Friday, June 24, 2011

The 300 Tang Dynasy Poems: #40 Ballads of the Four Seasons - Summer

The Tang Dynasty was a high point in Chinese culture where art, especially poetry was especially esteemed. The finest works from this era were collected in the 300 Tang Dynasty Poems. A free online version of the anthology may be found here.


Here is an example. Poem #40, Ballads of the Four Seasons - Summer by Li Bai


BALLADS OF FOUR SEASONS: SUMMER

On Mirror Lake outspread for miles and miles,
The lotus lilies in full blossom teem.
In fifth moon Xi Shi gathers them with smiles,
Watchers o'erwhelm the bank of Yuoye Stream.
Her boat turns back without waiting moonrise
To yoyal house amid amorous sighs.
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3 comments:

  1. Chris1:46 PM

    As much as I like the fact that you share these wonderful poems on your blog, I don't like these translations. Forcing them to rhyme in English just throws the whole thing off. Would it be illegal to post a short excerpt from a different translation? Or do you like these?

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  2. Chris1:54 PM

    For example, check out this translation by William Carlos Williams:

    The Mirror Lake
    (Three hundred miles),

    Where lotus buds
    Burst into flowers.

    The slippery shore
    Is jammed with admirers,

    While the village beauty
    Picks the blossoms.

    Before the sails
    Breast the rising moon,

    She's shipped away
    To the king's harem.

    I also really like David Hinton's translations.

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  3. Rick Matz10:15 PM

    Welcome! I use the translation that I do because its handy. Thanks for the pointers to the others. I'll check them out.

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