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Charm of the Niannu Singer: Passing Dongting Lake
English Poetic Translation
Across Dongting and Qingcao lakes, as mid-autumn nears,
Not a breath of wind disturbs the vast, untroubled glass.
Thirty thousand miles of jade-bright fields and jasper space,
Bear my lone leaf of a boat upon their mirror-face.
The pure moon splits its radiance, the Milky Way its gleam,
Within and out, the universe is crystal-clear and stream.
My heart responds in silence, in a quiet, deep accord,
Such wondrous truths are spoken to no mortal lord.
Recall the southern exile through the distant, weary years,
A solitary beacon cutting through the dark-lit fears,
Where liver, lungs, and spirit froze to pure and bitter ice.
Now, with thinning hair unkempt and robes in evening chill,
I guide my steady skiff across the waters wide and still.
I'd drain the Western River, pour the Dipper's starry cup,
And bid the myriad creatures to my banquet rise.
I strike the gunwale, laughing out into the open sky,
Unknowing what this night might be, or how the hours go by.
Not a breath of wind disturbs the vast, untroubled glass.
Thirty thousand miles of jade-bright fields and jasper space,
Bear my lone leaf of a boat upon their mirror-face.
The pure moon splits its radiance, the Milky Way its gleam,
Within and out, the universe is crystal-clear and stream.
My heart responds in silence, in a quiet, deep accord,
Such wondrous truths are spoken to no mortal lord.
Recall the southern exile through the distant, weary years,
A solitary beacon cutting through the dark-lit fears,
Where liver, lungs, and spirit froze to pure and bitter ice.
Now, with thinning hair unkempt and robes in evening chill,
I guide my steady skiff across the waters wide and still.
I'd drain the Western River, pour the Dipper's starry cup,
And bid the myriad creatures to my banquet rise.
I strike the gunwale, laughing out into the open sky,
Unknowing what this night might be, or how the hours go by.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
洞庭青草，近中秋、更無一點風色。
玉鑑瓊田三萬頃，著我扁舟一葉。
素月分輝，明河共影，表裏俱澄澈。
悠然心會，妙處難與君說。
應念嶺海經年，孤光自照，肝肺皆冰雪。
短髮蕭騷襟袖冷，穩泛滄浪空闊。
盡吸西江，細斟北斗，萬象爲賓客。
扣舷獨笑，不知今夕何夕。
玉鑑瓊田三萬頃，著我扁舟一葉。
素月分輝，明河共影，表裏俱澄澈。
悠然心會，妙處難與君說。
應念嶺海經年，孤光自照，肝肺皆冰雪。
短髮蕭騷襟袖冷，穩泛滄浪空闊。
盡吸西江，細斟北斗，萬象爲賓客。
扣舷獨笑，不知今夕何夕。
Philological Direct Translation
Dongting and Qingcao lakes, near mid-autumn, further without one point of wind color.
Jade mirror and jasper field thirty thousand qing, carrying my flat boat one leaf.
Plain moon divides splendor, bright river shares shadow, inside and outside both limpid and clear.
Leisurely the heart meets, the wondrous place is difficult with you to speak.
Ought to think of southern mountain-seas passing years, solitary light shining itself, liver and lungs all ice and snow.
Short hair disheveled, lapels and sleeves cold, steadily floating on the vast and empty dark waves.
Completely drinking up the West River, finely pouring the Northern Dipper, all phenomena become guests.
Striking the gunwale and laughing alone, not knowing what evening this evening is.
Jade mirror and jasper field thirty thousand qing, carrying my flat boat one leaf.
Plain moon divides splendor, bright river shares shadow, inside and outside both limpid and clear.
Leisurely the heart meets, the wondrous place is difficult with you to speak.
Ought to think of southern mountain-seas passing years, solitary light shining itself, liver and lungs all ice and snow.
Short hair disheveled, lapels and sleeves cold, steadily floating on the vast and empty dark waves.
Completely drinking up the West River, finely pouring the Northern Dipper, all phenomena become guests.
Striking the gunwale and laughing alone, not knowing what evening this evening is.