【七律 ·人民解放军占领南京】 毛澤東
钟山风雨起苍黄, 百万雄师过大江。
虎踞龙盘今胜昔, 天翻地覆慨而慷。
宜将剩勇追穷寇, 不可沽名学霸王。
天若有情天亦老, 人间正道是沧桑。
On the Occupation of Nanking (Capital of Nationalist China) by the (Communist) People's Liberation Army
-- by Mao Tsetung (1893-1976)
-- Translated by Frank C Yue
A huge colour-changing storm Zhongshan delivers
As a million gallant troops cross the great river.
Dragon-and-tiger flank'd, the city's beauty is unsurpassed,
Heaven-and-Earth churn'ng, the red army's spirit is strong and vast.
The fleeing bandits, we should press on to pursue.
Unlike Shangyi, the desire for fame we should subdue.
Had the Heav'ns any sentiments they now, too, would be quite old;
Change is the Way: Great seas have turned into fields (and rocky folds).
A brief collection of my attempted English renditions of selected Chinese poems, both contemporary and classical. (Each original classical Chinese poem may be presented in both the traditional and simplified forms, followed by the English translation.) Comments and suggested amendments welcome. (But I may not have the time to respond to every comment.) I am a follower of Andrew W F Wong's excellent blog "Classical Chinese Poems in English".
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Wind and rain at Zhongshan storms dark and bright,
ReplyDeleteMillion gallant troops cross the great river to strike.
Tiger crouches against dragon has never been better,
Heaven changes and earth collapses, red army’s spirit stronger than ever.
Better spare some courage to chase the fleeting foe,
Do not claim too much fame, but conquer and go.
Had the Heavn had sentiment, it’s getting old couldn’t refrain,
Green fields became vast sea, so they exclaim!
translated by Alan Ma, Dec. 24, 2013
Email: omega@hkftp.com
Wind howl and rain pour upon the Zhongshan Hills in twilight
ReplyDeleteA million gallant men shall cross the river tonight
The crouching tiger, the coiled dragon we shall win our victory
Heaven turns and Earth churns, we decide our destiny
South we go we will chase our foe in our relentless advance,
No place to celebrate, no complacency, no time for song and dance
If the Heavens above had a Heart and Soul, then Heaven itself shall age
In the Green fields and Blue Seas, Mankind has turned a page!