无题 - 献给失足女
刘垒钟
雨洗山青花落红,
湘女河畔独踏青.
春江碧水波澜意,
滴滴逝去皆是情.
Rain washed the mountains green,
And the flowers were falling in red,
A goddess on the riverside alone
Beckoned the coming spring.
Spring river and blue water
Streamed as her billowing will,
Drop by drop passing away
Were all her love and affections.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Spring Night
Spring Night
By Song Poet Su Shi
A moment of spring night
Costs
Ten thousands gold,
Even the flower loses her fragrance
And
The Moon sometimes wanes.
Songs and instrument are played
Over the balcony
Softly and softly,
And a swing in the garden
Kindly sways,
While the night gets quietly and quietly.
春宵
蘇 軾
春宵一刻值千金
花有清香月有陰
歌管樓臺聲細細
鞦韆院落夜沈沈
By Song Poet Su Shi
A moment of spring night
Costs
Ten thousands gold,
Even the flower loses her fragrance
And
The Moon sometimes wanes.
Songs and instrument are played
Over the balcony
Softly and softly,
And a swing in the garden
Kindly sways,
While the night gets quietly and quietly.
春宵
蘇 軾
春宵一刻值千金
花有清香月有陰
歌管樓臺聲細細
鞦韆院落夜沈沈
Spring Day
Spring Day
By Song Poet Zhu Xi
In a good day
I enjoy the nature
By the river of Si Shui.
Limitless great view
Is suddenly renewed
At once.
Everyone notices
The kind face
Of the east wind,
Myriad purple
And thousands red
Are all colors of spring.
春日
朱 熹
勝日尋芳泗水濱
無邊光景一時新
等閒識得東風面
萬紫千紅總是春
By Song Poet Zhu Xi
In a good day
I enjoy the nature
By the river of Si Shui.
Limitless great view
Is suddenly renewed
At once.
Everyone notices
The kind face
Of the east wind,
Myriad purple
And thousands red
Are all colors of spring.
春日
朱 熹
勝日尋芳泗水濱
無邊光景一時新
等閒識得東風面
萬紫千紅總是春
Poem by Chance In a Spring Day
Poem by Chance In a Spring Day
By Song Poet Cheng Hao
Scarce cloud floats,
Soft wind blows,
It’s close to noon;
Among the flowers,
Follows the willows,
I cross the front river.
Nowadays people
Do not know
Why my heart is with joy;
Because I’ve learned
From the young lads
To take leisure for myself.
春日偶成
程 顥
雲淡風輕近午天
傍花隨柳過前川
時人不識余心樂
將謂偷閒學少年
By Song Poet Cheng Hao
Scarce cloud floats,
Soft wind blows,
It’s close to noon;
Among the flowers,
Follows the willows,
I cross the front river.
Nowadays people
Do not know
Why my heart is with joy;
Because I’ve learned
From the young lads
To take leisure for myself.
春日偶成
程 顥
雲淡風輕近午天
傍花隨柳過前川
時人不識余心樂
將謂偷閒學少年
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Parting II
Tang Poem 300: #296
Parting II
By Tang Poet Du Mu
With much love
You act
As if you care not much.
But in front of the cup
Of our farewell feast
You can’t smile.
Even the candle has heart
And feels the sadness
Of our parting.
Sheding its tears for us
Till
The sky gets bright.
贈別之二
杜牧
多情卻似總無情，
唯覺樽前笑不成。
蠟燭有心還惜別，
替人垂淚到天明。
Parting II
By Tang Poet Du Mu
With much love
You act
As if you care not much.
But in front of the cup
Of our farewell feast
You can’t smile.
Even the candle has heart
And feels the sadness
Of our parting.
Sheding its tears for us
Till
The sky gets bright.
贈別之二
杜牧
多情卻似總無情，
唯覺樽前笑不成。
蠟燭有心還惜別，
替人垂淚到天明。
A SPRING SONG
Tang Poem 300: #281
A SPRING SONG
Liu Yuxi
With new makeup on her fair face
She steps down
The red chamber.
But the spring light is still locked
In the deep garden
That gives her much sorrow.
She slowly walks
To the center court
To count the flowers.
A dragonfly flying,
And rests
On her jade hairpin.
劉禹錫
春詞
新妝宜面下朱樓，
深鎖春光一院愁。
行到中庭數花朵，
蜻蜓飛上玉搔頭。
A SPRING SONG
Liu Yuxi
With new makeup on her fair face
She steps down
The red chamber.
But the spring light is still locked
In the deep garden
That gives her much sorrow.
She slowly walks
To the center court
To count the flowers.
A dragonfly flying,
And rests
On her jade hairpin.
劉禹錫
春詞
新妝宜面下朱樓，
深鎖春光一院愁。
行到中庭數花朵，
蜻蜓飛上玉搔頭。
ON MEETING A MESSENGER TO THE CAPITAL
Tang Poem 300: #270
ON MEETING A MESSENGER TO THE CAPITAL
By Tang Poet Cen Can
Long and long
The road to east,
I look toward my home.
My sleeves are worn out,
And my tear drenched,
That never dried.
On our horse we meet,
But I have no brush and paper
That I can write,
So please just send my words
To my home
That I am fine.
逢入京使
岑參
故園東望路漫漫，
雙袖龍鐘淚不乾。
馬上相逢無紙筆，
憑君傳語報平安。
ON MEETING A MESSENGER TO THE CAPITAL
By Tang Poet Cen Can
Long and long
The road to east,
I look toward my home.
