[updated September 2022]
Tian Jin Bridge
天 津 桥
津 桥 东 北 斗 亭 西
到 此 令 人 诗 思 迷。
眉 月 晚 生 神 女 浦
脸 波 春 傍 窈 娘 堤。
柳 丝 袅 袅 风 缲 出
草 绿 茸 茸 雨 剪 齐。
报 道 前 驱 少 呼 喝
恐 惊 黄 鸟 不 成 啼。
Tian Jin Qiao
Jin qiao dong bei dou ting xi
Dao ci ling ren shi si mi.
Mei yue wan sheng shen nu pu
Lian bo chun bang yao niang di.
Liu si niao niao feng qiao chu
Cao lu rong rong yu jian qi.
Bao dao qian qu shao hu he
Kong jing huang niao bu cheng ti.
Tian Jin Bridge
Under the Tian Jin Bridge, the river forks into eastern and northern branches at the western pavilion
This situation causes human poems to be a bit confused.
Eyebrow-like crescent moonrise, female deities at the water’s edge
Springtime waves draw near the edges of the Yao Niang embankment.
Willow tree silks wave in the breezes
Blades of grass smooth and thick, rainfall makes them neat and even.
Try to quiet down the crier announcing my arrival
Afraid he will startle the yellow orioles and stop their singing.
Notes:
Yao Niang: Literally means graceful young women
Commentary:
Bai is arriving into a new place for his current government position. Town criers often announced the coming of a newly appointed official for the people to see and meet.