Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Poems about music: Han

Poems about music: Han
compiled by David Badagnani (rev. 17 December 2023)

《古歌》
两汉乐府

长笛续短笛。愿陛下保寿无极。

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《古诗十九首 其五》
19 Ancient Poems:  no. 5 (Gu Shi Shijiu Shou:  Qi Wu)
作者：无名氏（西汉？）
Anonymous (perhaps Eastern Han Dynasty)

西北有高楼，上与浮云齐。
交疏结绮窗，阿阁三重阶。
上有弦歌声，音响一何悲。
谁能为此曲，无乃杞梁妻。
清商随风发，中曲正徘徊。
一弹再三叹，慷慨有馀哀。
不惜歌者苦，但伤知音稀。
愿为双鸿鹄，奋翅起高飞。


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《景星》
作者：无名氏（汉）
Anonymous (Han Dynasty)

景星显见。信星彪列。
象载昭庭。日亲以察。
参侔开阖。爰推本纪。
汾脽出鼎。皇祜元始。
五音六律。依韦飨昭。
杂变并会。雅声远姚。
空桑琴瑟结信成。四兴迭代八风生。
殷殷钟石羽龠鸣。河龙供鲤醇牺牲。
百末旨酒布兰生。泰尊柘浆析朝酲。
微感心攸通修名。周流常羊思所并。
穰穰复正直往宁。冯蠵切和疏写平。
上天布施后土成。穰穰丰年四时荣。


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《七日夜女歌九首》
(Qi Riye Nü Ge Jiu Shou)
汉佚名乐府诗
Anonymous Yuefu poem (Han Dynasty)

 三春怨离泣，九秋欣期歌。
驾鸾行日时，月明济长河。 
长河起秋云，汉渚风凉发。
含欣出霄路，可笑向明月。 
金风起汉曲，素月明河边。
七章未成匹，飞燕起长川。 
春离隔寒暑，明秋暂一会。
两叹别日长，双情若饥渴。 
婉娈不终夕，一别周年期。
桑蚕不作茧，画夜长悬丝。 
灵匹怨离处，索居隔长河。
玄云不应雷，是侬啼叹歌。 
振玉下金阶，拭眼瞩星兰。
惆怅登云轺，悲恨两情殚。 
风骖不驾缨，翼人立中庭。
箫管且停吹，展我叙离情。 
紫霞烟翠盖，斜月照绮窗。
衔悲握离袂，易尔还年容。

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《前缓声歌》
两汉佚名乐府诗
Anonymous Yuefu poem (Han Dynasty)

水中之马。
必有陆地之船。
但有意气不能自前。
心非木石。
荆根株数得覆盖天。
当复思东流之水。
必有西上之鱼。
不在大小。
但有朝于复来。
长笛续短笛。
欲今皇帝陛下三千万。


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 《王子乔》
(Wangzi Qiao)
汉佚名乐府诗
Anonymous Yuefu poem (Han Dynasty)

 王子乔，参驾白鹿云中遨。
参驾白鹿云中遨，下游来，
王子乔。参驾白鹿上至云，戏游遨。
上建逋阴广里践近高。
结仙宫，过谒三台，.
东游四海五岳，上过蓬莱紫云台。
三王五帝不足令，令我圣明应太平。
养民若子事父明，当究天禄永康宁。
玉女罗坐吹笛箫。嗟行圣人游八极，
鸣吐衔福翔殿侧。圣主享万年。
悲吟皇帝延寿命。

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《艳歌》
(Yan Ge)
汉佚名乐府诗
Anonymous Yuefu poem (Han Dynasty)

今日乐上乐，相从步云衢。
天公出美酒，河伯出鲤鱼。
青龙前铺席，白虎持榼壶。
南斗工鼓瑟，北斗吹笙竽。
妲娥垂明珰，织女奉瑛琚。
苍霞扬东讴，清风流西歈。
垂露成帏幄，奔星扶轮舆。

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《短歌行 其一》
Short Song, no. 1 (Duan Gexing, Qi Yi)
作者：曹操（东汉）
by Cao Cao (Eastern Han Dynasty, 155-220)

对酒当歌，人生几何？譬如朝露，去日苦多。
慨当以慷，忧思难忘。何以解忧？唯有杜康。
青青子衿，悠悠我心。但为君故，沉吟至今。
呦呦鹿鸣，食野之苹。我有嘉宾，鼓瑟吹笙。
佼佼如月，何时可掇？忧从中来，不可断绝。
越陌度阡，枉用相存。契阔谈宴，心念旧恩。
月明星稀，乌鹊南飞。绕树三匝，无枝可栖？
山不厌高，水不厌深。周公吐哺，天下归心。

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《气出唱》
Songs [About] the Exhalation of Vital Breath (Qi Chu Chang)
作者：曹操（东汉）
by Cao Cao (Eastern Han Dynasty, 155-220)

其一

驾六龙，乘风而行。行四海，路下之八邦。
历登高山临溪谷，乘云而行。
行四海外，东到泰山。
仙人玉女，下来翱游。
骖驾六龙饮玉浆。
河水尽，不东流。
解愁腹，饮玉浆。
奉持行，东到蓬莱山，上至天之门。
玉阙下，引见得入，
赤松相对，四面顾望，视正焜煌。
开玉心正兴，其气百道至。
传告无穷闭其口，但当爱气寿万年。
东到海，与天连。
神仙之道，出窈入冥，常当专之。
心恬澹，无所愒。
欲闭门坐自守，天与期气。
愿得神之人，乘驾云车，
骖驾白鹿，上到天之门，来赐神之药。
跪受之，敬神齐。
当如此，道自来。

其二

华阴山，自以为大。
高百丈，浮云为之盖。
仙人欲来，出随风，列之雨。
吹我洞箫，鼓瑟琴，何訚訚！
酒与歌戏，今日相乐诚为乐。
玉女起，起舞移数时。
鼓吹一何嘈嘈。
从西北来时，仙道多驾烟，
乘云驾龙，郁何蓩蓩。
遨游八极，乃到昆仑之山，
西王母侧，神仙金止玉亭。
来者为谁？赤松王乔，乃德旋之门。
乐共饮食到黄昏。
多驾合坐，万岁长，宜子孙。

其三

游君山，甚为真。
磪䃬砟硌，尔自为神。
乃到王母台，金阶玉为堂，芝草生殿旁。
东西厢，客满堂。
主人当行觞，坐者长寿遽何央。
长乐甫始宜孙子。
常愿主人增年，与天相守。


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《筝赋》
A Rhapsody on the Zheng (Zheng Fu)
作者：侯瑾（东汉）
by Hou Jin (Eastern Han Dynasty, c. 140-c. 195)

于是急弦促柱，变调改曲，卑杀纤妙，微声繁缚。散清商而流转兮，若将绝而复续，纷旷落以繁奏，逸遗世而越俗。若乃察其风采，练其声音，美哉荡乎，乐而不淫。虽怀恩而不怨，似幽风之遗音。于是雅曲既阔，郑卫仍倚，新声顺变，妙弄优游。微风漂裔，冷气轻浮，感悲音而增叹，怆嚬悴而怀愁。若乃上感天地，千动鬼神。享祀视宗，酬酢嘉宾，移风易俗，混同人伦，莫有尚于筝者矣。

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《雅琴赋》
(Ya Qin Fu)
作者：刘向（西汉）
by Liu Xiang (Western Han Dynasty, 77 BC-6 BC)

观听之所至，乃知其美也。潜坐蓬庐之中，岩石之下。游予心以广观，且德乐之愔愔。末世锁才兮知音寡，穷音之至入於神。弹少宫之际天，授中徵以及泉。葳蕤心而息兮，伏雅操之循则。