My sleeves are worn out,
And my tear drenched,
That never dried.
On our horse we meet,
But I have no brush and paper
That I can write,
So please just send my words
To my home
That I am fine.
逢入京使
岑參
故園東望路漫漫，
雙袖龍鐘淚不乾。
馬上相逢無紙筆，
憑君傳語報平安。
A SONG OF LIANGZHOU
Tang Poem 300: #267
A SONG OF LIANGZHOU
By Tang Poet Wang Han
Translated by Laijon Liu
Tasteful grape wine
Shining in my jade cup
That sparks the night.
Let’s drink off
On our horse
In the harmony of our guitars.
Oh you, please do not laugh
If we all get drunk
And fall asleep in the battlefield,
Since ancient time,
How few come back
From the campaigns and wars?
Note: Guitar is actually six string instrument call Pipa.
涼州詞
王翰
葡萄美酒夜光杯，
欲飲琵琶馬上催。
醉臥沙場君莫笑，
古來征戰幾人回。
A SONG OF LIANGZHOU
By Tang Poet Wang Han
Translated by Laijon Liu
Tasteful grape wine
Shining in my jade cup
That sparks the night.
Let’s drink off
On our horse
In the harmony of our guitars.
Oh you, please do not laugh
If we all get drunk
And fall asleep in the battlefield,
Since ancient time,
How few come back
From the campaigns and wars?
Note: Guitar is actually six string instrument call Pipa.
涼州詞
王翰
葡萄美酒夜光杯，
欲飲琵琶馬上催。
醉臥沙場君莫笑，
古來征戰幾人回。
IN HER QUIET WINDOW
Tang Poem 300: #265
IN HER QUIET WINDOW
By Tang Poet Wang Changling
The young wife
In her bedroom
Knows not about sorrow.
In a sunny spring day,
She puts on makeup
And walks up to her green chamber.
In suddenness she sees
The green willows
Shade the side of road,
Then sorrow strikes,
And she regrets;
It’s too bad to push her husband to chase for ranks.
閨怨
王昌齡
閨中少婦不知愁，
春日凝妝上翠樓。
忽見陌頭楊柳色，
悔教夫婿覓封侯。
IN HER QUIET WINDOW
By Tang Poet Wang Changling
The young wife
In her bedroom
Knows not about sorrow.
In a sunny spring day,
She puts on makeup
And walks up to her green chamber.
In suddenness she sees
The green willows
Shade the side of road,
Then sorrow strikes,
And she regrets;
It’s too bad to push her husband to chase for ranks.
閨怨
王昌齡
閨中少婦不知愁，
春日凝妝上翠樓。
忽見陌頭楊柳色，
悔教夫婿覓封侯。
AT HIBISCUS INN PARTING WITH XIN JIAN
Tang Poem 300: #264
AT HIBISCUS INN PARTING WITH XIN JIAN
By Tang Poet Wang Changling
Cold rain showers into river
As the night falls
On the sky of Wu.
By the calm dawn,
After farewell to my guest,
I stand by myself as the lonely Mt. Chu.
In Luo Yang city,
If my family and friends ask
About my life here,
Then please tell them,
My heart is a piece of ice
That contained in a jade pot.
芙蓉樓送辛漸
王昌齡
寒雨連江夜入吳，
平明送客楚山孤。
洛陽親友如相問，
一片冰心在玉壺。
AT HIBISCUS INN PARTING WITH XIN JIAN
By Tang Poet Wang Changling
Cold rain showers into river
As the night falls
On the sky of Wu.
By the calm dawn,
After farewell to my guest,
I stand by myself as the lonely Mt. Chu.
In Luo Yang city,
If my family and friends ask
About my life here,
Then please tell them,
My heart is a piece of ice
That contained in a jade pot.
芙蓉樓送辛漸
王昌齡
寒雨連江夜入吳，
平明送客楚山孤。
洛陽親友如相問，
一片冰心在玉壺。
Miss My Brother on Sep Ninth
Tang Poem 300: # 263
Miss my brother on Sep Ninth
By Tang Poet Wang Wei
Alone drifting
In a strange land
As an odd guest.
On every holiday
I miss my family
With sorrow that hurts more.
From faraway I know
That my brother
Climbs the high place to see me.
Among the field,
The dogwood are planted all over,
But still lacks another figure.
九月九日憶山東兄弟
王維
獨在異鄉為異客，
每逢佳節倍思親。
遙知兄弟登高處，
遍插茱萸少一人。
Miss my brother on Sep Ninth
By Tang Poet Wang Wei
Alone drifting
In a strange land
As an odd guest.
On every holiday
I miss my family
With sorrow that hurts more.
From faraway I know
That my brother
Climbs the high place to see me.
Among the field,
The dogwood are planted all over,
But still lacks another figure.
九月九日憶山東兄弟
王維
獨在異鄉為異客，
每逢佳節倍思親。
遙知兄弟登高處，
遍插茱萸少一人。
COMING HOME
Tang Poem 300: # 261
COMING HOME
By Tang Poet He Zhizhang
Translated by Laijon Liu
Since young I leave home,
And now I return
With an age of old.
My accent is not yet changed,
But my hairs
Are turned gray.
My young grandchildren come
And greet me,
But they don’t know who I am.
