A Visitor Comes By Looking For Me A Visitor Comes By Looking For Me Poor and old, truly with nothing to do, by mountains and river I have fix

Transcription

1 過客相尋 過客相尋 4 8 窮老真無事 江山已定居 地幽忘盥櫛 客至罷琴書 掛壁移筐果 呼兒問煮魚 時聞繫舟楫 及此問吾廬 19.2 豎子至 4 8 樝梨且綴碧 梅杏半傳黃 小子幽園至 輕籠熟柰香 山風猶滿把 野露及新嘗 欲寄江湖客 提攜日月長

2 A Visitor Comes By Looking For Me A Visitor Comes By Looking For Me Poor and old, truly with nothing to do, by mountains and river I have fixed my dwelling. The place so secluded I forget to wash and comb, 4 when the visitor comes, I put away zither and books. I move fruit from the basket hung on the wall, call to my son to find out about boiling a fish. Sometimes I hear that a boat is being tied up, 8 coming here to visit my cottage The Servant Boy Comes When apple and pear for the while are adorned with emerald, and plum and apricot only half show yellow, the young lad comes from the secluded garden, 4 with a light basket in which the ripe crabapple is fragrant. The mountain breeze still fills my hand, wilderness dew has brought it this moment of fresh taste. I want to send some to a sojourner on rivers and lakes, 8 but the days and months stretch too long to take them.

3 園 園 4 8 仲夏流多水 清晨向小園 碧溪搖艇闊 朱果爛枝繁 始為江山靜 終防市井喧 畦蔬繞茅屋 自足媚盤飧 19.4 歸 4 8 束帶還騎馬 東西卻渡船 林中才有地 峽外絕無天 虛白高人靜 喧卑俗累牽 他鄉悅遲暮 不敢廢詩篇

4 Garden Garden In midsummer, much water in the streams, in clear dawn I head to my little garden. The sapphire creek, broad enough to ply a skiff; 4 crimson fruits, so dense that branches are dazzling. At first it was for the tranquility of river and mountains, in the end it was keeping the market s noise away. Garden vegetables grow around my thatched cottage 8 they are enough to lend charm to my plate of dinner Returning Tightening my sash, I again ride my horse, then I cross in a boat east to west. Only in the woods do I find space, 4 beyond the gorges, no sky at all. Empty and pure white, the lofty man is serene, 1 but I am pulled by common ties of the noisy ordinary world. In a strange land to enjoy my twilight years 8 I dare not abandon writing poems. 1 Empty and pure is a quality of the mind described in the Zhuangzi.

5 園官送菜 園官送菜 園官送菜把 本數日闕 矧苦苣 馬齒 掩乎嘉蔬 傷小 人妒害君子 菜不足道也 比而作詩 清晨蒙菜把 常荷地主恩 守者愆實數 略有其名存 苦苣刺如針 馬齒葉亦繁 青青嘉蔬色 埋沒在中園 園吏未足怪 世事因堪論 嗚呼戰伐久 荊棘暗長原 乃知苦苣輩 傾奪蕙草根 小人塞道路 為態何喧喧 又如馬齒盛 氣擁葵荏昏

6 The Garden Officer Sends Vegetables The Garden Officer Sends Vegetables Preface: The garden officer sends a vegetable bunch, but he has actually been remiss for several days. Worse, the bitter lettuce and horse-tooth amaranth overwhelm the better vegetables. I am hurt that a petty man does harm to a fine gentleman out of spite the issue of the vegetables themselves is not worth bringing up. Making a comparison, I wrote this poem. In the clear morning I receive my bunch of vegetables and am ever grateful to the local master s grace. 1 The one in charge of this cheats on the count 4 so pretty much only the name remains. 2 The bitter lettuce has thorns like needles, the leaves of horse-tooth amaranth are also lush. 3 Green, green, the colors of the better vegetables 8 are buried away in the central garden. The garden officer himself is not worth blaming, but it deserves to be discussed with the situation of the times. Alas that warfare has gone on so long 12 that thorns and brambles darken the long plain. Now I realize that things like bitter lettuce overwhelm the roots of sweet basil. So petty men stuff the roads. 16 how noisy and clamorous their manner. Also it seems that horse-tooth amaranth flourishes so that its aura crowds out mallow and field perilla. 1 This may be the local commander Bo Maolin. 2 That is, the ability to say that one has delivered vegetables. 3 Leafy vegetables are best when young and tender.

7 園人送瓜 點染不易虞 絲麻雜羅紈 一經器物內 永掛麤刺痕 志士采紫芝 放歌避戎軒 畦丁負籠至 感動百慮端 19.6 園人送瓜 江間雖炎瘴 瓜熟亦不早 柏公鎮夔國 滯務茲一掃 食新先戰士 共少及溪老 傾筐蒲鴿青 滿眼顏色好 竹竿接嵌竇 引注來鳥道 沈浮亂水玉 愛惜如芝草

8 A Gardener Sends Melons 119 It s not easy protect against contamination, 20 strands of hemp mix with gossamer and damask. Once these pass through the cookware they always leave marks of their coarseness and thorns. The man of high aims plucks the purple mushroom, 1 24 he sings out, avoiding the army carts. But when the garden worker comes, basket on back, I am stirred by a hundred sources of care A Gardener Sends Melons Though it is hot and muggy by the river, still the melons don t ripen too early. Lord Bo guards the domain of Kui 4 and has here swept away all unpleasant tasks. When they are fresh, they go first to the soldiers, he shares a little, even for this old man by the creek. A basketful of reed-doves green 2 8 fill my eyes with their fine color. Stalks of bamboo are joined to a hillside springhead drawing water from the paths of birds. Sunken or floating, scattered in crystal waters, 12 I treasure them like elixir mushrooms. 1 *Four graybeards. 2 A kind of melon.

9 課伐木 落刃嚼冰霜 開懷慰枯槁 許以秋蒂除 仍看小童抱 東陵跡蕪絕 楚漢休征討 園人非故侯 種此何草草 19.7 課伐木 課隸人伯夷 幸秀 信行等入谷斬陰木 人日四根止 維 條伊枚 正直侹然 晨征暮返 委積庭内 我有藩籬 是 缺是補 載伐篠簜 伊仗枝持 旅次于小安 山有虎 知 禁 若恃爪牙之利 必昬黑樘突 夔人屋壁 列樹白菊 鏝為牆 實以竹 示式遏 為與虎近 混淪乎無良 賓客 憂害馬之徒 茍活為幸 可嘿息已 作詩付宗武誦

10 Assessing the Task of Cutting Down Trees 121 When the knife falls, I chew ice and frost, relaxing my mood, consoling my withered state. He promised that when the stalks are removed in autumn, 16 I will again see a young lad carrying some. The traces of the Count of Dongling are lost in weeds, 1 Chu and Han have ceased their campaigns. Our gardener is not that former count, 20 but how busy he was in planting these! 19.7 Assessing the Task of Cutting Down Trees Preface: I exhorted my servants Boyi, Xingxiu, Xinxing, and others to go into the valley and chop trees on the northern slope, with each of them to cut just four each day, only those with branches and trunks that were straight and standing upright. They went off in the morning and returned at twilight, leaving a pile in the courtyard. I have a fence, and they shall mend the places where there are openings. I had them cut bamboo, large and small, using it for supports, and my lodging became a bit more secure. There are tigers in the mountain, but how to stop them is known. If they are to depend on the sharpness of their claws and teeth, they must always attack in the murky dark. By the walls of their houses people of Kuizhou plant rows of white [chrysanthemums], which they plaster into outer walls, reinforcing it with bamboo, by which they demonstrate fending off. 2 Because they are close to tigers and mixed in among bad people, visitors here worry about the sort that harm the horses and consider themselves lucky just to stay alive. 3 One had best sigh quietly. I composed this poem and entrusted it to Zongwu to recite. 1 *Shao Ping. 2 While the earliest texts read chrysanthemums, this seems to describe using a row of some other tree or shrub to serve as the anchor for an outer wall of plaster and bamboo. Fending off [an aggressor] is a phrase from the Classic of Poetry. 3 Primarily suggesting the tigers, but echoing a metaphor for governance in the Zhuangzi: a herdboy tells the Yellow Emperor that governing the world is just like taking care of horses one should simply do nothing that harms the horses.

