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王昌龄: 塞上曲/ Wang Changling: AT A BORDER-FORTRESS

塞上曲

王昌龄

 

蝉鸣空桑林, 八月萧关道。

出塞复入塞, 处处黄芦草。

从来幽并客, 皆向沙场老。

莫学游侠儿, 矜夸紫骝好。

 

AT A BORDER-FORTRESS

Wang Changling

Cicadas complain of thin mulberry-trees

In the Eighth-month chill at the frontier pass.

Through the gate and back again, all along the road,

There is nothing anywhere but yellow reeds and grasses

And the bones of soldiers from You and from Bing

Who have buried their lives in the dusty sand.

...Let never a cavalier stir you to envy

With boasts of his horse and his horsemanship