With their bright smile they ask:
Hi, my guest.
Where are you from?
Chinese:
回鄉偶書
賀知章
少小離家老大回，
鄉音無改鬢毛衰；
兒童相見不相識，
笑問客從何處來。
COMING HOME
By Tang Poet He Zhizhang
Translated by Laijon Liu
Since young I leave home,
And now I return
With an age of old.
My accent is not yet changed,
But my hairs
Are turned gray.
My young grandchildren come
And greet me,
But they don’t know who I am.
With their bright smile they ask:
Hi, my guest.
Where are you from?
Chinese:
回鄉偶書
賀知章
少小離家老大回，
鄉音無改鬢毛衰；
兒童相見不相識，
笑問客從何處來。
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Haiku for Emily Dickinson
Haiku for Emily Dickinson
by Laijon Liu 2008
Remote cottage, quiet stream-
Emily lived and wrote
Her life verse.
Single pen, deep nights,
No one heard the silent cry
Of her notebook.
by Laijon Liu 2008
Remote cottage, quiet stream-
Emily lived and wrote
Her life verse.
Single pen, deep nights,
No one heard the silent cry
Of her notebook.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Mourn for the Ancient Battle Field (吊古战场文 唐-李华)
Mourn for the Ancient Battle Field
By Li Hua of Tang Dynasty
Translated by Laijon Liu
Oh vast!
Even sand without any slopes,
Immense and unpeopled ground,
Only the rivers belted the mountains.
At this dark and miserable place,
Wind moans and sun whitens.
Erigeron broken and grass dried up,
Morning is covered by the frosts.
Flying birds pass, do not land to rest;
Solo beasts lost, chases wildly for his pack.
The station captain tells me:
“This is the ancient battle field,
And many armies were sunk here.
In the dark cloudy days,
You may hear the crying of ghosts.”
I pity for them, and wonder:
Were they the soldiers of Qin or Han
Or the solders of present time?
I heard the time of Warring States,
When the states of Qi and Wei raised their taxes,
Then the states of Chu and Han recruited for battle.
Their soldiers traveled for ten thousands miles,
And year by year they marched in open land,
Gathering their herds in desert grass by dawn,
And at night they walked across the frozen river,
On vast earth and under the limitless skies
They lost their road to home.
In between their swords and spear,
They entrusted their dear live,
And full of bitter sorrows,
To whom they should tell?
Since the period of Qin and Han,
Our borders torched by frequent battles,
And middle kingdom was collapsed thru generations.
There is old saying:
“The tribal forces by our border
And common peoples within our kingdom
Do not fight against a righteous court;
But now our civilized teaching lost its course,
So our martial officials dominated our court,
Their strategy never matches righteous way,
And the way of a king is not proper for a vast land.”
Sigh.
I think the north winds rolling across the desert,
The tribal forces take their chances to attack us.
Our general leads with his pride,
Who is only able to react above the gate.
In the field he rushes to raise our banner,
And our old soldiers march into their formations.
The strict commands are carried out by fear,
And honor is to be respected, but life is cheap.
Sharpening arrows pierce through flesh and bones,
Storming sands strike the figures and faces.
Our soldiers and foes struggle and fight,
The mountains and rivers are trembled by their cries.
Their loud howls can shut the rivers,
Rolling across the sky as thunders.
Not to mention the dense dark clouds,
Blanket the heaven and cover the earth,
Freezing breeze fogged our borders.
Stored snow sunk leg and knee,
Icy freezes hair and beard.
Even the vultures are hiding in their cave,
Battle horses are hesitated to march forward.
Amours and cloth are freezing cold,
Every hand and fingers are frostbite,
Skins break and muscles are torn.
Such bitter cold weather only favors the tribal force,
In the cold winter season they come and loot and slaughter.
Our captains are surrendered, then our general is killed.
Dead bodies piled up the river bank,
And blood filled the holes under the great wall.
Whether they are noble or commons,
The same they shall be the dry bones in the wild field.
There is no word to describe!
The drum sound weakens and fades,
Our soldiers’ spirit is broken and their strength withered,
Their arrows are gone, and the bowstrings are broke.
So they hold their sword and saber
Dash into close combat,
But their strong blades are split;
Two sides are pressing hard for life or death.
Give up? Then be a slave in a strange land for life.
Keep fighting? Only another dead body unburied!
Birds sing no song, mountains stand in silence,
Long dark night, the wind blows his sorrow,
Lost lingering souls curdle, the sky dims,
Ghosts and gods gather as dark clouds pile.
Sunlight does not shine here, so plants never grow,
Only the moon reflects her grieving light on frost.
There is never a scene as dreadful as this in our world!
I heard that General Li Mu leads the army of Zhao,
Breaks the attack of the tribal force,
And gains the land of thousand miles,
So Xiong Nu flees far away.
But the Emperor of Han drains nation to defend,
Only obtains a bankrupt result.
Nation’s security is depended on officials, not the number of armies.
Dynasty Zhou drive away their foes,
And stop their marching at Tai Yuan,
Build a city in the north for defense,
Then pull back all their force to capitol for victory,
In their temple they offer their rites and drinks,
Record their success and give promotions,
Then all people are happy and live in peace.
Emperor and officials work with respects.
The first Emperor Qin builds the great wall to east sea shore,
Countless live are devastated,
And fresh blood paint ten thousand miles land.
