觀遊魚 白居易 (772-846)

繞池閒步看魚遊,
正值兒童弄釣舟。
一種愛魚心各異,
我來施食爾垂鉤。

Looking at Fishes        Po Chu-I (772-846)  tr by Father John Turner, S.J.

As all around the pool I went,
    Watching the fishes glide:

In fishing-boat on fishing bent
    My little ones I spied.

The love of fish did each one lead
    As each one’s fancy took him.

For I came out my fish to feed:
    And you came out to hook him.

 


The Charms of Fish     by Father Sean Coghlan, S.J.

The love of fish is strong in me and strong in most ‘tis true.
To feed the fish and watch them swim I stroll around the pond.
But all my kids take out their boat, their hooks and sinkers too
And show that loves, while widely shared, to differing charms respond.


Translated by S L Kong (1953)

I stroll around the pond to watch fishes glide
While children play with hooks and toy-boats tirelessly tried
Fish lovers have similar intents but differences of mind
I came to feed while your hooks fly

1 thought on “觀遊魚 白居易 (772-846)

  1. All Eyes on Swimming Fish Bai Juyi

    Strolling along, I admire fish swimming in the pond,
    where youths oar afloat in the fishing boat.
    ‘Tis fish-loving in different minds:
    I feed them but you’re set to hook.

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