BOOKMARK
To bookmark this poem:
Press Ctrl + D (Windows) or ⌘ + D (Mac).
Press Ctrl + D (Windows) or ⌘ + D (Mac).
Watching General Cao Paint Horses at the Residence of Recorder Wei Feng
English Poetic Translation
Ever since our dynasty rose, masters of the saddle-steed
Were crowned by the Prince of Jiangdu alone, supreme in craft indeed.
For thirty years the General's brush has held a deathless name,
And here upon the silk once more we see the divine beast flame.
He captured once the Former Emperor's mount, the Shining White,
That soared across the Dragon Pond like ten days' sudden light.
From inner courts of agate red, a polished, glowing bowl,
Sent forth by imperial hand while courtly ladies sought the goal.
The bowl bestowed, the General bowed and danced out through the door,
While light silks and fine brocades pursued his steps before.
When mighty houses and high gates secured his ink and trace,
Only then the folding screens burst forth with living grace.
We call to mind Taizong's fine steed, the Curly-Maned Bay,
And recent days Guo's Lion-Flower, famed in yesterday.
Yet this new scroll displays two beasts so wondrously designed,
They leave discerning connoisseurs in lingering sighs behind.
Behold them charge like mounted hosts where single warriors dare,
Against vast plains of drifted snow and howling desert air.
The other seven span the scroll, distinct and fierce and grand,
As though cold mists and driving snow swept through the frozen land.
Their frosty hooves tread deep among the catalpas in the glade,
While grooms and royal officers stand dense in stern parade.
How marvelous these nine great steeds, contending in their pride,
With noble gaze and steady breath, serene and deep inside.
Who is this passionate patron, whose devotion matches art?
Wei Feng behind, and Zhi Dun of old within the master's heart.
I call to mind the royal tour to Xinfeng's ancient state,
When emerald banners brushed the skies and surged the imperial gate:
Some thirty thousand charging steeds in magnificent array,
Shared every bone and sinew with the beasts portrayed today.
Since tribute vanished to the depths where River Lords reside,
No more we hunt the river dragons down the swirling tide.
Look where Jinshuai Mound stands silent in the cypress gloom—
The dragon steeds are dust and gone, and winds call through the tomb.
Were crowned by the Prince of Jiangdu alone, supreme in craft indeed.
For thirty years the General's brush has held a deathless name,
And here upon the silk once more we see the divine beast flame.
He captured once the Former Emperor's mount, the Shining White,
That soared across the Dragon Pond like ten days' sudden light.
From inner courts of agate red, a polished, glowing bowl,
Sent forth by imperial hand while courtly ladies sought the goal.
The bowl bestowed, the General bowed and danced out through the door,
While light silks and fine brocades pursued his steps before.
When mighty houses and high gates secured his ink and trace,
Only then the folding screens burst forth with living grace.
We call to mind Taizong's fine steed, the Curly-Maned Bay,
And recent days Guo's Lion-Flower, famed in yesterday.
Yet this new scroll displays two beasts so wondrously designed,
They leave discerning connoisseurs in lingering sighs behind.
Behold them charge like mounted hosts where single warriors dare,
Against vast plains of drifted snow and howling desert air.
The other seven span the scroll, distinct and fierce and grand,
As though cold mists and driving snow swept through the frozen land.
Their frosty hooves tread deep among the catalpas in the glade,
While grooms and royal officers stand dense in stern parade.
How marvelous these nine great steeds, contending in their pride,
With noble gaze and steady breath, serene and deep inside.
Who is this passionate patron, whose devotion matches art?
Wei Feng behind, and Zhi Dun of old within the master's heart.
I call to mind the royal tour to Xinfeng's ancient state,
When emerald banners brushed the skies and surged the imperial gate:
Some thirty thousand charging steeds in magnificent array,
Shared every bone and sinew with the beasts portrayed today.
Since tribute vanished to the depths where River Lords reside,
No more we hunt the river dragons down the swirling tide.
Look where Jinshuai Mound stands silent in the cypress gloom—
The dragon steeds are dust and gone, and winds call through the tomb.
