[updated September 2022]
On a Boat Floating to Wuling
武 陵 泛 舟
武 陵 川 路 狭
前 棹 入 花 林。
莫 测 幽 源 里
仙 家 信 几 深。
水 回 青 嶂 合
云 渡 绿 溪 阴。
坐 听 闲 猿 啸
弥 清 尘 外 心。
Wu Ling Fan Zhou
Wu ling chuan lu xia
Qian zhao ru hua lin.
Mo ce you yuan li
Xian jia xin ji shen.
Shui hui qing zhang he
Yun du lu xi yin.
Zuo ting xian yuan xiao
Mi qing chen wai xin.
On a Boat Floating to Wuling
Wuling river waterways are narrow
Oars enter the front edges of flowered forests.
No one can measure the interior to a secluded water source
So far and deep to the home of the immortals.
The river circles around to meet up with blue, screen-like peaks
Clouds hover over the small green stream creating a dark shade.
In idleness sit and listen to monkeys howl
Abide here with this over-flowing clarity, never again the disloyal intentions of worldly affairs.
Commentary:
The secluded water source and the home of the immortals refers directly to the famous poem, “Peach Blossom Water Source” by Tao Yuanming. This poem and others, as well as his biographical information can be sounds at this website.