Chapter 4 Chapter 4

都 邑 華夏 ， 東西 二京 。 Ancient capitals, gorgeous and grand; East, Luoyang, and West, Chang'an. 背 邙 面洛 ， 浮渭據 涇 。 In back Mount Mang, front, River Luo; straddles Rivers Wei and Jing. 宮殿 盤郁 ， 樓觀 飛驚 。 A swirl of palaces unwinding; view from buildings, fright from flying! 圖寫 禽獸 ， 畫彩 仙靈 。 Depictions of the birds and beasts; painted fairies and spirits. 丙舍 傍啟 ， 甲帳 對 楹 。 Third Quarters' curtains open wide, fine drapes on pillars to the side. 肆筵 設席 ， 鼓瑟 吹笙 。 Throwing banquets, lavish settings; playing flutes, percussion, strings. 升階 納 陛 ， 弁 轉疑星 。 Ascending stairs, to Emperor; hats awhirl, as if the stars. 右通 廣內 ， 左達承明 。 Right leads to the library, left, the scholars' dormitory. 既集 墳典 ， 亦 聚 群英 。 The legendary Fen2 and Dian3; stacks for use by famous men. 杜稿 鍾 隸 ， 漆書壁經 。 Du's cursive script and Zhong's print style, lacquer books, classics from wall. 府 羅 將相 ， 路俠 槐卿 。 Palace generals and ministers parade; on road outside the ones of lesser grade. 戶 封八縣 ， 家給 千兵 。 Each household granted eight counties; each family, a thousand troops. 高冠 陪 輦 ， 驅轂振纓 。 High hats pace Son of Heaven's chariot; fast driving blows their ribbons all about. 世祿侈富 ， 車駕 肥輕 。 Inheriting excessive wealth and ease; they drive fat horses anytime they please. 策功茂實 ， 勒 碑刻 銘 。 Wrote scrolls of glories and abundant facts; carved on stones their famous names and acts. 磻溪 伊尹 ， 佐時 阿衡 。 Pan Creek, the place, Yi Yin, the man; assisting as Prime Minister. 奄宅 曲阜 ， 微旦 孰營 。 Yan's earth, Qufu; less Dan4, who would do? 桓公匡合 ， 濟弱扶傾 。 The Duke of Huan brought all in line; helped those weak and in decline. 綺 回漢 惠 ， 說感 武丁 。 Qi returned to aid Han Hui; Delight affected Shang's Wu Ding. 俊 乂 密 勿 ， 多士 寔 寧 。 The best and brightest work diligently; so many fine men, this tranquility! 晉楚 更 霸 ， 趙 魏困橫 。 Jin, Chu, next hegemonists; Zhao, Wei troubled by Axis. 假途滅虢 ， 踐土 會盟 。 Stole a march, wiped out Guo; occupied, made a pact. 何遵 約法 ， 韓弊 煩刑 。 Xiao He valued simple laws; Han was framed and suffered torts. 起翦 頗 牧 ， 用 軍 最 精 。 Qi, Jian, Po and Mu; in use of armies, most refined. 宣威 沙漠 ， 馳譽 丹青 。 Spread of name to deserts far; passed down fame in portraiture. 九州 禹跡 ， 百郡 秦 并 。 Old Nine States with Yu's tracks in; the Hundred Districts, joined by Qin. 岳宗泰 岱 ， 禪主云亭 。 Peak most worshipped, Great Taishan; Chan conducted on Yun and Ting. 雁門 紫塞 ， 雞田 赤城 。 Mt Yanmen Pass, purple Great Wall; Jitian station, Chicheng's vault. 昆池 碣石 ， 鉅野 洞庭 。 Kunming Pond, Tablet Rock; Juye Swamp, Lake Dongting. 曠遠 綿邈 ， 岩 岫 杳 冥 。 Rivers flowing without end, boundless lakes and seas; tall rocks in caves so dark and deep, climate as you please.