Author: Thomas

中文原文﹕

漁翁夜傍西巖宿，
曉汲清湘燃楚燭。
煙銷日出不見人，
欸乃一聲山水綠。
迴看天際下中流，
巖上無心雲相逐。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

An old angler I am, I put up by a bluff on the west side of the river for the night,
At dawn I draw water from the crystalline Xiang and with bamboos of Chu I build a fire.
Fog has faded and scattered away yet there is still no other in sight,
In the green of the mountains and waters I pole my boat away as I heave a sigh.
I turn around to see the distant horizon, from where pour torrents of white water,
Over the bluff drift mindless clouds chasing one another in the sky.

.

中文原文﹕

張生手持石鼓文，
勸我試作石鼓歌。
少陵無人謫仙死，
才薄將奈石鼓何？

周綱淩遲四海沸，
宣王憤起揮天戈；
大開明堂受朝賀，
諸侯劍佩鳴相磨。
搜于岐陽騁雄俊，
萬里禽獸皆遮羅。
鐫功勒成告萬世，
鑿石作鼓隳嵯峨。
從臣才藝咸第一，
揀選撰刻留山阿。

雨淋日炙野火燎，
鬼物守護煩撝呵。
公從何處得紙本？
毫髮盡備無差訛。
辭嚴義密讀難曉，
字體不類隸與蝌。
年深豈免有缺畫？
快劍砍斷生蛟鼉。
鸞翔鳳翥眾仙下，
珊瑚碧樹交枝柯。
金繩鐵索鎖鈕壯，
古鼎躍水龍騰梭。
陋儒褊詩不收入，
二雅褊迫無委蛇。
孔子西行不到秦，
掎摭星宿遺羲娥。

嗟予好古生苦晚，
對此涕淚雙滂沱。
憶昔初蒙博士徵，
其年始改稱元和。
故人從軍在右輔，
為我度量掘臼科。
濯冠沐浴告祭酒，
如此至寶存豈多？
氈包席裹可立致，
十鼓祇載數駱駝。
薦諸太廟比郜鼎，
光價豈止百倍過。
聖恩若許留太學，
諸生講解得切磋。
觀經鴻都尚填咽，
坐見舉國來奔波。
剜苔剔蘚露節角，
安置妥帖平不頗。
大廈深簷與蓋覆，
經歷久遠期無佗。

中朝大官老於事，
詎肯感激徒媕婀？
牧童敲火牛礪角，
誰復著手為摩挲？
日銷月鑠就埋沒，
六年西顧空吟哦。
羲之俗書趁姿媚，
數紙尚可博白鵝。
繼周八代爭戰罷，
無人收拾理則那。
方今太平日無事，
柄任儒術崇丘軻。
安能以此上論列？
願借辯口如懸河。
石鼓之歌止於此，
嗚呼吾意其蹉跎。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

Zhang Ji had in his hand a copy of the Stone Drum inscriptions,
He urged me to try and write an ode to the inscribed stone drums.
Poets like Du Fu of Shaoling and Li Bai of transcendent genius had died,
How could I his request comply when I am not talented enough?

Failure to adhere to law and discipline caused Zhou dynasty's to suffer civil unrest,
Emperor Xuan exerted himself and led an battle to bring about a restoration;
Assembled in a grand hall he accepted the congratulations of the lords,
Where swords and jades by their waist clattered as they with each other shoulders rubbed.
Out on an autumn hunt on the sunny side of Mount Chi he showed his omnipotence,
Capturing every bird and beast over tens of thousands of square fathoms.
Recording officers made notes of his greatness to history pass on,
And chiselled drums out of rocks by smoothing away all corners and roughness.
His courtiers had first-rate talent and skills,
Prudently they selected a number of pieces to leave there in the mountains.

