Li Bai (701-December 762), whose name was Taibai, was named Qinglianjushi, also known as “The Immortal”. A great romantic poet in the Tang Dynasty, he was hailed as “The Immortal of Poetry” by future generations, and he was called “The Immortal of Poetry” together with Du Fu.

 

子夜吴歌

(春歌)

秦地[1]罗敷女[2],

采桑绿水边。

素手青条上,

红妆白日鲜。

蚕饥妾[3]欲去,

五马莫留连!

《子夜吴歌》共四首,分咏春、夏、秋、冬四季。六朝乐府有《子夜四时歌》,诗人依前人所创做了革新,将诗体由四句加为六句,手法也更胜一筹。此一首为春歌,这首诗吟咏罗敷女的故事,赞扬她不为富贵动心,不仅有美貌,更有美丽的心灵,她的勤劳品质在“蚕饥妾欲去,五马莫留连”一句中得到了很好的阐述。《汉官仪》:“四马载车,此常礼也,惟太守出,则增一马。”故称五马,这里指达官贵人。

注释:

[1]秦地:现今陕西省关中地区。

[2]罗敷(fū)女:乐府诗《陌上桑》有“日出东南隅,照我秦氏楼。秦氏有好女,自言名罗敷。罗敷善蚕桑,采桑城南隅”的诗句。

[3]妾:古代女子用以自称的谦词。

Ballads of Four Seasons

(Spring)

The lovely Lo Fo[1]of the western land

Plucks mulberry leaves by the waterside.

Across the green boughs stretches out her white hand;

In golden sunshine her rosy robe is dyed.

“My silkworms are hungry,I cannot stay.

Tarry not with your five-horse cab,I pray.”

注释:

[1]Lo Fo and below-mentioned Xi Shi were beautiful ladies.