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Selected Poems from Nineteen Old Poems (Eastern Han Dynasty, 25 - 220 A.C.)
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来源：文摘 作者：国学 发布时间：2007-03-16
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*** An allusion to Odes, #203, the lines:
Bright shines that Draught Ox
but one yokes it to no wagon;...
South there is the winnow
but it can't be used to sift with;
north there is the Dipper
but no wine or sauce it ladles.
The Draught Ox, Winnow, and other constellations of Chinese astronomy mentioned in the poem, though bearing useful-sounding names, are in fact as worthless as the friendship of the fellow student to whom the poet addresses his bitter reproach.
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No.8
Frail Frail, Lone-growing Bamboo
Frail frail, lone-growing bamboo,
roots clasping the high hill's edge;
to join with my lord now in marriage,
a creeper clinging to the moss.
Creepers have their time to grow,
husband and wife their proper union.
A thousand miles apart, we made our vow,
far far -- mountain slopes between us. zgwww.com
Thinking of you makes one old;
your canopied carriage, how slow its coming!
These flowers sadden me -- orchis and angelica,
petals unfurled, shedding glory all around;
if no one plucks them in blossom time
they'll wilt and die with the autumn grass.
But if in truth you will keep your promise,
how could I ever be untrue?
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No.9
In the Garden a Strange Tree Grows
In the garden a strange tree grows,
from green leaves a shower of blossoms bursting.
I bend the limb and break off a flower,
thinking to send it to the one I love.
Fragrance fills my breast and sleeves,
but the road is far -- it will never reach you.
Why is such a gift worth the giving?
Only because I remember how long ago we parted.
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zgwww.com
No.10
Far in the Skies Is the Cowherd Star
Far in the skies is the Cowherd Star:
Bright on the Milky Way the Maid*
Lightly her snowy fingers raises
Jogging her shuttle through its mazes.
But her stint of work is never-ending,
And her tears like sobbing showers descending.
Though clear and shallow the Milky Way,
Never they'll meet for many a day.
No word she says, but stares dismayed,
Alone by that surging River far.
* In the beginning of time, the Cowherd and the Weaving-maid loved each other so well that they neglected their work and were changed into stars by the Lord of Heaven, and stationed at either side of the Milky Way in Aquila and Lyra respectively. The lovers are permitted to meet once a year, when the wings of magpies provide a bridge for them to cross.
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No.11
I Turn the Carriage, Yoke and Set Off 国_学_参_考
I turn the carriage, yoke and set off,
far far, over never-ending roads.
In the four directions, broad plain on plain;
east wind shakes the hundred grasses.
Among all I meet, nothing of the past;
what can save us from sudden old age?
Fullness and decay, each has its season;
success -- I hate it, so late in coming!
Man is not made of metal or stone;
how can he hope to live for long?
Swiftly he follows in the wake of change;
a shining name -- let that be the prize!
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No.13
I Drive My Carriage from the Upper East Gate
I drive my carriage from the Upper East Gate*,
scanning the graves far north of the wall;
silver poplars, how they whisper and sigh;
pine and cypress flank the broad lane.
Beneath them, the ancient dead.
black black there in their long night,
sunk in sleep beneath the Yellow Springs**; zgwww.net
a thousand years pass but they never wake.
Times of heat and cold in unending succession,
but the years Heaven gives us are like morning dew.
Man's life is brief as a sojourn;
his years lack the firmness of metal or stone.
Ten thousand ages come and go
but sages and wise men discover no cure.
Some seek long life in fasts and potions;
many end by poisoning themselves.***
Far better to drink fine wine,
to clothe ourselves in soft white silk!
* The Upper East Gate has been identified as the northernmost of the three gates in the east wall of Lo-yang. The graves are those situated on the hill called Pei-mang northeast of the city.
** The Yellow Springs is the land of the dead.
*** The reference to poisoning is deadly serious; many eminent men, including emperors, brought illness or death on themselves by drinking "longevity medicines" containing mercury and other dangerous ingredients.
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No.15
Life That's Scarce a Hundred Years
Life, that's scarce a hundred years,
Holds millenniums of fears.
Brief its noon, and long its night:
Best then mingle dark with light.
Merry-making whiles ye may:
Wait not for another day.
Fools that treasure up their stock
After-generations mock.
Him that held a bond with fate*
None may seek to emulate
* The literal translation of this line is: "The Immortal Wang Tz'u-ch'iao". It refers to the son of a Chou dynasty king who attained immortality, after twenty years of effort and, ultimately, flew away from this world riding on the back of a crane.
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N0.17
First Month of Winter: Cold Air Comes
First month of winter: cold air comes,
north winds sharp and cruel.
I have many sorrows, I know how long the night is,
looking up to watch the teeming ranks of stars. 国_学_参_考
Night of the fifteenth: a bright moon full;
twentieth night: toad and hare wane.*
A traveler came from far away,
put a letter into my hand;
at the top it spoke of "undying remembrance,"
at the bottom, of "parting long endured."
I tucked it away inside my robe;
three years -- not a word has dimmed.
With whole heart I offer my poor love,
fearful you may not see its worth.
* The dark and light areas on the surface of the moon were interpreted as the outlines of a toad and a hare who inhabit the moon.
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