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Ancient Song of Enlisting in the Army
English Poetic Translation
At blinding noon they climb the heights to watch the beacon fire,
Then water weary horses where the Jiao River winds its gyre.
The dingsha drum beats through the dusk as sandstorms veil the sky,
While through the dark the princess plays a lute of grief untold.
Ten thousand miles of desolate cloud without a town in sight,
And blinding sleet and driving snow across the desert cold.
Night after night the wild geese fly with lamentations shrill,
And captive frontier children weep tears that will not dry.
We hear the gates of jade remain barred against return,
Yet must they stake their mortal breath where light-armed chariots burn.
Year after year the bleached bones lie out on the barren plain,
While sweet wine from the western vines pours for the Han domain.
Then water weary horses where the Jiao River winds its gyre.
The dingsha drum beats through the dusk as sandstorms veil the sky,
While through the dark the princess plays a lute of grief untold.
Ten thousand miles of desolate cloud without a town in sight,
And blinding sleet and driving snow across the desert cold.
Night after night the wild geese fly with lamentations shrill,
And captive frontier children weep tears that will not dry.
We hear the gates of jade remain barred against return,
Yet must they stake their mortal breath where light-armed chariots burn.
Year after year the bleached bones lie out on the barren plain,
While sweet wine from the western vines pours for the Han domain.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
白日登山望烽火，黃昏飲馬傍交河。
行人刁斗風沙暗，公主琵琶幽怨多。
野雲萬裏無城郭，雨雪紛紛連大漠。
胡鴈哀鳴夜夜飛，胡兒眼淚雙雙落。
聞道玉門猶被遮，應將性命逐輕車。
年年戰骨埋荒外，空見蒲桃入漢家。
行人刁斗風沙暗，公主琵琶幽怨多。
野雲萬裏無城郭，雨雪紛紛連大漠。
胡鴈哀鳴夜夜飛，胡兒眼淚雙雙落。
聞道玉門猶被遮，應將性命逐輕車。
年年戰骨埋荒外，空見蒲桃入漢家。
Philological Direct Translation
White sun climbs mountain to watch beacon fires,
Dusk waters horses beside the Jiao River.
Traveling soldiers hear dingsha drums, wind and sand darken,
Princess pipa melodies harbor grief manifold.
Wild clouds ten-thousand miles without city walls,
Rain and snow drifting densely join the great desert.
Barbarian geese mournful cry night after night fly,
Barbarian children tears in pairs fall.
I heard tell Jade Gate Pass is still blocked,
They must take lives to pursue light chariots.
Year after year battle bones buried in wasteland beyond,
In vain we see grapes entering Han homes.
Dusk waters horses beside the Jiao River.
Traveling soldiers hear dingsha drums, wind and sand darken,
Princess pipa melodies harbor grief manifold.
Wild clouds ten-thousand miles without city walls,
Rain and snow drifting densely join the great desert.
Barbarian geese mournful cry night after night fly,
Barbarian children tears in pairs fall.
I heard tell Jade Gate Pass is still blocked,
They must take lives to pursue light chariots.
Year after year battle bones buried in wasteland beyond,
In vain we see grapes entering Han homes.