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《长笛赋》
A Rhapsody on the Chang Di (Chang Di Fu)
作者：马融（东汉, 79-166）
by Ma Rong (Eastern Han Dynasty, 79-166)

融既博览典雅，精核数术，又性好音，能鼓琴吹笛，而为督邮，无留事，独卧郿平阳邬中。有雒客舍逆旅，吹笛为气出精列相和。融去京师，逾年，暂闻，甚悲而乐之。追慕王子渊枚乘刘伯康傅武仲等箫琴笙颂，唯笛独无，故聊复备数，作长笛赋。其辞曰：

惟籦笼之奇生兮，于终南之阴崖。托九成之孤岑兮，临万仞之石溪。特箭槁而茎立兮，独聆风于极危。秋潦漱其下趾兮，冬雪揣封乎其枝。巅根跱之𣙗刖兮，感回飇而将颓。夫其面旁则重𪩘增石，简积𫖳砡。兀㟺狋𦡼，倾𣅳倚伏。庨窌巧老，港洞坑谷。嶰壑浍𡷋，𡸞窞岩𥨍。运裛窏洝，冈连岭属。林箫蔓荆，森椮柞朴。

于是山水猥至，渟涔障溃。顄淡滂流，碓投瀺穴。争湍苹萦，汩活澎濞。波澜鳞沦，窊隆诡戾。𤀰瀑喷沫，奔遁砀突。摇演其山，动杌其根者，岁五六而至焉。是以间介无蹊，人迹罕到。猿蜼昼吟，鼯鼠夜叫。寒熊振颔，特麚昏髟。山鸡晨群，野雉晁雊。求偶鸣子，悲号长啸。由衍识道，噍噍讙噪。经涉其左右，哤聒其前后者，无昼夜而息焉。夫固危殆险巇之所迫也，众哀集悲之所积也。故其应清风也，纤末奋蕱，铮𨱑謍嗃。若絙瑟促柱，号锺高调。

于是放臣逐子，弃妻离友。彭胥伯奇，哀姜孝己。攒乎下风，收精注耳。靁叹颓息，掐膺擗摽。泣血泫流，交横而下。通旦忘寐，不能自御。

于是乃使鲁般宋翟，构云梯，抗浮柱。蹉纤根，跋𮆘缕。膺峭阤，腹陉阻。逮乎其上，匍匐伐取。挑截本末，规摹彟矩。夔襄比律，子野协吕。十二毕具，黄锺为主。挢揉斤械，剸掞度拟。鏓硐𬯎坠，程表朱里。定名曰笛，以观贤士。陈于东阶，八音俱起。食举雍彻，劝侑君子。然后退理乎黄门之高廊。重丘宋灌，名师郭张。工人巧士，肄业脩声。

于是游闲公子，暇豫王孙，心乐五声之和，耳比八音之调，乃相与集乎其庭。详观夫曲胤之繁会丛杂，何其富也。纷葩烂漫，诚可喜也。波散广衍，实可异也。牚距劫遌，又足怪也。啾咋嘈啐，似华羽兮，绞灼激以转切。震郁怫以凭怒兮，耾砀骇以奋肆。气喷勃以布覆兮，乍跱跖以狼戾。靁叩锻之岌峇兮，正浏溧以风冽。薄凑会而凌节兮，驰趣期而赴踬。

尔乃听声类形，状似流水，又象飞鸿。泛滥溥漠，浩浩洋洋。长矕远引，旋复回皇。充屈郁律，瞋菌碨抰。酆琅磊落，骈田磅唐。取予时适，去就有方。洪杀衰序，希数必当。微风纤妙，若存若亡。荩滞抗绝，中息更装。奄忽灭没，晔然复扬。或乃聊虑固护，专美擅工。漂凌丝簧，覆冒鼓锺。或乃植持縼𬙊，佁儗宽容。箫管备举，金石并隆。无相夺伦，以宣八风。律吕既和，哀声五降。曲终阕尽，馀弦更兴。繁手累发，密栉叠重。踾踧攒仄，蜂聚蚁同。众音猥积，以送厥终。

然后少息暂怠，杂弄间奏。易听骇耳，有所摇演。安翔骀荡，从容阐缓。惆怅怨怼，窳圔窴𧹞。聿皇求索，乍近乍远。临危自放，若颓复反。鼢缊翻纡，𦈑冤蜿蟺。笢笏抑隐，行入诸变。绞概汨湟，五音代转。挼拏捘臧，递相乘邅。反商下征，每各异善。

故聆曲引者，观法于节奏，察变于句投，以知礼制之不可逾越焉。听簉弄者，遥思于古昔，虞志于怛惕，以知长戚之不能闲居焉。故论记其义，协比其象：彷徨纵肆，旷𤄾敞罔，老庄之概也。温直扰毅，孔孟之方也。激朗清厉，随光之介也。牢剌拂戾，诸、贲之气也。节解句断，管商之制也。条决缤纷，申韩之察也。繁缛骆驿，范蔡之说也。剺栎铫𢛯，晰龙之惠也。上拟法于韶箾南龠，中取度于白雪渌水，下釆制于延露巴人。

是以尊卑都鄙，贤愚勇惧。鱼鳖禽兽，闻之者莫不张耳鹿骇。熊经鸟申，鸱视狼顾。拊噪踊跃，各得其齐。人盈所欲，皆反中和，以美风俗。屈平适乐国，介推还受禄。澹台载尸归，皋鱼节其哭。长万辍逆谋，渠弥不复恶。蒯聩能退敌，不占成节鄂。王公保其位，隐处安林薄。宦夫乐其业，士子世其宅。鲟鱼喁于水裔，仰驷马而舞玄鹤。

于时也，绵驹吞声，伯牙毁弦。瓠巴聑柱，磬襄弛悬。留视𥊲眙，累称屡赞。失容坠席，搏拊雷抃。僬眇睢维，涕洟流漫。是故可以通灵感物，写神喻意。致诚效志，率作兴事。溉盥污濊，澡雪垢滓矣。

昔庖羲作琴，神农造瑟。女娲制簧，暴辛为埙。倕之和钟，叔之离磬。或铄金砻石，华睆切错。丸挻雕琢，刻镂钻笮。穷妙极巧，旷以日月。然后成器，其音如彼。唯笛因其天姿，不变其材。伐而吹之，其声如此。盖亦简易之义，贤人之业也。若然，六器者，犹以二皇圣哲黈益。况笛生乎大汉，而学者不识其可以裨助盛美，忽而不赞，悲夫！

有庶士丘仲言其所由出，而不知其弘妙。其辞曰：

近世双笛从羌起，羌人伐竹未及已。龙鸣水中不见己，截竹吹之声相似。剡其上孔通洞之，裁以当簻便易持。易京君明识音律，故本四孔加以一。君明所加孔后出，是谓商声五音毕。

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《咏史诗二首》 其二
作者：阮瑀（东汉末）
by Ruan Yu (late Eastern Han Dynasty, d. 212)

燕丹善勇士，荆轲为上宾。
图尽擢匕首，长驱西入秦。
素车驾白马，相送易水津。
渐离击筑歌，悲声感路人。
举坐同咨嗟，叹气若青云。

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《筝赋》
A Rhapsody on the Zheng (Zheng Fu)
作者：阮瑀（东汉末）
by Ruan Yu (late Eastern Han Dynasty, c. 165-212)

惟夫筝之奇妙，极五音之幽微，苞群声以作主，冠众乐而为师，禀清和于律吕，笼丝木以成资。身长六尺，应律数也。故能清者感天，浊者合地，五声并用，动静简易，大兴小附，重发轻随，折而复扶，循覆逆开，浮沉抑扬，升降绮靡，殊声妙巧，不识其为；平调足均，不疾不徐，迟速合度，君子之行也；慷慨磊落，卓砾盘纡，壮士之节也。曲高和寡，妙伎难工。伯牙能琴，于兹为朦。皦绎翕纯，庶配其踪。延年新声，岂比能同？陈惠李文，曷能是逢？

