武则天·《从驾幸少林寺》英译

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陪銮游禁苑，侍赏出兰闱。

云偃攒峰盖，霞低插浪旂。

日宫疏涧户，月殿启岩扉。

金轮转金地，香阁曳香衣。

铎吟轻吹发，幡摇薄雾霏。

昔遇焚芝火，山红连野飞。

花台无半影，莲塔有全辉。

实赖能仁力，攸资善世威。

慈缘兴福绪，于此罄归依。

风枝不可静，泣血竟何追。

 

Accompanying the Emperor on a Visit to the Shaolin Temple     

Wu Zetian

 

Upon seeing the place that my deceased mother once patronized, lonely feelings deepen in my heart, and I am saddened recalling my longing for her. I thus composed this poem to express my sorrow.      

             

Accompanying my Emperor, I tour the restricted garden,

Granted this favor to leave the fragrant chambers.

Clouds recline, enshrouding mountain peaks,

Rosy mists descend, speared by waves of banners.

Sun Palace leads to a scene of stream-side dwellings,

Moon Hall opens to a view of cliff-perched homes.

Golden wheels revolve above the golden land,

In incensed chambers move long, fragrant robes.

Bells ring; the humming of Buddhist chants lightly rises;

Banners flap; the mists faintly disperse.

Once upon a time it met with the disaster of fire,

A mountain of flame flew over the serried fields.

Of Flower Terrace no trace is left,

But Lotus Tower maintains its glory.

Truly it depends upon those with benevolent means.

To aid the Almighty One’s power of perfecting the world.

Compassion gives rise to good fortune,

At this place I linger with thoughts of devotion.

But a branch in the wind cannot find peace,

Even tears of blood will not bring her back.

 

（Hui-Shu Lee 译）