11 課伐木 長夏無所為 客居課奴僕 清晨飯其腹 持斧入白谷 青冥曾巔後 十里斬陰木 人肩四根已 亭午下山麓 尚聞丁丁聲 功課日各足 蒼皮成積委 素節相照燭 藉汝跨小籬 當仗苦虛竹 空荒咆熊羆 乳獸待人肉 不示知禁情 豈惟干戈哭 城中賢府主 處貴如白屋 蕭蕭理體淨 蜂蠆不敢毒 虎穴連里閭 隄防舊風俗

12 Assessing the Task of Cutting Down Trees 123 Through the long summer there is nothing to do, lodging here, I set a task for my bondservants. In the cool morning I fed their bellies, 4 then they took axes into White Valley. After passing layered ridges into the dark blue sky, for ten leagues they chopped north-slope trees. Each person shouldered just four 8 and at noon they came down to the foot of the mountain. I seem to still hear the sound of their chopping, and I assess the achievements of each to have been enough for the day. The dark gray bark became a pile, 12 in integrity they shone on each other. I rely on you to go beyond my little hedge, I suffer having to depend on hollow bamboo. 1 Bears roar in the deserted wilderness, 16 and the nursling cubs wait for human flesh. 2 If you do not show that you know how to stop them, you will weep not only because of war. In the city the worthy governor 20 lives in high rank as if in a commoner s house. He is strict, pure in the essentials of government, so that wasps and scorpions dare not sting. But tiger lairs stretch right up to the villages, 24 defending against them is an old custom here. 1 That is, the wood will serve as the frame, whose interstices will be filled with bamboo. 2 Presumably tiger cubs.

13 柴門 泊舟滄江岸 久客慎所觸 舍西崖嶠壯 雷雨蔚含蓄 牆宇資屢修 衰年怯幽獨 爾曹輕執熱 為我忍煩促 秋光近青岑 季月當泛菊 報之以微寒 共給酒一斛 19.8 柴門 4 8 泛舟登瀼西 迴首望兩崖 東城乾旱天 其氣如焚柴 長影沒窈窕 餘光散唅呀 大江蟠嵌根 歸海成一家

14 Scrapwood Gate 125 I moored my boat on the shore of the gray river, long a traveler, I am cautious about what I might encounter. West of my cottage the slope is high and steep, 28 thunder and rain have made dense vegetation cover what is hidden therein. Walls and roof need frequent repairs, in my waning years I fear being in isolation. You think little of the persistent heat, 32 but on my behalf you have endured the vexation. The autumn light is close to those green summits, in fall s last month one should float chrysanthemums. I repay you with a light coolness, 36 and provide you all with a gallon of ale Scrapwood Gate I sailed over in my boat and climbed Rangxi, then turned and gazed at the two slopes. 2 Over the eastern walls, a drought-dry sky, 4 the air was like burning kindling. The tall reflections sink into hidden depths, the last light scatters through the gaping chasm. The great river winds around the rugged base, 8 home toward the sea to be one family. 3 1 Du Fu is addressing his servants, saying that they must have suffered from the summer heat (the sun being closer to the mountain ridges), and that he will repay them with ale and cool autumn weather in the ninth month. 2 Of the Qutang Gorge. 3 That is, all the rivers are reunited in the sea.

15 柴門 下衝割坤軸 竦壁攢鏌鋣 蕭颯灑秋色 氣昏霾日車 峽門自此始 最窄容浮查 禹功翊造化 疏鑿就欹斜 巨渠決太古 眾水為長蛇 風煙渺吳蜀 舟楫通鹽麻 我今遠遊子 飄轉混泥沙 萬物附本性 約身不願奢 茅棟蓋一床 清池有餘花 濁醪與脫粟 在眼無咨嗟 山荒人民少 地僻日夕佳 貧病固其常 富貴任生涯

16 Scrapwood Gate 127 Dashing downward, it hacks Earth s axis, the jutting cliffs are a cluster of Moye swords. 1 With briskness spread the colors of autumn, 12 a haze buries the sun s carriage. The opening to the gorges begins here, at its narrowest it admits only a floating raft. Yu s deed aided Ongoing Transformation, 16 cutting and dredging where the land slanted. This immense sluice was cut in high antiquity, then all the rivers formed this long snake. Between Wu and Shu, remote in the wind and mist 20 boats transported hemp and salt. I am now a far traveler, tossed along and mired in mud and sand. All things adhere to their basic natures, 24 through self-restraint, I do not wish for luxury. A thatched roof to cover a single bed, a clear pool with abundant flowers. Unstrained brew and coarse grain 28 when they are before my eyes, I have no cause to sigh. The mountains are wild, few people live there, the place is remote, fine both at dawn and dusk. Being poor and sick is indeed the norm, 32 let wealth and privilege come in my life as they may. 1 Moye is one of the legendary swords of antiquity.

17 槐葉冷淘 老於干戈際 宅幸蓬蓽遮 石亂上雲氣 杉清延月華 賞妍又分外 理愜夫何誇 足了垂白年 敢居高士差 書此豁平昔 迴首猶暮霞 19.9 槐葉冷淘 4 8 青青高槐葉 采掇付中廚 新麵來近市 汁滓宛相俱 入鼎資過熟 加餐愁欲無 碧鮮俱照筯 香飯兼苞蘆 經齒冷於雪 勸人投比珠

18 Cold Noodle Soup with Sophora Leaves 129 I grow old at the edge of a world in arms, lucky that my cottage of canes hides me. Rocks in tangles rise up to cloud vapors, 36 fir trees, cool, welcome moonlight. Enjoying these charms is also unexpected, content with the way things go, why should I boast? It is enough for me, even approaching a hundred years, 40 I wouldn t dare place myself in the rank of lofty recluses. Writing this relaxes how I felt before, I turn my head and still there are twilight s rose clouds Cold Noodle Soup with Sophora Leaves Green are the high sophora tree leaves, we pluck them and send them to the kitchen. Fresh noodles come from the market nearby, 4 they are combined with the juice and crushed leaves. They are put in the kettle to ensure they will be quickly done, I eat more, worrying that it will soon be gone. Emerald freshness shines together on the chopsticks, 8 fragrant rice along with reed shoots. Passing my teeth it is colder than snow, I urge others, offering them like pearls.

