“In shallow ripples bathing together in pairs, as may be seen by the deep, clear waters of Xiangjiang.”
We have already encountered the Tang poet Li Zhong (920-974) in a previous collection published at Merion West. Below are a further three of his poems, as translated by Tom Ehrman.
Mandarin Duck
鸂鶒
流品是鴛鴦，翻飛雲水鄉。
風高離極浦，煙暝下方塘。
比鷺行藏別，穿荷羽翼香。
雙雙浴輕浪，誰見在瀟湘。
That swiftly flying object is a duck, soaring through clouds over lakes and rivers.
Far off by the mouth of an estuary when the wind is high, settling on its banks with the mist at dusk.
Its habits so different to the egret, the smell of its feathers more penetrating than a lotus.
In shallow ripples bathing together in pairs, as may be seen by the deep, clear waters of Xiangjiang.
Dealing with Stupid Officialdom on a Spring Evening
春晚招魯從事
袞袞利名役，常嗟聚會稀。
有心游好景，無術駐殘暉。
南陌草爭茂，西園花亂飛。
期君舉杯酒，不醉莫言歸。
The endless chatter of those enslaved by their careers, these trivial meetings all too frequent. Aargh!
What I want is to wander aimlessly in a beautiful landscape, staying till the last rays of the setting sun.
To the south, strange herbs vying in profusion, to the west, petals from a garden drifting in disarray.
Time for a toast, gentlemen. If not tipsy, you can’t recite poetry.
Composed by a River Hamlet on an Autumn Evening
江村晚秋作
高秋水村路，隔岸見人家。
好是經霜葉，紅於帶露花。
臨罾魚易得，就店酒難賒。
吟興胡能盡，風清日又斜。
Cool autumn, houses visible on the far bank of a hamlet by the water.
Fine red leaves of maples in a row, red-tinged flowers bedecked with dew.
Facing the river, a net on poles. Fish easy to catch, but credit hard to come by at the inn.
The Xinghu tells me “No more left.” Light breeze, as the sun sinks low.
Li Zhong was a poet of the Tang Dynasty era. Little is known of his life, but he appears to have been a local-level bureaucrat. He was active in poetry circles during his life. His poetry first appeared in English in this magazine earlier this year.
Tom Ehrman, who holds a Ph.D. from King’s College London, is a translator of classical Chinese, specializing in medical texts and poetry. He has a particular interest in poetry of the late Tang period. He lives in London.
