Meng Jiao - Bird in an Empty City

Kit Kelen

This article proposes that oral performance could be a philosophical activity in early China. The focus is on the Huainanzi, a densely rhymed philosophical treatise compiled by Liu An in the second century b.c.e. I show that the tome contains various sound-correlated poetic forms that are intended not only to enable textual performance but also, by means of aural mimesis, to encourage the intuitive understanding of its philosophical messages. Thus scholars of ancient poetry, philosophy, or intellectual history, despite being habituated to reading silently and observing disciplinary boundaries, should be attentive to these sonic patterns in order to do justice to the poetic-cum-philosophical richness and originality of this text. More importantly, I argue that these poetic forms enable readers and audiences to experience, embody, and, above all, enact the Way through textual performance. Thanks to the sound patterns of the Huainanzi, the somatic processes of aural reading and philosophical praxis can occur simultaneously. Vocalization becomes an actionable and repeatable spiritual exercise, which facilitates the intuitive understanding and internalization of philosophical values. In other words, the perennial knowing–doing gap is heroically closed by the Huainanzi. 本文論證早期中國的文本表演可以是一種具創造性的哲學活動，而非只是以聲音演繹書寫文本的朗讀活動。文中首先指出《淮南子》裏跟聲音有關的詩歌形式不但有助朗誦表演，更能讓讀者直觀感悟書中哲學思想而不落言筌。而且，這些詩歌形式更讓讀者通過朗讀而實踐、內化書中所述之大道。可以說，《淮南子》對中國哲學的一大貢獻在於它將「知道」、「傳道」和「行道」三者合而為一。

This 200-page volume contains 85 carefully selected Chinese poems arranged in chronological order, from antiquity (c.2000 BCE) to the modern time (1972), though most of them are from the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, since these two eras were the climax of Chinese poetry creation and development. The selection was based on the popularity of the poems, and the common phrases taken from them in everyday usage. Pinyin has been added to help readers learn Mandarin while reading these poems, and feel the sense of poetics in them. The translator is a native Beijinger who has lived in China for over 20 years and in English-speaking countries for over 30 years. Her professional background is architectural humanities. She hopes to make an original contribution to the translation of Chinese poetry through her unique lenses. During the translation, she found it interesting and surprising that the rhythms in the classical Chinese poems were somewhat able to be transformed to follow certain rhythms in the English versions. Maybe there is a universal truth about composing poetry in a sense. Enjoy your reading if you are a lover of Chinese literature and culture, and learn the wisdom of life through your reading.

Chinese poetry rhymed, scanned and followed a host of demanding rules. To bring over that character, and aided by books now available to the general reader, I have tried to do four things in these translations. The first is to create faithful renderings that stand on their own as acceptable poems. The second is to give some indication of the different Chinese poetry styles and genres. The third is to convey the characters and personalities of the individual poets. And the fourth is to provide the social background to Chinese poetry, the context in which poetry was written and understood.

Meng Jiao bird in an empty city new translations by Christopher Kelen, Hilda Tam and Amy Wong 孟郊空城雀客遠文、譚曉汶、黃玨編譯 Meng Jiao: bird in an empty city 《孟郊－空城雀》 ISBN 978-99937-895-5-0 Copyright Christopher Kelen, Hilda Tam and Amy Wong © May 2007 Copyright remains with the translators of this work. The translators assert their moral rights. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the translators. Series Editor – Christopher Kelen KitKelen@umac.mo Cover Design – Wong Kuok Book and Page Design – Tam Hio Man Acknowledgement is made by the translators for drafts, variations and responses to these poems which have appeared in Sirena, Segue, Consciousness, Literature and the Arts, The Drunken Boat, Mindfire, Jacket and Cipher Journal. Published by ASM Association of Stories in Macao General Post Oﬃce PO Box 1507 Macao 關於孟郊孟郊（751-814），字東野，唐代詩人。孟郊生活清苦，一生懷才不遇，屢試不第，到四十六歲才考獲進士。曾遍遊湖南、湖北及廣西。其詩作現存約五百首，多以描寫風景、悼念朋友及抒發其落第之悲痛情感為主。部份作品更能表達孟郊對親友的深切感情，以及其對大自然敬愛的態度。孟郊晚年多病，於閿鄉（今河南靈寶）去世，卒時六十四。 About Meng Jiao Meng Jiao (751-814) was a poet of the Tang Dynasty. Unable to pass the Imperial Examinations and get a respectable post, Meng lived in poverty but managed to travel in Hunan, Hubei and Guangxi. Around ﬁve hundred of his poems survive and cover a wide range of themes and genres including landscapes and lamentations over the deaths of friends (as well as for failure in examinations). Meng poignantly expressed the value he saw in friendship and in familial relationships, and as well an appreciation and awe of sometimes cruel nature. Meng was constantly ill in his old age, dying at the age of 64. 