燕歌行-A Song of the Northeastern Frontier
乐府
Folk-Song-Styled Verse
燕歌行
高适
汉家烟尘在东北，汉将辞家破残贼。
男儿本自重横行，天子非常赐颜色。
金伐鼓下榆关，旌旆逶迤碣石间。
校尉羽书飞瀚海，单于烈火照狼山。
山川萧条极边土，胡骑凭陵杂风雨。
战士军前半死生，美人帐下犹歌舞。
大漠穷秋塞草腓，孤城落日斗兵稀。
身当恩遇常轻敌，力尽关山未解围。
铁衣远戌辛勤久，玉箸应啼别离后。
少妇城南欲断肠，征人蓟北空回首。
边庭飘那可度，绝域苍茫更何有。
杀气三时作阵云，寒声一夜传刁斗。
相看白刃血纷纷，死节从来岂顾勋？
君不见沙场征战苦，至今犹忆李将军。
A Song of the Northeastern Frontier
Gao Shi
Flames of war were burning on the Han’s northeastern border.
The Han’s generals left home to fight remnant invaders.
It was men’s character to gallop on the battlefield.
Just for this， they were with the Emperor’s special grace filled.
Beating the gong and drum， through the Elm Pass they marched away，
Round Mount Stone Tablet with martial banners winding their way.
The field officer’s plumed message sped round the Sea of Sand：
Fires were set on Mount Wolf by the chief of the Tartar band.
To the verge of borderland， hills and streams turned desolate，
With their horsemen trampling like violent storm that came down straight.
Half of our warriors gave up their lives on the field bravely；
Still in the camp were singing and dancing maidens pretty.
Border grass in the desert withered as late autumn came；
At sunset our warriors in the lonely fort fewer became.
They held the enemy light， though favored with Royal grace；
With all their effort they failed to raise the seige of the place.
The men in iron mails had long been far in the army；
For their mournful parting， their wives had many times a cry.
The young women broke their hearts at south gate of the city；
Their men on Northern Ji front turned their eyes homeward vainly.
How could they stay in the borderland amidst turbulence？
What could they get in the vast place at remotest distance？
All day long， circumstance threatening death o’erhung like cloud；
All night long， rang the copper vessel with trembling sound loud.
Each saw the other’s white sword profusely stained with red blood.
When they were ready to die， o’er what rewards would they brood？
See you not on the battlefield one leads what a life bitter？
That’s why our memory of General Li will last e’er！