Though these stone drums have suffered the elements of weather and wild fire,
They have been protected and looked after by spirits and souls sedulously.
My friend, from where did you obtain a copy of these inscriptions?
The script appear intact and without smudges.
The phrases and sentences are strictly worded and profound,
The script is neither clerical nor archetypical.
Since the inscriptions are of great antiquity, could they be lacking in brush strokes?
Vigorous are the strokes, like swift sword movements that could dragons slash asunder.
Some strokes seem like phoenixes fluttering in the wind carrying heavenly gods,
Or like green coral branches with sprigs and sprays that interlock.
Some seem to have the strength of golden strings and iron wires, tightly intertwined,
Or like an ancient tripod aplomb in the water over which a dragon shuttles.
Submissive scholars did not include these inscriptions into the Book of Songs,
The two Refined Texts are scanty in their collections, rendering them rather unsubstantial.
When Confucius toured towards the west, he never made it as far as Qin,
His collection of texts was like that of celestial bodies but without the moon and the sun.

For I am an admirer of antiquities, it is my regret that I was born ages to late,
Seeing a rubbing of these inscriptions makes my tears pour and run.
I remember the days when I was just bestowed a doctorate and professorship,
That was also the year we the Yuanhe era entered upon.
I have a friend who is a major in the army,
He made arrangements to excavate sites for these stone drums.
So I gave myself an ablution and prepared for a ceremony,
I reminded them, there couldn't be many of them extant, could there?
They should have any uncovered wrapped in felt mats,
Then they should be able to haul the ten drums here on camel-back.
They should be consecrated in the Great Shrine like the tripods from the Gao region,
Their worth would be beyond a hundredfold the labour and tug.
If our emperor could allow them to be kept in the Great Academy,
Then all pupils could participate in discussions to the inscriptions study.
The Han script was regularised on a stele erected by the Grand City Gate for all to see,
Many came from all over travelling great distances to transcribe and take a rubbing.
After gouging out and picking off the mosses to reveal the edges and turns of the strokes,
They should be placed in a secure environment protected from harm and roughness.
Under a mansion of extensive coverage and wide overhanging eaves,
The artefacts would be able to ages survive without enduring sufferings.

The dignitaries of our court are experienced officers at work,
Why couldn't they weigh in on this matter to indecision resolve?
The drums were left behind for shepherd boys to fire strike and bulls their horns sharpen,
Who would be there to heritage hold on to and culture cultivate?
By and by, with the setting of the sun and waning of the moon they'd suffer neglect,
For the past six years this matter in the west has occupied my mind, yet all is in vain,
Not concerned with accuracy, Wang Xizhi used to sell his elegant writing,
It would only take a few sheets of his scrawl in exchange for white geese that he loved.
After Zhou, there have been eight dynasties of chaos and warring,
Without someone to the society set straight, orderliness could only stumble.
Nowadays in quiet times, peace reigns,
Followers of the revered Confucianism are praising Kong Qiu and Meng Ke,
How could I ever make them see the merit of my recommendation?
How I wished I could rely on their eloquence to support my suggestion.
My ode to the Stone Drum Inscriptions comes to an end on this note,
Aye, my idea and ideal could only idle way in my consciousness.

.

中文原文﹕

五嶽祭秩皆三公，
四方環鎮嵩當中。
火維地荒足妖怪，
天假神柄專其雄。
噴雲泄霧藏半腹，
雖有絕頂誰能窮？

我來正逢秋雨節，
陰氣晦昧無清風。
潛心默禱若有應，
豈非正直能感通？
須臾靜掃眾峰出，
仰見突兀撐青空。
紫蓋連延接天柱，
石廩騰擲堆祝融。
森然魄動下馬拜，
松柏一逕趨靈宮。
粉牆丹柱動光彩，
鬼物圖畫填青紅。
升堦傴僂薦脯酒，
欲以菲薄明其衷。

廟內老人識神意，
睢盱偵伺能鞠躬。
手持盃珓導我擲，
云此最吉餘難同。
竄逐蠻荒幸不死，
衣食纔足甘長終。
侯王將相望久絕，
神縱欲福難為功。

夜投佛寺上高閣，
星月掩映雲曈曨。
猿鳴鐘動不知曙，
杲杲寒日生於東。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

Customary services honouring the Five Great Mountains can be hosted by dignitaries only,
Situated amidst the four mountains in four corners is the fifth, Mount Song.
Denoting the element of fire, this land is barren and full of evil spirits,
Heaven thus bestowed upon the mountain's spirit mighty power to the territory oversee.
On the hillside, clouds and fog wreathe around,
There are peaks above, yet who can the summit surmount and stand on its top?

