University of Virginia Library

七言古詩 岑參 走馬川行奉送封大夫出師西征

君不見走馬川行雪海邊, 平沙莽莽黃入天。
輪臺九月風夜吼, 一川碎石大如斗,
隨風滿地石亂走。 匈奴草黃馬正肥,
金山西見煙塵飛, 漢家大將西出師。
將軍金甲夜不脫, 半夜軍行戈相撥,
風頭如刀面如割。 馬毛帶雪汗氣蒸,
五花連錢旋作冰, 幕中草檄硯水凝。
虜騎聞之應膽懾, 料知短兵不敢接,
車師西門佇獻捷。

Seven-character-ancient-verse
Cen Can A SONG OF RUNNING-HORSE RIVER IN FAREWELL
TO GENERAL FENG OF THE WESTERN EXPEDITION

Look how swift to the snowy sea races Running-Horse River! --
And sand, up from the desert, flies yellow into heaven.
This Ninth-month night is blowing cold at Wheel Tower,
And valleys, like peck measures, fill with the broken boulders
That downward, headlong, follow the wind.
...In spite of grey grasses, Tartar horses are plump;
West of the Hill of Gold, smoke and dust gather.
O General of the Chinese troops, start your campaign!
Keep your iron armour on all night long,
Send your soldiers forward with a clattering of weapons!
...While the sharp wind's point cuts the face like a knife,
And snowy sweat steams on the horses' backs,
Freezing a pattern of five-flower coins,
Your challenge from camp, from an inkstand of ice,
Has chilled the barbarian chieftain's heart.
You will have no more need of an actual battle! --
We await the news of victory, here at the western pass!