目錄空城雀 Contents bird in an empty city 古離別 parting 遊子吟 chant for a travelling son 空城雀 bird in an empty city 遊俠行 journey of a chivalrous man 有所思 beacon 妾薄命 ill-fated woman 折楊柳二首 breaking off the twings of the willow 路病 sick white travelling 獨愁 alone 春日有感 mad spring urges 結交 making friends 長安旅情 I think of travelling to Chang’an 長安羈旅 on horseback in Chang’an 渭上思歸 thinking of going back home by way of the River Wei 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28-29 30-31 32-33 34-35 36-37 39-39 浮雲藏龍 ﬂoating cloud and hidden dragon 登科後 after passing an imperial examination 與二三友秋宵會話清上人院 gathering with a few friends at the house of one we admire 遊終南龍池寺 a visit to Long Chi Temple in Zhong Nan Mountain 遊華山雲臺觀 the Daoist’s retreat on Hua Mountain 蘇州崑山惠聚寺僧房 in the temple of kindness at Kun Shan in Suzhou 西上經靈寶觀 passing Ling Bao Temple, headed west 泛黃河 the Yellow River running 過分水嶺 crossing mountains Fen Shui 桐廬山中贈李明府 poem in the mountains for the mountain bureaucrat 贈韓郎中三首之一贈韓郎中三首之二 two big rats poems for Han Yu 寄張籍 ﬂoating cloud and hidden dragon 憶周秀才素上人時聞各在一方 torn 舟中喜遇從叔簡別後寄上時從叔初擢第歸江南郊不從行 clouds parting 宿空姪院寄澹公 having decided to go 42-43 44-45 46-47 48-49 50-51 52-53 54-55 56-57 58-59 60-61 62-63 64-65 66-67 68-69 消逝 the future a vain and vanishing whim 酬友人見寄新文 on the value of inspiring works 大梁送柳淳先入關 the scholar’s self pity is world embracing 送溫初下第 for one who has failed in the examination 送曉公歸庭山 the future a vain and vanishing whim 送豆盧策歸別墅 for one dissatisﬁed with nature 送清遠上人歸楚山舊寺 the high monk off for his re-education 送蕭鍊師入四明山 portrait of the priest coming into the mountain 感別送從叔校書簡再登科東歸 seeing off an uncle east, he having passed his examination 同晝上人送郭秀才江南尋兄弟 going south to look for his brothers 送從叔校書簡南歸 an uncle parting for the south 同第郎中使君送河南裴文學 for one returning to Henan 送丹霞子阮芳顏上人歸山 sending a Daoist back to his mountain 送盧汀侍御歸天德幕 sending a courtier back to the army 72-73 74-75 76-77 78-79 80-81 82-83 84-85 86-87 88-89 90-91 92-93 94-95 96-97 流水春雨 for the river and the Spring rain 同李益崔放送王鍊師還樓觀兼為公先營山居 returning from the temple to build houses for the homeless 送道士 the Daoist in the mountains 溧陽唐興寺觀薔薇花同諸公餞陳明府 appreciating roses 送淡公十二首之三送淡公十二首之九 farewell to Dan Ran from twelve poems 與韓愈李翱張籍話別 red strings 井上枸杞架 a rack of vines beside the well 蚊 mosquitoes 燭蛾 moths and candle 喜雨 happy rain 觀種樹 planting trees in spring 尋言上人 seeking the monk I knew here once 憩淮上觀公法堂 I rest the night at a Daoist temple 江邑春霖奉贈陳侍御 for the river and the spring rain 100-101 102-103 104-105 106-107 108-109 110-111 112-113 114-115 116-117 118-119 120-121 122-123 124-125 訪嵩陽道士不遇 the Daoist wasn’t there when I went to visit 聽藍溪僧為元居士說維摩經 explaining the ‘Wei Mo Jing’ sutra 借車 borrowing carts 喜符郎詩有天縱 Fu Lang’s poems – none better 元魯山 126-127 128-129 130-131 132-133 Yuan Lu Mountain series 弔國殤 mourning for those fallen in war 弔元魯山十首之一弔元魯山十首之五 from mourning for Yuan Lu Mountain 傷舊遊 sad travels in a place remembered 逢江南故晝上人會中鄭方回 in mountain poems 哭祕書包大監 a second poem of mourning 悼幼子 mourning for my young son 弔盧殷十首之七 from ten poems of mourning for the poor scholar ofﬁcial, Lu Yin 觀音巖 Guan Yin cave 有所思聯句 thoughts (collaborative poem with Han Yu) 136-137 138-139 140-141 142-143 144-145 146-147 148-149 150-151 152-153 遣興聯句 the enthusiasms (collaborative poem with Han Yu) 贈劍客李園聯句 for the swordsman (collaborative poem with Han Yu) 154-155 158-160 bird in an empty city 空城雀古離別松萍雲水春春楊千山路去分芳色柳條雲水有無役柔織萬繚分歸合雙四別條繞，離；日，時。眼，支。愁，絲。 12 parting (a�er the form of the ancients) clouds coil up Song Mountain and down beneath the duckweed river decides its branches clouds sca�er but one day they’ll be back the water runs its many ways fragrance of ﬂowers sets eyes to task spring scenery so�ens the limbs silk willows knit heavy with sadness of parting 13 遊子吟慈遊臨意誰報母子行恐言得手身密遲寸三中上密遲草春線，衣。縫，歸。心，暉。 14 chant for a travelling son needle in the mother’s hands clothes on the son’s back gone on their way the sewing hard before the se�ing oﬀ once he’s gone the worry sets in the inch of grass in the heart no reward for the sunshine of three springs 15 空城雀一所祇官魚鳥飲可雀食慮倉網羅啄以入寧往終不不要空官損覆害在張自城倉，幾？頻，爾。天，水。然，裏。 16 bird in an empty city ﬂies into the oﬃcial granary what’s that worth? back and forth, back and forth it’s a living but one day the granary’s claws catch no net for ﬁsh in the sky you won’t cage a bird underwater to peck freely all the bird requires the granary of an empty city 17 遊俠行壯火殺輕豈肯半劍士中人生知白生閑性見不如眼頭無一剛石迴蹔有上恩百決，裂。頭，別。淚，髮？酬，月。 18 journey of a chivalrous man the strong man is hard, determined tough as stone in ﬁre cracking kills a man won’t even look back dying is quite a casual thing still tear in eye, white hair who knows? nothing to thank for, resent half this life where is the worthy enemy? a hundred months since this sword has seen light 19 有所思桔客古寒此空槔路鎮江時使烽迢刀浪西南火迢攢起去心晝信萬千定遠不難片堆如淒滅，越。霜，雪。何？切。 20 beacon for days, for nights, the beacon stood lit no traveller would come this way ten thousand blades in the town shone like frost the cold river billowed with snow till those travelling west surely were lost in the south only sadness to feel 21 妾薄命薄頻秦昨豈空妾媒命年娥日有傳專氏頭嫁未事機歌修卻欲不十公杼舞婦相白，成。