The timing of my visit coincides with the season of autumn rain,
There is not a breeze in this gloomy weather that is hazy and moist.
I pray quietly mustering great concentration, if I could spirits touch,
Wouldn't it be because probity can really heaven reach and nature call forth?
Shortly after, the weather clears up and many peaks appear,
I raise my head to admire the soaring mountain range holding up a blue dome.
The Peak of Violet Crown stretches over to join the Peak of Heavenly Monolith,
As the Peak of Piling Boulders seems to tower over the Peak of Fire God.
This awe-inspiring landscape moves me to dismount and pay my respect,
Along the trail, pines and cypresses lead me to the Mountain Temple of Song.
Whitewashed walls with crimson columns stand animated and glorious,
Paintings of the spiritual are full of colours that interlock.
I hunched my back with respect as I presented preserved meat and wine up the stairs,
They represent my sincerity and faith, though immaterial are my offerings.

The elder of the temple knows how to god's intent read,
His eyes are wide open, bright and piercing, and still capable of bowing is his body.
He holds divination wedges in his hands and teaches me how to give a proper toss,
He then says my toss returned a most auspicious forecast matched by no other.
I suppose being still alive after an exile to savage lands for so long,
I'd be satisfied if for the rest of my life I never had to worry about food and clothes.
Forever gone for me is the hope of becoming a general, a minister or a nobleman,
Not even the blessing of the mountain's spirit could make it come off.

In the tower of the temple I take up my lodging for the night,
The moon and stars are enshrouded by clouds, and their shine obscured.
Amid howling of gibbons and tolling of bells, there arrives dawn unnoticed,
I wake up and see the frosty sun gaining height in the east inspiring awe.

.

中文原文﹕

纖雲四卷天無河，
清風吹空月舒波。
沙平水息聲影絕，
一杯相屬君當歌。
君歌聲酸辭且苦，
不能聽終淚如雨。

洞庭連天九疑高，
蛟龍出沒猩鼯號。
十生九死到官所，
幽居默默如藏逃。
下牀畏蛇食畏藥，
海氣濕蟄熏腥臊。

昨者州前槌大鼓，
嗣皇繼聖登夔皋。
赦書一日行萬里，
罪從大辟皆除死。
遷者追回流者還，
滌瑕蕩垢清朝班。
州家申名使家抑，
坎軻祇得移荊蠻。
判司卑官不堪說，
未免捶楚塵埃間。
同時輩流多上道，
天路幽險難追攀。

君歌且休聽我歌，
我歌今與君殊科。
一年明月今宵多，
人生由命非由他；
有酒不飲奈明何？

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

Ribbons of clouds gather and spread, not visible is the Milky Way in the sky,
A light breeze wafts through, in the water softly ripples moonshine.
Next to the quiet waters is the sand among the stillness of seclusion,
I raise my chalice to you urging you to give us a recital.
However your singing is aggrieved and your lyric bitter,
Before you could finish, before I could hear all, my tears fall like rain as I cry.

The waters of Dongting expand to the heaven joined by the soaring Doubtful Mountains,
Water dragons creep in the water, overland gibbons and foxes howl.
We've survived too many deadly setbacks to arrive at our posts on one last stretch of luck,
Quietly we take up residence here as if we are hiding out.
When we get out of bed and when we eat, there are snakes and poisons to fear,
The moist sea air dampens everything giving rise to mould that smells rotten and foul.

It seemed only yesterday when drum rolls came from the State Office,
Broadcasting a prince's enthronement who is willing to employ the virtuous highbrow.
Then came a decree of pardon apace as if hastened through thousands of miles a day,
Allowing even those sentenced to death to carry on living.
Those in exile and banished got to return to where they were,
The Court was to undergo a reform for a thorough cleansing.
The State Office have nominated us for review but suppressed by the Inspectors we are,
We've been unfortunate and could only follow our transfer to this uncultured land of Jing.
Low ranking secretarial officers we are, there's nothing to write home about,
Any error could see us grovel in the dust and fall victims to a beating.
Those who came with us have all but left to be on their way,
The road to the capital is a difficult climb becoming ever more perplexing.