19 上後園山腳 願隨金騕褭 走置錦屠蘇 路遠思恐泥 興深終不渝 獻芹則小小 薦藻明區區 萬里露寒殿 開冰清玉壺 君王納涼晚 此味亦時須 上後園山腳 4 8 朱夏熱所嬰 清旭步北林 小園背高岡 挽葛上崎崟 曠望延駐目 飄颻散疏襟 潛鱗恨水壯 去翼依雲深 勿謂地無疆 劣於山有陰

20 Climbing the Foothills by My Rear Garden 131 I wish to go with a golden charger, 12 galloping off to serve this in the Brocade Lodge. 1 The road is long, I worry about getting bogged down, but the impulse is deep and never alters. Presenting celery was a minor thing, 2 16 offering waterplants makes clear my humble earnestness. 3 Thousands of miles away in Cold Dew Palace they break the ice in a clear jade pot. 4 Late in the day when the ruler is enjoying the cool, 20 this flavor too is needed for the occasion Climbing the Foothills by My Rear Garden In fiery summer, encumbered by the heat, in cool dawnlight I walked through the woods to the north. My small garden has its back against a high hill, 4 holding onto rattan vines, I climbed the steep slope. A broad vista invited the eyes to rest, the ruffling breeze parted my loose gown-folds. Sunken scales hate when waters are rough, 8 departing wings stay deep in the clouds. Don t claim that earth is boundless, it s inferior to the shaded north slope of this mountain. 1 That is, he wants to take them to the palace. 2 The story of the rustic who thought celery was so good he would present it to the nobility, but they couldn t stand it. 3 According to the Zuo Tradition ( Yin 3), these are among the plants that can be offered in rituals to the spirits. 4 Ice was stored away for the emperor s comfort in summer.

21 季夏送鄉弟韶陪黃門從叔朝謁 石榞遍天下 水陸兼浮沈 自我登隴首 十年經碧岑 劍門來巫峽 薄倚浩至今 故園暗戎馬 骨肉失追尋 時危無消息 老去多歸心 志士惜白日 久客藉黃金 敢為蘇門嘯 庶作梁父吟 季夏送鄉弟韶陪黃門從叔朝謁 4 令弟尚為蒼水使 名家莫出杜陵人 比來相國兼安蜀 歸赴朝廷已入秦

22 At the End of Summer Seeing Off My Fellow Countryman Shao Rock-yuan trees are found all over the world,1 one can drift and sink on land and water alike. Ever since I climbed Longshou, for ten years I ve passed emerald summits. From Swordgate I came to the Wu Gorges, with meager means, swept along wildly until now. My home gardens are darkened by warhorses, I ve lost track of my own flesh and blood. The times perilous, there is no news, getting older, I often want to return. A man of high aims treasures the day, but one long a sojourner depends on gold. Dare I try to yodel at Sumen? 2 I hope rather to make the Liangfu Song At the End of Summer Seeing Off My Fellow Countryman Shao Who Will Accompany My Uncle of the Chancellery to Court4 4 My fine kinsman is still the Blue Waters Emissary,5 for famous families none can surpass those of Duling.6 Recently the Minister has also pacified Shu, returning to the court he has already entered Qin. 1 A tree whose bark can be eaten. 2 This refers to the free and easy Sun Deng, encountered by *Ruan Ji at Sumen Mountain. 3 This probably refers to *Zhuge Liang s favorite song, here associated with his being called to help Liu Bei, the founder of the Shu-Han Kingdom. 4 This is Du Hongjian, who had been sent to take command in Shu and was then returning to Chang an. 5 Original note: Shao recently had been appointed as the Emissary to Kaijiang county; he has come from Chengdu on the Waijiang down through the gorges on a boat 韶比兼開江使通成都外江下峽舟船. When Great Yu climbed Mount Heng he dreamed of a man in red embroidery who called himself the Blue Waters Emissary. 6 The clan home of the Dus.

23 灩澦 舍舟策馬論兵地 拖玉腰金報主身 莫度清秋吟蟋蟀 早聞黃閣畫麒麟 灩澦 4 8 灩澦既沒孤根深 西來水多愁太陰 江天漠漠鳥雙去 風雨時時龍一吟 舟人漁子歌回首 估客胡商淚滿襟 寄語舟航惡年少 休翻鹽井橫黃金 七月一日題終明府水樓二首 I 高棟曾軒已自涼 秋風此日灑衣裳

24 Yanyu Rock 135 Leaving aside your boat and whipping your horse where military matters are considered, 1 wearing jade and gold at your waist you will inform the ruler personally. Don t pass all clear autumn to the singing of the crickets, 8 you will soon hear that the Chancellery Director will have a portrait in Unicorn Hall Yanyu Rock Yanyu has sunken underwater, its lone roots lie deep, much water comes from the west, I worry about Great Yin. 3 The river sky spreads far and wide, birds go off in pairs, 4 in wind and rain always the dragon hums. Boatmen and fishermen sing and turn their heads, but for merchants and Hu traders tears fill their lapels. I send word to those rash young men in the boats, 8 don t let the salt wells produce spill and waste your gold The First Day of the Seventh Month, On Magistrate Zhong s Tower by the River I The high beams and tiered railings are cool of themselves, on this day the autumn wind ruffles over our clothes. 1 Probably Jingzhou farther downriver, from which there was a passable route north to Chang an. 2 In recognition of his achievements. 3 Great Yin is associated with north and the element water; Du Fu is worried about too much rain and the rising river, which will hide Yanyu Rock under water and increase the perils of going through the Gorges.

25 七月一日題終明府水樓二首 翛然欲下陰山雪 不去非無漢署香 絕壁過雲開錦繡 疏松夾水奏笙簧 看君宜著王喬履 真賜還疑出尚方 II 4 8 宓子彈琴邑宰日 終軍棄繻英妙時 承家節操尚不泯 為政風流今在茲 可憐賓客盡傾蓋 何處老翁來賦詩 楚江巫峽半雲雨 清簟疏簾看弈棋

26 The First Day of the Seventh Month, On Magistrate Zhong s Tower by the River 137 Unrestrained, about to fall, snow from the Mountains of Shadow,1 4 not leaving is due to no absence of fragrance of that Han office.2 Clouds passing the sheer cliff spread embroidery and brocade, sparse pines lining the waters play mouth organs. I look at you as fit to wear Wang Qiao s sandals, 8 these were truly granted, I suspect, from the court of imperial manufactories.3 II Fuzi strummed the zither when he was governing a city,4 Zhong Jun threw away the cloth tally when he was a fine hero.5 You continue your family s principles, still not declining, 4 panache in governance is now to be found right here. Moving, how all the guests are carriage-awning tilting officers,6 and how is it that this old man comes to compose poems? The River in Chu and Wu Gorges is half in clouds and rain, 8 on cool mats and with open curtains I watch a game of chess. Rangxi was west of Kuizhou on the Western Rang ( rang was the local term for a stream or river valley). There was also an Eastern Rang on the 1 Comparing the coolness to the Mountains of Shadow in Central Asia, where snow falls in the summer. 2 The four Secretarial Court Gentlemen of the Han held chicken-tongue fragrance in their mouths so that it was fragrant when they spoke. This absurd combination of three negatives simply suggests that Du Fu stays here because it is better than the fragrance of the Secretarial Court Gentlemen. 3 Original note: Magistrate Zhong belonged to the Personnel Evaluation Sec tion, with added responsibility in presenting the seasonal ordinances, thus this line. I hope to see his appointment of presenting the ordinances made per manent 終明 府 功曹也 兼攝奏節令 故有此句 佇觀奏即真也. *Wang Qiao. 4 According to Lüshi chunqiu, Fuzi Jian was governor of Shanfu and spent his days playing his zither. The city was well-governed. 5 When Zhong Jun was going to Chang an, the officer at Hangu Barrier gave him a cloth tally for when he came back through the pass. Zhong Jun said that when a real man goes to Chang an, he never goes back and so threw away the tally. Later in the employ of Han Wudi, Zhong Jun did come back through the barrier and the officer identified him as the man who threw away the tally. 6 When acquaintances who are officials meet on the road, they draw their carriages close together to chat, with the result that the carriage awnings tilt.