And emperor of Han wages war on Xiong Nu,
Even though he captures the Mount Yin,
Still many his soldier’s bodies cover the vast field,
His achievement does not match with disaster.
I wonder people live under heaven,
Who does not have parents?
Years of their feeding to only fear they will die young.
Who does not have siblings? As his hands and feet?
Who does not love his wife as friend and partner?
Those somehow live, to whom they shall give their thanks?
Those fall in battle, to whom they shall give their blames?
Whether they are live or dead, no one from their home knows.
Even if their family hears some message, they still don’t believe.
All day they sit in sorrow, only wish to reunite in dream.
They can only offer their sacrifice and libation drink,
And then look toward far heaven and cry gushing tears.
Heaven and Earth worry for them, grass and woods grieve for them.
How could they tell their feeling thru sacrifice?
And where the lost souls should go?
Not to mention the drought comes after war,
People would drift and disperse.
I sigh and ask that we live by fate or by choice?
Because such dreadful thing troubles us since ancient times!
How should we do?
Because the defense of our nation is rely on our friendship with neighbors.
Note:
This is a prose poem that is written by an official of Tang Emperor, for the purpose of stopping war. Judging from his writing, I know his is a talented official that can really helps his nation, not only his nation, but his neighbor nations should trust him also. I wonder if nation picks her officials like Mr. Li Hua, then all people will live in a peaceful life, and nation with nation work in friendship not thru power or wars, maybe I am just dreaming. Anyway, this prose poem is for officials and politicians, anyone may use it and memorize it free of charge, so I could feel I’ve done something for world peace.
Chinese:
吊 古 战 场 文 （唐）李华
浩浩乎！平沙无垠，不见人，河水萦带，群山纠纷。黯兮惨悴，
风悲日曛。蓬断草枯，凛若霜晨。鸟飞不下，兽铤亡群。亭长告余曰：
“此古战场也。常覆三军，往往鬼哭，天阴则闻。”
伤心哉！秦欤？汉欤？将近代欤？吾闻夫齐魏徭戌，荆韩召募，
万里奔走，连年暴露。沙草晨牧，河冰夜渡；地阔天长，不知归路。
寄身锋刃，【月＋福之右】臆谁诉？秦汉而还，多事四夷；中州耗
【睾攵】，无世无之。古称戎夏，不抗王师。文教失宣，武臣用奇；
奇兵有异于仁义，王道迂阔而莫为。
呜呼噫嘻！吾想夫北风振漠，胡兵伺便。主将骄敌，期门受战。
野竖旄旗，川回组练。法重心骇，威尊命贱。利镞穿骨，惊沙入面。
主客相搏，山川震眩。声析江河，势崩雷电。
至若穷阴凝闭，凛冽海隅；积雪没胫，坚冰在须。鸷鸟休巢，征
马踟蹰，缯纩无温，堕指裂肤。当此苦寒，天假强胡，凭陵杀气，以
相剪屠。径截辎重，横攻士卒；都尉新降，将军覆没。尸填巨港之岸，
血满长城之窟。无贵无贱，同为枯骨，可胜言哉！鼓衰兮力尽，矢竭
兮弦绝。白刃交兮宝刀折，两军蹙兮生死决。降矣哉，终身夷狄；战
矣哉，骨暴沙砾。鸟无声兮山寂寂，夜正长兮风淅淅。魂魄结兮天沉
沉，鬼神聚兮云幂幂。日光寒兮草短，月色苦兮霜白。伤心惨目，有
如是耶？
吾闻之：牧用赵卒，大破林胡，开地千里，遁逃匈奴。汉倾天下，
财殚力【疒甫】。任人而已，其在多乎？周逐猃狁，北至太原，既城
朔方，全师而还。饮至策勋，和乐且闲。穆穆棣棣，君臣之间。秦起
长城，竟海为关，荼毒生灵，万里朱殷。汉击匈奴，虽得阴山，枕骸
遍野，功不补患。
苍苍蒸民，谁无父母？提携捧负，畏其不寿。谁无兄弟，如手如
足？谁无夫妇，如宾如友？生也何恩，杀之何咎？其存其没，家莫闻
知。人或有言，将信将疑。【涓涓】（“忄”代 “氵”）心目，寝
寐见之。布奠倾觞，哭望天涯。天地为愁，草木凄悲。吊祭不至，精
魂何依？必有凶年，人其流离。鸣呼噫嘻！时耶命耶？从古如斯。为
之奈何，守在四夷。
By Li Hua of Tang Dynasty
Translated by Laijon Liu
Oh vast!
Even sand without any slopes,
Immense and unpeopled ground,
Only the rivers belted the mountains.
At this dark and miserable place,
Wind moans and sun whitens.
Erigeron broken and grass dried up,
Morning is covered by the frosts.
Flying birds pass, do not land to rest;
Solo beasts lost, chases wildly for his pack.
The station captain tells me:
“This is the ancient battle field,
And many armies were sunk here.
In the dark cloudy days,
You may hear the crying of ghosts.”
I pity for them, and wonder:
Were they the soldiers of Qin or Han
Or the solders of present time?
I heard the time of Warring States,
When the states of Qi and Wei raised their taxes,
Then the states of Chu and Han recruited for battle.
Their soldiers traveled for ten thousands miles,
And year by year they marched in open land,
Gathering their herds in desert grass by dawn,
And at night they walked across the frozen river,
On vast earth and under the limitless skies
They lost their road to home.