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《洞箫赋》
A Rhapsody on the Panpipes (Dongxiao Fu)
作者：王褒（西汉）
by Wang Bao (Western Han Dynasty, c. 90 BC or 84 BC-c. 51 BC or 53 BC)
translated by David R. Knechtges

I.
原夫箫干之所生兮，于江南之丘墟。洞条畅而罕节兮，标敷纷以扶疏。
Trace the original site where panpipe bamboos grow:
And it is on a hilly waste south of the Yangtze.
Their hollow culms are straight and smooth, and sparsely noded;
Their tips, leafy and lush, luxuriantly spread.
徒观其旁山侧兮，则岖嵚岿崎，倚巇迤㠧，诚可悲乎其不安也。弥望傥莽，联延旷荡，又足乐乎其敞闲也。托身躯于后土兮，经万载而不迁。吸至精之滋熙兮，禀苍色之润坚。感阴阳之变化兮，附性命乎皇天。翔风萧萧而迳其末兮，回江流川而溉其山。扬素波而挥连珠兮，声礚礚而澍渊。朝露清泠而陨其侧兮，玉液浸润而承其根。孤雌寡鹤娱优乎其下兮，春禽群嬉翱翔乎其颠。秋蜩不食，抱朴而长吟兮，玄猿悲啸，搜索乎其间。处幽隐而奥庰兮，密漠泊以𤡳猭。惟详察其素体兮，宜清静而弗喧。幸得谥为洞箫兮，蒙圣主之渥恩。可谓惠而不费兮，因天性之自然。
Just behold the sides of the hills to which they cling!
Ruggedly rising, precipitously plunging,
They stand sheer and steep, continuously sloping:
Truly one may grieve at their instability!
But in full view one sees a vast expanse,
Stretching on and on, broad and boundless.
And one further rejoices at its open tranquility.
The trees entrust their bodies to Sovereign Earth,
For a myriad years they have remained unchanged.
They breathe in the rich luster of perfect essence,
Take in the moist firmness of verdurous hues.
Stirred by the changes of yin and yang,
They attach their lives to August Heaven.
Soaring breezes, soughing and sighing, blow through their branches;
Eddying rivers and coursing streams water their mountain.
Raising white ripples, spraying beads of water,
Roaring and raging, they pour into a deep chasm.
Morning dew, fresh and cool, falls by their sides;
Jade fluid, rich and moist, soaks their roots.
A solitary hen, a lone crane,
Joyfully frolic below them.
Spring birds, playing in flocks,
Soar at their tops.
Autumn cicadas, eating nothing,
Cling to their bark, chirring endlessly.
Black apes, howling sadly,
Seek and search within them.
They dwell in dark concealment, deeply secluded,
Thickly clustered, joined one to another.
Just carefully examine their pure form:
They seem fit for silence and not making sound.
Yet they were fortunate to be named "panpipe" material,
And receive the generous favor of a sage lord.
This can be called "being generous without great expense";
And also conforms to the natural essence of things.

II.
于是般匠施巧，夔妃准法。带以象牙，掍其会合。锼镂离洒，绛唇错杂。邻菌缭纠，罗鳞捷猎。胶致理比，挹抐擫㩶。
And then, Ban and Jiang display their craft,
Kui and Xiang determine the scale.
It is banded with ivory,
Which melds the joints and seams.
It is carved into intricate patterns;
Red-lacquered "lips" are diversely disposed.
Closely joined, linked and laced together,
The pipes are arrayed like fish scales, long and short.
They are compactly combined in orderly rows,
So the various fingerings can easily be applied.
于是乃使夫性昧之宕冥，生不睹天地之体势，暗于白黑之貌形。愤伊郁而酷𦓖，愍眸子之丧精。寡所舒其思虑兮，专发愤乎音声。
And then, they bid one whose sight has been blurred and dimmed,
From birth unable to perceive the forms and contours of Heaven and Earth,
Unable to distinguish hues and shapes of white and black,
Pent up with rage, bitter with sorrow,
Aggrieved that his eyes have lost acuity,
And lacking a means to release his cares,
To vent all his frustration in music.
故吻吮值夫宫商兮，和纷离其匹溢。形旖旎以顺吹兮，瞋㖤㗅以纡郁。气旁迕以飞射兮，驰散涣以逫律。趣从容其勿述兮，骛合遝以诡谲。或浑沌而潺湲兮，猎若枚折；或漫衍而骆驿兮，沛焉竞溢。惏栗密率，掩以绝灭。㘊霵晔踕，跳然复出。
Thus, he purses his lips in tune with gong and shang;
His harmonies, rich and strong, fill the air.
His body sways and swings in time with his blowing;
Glowering, he puffs up his cheeks, his rage unspent.
His breath, blasting through the pipes, suddenly bursts out,
To go forth, scattering and spreading, slowly dispersing,
Then dashing off, free and easy, smoothly flowing,
Racing off in a profusion of sound, eerie and strange.
Sometimes the notes blend together, burbling softly;
Or they may make a cracking sound like a snapping branch.
Sometimes they flood and flow without cease,
Brimming full as they contend to spill forth.
Then the sound is chilly and cold, tranquil and serene,
And abruptly dies out, as if completely stopped.
But suddenly, fast and furious, a spate of sound
Pours forth again from the pipes.

III.
若乃徐听其曲度兮，廉察其赋歌。啾咇㘉而将吟兮，行鍖銋以和啰。风鸿洞而不绝兮，优娆娆以婆娑。翩绵连以牢落兮，漂乍弃而为他。要复遮其蹊径兮，与讴谣乎相和。
Then, if one quietly listens to the rhythm,
Carefully hearkens to the tune, he will hear:
Manifold sounds of tweeting and tooting singing out,
Beginning slowly, gradually resounding in unison.
Like an unremitting breeze blowing without cease,
Gracefully, gently, swinging and swaying.
Then, floating away they continue on, thin and faint,
Until they abruptly stop to form another tune.
There they wait, blocking the road,
Until they play forth in harmony with a song.
故听其巨音则周流汜滥，并包吐含，若慈父之畜子也；其妙声则清静厌瘱，顺叙卑迖，若孝子之事父也。科条譬类，诚应义理。澎濞慷慨，一何壮士！优柔温润，又似君子。
Thus, now listen to the greater tones:
They course and flow like a river in flood,
Engorging and disgorging everything in their embrace,
Just like a kind father nurturing his sons.
The more subtle sounds
Are calm and quiet, subdued and still,
Docile and compliant, humble and meek,
Like a filial son serving his father.
The morals and lessons contained in its measures and rhythms,
Correspond indeed to principles of propriety and good conduct.
They surge with fury, are roused to passion—
Oh, how like the brave warrior!
But in their dignified gentility, and gentle amiability
They also resemble the gentleman.
故其武声则若雷霆輘輷，佚豫以沸㥜；其仁声则若颽风纷披，容与而施惠。或杂遝以聚敛兮，或拔摋以奋弃。悲怆恍以恻惐兮，时恬淡以绥肆。被淋洒其靡靡兮，时横溃以阳遂。哀悁悁之可怀兮，良醰醰而有味。
Thus, their martial sounds
Are like booming blasts of thunder,
Speeding swiftly, rumbling and roaring.
Their benevolent sounds
Are like the mild warmth of a southern breeze,
Generously dispensing kindness.
Sometimes they coalesce, gather en masse;
Sometimes they are scattered and swept away.
Sometimes the sounds are grave and despairing, sad and sorrowful;
Sometimes they are quiet and tranquil, calm and composed.
At times they are fine and delicate like tiny drops,
Or flow strong and easily like a river bursting its banks.
When mournful and plaintive, one's heart is beset with care;
Yet the sweet and mellifluous tones are something to savor.