五，卿。力，名。德，輕。 22 ill-fated woman unlucky the would-be wife hair turning as the head demands year a�er year no husband for her see the ﬁ�een year old girl serving an oﬃcer what does she know of weaving? she sings, she dances she does the rest well I focus my mind just on female virtues for this the marriage brokers despise me 23 折楊柳二首之一楊短贈柔青離但不莫中朱併柳枝遠條春別恐怨言有顏在多多累安有無人來短長與別短別攀得定定別遲枝相綠離枝，離。折，垂？節，時；促，遲。條，思。楊，期。折楊柳二首之二樓風枝曲花葉誰征上前疏怨驚映堪戍春楊緣為燕楚別在風柳別年地池離交過，歌。苦，多。雪，波。此，河。 24 breaking oﬀ the twigs of the willow 1 willows have many twigs easy to break so many farewells from the tree still it weeps each li�le twig is all yearning there’s a time for youth but no set time for parting, fear that you’ll go no fear of return no need to detest the twigs of long yearning as with handsome faces their time will pass 2 spring breeze passes through an open window hear the willow singing so sad is parting and parting so long see how sparse the twigs ﬂowers frighten the snows of Yan leaves mirrored in the ponds of Chu who would leave here to join the Jiao He garrison far in the frozen north? 25 路病病艱飛內欲欲稚壯人歸愁宛客哉光火飲醫顏志子書環轉無求赤焦井囊能忽不但在終主臥道肺泉用幾已言云我無人，難。路，肝；竭，單。日？殘。苦，安。腸，端。 26 sick while travelling who’ll take care of the sick traveller? it’s hard even to ask a place to lie down the blazing sun seers the road my lungs and liver just as fevered I want to drink from well or lake I want a doctor but that takes money how suddenly ambition goes like the face of youth a son should never write of pain but of how he’s safe, how these words precede him such sorrows travel through my gut no sign of the road ever ending 27 獨愁前昨欲曉常使日日知臥恐我遠生萬半百芳別白里床蟲草離，髮；情，月。鳴，歇。 28 alone you le� two days ago and yesterday my hair turned white half a month since I’ve slept always worried the insects will cry and so the green of grass will fade 29 春日有感雨一風一獨經且狂滴日吹枝有春持歌草長柳連愁如酒狂芽一線一人等滿笑出，日；垂，枝。顏，閒。杯，來。 30 mad spring urges rain fell and the grass came day by day longer wind blew the willow twig by twig linked a sad face before but now… let me have a drink then comes the singing then comes the laughter 31 結交鑄青結小鑄結凡小鏡銅交人鏡交銅人須易遠難圖圖不多青磨小姑鑑相可是銅，拭；人，息。微，依；照，非。 32 making friends to cast a mirror, use bronze bronze is easy to polish to make friends keep clear of villains slimy people won’t be appeased people hope mirrors will faithfully show people make friends in the hope they can trust what’s not polished won’t reﬂect with people with bronze the same 33 長安旅情盡有我出玉峨下何說足馬門京峨有門青皆亦似十倚千薦雲可四無二青朱孤路，至；蹄，地。樓，翠。門，士？ 34 I think of travelling to Chang’an pondering se�ing my face towards heaven everyone says that the green cloud road avails best those with feet my horse has hooves but it won’t ﬁnd the way great buildings in the city of jade lush foliage about those thousand homes their red lacquered doors where may a scholar ﬁnd comfort within? 35 長安羈旅聽聲曉夜幾夢樂聲淚魄迴覺別入滴遶羈殘離幽楚吳旅燭中，腸。瑟，鄉。情，光。 36 on horseback in Chang’an listening to the music, leaving under a cla�er of hooves each note unstrings the heart tears rust the chu se zither such thoughts like a spirit pursuing me home I woke to see the candle gu�er 37 渭上思歸獨迴家淚訪臨在寄千千吳東里里楚南信，河。鄉，波。 38 thinking of going back home by way of the River Wei a thousand li this le�er has come I pace beside the river which lengthens with my walking its way tears I would send home by way of this water but the river is always running away 39 ﬂoating cloud and hidden dragon 浮雲藏龍登科後昔今春一日朝風日齷放得看齪蕩意盡不思馬長足無蹄安誇，涯。疾，花。 42 a�er passing an imperial examination triﬂes of the past are unworthy of mention success frees the mind of old bars now borders dissolve I think where I like how a spring breeze quickens hooves to the crest and how success is measured! today I have known every ﬂower in Chang’an 43 與二三友秋宵會話清上人院何此一七激寄泠頓扣通處中僧子石枝然覺寂宵山情敲吟泉風諸浮兼詎不又一秋韻嘯境累探能幽，別。磬，月。清，咽。靜，滅。真，輟。 44 gathering with a few friends at the house of one we admire where isn’t dim in the mountains? here there’s a diﬀerent mood monk tapping a chimestone and seven of us chanting for the autumn moon spring water makes pure music on its way down wind whistles through branches it moves although the night is almost passed cups and talk still ﬂow 45 遊終南龍池寺飛僧龍雨步坐地石晚數鳥房在開出依寒險磬聲不終水山白清松道送落到南長更日溪桂路歸遙處，巔。碧，鮮。上，邊。短，偏。客，天。 46 a visit to Long Chi Temple in Zhong Nan Mountain birds cannot ﬂy to this house just for monks a dragon makes the water green when the rain lets up how fresh the mountain I walked above the white sun here clear river far below the ground was cold the pines far down paths uneven to walk when evening came the copper rang heaven knew the mountain looked up 47 遊華山雲臺觀華草山水仙仙夜時敬焚嶽木盡無酒芝聞韻茲柏獨恆五一不皆明女不吟靈新色色醉延星蘿能道異，鮮。石，泉。人，年。館，絃。寐，篇。 48 the Daoist’s retreat on Hua Mountain the mountain is mysterious plants on it are always green stones of ﬁve colours make up the mountain the lakes are strange colours as well wine for the immortals won’t make you drunk life’s lengthened when wishing gives way starry night – hear the devout to sleep through their song would be disrespect I heap pine wood against the cold warm my hands to write 49 蘇州崑山惠聚寺僧房昨片錫袈晴古有還日雲杖裟磬燈時訪到挂莓松無含乞逍上石苔柏短永鶴遙方，床。