27 行官張望補稻畦水歸 行官張望補稻畦水歸 東屯大江北 百頃平若案 六月青稻多 千畦碧泉亂 插秧適云已 引溜加溉灌 更僕往方塘 決渠當斷岸 公私各地著 浸潤無天旱 主守問家臣 分明見溪畔 芊芊炯翠羽 剡剡生銀漢 鷗鳥鏡裏來 關山雲邊看 秋菰成黑米 精鑿傳白粲 玉粒足晨炊 紅鮮任霞散

28 Zhang Wang the Field Supervisor Returns After Attending to the Irrigation 139 other side of the city. Following Eastern Rang upstream, there was an area suitable for planting rice, East Camp, so-called because Gongsun Shu had used it as a military farm to feed his troops. Under Bo Maolin in Du Fu s time, the area was also used for government fields (no doubt, to assure a steady supply of grain to Bo Maolin s troops). At the beginning of autumn in 767 Du Fu moved to East Camp to watch over the harvest, probably at the behest of Bo Maolin Zhang Wang the Field Supervisor Returns After Attending to the Irrigation of the Rice Fields East Camp, north of the Great River, has hundreds of acres flat as a table. In the sixth month there is much green rice, a thousand fields with emerald streams running everywhere. Transplanting the sprouts has just been completed, they divert streamlets to increase irrigation. One after another they go off to the square pond and open the ditches by the sharp slope.1 It reaches public and private fields alike, well irrigated so that there be no drought. As the official in charge I asked the household officers: they saw it clearly by the creek. 2 Sprouts are flourishing, dazzling kingfisher feathers, sharp pointed growth brings forth a River of Stars.3 Gulls come within this mirror, the barrier mountains can be seen at the edge of clouds. In autumn the wild rice will form its black grains, measures of hulled rice will convey their white glitter. The jade grain will be enough for cooking breakfast, let the red rice spread in rosy clouds. 1 Probably the slopes of the earthen banks between the wet fields. 2 The situation is unclear. I follow a line of Chinese commentators who take these four lines as Zhang s words to Du Fu. 3 Perhaps a figure for the sprouts growing in the water.

29 秋行官張望督促東渚耗稻向畢清晨遣女奴阿稽豎子阿段往問 終然添旅食 作苦期壯觀 遺穗及眾多 我倉戒滋蔓 秋行官張望督促東渚耗稻向畢清晨遣女奴 阿稽豎子阿段往問 東渚雨今足 佇聞粳稻香 上天無偏頗 蒲稗各自長 人情見非類 田家戒其荒 功夫競搰搰 除草置岸旁 穀者命之本 客居安可忘 青春具所務 勤墾免亂常 吳牛力容易 並驅動莫當

30 In Autumn, Field Supervisor Zhang Wang Has Finished Overseeing the Weeding In the end it will add to my sojourner s fare, the work is hard, but we expect a splendid sight. The leftover heads of grain should reach all alike, I caution against too great bounty in my own granary In Autumn, Field Supervisor Zhang Wang Has Finished Overseeing the Weeding of the Grainfields at East Isle; One Cool Morning I Send My Serving Girl Aji and My Servant Boy Aduan to Go and Check Out the Situation At Eastern Isle the rain has now been enough, I wait to hear that the non-glutinous rice is fragrant. Heaven above is never one-sided, reeds and rushes each grow tall. Human nature is to see what does not belong, farming families defend against plants running wild. They compete in hard work in their efforts, cutting weeds and setting them by the slope. Grain is the basis of life, living here as an outsider, how can I forget this? In green spring all prepare for their tasks, they put their all into plowing so as not to disrupt the norms. It is easy for the strength of Wu water-buffalos, driven in pairs, nothing can ever resist them. 1 That is, some grains should be left for the gleaners.

31 秋行官張望督促東渚耗稻向畢清晨遣女奴阿稽豎子阿段往問 豐苗亦已穊 雲水照方塘 有生固蔓延 靜一資隄防 督領不無人 提攜頗在綱 荊揚風土暖 肅肅候微霜 尚恐主守疏 用心未甚臧 清朝遣婢僕 寄語逾崇岡 西成聚必散 不獨陵我倉 豈要仁里譽 感此亂世忙 北風吹蒹葭 蟋蟀近中堂 荏苒百工休 鬱紆遲暮傷

32 In Autumn, Field Supervisor Zhang Wang Has Finished Overseeing the Weeding And the lush sprouts have become thick, clouds and water reflect in the square pool. Whatever lives indeed spreads out, to stay concentrated on one thing depends on preventing this. A person to oversee this work is not lacking, but watching over it depends especially on being systematic. The climate is warm in Jingzhou and Yangzhou, they wait for the light frost with its sharp chill. Still I fear lest the person in charge be remiss, that he not be effective in his efforts. In the dawn cool I send my servants, to go over the high hills and take word. With the autumn harvest, what is gathered must be distributed, we should not make only our own granary overflow. It is not that I seek praise as a good neighbor, I am moved by the urgency of these troubled times. The north wind will blow on reeds and cattails, the cricket will approach the center of the hall. As time passes all labors will cease, and within me will swell the pain of years end. 143

33 阻雨不得歸瀼西柑林 阻雨不得歸瀼西柑林 三伏適已過 驕陽化為霖 欲歸瀼西宅 阻此江浦深 壞舟百版坼 峻岸復萬尋 篙工初一棄 恐泥勞寸心 佇立東城隅 悵望高飛禽 草堂亂懸圃 不隔崑崙岑 昏渾衣裳外 曠絕同層陰 園柑長成時 三寸如黃金 諸侯舊上計 厥貢傾千林 邦人不足重 所迫豪吏侵

34 Blocked by Rain I am Unable to Return to the Orange Grove in Rangxi Blocked by Rain I am Unable to Return to the Orange Grove in Rangxi The dog days of summer are already past, domineering sunlight turns to steady rain. I wanted to return to my cottage at Rangxi, 4 but I am blocked here far back on the shore. Ruining boats, a hundred planks split, the steep banks are thousands of yards apart. The boatmen have now given up entirely 8 they fear getting enmired, troubling their minds. I stand long at the corner of the eastern walls, sadly gazing on high-flying birds. My thatched hut is confused with Hanging Garden, 1 12 though not blocked by the pinnacles of Kunlun. Everything beyond my clothes is a murky haze, cut off now, the same as being in layers of cloud. When the oranges in my garden are fully grown, 16 they are three inches like yellow gold. When the regional lord used to make his report to the throne, he would use up a thousand groves for his tribute gift. The people of this land don t value them, 20 oppressed by the demands of bullying tax-collectors. 1 A region of the immortals in the Kunlun Mountains. That is, in the rain it seems obscured in the distance and as far away as the Kunlun Range.