IV.
故贪饕者听之而廉隅兮，狼戾者闻之而不怼。刚毅强虣反仁恩兮，嘽唌逸豫戒其失。钟期牙旷怅然而愕兮，杞梁之妻不能为其气。师襄严春不敢窜其巧兮，浸淫叔子远其类。嚚顽朱均惕复惠兮，桀跖鬻博儡以顿顇。吹参差而入道德兮，故永御而可贵。
Thus, when the greedy and grasping listen to this music, their character becomes pure;
The fierce and malicious hear it, and do not grumble or complain.
The firm and resolute, the vicious and cruel return to benevolence and kindness;
The idle and indolent refrain from misdeeds.
Zhong Qi, Ya, and Kuang become disconcerted and dismayed,
Qi Liang's wife could not match its spirited feeling,
Shi Xiang and Yan Chun would not dare to display their skill,
Even the approachable Yan Shuzi would keep his distance from his kind,
The stupid and stubborn Zhu and Jun would be startled and have their intelligence restored,
Jie, Zhi, Yu, and Bo would become weak and fatigued.
The music of the pipes, so varied and diverse, enters the realm of morality,
And thus always can be enjoyed and honored.

V.
时奏狡弄，则彷徨翱翔。或留而不行，或行而不留。愺恅澜漫，亡耦失畴。薄索合沓，罔象相求。故知音者乐而悲之，不知音者怪而伟之。故闻其悲声，则莫不怆然累欷，撆涕抆泪。其奏欢娱，则莫不惮漫衍凯，阿那腲腇者已。是以蟋蟀蚸蠖，蚑行喘息。蝼蚁蝘蜒，蝇蝇翊翊。迁延徙迤，鱼瞰鸡睨。垂喙䖤转，瞪瞢忘食。况感阴阳之和，而化风俗之伦哉？
At times the panpipe plays a rapid tune:
The sounds wander and waver,
Sometimes pausing, unmoving,
Sometimes moving without pause.
Quiet and soft they scatter,
Without partner, bereft of mate.
Then urgently searching, repeating and repeating,
They find each other in the realm beyond form.
Thus, those who truly understand music both rejoice and sorrow over it;
Those who do not understand music find it wondrous and grand.
Those who hear its sad sounds
Do not fail to heave sad sighs,
And wipe away copious tears.
And with the playing of a joyful melody,
None fails to feel cheerful and glad,
Calm and relaxed.
Thus, the cricket and measuring worm
Slow their crawl, gasping and panting.
The molecricket, ant, and gecko
Creeping along, languid and listless,
Move to and fro, back and forth,
Goggling like fish, gaping like fowl.
Lowering their mouths, they whirl and twirl,
Staring intently, forgetting to eat.
How much more would this affect humankind, which is stirred by the harmony of yin and yang,
And transformed by moral custom!

VI.
乱曰：状若捷武，超腾逾曳，迅漂巧兮。又似流波，泡溲泛𣶏，趋巇道兮。哮呷呟唤，跻踬连绝，淈殄沌兮。搅搜㶅捎，逍遥踊跃，若坏颓兮。优游流离，踌躇稽诣，亦足耽兮。颓唐遂往，长辞远逝，漂不还兮。赖蒙圣化，从容中道，乐不淫兮。条畅洞达，中节操兮。终诗卒曲，尚余音兮。吟气遗响，联绵漂撇，生微风兮。连延骆驿，变无穷兮。
The finale says:
Its manner of sounds is like a nimble acrobat,
Leaping and vaulting, springing and bounding,
Fleet and quick, agile and graceful.
It also is like dashing waves,
Foaming and frothing, rushing and raging,
Racing through a tortuous channel.
The music blares and blasts,
Rises and falls, stops and starts,
In a jarring and jostling of sounds.
Quaking and quivering, jolting and shaking,
Roaming at will, surging and swelling,
As if something had toppled and collapsed.
Relaxed and easy the rhythm flows,
Lingering briefly, hesitating and pausing—
One becomes almost spellbound.
Then, fading and falling, the sounds depart:
Bidding a final farewell, they vanish in the distance,
Drifting about, never to return.
The music is bestowed the transforming influence of the sages,
Calm and composed it accords with the Way,
And is joyous without being licentious.
Ordered and smooth, clear and penetrating,
It follows a strict rhythm.
When the song ends and the music stops,
There still is a lingering melody.
The remnant sounds of the piper's breath
Continuing on, reverberating in the pipes,
Generate a light breeze.
The music goes on in an unceasing stream,
Changing and transforming without end.

More information:

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《箜篌引》
Konghou Lament (Konghou Yin)
汉佚名乐府诗
Anonymous Yuefu poem (Han Dynasty)

公无渡河，公竟渡河！
Husband, don't cross the river!
My husband still crossed the river.
渡河而死，其奈公何？
While crossing the river, he lost his life;
With such a husband, how can one endure?

Notes:

The incident commemorated by this poem took place in Joseon Prefecture (朝鲜县, modern-day P'yŏngyang, North Korea), Lelang Commandery (乐浪郡), a commandery of the Han Dynasty that was established after the defeat of Wiman Joseon (卫满朝鲜, 194 BC-108 BC), and lasted until Goguryeo conquered it in 313.

The title of this poetic song seems to indicate that it was a lament, to be sung by the deceased individual's widow to the accompaniment of her konghou (箜篌), this instrument most likely being the fretted zither known as wo konghou (卧箜篌), which appeared in China during the Western Han Dynasty, rather than the angular harp known as shu konghou (竖箜篌), which was not adopted in China until it was transmitted from Central Asia in the Northern and Southern Dynasties period (420-589 AD).

More information:

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《天地》
汉武帝所作乐府歌
Yuefu poem, supposedly by Emperor Wu of Han (Western Han Dynasty, r. 141 BC-87 BC)

 天地并况，惟予有慕。
爰熙紫坛，思求厥路。
恭承禋祀，缊豫为纷。
黼秀周张，承神至尊。
千童罗舞成八溢，合好效欢虞泰一。
九歌毕奏斐然殊，鸣琴竽瑟会轩朱。
璆磬金鼓，灵其有喜，百官济济，各敬其事。
盛牲实俎进闻膏，神奄留，临须摇。
长丽前掞光耀明，寒暑不忒况皇章。
展诗应律鋗玉鸣，函宫吐角激徵清。
发梁扬羽申以商，造兹新音永久长。
声气远条凤鸟翔，神夕奄虞盖孔享。

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Thanks to Jim Binkley, Benjamin Daniels, Jianyu Huang, and Lin Chiang-san for assistance with this page.
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Monday, September 24, 2018

Poems about music: Zhou

Poems about music: Zhou
compiled by David Badagnani (rev. 26 April 2024)

《九歌·东君》 其七
"Lord of the East" (Dong Jun), no. 7 from Nine Songs (Jiu Ge)
作者：屈原（战国时楚人）
by Qu Yuan (State of Chu/Warring States period, c. 340 BC-278 BC)
translated by Colin Huehns
今按：此日神也。礼曰：「天子朝日于东门之外。」又曰：「王宫祭日也。」汉志亦有东君。

