刘禹锡·《陋室铭》英译

山不在高，有仙则名。水不在深，有龙则灵。斯是陋室，惟吾德馨。苔痕上阶绿，草色入帘青。谈笑有鸿儒，往来无白丁。可以调素琴，阅金经。无丝竹之乱耳，无案牍之劳形。南阳诸葛庐，西蜀子云亭。孔子云，何陋之有？

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An Eulogium on a Humble Cell

Liu Yuxi

A mount needs not be high; it becomes noted when on it fairies dwell.

A body of water needs not be deep; it would be ensouled, if a dragon makes it its resting whereabouts.

This hut of mine is a humble one, but I make it virtuously fragrant in repute.

The green moss creeping on the stepping stones and the verdure in the courtyard peeing through the screen do tell the presence of spring.

Here could be heard the table-talks and laughters of renowned scholars, but the rough and gross come not hither their wares to sell.

Here plain table-heptachord could be plucked and golden classics read the worldly cares to quell.

But there are without riotous strings and pipes to confuse the ears, and tedious official documents to ring quietude’s knell.

Zhuge’s recluse cottage at Nanyang and Yang Xiong’s hermit arbour in West Shu, –according to Confucius, wherefore could either one of them be branded as a humble cell?