Oh, have a rest, my friend, and give me a turn to sing you a bout,
I have something quite different to sing about.
In the space of a year, tonight's moon is the brightest and the roundest,
Life is determined by fate, not by any other route;
Why not drink when there is wine so we wouldn't the bright moon let down?

.

中文原文﹕

山石犖确行徑微，
黃昏到寺蝙蝠飛。
升堂坐階新雨足，
芭蕉葉大梔子肥。

僧言古壁佛畫好，
以火來照所見稀。
舖床拂席置羹飯，
疏糲亦足飽我饑。
夜深靜臥百蟲絕，
清月出嶺光入扉。

天明獨去無道路，
出入高下窮煙霏。
山紅澗碧紛爛漫，
時見松櫪皆十圍。
當流赤足蹋澗石，
水聲激激風吹衣。

人生如此自可樂，
豈必局束為人鞿？
嗟哉吾黨二三子，
安得至老不更歸？

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

Mountain rocks, there were many of them, rough and tough, along a narrow trail,
I arrived at a temple in the wild at twilight, overhead flew bats making sail.
Towards the hall I made my way and sat on the terrace to admire the new rain by my feet,
There were banana leaves broad and long, and gardenia petals plump and animated.

The resident monk praised the ancient murals of Buddha inside the temple,
I lit a torch to see, they were truly unique and I was amazed.
He prepared a bed for me, frisked away dust and brought me a meal,
It was light and vegetarian with brown rice, yet more than enough to my hunger satiate.
At night I lay in silence and I heard not a hum of insects,
A clear moon rose over the hills casting shine through the window panes.

At daybreak I left alone unable to find my way,
Up there and down below, everywhere was engulfed in a haze.
As it cleared, crimson flowers and the green ravine weaved a brilliant landscape.
Common were pines and oaks, they were mature with impressive waists,
I stepped onto boulders under the current of the waters barefoot,
As the wind stirred my robe, the waters around me loquaciously babbled and rippled away.

A moment like this in life should be enjoyed,
Why constrain oneself to how worldly people should behave?
Oh, my fellow associates sharing the same ideals,
Why haven't you retired, now that you have all reached old age?

.

漫叟以公田米釀酒，因休暇，則載酒於湖上，時取一醉；歡醉中，據湖岸，引臂向魚取酒，使舫載之，遍飲坐者。意疑倚巴丘，酌於君山之上，諸子環洞庭而坐，酒舫泛泛然，觸波濤而往來者，乃作歌以長之。

I fermented some wine using rice obtained from public fields, in my spare time I brought some of this wine to place in the lake, to get drunk on it; happily becoming intoxicated, I sat ashore, extending my arm towards Stone Fish the boulder to ladle out wine stored in its hollow and float it in tiny vessels for those seated around. I pretended I was leaning against the Ba Mountains and having a drink over Mount Sovereign, with my company seated around the Dongting and bowls of wine swaying between waves, I wrote a poem to sing such a delight.

中文原文﹕

石魚湖，似洞庭，
夏水欲滿君山青。
山為樽，水為沼，
酒徒歷歷坐洲島。
長風連日作大浪，
不能廢人運酒舫。
我持長瓢坐巴丘，
酌飲四座以散愁。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

Lake Stone Fish, very much like Lake Dongting it is,
The summer flow swells around a boulder in the shape of green Mount Sovereign.
We take the lake as our pond and the hollow of the boulder as the crock for our wine,
My fellow drinkers one after another take a seat on irregular rocks nearby.
For days on end, strong winds have been stirring up giant waves,
Yet it stops not people from floating tugboats of wine in the lake.
On a miniature hill of the Ba Mountains I a long ladle hold out,
Offering more wine in scoops to those around to the doldrums drown.

.