 暾将出兮东方，
The newly risen sun is about to emerge in the east
照吾槛兮扶桑。
Shining on my boundary fence of fusang trees
抚余马兮安驱，
Patting my horse, so it moves peacefully forward
夜皎皎兮既明。
The night, brightly lit by the moon, merges into the morning light
驾龙辀兮乘雷，
Driving a dragon chariot, riding thunder
载云旗兮委蛇。
Carrying the clouds, like flags, furling and unfurling
长太息兮将上，
For a long while, sighing, and then rising up
心低佪兮顾怀。
Heart hesitating, reluctant to leave, nurturing feelings in my breast
羌声色兮娱人，
A swirling hubbub of sound and colour makes the people joyful
观者憺兮忘归。
Those observing, contentedly peaceful, forget to return
縆瑟兮交鼓，
String up the se zither, beat the drum
箫钟兮瑶簴。
Strike the bells so they rock back and forth the rack on which they hang
鸣䶵兮吹竽，
Sound the chi bamboo pipe, blow the yu mouth organ
思灵保兮贤姱。
Reflecting on the chief shaman [acting the role of the Lord of the East], virtuous and lovely
翾飞兮翠曾，
Floatingly and delicately dancing as if flying, like green birds spreading their wings and soaring away
展诗兮会舞。
Boldly singing poetical songs and chants, together dancing
应律兮合节，
Matching the melody, in harmony with the metre
灵之来兮蔽日。
The gods approaching in their multitudes block out the sun
青云衣兮白霓裳，
Attired in a blue-cloud tunic, set off by a white rainbow skirt
举长矢兮射天狼。
Raising aloft a long arrow to shoot down the constellation Sirius
 操余弧兮反沦降，
Holding high my wooden bow, turning to shoot down the setting sun
援北斗兮酌桂浆。
Clasping the Plough, to drink my fill of osmanthus elixir
撰余辔兮高驼翔，
Taking hold of my bridle, high aloft, to gallop at full pelt, soaring and wheeling
杳冥冥兮以东行。
In the dark and deep, travelling on an eastward journey

Notes:  In Chinese mythology, the fusang (扶桑) is a legendary mulberry tree that grows in the ocean where the sun is supposed to rise.

 More information:
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B9%9D%E6%AD%8C%C2%B7%E4%B8%9C%E5%90%9B
http://www.vantagemusic.org/magazine/qu-yuans-nine-songs/

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《九歌·东皇太一》 其一
"The Emperor of the East, the Supreme Unity" (Dong Huai Tai Yi), no. 1 from Nine Songs (Jiu Ge)
作者：屈原（战国时楚人）
by Qu Yuan (State of Chu/Warring States period, c. 340 BC-278 BC)
translated by Colin Huehns

吉日兮辰良，
On this auspicious day, this excellent morning
穆将愉兮上皇；
In reverent solemnity, we will delight the Emperor above
抚长剑兮玉珥，
Holding our long swords’ jade hilts
璆锵鸣兮琳琅；
"Qiu-qiang" sound our jade pendants and plaques
瑶席兮玉瑱，
Mats of woven herbs held in place by jade weights
盍将把兮琼芳；
In synchronous unison, taking perfumed flowers, like fine jade
蕙肴蒸兮兰藉，
Present lavender-flavoured meat on the bone served on an orchid garnish
奠桂酒兮椒浆；
Offer osmanthus liquor and pepper elixir
扬枹兮拊鼓，
Raising high the drumsticks, strike the drum
疏缓节兮安歌；
In a slow, solemn, and steady metre, a harmoniously peaceful song
陈竽瑟兮浩倡；
Arrayed are yu mouth organs and se zithers accompanying deeply resonant singing
灵偃蹇兮姣服，
The Emperor, haughtily magnificent, is richly dressed
芳菲菲兮满堂；
A fragrance, heady and heavy, fills the hall
五音纷兮繁会，
The five notes are varied in counterpoint and heterophony
君欣欣兮乐康。
And the Lord is deliciously delighted, happy and calm

More information:
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B9%9D%E6%AD%8C%C2%B7%E4%B8%9C%E7%9A%87%E5%A4%AA%E4%B8%80/699288
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《诗经·大雅·板》
(Ban)
from the "Da Ya" (大雅, Major Court Hymns) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 10th-9th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

上帝板板、下民卒癉。
出話不然、為猶不遠 。
靡聖管管、不實於亶。
猶之未遠、是用大諫 。
God has reversed [His usual course of procedure],
And the lower people are full of distress.
The words which you utter are not right;
The plans which you form are not far-reaching.
As there are not sages, you think you have no guidance;
You have no reality in your sincerity.
[Thus] your plans do not reach far,
And I therefore strongly admonish you.

天之方難、無然憲憲。
天之方蹶、無然泄泄。
辭之輯矣、民之洽矣。
辭之懌矣、民之莫矣 。
Heaven is now sending down calamities; -
Do not be so complacent.
Heaven is now producing such movements; -
Do not be so indifferent.
If your words were harmonious,
The people would become united.
If your words were gentle and kind,
The people would be settled.

我雖異事、及爾同僚。
我即而謀、聽我囂囂。
我言維服、勿以為笑。
先民有言、詢于芻蕘 。
Though my duties are different from yours,
I am your fellow-servant.
I come to advise with you,
And you hear me with contemptuous indifference.
My words are about the [present urgent] affairs; -
Do not think them matter for laughter.
The ancients had a saying:
'Consult the grass and firewood-gatherers. '

天之方虐、無然謔謔。
老夫灌灌、小子蹻蹻。
匪我言耄、爾用憂謔。
多將熇熇、不可救藥 。
Heaven is now exercising oppression; -
Do not in such a way make a mock of things.
An old man, [I speak] with entire sincerity;
But you, my juniors, are full of pride.
It is not that my words are those of age,
But you make a joke of what is sad.
But the troubles will multiply like flames,
Till they are beyond help or remedy.

天之方懠、無為夸毗。
威儀卒迷、善人載尸。
民之方殿屎、則莫我敢葵。
喪亂蔑資、曾莫惠我師 。
Heaven is now displaying its anger; -
Do not be either boastful or flattering,.
Utterly departing from all propriety of demeanour,
Till good men are reduced to personators of the dead.
The people now sigh and groan,
And we dare not examine [into the causes of their trouble].
The ruin and disorder are exhausting all their means of living,
And we show no kindness to our multitudes.

天之牖民、如壎如篪。
如璋如圭、如取如攜。
攜無日益、牖民孔易。
民之多辟、無自立辟 。
Heaven enlightens the people,
As the bamboo flute responds to the porcelain whistle;
As two half maces form a whole one;
As you take a thing, and bring it away in your hand,
Bringing it away without any more ado.
The enlightenment of the people is very easy.
They have [now] many perversities; -
Do not you set up your perversity [before them].

价人維藩、大師維垣、大邦維屏、大宗維翰、懷德維寧、宗子維城。
無俾城壞、無獨斯畏。
Good men are a fence;
The multitudes of the people are a wall;
Great States are screens;
Great Families are buttresses;
The cherishing of virtue secures repose;
The circle of [the king's] Relatives is a fortified wall.
We must not let the fortified wall get destroyed;
We must not let him solitary be consumed with terrors.

敬天之怒、無敢戲豫。
敬天之渝、無敢馳驅。
昊天曰明、及爾出王。
昊天曰旦、及爾游衍。
Revere the anger of Heaven,
And presume not to make sport or be idle.
Revere the changing moods of Heaven,
And presume not to drive about [at your pleasure].
Great Heaven is intelligent,
And is with you in all your goings.
Great Heaven is clear-seeing,
And is with you in your wandering and indulgences.