青，香。韻，光。歸，場。 50 in the temple of kindness at Kun Shan in Suzhou yesterday I got there cloud built on foundations of stone moss on the tin sticks is green robes fragrant with pine and with cypress long rhyme of the bronze bowl the ancient lamp as ever on see how the cranes return 51 西上經靈寶觀自注：「觀即尹真人舊宅。」道語青白放振真寶一萬上驅士音松石步衣文氣片里仙策無靈多恆霽華祕浮古今一徒白泉壽夜霞風中四關人可西髮，清。色，明。起，生。頂，楹。路，行。見，征。 52 passing Ling Bao temple, headed west the Daoist has no grey hair his voice as pure as spring water green pines always green white stones bright by moon the Daoist in the morning glow sway of his robes a fresh breeze the books are hidden in the ceiling how precious the air between the road to the gate for ages now old still folk tread the ten thousand li in vain 53 泛黃河誰流積驚湘越有虛開出雨龍瑟賓恨此崑混飛噴颼嗚不來崙沌作為飀咽可經源，河？風，波。絃，歌。洗，過。 54 the Yellow River running who broke the head of water in Kunlun? who made the river mud? spray braces the air – the dragon makes waves wind over strings – a solemn and a stirring song the river won’t wash away my worries I’m only crossing to another shore 55 過分水嶺山路十迴溪懸客葛白征壯行步環水崖衣花日途馬石九失變陰飄零捨忽力齒舉西為濛颻落我然短，中。轡，東。雨，濛。秋，風。沒，窮。 56 crossing mountains Fen Shui the mountain is strong but the horse is weak the horse is walking the mountain towers I must raise the bridle nine times in ten steps east, west? I’m going in circles water in the stream now rain the cliﬀ is dark with mist clothes billow and sway in the storm kudzu ﬂowers wither, fall light gone, at last alone day’s journey ending 57 桐廬山中贈李明府靜清千一即精欲袖境雨山葉此微識中無零不動佳誰楚蘭濁碧隱亦志相章茞氛，雲。響，聞。士，群。句，薰。 58 poem in the mountains for the mountain bureaucrat pure rain on green clouds all silence in the thousand mountains hear if a leaf moves your sleeves as orchids fragrant chords of the ancients on your strings set down 59 贈韓郎中愈三首之一何贈何贈貧無聞吟以石以松居可君之定高保青過相碩淚交山貞松此彩鼠空契？石；堅？色。外，飾。詩，滴。贈韓郎中愈三首之二碩又穿嚙朝暮豈絲眾志願天鼠嚙墉絲吟泣是斷人士君意既機有無枯穿無將上多保當穿上閑餘桑杼巧何肥飢此察墉，絲；土，衣。柘，機。妙？施。華，羸，節，微。 60 two big rat poems for Han Yu 1 give stone to the stone height to the mountain green to the pine give courage to men virtue and loyalty just this poor house where as in the book of songs a famous rat eats the seedlings one by one as they rise hearing this song I can’t help but weep 2 the rat got through the heavy mud wall gnaws the silk on the loom it leaves some clay but not a stitch of cloth withered mulberries greet ﬁrst light the empty loom shows chill dusk the common folk are great advocates of fat horses, gorgeous clothes how hungry and feeble the aspiring are heaven trains its eye on virtue 61 寄張籍夜朝黯走志一清濁舊新君我古君傾保浮潛鏡光然入士宵漢河愛愁其亦人子敗全雲虯不何秋志惜三徒終忽坐隱逃貴忌生歸何會照時思士時四自無已相壯名從黨所懵當飛物，昇？來，膺。逝，興。朗，澄。遠，凌。懷，稱。晦，朋。競，懵。來，騰。 62 ﬂoating cloud and hidden dragon the mirror in darkness has nothing to reﬂect when will the morning come? in the gloom I think back to autumn my soul ﬁnds a home in these others it’s known the ambitious man lamenting time’s passage up three or four times in the night the innocent man in vain he feels pride how can a muddy river run clear? old friendships are far new resentments pain me you hide your ambition I ﬂee from my name in the past the great ones shunned all forms of show superior folk never gather to slander defeated people compete to get by only the ignorant can save their souls damage one day a certain cloud will ﬂoat by the dragon long lost adorns its true sky 63 憶周秀才素上人時聞各在一方東魂野高浮明衣居吟手羨飛西夢客僧雲月敝山聽把爾禽我安雲月自常得無碧青欲杳分能作為高空古俗雲松寄難情，定。心，性；閑，淨。風，病。語，柄。書，倩。 64 torn east and west mind made and dreaming the wild scholar’s heart composed of clouds the high priest in his moon hidden home ﬂoating is free and the bright orbs at leisure what worries planets, stars? they wear shabby clothes they heed ancient winds you yourself if you come might hold a stick of green pine listen to the jade voices of water mists condensed and ledges careful rocks tumbling far far into rivers lost far from the sea you won’t catch vulgar ills in the mountains you’ll starve in a singular way I would send you a le�er to such eﬀect but the birds won’t come up this high and I can’t bring myself so low as to ﬁnd them 65 舟中喜遇從叔簡別後寄上時從叔初擢第歸江南郊不從行一暫南北寄相意合雲雲聲喚兩還乘誰千聞片卻慶與里不雲，分。歸，群？風，聞。 66 clouds parting two clouds have a single thought and yet they know they have to part the cloud in the south happy to go home but in the north where ice embraces? dark beyond the snow’s horizon a thousand li the wind carries our cries till not a word remains 67 宿空姪院寄澹公夜二燈小雪茗磬聲官詩明去坐三窗師簷碗音韻街思日住冷高看別晴華多聞不空策兩竹人律為滴舉風江相愁杖延聲，語。鈔，侶。滴，舉。飆，楚。隔，予。歸，佇。 68 having decided to go at night cold bamboo sounds men chat I read the sutras by moonlight hoping to be le� alone snow drips from the eaves the sky is clear a chime stone in the gentle breeze reminds me of rivers west tomorrow I take my stick and go tonight I stretch my neck think again 69 the future a vain and vanishing whim 消逝酬友人見寄新文為況繁落郊原耕野我身安復覽詞謳頓客當雲雪陌隰牛鳥無託閑得君彩吟覺棲玄翳和絕多返依飢蓮賴疏郢何不形未月碧清行飛村房凍花禪塵曲沖能神定，中，霄，風。