Lu Yu: Yu Ancestral Shrine

 

Yu Ancestral Shrine

 

虽 祠
虽 祠 行 乐 盛 年 年
绣 毂 争 先 罨 画 船。
十 里 烟 波 明 月 夜
万 人 歌 吹 早 莺 天。
花 如 上 苑 常 成 市
酒 似 新 丰 不 直 钱。
老 子 未 须 悲 白 发
黄 公 垆 不 且 闲 眠。
Yu Ci

Yu ci xing yue cheng nian nian
Xiu gu zheng xian yan hua chuan.
Shi li yan bo ming yue ye
Wan ren ge chui zao ying tian.

Hua ru shang yuan chang cheng shi
Jiu si xin feng bu zhi qian.
Lao zi wei xu bei bai fa
Huang gong lu bu qie xian mian.

 

Yu Ancestral Shrine

Da Yu’s ancestral shrine, every year has birthday celebratory days of music
Embroidered decorations cover the carriages and painted boats.
Several miles of misty waves in the bright evening moonlight
Thousands of human songs like the early spring orioles singing into the sky.

Blossoms in the palace garden here like in the shops
Wine as in the Xinfeng markets, no one considers the cost.
I have yet to be sad and concerned about my white hair
For now, leisurely sleep nearby these fancy wine shops.

 

Notes:

Da Yu (?-2025 BC)  Ancient and legendary king famous for his successful efforts at flood control. He established the Xia Dynasty (ca. 2070-1600 BC) which began dynastic rule in China. Also known as “ “Yu the Great”.