Translation of Ouyang Xiu s Book of Musical Talents with Jing Nan

The following is a translation of Ouyang Xiu's "Book of Talents with Jing Nan Le Xiu":

Dear Le Xiucai:

I salute you. When we first met by boat, I thank you for coming to visit me many times. And thank you for giving me a book that you have written, and talking to me before that, just as when you are a junior to see a senior, you ask for a gift (the etiquette).

Tian Xiucai came from the west and sent me a letter; After that, my slave returned to the county from the house, and waited until (received) the letter from you. I am a sinful man, despised by all, but how can I afford to respect my manners like this? If you have no time to reply after taking care of your courtesy, (you) should have cut off the relationship, but you sent the letter again; I sent the letter again but I didn't (still) reply, and I should have cut off the relationship, but you sent me the letter again.

Why are you so attentive? Like me, Ouyang Xiu, is just an unambitious and humble person in the world, ** is it worth making you so sincere? Mr. mechanics is inquisitive, and he is anxious to plan for himself.

But when Mr. asked me to write a word, it seems to be beyond what I have heard before.

When I was young, I went from being a jinshi in the examination to a relevant department, studying for poetry and writing, and preparing for the imperial examination, and I took the exam three times in total. I knew a lot of people who read books, so I could often say my name, and because the people I was dealing with were partial to my selfishness, some people praised my words excessively. That's why Mr. Jean heard my name and wanted to see what I had written.

I grew up lonely and poor, coveting a salary and official position to support my mother, and I had no time to follow my teacher and study the scriptures to study the sage (comprehensively). The reason for reading the scriptures and historical books extensively and cursoryly, and writing the so-called current texts according to the world, is to delve into the scriptures and texts, and to transfer this statement to another statement, (oneself) thinks that the articles are light and unpretentious, and I am afraid that they will not be pleased by the people of the time, and there is no content that is superior to the self-reliance of the ancients. However, the relevant departments have overdone it, and many times because Mr. praised the reader.

It was only after the inadequacy of the articles I had written in the past that I was able to adapt to the recommendation of the priest and the understanding of the elderly, which greatly improved the articles I wrote, and I could almost gain a foothold in the world. However, if I speak out of line and thus incur sin, and if I succeed in my studies but suffer physical and mental humiliation, I will be honored for him, and I will suffer for it, and this is the obvious after-effect.

Although those essays are said to be flamboyant, they are not easy to write successfully. It is my nature to dislike but reluctantly write articles, so it is more uningenious than what my contemporaries wrote, but it is enough to obtain a position of official position and seek fame, for the sake of conformity. The ancestors (Le Xiucai) are young Zhisheng and want to achieve honor in the world, so it is better to obey the customs.

Salute. Ouyang Xiu paused.

The mandarin duck flies and relieves its feathers. Travel to the plateau and stay in Lanzhu at night. Yong Yong and Ming, Gu Yu couple. Admire generosity, and be tolerant.

The mandarin duck is flying, and the life of the howling couple is together. Travel to the plateau and stay in Zhongzhou at night. Cross the neck and flutter the wings, accommodate and clear stream. Chewing Lan Hui, I look up to you.

Swim the long river, and talk about it. Zhi Bi Gaogang, words are clear. I march and walk alone. Looking up at the wind, weeping like rain.

Swim in the long river, and breathe its words. Zhi Bi Gaogang, words are unruly. I am alone, and I am glamorous. Look up to the trivet wind, sit and ride.

Mu Mu Hui wind, fan the dust. Yi Yi Su Bo, turn here to swim the scales. I have to work hard, and there are people who are cherished. Words are always thinking, and the bell is pro-home.

The relatives are here, and I am far away. Abandon this Sunzhi and attack Xiao Ai. Although it is said that the old code is deep, there is no turbulence. Words and thoughts are gentlemen, and they are not harmful.

Life is prolonged, and heaven and earth are long. A hundred years, the cloud is long-lived. Thinking of ascending to immortals, in order to help immortals. The cable hesitated, looking up to my friend.

