李颀 古意

古意An Old Air
男儿事长征There once was a man, sent on military missions,
少小幽燕客A wanderer, from youth, on the You and Yan frontiers.
赌胜马蹄下Under the horses" hoofs he would meet his foes
由来轻七尺And, recklessly risking his seven-foot body,
杀人莫敢前Would slay whoever dared confront
须如猬毛磔Those moustaches that bristled like porcupinequills.
黄云陇底白雪飞...There were dark clouds below the hills, there were white clouds above them,
未得报恩不能归But before a man has served full time, how can he go back?
辽东小妇年十五In eastern Liao a girl was waiting, a girl of fifteen years,
惯弹琵琶解歌舞Deft with a guitar, expert in dance and song.
今为羌笛出塞声...She seems to be fluting, even now, a reed-song of home,
使我三军泪如雨Filling every soldier"s eyes with homesick tears.