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《诗经·小雅·常棣》
Brush Cherries (Chang Di)
from the "Xiao Ya" (小雅, Lesser Court Hymns) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 9th-8th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

常棣之华，鄂不韡韡。
凡今之人，莫如兄弟。
The flowers of the cherry tree -
Are they not gorgeously displayed?
Of all the men in the world,
There are none equal to brothers.
死丧之威，兄弟孔怀。
原隰裒矣，兄弟求矣。
On the dreaded occasions of death and burial,
It is brothers who greatly sympathize.
When fugitives are collected on the heights and low grounds,
They are brothers who will seek one another out.
脊令在原，兄弟急难。
每有良朋，况也永叹。
There is the wagtail on the level height; -
When brothers are in urgent difficulties,
Friends, though they may be good,
Will [only] heave long sighs.
兄弟阋于墙，外御其务。
每有良朋，烝也无戎。
Brothers may quarrel inside the walls,
But they will oppose insult from without,
When friends, however good they may be,
Will not afford help.
丧乱既平，既安且宁。
虽有兄弟，不如友生？
When death and disorder are past,
And there are tranquillity and rest;
Although they have brothers,
[Some] reckon them not equal to friends.
傧尔笾豆，饮酒之饫。
兄弟既具，和乐且孺。
Your dishes may be set in array,
And you may drink to satiety;
But it is when your brothers are all present,
That you are harmonious and happy, with child-like joy.
妻子好合，如鼓瑟琴。
兄弟既翕，和乐且湛。
Loving union with wife and children,
Is like the music of lutes;
But it is the accord of brothers,
Which makes the harmony and happiness lasting.
宜尔室家，乐尔妻帑。
是究是图，亶其然乎？
For the ordering of your family,
For your joy in your wife and children,
Examine this and study it; -
Will you not find that it is truly so?

Notes:

"Lutes" is an incorrect translation of se (瑟) and qin (琴), instruments that are actually zithers.



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《诗经·国风·秦风·车邻》
(Che Lin)
from the "Guo Feng" (国风, Airs of the States):  "Qin Feng" (秦风, Airs of Qin) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 8th-7th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

有车邻邻、有马白颠。
未见君子、寺人之令。
He has many carriages, giving forth their lin-lin;
He has horses with their white foreheads.
Before we can see our prince,
We must get the services of the eunuch.
阪有漆、隰有栗。
既见君子、并坐鼓瑟。
今者不乐、逝者其耋。
On the hill-sides are varnish trees;
In the low wet grounds are chestnuts.
When we have seen our prince,
We sit together with him, and they play on their lutes.
If now we do not take our joy,
The time will pass till we are octogenarians.
阪有桑、隰有杨。
既见君子、并坐鼓簧。
今者不乐、逝者其亡。
On the hill-sides are mulberry trees;
In the low wet grounds are willows.
When we have seen our prince,
We sit together with him, and they play on their organs.
If now we do not take our joy,
The time will pass till we are no more.

Notes:

"Lutes" is an incorrect translation of se (瑟), an instrument that is actually a bridge zither.

More information:

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《诗经·小雅·车舝》
(Che Xia)
from the "Xiao Ya" (小雅, Lesser Court Hymns) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 9th-8th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

间关车之舝兮，思娈季女逝兮。
匪饥匪渴，德音来括。
虽无好友？式燕且喜。 
Jian-guan went the axle ends of my carriage,
As I thought of the young beauty, and went [to fetch her].
It was not that I was hungry or thirsty,
But [I longed] for one of such virtuous fame to come and be with me.
Although no good friends be with us,
We will feast and be glad.
依彼平林，有集维鷮。
辰彼硕女，令德来教。
式燕且誉，好尔无射。
Dense is that forest in the plain,
And there sit the long-tailed pheasants.
In her proper season that well-grown lady,
With her admirable virtue, is come to instruct me.
We will feast, and I will praise her.
' I love you, and will never be weary of you. '
虽无旨酒？式饮庶几。
虽无嘉肴？式食庶几。
虽无德与女？式歌且舞？
Although I have no good spirits,
We will drink [what I have], and perhaps [be satisfied].
Although I have no good viands,
We will eat [what I have], and perhaps [be satisfied].
Although I have no virtue to impart to you,
We will sing and dance.
陟彼高冈，析其柞薪。
析其柞薪，其叶湑兮。
鲜我觏尔，我心写兮。 
I ascend that lofty ridge,
And split the branches of the oaks for firewood.
I split the branches of the oaks for firewood,
Amid the luxuriance of their leaves.
I see you whose match is seldom to be seen,
And my whole heart is satisfied.
高山仰止，景行行止。
四牡騑騑，六辔如琴。
觏尔新婚，以慰我心。
The high hill is looked up to;
The great road is easy to be travelled on.
My four steeds advanced without stopping;
The six reins [made music] in my hands like lute-[strings].
I see you my bride,
To the comfort of my heart.

Notes:

"Lute" is an incorrect translation of qin (琴), an instrument that is actually a zither.


More information:

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《诗经·国风·鄘风·定之方中》
(Ding Zhi Fang Zhong)
from the "Guo Feng" (国风, Airs of the States):  "Yong Feng" (鄘风, Airs of Yong) section of the Shi Jing (Zhou Dynasty, c. 8th-7th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

定之方中，作于楚宫。揆之以日，作于楚室。树之榛栗，椅桐梓漆，爰伐琴瑟。
When Ding culminated [at night fall],
He began to build the palace at Chu.
Determining its aspects by means of the sun,
He built the mansion at Chu.
He planted about it hazel and chesnut trees,
The yi, the tong, the zi, and the varnish-tree,
Which, when cut down, might afford materials for lutes.
升彼虚矣，以望楚矣。望楚与堂，景山与京。降观于桑。卜云其吉，终焉允臧。
He ascended those old walls,
And thense surveyed [the site of ] Chu.
He surveyed Chu and Tang,
With the high hills and lofty elevations about :
He descended and examined the mulberry trees;
He then divined, and got a fortunate response;
And thus the issue has been truly good.
灵雨既零，命彼倌人。星言夙驾，说于桑田。匪直也人，秉心塞渊。騋牝三千。
When the good rains had fallen,
He would order his groom,
By starlight, in the morning, to yoke his carriage,
And would then stop among the mulberry trees and fields.
But not only thus did he show what he was; -
Maintaining in his heart a profound devotion to his duties,
His tall horses and mares amounted to three thousand.

Notes:

"Lutes" is an incorrect translation of qin [and] se (琴瑟), instruments that are actually zithers.


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《诗经·小雅·甫田》
(Fu Tian)
from the "Xiao Ya" (小雅, Lesser Court Hymns) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 9th-8th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

倬彼甫田，岁取十千。我取其陈，食我农人。自古有年，今适南亩。或耘或耔，黍稷薿薿。攸介攸止，烝我髦士。
Bright are those extensive fields,
A tenth of whose produce is annually levied.
I take the old stores,
And with them feed the husbandmen,
From of old we have had good years,
And now I go to the south-lying acres,
Where some are weeding, and some gather the earth about the roots.
The millets look luxuriant;
And in a spacious resting place,
I collect and encourage the men of greater promise.
以我齐明，与我牺羊，以社以方。我田既臧，农夫之庆。琴瑟击鼓，以御田祖。以祈甘雨，以介我稷黍，以榖我士女。
With my vessels full of bright millet,
And my pure victim-rams,
We sacrificed to [the Spirits of] the land, and to [those of] the four quarters.
That my fields are in such good condition,
Is matter of joy to my husbandmen.
With lutes, and with drums beating,
We will invoke the Father of husbandry,
And pray for sweet rain,
To increase the produce of our millets,
And to bless my men and their wives.
曾孙来止，以其妇子。馌彼南亩，田畯至喜。攘其左右，尝其旨否。禾易长亩，终善且有。曾孙不怒，农夫克敏。曾孙之稼，如茨如梁。
The distant descendant comes,
When their wives and children,
Are bringing food to those [at work] in the south-lying acres.
The surveyor of the fields [also] comes, and is glad.
He takes [of the food] on the left and the right,
And tastes whether it be good or not.
The grain is well cultivated, all the acres over;
Good will it be and abundant.
The distant descendant has no displacency;
The husbandmen are encouraged to diligence.
曾孙之庾，如坻如京。乃求千斯仓，乃求万斯箱。黍稷稻粱，农夫之庆。报以介福，万寿无疆。
The crops of the distant descendant,
Look [thick] as thatch, and [swelling] like a carriage cover.
The stacks of the distant descendant,
Will stand like islands and mounds.
He will seek for thousands of granaries;
He will seek for myriads of carts.
The millets, the paddy, and the maize,
Will awake the joy of the husbandmen;
[And they will say], ' May he be rewarded with great happiness.
With myriads of years, life without end!

