殘陽西入崦   茅屋訪孤僧
落葉人何在   寒雲路幾層
獨敲初夜磬   閑倚一枝藤
世界微塵裡   吾寧愛與憎

Hermitage Amid Green Vines    江紹倫譯

The setting sun disappears behind tall mountains west
I arrived at this empty hut looking for my Buddhist friend in earnest
Where would he be in a world of fallen leaves
Up clouds yonder how many layers of footpaths I must weave

Alone he tolls vespers at dusk
On a cane he leisurely strolls not fast
In this hustle bustle world nothing could be too important
Away from love and hate my mind is at peace self-sufficient

秋叢繞舍似陶家      遍繞籬邊日漸斜
不是花中偏愛菊      此花開盡更無花

Chrysanthemum                                 江紹倫譯       

Autumn mums adorn my cottage as they did Tao’s house in days old
Along the hedge their brilliance so vivid I linger until the sun hangs low
I can’t be blamed for loving this flower my appreciation partial
Whence they wither away there will be no flower to follow

青山隱隱水迢迢    秋盡江南草未凋
二十四橋明月夜    玉人何處教吹簫

To Magistrate Han of Yang Zhou                 江紹倫譯

Behind the green hills water flows far
With autumn leaving the south grass is yet to wither
Whence the twenty four bridges in town aflame by moonshine
Where is your favourite lass whose flute music rendition so fine

花秋月何時了  往事知多少
小樓昨夜又東風  故國不堪回首月明中 

雕欄玉砌應猶在  只是朱顏改
問君能有幾多愁  恰似一江春水向東流 

《Tune: Yu the Beautiful: Happily Together 》   江紹倫譯

Whence in cycles of spring flowers and autumn moon will time stand still
Of past events how many should remain on my memory wheel
Vernal breeze showed pity again warming my humble chamber last night
Down memory lane I dare not trot reviewing my lost kingdom by moonlight

Jade palaces their carvings and mouldings delight must still be around
So many fair lasses there before now no longer around
Did you ask how many sad memories I keep my consciousness on
They flow like river torrents in spring on and on

千山鳥飛絕    萬徑人蹤滅
孤舟蓑笠翁    獨釣寒江雪

River in Snow                         江紹倫譯

A thousand hills where no birds fly
Ten thousand paths no man in sight
A straw-cloaked old man in a lone boat behold
He attempts to fish in a river covered with snow

汲井漱寒齒   清心拂塵服  閑持貝葉書  步出東齋讀
真源了無取   妄跡世所逐  遺言冀可冥  繕性何由熟
道人庭宇靜   苔色連深竹  日出霧露餘  青松如膏沐
澹然離言說   悟悅心自足

Reading Zen With Master Chao One Early Morning         江紹倫譯

With cold water from the well I rinsed my mouth
Mind unperturbed I cleaned my gown any dust brushed out
Carefully I spread open the Sutra inscribed on durable leaves
To read it outside my study facing east

Buddhism truths their sources are difficult to identify
Many wisdowm seekers tried hard but failed to find
Words of Zen promise the enlightened bliss in Nirvana
O How I’d love to embark on the way to be near the parameter

‘Tis still and serene here in my master’s terrain
Moss verdant adjoin deep bamboo paths their spirit pertain
At dawn traces of mist and dew Nature keeps
Demure pines after overnight baths their fresh looks attract zealous peeps

Master Chao wears a smile saying not a word
He has me enlightened although untaught

月落烏啼霜滿天        江楓漁火對愁眠
姑蘇城外寒山寺        夜半鐘聲到客船

Mooring by Maple Bridge Overnight         江紹倫譯

The moon resigns amid crow cries in a snowy sky
Under lofty maple trees dimly lit river boats lie side by side
Cold Hill Temple stands outside the Gu Su city wall
Bells toll at midnight to break the stillness for boatmen at moor

人間四月芳菲盡        山寺桃花始盛開
長恨春歸無覓處        不知轉入此中來

Peach Blossom at Da Lin Temple                 江紹倫譯

By the fourth moon flowers everywhere are all but fallen
Here on temple ground peach flowers only begin to blossom
I oft regret when spring is gone it leaves no trace
Knowing not it has come to adorn this place

離離原上草    一歲一枯榮
野火燒不盡    春風吹又生
遠芳侵古道    晴翠接荒城
又送王孫去    萋萋滿別情

Farewell by the Ancient Grass Plain    江紹倫譯

Grass grow on this ancient plain wide and far
They thrive and wither once every year
Heath fires burn but in vain
A touch of vernal breeze they thrive again
Their fragrance penetrate paths swept by wind
They adjoin towns in ruin bright and green
I’ve come to bid you farewell once again
Grief overwhelm like wild grass on plain