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The Ten Scenes of West Lake
《西湖十景》

Poems by Zhang Dai 張岱
Photographs by Lois Conner

Translated by Duncan Campbell
The Australian National University

Twin Peaks Piercing Clouds

Each peak resembles a superior man,
Come together they now converse.
Here in this place is to be found West Lake,
And West Lake it is that holds me here.

兩峰插雲

一峰一高人
兩人相與語
此地有西湖
勾留不肯去

Moon Reflected on Three Ponds

Cold the breath of the lake, colder than ice,
Light the rays of the moon, as light as snow.
Happy to give it over to the three pools,
The people of Hangzhou gaze not upon the moon.

三潭印

湖氣冷如冰
月光淡於雪
肯棄與三潭
杭人不看月

Lingering Snow upon Break-Off Bridge

Tall willows shade the long embankment,
Through scattered leaves leak the rays of a waning moon.
With confident stride I pace the sand beneath the pines,
Thinking for a moment that perhaps it is snow upon which I tread.

斷橋殘雪

高柳蔭長堤
疏疏漏殘月
蹩躠步松沙
恍疑是踏雪

Evening Bell-toll at South Screen Mountain

Evening's breath rises from South Screen,
The gentle breeze seems as thin as paper.
From the temple beyond comes the toll of the evening bell,
Gliding over the empty river's flow.

南屏晚鐘

夜氣滃南屏
輕嵐薄如紙
鐘聲出上方
夜渡空江水

Spring Dawn Breaking Over Su Embankment

Misty willows shroud the peach blossoms,
Like red jade sunk within an autumnal river.
Too delicate to bear the weight of her robes,
The Lady of the West has just awoken from her slumbers.

蘇堤春曉

煙柳幕桃花
紅玉沈秋水
文弱不勝夜
西施剛睡起

Breeze Amongst the Lotuses of Brewing Courtyard

Faces flushed red still from their cups,
Their mouths opening with gusts of laughter.
What is it that has made the lotus drunk?
The warm breeze, after all, has the power of wine.

麴院風荷

頰上帶微酡
解頤開笑口
何物醉荷花
暖風原似酒

Listening to Orioles Amidst Billowing Willows

Deep within the willows the yellow orioles cry,
Their crisp notes echoing in the empty greenness.
If you truly are a poet by nature,
Then you will not compete with drum and pipe.

柳浪聞鶯

深柳叫黃鸝
清音入空翠
若果有詩腸
不應比鼓吹

Glow of Sunset upon Thunder Peak

The ruined pagoda at home on the banks of the lake,
Shambolic as a drunken old man.
Extraordinary feelings are to be found here amidst the shards,
What need does it have for the arts of man?

雷峰夕照

殘塔臨湖岸
頹然一醉翁
奇情在瓦礫
何必藉人工

Autumnal Moon Reflected in a Calm Lake

In the autumn firmament appears the shining moon,
Its chill breath entering the stately trees.
In silence one listens to the lone flying swallow,
Its cry light, the heavens so high.

平湖秋月

秋空見皓月
冷氣入林皋
靜聽孤飛雁
聲輕天正高

Viewing Fish at Flower Harbour

How I hate this Life Releasing Pond,
A prison for the blameless fish.
Coming today to Flower Harbour,
Why should I stand for the restraints of fellow man?

花港觀魚

深恨放生池
無端造魚獄
今來花港中
肯受人拘束