35 又上後園山腳 客居暫封植 日夜偶瑤琴 虛徐五株態 側塞煩胸襟 焉得輟雨足 杖藜出嶇嶔 條流數翠實 偃息歸碧潯 拂拭烏皮几 喜聞樵牧音 令兒快搔背 脫我頭上簪 又上後園山腳 4 8 昔我游山東 憶戲東嶽陽 窮秋立日觀 矯首望八荒 朱崖著毫髮 碧海吹衣裳 蓐收困用事 玄冥蔚強梁

36 Once again Climbing the Base of the Mountain by My Rear Garden 147 Coming to live here as an outsider, I immediately planted them, day and night they match jade zither sounds. 1 The manner of these five trees is easy-going, 24 their being so blocked makes my feelings swell within. How can I get these raindrops to stop, leaning on my staff, I ll go out to the rough cliffs. I ll count the azure fruits on the branches, 28 then I ll return to emerald strands to rest. I ll brush off my armrest of black leather and rejoice to hear the sounds of wood-gatherers and herders. I ll have my son vigorously scratch my back 32 and take the pins out of my hair Once again Climbing the Base of the Mountain by My Rear Garden Long ago I roamed East of the Mountains, I recall amusing myself on the south slope of the Eastern Marchmount. 2 At autumn s end I stood on Sunview Peak 4 lifted my head and viewed the far wilds all around. The crimson slopes showed the most minute detail, from the emerald sea the wind blew my robes. Rushou had a hard time doing his job, 3 8 Xuanming had abundant indomitable force. 4 1 Presumably in the sound of the wind. 2 Mount Tai. 3 Rushou was the god in charge of autumn. 4 Xuanming was the god of winter.

37 又上後園山腳 逝水自朝宗 鎮石各其方 平原獨憔悴 農力廢耕桑 非關風露凋 曾是戍役傷 於時國用富 足以守邊疆 朝廷任猛將 遠奪戎虜場 到今事反覆 故老淚萬行 龜蒙不復見 況乃懷舊鄉 肺萎屬久戰 骨出熱中腸 憂來杖匣劍 更上林北岡 瘴毒猿鳥落 峽乾南日黃 秋風亦已起 江漢始如湯 登高欲有往 蕩析川無梁

38 Once again Climbing the Base of the Mountain by My Rear Garden 149 The passing waters went to the court of the sea, the guardian rocks each held its place. 1 The central plain alone looked forlorn, 12 in farmwork plowing and sericulture had been abandoned. This had nothing to do with harm from wind and dew, it was, in fact, harm caused by corvee and campaigns. At that time the state was wealthy 16 with ample resources to hold its borders. The court employed fierce generals to seize the far pastures of the nomads. But now things have turned upside-down, 20 an old man has ten thousand streams of tears. Mounts Gui and Meng are no longer to be seen, 2 even more I long for my own home region. Lungs sick, thus continuously trembling, 24 bones sticking out, fire in the bowels. When worries come I clasp the sword in the case and once more climb the hill north of the grove. Poisonous vapors bring down birds and gibbons, 28 the gorges are dry, the sun in the south is yellow. The autumn wind has already risen, but Yangzi and Han are now like boiling water. I climb the heights and want to go somewhere, 32 all are swept apart, the stream has no bridge. 1 Each of the nine regions of China has its guardian mountain. 2 Mountains near Mount Tai.

39 奉送王信州崟北歸 哀彼遠征人 去家死路旁 不及父祖塋 累累塚相當 奉送王信州崟北歸 朝廷防盜賊 供給愍誅求 下詔選郎署 傳聲典信州 蒼生今日困 天子向時憂 井屋有煙起 瘡痍無血流 壤歌唯海甸 畫角自山樓 白髮寐常早 荒榛農復秋 解龜逾臥轍 遣騎覓扁舟 徐榻不知倦 潁川何以酬

40 Respectfully Seeing off Wang Yin of Xinzhou on His Return North 151 I lament those men on far campaign, leaving home, they die by the roadside. Not so fortunate as the tombs of their fathers and grandfathers, 36 whose grave-mounds lie piled side by side Respectfully Seeing off Wang Yin of Xinzhou on His Return North The court defends against brigands and rebels, it feels compassion about exactions to supply the troops. A summons was sent to select a Director, 4 the word was spread that you would take charge of Xinzhou. 1 The common folk are in hardship these days, the Son of Heaven was worried before. From village homes there is now smoke rising, 8 no more blood flows from their wounds. The stick-toss song is only in fields by the sea, 2 painted bugles sound from these mountain towers. With white hair, I normally go to bed early, 12 farmers harvest again from fields once overgrown with scrub. Once you removed your badge, it exceeded lying in the carriage rut. 3 you sent riders to seek my little boat. You were unwearied in readying the pallet for Xu, 4 16 how can I repay the man of Yingchuan? 5 1 Xinzhou was an old name for Kuizhou. 2 The legendary song of the peasants from the time of Yao, indicating a world at peace. Du Fu evidently restricts such peace to the southeast. 3 This refers to the story of Hou Ba in the Eastern Han; when he was recalled to court from a local post, the peasants were so upset that they lay down in front of the carriage wheels. 4 *Xu Chi. 5 Yingchuan was Chen Fan s toponym; see *Xu Chi. Chen Fan is used to repre sent Wang Yin.

41 奉送王信州崟北歸 塵生彤管筆 寒膩黑貂裘 高義終焉在 斯文去矣休 別離同雨散 行止各雲浮 林熱鳥開口 江渾魚掉頭 尉佗雖北拜 太史尚南留 軍旅應都息 寰區要盡收 九重思諫諍 八極念懷柔 徙倚瞻王室 從容仰廟謀 故人持雅論 絕塞豁窮愁 復見陶唐理 甘為汗漫遊

42 Respectfully Seeing off Wang Yin of Xinzhou on His Return North 153 Dust rises on the vermilion brush and pen, 1 the cold makes my black sable coat glossy. 2 Your high sense of right at last endures, 20 but culture will be ended when you have gone. After parting, we will disperse like the rain, each like a floating cloud, one going, one staying. The forests are hot, the birds open their beaks, 24 the river is murky, the fish toss their heads. Although Weituo bowed facing north, 3 the Grand Historian still lingers in the south. 4 Campaigning armies will surely all cease, 28 the entire territory must be recovered. The nine-tiered court longs for forthright criticism, those in all the far-flung corners yearn for a gentle policy. Lingering here, I have gazed to the royal house, 32 now at ease, I look up to you in making dynastic policy. My old friend has upright arguments, on this far frontier they relieve the depths of my cares. Again seeing the principles of Yao, 5 36 I will gladly go roaming in a limitless expanse. 1 In the Han members of the Secretariat received a vermilion brush and pen from the court. Du Fu s honorary position was in the Secretariat; the dust signifies his idleness. 2 Su Qin, the wandering debater of the Warring States, wore a black sable coat. 3 Weituo, the king of Southern Yue, was enfeoffed by Han Gaozu and faced north; i.e., assumed the position of a subject. 4 Sima Tan. 5 Sage king of antiquity when the world was perfectly governed and at peace.

