<Header>
<Author: 常建>
<Title: 西山>
<Format: 五言排律>
<Year: 1912>
<BookName: CHINESE POEMS>
<Translator: CHARLES BUDD>
<TranslatedTitle: On the Lake near the Western Mountains>
<BookPage: 54-55>
<UsedPage: 2>
<Feature: 1, 2, 4>
<End Header>
<Poem>
一身為輕舟，
落日西山際。
常隨去帆影，
遠接長天勢。
物象歸餘清，
林巒分夕麗。
亭亭碧流暗，
日入孤霞繼。
渚日遠陰映，
湖雲尚明霽。
林昏楚色來，
岸遠荊門閉。
至夜轉清迥，
蕭蕭北風厲。
沙邊雁鷺泊，
宿處蒹葭蔽。
圓月逗前浦，
孤琴又搖曳。
泠然夜遂深，
白露霑人袂。
<End Poem>
<Translation>
DERE at the foothills of the Western Mountains
   My boat rides idly on the current’s trail,
And in the lengthening radiance of the sunset
   It seems to chase its own reflected sail.

While in the rarer light that heralds evening
   The forms of all things clearer seem to grow;

The forests and the glades and mountain ranges
   Catch added beauty from the afterglow.

The graceful minarets in cloudland floating
   From jadestone green take on a sombre hue,
But still flush rose tints in the darkness falling,
   Although the sun has disappeared from view.

The shadows of the islands and the islets
   Streteh far across the surface of the lake;
The evening mists that float above the waters
   Are bright as rain-clouds after showers break.

In the distance Tsu’s abounding forests
   Reveal their sombre outlines in the gloom;
While on the farther shore the gates of King-chow
   Within the growing darkness faintly loom.

The atmosphere with nightfall groweth clearer,
   A north wind blows with shrill voice through the land;
While on the sandy stretches by the waters
   The swan and stork in dreamy silence stand.

The waters now have ceased from restless heaving,
   My little boat is screened by rushes green;
The moon emerging from the lake’s horizon
   A soft light sheds upon the silent scene.

Amid the silence and the ghostly beauty
   I touch my lute to plaintive songs of old,
And soon the pleasant strains and long-drawn cadence
   Have seized my senses in their subtle hold.

Thus in such ecstasy the hours pass quickly,
   And midnight comes with undetected speed;
But now the heavy dew upon me falling
   Recalls my senses to the body’s need.

$(Ah me! my body’s but a fragile vessel)$
   $(Upon the ever-moving sea of life,)$
$(Where light and shade and fitful joys and sorrows)$
   $(Control me in their everchanging strife.)$
<End Translation>
<Formatted Translation>
DERE at the foothills of the Western Mountains My boat rides idly on the current’s trail,
And in the lengthening radiance of the sunset
It seems to chase its own reflected sail.
While in the rarer light that heralds evening 
The forms of all things clearer seem to grow;
The forests and the glades and mountain ranges Catch added beauty from the afterglow.
The graceful minarets in cloudland foating From jadestone green take on a sombre hue,
But still flush rose tints in the darkness falling, Although the sun has disappeared from view.
The shadows of the islands and the islets Streteh far across the surface of the lake;
The evening mists that float above the waters Are bright as rain-clouds after showers break.
In the distance Tsu’s abounding forests Reveal their sombre outlines in the gloom ;
While on the farther shore the gates of King-chow Within the growing darkness faintly loom.
The atmosphere with nightfall groweth clearer, 
A north wind blows with shrill voice through the land;
While on the sandy stretches by the waters The swan and stork in dreamy silence stand.
The waters now have ceased from restless heaving, My little boat is screened by rushes green ;
The moon emerging from the lake’s horizon A soft light sheds upon the silent scene.
Amid the silence and the ghostly beauty I touch my lute to plaintive songs of old, And soon the pleasant strains and long-drawn cadence Have seized my senses in their subtle hold.
Thus in such ecstasy the hours pass quickly, And midnight comes with undetected speed;
But now the heavy dew upon me falling Recalls my senses to the body’s need.
$(Ah me! my body’s but a fragile vessel Upon the ever-moving sea of life,)$
$(Where light and shade and fitful joys and sorrows Control me in their everchanging strife.)$
<End Formatted Translation>