人，蓬。巷，櫳。憂，宮。伯，蒙。文，融。已，空。 72 on the value of inspiring works the traveler yet to come to rest winter and motion is warming clouds in a green sky wind pure, snow falling no one on the path between the ﬁelds ﬂeabane grows along the river the farm cow turns back to the alley, the village a wild bird rests on the sill out of bars hunger and cold? I’ll li� my skirts out of the mud. I’ll pop into the temple a Zen master there brings me peace I’ve read the songs of Chu and yours I chanted the lines till all breath was gone and then I was desolate, empty 73 大梁送柳淳先入關青白自爭王待空去山日古利門富攜去輾無推西與不一誰為閒高入侯待束相塵，人。車，秦。門，貧。書，親。 74 the scholar’s self pity is world embracing green mountains to dust none idle the day big carriages – great patronage only the well heeled come in through gilt doors this bundle of books I labour behind whose goodwill will it bring? 75 送溫初下第日夜高清欲心長咫落光懷抱識藏安尺濁誰無多丈孤風不水能近遠夫岳塵見中，分；趣，聞。志，雲。別，君。 76 for one who has failed in the examination sun sets in the muddy water who can call up light when all’s dim? respectable ambition has always kept a narrow focus how vulgar to look up note mountains, see stars the hero though – his heart is craggy he dreams all the distant elsewheres to go then hold by heart the lonely cloud in the mountain’s lo� take your nose out of the dirt of Changan we hermits are many but mountains are slow 77 送曉公歸庭山庭寺秋日雲泉枯新茲夢山路霽落生灑巢木焉寐何緣山人高田無有不空崎翠盡獨高田還爭可清嶇，微。出，歸。步，衣。羽，飛。繼，輝。 78 the future a vain and vanishing whim how rugged the mountain how verdant the temple track full autumn moon above the peaks sun set, downcast the man goes back clouds high, rain sprinkles on the lotus lush, green, insensible to this birds won’t return to withered nests they ﬁght for the new trees though the old were as good in sunbeams gone as soon as sighted I miss the old dream and the future once said 79 送豆盧策歸別墅短高君意力手身山一避松石今與買開披陟卷俗鶴雲瀟雲奇清薜苺冰常不不湘鶴險淺荔苔雪自巢，栖；去，齊。地，溪。衣，梯。文，攜。 80 for one dissatisﬁed with nature cranes won’t build in ﬂimsy pines crags won’t stop the clouds you complain about this river here just try making your own you’ve wished away the summer now walk the mossy stairs make your clothes of climbing ﬁgs and in their spirit rise 81 送清遠上人歸楚山舊寺波霞水雲詩道應不中際寺蘿誇證笑知出登一三碧青泛松吳楚別改雲蓮萍隱境，岑。來，陰。句，心。者，深。 82 the high monk oﬀ for his re-education one leaves the borders of Wu deep in waves the hill of Chu reached, evening glows three rounds the leaves and clouds have crept his poems praise cloud, jade the same how lotus like, how pure his dao people laugh at those who dri� forge�ing the depths of the pine 83 送蕭鍊師入四明山閑大迥高千百絳白靜靈於於出棲尋尺雪雲言蹤獨高萬四直倒為為不時鶴松物明裂瀉我我語步心，年；表，巔。峰，泉。飯，田。俗，天。 84 portrait of the priest coming into the mountain at leisure a heart like the lonely crane’s years of wisdom more than these tall pines far from all haunts how the stream tumbles here all the way down as snow is my rice the white cloud my ﬁeld speak quietly that the heart might li� receive the sage traces of height 85 感別送從叔校書簡再登科東歸長高下一黃滄怡泠菱芸清餘獨一安槐有人鵠溟怡泠唱書風花恨飛車結名千多無靜思忽迴散綴魚將馬浮利萬遠近退歸生望言衣鳥一道，陰；人，心。勢，潯。姿，吟。聽，深。笑，襟。別，沉。 86 seeing oﬀ an uncle east, he having passed his examination in Changan roads for horses and carts tall willows make ﬂoating shelter a thousand hearts, ten thousand – all for fame and gain are gone… yellow cranes are all for distance sea has no margin to spare the ebb of the ocean is never quite silence hear how the chanting draws us back a mantra’s made out of the breeze falling ﬂowers adorn conversation bird and ﬁsh: their ways must part one soars, the other sinks 87 同晝上人送郭秀才江南尋兄弟地眼手言溪水飛江上前攜是轉流鳴鴻春詩片高萬千向弟色彩寶僧曲里誰與生，明。月，名。心，聲。去？兄。 88 going south to look for his brothers spring colours the ground suggesting a poem in hand a piece of precious moon words as from holy eminence turnings of the river like the turnings of the heart the water runs a thousand miles all along the verdant valley to his wild geese brothers this old lame duck 89 送從叔校書簡南歸長宛寒愁促遙生皆北南高千安在草人促遙隨被騎帆蹤里別東根心水天昏日達指一在離城未已上際曉月山江超須道，隅。死，枯。景，途。中，驅。岳，湖。越，臾。 90 an uncle parting for the south roots of the winter grass not quite dead sad hearts have certainly withered the view over water is all day in changes to reach the sky – how long, how far human lives follow the dawn and the sunset we’re driven by sun and moon to go on north to the mountains south to the sea in the mind’s eye only a moment 91 同第郎中使君送河南裴文學河江送舞菱日如還南風君鶴蔓華何起有繞無清綴正謝會歸行塵瑟楚嵩文雲客，襟。聽，音。棹，岑。學，吟。 92 for one returning to Henan wind walks in the bends of the river no mortal voice heard there but the crane dances mid dozens of strings water chestnuts and vines trap the boat the sun shines high in the mountains the forest here my un-tune-able zither accompanies me in singing these thanks 93 送丹霞子阮芳顏上人歸山松玉登飲倩索仙枉色性山水鶴雲村策不不須須附作莫招肯可正直書衣道交秋，柔。路，流。信，裘。遠，遊。 