43 驅豎子摘蒼耳 驅豎子摘蒼耳 江上秋已分 林中瘴猶劇 畦丁告勞苦 無以供日夕 蓬莠獨不焦 野蔬暗泉石 卷耳況療風 童兒且時摘 侵星驅之去 爛熳任遠適 放筐亭午際 洗剝相蒙冪 登床半生熟 下箸還小益 加點瓜薤間 依稀橘奴跡 亂世誅求急 黎民糠籺窄 飽食復何心 荒哉膏粱客

44 Hurrying Off My Servant Boy to Pick Cocklebur Hurrying Off My Servant Boy to Pick Cocklebur By the river it is already the fall equinox, in the forests the miasma is still terrible. The garden workers complain of how hard things are, 4 that there is nothing to provide our daily needs. Only the weeds have not withered and dried, wild vegetables are hidden by rock and stream. What s more cocklebur can cure inflammations, 8 my servant boy picks them whenever he can. In pre-dawn starlight I hurry him off, let him go far as he can without restraint. He set down his basket at the point of noon, 12 washed and peeled, we covered them over. We brought them to the table when half-cooked, using our chopsticks, they did some good. When you add some bits to melon or chives, 16 they suggest the taste of tangerine. A turbulent age, hard-pressed by exactions, the common folk are short of even chaff and bran. How can one have the heart to eat one s fill? 20 unbridled indeed are those who have fat fine grain.

45 甘林 富家廚肉臭 戰地骸骨白 寄語惡少年 黃金且休擲 甘林 舍舟越西岡 入林解我衣 青芻適馬性 好鳥知人歸 晨光映遠岫 夕露見日晞 遲暮少寢食 清曠喜荊扉 經過倦俗態 在野無所違 試問甘藜藿 未肯羨輕肥 喧靜不同科 出處各天機 勿矜朱門是 陋此白屋非

46 Orange Grove 157 Meat reeks in the kitchens of rich families, while on the battlefields the skeletons are white. I send word to those young ne er-do-wells 24 stop throwing away your gold! Orange Grove I left the boat and crossed over the western hill, entered the grove and untied my gown. Fresh hay suits a horse s nature, 4 and good birds know that I am back. Morning light shines against a far-off pinnacle, last evening s dew is dried by the sun. I eat and sleep less in my twilight years, 8 delighting in the clear openness of my scrapwood gate. From what I ve been through, I m weary of the world s ways, in the wilds there is nothing that goes against the grain. Should you ask, I enjoy goosefoot and wild beans, 12 I cannot envy those with light robes and sleek horses. Noise and stillness are not the same level, service and retirement each follow Heaven s devices. Don t boast that crimson gates are best 16 and despise this plain cottage as worse.

47 暇日小園散病將種秋菜督勤耕牛兼書觸目 明朝步鄰里 長老可以依 時危賦斂數 脫粟為爾揮 相攜行豆田 秋花藹菲菲 子實不得喫 貨市送王畿 盡添軍旅用 迫此公家威 主人長跪問 戎馬何時稀 我衰易悲傷 屈指數賊圍 勸其死王命 慎莫遠奮飛 暇日小園散病將種秋菜督勤耕牛兼書觸目 4 不愛入州府 畏人嫌我真 及乎歸茅宇 旁舍未曾嗔

48 On a Day Off in My Small Garden Exercising for My Health 159 Tomorrow morning I ll walk to the neighbor s place, an old fellow on whom I can rely. The times are dangerous, tax demands are frequent, 20 I ll make you a distribution of unpolished rice. Hand in hand we ll go to the bean field where the autumn blooms are fragrant and dense. When the beans are formed, we won t get to eat them, 24 but sell them in the market to send to the king s domain. 1 All will supply the needs of our campaigning armies, pressed by the authority of the common weal. My host will kneel and ask 28 when the war-horses will become fewer. As I decline, I am easily touched by sadness, on my fingers I count the rebel sieges. I urge him to die for the king s command 32 and warn him not to fly off afar On a Day Off in My Small Garden Exercising for My Health, About to Plant Autumn Vegetables, I Superintend the Plow Oxen and Write What I See I don t love going to the prefectural seat, I dread that people will despise my honest nature. But when I get back to my thatched cottage, 4 the cottages next door have never reviled me. 1 That is, they will use them for tax.

49 暇日小園散病將種秋菜督勤耕牛兼書觸目 老病忌拘束 應接喪精神 江村意自放 林木心所欣 秋耕屬地濕 山雨近甚勻 冬菁飯之半 牛力晚來新 深耕種數畝 未甚後四鄰 嘉蔬既不一 名數頗具陳 荊巫非苦寒 采擷接青春 飛來兩白鶴 暮啄泥中芹 雄者左翮垂 損傷已露筋 一步再血流 尚經矰繳勤 三步六號叫 志屈悲哀頻 鸞凰不相待 側頸訴高旻

50 On a Day Off in My Small Garden Exercising for My Health 161 Old and sick, one detests restraint, receiving guests ruins my mood. In this river village my thoughts are free, 8 and my heart delights in the forest trees. Autumn plowing is right when the ground is wet, recently the mountain rains have been quite even. Winter s flowering leeks can be half our food, 12 the oxen s strength renews as the year grows late. Plowing deeply I plant several acres, I m not very much behind my neighbors. Since the best vegetables are not of a single kind, 16 their various names are all here to be seen. It is not bitter cold in Jingwu, so we pick and gather all the way to spring. A pair of white cranes came flying, 20 at twilight they pecked celery seeds in the mud. The male s left wing hung limp, it was hurt, and the muscle was showing. At every step its blood flowed again, 24 still suffering the strain from the well-aimed arrow. Every three steps it cried out half a dozen times, its will broken, its sorrow urgent. The phoenix will not wait for it, 28 it bends its neck and complains to the high heavens.

51 雨 162 杖藜俯沙渚 為汝鼻酸辛 雨 山雨不作泥 江雲薄為霧 晴飛半嶺鶴 風亂平沙樹 明滅洲景微 隱見巖姿露 拘悶出門遊 曠絕經目趣 消中日伏枕 臥久塵及屨 豈無平肩輿 莫辨望鄉路 兵戈浩未息 蛇虺反相顧 悠悠邊月破 鬱鬱流年度 針灸阻朋曹 糠籺對童孺

52 Rain 163 Leaning on my cane I look down on sandy isles, on your behalf my nostrils sting Rain Mountain rains do not make mud, the river clouds thin into fog. Clear skies have a crane flying halfway up the ridge, 4 the wind blows wildly trees on level sands. Light faint on the isles, appearing and disappearing, hidden and then seen, the cliff s shape comes through. Feeling the blues, I go wandering out my gate, 8 the utter expanse engages what eyes pass over. With my diabetes I am daily bedridden, I was lying down so long my shoes got dusty. Of course I could get a palanquin, 12 but I can t make out the road that will take me home. Weapons spread far and wide, never put down, vipers look around at one. Far in the distance the frontier moon wanes, 16 welling with cares as the years drift past. Needle and moxa block me from friends, with chaff and bran I face my children.

53 溪上 一命須屈色 新知漸成故 窮荒益自卑 飄泊欲誰訴 尪羸愁應接 俄頃恐違迕 浮俗何萬端 幽人有獨步 龐公竟獨往 尚子終罕遇 宿留洞庭秋 天寒瀟湘素 杖策可入舟 送此齒髮暮 溪上 4 峽內淹留客 溪邊四五家 古苔生迮地 秋竹隱疏花 塞俗人無井 山田飯有沙

54 On the Creek 165 Those of low rank must put on a submissive face, 20 new acquaintances gradually become old friends. In this poor wilderness I am even more humbled, swept along, to whom can I state my plaint? Emaciated, I worry about receiving guests, 24 fearing in an instant to cross them. The world s shallow ways are thousands, but the recluse walks alone. Pang Degong at last went off alone, 1 28 in the end a Master Shang is rarely encountered. 2 I would stay over in the autumn on Lake Dongting, in cold weather, the paleness of Xiao and Xiang. Walking with my staff, I should get in my boat, 32 and send off these twilight years of my life On the Creek A soujourner tarrying in the Gorges, beside the creek, four or five homes. Ancient moss grows in cramped places, 4 autumn bamboo hide the sparse flowers. By frontier customs people don t dig wells, food from mountain fields has sand. 1 *Pang Degong. 2 An Eastern Han recluse who left family responsibilities and went off into the mountains.

