Tuesday, October 14, 2014

採薇: Foraging the Vetches

Classic of Poetry - Lesser Court Odes - The Decade of Deer Call - Foraging the Vetches詩經‧小雅‧鹿鳴之什‧採薇
Foraging the vetches and foraging the vetches, its sprouts sprang from the earth.採薇採薇 薇亦作止
Returning triumphant and returning triumphant , but it never happens year after year.曰歸曰歸 歲亦莫止
Having no wives and having no family, we take the war to the Xianyun tribes.靡室靡家 玁狁之故
No time for leisure or family, we take the war to the Xianyun tribes.不遑啟居 玁狁之故
Foraging the vetches and foraging the vetches, its sprouts are soft and juicy.採薇採薇 薇亦柔止
Returning triumphant and returning triumphant , I worry about it day and night.曰歸曰歸 心亦憂止
In my heart is endless worry, as I bore the hunger and thirst.憂心烈烈 載飢載渴
Peace has not come to this garrison, I have no way to send word home.我戍未定 靡使歸聘
Foraging the vetches and foraging the vetches, its sprouts are tough and withered.採薇採薇 薇亦剛止
Returning triumphant and returning triumphant , It's already winter again.曰歸曰歸 歲亦陽止
The King's wars never end, allowing us no peace to settle.王事靡盬 不遑啟處
The pains of worry burn in my heart, as even now I can't return home.憂心孔疚 我行不來
What blooms yonder? That kerria flower of fraternity.彼爾維何 維常之華
What chariot passes the road near us? The rides of the noble commanders.彼路斯何 君子之車
Our chariots began its journey after them, its four stalwart horses rushes forward.戎車既駕 四牡業業
There's no time for us to rest, for there's many engagements per month.豈敢定居 一月三捷
Guiding the four horses to our destination, their stalwart forms rage on.駕彼四牡 四牡騤騤
The noble commanders are seated above, and the common footmen crowd below.君子所依 小人所腓
The four horses are well-trained, elephant-bone bows and shark-skin quivers arm the commanders.四牡翼翼 象弭魚服
How can we not be on alert? The Xianyun tribes assaults us with haste.豈不日戒 玁狁孔棘
Back then when I left my home, lush willow fluttered with the wind.昔我往矣 楊柳依依
Now that I have returned from war, bleak snow covered my homeland.今我來思 雨雪霏霏
The road is deep in muck making travel dificult, hunger and thirst battered my form.行道遲遲 載渴載飢
My heart is filled with sorrow, no one could possibly understand.我心傷悲 莫知我哀

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