Tīng Dǒng Dà Tán Hújiā Shēng Jiān Jìyǔ Nòng Fáng Jǐshì
听董大弹胡笳声兼寄语弄房给事
Listening to Dong Da Play the Hujia Melody, with a Message to Court Official Fang

by 李颀 (Lǐ Qí)

Cài nǚ xī zào hújiā shēng, yī tán yī shí yòu bā pāi.
蔡女昔造胡笳声，一弹一十有八拍。
Lady Cai once composed the Hujia melody; when played, it unfolded through eighteen movements.

Hú rén luò lèi zhān biān cǎo, Hàn shǐ duàn cháng duì guī kè.
胡人落泪沾边草，汉使断肠对归客。
The nomads shed tears that wet the border grass, while the Han envoys were heartbroken before the homeward-bound traveler.

Gǔ shù cāng cāng fēnghuǒ hán, dà huāng chén chén fēi xuě bái.
古戍苍苍烽火寒，大荒沉沉飞雪白。
Ancient garrisons stood dim beneath cold beacon fires; over the vast wilderness, heavy snow fell white.

Xiān fú shāng xián hòu jué yǔ, sì jiāo qiū yè jīng sè sè.
先拂商弦后角羽，四郊秋叶惊摵摵。
First he brushed the strings in the shang mode, then sounded the jue and yu notes; all around, the autumn leaves rustled in alarm.

Dǒng fūzǐ, tōng shénmíng, shēn shān qiè tīng lái yāo jīng.
董夫子，通神明，深山窃听来妖精。
Master Dong, your art communes with the spirits; even mountain demons secretly come from the deep hills to listen.

Yán chí gèng sù jiē yìng shǒu, jiāng wǎng fù xuán rú yǒu qíng.
言迟更速皆应手，将往复旋如有情。
Whether slow or swift, every phrase answers his hand; advancing, returning and circling, the music seems filled with feeling.

Kōng shān bǎi niǎo sàn huán hé, wàn lǐ fú yún yīn qiě qíng.
空山百鸟散还合，万里浮云阴且晴。
In the empty mountains, a hundred birds scatter and gather again; across ten thousand miles, floating clouds darken and then clear.

Sī suān chú yàn shī qún yè, duànjué hú ér liàn mǔ shēng.
嘶酸雏雁失群夜，断绝胡儿恋母声。
It is like the anguished cries of young geese lost from their flock at night, or the broken sobs of a nomad child longing for its mother.

Chuān wèi jìng qí bō, niǎo yì bà qí míng.
川为净其波，鸟亦罢其鸣。
The rivers still their waves for the music, and the birds, too, cease their singing.

Wūsūn bùluò jiāxiāng yuǎn, Luósuō shāchén āiyuàn shēng.
乌孙部落家乡远，逻娑沙尘哀怨生。
The homeland of the Wusun tribes lies far away; amid the dust of Luosa, sorrow and resentment arise.

Yōu yīn biàn diào hū piāosǎ, cháng fēng chuī lín yǔ duò wǎ.
幽音变调忽飘洒，长风吹林雨堕瓦。
The deep tones suddenly change and pour forth freely, like a long wind sweeping through the forest and rain falling from the roof tiles.

Bèng quán sà sà fēi mù mò, yě lù yōu yōu zǒu táng xià.
迸泉飒飒飞木末，野鹿呦呦走堂下。
Like bursting springs rushing past the treetops, or wild deer calling as they run beneath the hall.

Cháng’ān chéng lián dōng yè yuán, fènghuáng chí duì qīngsuǒ mén.
长安城连东掖垣，凤凰池对青琐门。
The city of Chang’an joins the eastern palace walls, while Phoenix Pool faces the Green-Latticed Gate.

Gāo cái tuōlüè míng yǔ lì, rìxī wàng jūn bào qín zhì.
高才脱略名与利，日夕望君抱琴至。
A man of great talent, detached from fame and profit, waits day and night for you to arrive carrying your qin.