大歷二年十月十九日夔府別駕元持宅見臨穎李十二娘舞劍器，壯其蔚跂。問其所師，曰︰「余公孫大娘弟子也。」開元三載，余尚童穉，記於郾城觀公孫氏舞劍器、渾脫，瀏漓頓挫，獨出冠時。自高頭宜春梨園二伎坊內人，洎外供奉，曉是舞者，聖文神武皇帝初，公孫一人而已。玉貌錦衣，況余白首；今茲弟子，亦匪盛顏。既辨其由來，知波瀾莫二。撫事慷慨，聊為〈劍器行〉。昔者吳人張旭，善草書帖，數嘗于鄴縣，見公孫大娘舞西河劍器，自此草書長進，豪蕩感激。即公孫可知矣！

On the nineteenth of October in the second year of the Dali era, I saw a sword dance by a Madam Li of Lingying at the house of Yuan Chi, a lieutenant of the Kui State Office, I really admired the smooth flow of her dance. I asked her from whom she had learn the dance from, she replied: “I am a disciple of Madam Gongsun.” In the third year of Kaiyuan, I was merely a youngster, yet I still remember seeing Gongsun's dances with swords and Huntuo felt hats, a series of rise and fall, turns and spins, outstandingly choreographed, unparalleled by her contemporaries. Of all the leads in the Pear Garden operatic circle, and those outside of the arena, no one could perform these dances as well as Gongsun in those early years of the Sacred Xuanzhong Emperor of literary and military might. Back then she was beautiful and splendidly dressed, now I am a man with a head of grey; even her disciple is no longer of a young age. Since I am now aware of her background, I know that her dance routine is like no other. Memory of a bygone age has evoked many sentiments, leading me to a poem write, one Ode to Swords. Once Zhang Xu of the Wu region, who was skilled in cursive calligraphy, saw Madam Gongsun's West River sword dance in the Ye County, as a result, his cursive script improved significantly, and developed a style that was grand, vigorous and emotional. Such is the apparent influence of Gongsun's performance!

中文原文﹕

昔有佳人公孫氏，
一舞劍器動四方。
觀者如山色沮喪，
天地為之久低昂。
霍如羿射九日落，
矯如群帝驂龍翔，
來如雷霆收震怒，
罷如江海凝清光。
絳唇珠袖兩寂寞，
晚有弟子傳芬芳。

臨穎美人在白帝，
妙舞此曲神揚揚。
與余問答既有以，
感時撫事增惋傷。

先帝侍女八千人，
公孫劍器初第一。
五十年間似反掌，
風塵澒洞昏王室。
梨園子弟散如煙，
女樂餘姿映寒日。
金粟堆前木已拱，
瞿塘石城草蕭瑟。
玳筵急管曲復終，
樂極哀來月東出。
老夫不知其所往？
足繭荒山轉愁疾。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

Once there was a fair lady by the name of Gongsun,
She used to cause a great sensation all over when she danced with swords.
Crowds would gather and build up, surprised and astonished they would be,
Even heaven and earth would come together for her performance in accord.
Her dancing shone like the flare when Hou Yi shot down the nine suns,
And her moves were as swift as the heavenly gods on the fly in dragon chariots,
She used to commence a dance with the power of thunderbolts topping all fury,
And end like still rivers and seas where a clear reflection of the moon would come to port.
Lonesomeness would have begun to show on her crimsoned lips and graceful sleeves,
At least in her late years she had a disciple to her artistic skills pass on.

This fair lady of Lingying has come to Baidi,
She performed a high-spirited dance of vigour without a flaw.
I went over to talk to her for a while,
I couldn't help becoming sentimental as we speak of the times forever gone.

The late emperor had maids of some eight thousands,
Gongsun's dancing skills with swords came number one.
In a turn of a hand gesture readily gone were fifty years of history,
As upheavals and dust storms had the imperial court engulfed.
The operatic circle of the Pear Garden had since scattered like smoke,
What remains of operatic ladies' charm now cheerlessly reflects in the frosty sun.
Before Xuanzong's tomb on the Golden Grain Mound now arch mature trees,
The stone castle by the Qutang Gorge is surrounded by a deary field where grass rustles.
Coming to an end is a lavish banquet and a busy orchestra,
As music fades, sadness takes place, over in the east the moon is up.
Which way should an old man like me head towards?
On my callous feet in the desolate mountains, my thoughts are turning glum.