55 樹間 166 西江使船至 8 時復問京華 樹間 4 8 岑寂雙柑樹 婆娑一院香 交柯低几杖 垂實礙衣裳 滿歲如松碧 同時待菊黃 幾回霑葉露 乘月坐胡床 白露 4 白露團柑子 清晨散馬蹄 圃開連石樹 船渡入江溪 憑几看魚樂 回鞭急鳥棲

56 Between the Trees 167 When the courier boat from West River comes, 8 time and again I ask about the capital Between the Trees In lofty serenity, a pair of orange trees, spreading full, a yardful of fragrance. Crossing boughs hang low on armrest and staff, 4 hanging fruits block my clothes. For a full year, as green as the pine, they wait for chrysanthemums to yellow at the same time. How often have I been soaked by dew from their leaves 8 as I sit on my folding chair in the moonlight? White Dew White dew forms globes on the oranges, in clear dawn I let my horse s hooves go at will. The garden reveals trees stretching to the rocks, 4 the boat crosses the creek that enters the river. Leaning on my armrest I watch the fishes joy, my homeward riding crop is sped by birds coming to roost.

57 諸葛廟 168 漸知秋實美 8 幽徑恐多蹊 諸葛廟 久游巴子國 屢入武侯祠 竹日斜虛寢 溪風滿薄帷 君臣當共濟 賢聖亦同時 翊戴歸先主 併吞更出師 蟲蛇穿畫壁 巫覡醉蛛絲 欻憶吟梁父 躬耕也未遲 見螢火 巫山秋夜螢火飛 簾疏巧入坐人衣

58 Zhuge Liang s Temple 169 Gradually I realize the beauty of autumn fruits: 8 to my secluded path I fear too many side-trails Zhuge Liang s Temple Long I traveled in the land of Ba and often entered the Warrior Count s temples. Sun on bamboo slants on his empty shrine, 4 creek breeze fills the thin curtains. Ruler and subject then worked together, a worthy man and sage, living at the same time. He pledged to support the First Ruler, 8 he sent the army forth again to swallow the foe. Insects and snakes pierce the wall paintings, a shaman is drunk among spider webs. All at once I recall his Song of Liangfu, 12 it s not yet too late to plow my own land Seeing Fireflies On an autumn night at Wu Mountain the fireflies are flitting, where curtains are open they cleverly enter and alight on my clothes. 1 Made by people coming to pick his oranges.

59 夜雨 忽驚屋裏琴書冷 復亂簷邊星宿稀 卻繞井闌添箇箇 偶經花蕊弄輝輝 滄江白髮愁看汝 來歲如今歸未歸 夜雨 4 8 小雨夜復密 迴風吹早秋 野涼侵閉戶 江滿帶維舟 通籍恨多病 為郎忝薄遊 天寒出巫峽 醉別仲宣樓 更題 只應踏初雪 騎馬發荊州

60 Night Rain 171 Suddenly startled awake in my room, zither and books have grown cold, 4 then again in the eaves they are mixed with constellations growing sparse. Back around the well railing they increase one by one, by chance they pass through the flower petals creating moments of glow. By the gray river with white hair I look at you in sadness 8 in the coming year when it is as it is now, will I have returned home or not? Night Rain The light rain gets dense again at night, whirling winds blow in early autumn. Wilderness coolness gets in my closed door, 4 the river is full, lined with tied up boats. On the registers, I hate being often sick, 1 as a Director I m shamed by these pointless travels. When the weather gets cold I will leave the Wu Gorges, 8 then drunk, depart from Wang Can s tower Another on the Same I m sure I ll tread through the first snows when I ride my horse, setting forth from Jingzhou. 3 1 The registers allowed officials entrance into the imperial city. 2 In Jingzhou, where *Wang Can wrote the Poetic Exposition in Climbing a Tower. 3 Following from the preceding poem, Du Fu speculates on leaving Jingzhou and returning to the capital.

61 舍弟觀歸藍田迎新婦 送示兩篇 直怕巫山雨 真傷白帝秋 群公蒼玉佩 天子翠雲裘 同舍晨趨侍 胡為淹此留 舍弟觀歸藍田迎新婦 送示兩篇 I 4 8 汝去迎妻子 高秋念卻回 即今螢已亂 好與雁同來 東望西江水 南遊北戶開 卜居期靜處 會有故人杯 II 楚塞難為路 藍田莫滯留

62 My Younger Brother Guan Is Going Back to Lantian to Fetch a Wife 173 I fear the rains of Wu Mountain, 4 and am truly pained by autumn of White Emperor Castle. Gray pendants of jade on all the lords, the Son of Heaven s cape of kingfisher cloud. Those of the same bureau rush to serve in morning, 8 so why am I lingering here? My Younger Brother Guan Is Going Back to Lantian to Fetch a Wife; I Show Him these Two Pieces when Sending Him Off I You are going to fetch your wife, I think on your return in high autumn. Right now the fireflies are in wild disorder, 4 best that you come back with the wild geese. I gaze east on West River s waters, when you travel south, my north window will be opened.1 In siting a dwelling look for a calm spot, 8 and there will be occasion for a cup with old friends. II It s hard to find a good route on this Chu frontier, don t linger long at Lantian. 1 Waiting for Guan s return from the north.

63 別李秘書始興寺所居 衣裳判白露 鞍馬信清秋 滿峽重江水 開帆八月舟 此時同一醉 應在仲宣樓 別李秘書始興寺所居 4 不見秘書心若失 及見秘書失心疾 安為動主理信然 我獨覺子神充實 8 重聞西方止觀經 老身古寺風泠泠 妻兒待來且歸去 他日杖藜來細聽

64 Parting From Li of the Palace Library Where He is Staying in Shixing Temple 175 Who cares about white dew on your clothes? 4 let your horse lead the way in clear autumn. When river waters fill the gorge in layers, I will set sail in an eighth month boat. At that moment let us both be drunk, 8 right in Wang Can s tower Parting From Li of the Palace Library Where He is Staying in Shixing Temple Not seeing the Librarian my heart feels lost, getting to see the Librarian I lose heart s torment. Stillness governs action, that principle is true indeed, 4 I alone am aware that you have achieved a fullness of spirit. Again I hear you recite that Western Sutra of Cessation, for my old body, an ancient temple where the breeze is cool. My wife and children await my coming, I ll go back now for a while, 8 someday, leaning on my staff, I ll come to listen in detail. 1 *Wang Can.

