《On Business》Wang Wei

輕陰閣小雨  In my cool bower I appreciate a rain fine
深院晝慵開  Waking from a good nape my mind opens wide
坐看蒼苔色  Sitting in quietude I watch the mosses green
欲上人衣來  Their beauty dyes my clothes in gleam

《Autumn Wild》 Du Fu

易識浮生理  To know the order of life is elementary
難教一物違  To find exceptions to the rule is thorny
水深魚極樂  Deep water offers a place for fishers to merry
林茂鳥知歸  Dense woods provide homes for birds to roost safely Continue reading →

《溪居》柳宗元 《My Dwelling by the Stream》Liu Zong Yuan

久爲簪組累  Bound by official girdles for many years
幸此南夷謫  I’m happy to be banished to the wild southern spheres
閑依農圃鄰  In leisure a pastoral neighbor and I make friends
偶似山林客  I am a guest with trees in the hill end to end Continue reading →

《An Autumn Night Song》Wang Wei

桂魄初生秋露微  The moon shines on fresh dews
輕羅已薄未更衣  She continues to wear thin robes still
銀箏夜久殷勤弄  She plays the silver lute repeatedly all night
心怯空房不忍歸  Afraid to return to her bower with no one in sight

《贈別二首》杜牧 《Parting (two poems)》Du Mu

(I)

娉娉裊裊十三余  Slender and graceful she is in early teens
豆蔻梢頭二月初  Like a cardamom tip with growing hints
春風十裏揚州路  Vernal breezes warm up ten miles of scenic roads
卷上珠簾總不如  Behind roll up curtains her beauty brilliantly shows Continue reading →

《夢李白》杜甫 《Dreaming of Li Bai》Du Fu

死別已吞聲  We weep when death renders us apart
生別常惻惻  Separation while living wrenches our hearts
江南瘴癘地  The southern country is known for malaria mire
逐客無消息  I grieve having no news from you in exile there Continue reading →

《利州南渡》  《Ferrying South from Lizhou》  Wen Tingyun

澹然空水對斜暉  The slanting rays of sunset shines on limpid water
曲島蒼茫接翠微  Jagged islets float under a blue sky near
波上馬嘶看棹去  Horses neigh seeing the ferry moving away
柳邊人歇待船歸  People wait for returning boats in willow shades Continue reading →