孟浩然·《临洞庭上张丞相》英译

八月湖水平，涵虚混太清。

气蒸云梦泽，波撼岳阳城。

欲济无舟楫，端居耻圣明。

坐观垂钓者，徒有羡鱼情。

To Prime Minister Zhang (1) from the Bank of Dongting Lake

Men Haoran

In the eighth moon the lake is full to the brim;

The limpid vastness melts into Heaven’s rim.

While vapours all over Cloud-Dream Marsh up roll,

Bores roar ahead to rock Yueyang City wall.

I yearn to cross, yet no boat’s waiting for me;

It’s golden age and I sense shame to this retreat I flee.

Sitting to watch those anglers with satisfied looks,

I can only feel envious of their heavy hooks. (2)

(1)    Zhang Jiuling (678-740), a poet and the prime minister of the time.

(2)    The last two lines mean the poet is envious of the successful officials and wishes Zhang to give him a hand.