Notes:

"Lutes" is an incorrect translation of qin [and] se (琴瑟), instruments that are actually zithers.



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《诗经·小雅·鼓钟》
(Gu Zhong)
from the "Xiao Ya" (小雅, Lesser Court Hymns) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 9th-8th century BC)

 鼓钟将将，淮水汤汤，忧心且伤。
淑人君子，怀允不忘。
His bells ring out jiang-jiang,
While the waters of the Huai go sweeping on;
Sad is my heart and wouded.
The virtuous sovereigns [of old], -
In my heart, indeed, I cannot forget them.
鼓钟喈喈，淮水湝湝，忧心且悲。
淑人君子，其德不回。
His drums ring out jie-jie,
While the waters of the Huai rush along;
My heart is sad and grieved.
Of the virtuous sovereigns [of old],
The virtue was without flaw.
鼓钟伐鼛，淮有三洲，忧心且妯。
淑人君子，其德不犹。
His bells ring out, his large drums resound,
There are the three islands in the Huai;
Sad is my heart and moved.
Of the virtuous sovereigns [of old],
The virtue was different from this.
鼓钟钦钦，鼓瑟鼓琴，笙磬同音。
以雅以南，以籥不僭。
His bells ring out qin-qin;
His lutes, large and small, give their notes;
The tones of his organs and sounding stones are in unison.
They sing the Ya and the Nan,
Dancing to their flutes without error.

Notes:

"Lutes" is an incorrect translation of se (瑟) and qin (琴), instruments that are actually zithers.

https://ctext.org/book-of-poetry/gu-zhong

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《诗经·国风·周南·关雎》
(Guan Ju)
from the "Guo Feng" (国风, Airs of the States):  "Zhou Nan" (周南, Odes of Zhou and the South) section of the Shi Jing (Zhou Dynasty, c. 8th-7th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

关关雎鸠，在河之洲。窈窕淑女，君子好逑。
Guan-guan go the ospreys,
On the islet in the river.
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady:
For our prince a good mate she.
参差荇菜，左右流之。窈窕淑女，寤寐求之。
求之不得，寤寐思服。悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。
Here long, there short, is the duckweed,
To the left, to the right, borne about by the current.
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady:
Waking and sleeping, he sought her.
He sought her and found her not,
And waking and sleeping he thought about her.
Long he thought; oh! long and anxiously;
On his side, on his back, he turned, and back again.
参差荇菜，左右采之。窈窕淑女，琴瑟友之。
参差荇菜，左右芼之。窈窕淑女，钟鼓乐之。
Here long, there short, is the duckweed;
On the left, on the right, we gather it.
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady:
With lutes, small and large, let us give her friendly welcome.
Here long, there short, is the duckweed;
On the left, on the right, we cook and present it.
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady:
With bells and drums let us show our delight in her.

Notes:

"Lutes" is an incorrect translation of qin (琴) and se (瑟), instruments that are actually zithers.



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《诗经·小雅·何人斯》
(He Ren Si)
from the "Xiao Ya" (小雅, Lesser Court Hymns) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 9th-8th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

彼何人斯、其心孔艰。
胡逝我梁、不入我门。
伊谁云从、维暴之云。
What man was that?
His mind is full of dangerous devices.
Why did he approach my dam,
Without entering my gate?
Of whom is he a follower?
I venture to say, - of Bao.

二人从行、谁为此祸。
胡逝我梁、不入唁我。
始者不如今、云不我可。
Those two follow each other in their goings; -
Which of them wrought me this calamity?
Why came he to my dam,
Without entering to condole with me?
Our former relations were different from the present,
When he will have nothing to do with me.

彼何人斯、胡逝我陈。
我闻其声、不见其身。
不愧于人、不畏于天。
What man was it?
Why came he to the path inside my gate?
I heard his voice,
But did not see his person.
He is not ashamed before men;
He does not stand in awe of Heaven.

彼何人斯、其为飘风。
胡不自北、胡不自南。
胡逝我梁、祇搅我心。
He Ren Si:
What man was it?
He is like a violent wind.
Why came he not from the north?
Or why not from the south?
Why did he approach my dam,
Doing nothing but perturb my mind?

尔之安行、亦不遑舍。
尔之亟行、遑脂尔车。
壹者之来、云何其盱。
You go along slowly,
And yet you have not leisure to stop!
You go along rapidly,
And yet you have leisure to grease your wheels!
If you would come to me but once! -
Why am I kept in a state of expectation?

尔还而入、我心易也。
还而不入、否难知也。
壹者之来、俾我祇也。
If on your return you entered my house,
My heart would be relieved.
When on your return you do not enter it,
It is hard to understand your denial.
If you would come to me but once,
It would set me at rest.

伯氏吹埙、仲氏吹篪。
及尔如贯、谅不我知。
出此三物、以诅尔斯。
The elder of us blew the porcelain whistle,
And the younger blew the bamboo flute;
I was as if strung on the same string with you.
If indeed you do not understand me,
Here are the three creatures [for sacrifice],
And I will take an oath to you.

为鬼为蜮、则不可得。
有靦面目、视人罔极。
作此好歌、以极反侧。
If you were an imp or a water-bow,
You could not be got at.
But when one with face and eyes stands opposite to another,
The man can be seen through and through.
I have made this good song,
To probe to the utmost your veerings and turnings.


More information:

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《诗经·国风·王风·君子阳阳》
(Junzi Yangyang)
from the "Guo Feng" (国风, Airs of the States):  "Wang Feng" (王风, Airs of Wang) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry) (Zhou Dynasty, c. 8th-7th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

君子阳阳、左执簧、右招我由房。
其乐只且。
My husband looks full of satisfaction.
In his left hand he holds his reed-organ,
And with his right he calls me to the room.
Oh the joy!
君子陶陶、左执翿、右招我由敖。
其乐只且。
My husband looks delighted.
In his left hand he holds his screen of feathers,
And with his right he calls me to the stage.
Oh the joy!