霍：應為〔火霍〕合字，灼也。

.

中文原文﹕

孔明廟前有老柏，
柯如青銅根如石；
雙皮溜雨四十圍，
黛色參天二千尺。
君臣已與時際會，
樹木猶為人愛惜。
雲來氣接巫峽長，
月出寒通雪山白。

憶昨路繞錦亭東，
先主武侯同閟宮。
崔嵬枝干郊原古，
窈窕丹青戶牖空。
落落盤踞雖得地，
冥冥孤高多烈風。
扶持自是神明力，
正直元因造化功。

大廈如傾要梁棟，
萬年回首丘山重。
不露文章世已驚，
未辭剪伐誰能送？
苦心豈免容螻蟻？
香葉終經宿鸞鳳。
志士幽人莫怨嗟，
古來材大難為用。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

In front of a shrine dedicated to Kongming stands an ancient cypress,
It has boughs that are bronze-like and roots boulder-like;
Its trunk of snow white barks and moist branches measures some forty arm lengths,
Leaves of shady green soar for some two thousand feet toward the sky.
The master and the minister have had their meet,
Ever fonder of such a tree people have grown to be.
The clouds above unite with those over the Magic Gorge,
The chill of the moon corresponds with the frosty white of the Snow Mountain range.

I'm reminded of a visit to the east of the Magnificent Pavilion some days ago,
Where shrines named after the master and the premier stand side by side.
The towering ancient cypresses there have branches reaching for time-worn fields,
Windows and doors of the shrines are lacking panes and the paintings mottled and pied.
Such an old cypress tree may be firmly grounded and well located,
Yet a solitary, lofty height is inevitably subject to more turbulent winds.
What supports them is no less than the miraculous,
Allowing them to grow upright and tall is Nature's divine will.

An imbalanced tower needs load-bearing beams and columns,
So that tens of thousands of years later they would still be stable as hills.
He flaunted not his literary skills yet he already the world astonished,
There hasn't been anyone to stop a felling for good timber, yet who dares to topple it?
How could the solid core escape from being eaten away by ants and mole crickets?
Nevertheless, amongst its fragrant leaves and boughs still rest phoenixes.
People of ideals and recluses of integrity need not complain and lament,
Those of high calibre have forever found the pursuit of a congenial employment difficult.

.

中文原文﹕

今我不樂思岳陽，
身欲奮飛病在床。
美人娟娟隔秋水，
濯足洞庭望八荒。
鴻飛冥冥日月白，
青楓葉赤天雨霜。

玉京群帝集北斗，
或騎麒麟翳鳳凰。
芙蓉旌旗煙霧落，
影動倒景搖瀟湘。
星宮之君醉瓊漿，
羽人稀少不在旁。
似聞昨者赤松子，
恐是漢代韓張良；
昔隨劉氏定長安，
帷幄未改神慘傷。

國家成敗吾豈敢？
色難腥腐餐楓香。
周南留滯古所惜，
南极老人應壽昌。
美人胡為隔秋水？
焉得置之貢玉堂。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

Feeling dispirited today I think of you, my friend in Yueyang,
How I struggle and wish I could fly towards you, yet bed-ridden I am.
My esteemed friend, separated by waters and waters of autumn we are,
Relaxing your feet in Lake Dongting you must be, looking out at the neglected and barren.
Deep in the sky, in daylight and under moonshine, flights of wild geese pass me by,
Green maple leaves have begin to redden, frosty is the atmosphere.

In the heavenly court all dignitaries congregate around their true north,
Riding on the back of a unicorn or a phoenix on an amble.
There the banners embroidered with hibiscus tremble in mistiness,
Casting inverted images in the waters where flow together the Xiao and Xiang.
In the starry palace, the worthy have inebriated become on fine wine,
Not around are winged sages who are rare to forgather.
Yesterday I seemed to recall hearing about the Red Cypress Wiseman,
Who I'm afraid is no other than Zhang Liang of Han;
He followed the Liu family and helped establishing the capital in Changan,
Though he could still an army command, he'd find current affairs extremely demanding.

