view. Her rosy color fades when flowers fall this year. When flowers blow again, will she pretty appear? I’ve seen cypress cut down as fuel with pine trees; I’ve heard the mulberry f...

Poem: The Golden Dress – 《金缕衣》

金缕衣 无名氏 劝君莫惜金缕衣 [1] , 劝君须惜少年时。 花开堪 [2] 折直须 [3] 折, 莫待无花空折枝。 注释: [1] 金缕衣:以金线制成的华丽衣裳。 [2] 堪:可以。 [3] 直须:不必犹豫。 The Golden Dress Anonymous Love not your golden dress, I pray, More than your youthful golden hours. Gather sweet blossoms while you may, And not the twig devoid of flowers! 《金缕衣》是唐朝时期的一首七言乐府。这是一首富有哲理性、涵义深永的小诗,它叫人们不要重视荣华富贵,而要爱惜少年时光,可以说它劝喻人们要及时摘取爱情的果实,也可以说是启示人们要及时建立功业,正因为它没有说得十分具体,反而更觉内涵丰富。 “The Golden Dress” is a seven-word poem from the Tang Dynasty. It is a philosophical and meaningful poem, telling people not to value glory and wealth, but to cherish their youth.