Selected Works of Liu Zongyuan

Author: Liu Zongyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-02-01
Features: Excerpt: "Seventy Rhymes on Returning from a Night Tour of Nan Pavilion and Recalling Past Intentions" [1] The wind embraces hills and valleys, and I roam freely at my own will [2]. Caught in official duties, ten years have been wasted in toil [3]. Outwardly, I follow the dusty path of society, while my private heart finds solace among the noble [4]. Lacking the skills for court service, I am not a local magnate either [5]. Heaven's will is unchangeable, and how can I escape the blame of the spirits [6]? Misfortune indeed brought me low, and hardship was what I deserved [7]. My spirit remains vast, but the clamor of the crowd is vain [8]. I seek refuge in the land of mountains and waters, and sing of the "Li Sao" with abandon [9]. Revisiting the hopes of years past, I leisurely row my light boat [10]. The empty mansion faces the mountain city, and the front window overlooks the riverside [11]. Overlapping streams and secluded coves, winding paths lead through rocks and mist [12]. Layers of green float on the shimmering water, making me suspect it is the back of the divine turtle [13]. Dense forests hold the rushing wind, while pebbles greet the surging waves [14]. The sky clears, and the woodsmen call to each other in the distance [15]. Clear pools send up diving swans, and monkeys leap from the cliffs [16]. The deer's call confirms their feeding in the wild, and the fish's joy shows their delight in the waters of Hao [17]. Solitary appreciation is truly sorrowful, but temporary joy is worthy of praise [18]. Staying by the lattice windows, I pour wine for myself [19]. Savoring lotus seeds, I pick up crab claws with my hands [20]. Watching the rice cook in the stove, I hear the cleaver cutting fresh fish [21]. Wild vegetables fill the basket, mixed with aquatic plants [22]. I long for the boatman who sang while drinking his lees [23]. Thinking of the hermit from Yu Ling, I swallow three times to recall the caterpillar of Li [24]. This path is hard to follow, and where can my deep sorrow be hidden [25]? The swans lament on the curved shoals, and the lotus is carved on the ringed isles [26]. The evening sun returns to the western peak, and the north river flows endlessly [27]. Wandering, it grows dark, and distant fires light the connected boats [28]. The trees fall, and the cold mountain is still, while the empty river holds the high autumn moon [29]. Folding my sleeves, I prepare to return, and the skilled swimmer prides himself on his craft [30]. Shallow skills hide the long oars, and deep waters hide the light poles [31]. Gazing afar, I lift the deep rod, and sing mournfully at the noisy boat [32]. In the middle of the river, I swim freely, as if soaring and fluttering [33]. Drifting, I find my rest, and the wild wind rages [34]. The stream rushes, startling fish, and the path is overgrown with hungry beasts [35]. Entering the door, I am bound, and sorrow fills my heart [36]. My longing for scholars has not faded, but my scratching my head in vain shows my longing for others [37]. Looking inward, there is no one, and my virtue is as light as dandelion fluff [38]. My fame has long deceived me, and my sustenance is certainly undeserved [39]. The ox weeps at the bell, and the pig is startled at the cage [40]. I will forever flee from the scribe's office, and never expect the clerk's post [41]? The brought prosperity to all things, and the land was divided [42]. The Mingshan bandits were captured, and the Wu rebels were defeated [43]. Defending against the tigers was in full swing, and the deserts were rich in blame [44]. We cleared the mountains for wood and grain, and crossed the seas beyond the peach island [45]. Crossing the mountains, we encountered the Shang birds, and returning west, we faced the western tigers [46]. On both sides, we planted trees, and crisscrossed with geese and lambs [47]. Three appointments were all indulgent, and all living beings were covered [48]. How can I serve the imperial spirit and release the world from heavenly restraint [49]? Returning in sincerity to comfort the pines and cypresses, I will open the brambles and use my strength [50]. Choosing a house in Huo Du, I claim fertile land in Feng [51]. Near the ruins of Panxi, and the city of A connects the old moat [52]. I wish to personally burn the pests, and willingly pull the weeds [53]. Hunger is satisfied by farming, and cold clothes await silk weaving [54]. When my legs are warm, can my belly still be greedy [55]? How can I cut and serve, who envies the and the fat [56]? Hunting in the forest drives sparrows and swallows, and fishing in the marshes follows the reeds [57]. Observing the auspicious signs, I wear simple shoes, and present the "Book of Songs" to reject the dry flags [58]. I will join the herd of deer, daring not to share the stable with the noble [59]. Humble and untainted, poor and not indulgent [60]. Tripping away from, joyful in replacing suffering [61]. Growing old only carries the burden, and I rush to cut the gongs for duty [62]. Dizzy with the swirling, noisy with the clamor [63]. Here I will spend the rest of my life, and wealth and status are not for us [64]. The sorrow of Changsha's Jiu and the ridicule of the Ji Gao in Han Yin [65]. If only to express the joy of striking the ground, the affairs of the machine cease at the autumn hair [66]. The sea mist is dense, and the wind of Yue is rich in fishy smell [67]. Not only are we pressed by demons, but we fear the same as the miasma [68]. Knowing the wine jar in Chu, Fan Shu misses his robe [69]. The person is not to be expected, and the sigh is only sorrowful [70].