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孟郊
Meng Jiao (751–814)
登科后
Passing the Imperial Examination
昔日龌龊不足夸，
Once unrefined and not worth an utter,
今朝放荡思无涯。
today I let loose and let my thoughts flutter.
春风得意马蹄疾，
With Spring’s gust of pride and swift hoof of horse,
一日看尽长安花。
I saw all Chang’an’s flowers in a single day’s course.
李白
Li Bai (701–762)
夜宿山寺
Staying the Night in a Mountain Temple
危楼高百尺，
From precipitous building aloft,
手可摘星辰。
a hand can pluck stars out sky.
不敢高声语，
Men dare not raise their voices,
恐惊天上人。
lest they startle the ones on high.
柳宗元
Liu Zongyuan (773–819)
江雪
River Snowfall
千山鸟飞绝，
Above mountains nary bird soars,
万径人踪灭。
Along paths nary footprint endures.
孤舟蓑笠翁，
Lone boat, codger wearing straw,
独钓寒江雪。
fishing through cold river snowfall.
柳永
Liu Yong (984–1053)
望海潮·东南形胜
Watching for the Sea’s Tide: The Southeast Lands Lie Well
东南形胜，三吴都会，钱塘自古繁华。
The southeast lands lie well / their three Wu prefectures form a metropolis / Qiantang has been flourishing since ancient times.
烟柳画桥，风帘翠幕，参差十万人家。
Misty willows, ornate bridges / windbreaking curtains, turquoise draperies / a sprawl of a seeming hundred thousand households.
云树绕堤沙，怒涛卷霜雪，天堑无涯。
Great trees line earthen dyke / raging waves gather frostlike foam / the deep Qiantang River runs on forever.
市列珠玑，户盈罗绮，竞豪奢。
Markets show pearls and gemstones / homes pile silks and fineries / they vie for extravagance.
重湖叠巘清嘉，有三秋桂子，十里荷花。
The divided lake and rolling peaks are striking, beautiful / they boast osmanthus flowers in autumn and lotus blooms for acres.
羌管弄晴，菱歌泛夜，嬉嬉钓叟莲娃。
Sounds of reed pipes pierce clear day / songs of water chestnut harvesters envelop night / merrily, merrily old men catch fish and young women harvest lotus!
千骑拥高牙，乘醉听箫鼓，吟赏烟霞。
High official’s entourage throngs ivory banner-pole / tipsy drinkers listen to flute and drum / sing verse and admire the picturesque scenery!
异日图将好景，归去凤池夸。
One day be these lovely sights depicted / on return to Imperial court they shall be flaunted.
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