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(Previously posted, somewhat revised draft reposted for continuity + added commentary)
Empty mountain after fresh rain—
A breeze, and evening comes to autumn—
The bright moon shines between the pines,
The clear spring flows upon the stones.
Noisy bamboo: clothes-washers return;
Stirring lotus: fishers embark.
Naturally, spring flowers rest—
Surely a Son of Kings can stay.
山居秋暝
空山新雨后，
天气晚来秋。
明月松间照，
清泉石上流。
竹喧归浣女，
莲动下渔舟。
随意春芳歇，
王孙自可留。
The “noise” of the bamboo could be either rustling as the washerwomen brush through it or their chatter. Lost in translation: the fishermen are in a “boat.” Said boat may be “going downstream,” “coming back,” or even “disembarking” instead—all are possible senses of 下. The last two lines are an inversion of lines in “Summoning a Recluse” in Songs of Chu, where in the original, the Son of Kings (here an honorific address) is told he can’t remain in the wilderness.
---L.
Empty mountain after fresh rain—
A breeze, and evening comes to autumn—
The bright moon shines between the pines,
The clear spring flows upon the stones.
Noisy bamboo: clothes-washers return;
Stirring lotus: fishers embark.
Naturally, spring flowers rest—
Surely a Son of Kings can stay.
山居秋暝
空山新雨后，
天气晚来秋。
明月松间照，
清泉石上流。
竹喧归浣女，
莲动下渔舟。
随意春芳歇，
王孙自可留。
The “noise” of the bamboo could be either rustling as the washerwomen brush through it or their chatter. Lost in translation: the fishermen are in a “boat.” Said boat may be “going downstream,” “coming back,” or even “disembarking” instead—all are possible senses of 下. The last two lines are an inversion of lines in “Summoning a Recluse” in Songs of Chu, where in the original, the Son of Kings (here an honorific address) is told he can’t remain in the wilderness.
---L.