Friday, February 29, 2008

Nian Nu Jiao Poem of Red Cliffs 念奴娇 赤壁怀古

Nian Nu Jiao (Poem of Red Cliffs)
By Poet Mr. Su Shi / Su Dong Po (Song Dynasty)

Oh Great River to the east she flowed.
Her billows cleansed and washed off
Thousands generations and romantic figures.
The ancient ramparts set upon her west bank,
Claimed the monument of Red Cliffs,
Were once built by Zhou Yu of Three Kingdoms.

Massive stony peaks pierced into the sky,
Quaking waves splashing upon her shore,
Spilled thousand piles of snow.
River and mountains as a painted landscape,
Within it, how many heroes were once lived!

I try to imagine the time of Zhou Yu,
When Ms. Xiao Qiao just married him,
How handsome and prestigious he was!
But in between the feather fan and silk ribbon,
Through the laughter and leisured chat,
All mighty foes were swept away
And dispersed like dust and smoke.

The old kingdoms in its spirit I journeyed,
Thru my infatuation, that only grew me gray hair.
Life as dream! I shall toast a libation
To the river and her moon.


Note:

‘the feather fan and silk ribbon, Through the laughter and leisured chat’ – indicates Mr. Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei’s advisor. (more info. Search Wikipedia.org)

Chinese:

念奴娇 赤壁怀古
苏轼

大江东去,浪淘尽、千古风流人物。
故垒西边人道是,三国周郎赤壁。

乱石穿空,惊涛拍岸,卷起千堆雪。
江山如画,一时多少豪杰!

遥想公谨当年,小乔初嫁了,雄姿英发。
羽扇纶巾谈笑间,强虏灰飞烟灭。

故国神游,多情应笑,我早生华发。
人生如梦,一尊还酹江月。