How dare I comment on the rise and fall of our nation?
Shunning the grim and grime, some would rather dine on maple fragrance.
The great historian of Han would rather in Luoyang lingered, a decision pitied by all,
The appearance of the Southern Stars suggest the arrival of longevity and affluence.
My esteemed friend, why do you by the autumn waters remain?
How you should be called to the emperor's aid and enter the Hall of the the Great.

.

中文原文﹕

將軍魏武之子孫，
於今為庶為清門。
英雄割據雖已矣！
文采風流猶尚存。
學書初學衛夫人，
但恨無過王右軍。
丹青不知老將至，
富貴於我如浮雲。

開元之中常引見，
承恩數上南薰殿。
淩煙功臣少顏色，
將軍下筆開生面。
良相頭上進賢冠，
猛將腰間大羽箭，
褒公鄂公毛髮動，
英姿颯爽來酣戰。
先帝天馬玉花驄，
畫工如山貌不同。
是日牽來赤墀下，
迥立閶闔生長風。
詔謂將軍拂絹素，
意匠慘澹經營中；
斯須九重真龍出，
一洗萬古凡馬空。
玉花卻在御榻上，
榻上庭前屹相向；
至尊含笑催賜金，
圉人太仆皆惆悵。

弟子韓幹早入室，
亦能畫馬窮殊相；
幹惟畫肉不畫骨，
忍使驊騮氣凋喪。

將軍畫善蓋有神，
偶逢佳士亦寫真；
即今漂泊干戈際，
屢貌尋常行路人。
途窮反遭俗眼白，
世上未有如公貧；
但看古來盛名下，
終日坎壈纏其身。

英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕

The general is a descendant of Cao Wu, the Lord of Wei,
But now you have been relegated to the status of a commoner of little means and ways.
Gone are the days of heroic vigour of your antecedents!
Yet there remain with you literary talent, certain elegance and grace.
At first he studied up on the calligraphic style of Lady Wei of Jin dynasty,
Only to realise you would never surpass what Wang Xizhi had achieved.
Then you turned to painting and lost yourself in it as years pass you by,
Meaning nothing more than floating clouds are worldly wealth and prestige.

During the Kaiyuan years you were often summoned into the palace,
You were graced many times and granted presence in the Southern Main Hall.
The painting of Great Statesmen in the Pavilion of Billowing Smoke had faded over time,
It came alive again with your creative and animated brush strokes.
Virtuous premiers were each adorned with a honour crest,
Fierce generals had by their waist giant bows and feathered arrows,
Even the hair and beards of honoured masters were vividly painted,
Bearing themselves ready for a challenge with courage in a glow.
The late Xuanzong had a heavenly steed, a stallion named Jade Flower,
Many artists have depicted it giving different renditions but none its verve recorded.
That day it was led along to the front steps to the Great Hall,
It stood tall by the gate, energetic and strong.
The late emperor ordered the general to portray it on a silk canvas,
Quietly you let your craftsmanship work its role;
Soon enlivened were the dragon of heaven,
Dashing through to make slight of all ordinary horses ever born.
This painting of Jade Flower hung by the emperor's couch,
A veracious comparison to its real self standing in front of the Hall;
His Majesty smilingly ordered for an award of gold,
Leaving stable officers and keepers feeling rather dejected and despondent.

The general had a disciple when he was young,
Who could also paint horses and their various appearance;
Yet he painted only their exterior but not their essence,
Delivering portrayals of thoroughbreds with withered spirit.

The general paints well expressing such imagination,
Occasionally you would also draw portraits for gentlemen;
In this day and age in the tumult of war you wander,
While on the road you'd draw for fellow wayfarers.
At the end of your tether you have come to suffer disdainful looks and cold shoulders,
There is perhaps no other artists quite as down and out as yourself;
It seems that when all the fame and reputation have faded,
There leaves the individual to entangle in poverty and distress.

.