Ci 望海潮·东南形胜 | Watching for the Sea’s Tide: The Southeast Lands Lie Favorably

望海潮·东南形胜

柳永 （984 — 1053）

东南形胜，三吴都会，钱塘自古繁华。

烟柳画桥，风帘翠幕，参差十万人家。

云树绕堤沙，怒涛卷霜雪，天堑无涯。

市列珠玑，户盈罗绮，竞豪奢。

重湖叠巘清嘉，有三秋桂子，十里荷花。

羌管弄晴，菱歌泛夜，嬉嬉钓叟莲娃。

千骑拥高牙，乘醉听箫鼓，吟赏烟霞。

异日图将好景，归去凤池夸。

Watching for the Sea’s Tide: The Southeast Lands Lie Favorably

Liu Yong (984 – 762)

The southeast lands lie favorably | their three Wu prefectures form a metropolis | Qiantang (the capital) has been flourishing since ancient times.

Misty willows, ornate bridges | windbreaking curtains, turquoise draperies | a sprawl of a seeming hundred thousand households.

Great trees line earthen dyke | raging waves gather frostlike foam | the deep Qiantang River runs on forever.

Markets show pearls and gemstones | homes pile silks and fineries | they vie for extravagance.

The divided lake and rolling peaks are striking, beautiful | they boast osmanthus flowers in autumn and lotus blooms for acres.

Sound of reed pipes pierces clear day | song of water chestnut harvesters envelops night | merrily, merrily old men catch fish and young women harvest lotus!

High official’s entourage throngs ivory banner-pole | tipsy drinkers listen to flute and drum | sing verse and admire the picturesque scenery!

One day be these lovely sights depicted | on return to Imperial court they shall be flaunted.