In between their swords and spear,
They entrusted their dear live,
And full of bitter sorrows,
To whom they should tell?
Since the period of Qin and Han,
Our borders torched by frequent battles,
And middle kingdom was collapsed thru generations.
There is old saying:
“The tribal forces by our border
And common peoples within our kingdom
Do not fight against a righteous court;
But now our civilized teaching lost its course,
So our martial officials dominated our court,
Their strategy never matches righteous way,
And the way of a king is not proper for a vast land.”
Sigh.
I think the north winds rolling across the desert,
The tribal forces take their chances to attack us.
Our general leads with his pride,
Who is only able to react above the gate.
In the field he rushes to raise our banner,
And our old soldiers march into their formations.
The strict commands are carried out by fear,
And honor is to be respected, but life is cheap.
Sharpening arrows pierce through flesh and bones,
Storming sands strike the figures and faces.
Our soldiers and foes struggle and fight,
The mountains and rivers are trembled by their cries.
Their loud howls can shut the rivers,
Rolling across the sky as thunders.
Not to mention the dense dark clouds,
Blanket the heaven and cover the earth,
Freezing breeze fogged our borders.
Stored snow sunk leg and knee,
Icy freezes hair and beard.
Even the vultures are hiding in their cave,
Battle horses are hesitated to march forward.
Amours and cloth are freezing cold,
Every hand and fingers are frostbite,
Skins break and muscles are torn.
Such bitter cold weather only favors the tribal force,
In the cold winter season they come and loot and slaughter.
Our captains are surrendered, then our general is killed.
Dead bodies piled up the river bank,
And blood filled the holes under the great wall.
Whether they are noble or commons,
The same they shall be the dry bones in the wild field.
There is no word to describe!
The drum sound weakens and fades,
Our soldiers’ spirit is broken and their strength withered,
Their arrows are gone, and the bowstrings are broke.
So they hold their sword and saber
Dash into close combat,
But their strong blades are split;
Two sides are pressing hard for life or death.
Give up? Then be a slave in a strange land for life.
Keep fighting? Only another dead body unburied!
Birds sing no song, mountains stand in silence,
Long dark night, the wind blows his sorrow,
Lost lingering souls curdle, the sky dims,
Ghosts and gods gather as dark clouds pile.
Sunlight does not shine here, so plants never grow,
Only the moon reflects her grieving light on frost.
There is never a scene as dreadful as this in our world!
I heard that General Li Mu leads the army of Zhao,
Breaks the attack of the tribal force,
And gains the land of thousand miles,
So Xiong Nu flees far away.
But the Emperor of Han drains nation to defend,
Only obtains a bankrupt result.
Nation’s security is depended on officials, not the number of armies.
Dynasty Zhou drive away their foes,
And stop their marching at Tai Yuan,
Build a city in the north for defense,
Then pull back all their force to capitol for victory,
In their temple they offer their rites and drinks,
Record their success and give promotions,
Then all people are happy and live in peace.
Emperor and officials work with respects.
The first Emperor Qin builds the great wall to east sea shore,
Countless live are devastated,
And fresh blood paint ten thousand miles land.
And emperor of Han wages war on Xiong Nu,
Even though he captures the Mount Yin,
Still many his soldier’s bodies cover the vast field,
His achievement does not match with disaster.
I wonder people live under heaven,
Who does not have parents?
Years of their feeding to only fear they will die young.
Who does not have siblings? As his hands and feet?
Who does not love his wife as friend and partner?
Those somehow live, to whom they shall give their thanks?
Those fall in battle, to whom they shall give their blames?
Whether they are live or dead, no one from their home knows.
Even if their family hears some message, they still don’t believe.
All day they sit in sorrow, only wish to reunite in dream.
They can only offer their sacrifice and libation drink,
And then look toward far heaven and cry gushing tears.
Heaven and Earth worry for them, grass and woods grieve for them.
How could they tell their feeling thru sacrifice?
And where the lost souls should go?
Not to mention the drought comes after war,
People would drift and disperse.
I sigh and ask that we live by fate or by choice?
Because such dreadful thing troubles us since ancient times!
How should we do?
Because the defense of our nation is rely on our friendship with neighbors.
Note:
This is a prose poem that is written by an official of Tang Emperor, for the purpose of stopping war. Judging from his writing, I know his is a talented official that can really helps his nation, not only his nation, but his neighbor nations should trust him also. I wonder if nation picks her officials like Mr. Li Hua, then all people will live in a peaceful life, and nation with nation work in friendship not thru power or wars, maybe I am just dreaming. Anyway, this prose poem is for officials and politicians, anyone may use it and memorize it free of charge, so I could feel I’ve done something for world peace.
