蔡琰·《胡笳十八拍·第九拍》英译

天无涯兮地无边，我心愁兮亦复然。

人生倏忽兮如白驹之过隙，然不得欢乐兮当我之盛年。

怨兮欲问天，天苍苍兮上无缘。

举头仰望兮空云烟，九拍怀情兮谁为传。

Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute     

Cai Yan        

Song 9

Heaven has no horizon, earth no borders,

My heart’s grief is likewise boundless and unceasing, 

Human life passes swiftly, like a white horse flashing by a crack,

Here I am in the prime of life with never a happy day!

I am angry, and wish to question Heaven,

But Heaven is so vast, I have no way to reach it.

I raise my head and gaze up into its empty clouds and smoke.