More information:

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 《诗经·小雅·鹿鸣》
(Lu Ming)
from the "Xiao Ya" (小雅, Lesser Court Hymns) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 9th-8th century BC)

呦呦鹿鸣，食野之苹。
The deer one to another bleat;
In the fields, wormwood they eat.
我有嘉宾，鼓瑟吹笙。
I have fine guests today;
Se and sheng for them are played.
吹笙鼓簧，承筐是将。
Sheng and [mouth harp] reed vibrate;
While I put gifts into the crate.
人之好我，示我周行。
They are indeed good friends,
Showing me ideal means and ends.
呦呦鹿鸣，食野之蒿。
The deer one to another bleat;
In the fields, mugwort they eat.
我有嘉宾，德音孔昭。
I have fine guests today;
Good virtues they display.
视民不恌，君子是则是效。
They teach folks not to steal,
The junzi [man of virtue] is their ideal.
我有旨酒，嘉宾式燕以敖。
I have both good food and wine;
Merrily, merrily my guests dine.
呦呦鹿鸣，食野之芩。
The deer one to another bleat;
In the fields, scullcaps they eat.
我有嘉宾，鼓瑟鼓琴。
I have fine guests today;
Se and qin for them are played.
鼓瑟鼓琴，和乐且湛。
Se and qin for them are played;
We are so happy and so gay.
我有旨酒，以燕乐嘉宾之心。
I have good food and wine.
Merrily, merrily my guests dine.

https://ctext.org/book-of-poetry/lu-ming

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 《诗经·商颂·那》
(Na)
from the "Shang Song" (商颂, Eulogies of Shang) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 7th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

 猗与那与，置我鼗鼓。
How admirable! how complete!
Here are set our hand-drums and drums.
奏鼓简简，衎我烈祖。
The drums resound harmonious and loud,
To delight our meritorious ancestor.
汤孙奏假，绥我思成。
The descendant of Tang invites him with this music,
That he may soothe us with the realization of our thoughts.
鼗鼓渊渊，嘒嘒管声。
Deep is the sound of the hand-drums and drums;
Shrilly sound the flutes;
既和且平，依我磬声。
All harmonious and blending together,
According to the notes of the sonorous gem.
于赫汤孙，穆穆厥声。
Oh! majestic is the descendant of Tang;
Very admirable is his music.
庸鼓有斁，万舞有奕。
The large bells and drums fill the ear;
The various dances are grandly performed.
我有嘉客，亦不夷怿。
We have admirable visitors,
Who are pleased and delighted.
自古在昔，先民有作。
From of old, before our time,
The former men set us the example; -
温恭朝夕，执事有恪。
How to be mild and humble from morning to night,
And to be reverent in discharging the service.
顾予烝尝，汤孙之将。
May he regard our sacrifices in summer and autumn,
[Thus] offered by the descendant of Tang!


《诗经·国风·郑风·女曰鸡鸣》
(Nü Yue Ji Ming)
from the "Guo Feng" (国风, Airs of the States):  "Zheng Feng" (郑风, Airs of Zheng) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry) (Zhou Dynasty, c. 8th-7th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

女曰鸡鸣，士曰昧旦。子兴视夜，明星有烂。将翱将翔，弋凫与雁。
Says the wife, 'It is cock-crow;'
Says the husband, 'It is grey dawn.'
'Rise, Sir, and look at the night,—'
If the morning star be not shining.
Bestir yourself, and move about,
To shoot the wild ducks and geese.
弋言加之，与子宜之。宜言饮酒，与子偕老。琴瑟在御，莫不静好。
'When your arrows and line have found them,
I will dress them fitly for you.
When they are dressed, we will drink [together over them],
And I will hope to grow old with you.
Will emit its quiet pleasant tones.
知子之来之，杂佩以赠之。知子之顺之，杂佩以问之。知子之好之，杂佩以报之。
'When I know those whose acquaintance you wish,
I will give them of the ornaments of my girdle.
When I know those with whom you are cordial,
I will send to them of the ornaments of my girdle.
When I know those whom you love,
I will repay their friendship from the ornaments of my girdle.'



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《诗经·小雅·巧言》
(Qiao Yan)
from the "Xiao Ya" (小雅, Lesser Court Hymns) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry) (Zhou Dynasty, c. 9th-8th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

悠悠昊天、曰父母且。
无罪无辜、乱如此怃。
昊天已威、予慎无罪。
昊天泰怃、予慎无辜。
O vast and distant Heaven,
Who art called our parent,
That without crime or offence,
I should suffer from disorders thus great!
The terrors of great Heaven are excessive,
But indeed I have committed no crime.
[The terrors of] great Heaven are very excessive,
But indeed I have committed no offence.
乱之初生、僭始既涵。
乱之又生、君子信谗。
君子如怒、乱庶遄沮。
君子如祉、乱庶遄已。
Disorder then comes to the birth,
When the first untruth is received.
Its further increase,
Is from our sovereign's believing the slanderers.
If he were to be angry [with them],
The disorder would probably quickly be abated;
If he were to show his joy [in the good],
The disorder would probably quickly cease.
君子屡盟、乱是用长。
君子信盗、乱是用暴。
盗言孔甘、乱是用餤。
匪其止共、维王之邛。
Our sovereign makes frequent covenants,
And the disorders are thereby increased.
He believes the scoundrels,
And the disorders thereby grow into oppression.
Their words are very sweet,
And the disorders thereby advance.
They do not discharge their duties,
But only create distress to the king.
奕奕寝庙、君子作之。
秩秩大猷、圣人莫之。
他人有心、予忖度之。
跃跃毚兔、遇犬获之。
Very grand is the ancestral temple; -
A true sovereign made it.
Wisely arranged are the great plans; -
Sages determined them.
What other men have in their minds,
I can measure by reflection.
Swiftly runs the crafty hare,
But it is caught by the hound.
荏染柔木、君子树之。
往来行言、心焉数之。
蛇蛇硕言、出自口矣。
巧言如簧、颜之厚矣。
Trees of soft wood, easily wrought,
Are planted by wise men.
The words of way-farers that come and go,
Can be discriminated by the mind.
Their easy and grand words,
[Only] issue from their mouths.
Their artful words, like organ-tongues,
Show how unblushing are their faces.
彼何人斯、居河之麋。
无拳无勇、职为乱阶。
既微且尰、尔勇伊何。
为犹将多、尔居徒几何。
Who are they?
They [are like men who] dwell on the banks of the river;
And they have neither strenghth nor courage,
While yet they rear the steps of disorder!
With legs ulcerated and swollen,
What courage can you have?
You form plans great and many,
But your followers about you are few.

More information:

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 《诗经·周颂·臣工之什·有瞽》
(You Gu)
from the "Zhou Song" (周颂, Eulogies of Zhou) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 11th-10th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

 有瞽有瞽，在周之庭。
There are the blind musicians; there are the blind musicians;
In the court of [the temple of] Zhou.
设业设虡，崇牙树羽。
There are [the music frames] with their face-boards and posts,
The high toothed-edge [of the former], and the feathers stuck [in the latter];
应田县鼓，鼗磬柷圉。
With the drums, large and small, suspended from them;
And the hand-drums and sounding-stones, the instrument to give the signal for commencing, and the stopper.
既备乃奏，箫管备举。
These being all complete, the music is struck up.
The pan-pipe and the double-flute begin at the same time.
喤喤厥声，肃雍和鸣，先祖是听。
Harmoniously blend their sounds;
In solemn unison they give forth their notes.
Our ancestors will give ear;
我客戾止，永观厥成。
Our visitors will be there; -
Long to witness the complete performance.

https://ctext.org/book-of-poetry/you-gu

 More information:
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%9C%89%E7%9E%BD

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 《诗经·周颂·执竞》
(Zhi Jing)
from the "Zhou Song" (周颂, Eulogies of Zhou) section of the Shi Jing (Classic of Poetry)
(Zhou Dynasty, c. 11th-10th century BC)
translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

 执竞武王，无竞维烈。
The arm of king Wu was full of strength;
Irresistable was his ardour.
不显成康，上帝是皇。
Greatly illustrious were Cheng and Kang,
Kinged by God.
自彼成康，奄有四方，斤斤其明。
When we consider how Cheng and Kang,
Grandly held all within the four quarters [of the kingdom],
How penetrating was their intelligence!
钟鼓喤喤，磬筦将将，降福穰穰。降福简简，威仪反反。
The bells and drums sound in harmony;
The sounding stones and flutes blend their notes;
Abundant blessing is sent down.
Blessing is sent down in large measure;
Careful and exact is all our deportment;
既醉既饱，福禄来反。
We have drunk, and we have eaten, to the full;
Our happiness and dignity will be prolonged.

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