Chinese:
吊 古 战 场 文 （唐）李华
浩浩乎！平沙无垠，不见人，河水萦带，群山纠纷。黯兮惨悴，
风悲日曛。蓬断草枯，凛若霜晨。鸟飞不下，兽铤亡群。亭长告余曰：
“此古战场也。常覆三军，往往鬼哭，天阴则闻。”
伤心哉！秦欤？汉欤？将近代欤？吾闻夫齐魏徭戌，荆韩召募，
万里奔走，连年暴露。沙草晨牧，河冰夜渡；地阔天长，不知归路。
寄身锋刃，【月＋福之右】臆谁诉？秦汉而还，多事四夷；中州耗
【睾攵】，无世无之。古称戎夏，不抗王师。文教失宣，武臣用奇；
奇兵有异于仁义，王道迂阔而莫为。
呜呼噫嘻！吾想夫北风振漠，胡兵伺便。主将骄敌，期门受战。
野竖旄旗，川回组练。法重心骇，威尊命贱。利镞穿骨，惊沙入面。
主客相搏，山川震眩。声析江河，势崩雷电。
至若穷阴凝闭，凛冽海隅；积雪没胫，坚冰在须。鸷鸟休巢，征
马踟蹰，缯纩无温，堕指裂肤。当此苦寒，天假强胡，凭陵杀气，以
相剪屠。径截辎重，横攻士卒；都尉新降，将军覆没。尸填巨港之岸，
血满长城之窟。无贵无贱，同为枯骨，可胜言哉！鼓衰兮力尽，矢竭
兮弦绝。白刃交兮宝刀折，两军蹙兮生死决。降矣哉，终身夷狄；战
矣哉，骨暴沙砾。鸟无声兮山寂寂，夜正长兮风淅淅。魂魄结兮天沉
沉，鬼神聚兮云幂幂。日光寒兮草短，月色苦兮霜白。伤心惨目，有
如是耶？
吾闻之：牧用赵卒，大破林胡，开地千里，遁逃匈奴。汉倾天下，
财殚力【疒甫】。任人而已，其在多乎？周逐猃狁，北至太原，既城
朔方，全师而还。饮至策勋，和乐且闲。穆穆棣棣，君臣之间。秦起
长城，竟海为关，荼毒生灵，万里朱殷。汉击匈奴，虽得阴山，枕骸
遍野，功不补患。
苍苍蒸民，谁无父母？提携捧负，畏其不寿。谁无兄弟，如手如
足？谁无夫妇，如宾如友？生也何恩，杀之何咎？其存其没，家莫闻
知。人或有言，将信将疑。【涓涓】（“忄”代 “氵”）心目，寝
寐见之。布奠倾觞，哭望天涯。天地为愁，草木凄悲。吊祭不至，精
魂何依？必有凶年，人其流离。鸣呼噫嘻！时耶命耶？从古如斯。为
之奈何，守在四夷。
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Man Jiang Hong – General Yue Fei
Man Jiang Hong – Yue Fei
By General Yue Fei of Song Dynasty
Translated by Laijon Liu
My wrath bristles pierce thru my helmet,
By the rail I stand
To watch the whistling rain stopped.
I look up,
Facing the sky to give a long roar,
And strong passion surges in my chest.
Thirty years my triumph and fame are nothing but dust and dirt,
Eight thousands mile road I’ve traveled under the cloud and moon.
Do not wait,
For our young hair turn to gray,
So we can only give vain grief.
Shame of Jing Kang,
Is not yet revenged;
Regret of servants,
When shall all disperse?
Let’s drive our long chariots to raze
The Ridge of Helan Mountain!
With our brave will to feed our hunger on the flesh of Hu,
Thru our chat and jest we drink Xiong Nu’s blood for our thirst.
Let’s start anew,
To retake our past mountains and rivers
Before the court of Heavens!
Note:
When I was about 5, I went to Hang Zhou for a visit the General Yue Fei Temple, and kowtowed to his giant statue for my heartfelt tribute to my hero, a Nationalist of Song Dynasty, who died of his Emperor’s poison wine, so that way he would not lead national army and riot to save the nation from northern invaders, his emperor rather sit in his half kingdom, would not want to see any of his generals to liberate the fallen territory, because he was afraid the his general would gain more popularity than him, so his weak control would lose the grasp on people. And when I was 9/10, my father gave me a book that told a historical story of General Yue Fei. So he is always my model, my idol, and my hero.
I suggest people should visit his temple in Hang Zhuo, China; if one cannot, then please check the wikipedia website as follow link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yue_Fei
And following is a partial translate my Chinese Opera of "Tattoo By Mrs. Yue"
that is telling the story of Mother of General Yue Fei gave a tattoo her son to remind him to always serve his country.
Tattoo by Mother of General Yue Fei
(Chinese Opera, Partial translated by Laijon Liu )
Let Peng Ju come and stand in this grass room to listen
A good man should spread his fame under the heavens.
Remember that your mother has raised you for 20 years,
Only to wish you to retain a great will to protect our state.
But I’m afraid that my son you do not keep your origin will,
So I here to mark a tattoo to remind you as it’s on your heart
Tell your wife to bring the ink and put where you kneel
I raised my brush to carefully look my son’ back,
Thinking of that he should be a loyal model and righteous
To serve the emperor’s order for our nation as house girder
So I hereby print the four characters in full shape
Holding the needle with trembling hand and unease heart
his body of blood and flesh is my own birth and soul,
How could I be the mother and pierce my son’s skin and flesh?
So I can only bite my teeth and finish all the piercing work.
With grief and tear I break my own heart and gut.
A stroke by stroke I pierce the mark on his back,
My needle pierce on his flesh, breaks his mother’s heart.
And my son holds his pain without a sound and word,
Only the drops of blood and the drops of ink tainted his cloth.
I finish the four characters and I fell my spirit is gone…
“Sincere Loyalty Serves Nation” Words are heavy and heart is longed.
