銅雀台賦: Rhapsody of The Bronze Sparrow Terrace

Rhapsody of The Bronze Sparrow Terrace	曹植 銅雀台賦
By: Cao Zhi	曹植
After Qing Ming I went out to have some fun, and I decided to ascend the many steps to entertain my soul.	從明後而嬉游兮 登層臺以娛情
I saw the great halls of the government opened, and watched the works of the benevolent and wise ruler.	見太府之廣開兮 觀聖德之所營
The gates were built high into the heavens, and the two auxiliary towers seemed to float in the sky.	建高門之嵯峨兮 浮雙闕乎太清
A terrace rises in the middle with grandeur, connected to the pagodas over the west of the city.	立中天之華觀兮 連飛閣乎西城
Near the long-flowing Zhang River, I saw the fruits in the gardens's nourishment.	臨漳水之長流兮 望園果之滋榮
Raise two terrace to the left and right, we have the Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix.	立雙台於左右兮 有玉龍與金鳳
I saw the two bridges that connect them east and west, arching over heaven itself. (Note 1)	連二橋於東西兮 若長空之蝦蠑
I looked down to see the majesty of the Imperial Capital, and looked up to see the clouds and mist float.	俯皇都之宏立兮 聼雲霞之浮動
I welcomed talented people gathering left and right, so they could help me accomplish my Grand Dream(Note 2)	欣群才知來萃兮 協飛熊之吉夢
I raised my head to feel the spring breeze, and heard the flocks of birds sing.	仰春風之和穆兮 聽百鳥之悲鳴
These walls in Heaven have now stood, thus pronouncing my family's ambition.	天雲垣其既立兮 家願得乎獲逞
Spreading benevolence to all under heaven, so they would all tribute back to me in the capital.	揚仁化於宇內兮 盡肅恭於上京
Only the Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin's state had such splendor (Note 3), but I am not satisfied with just their brilliance.	惟桓文之為盛兮 豈足方乎聖明
Their brilliance ended! How Beautiful! Spread our kindness to the ends of the earth!	休矣美矣 惠澤遠揚
Come everyone and assist us in our Imperial quest, and not scatter to the four directions to aid others!	翼佐我皇家兮 寧彼四方
We will share the entire world together, and our brilliance will match the Sun and the Moon!	同天地之規量兮 齊日月之煇光
Let us always be the noble rulers, and let our longevity match the East Emperor! (Note 4)	永貴尊而無極兮 等君壽於東皇
Fly our Dragon banners and wander the world, and circle the city in our royal carriage!	御龍旂以遨遊兮 迴鸞駕而周章
Our benevolence will reach all in the land, and they will all live long and prosper.	恩化及乎四海兮 嘉物阜而民康
Let this terrace stand forever, and let us revel in happiness always!	願斯臺之永固兮 樂終古而未央

Note 1: In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this phrase was modified to "Snatch the Two Qiao beauties of the Southeast, for my happiness day and night." （攬二喬于東南兮 樂朝夕之與共). Since the elder Qiao was Zhou Yu's ruler and friend Sun Jian's Wife and the younger Qiao was Zhou Yu's wife, this greatly incensed Zhou Yu to fight with Cao Cao rather than surrender. This worked because the Qiao of the name 喬 could be used in lieu for the character "Bridge" 橋 at that time.
Note 2: The first King of Zhou dreamed of being visited by a flying bear, and that was the omen of him becoming ruler of all of China.
Note 3: Both dukes were hegemons during the Spring and Autumn period, and lived with great prosperity over an empire of alliances.
Note 4: The East Emperor is known for his longevity.