 | The works of Li Po, the Chinese poet |  |
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[OMITTED]
113. THE SONG OF LUH SHAN
Really I am a mad man of Chu,
Singing the phoenix-bird song and laughing at the sage Confucius.
At dawn a green jade staff in my hand,
I leave the Yellow Crane House and go,
Seeking genii among the Five Mountains, forgetting the distance.
All my life I've loved to visit the mountains of renown.
Singing the phoenix-bird song and laughing at the sage Confucius.
At dawn a green jade staff in my hand,
I leave the Yellow Crane House and go,
Seeking genii among the Five Mountains, forgetting the distance.
All my life I've loved to visit the mountains of renown.
The Luh Shan looms near the constellation of the South
Dipper,
Like a nine-fold screen adorned with embroidery of clouds;
And the clear lake reflects its gleaming emerald.
The two peaks shoot up high where the Gold Gate opens wide;
And over against the far waterfall of the Censer Mountain
The cascades of San-shi-liang hang like the Silver River of heaven.
The craggy ranges over-reach the azure blue;
And girdled in pink mist and green foliage,
They glisten in the morning sun.
The birds cannot fly over—to the remote skies of Wu.
I ascend the high place and look out on heaven and earth.
Lo! the waters of the great Kiang flow on and on never to return.
Anon, blowing yellow clouds miles upon miles, the wind
arises,
And through the nine provinces white billows roll on like mountains of snow.
Like a nine-fold screen adorned with embroidery of clouds;
And the clear lake reflects its gleaming emerald.
The two peaks shoot up high where the Gold Gate opens wide;
And over against the far waterfall of the Censer Mountain
The cascades of San-shi-liang hang like the Silver River of heaven.
The craggy ranges over-reach the azure blue;
And girdled in pink mist and green foliage,
They glisten in the morning sun.
The birds cannot fly over—to the remote skies of Wu.
I ascend the high place and look out on heaven and earth.
Lo! the waters of the great Kiang flow on and on never to return.
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And through the nine provinces white billows roll on like mountains of snow.
I love to make the song of Luh Shan.
Luh Shan is my joy and inspiration.
I gaze idly into the Stone Mirror to cleanse my soul,
Though the path Prince Shieh went is lost under deep green moss.
I've swallowed early the sacred pellet and forsaken all worldly desires.
Playing on the harp thrice over, I've attained the Way.
I see genii amid the iridescent clouds afar,
Going up to the celestial city with lotus in their hands.
I shall meet the Illimitable above the ninth heaven,
Then, with Lu-ao I hope to journey to the Great Void.
Luh Shan is my joy and inspiration.
I gaze idly into the Stone Mirror to cleanse my soul,
Though the path Prince Shieh went is lost under deep green moss.
I've swallowed early the sacred pellet and forsaken all worldly desires.
Playing on the harp thrice over, I've attained the Way.
I see genii amid the iridescent clouds afar,
Going up to the celestial city with lotus in their hands.
I shall meet the Illimitable above the ninth heaven,
Then, with Lu-ao I hope to journey to the Great Void.
Luh Shan is a mountain near Kiu-kiang, Kiangsi.
When Confucius was visiting the land of Chu, a mad man named Tsu Yu passed him by, laughing and singing, "O phoenix bird, O phoenix bird!" etc. The sage attempted in vain to have an interview with him.
The last stanza refers to the poet's Taoistic attainment and visions.
| The works of Li Po, the Chinese poet | |