------
Poem in Chinese:
满江红
岳飞
怒髮衝冠，
憑欄處，
瀟瀟雨歇。
抬望眼，
仰天長嘯，
壯懷激烈。
三十功名塵與土，
八千里路雲和月。
莫等閒
白了少年頭，
空悲切。
靖康恥，
猶未雪；
臣子恨，
何時滅？
駕長車踏破
賀蘭山缺！
壯志飢餐胡虜肉，
笑談渴飲匈奴血。
待從頭
收拾舊山河，
朝天闕。
Opera in Chinese:
《岳母刺字》---岳母
〔劇情簡介〕 南宋初年，金兵南下，汴京留守杜充望風潰逃，后又可恥
地做了漢奸。
不愿投敵的杜充部將岳飛心灰意冷，一時糊涂，逃回家中伺
奉老母。
岳母曉之以民族大義，并在兒子背上刻下“精忠報國”四字，
勉勵岳 飛與敵寇血戰到底。
這段唱詞是現仍健在的馬少波先生所作。整個唱段大義凜然，
情真意切，是老旦行中最為出色的唱段之一。
〔西皮導板〕
叫鵬舉站草堂聽娘言講，
Let Peng Ju come and stand in this grass room to listen
〔回龍〕
好男兒理應當天下名揚。
A good man should spread his fame under the heavens,
〔慢板〕
想為娘二十載教兒成長，
Remember that your mother has raised you for 20 years,
惟望你懷大志扶保家邦。
Only to wish you to retain a great will to protect our state.
怕的是我的兒難堅志向，
But I’m afraid that my son you do not keep your origin will,
因此上刺字銘記在心房。
So I here to mark a tattoo to remind you as it’s on your heart
叫媳婦取筆硯兒寬衣跪在堂上，
Tell your wife to bring the ink and put where you kneel
〔原板〕
提羊毫撫兒背仔細端詳。
I raised my brush to carefully look my son’ back,
厲節操秉精忠作人榜樣，
Thinking of that he should be a loyal model and righteous
勤王命誓報國方為棟梁。
To serve the emperor’s order for our nation as house girder
我這里把四字書寫停當，
So I hereby print the four characters in full shape
〔散板〕
持金（zan）不由我手顫心慌。
holding the needle with trembling hand and unease heart
血肉軀原本是娘生娘養，
his body of blood and flesh is my own birth and soul,
為娘的哪 能夠將兒的膚發傷。
how could I be the mother and pierce my son’s skin and flesh?
無耐何咬牙關把字刺上，
so I can only bite my teeth and finish all the piercing work.
〔快板〕
含悲忍淚狠心腸。
with grief and tear I break my own heart and gut.
一筆一划刺背上，
a stroke and a stroke I pierce the mark on his back,
刺在兒背娘心傷。
my needle pierce on his flesh, breaks his mother’s heart.
我的兒忍痛無話講，
and my son holds his pain without a sound and word,
點點血墨染衣裳。
only the drops of blood and the drops of ink tainted his cloth.
刺罷了四字我心神恍……
I finish the four characters and I fell my spirit is gone.
〔散板〕
“精忠報國”語重心長。
“Sincere Loyalty Serves Nation” Words are heavy and heart is longed.
By General Yue Fei of Song Dynasty
Translated by Laijon Liu
My wrath bristles pierce thru my helmet,
By the rail I stand
To watch the whistling rain stopped.
I look up,
Facing the sky to give a long roar,
And strong passion surges in my chest.
Thirty years my triumph and fame are nothing but dust and dirt,
Eight thousands mile road I’ve traveled under the cloud and moon.
Do not wait,
For our young hair turn to gray,
So we can only give vain grief.
Shame of Jing Kang,
Is not yet revenged;
Regret of servants,
When shall all disperse?
Let’s drive our long chariots to raze
The Ridge of Helan Mountain!
With our brave will to feed our hunger on the flesh of Hu,
Thru our chat and jest we drink Xiong Nu’s blood for our thirst.
Let’s start anew,
To retake our past mountains and rivers
Before the court of Heavens!
Note:
When I was about 5, I went to Hang Zhou for a visit the General Yue Fei Temple, and kowtowed to his giant statue for my heartfelt tribute to my hero, a Nationalist of Song Dynasty, who died of his Emperor’s poison wine, so that way he would not lead national army and riot to save the nation from northern invaders, his emperor rather sit in his half kingdom, would not want to see any of his generals to liberate the fallen territory, because he was afraid the his general would gain more popularity than him, so his weak control would lose the grasp on people. And when I was 9/10, my father gave me a book that told a historical story of General Yue Fei. So he is always my model, my idol, and my hero.
I suggest people should visit his temple in Hang Zhuo, China; if one cannot, then please check the wikipedia website as follow link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yue_Fei
And following is a partial translate my Chinese Opera of "Tattoo By Mrs. Yue"
that is telling the story of Mother of General Yue Fei gave a tattoo her son to remind him to always serve his country.
Tattoo by Mother of General Yue Fei
(Chinese Opera, Partial translated by Laijon Liu )
Let Peng Ju come and stand in this grass room to listen
A good man should spread his fame under the heavens.
Remember that your mother has raised you for 20 years,
Only to wish you to retain a great will to protect our state.