I'm a friend, across the mountain beams. Who says that the river is wide, and a reed is navigable. Hate forever, and pass away. Admire the Buddha, and wander to the feast.

The good horse is idle, and the beautiful clothes are bright. The left is weak, and the right is forgotten. The wind is speeding away, chasing the scenery. Sharp Central Plains, Gu Xuan is alive.

Take me with you and take me in a light car. Ling Changfu in the south, clear canal in the north. Fall on your back, and lead the fish to the abyss. Disc in the field, its fun only.

Ling Gao Yuan, pitching and sighing. Complaining about the secluded side, the room is far away. Although there is a good sound, who sings with Qing. Although there is a beautiful face, who is with Fahua. Looking up to the high clouds, looking down on the light waves. Ride the stream and flee away, hating the mountains.

The light car is fast, and the forest is long. The spring wood is glorious, and the cloth leaves are hanging in the shade. Xi Xi Gu wind, play my piano. handed over the yellow bird, and Gu Yan made a sound. Feel the feelings, think about what I admire. The worries of the heart are forever roaring.

The mighty torrent takes me to Banggi. The green forest is full of glory and glory. Fish and dragons are in full swing, and mountain birds are flying. Travel with words, forget to return day and night. Thinking of my good friends, thirsty and hungry. I wish to be unspoken, and I am sad.

Xitu Orchid Garden, Moma Huashan. Liuqi Pinggao, weeping long river. Seeing the return to Hong, he waved the five strings with his pure hand. Pitching is self-satisfied, and the heart is too mysterious. Jiabi fishing, forgetting to fish. Yingren is gone, who has everything to say.

Poetic works:Gifted Xiucai to join the armyPoetry Classification:[Yongshi], [Yanzhi], [Group of Poems].

It is now the end of the twelfth lunar month, the climate is mild and comfortable, and the former residence of Lantian Mountain is very easy to visit. You were studying the scriptures, and you didn't dare to disturb in a hurry, so you went to the mountains by yourself, rested in the Ganbei Temple, and left after eating with the presiding officer of the temple.

I crossed the deep blue water to the north, and the moonlight was clear, reflecting the city. When you climb Huazigang in the night, you can see the ripples in the rim water, the water waves may go up or down, and the moon shadow in the water will also go up and down. The lights in the distance in the cold mountains, the flickering light of the fire, can be seen clearly outside the forest.

Dogs barked in the deep alleys, barking like leopards. The sound of rice was heard in the village, and it was intertwined with the sparse sound of bells. At this time, I sat there alone, and the servants who came with me had fallen asleep, thinking of the old days when you and I were holding hands and reciting poetry, and strolling along the narrow paths, approaching the clear water.

In the spring, the vegetation spreads and grows, the spring mountain scenery can be viewed, the light minnows jump out of the water, the white gulls spread their wings, the morning dew wets the green grass, and the pheasants in the wheat fields whine in the early morningIf you weren't different by nature, could I consider inviting you a no-brainer?And there's a lot of interest in that!

Don't ignore it. Because there is a man carrying the barberry out of the mountain, I ask him to bring you this letter, and I will not elaborate on it one by one.

Ouyang Xun once rode a horse and saw an ancient monument. It was written by Suo Jing, a famous calligrapher in the Jin Dynasty, (he) stopped the ancient monument of Ma ** and left after a long time. He walked a few hundred steps away from the ancient monument and returned, got off the horse and stood in front of the monument to admire, and when he was tired, he spread out his leather coat and sat down**, and then stayed in front of the monument for three days and three nights before leaving.

1.and: until; Wait until.

2.Taste: Ever.

3.Go: Leave.

4.Standing: Standing for a long time.

5.Anti: Same as "return" to return.

6.Stop: Stop.

7.Fang: Just.

8.Book: Writing.

9.Qiu: Leather robe.

10.Taste: Ever.

11.Anti: Same as "return" to return.

12.Suo Jing: A famous calligrapher of the Jin Dynasty.

13.And: Wait.

14.Again: Again, again.

15.Cloth: Spread out.

16.Cause: So; Thereupon.