Lords of the capital, sharp, unearthly,
The Great Flower's three points pierce through heaven.
Clouds are parting above the Temple of the Warring Emperor,
Rain dries on the mountain, on the Giant's Palm.
Ranges and rivers are the strength of this western gate,
Whence roads and trails lead downward into China.
...O pilgrim of fame, O seeker of profit,
Why not remain here and lengthen your days?
-- Poem translator: Kiang Kanghu
岧峣太华俯咸京，天外三峰削不成。
武帝祠前云欲散，仙人掌上雨初晴。
河山北枕秦关险，驿路西连汉畤平。
借问路旁名利客，何如此处学长生？
Seven-character-regular-verse
This poem depicts the majestic and awe-inspiring beauty of Mount Hua, while also conveying the poet’s reflections on the fleeting nature of fame and fortune. Huayin, located on the route from Bianliang to Chang’an, was a crucial passage, and as the poet passed through this place, he was struck by the towering grandeur of Mount Hua. In the face of such natural wonder, feelings of detachment and doubt towards worldly struggles for fame naturally arose. The poem masterfully blends magnificent landscapes, historical relics, and profound reflections on life, creating a harmonious fusion of scenery and sentiment, with a deep and far-reaching artistic conception.
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
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