唐 . 白居易”題岳陽樓”

A poem titled “A poem on Yueyang Tower” by Bai Ju Yi(772-846), Tang Dynasty

Thanslated by Alan Ma, July 7, 2014.

 

 岳陽城下水漫漫， 獨上危樓憑曲闌。

 春岸綠時連夢澤， 夕波紅處近長安。

 猿攀樹立啼何苦， 雁點湖飛渡亦難。

 此地唯堪畫圖障， 華堂張與貴人看。

 

Yueyang City is surrounded by lake water that boundless span,

Climbing up the tall tower alone and on the rotational rails I depend.

Spring flooding changes the shore green linking lakes in mist and dream,

Magnificient wave surface reflects that Chang An City in sunset is near they seem.

Why the apes bother to climb high up the tree and cry,

Across the vast lakes, geese take all the trouble to fly.

The landscape ahead is best fit for painting on a screen,

 And display it in a luxurious hall for renown people to be seen.

-End of translation-