94 sending a Daoist back to his mountain only the pine resists autumn’s colours jade’s never going to be so� it’s the same the road is straight and the river’s straight too for clothes I guess there’s a ﬁne cut of cloud with the help of the cranes you’ll get le�ers gone don’t tell me the celestial village is far I only wish I could go 95 送盧汀侍御歸天德幕仲結匹射旌道古新清白豈閉宣束馬鵰旗路雪冰溪璧比門領皆黃清防上無有徒自重方騎少河霜日雲銷堆聳招恩獨射，年。岸，天。北，巔。鑠，填。誚，賢。者，全。 96 sending a courtier back to the army an expert at riding, with bow young men gather to see the eagle’s clear cold sky shot to see the ﬂag leading away into clouds snow’s so ancient there it can’t melt in vain blame the stream that it halts in the mountains brave men seek no recluse to save them 97 for the river and the spring rain 流水春雨同李益崔放送王鍊師還樓觀兼為群公先營山居十一來還霞月寄清年卷結期冠帔謝泠白紫崆縹遺上泉閑雲芝峒緲彩空根有士，書。侶，居。翠，虛。水，餘。 100 returning from the temple to build houses for the homeless a Daoist ten years an open book comes to meet his Daoist friends goes back to his home far away homespun clad he’s le� his cap of colourful jade places all his hopes in spring water that it’s pure, that it’s cool enough 101 送道士千山一六自白年上日合有寒山無人人意徒上遺間皆中相行，蹤。游，逢。侶，從。 102 the Daoist in the mountains a thousand years walking he leaves no tracks spends a day in the mortal world they mob him like a star he knows whom he’ll take along cloud wreathed see his apprentice 103 溧陽唐興寺觀薔薇花同諸公餞陳明府忽千佛淨花林群此驚艷火香下間官地紅萬不空印詠餞車琉艷燒徘文觴宰馬璃，開。物，徊。字，杯。官，來。 104 appreciating roses surprising how red a thousand, ten thousand the ﬁre for Buddha’s gone out just this fragrance more than enough under these ﬂowers we chant, drink make our names with the brush a group of oﬃcers send an oﬃcer oﬀ cart and horse pause sniﬀ at the dusk 105 送淡公十二首之三銅手儂飲腳獨笑空閑白斗拍是則踏速伊恃倚日飲銅拍拜小舞漁文青奈江斗浪浪船短陽章竹我酒，歌。兒，婆。頭，簑。操。多。竿，何。送淡公十二首之九報寺橙竹經風離舊不至恩與橘蕉童磬腸憶知死兼山金綠音清繞隨幾方報爭蓋凝韻冷師路千綿德，鮮。檻，禪。細，翩。足，延。尺，綿。 106 farewell to Dan Ran from twelve poems 3 drinking the river wine from a bronze vessel striking the metal and with this note sing I am the one who pounds the waves home worship the woman of the river, weed-wreathed step on the bow, I balance on planks coir of my raincoat dances in air laugh with that famous old drum tune Yu Yang Can how useless the pride in composing such songs leaning leisurely on a green bamboo pole my feet in the wash and my head in the breeze not even the bright sun can bite me 9 Bao En and Bao De – these temple names meaning to repay virtue and to repay kindness mandarins like gold piled in the main hall bananas, bamboo and the green chapel light voice of the sutra so� as a child’s chime clean and cold as a spring my guts around my feet all piled there’s a journey I’ll go it numbs the mind to count the miles till death 107 與韓愈李翱張籍話別朱華物人客歲秋寒遠送夜晨馬鴈常獨絃燈色心程華桐露遊人集光跡書恐行奏少豈故殊忽故新起念類失遶還親知離光知將未然葉鴈重先飢相川閨朋慮別，輝，異，違。已，微。下，飛，恨，歸。鳥，依。水，闈。阻，非。 108 red strings red strings play a song for parting splendid lights grow dim mere things are senseless but the hearts of men? the journey’s unending it’s the breath gives out in autumn from the phoenix tree old leaves fall wild geese ﬂy with the winter dew far travels always bring regret at night hungry birds all gather the early lights so dim in day’s last glow plash of horses a wild goose brings my le�er home mountains and rivers stand in my way or is it just I see them so? 109 井上枸杞架深高不自影聲迸飄花椿鎖葉與將疏細子香盃歲銀架凡仙千萬鄰客承小泉雲木蓋點條溝位此無甃，空。並，同。月，風。外，中。飲，窮。 110 a rack of vines beside the well brick wall of the well locks away silver water high leaves make a trellis of cloud for the sky once a god shook out her painted umbrella that’s how the islands and creatures all fell shadows are sca�ered, a breeze coos to tell where the moon at a thousand points touches fruit falls to ready hands here – delightful to the nose as well drink liquor from a ﬂower cup and live as long as heaven 111 蚊五饑但豈顧飲願一月蚊將覺己人為使中尚膏性寧以天夜夜營血命自偷下景息，營。求，輕！愧？生。幮，清。 112 mosquitoes mid-May night pale travellers in this bri�le air hungry mosquitoes won’t sleep they thirst what can they know of life’s fragility? rather shame they would suﬀer and survive drink of their be�ers, live in disgrace I would like to set up one ﬁne net for the whole of the kingdom what quiet and peaceful nights would be then 113 燭蛾燈厭想惡天應前生爾明若去雙何飛不百掩舞太來惡尺明蛾，切。心，滅。高，月。 114 moths and candle moths – in your dance why all this hurry? hating darkness, loving light aim for the moon and you’ll live a long life 115 喜雨朝暮淒散見成清漫一千濕沾片里高荒雲，雨。枝，土。 116 happy rain a single cloud to mar the morning by dusk a thousand li of rain makes wet branches of the highest crag turns dust to mud down stairs 117 觀種樹種春君誰心種胡無樹至看免意之為事皆難朝別已仍好自待久夕離零未奇買春，留。花，愁？落，休。者，憂？ 118 planting trees in spring wait for spring to plant out seedlings spring is brief – don’t wait too long see the ﬂowers morning, evening parting’s sorrow taints their song I myself with heart so withered go on planting into dusk worry over life’s green details though now myself an empty husk 119 尋言上人萬不唯時竹草披獨里見開寫韻花霜自苺驅文日漫徒入識苔馳字月蕭纖眾青地，蹤。窗，容。屑，茸。木，松。 120 seeking the monk I knew here once in a mossy ﬁeld no carriage, horse sun and moon lie out of doors bamboo in its lonely song ﬂowers wilt unwatched scarf for the frost in the green pine woods I enter heart uphill 121 憩淮上觀公法堂動靜自暫孤紗高事我願不為淮汴且淨明羇覺如悲宿燭巾僧外有為惜君水流將綴日愁日時道空讓歛積無巖爐青揚色徒琉芺還來月歲路閑清輝素剛下中翠芬不渾璃蓉獨舊短，長。