Classical Chinese & Pinyin
國初已來畫鞍馬，神妙獨數江都王。
將軍得名三十載，人間又見真乘黃。
曾貌先帝照夜白，龍池十日飛霹靂。
內府殷紅馬腦盌，倢伃傳詔才人索。
盌賜將軍拜舞歸，輕紈細綺相追飛。
貴戚權門得筆跡，始覺屏障生光輝。
昔日太宗拳毛騧，近時郭家師子花。
今之新圖有二馬，復令識者久歎嗟。
此皆騎戰一敵萬，縞素漠漠開風沙。
其餘七匹亦殊絕，迥若寒空動煙雪。
霜蹄蹴踏長楸間，馬官廝養森成列。
可憐九馬爭神駿，顧視清高氣深穩。
借問苦心愛者誰，後有韋諷前支遁。
憶昔巡幸新豐宮，翠華拂天來向東。
騰驤磊落三萬匹，皆與此圖筋骨同。
自從獻寶朝河宗，無復射蛟江水中。
君不見金粟堆前松柏裏，龍媒去盡鳥呼風。
將軍得名三十載，人間又見真乘黃。
曾貌先帝照夜白，龍池十日飛霹靂。
內府殷紅馬腦盌，倢伃傳詔才人索。
盌賜將軍拜舞歸，輕紈細綺相追飛。
貴戚權門得筆跡，始覺屏障生光輝。
昔日太宗拳毛騧，近時郭家師子花。
今之新圖有二馬，復令識者久歎嗟。
此皆騎戰一敵萬，縞素漠漠開風沙。
其餘七匹亦殊絕，迥若寒空動煙雪。
霜蹄蹴踏長楸間，馬官廝養森成列。
可憐九馬爭神駿，顧視清高氣深穩。
借問苦心愛者誰，後有韋諷前支遁。
憶昔巡幸新豐宮，翠華拂天來向東。
騰驤磊落三萬匹，皆與此圖筋骨同。
自從獻寶朝河宗，無復射蛟江水中。
君不見金粟堆前松柏裏，龍媒去盡鳥呼風。
Philological Direct Translation
Since the dynasty's founding painting saddle-horses,
Divine and wondrous solely counts the Prince of Jiangdu.
The General has won fame for thirty years,
In the human realm again we see the true Chengming horse.
Once he portrayed the former Emperor's Night-Shining White,
At the Dragon Pond ten days flying lightning.
Within the inner palace vermilion agate bowls,
Jieyu transmitted imperial edicts, court ladies demanded them.
The bowl bestowed, the General bowed and danced away,
Light white silk and fine brocade chasing and flying together.
Noble relatives and powerful gates gained his brushstrokes,
Only then realizing screens generate brilliant light.
In former days Taizong's Curly-Maned Bay,
In recent times the Guo family's Lion-Flower.
Now of new paintings there are two horses,
Again making those who understand sigh for long.
These all in mounted battle one opposes ten,
Plain white silk dim and vast opens wind and sand.
The remaining seven horses are also extraordinary,
Farthest away like the cold sky stirring mist and snow.
Frosty hooves tramping amid long catalpa trees,
Horse officers and grooms standing dense in ranks.
Pitiable the nine horses contend in divine spiritedness,
Glance back lofty, their breath deep and steady.
Ask you, who is the painstaking lover of these?
Behind is Wei Feng, ahead is Zhi Dun.
Remembering of old the imperial tour to Xinfeng Palace,
Kingfisher banners brushing heaven came heading east.
Prancing and majestic thirty thousand horses,
All with this painting shared sinew and bone.
Since offering treasures to court the River Lord,
No longer shooting dragons in river waters.
Do you not see before Jinshuai Mound amidst pines and cypresses,
Dragon steeds completely gone, birds call to the wind.
Divine and wondrous solely counts the Prince of Jiangdu.
The General has won fame for thirty years,
In the human realm again we see the true Chengming horse.
Once he portrayed the former Emperor's Night-Shining White,
At the Dragon Pond ten days flying lightning.
Within the inner palace vermilion agate bowls,
Jieyu transmitted imperial edicts, court ladies demanded them.
The bowl bestowed, the General bowed and danced away,
Light white silk and fine brocade chasing and flying together.
Noble relatives and powerful gates gained his brushstrokes,
Only then realizing screens generate brilliant light.
In former days Taizong's Curly-Maned Bay,
In recent times the Guo family's Lion-Flower.
Now of new paintings there are two horses,
Again making those who understand sigh for long.
These all in mounted battle one opposes ten,
Plain white silk dim and vast opens wind and sand.
The remaining seven horses are also extraordinary,
Farthest away like the cold sky stirring mist and snow.
Frosty hooves tramping amid long catalpa trees,
Horse officers and grooms standing dense in ranks.
Pitiable the nine horses contend in divine spiritedness,
Glance back lofty, their breath deep and steady.
Ask you, who is the painstaking lover of these?
Behind is Wei Feng, ahead is Zhi Dun.
Remembering of old the imperial tour to Xinfeng Palace,
Kingfisher banners brushing heaven came heading east.
Prancing and majestic thirty thousand horses,
All with this painting shared sinew and bone.
Since offering treasures to court the River Lord,
No longer shooting dragons in river waters.
Do you not see before Jinshuai Mound amidst pines and cypresses,
Dragon steeds completely gone, birds call to the wind.