杜甫·《前出塞·其一》英译

On the Border

(first series, nine poems)

Du Fu

With heavy hearts we leave the old village,

set out on the long, long road to Jiaohe.¹

Officials have fixed the date for our arrival—

run away and you’re snared in the net of the law!

Ruler, already with such abundance of territory,

why all this opening up of borders?

We turn our backs on love of father and mother,

swallow our sobs, shoulder halberds, and move on.

1. The region of Turfan in Xinjiang. The Tang forces were pushing into the area but meeting with strong resistance from Tibetan tribes.

（Burton Watson 译）

Beyond the Frontier

(Nine Poems)

Du Fu

(1)

Full of bitterness, taken

From our homes to be sent past

Far western frontiers, knowing well

That with time limits set, all

Infringements will be punished;

Wondering why the Emperor who

Controls so vast a territory

Should want to extend it; cut off

From the love of home folk,

We hold back tears, and shouldering

Spears, are forced to march away.

（Rewi Alley 译）