人，堂。晝，光。行，強。桂，香；姿，芳。污，黃。意，章。行，腸。 122 I rest the night at a Daoist temple moving, one ﬁnds the day is short si�ing still, too long I pity myself in the guise of a traveller lodge at an empty hall see how my one candle holds oﬀ the morning shu�ers won’t let sunshine through ten thousand things outside in the day cassias in this cave of dust shall we light these leaves in your censer? what beautiful incense they’ll make then rats will be still and the light will pour home tomorrow on alone I go the sad track in my guts 123 江邑春霖奉贈陳侍御江雨應在嘉好天雪坐臥興得枕簷始不風泥兩相上中由此艷音涯涕哭吟言意蓆楹知及浦陂途贈花零放成皆難多盈青幽念唯病若吳京蕩陷日唯木落忠漂損殷遠芳草水風波流飛楚洛歸征無沾凍，春，直，淪。污，勤。恨，辰。上，濱，俗，鱗。濕，津。水，塵。棹，輪。遂，巾。 124 for the river and the spring rain over the river ﬂowers and trees cold in rain lies the spring withered, fallen honest exile leads to a wandering life a�er the rain no birds sing the world’s sad corners so far from each other snow falls to show the ﬁrst light welcome up to green grass river comes chanting only the ﬁsh all ears what’s water here to the dust of Changan? the going-home boat blown onto its moorings the cart in mud come stuck a sweated bed and dripping eaves nor cart nor boat will shi� him my one clean handkerchief I’ll oﬀer 125 訪嵩陽道士不遇先文日人常不何去生焰下間言墮當問五藏鶴空一生列仙兵金過落粒死禦人遊，鼎。時，影。藥，境。寇，請。 126 the Daoist wasn’t there when I went to visit teacher, know your weapons travel your bright ﬁre’s hidden on three legs the sun sets and the crane crosses over mere shadows le� to the world one pill to take away death’s sting? I think the immortals guard treasures more jealously 127 聽藍溪僧為元居士說維摩經古真山道手心空雪洗寒樹僧木人持向景花然物少亦自無維居忽猶水生枝相曲是摩士開在溪光葉，依；直，非。偈，歸。霽，衣。晝，輝。 128 explaining the ‘Wei Mo Jing’ sutra the old tree’s just a few branches and leaves the monk who leans on it’s real on mountains the trees grow each as it will straight crooked, no mirrors to see or conceal sage monks shun disputation hold the ‘Wei Mo Jing’ sutra they worry about their guests soon departing when the sky comes suddenly bright still there’s snow lying in ﬂakes on our shoulders clear water washes the picture clean, winter shines it all 129 借車借家借貧百萬車具者窮年事載少莫何徒盡家于彈足校隨具，車；指，嗟。走，花。 130 borrowing carts someone borrowed carts to shi� furniture there was less furniture than there were carts the lender needn’t despise the borrower no need to sigh for the poor a hundred years for nothing, yes but the ten thousand things like the ﬂowers fall 131 喜符郎詩有天縱念符不由級，屹得文章階。白玉抽一毫，綠（左玉右民）已難排。偷筆作文章，乞墨潛磨揩。海鯨始生尾，試擺蓬壺渦。幸當禁止之，勿使恣狂懷。自悲無子嗟，喜妒雙喈喈。 132 Fu Lang’s poems – none be�er Fu Lang needn’t take all the steps the rest of we poets are bound to he’s already on the highest plank there are none there to trip him this is nothing to do with being proliﬁc one millimetre of white jade puts the green stone to shame this boy stole his father’s brush to write, he begged for ink to rub the stone the whale in the ocean ﬂaps its tail, makes a whirlpool and best of all knows when to stop so as to not over-do things for myself, I’m sad I lack such a son I’m as proud as I’m jealous of this boy 133 Yuan Lu Mountain series 元魯山弔國殤徒白如不堯器秦鑄天生言骨何及舜農漢殺地金人亂當群宰不盜不莫人最縱春草乾器山鑄生競靈，橫。死，生。坤，兵。岳，耕。金，爭。 136 mourning for those fallen in war humans the smartest? their bones lie as white as the rest spring to them nothing soldiers lay their lives down less than grass remember Yao and Shun? those kings cared about crops more than killing people here tear at the mountain make iron for digging, for halberds, for death a good thing earth nor sky pure gold then war would be unending 137 弔元魯山十首之一搏魯豪魯食食君魯天人魯全鷙山人山名力子山璞巧山璞有長飫飯皆乃恥與本生不竟餘飢鮮蒿霸堯新古平異自沒飽，空。肥，蓬。官，農。態，終。一，同。剖，躬。弔元魯山十首之五遠造賢寒血膏以疏階次人日誓明之跡無不絜空竟易驅去近可腸澄訛煎魯莫級，昇。胃，凝。謬，蒸。山，乘。 138 from Mourning for Yuan Lu Mountain 1 ﬁercest birds the best fed how hungry the mountain robbers are bloated those seeking fame may reach high oﬃce toiling in ﬁelds brings more toil uncut jade is all the same it’s men who make the diﬀerence the mountain not wishing to be cut the uncut jade knows its mind 5 step by step is how you get high try skipping and you’ll only stumble the sage’s clean entrails clear sky on a cold day sincerity can be faked too the smart man outwits himself chasing the mountain till there’s no trace le� 139 傷舊遊去花朝東春數笑風會不片一處減時向今人暮還春數成西歸，稀。泣，輝。 140 sad travels in a place remembered I went to the spring ceremony and I came back this spring just as many ﬂowers but the poets were few laughter in the morning weeping into dusk the east wind blows west shines the last sun 141 逢江南故晝上人會中鄭方回相萬追掩筐江塵墨荒虛珠月永知逢感思抑篋山生故毀無沉死謝音失因東北有舊逍飛碧青百群平豈意語林邙遺清遙動澗松泉象生容中，至。日，淚。文，氣。注，字。居，位。暗，閟。言，易。 142 in mountain poems we met when I was disappointed how full the heart can be so many works he bore in his basket pure air of the old days remained in those poems ink soaring peaks the moon standing by deep below vertiginous longings the falls and the river run mirroring sky 143 哭祕書包大監哲賤常明文聲始千舊清人子恐月字容知載館風臥泣寶難未忽知一有那病玉鏡再改歸音絕遺復日，年。