But I’m afraid that my son you do not keep your origin will,
So I here to mark a tattoo to remind you as it’s on your heart
Tell your wife to bring the ink and put where you kneel
I raised my brush to carefully look my son’ back,
Thinking of that he should be a loyal model and righteous
To serve the emperor’s order for our nation as house girder
So I hereby print the four characters in full shape
Holding the needle with trembling hand and unease heart
his body of blood and flesh is my own birth and soul,
How could I be the mother and pierce my son’s skin and flesh?
So I can only bite my teeth and finish all the piercing work.
With grief and tear I break my own heart and gut.
A stroke by stroke I pierce the mark on his back,
My needle pierce on his flesh, breaks his mother’s heart.
And my son holds his pain without a sound and word,
Only the drops of blood and the drops of ink tainted his cloth.
I finish the four characters and I fell my spirit is gone…
“Sincere Loyalty Serves Nation” Words are heavy and heart is longed.
------
Poem in Chinese:
满江红
岳飞
怒髮衝冠，
憑欄處，
瀟瀟雨歇。
抬望眼，
仰天長嘯，
壯懷激烈。
三十功名塵與土，
八千里路雲和月。
莫等閒
白了少年頭，
空悲切。
靖康恥，
猶未雪；
臣子恨，
何時滅？
駕長車踏破
賀蘭山缺！
壯志飢餐胡虜肉，
笑談渴飲匈奴血。
待從頭
收拾舊山河，
朝天闕。
Opera in Chinese:
《岳母刺字》---岳母
〔劇情簡介〕 南宋初年，金兵南下，汴京留守杜充望風潰逃，后又可恥
地做了漢奸。
不愿投敵的杜充部將岳飛心灰意冷，一時糊涂，逃回家中伺
奉老母。
岳母曉之以民族大義，并在兒子背上刻下“精忠報國”四字，
勉勵岳 飛與敵寇血戰到底。
這段唱詞是現仍健在的馬少波先生所作。整個唱段大義凜然，
情真意切，是老旦行中最為出色的唱段之一。
〔西皮導板〕
叫鵬舉站草堂聽娘言講，
Let Peng Ju come and stand in this grass room to listen
〔回龍〕
好男兒理應當天下名揚。
A good man should spread his fame under the heavens,
〔慢板〕
想為娘二十載教兒成長，
Remember that your mother has raised you for 20 years,
惟望你懷大志扶保家邦。
Only to wish you to retain a great will to protect our state.
怕的是我的兒難堅志向，
But I’m afraid that my son you do not keep your origin will,
因此上刺字銘記在心房。
So I here to mark a tattoo to remind you as it’s on your heart
叫媳婦取筆硯兒寬衣跪在堂上，
Tell your wife to bring the ink and put where you kneel
〔原板〕
提羊毫撫兒背仔細端詳。
I raised my brush to carefully look my son’ back,
厲節操秉精忠作人榜樣，
Thinking of that he should be a loyal model and righteous
勤王命誓報國方為棟梁。
To serve the emperor’s order for our nation as house girder
我這里把四字書寫停當，
So I hereby print the four characters in full shape
〔散板〕
持金（zan）不由我手顫心慌。
holding the needle with trembling hand and unease heart
血肉軀原本是娘生娘養，
his body of blood and flesh is my own birth and soul,
為娘的哪 能夠將兒的膚發傷。
how could I be the mother and pierce my son’s skin and flesh?
無耐何咬牙關把字刺上，
so I can only bite my teeth and finish all the piercing work.
〔快板〕
含悲忍淚狠心腸。
with grief and tear I break my own heart and gut.
一筆一划刺背上，
a stroke and a stroke I pierce the mark on his back,
刺在兒背娘心傷。
my needle pierce on his flesh, breaks his mother’s heart.
我的兒忍痛無話講，
and my son holds his pain without a sound and word,
點點血墨染衣裳。
only the drops of blood and the drops of ink tainted his cloth.
刺罷了四字我心神恍……
I finish the four characters and I fell my spirit is gone.
〔散板〕
“精忠報國”語重心長。
“Sincere Loyalty Serves Nation” Words are heavy and heart is longed.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Pu Sa Man (Pillow Swear)
Pu Sa Man (Pillow Swear)
By Anonymous of Tang Dynasty
Translated by Laijon Liu
By the pillow I give a thousand swears:
(No break! No break! And No break!)
Until the green mountains were mashed;
And the stone weight of steelyard floats;
And the Yellow river dried up her drops;
The night stars glare with the white sun;
The North Pole Seven stars shift to south;
Still, we are not going to break!
Until the sun shines at this midnight hour.
Chinese:
菩萨蛮
（敦煌曲子词）
枕前发尽千般愿，
要休且待青山烂。
水面上秤锤浮，
直待黄河彻底枯。
白日参辰现，
北斗回南面。
休即未能休，
且待三更见日头。
By Anonymous of Tang Dynasty
Translated by Laijon Liu
By the pillow I give a thousand swears:
(No break! No break! And No break!)
Until the green mountains were mashed;
And the stone weight of steelyard floats;
And the Yellow river dried up her drops;
The night stars glare with the white sun;
The North Pole Seven stars shift to south;
Still, we are not going to break!
Until the sun shines at this midnight hour.
Chinese:
菩萨蛮
（敦煌曲子词）
枕前发尽千般愿，
要休且待青山烂。
水面上秤锤浮，
直待黄河彻底枯。
白日参辰现，
北斗回南面。
休即未能休，
且待三更见日头。
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