桃源行 A Song of Peach-blossom River
王維 Wang Wei
渔
舟
逐
水
爱
山
春
,
A fisherman is drifting, enjoying the spring mountains,
两
岸
桃
花
夹
古
津
。
And the peach-trees on both banks lead him to an ancient source.
坐
看
红
树
不
知
远
,
Watching the fresh-coloured trees, he never thinks of distance
行
尽
青
溪
不
见
人
。
Till he comes to the end of the blue stream and suddenly- strange men!
山
口
潜
行
始
隈
隩
,
It's a cave-with a mouth so narrow that he has to crawl through;
山
开
旷
望
旋
平
陆
。
But then it opens wide again on a broad and level path –
遥
看
一
处
攒
云
树
,
And far beyond he faces clouds crowning a reach of trees,
近
入
千
家
散
花
竹
。
And thousands of houses shadowed round with flowers and bamboos....
樵
客
初
传
汉
姓
名
,
Woodsmen tell him their names in the ancient speech of Han;
居
人
未
改
秦
衣
服
。
And clothes of the Qin Dynasty are worn by all these people
居
人
共
住
武
陵
源
,
Living on the uplands, above the Wuling River,
还
从
物
外
起
田
园
。
On farms and in gardens that are like a world apart,
月
明
松
下
房
栊
静
,
Their dwellings at peace under pines in the clear moon,
日
出
云
中
鸡
犬
喧
。
Until sunrise fills the low sky with crowing and barking.
惊
闻
俗
客
争
来
集
,
...At news of a stranger the people all assemble,
竞
引
还
家
问
都
邑
。
And each of them invites him home and asks him where he was born.
平
明
闾
巷
扫
花
开
,
Alleys and paths are cleared for him of petals in the morning,
薄
暮
渔
樵
乘
水
入
。
And fishermen and farmers bring him their loads at dusk....
初
因
避
地
去
人
间
,
They had left the world long ago, they had come here seeking refuge;
及
至
成
仙
遂
不
还
。
They have lived like angels ever since, blessedly far away,
峡
里
谁
知
有
人
事
,
No one in the cave knowing anything outside,
世
中
遥
望
空
云
山
。
Outsiders viewing only empty mountains and thick clouds.
不
疑
灵
境
难
闻
见
,
...The fisherman, unaware of his great good fortune,
尘
心
未
尽
思
乡
县
。
Begins to think of country, of home, of worldly ties,
出
洞
无
论
隔
山
水
,
Finds his way out of the cave again, past mountains and past rivers,
辞
家
终
拟
长
游
衍
。
Intending some time to return, when he has told his kin.
自
谓
经
过
旧
不
迷
,
He studies every step he takes, fixes it well in mind,
安
知
峰
壑
今
来
变
。
And forgets that cliffs and peaks may vary their appearance.
当
时
只
记
入
山
深
,
...It is certain that to enter through the deepness of the mountain,
青
溪
几
曲
到
云
林
?
A green river leads you, into a misty wood.
春
来
遍
是
桃
花
水
,
But now, with spring-floods everywhere and floating peachpetals –
不
辨
仙
源
何
处
寻
?
Which is the way to go, to find that hidden source?
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