Han Palace Springtime
汉 宫 春
羽 箭 雕 弓
忆 呼 鹰 古 垒
截 虎 平 川。
吹 笳 暮 归 野 帐。
雪 压 青 毡。
淋 漓 醉 墨， 看 龙 蛇
飞 落 蛮 笺。 人 误 许
诗 情 将 略
一 时 才 气 超 然。
何 事 又 作 南 来
看 重 阳 药 市
元 夕 灯 山。
花 时 万 人 乐 处
欹 帽 垂 鞭。
闻 歌 感 旧， 尚 时 时
流 涕 樽 前。 君 记 取
封 侯 事 在
功 名 不 信 由 天！
Han Gong Chun
Yu jian diao gong
Yi hu ying gu lei
Jie hu pin chuan.
Chui jia mu gui ye zhang.
Xue ya qing zhan
Lin li zui mo, kan long she
Fei luo man jian.
Ren wu xu shi qing jiang lue.
Yi shi cai qi chao ran.
He shi you zuo nan lai
Kan chong yang yao shi
Yuan xi deng shan.
Hua shi wan ren le chu
Qi mao chui bian.
Wen ge gan jiu, shang shi shi
Liu ti zun qian. Jun ji qu
Feng hou shi zai
Gong ming bu xin you tian!
Han Palace Springtime
Feathered arrows and engraved bows
Recall Huying ancient ramparts.
Intercept the tigers at the level river
At sunset return to our tents to the blowing of our reed instruments.
Heavy snow weighs down our green felt canopies
Drunk, my black ink used and dripping.
See the cursive dragons and snakes fly across the manjian paper
My talents and emotional poems coming to the attention of others.
A time when skills and moods are elevated and detached.
What other things also come to the south
Medicine marketplace open during this time of year
At sunset the lit lanterns contrast with the mountains
During flower season thousands of happy residents
All hats can be slanted and horse whips droop down.
Listen to these songs to feel the old days
Value the passage of time, flowing tears and wine vessels.
Recall when Ban Cao sought to trade with our enemies instead of fighting with them
Scholarly honor and official ranks can follow the dictates of heaven!
Notes:
Tigers: the enemy
Manjian paper: A high quality and thick paper used for special documents.
Ban Chao: (32-102 AD) Eastern Han dynasty army general in charge of forces in the western regions fighting the northern nomads. Famous for the quote, “Throw away your writing brush and join the military.”