《南鄉子》張弘范(1238-1280)
《Tune: Southern Country Song》Zhang Hong Fan
深院日初長 Deep where I dwell summer days prolong
萬卷詩書一炷香 Ten thousand volumes and incense sticks burn long
竹掩茅齋人不到 No one visits this humble dwelling in bamboo shades
清涼 Cool and serene
茶罷西軒讀老莊 I read Lao-Zhang after tea in the west wing Continue reading
《鷓鷓天*室人降日, 以此奉寄》魏初(元)
《Tune: Partridge Sky*To My Wife on Her Birthday》Wei Chu (1232-1292)
去歲今辰卻到家 This day last year home I was not near
今年相望又天涯 Today this year I pine for you from faraway here
一春心事閑無處 My love for you floats like a spring with no dwelling
兩鬢秋霜細有華 Like autumn frost my hairs are greying Continue reading
《解佩令*王害風》王哲(1112-1169)
《Tune: Receiving the Command Symbol》Wang Zhe
茶無絕品 No supreme tea exists in truth
至真為上 The best tea is with friends amiable
相邀命 Invitation standing
貴賓來往 Friends coming and going
盞熱瓶煎 On heated kettles Continue reading
《遊大理崇聖寺》李道源(元)
《A Visit to Sung Sen Temple at Da Li》Li Dao Yuan (Yuan Dynasty)
把茗對山雲戀戀 I sip tea facing the hill where clouds linger
看花著履雨毿毿 To view flowers in drizzles on clogs I wear
唐家舊蹟今無幾 Relics of Tang Dynasty now remain few in glamour
彈指興亡可盡談 Dynastic rise and fall can be dismissed in a flicker
《西江月》蔡松年(1127-1159) 《Tune: Moon over West River》Cai Song Nian
古殿蒼松偃蹇 Accompanying the ancient temple are twisty pines old
孤雲丈室清深 A lone monk in his humble room ponders on life whole
茶聲破睡午風陰 Leisurely tea activities avert the drive for a mid-day snooz
不用涼泉石枕 A cool spring and a stone pillow are no longer useful tools Continue reading
《臨江仙*茶詞》劉過(1154-1206)
《Immortals by the River * Tea Ci》Liu Guo《臨江仙 * 茶詞》
紅袖扶來聊促膝 Helped by your maid to visit we fondly chat
龍團共破春溫 Warmed by Dragon-Ball tea we share spring yet
高標終是絕塵氛 In high rectitude we rid off worldly bustles
兩箱留燭影 Two of us share these candle shadows Continue reading
《柳梢青*茶》李處全(1134-1189) 《Tune: Green Willow Tendrils * Tea》Li Chu Quan
九天圓月 This famous tea called Nine Sky Moon
香塵碎玉 Ground into fine jade white dusts
素濤翻雪 Scald until bubbling snow waves billow
石乳香甘 Cool rocky creamy fragrance
鬆風湯嫩 Tender broth hailing pine breezes
一時三絕 This tea features ultimate color fragrance and taste Continue reading
《武陵春*老夫飲茗小過》楊萬里(宋)
《Tune: Spring Peach Blossom Country *This Old Man Drank Too Much Tea》Yang Wan Li (Song Dynasty)
長鋏歸乎逾十暑 More than a decade since I put my sword to rest
著鵕鸃冠 And don not my pheasant hat for office affairs
道是今年勝去年 People say this year is better than last year
特地減清歡 I will spend less time in tea pleasures Continue reading
《醉落魄 * 辛未九月望和答慶符》胡銓(1102-1180)
《Tune: Drunk Unconscious * Written at Full Moon》Hu Quan
百年强半 Half is passed in my hundred year life
高秋猶在天南畔 In these late years I am still stationed in swampy south
幽懷已被黃花亂 My wrath is perplexed seeing how daisies thrive
更恨銀蟾 To the silvery moon I ask for a reply
故向愁人滿 Why to the griever you singularly shine Continue reading
《玉樓春 * 茶》楊無咎(1097-1169) 《Tune: Jade Bower in Spring * Tea》Yang Wu Jiu
酒闌未放賓朋散 As dinner approaches the end I ask my guests to stay
自揀冰芽教旋碾 I grind white tea shoots to brew for the day
調膏初喜玉成泥 The boiling broth turns into jade white cream
濺沫共驚銀作線 It spills and churns silver lines approach the brim Continue reading