Chinese Translations Iii

Chinese Translations III Quiet Night Thoughts by Li Bai aka Li Po loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Moonlight illuminates my bed as frost brightens the ground. Lifting my eyes, the moon allures. Lowering my eyes, I long for home. Lines from Laolao Ting Pavilion by Li Bai aka Li Po loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The spring breeze knows partings are bitter; The willow twig knows it will never be green again. A Toast to Uncle Yun by Li Bai aka Li Po loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Water reforms, though we slice it with our swords; Sorrow returns, though we drown it with our wine. Li Bai is also known as Li Po, Li Bo, Li Pai, Li T'ai-po and Li T'ai-pai. "Lu Zhai" ("Deer Park") by Wang Wei (699-759) loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Uninhabited hills ... except that now and again the silence is broken by something like the sound of distant voices as the sun's sinking rays illuminate lichens ... Chixiao (“The Owl”) by Duke Zhou (c. 1100-1000 BC) loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Owl! You've stolen my offspring, Don't shatter my nest! When with labors of love I nurtured my fledglings. Before the skies darkened And the dark rains fell, I gathered mulberry twigs To thatch my nest, Yet scoundrels now dare Impugn my enterprise. With fingers chafed rough By the reeds I plucked And the straw I threshed, I now write these words, Too hoarse to speak: I am homeless! My wings are withered, My tail torn away, My home toppled And tossed into the rain, My cry a distressed peep. The Duke of Zhou (c. 1000 BC), a member of the Zhou Dynasty also known as Ji Dan, played a major role in Chinese history and culture. He has been called “probably the first real person to step over the threshold of myth into Chinese history” and he may be the first Chinese poet we know by name and the spiritual ancestor of Confucius. The Duke was a capable and loyal regent for his young nephew King Cheng and successfully suppressed a number of rebellions. He has also been credited with writing the I Ching and the Book of Songs, also called the Book of Odes, and with creating yayue (“elegant music”) which became Chinese classical music. His poem “The Owl” was apparently written while he was away fighting on his nephew’s behalf, after court dissenters accused him of plotting to usurp the throne. Keywords/Tags: China, Chinese, translation, hills, mountains, nature, animal, animals