Su Dongpo: Evening of June Twentieth, Going Across the Ocean

Evening of June Twentieth, Going Across the Ocean

六月二十日夜渡海

参 横 斗 转 欲 三 更
苦 雨 终 风 也 解 晴。
云 散 月 明 谁 点 缀
天 容 海 色 本 澄 清。

空 余 鲁 叟 乘 桴 意
粗 识 轩 辕 奏 乐 声。
九 死 南 荒 吾 不 恨
兹 游 奇 绝 冠 平 生。

Liu Yue Er Shi Ri Ye Du Hai

Can heng dou zhuan yu san geng
Ku yu zhong feng ye jie qing.
Yun san yue ming shei dian zhui
Tian rong hai se ben cheng qing.

Kong yu lu sou cheng fu yi
Cu shi xuan yuan zou yue sheng.
Jiu si nan huang wu bu hen
Zi you qi jue guan ping sheng.

Evening of June Twentieth, Going Across the Ocean

After waiting half the night, the North Star now aligned correctly to sail
Both excessive rain and wind have given way to clear skies.
Clouds break up, someone uses the moonlight for show
Sky and sea, their original colors and clarity.

If I cannot get a government position, then I will just travel about on small boats, other plans can be scrapped
Now I know the musical sounds created by Huang Di.
After losing nine lives in the southern wilds, still hold no resentment
All my life these journeys, and the special, unique experiences
have compensated me well.

Notes:

Huang Di: The emperor