65 送李八秘書赴杜相公幕 送李八秘書赴杜相公幕 4 8 青簾白舫益州來 巫峽秋濤天地回 石出倒聽楓葉下 櫓搖背指菊花開 貪趨相府今晨發 恐失佳期後命催 南極一星朝北斗 五雲多處是三臺 巫峽敝廬奉贈侍御四舅別之澧朗 4 江城秋日落 山鬼閉門中 行李淹吾舅 誅茅問老翁 赤眉猶世亂 青眼只途窮

66 Seeing Off Librarian Li (8) On His Way to Minister Du s Headquarters Seeing Off Librarian Li (8) On His Way to Minister Du s Headquarters1 When the white barge with green curtains came from Yizhou, with autumn billows in the Wu Gorges, heaven and earth were turning. Where rocks came out, from below you listened to the leaves of maples falling, 4 as the sweep moved back and forth you pointed behind to chrysanthemums in bloom. Eager to rush to the Minister s office this morning you set out, fearing to miss the appointment set, a later command hurried you. A single star at the utmost south will go to court at the Northern Dipper,2 8 where the five-colored clouds are many, there are the Three Terraces At My Humble Cottage in the Wu Gorges Respectfully Presented to the Censor, My Fourth Maternal Uncle, Parting on His Way to Fengzhou and Langzhou The autumn sun sets on the river city, the mountain wraith is within my closed gates.4 On his journey I detain my uncle, 4 who visits this old man who built a thatched hut. Red eyebrows, still an age in turmoil,5 looked on kindly, but still at the end of my road. 1 Original note: The Minister is going to pay a duty call at court, and Li is now setting out late 相公朝謁 今赴後期也. 2 The star of the utmost south governs Yizhou, Chengdu. Li will go from there to accompany Du Hongjian at court. 3 The Three Terraces are an asterism associated with the Three Lords, here Du Hongjian. 4 One of the deities celebrated in the Nine Songs of the Chuci. The Mountain Wraith was associated with the wilderness around Mount Wu. 5 The Red Eyebrows was a millennarian sect that rebelled in the Eastern Han and here stands for current rebels.

67 孟氏 178 傳語桃源客 8 人今出處同 孟氏 4 8 孟氏好兄弟 養親唯小園 承顏胝手足 坐客強盤飧 負米夕葵外 讀書秋樹根 卜鄰慚近舍 訓子學誰門 吾宗 4 吾宗老孫子 質樸古人風 耕鑿安時論 衣冠與世同 在家常早起 憂國願年豐

68 The Mengs 179 Pass these words to travelers to Peach Blossom Spring:1 8 nowadays going forth in service or staying in reclusion are the same The Mengs The Mengs are good brothers, taking care of their parents with only a small garden. Hands and feet grow calloused serving their elders, 4 and they force a plate of food on a guest. They carry rice beyond the evening mallows,2 and read books by the roots of autumn trees. I am embarrassed to be so near in choosing my neighborhood, 8 to educate sons, which school should I follow? Of My Family Line4 Old nephew of my family line, plain and solid, the manner of the ancients. Plowing and digging wells, an argument for settling the times,5 4 cap and gown, same as others of the age. At home he always rises early, worrying for the state, he wishes the harvest be abundant. 1 *Peach Blossom Spring. In Langzhou, where his uncle was going. 2 Confucius s disciple Zilu himself ate wild vegetables ( evening mallows ) but went over a hundred leagues to get rice for his parents. 3 That is, the Meng family has an excellent tradition in teaching sons to be filial, echoing the story of Mengzi s mother who moved in order to have her son in a good neighborhood. 4 Original note: Du Chongjian of the Provisioning Unit of the Guards 衛倉曹 崇簡. 5 This refers to the Toss-stick Song, by legend sung in the peaceful age of Yao, telling of peasants digging wells and plowing, with no connection to the ruler s power.

69 奉酬薛十二丈判官見贈 180 語及君臣際 8 經書滿腹中 奉酬薛十二丈判官見贈 忽忽峽中睡 悲風方一醒 西來有好鳥 為我下青冥 羽毛淨白雪 慘澹飛雲汀 既蒙主人顧 舉翮唳孤亭 持以比佳士 及此慰揚舲 清文動哀玉 見道發新硎 欲學鴟夷子 待勒燕山銘 誰重斷蛇劍 致君君未聽 志在麒麟閣 無心雲母屏

70 Respectfully Responding to What Administrative Assistant Xue (12) Presented Me 181 When talk turns to the situation between ruler and official, 8 the Classics fill his belly Respectfully Responding to What Administrative Assistant Xue (12) Presented Me I slept in a daze in the gorges, then a mournful wind woke me up. There was a fine bird coming from the west, 4 from the dark blue sky it descended for me. Down and feathers as pure as white snow, it flew in the gloom over the cloudy beach. Having received the host s regard, 8 it spread its wings and screeched at the lone pavilion. Let me use this to compare to a fine gentleman who came here to console me, about to set sail. Your clear writings give the moving sound of jade, 12 perceiving the Way, they come as if fresh from the whetstone. You want to imitate Master Leather Winesack, 1 but will wait until you have carved an inscription on Mount Yanran. 2 Who values the sword that can cut a snake in half? 16 present it to the ruler, but the ruler does not heed. Your aims are to be in Unicorn Gallery, you have no heart for the mica screen. 3 1 *Fan Li, who became a recluse on the Five Lakes after helping Goujian of Yue defeat Wu. 2 As the Eastern Han general Dou Xian did after defeating the khan of the Northern Xiongnu. 3 Zheng Hong was commander-in-chief in the Eastern Han, and would keep humble in a court appearance, hiding behind a mica screen.

71 奉酬薛十二丈判官見贈 卓氏近新寡 豪家朱門扃 相如才調逸 銀漢會雙星 客來洗粉黛 日暮拾流螢 不是無膏火 勸郎勤六經 老夫自汲澗 野水日泠泠 我歎黑頭白 君看銀印青 臥病識山鬼 為農知地形 誰矜坐錦帳 苦厭食魚腥 東西兩岸坼 橫水注滄溟 碧色忽惆悵 風雷搜百靈 空中右白虎 赤節引娉婷 自云帝季女 噀雨鳳凰翎

72 Respectfully Responding to What Administrative Assistant Xue (12) Presented Me 183 Madam Zhuo has been recently widowed, 20 a powerful family, its crimson gates closed. Sima Xiangru s style of talent is untrammeled, in the Silver River, two stars meet. 1 When a guest arrives all powder and paint is washed away, 2 24 at twilight she gathers flitting fireflies. 3 It is not that there is no oil for fire, but rather to encourage you to be diligent at the Six Classics. This old fellow himself draws from the mountain stream, 28 where wilderness waters babble daily. I sigh how my black hair has whitened, you see how my silver seal glints green. 4 Lying sick, I m acquainted with the mountain wraith, 32 acting as a farmer, I know the lay of the land. Who can boast of sitting under a brocade awning? 5 but I m terribly sick of the smell of eating fish. From east to west the two shores split open, 36 water coursing through pours toward the dark sea. The emerald colors suddenly grow gloomy as in wind and thunder the hundred spirits gather. There is a white tiger in the sky on the right, 40 red standards lead in a beauty. 6 She says she is Heaven s Emperor s youngest daughter, spitting out rain from the phoenix s wings. 1 This refers to the Han fu writer *Sima Xiangru marrying the widowed Zhuo Wenjun, perhaps suggesting that Xue recently married a widow. Their meeting is compared to the meeting of the Oxherd and the Weaver Woman stars on the seventh night of the seventh month. 2 Like the Eastern Han recluse Liang Hong s wife, Meng Guang, who willingly gave up her life of luxury to accompany her husband in the life of a poor recluse. 3 *Ju Yin. She is helping him with his studies. 4 The silver seal, the mark of Du Fu s office, was actually a pouch in the shape of a fish; unlike Du Fu s hair, this is dark. 5 The Han provided these for members of the Secretariat staying in the palace for dawn court. 6 The Goddess of Wu Mountain.