曹豳·《西河·和王潜斋韵》英译

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今日事，何人弄得如此！漫漫白骨蔽川原，恨何日已！关河万里寂无烟，月明空照芦苇。

 

谩哀痛，无及矣。无情莫问江水。西风落日惨新亭，几人堕泪？战和何者是良筹？扶危但看天意。

 

只今寂寞薮泽里，岂无人、高卧闾里。试问安危谁寄？定相将、有诏催公起。须信前书言犹未？

 

The West River

 

In Reply to Wang Ye

 

Cao Bin

 

Today’s affairs, my friend,

How can they come to such a state?

So many bleached bones are buried in the plain.

When can our grief come to an end?

For miles and miles no smoke rises from towns desolate.

The moon shines on the reeds in vain.

 

Our grief so deep cannot be drowned anew

In running water of the heartless stream.

The western breeze at sunset saddens the pavilion new.

Flow many would shed tears even in dream?

Should we seek peace or war?

We could confide the state only to the fate.

 

Could there be no heroes in the land and wide?

They lie in bed, lonely n countryside.

On whom can we rely any more?

I wish you would rise as general

To lead the army to defend the capital.

Don’t you believe what I have said before?