TUNE: WATER DRAGON CHANT

水龙吟

ON RIVERSIDE TOWER AT JIANKANG

登建康赏心亭

The southern sky for miles and miles in autumn dye

楚天千里清秋，

And boundless autumn water spread to meet the sky.

水随天去秋无际。

I gaze on far-off northern hills

遥岑远目，

Like spiral shells or hair decor of jade,

献愁供恨，

Which grief or hatred overfills.

玉簪螺髻。

Leaning at sunset on balustrade

落日楼头，

And hearing a lonely swan’s song,

断鸿声里，

A wanderer on southern land,

江南游子，

I look at my precious sword long,

把吴钩看了，

And pound all the railings with my hand,

栏杆拍遍，

But nobody knows why

无人会，

I climb the tower high.

登临意。

Don’t say for food

休说鲈鱼堪脍，

The perch is good!

尽西风，

When west winds blow,

季鹰归未？

Why don’t I homeward go?

求田问舍，

I’d be ashamed to see the patriot,

怕应羞见，

Should I retire to seek for land and cot.

刘郎才气。

I sigh for passing years I can’t retain;

可惜流年，

In driving wind and blinding rain

忧愁风雨，

Even an old tree grieves.

树犹如此。

To whom then may I say

倩何人唤取?

To wipe my tears away

红巾翠袖，

With her pink handkerchief or her green sleeves?

揾英雄泪？