Category: Poems by – 孟浩然 (689-740)

《與諸子登峴山》《Up Mt. Xian with Friends》Meng Hao Ran

人事有代謝  Human affairs go through vicissitudes
往來成古今  They rise and recede so history constitutes
江山留勝跡  Immortal sites remain bright in hills and rills
我輩復登臨  We visit them to admire and feel Continue reading →

《Pining for a Friend in summer》 Meng Hao Ran (689-740)   江紹倫譯

山光忽西落  Daylight fades abruptly beyond the west hill
池月漸東上  Up from the eastern waters the moon climbing still
散發乘夕涼  I loosen my hair to enjoy the cool night
開軒臥閒敞  Leaving window open I lie in bed so nigh
荷風送香氣  From the lotus pond the breeze brings a wonderful fragrance
竹露滴清響  From bamboo tops dews drip their sound so softly clear
欲取鳴琴彈  How I like to play my lute merry here
恨無知音賞  But I know no music lover is around to share
感此懷故人  So I pine for you my friend dear
中宵勞夢想  In my dream tonight you will appear

宴梅道士山房           孟浩然 (689-740)

林臥愁春盡    搴帷覽物華    忽逢青鳥使    邀入赤松家
金灶初開火    仙桃正發花    童顏若可駐    何惜醉流霞

A Feast with Monk Mei up the Mountain    Meng Hao Ran(689-740)

Awake in the forest I loath that spring will cease to be an entity
From the open curtain I marvel on nature’s splendid beauty
A legend bluebird arrives suddenly bringing a message
Invitation for me to visit the Immortal Red Pine Village
The burning furnace is set to freely flame
The Legendary Peach is showing its bursting bloom
If you wish childhood looks to last forever
Let’s be drunk with the immortal nectar

Thoughts on Early Cold Weather  Meng Hao Ran  

木落雁南度  Geese fly southbound as trees shed their leaves
北风江上寒  The north wind arrives rivers turn chilly
我家襄水曲  Where the Xian River turns is my native land
遥隔楚云端  Far into Chu country where clouds end
乡泪客中尽  Long I rove tears from homesickness cease to roll
归帆天际看  A lone sail seen in the horizon it aimlessly floats
迷津欲有问  If I should ask for my way home
平海夕漫漫  Night covers the sea on a pace of its own

《Leaving Wang Wei》  Meng Hao Ran (689-740)  

寂寂竟何待  How forlornly will I wait
朝朝空自歸  With a grieving heart day after day
欲尋芳草去  How I wish to find my friend dear
惜與故人違  Only to regret missing you here
當路誰相假  People in high office will not apprehend
知音世所稀  Bosom friends are hard to find in this land
只應守寂寞  I should be content to lead a solitary life
還掩故園扉  And stay behind closed doors in my native land

Overnight at Master Ye’s Lodge up the Mountain Meng Hao Ran(689-740)  江紹倫譯

夕陽度西嶺Lost behind the western peak the sun vanishes meek 

群壑倏已暝The valleys around suddenly become bleak

松月生夜涼A rising moon cools the pine trees the night is chill

風泉滿清聽The music of springs on wind’s wings has our ears filled

樵人歸欲盡Nearly all woodcutters have found their ways home

煙鳥棲初定Birds are safely roosted wherever in the brume

之子期宿來Hearing of your coming to spend the night here

孤琴候蘿徑Holding my zither I watch for you to appear

《过故人庄》    孟浩然 (689-740)   江紹倫譯

Visiting an Old Friend in the Country
Meng Hao Ran (689-740) 江紹倫譯

故人具鸡黍  My old friend prepares food chicken and all

邀我至田家  Inviting me to visit him in his country hall

绿树村边合  His house sits on the edge of a lush green wood

青山郭外斜  Closely logged to a blue mountain foot

开轩面场圃  From his window fields and fields can be seen

把酒话桑麻  We chat between drinks on how crops grow so green

待到重阳日  Whence comes the Double Nine Festival next year

还来就菊花  I will again come to enjoy the chrysanthemums for sure