Charm of a Maiden Singer

Su Shi

大江东去，

浪淘尽，

千古风流人物。

故垒西边，

人道是，

三国周郎赤壁。

The endless river eastward flows;

With its huge waves are gone all those

Gallant heroes of bygone years.

West of the ancient fortress appears

Red Cliff where General Zhou won his early fame

When the Three Kingdom were in flame.

乱石穿空，

惊涛拍岸，

卷起千堆雪。

江山如画，

一时多少豪杰！

Rocks tower in the air and waves teat on the shore,

Rolling up a thousand heaps of snow.

To match the land so fair, how many heroes of yore

Had made great show!

遥想公瑾当年，

小乔初嫁了，

雄姿英发。

羽扇纶巾，

谈笑间、

樯橹灰飞烟灭。

I fancy General Zhou at the height

Of his success, with a plume fan in hand,

In a silk hood, so brave and bright,

Laughing and jesting with his bride so fair,

While enemy ships were destroyed as planned

Like castles in the air.

故国神游，

多情应笑我，

早生华发。

人生如梦，

一尊还酹江月。

Should their souls revisit this land,

Sentimental, his bride would laugh to say;

Younger than they, I have my hair turned grey.

Life is but like a dream.

On moon, I drink to you who have seen them on the stream.

（许渊冲、许明 译）