Su Dongpo: Return to Chang Mountain to Pray For Successful Hunting

 

Return to Chang Mountain to Pray For Successful Hunting

 

祭 常 山 回 小 猎
青 盖 前 头 点 皂 旗
黄 茅 冈 下 出 长 围。
弄 风 骄 马 跑 空 立
趁 免 苍 鹰 掠 地 飞。
回 望 白 云 生 翠 巘
归 来 红 叶 满 征 衣。
圣 明 若 用 西 凉 簿
白 羽 犹 能 效 一 挥。
Ji Chang Shan Hui Xiao Lie

Qing gai qian tou dian zao qi
Huang mao gang xia chu chang wei.
Nong feng jiao ma pao kong li
Chen mian cang ying lue di fei.

Hui wang bai yun sheng cui yan
Gui lai hong ye man zheng yi.
Sheng ming ruo yong xi liang bu
Bai yu you neng xiao yi hui.

 

Return to Chang Mountain to Pray For Successful Hunting

Blue canopy on a government cart with black flags at the front
Below the Huang Mao hills many workers create a circle to contain the prey.
Proud and fierce horses run like the wind is free
High-flying hawk skims over the land to surprise a rabbit.

Return from the hunt, gaze into the distance, white clouds emerge from the green hills
Arrived with red leaves still within my clothes.
I am ready to be dispatched by the emperor to the western frontier
I could use my intellectual abilities to bring results.

 

Notes:

Huang Mao hills: Located in southwest Zhejiang Province.