唐玄宗·《经鲁祭孔子而叹之》英译

夫子何为者？栖栖一代中。

地犹鄹氏邑，宅即鲁王宫。

叹凤嗟身否，伤麟怨道穷！

今看两楹奠，当与梦时同。

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Sacrificing to Confucius and Mourning Him When Passing Through Lu

Emperor Xuanzong

For what did you so busily strive, my Sage,

Expounding hard your doctrine in your age?

This is the shire called Lu in bygone days;

A palace in this house Duke Lu did raise.

The absence of the Phoenix made you sad,

And you complained aloud your luck was bad.

The Unicorn’s¹ death found you in a heavy state;

You did the failure of your teaching berate.

As people poured libations in a stream,

I’m sure it must be like your former dream².

1. Both the Phoenix and the Unicorn were supposed to be auspicious.

2. Confucius once dreamed of being worshiped like a god in a temple.