This is another one of Zhang Jiuling’s poems written in exile after he was in conflict with political enemies. He hopes to return to power and that the high rulers can hear his intentions and loyalty. Nonetheless, he loves the beauty of nature and being alone and feels a sense of belonging.

Translation

By Zhang Jiuling (673 – 740 AD)
張九齡
Lamentation 3
感遇其三


The hermit
lives alone,
belonging

幽人
歸獨
Worries
washed away,
alone and clean

滯慮
孤清
Holding this
and thanking
the birds above

持此
高鳥
that send afar
his worries
and concerns

因之
傳遠
Day and night
he hopes
with high intentions

日夕
空意
That they will
understand,
the rulers above

人誰
至精
Flying far, sinking away,
his power
has parted

飛沈
理自
What then
can comfort
his loyalty?
何所
吾誠
 
Original Chinese

Traditional
Simplified
Pronunciation



張九齡
Zhāng Jiǔlíng
感遇其三
感遇其
Gǎn yù qí sān



幽人歸獨臥,
幽人独卧,
Yōu rén guī dú wò,
滯慮洗孤清,
洗孤清,
Zhì lǜ xǐ gū qīng,
持此謝高鳥,
持此
Chí cǐ xiè gāo niǎo,
因之傳遠情。
因之传远情。
Yīn zhī chuán yuǎn qíng.
日夕懷空意,
日夕怀空意,
Rì xī huái kōng yì,
人誰感至精?
感至精?
Rén shuí gǎn zhì jīng?
飛沈理自隔,
沉理自隔,
Fēi chén lǐ zì gé,
何所慰吾誠?
何所慰吾
Hé suǒ wèi wú chéng?

Literal Translation

Stretch Nine Years [Zhang Jiuling (673 – 740 AD)]
Feel Encounter Its Three [Lamentation #3]

Seclude man belong alone crouch
Obstruct worry wash lonely clean
Hold this thank high bird
Worries is transfer distant feeling
Day night hope empty thought, [empty thought = ambitious intentions]
People who feel reach essence [reach essence = extreme royalty]
Fly sink power self separate
What place comfort my sincere
Year: 
2011