破，圓。素，玄。稀，絃。琴，傳？ 144 a second poem of mourning the talented man lies sick in bed the humble man weeps through each stage of life we common folk fear that a mirror will break the moon never ﬁll up again all words that are wri�en are yet to be changed your voice, your face at the yellow spring in the place below you’ve le� your trusty zither behind le� the much loved wind how rare to ﬁnd a true friend in this world strings can never be heard where you go 145 悼幼子一不生枯負欠洒不閉聞氣骸我爾之待黃白散化十千北秋蒿日成為年行原風門，事。風，地。恩，淚。上，至。 146 mourning for my young son I close a door against the world no daylight out there anymore vigour of those limbs woven to wind ﬂesh to earth turned ten years of gratitude for life a thousand years of tears won’t suﬃce why wait for the autumn wind? 147 弔盧殷十首之七初爭夜店醉名寺園高意吟言白盛清何識為踏飲啜郁中裏嗜輕哦語首年濁須漆新明吾二一摘翦綠肥無多忽如俱罵鬢文月曹盃縣梅浮蔬膩滓古然偷莫滄髮，章。橋，床。釀，香。花，芳。羹，羊。韻，腸。至，將。追，浪。 148 from ten poems of mourning for the poor scholar oﬃcial, Lu Yin 7 we had hair when we met there was colour in us then always competing with poems under the bridges of the moon we trod raised cups and never saw the shadows we sobbed as well into such vessels that was how our fame ﬂowed plum blossoms in a temple fragrant ﬂowers of the lake green soup, we skipped the greasy mu�on something pure was in words then echoes of the past lived up to the desert came stealing a�er summer and autumn and winter for that now we stand on the shore wondering clear water, muddy why scold the waves? 149 觀音巖巖和空蓮洞風山座分甘寂春明雨寞雲是向香長普來燈薜陀，多。少，蘿。 150 Guan Yin cave in the dark the ground is all uneven gentle breeze sweet rain just a few joss sticks mountains are lonely ﬁgs climb about the lotus seat 151 有所思聯句相日年春思夕光淚繞千坐銷我萬晼顏心，重。晚，容。(郊) 臺庭望別鏡草夫劍晦滋山水舊新上中暉，茸。石，龍。(愈) 152 thoughts (collaborative poem with Han Yu) Meng: pining in my heart is coiled worse when the sun sets till evening I sit tears sorrow my face Han: the old light dims in the mirror on the table new grass grows in the garden stone on the mountain still waits for the husband the river dragon turns into a sword 153 遣興聯句我心隨日月，寫君庭中央。(郊) 月光有時晦，我心安所忘？(愈) 常恐金石契，斷為相思腸。(郊) 平生無百歲，歧路有四方。(愈) 四方各異俗，適意非所將。(郊) 駑蹄顧挫秣，逸翮遺稻粱。(愈) 時危抱獨沉，道泰懷同翔。(郊) 獨居久寂寞，相顧聊慨慷。(愈) 慨慷丈夫志，可以耀鋒鋩。(郊) 蘧甯知卷舒，孔顏識行藏。(愈) 朗鑒諒不遠，佩蘭永芬芳。(郊) 茍無夫子聽，誰使知音揚？(愈) 154 the enthusiasms (collaborative poem with Han Yu) Meng: my heart follows the sun and the moon – ﬁnd it in your hall Han: at the end of its month the moon is dim – the heart at its peril forgets Meng: always I fear that friendship’s gold will sadly fade to yearning Han: roads go oﬀ in all directions, none of us lives to a hundred Meng: the four ways lead into the unknown – no one knows which will be best Han: a lousy horse will eat what’s oﬀered – the bird leaves ﬁelds behind Meng: in dangerous times to hide in the mountain – to take the road when it’s calm 155 Han: long life is lonely – passion comes of our communion – only measured in talk Meng: let us speak of men’s ambitions – this will make us men Han: when to curl up and when to come out – the superior man knows this Meng: the bright judge never far from light – the orchids never fall Han: if not for your ear my voice stops at home – words have nowhere to go 156 贈劍客李園聯句天得築積照滿山水太列可豈有忽風此行然豈空地之爐火海空磨淬一仙用唯時似胡劍當後如有有者地燒鑠歊電龍裝篆懾壯幽深久將獻致豐斗靈唯區氛幽異奕蝹以其百三匣潭已誰天殊城間術，君。(郊) 外，氳。(愈) 怪，氛。(郊) 奕，蝹。(愈) 寶，文。(郊) 神，軍。(愈) 吟，聞。(郊) 死，分？(愈) 子，勳。(郊) 下，雲。(愈) 158 for the swordsman (collaborative poem with Han Yu) Meng: there is magic in this world it’s you who has the power Han: we built a ﬁre beyond the world gather to it still aﬂame Meng: a light on the sea shines to ﬁnd monsters – eerie the ways of men Han: lightning ﬂies from the grindstone water spun from there makes a dragon Meng: a god will see this sword as a treasure other gods will write about this Han: the sword will frighten such gods as deserving …its ways are not merely for men Meng: sometimes hear the sword breathe in its box sound of the dragon slipping through its river home 159 Han: the swords of the dead who will judge? Meng: if I gave the emperor this sword what should I expect by way of reward? Han: stars wisely expect just the comfort of clouds 160 Books by ASM Fiction Series: story circle manual Legend of the Chinese Zodiac - Jenny Oliveros Lao Ah Xun’s 5 Destinies - Hilda Tam man, god, ghost - Amy Wong Cherry’s Diary - Cassenna Chan The Ice-cream Formula - Elisa Lai Hidden Treasure - Juliana Ho Crayon Tales - Carol Tong Lotus I Love You - Jodie Leung Climbing a Tree for Fish - Lili Han a map of the seasons - Kit Kelen a wager with the gods - Kit Kelen Classical and Contemporary Poetry Series: Meng Jiao: bird in an empty city NaLan Xingde: tryst Li Yu: song of the water clock at night Xing Qiji: clear echo in the valley’s depths Kit Kelen’s Macao - Christopher Kelen when the ﬁsh close their eyes - Yao Feng

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Meng Jiao - Bird in an Empty City

Meng Jiao - Bird in an Empty City

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