The translation of "Preface to Xiu Bamboo" by Chen Ziang in the Tang Dynasty is as follows:
Under the command of Dongfang Gong: Poetry (the glorious and fine tradition) has been in decline/interrupted for five hundred years. (Referring to the period from the Western Jin Dynasty to the early Tang Dynasty). Although the excellent character tradition of the Han and Wei dynasties has not been handed down in the Jin and Song Dynasties (Guan Dynasty and Song Dynasty), the proof can be found in the existing documents. In my spare time, I used to appreciate Qi Liang's poems. (I think the creations at that time) overly pursued the gorgeousness of the words, but lacked the inherent sustenance of the poem (very empty), and I was always filled with emotion.
Recalling the ancients, they often worried that the flamboyant and extravagant writing style would fill the literary world, while the elegant style would become silent, so they felt very uneasy. Since I admired your poem "Yong Gutong" at Jie San's house yesterday, I deeply feel that the poem reveals a kind of upright and flying beauty. The syllables of the poem continue to rise and fall with the waves of emotion. The poetry is written in a very clear style and has a sonorous and powerful rhythm.
As a result, my mind became new and the feeling of dullness and depression was eliminated. (I) did not expect that (from your poems) I could feel the spirit of Jian'an and the sound of Zhengshi, and (presumably this) could also make the authors of the Jian'an era look at each other and smile (feel gratified). Mr. Xie San said: "You can compare with Zhang Hua and He Shao of the Jin Dynasty." I also think this is the words of a close friend. Therefore, I sighed at the revival of Yazhi and wrote this "Poetry of Xiu Bamboo", naturally looking forward to dedicating it to my close friends for appreciation.
Original text:
Dongfang Gong: The article has been evil for five hundred years. The character of the Han and Wei dynasties cannot be passed down in the Jin and Song dynasties, but there are some documents that can be collected. In his spare time, he would watch the poems written by Qi and Liang Jian. They were colorful and complex, and their excitement and enthusiasm were overwhelming. Every time he would sigh forever. People who think about the ancients are often afraid of being meandering and decadent, not being elegant, and being stubborn. Yesterday I went to the Jie San place and saw Ming Gong's "Yong Gutong Chapter". The character is soaring, the tone is dull, the light is heroic, and there is the sound of gold and stone. So I used it to wash my mind and decorate my eyes, bringing out the gloom. If the sound of "Bu Tu Zheng Shi" is heard again here, it will make the Jian'an writers look at each other and smile. Xie Junyun said: "Zhang Maoxian and He Jingzu are comparable to Dongfangsheng." The servant also thought that he knew the words. Therefore, I lamented the elegance of the work and composed a poem called "Poetry on Bamboo Repair", which should be conveyed by a close friend.
The ancient poem behind "Preface to the Bamboo Pian":
Dragon seeds are born in Nanyue, solitary green and lush pavilions.
On the peaks and ridges, there is a lofty peak, and it is dim under the misty rain.
You can hear the cry of flying squirrels at night and the sound of springs during the day.
The spring breeze is calm and the white dew is clear.
The mournful sound stimulates the golden music, and the dense color nourishes the jade.
The frost and snow are bitter every year, but the color is green.
Aren’t you tired of the cold weather and ashamed of the spring trees?
Spring trees have their glory and rest, but they will not wither in this section.
I wish to be with gold and stone from the beginning, and keep my integrity forever.
Unexpectedly, Ling Lunzi plays like Feng Ming.
Then the clouds harmonized with the harp, and the music played in the heaven.
The wonderful music can be changed thousands of times, and the flute and Shao music are also 90%.
I believe in the beauty of carvings and always wish to serve the immortals.
The green Qiu is driving, and the purple luan and Sheng are in the clouds.
Make friends with Yingtai girls and chant the Ascension to Heaven.
Hand in hand, climb into the daylight and enjoy the distance from Chicheng.
The black crane dances low and high, and colorful clouds appear intermittently.
I will always follow the immortals and travel to Yujing in the three mountains.
Translation:
The dragon species grows in the Hengshan Mountain of Nanyue, where the lonely green bamboos grow tall and lush.
There are tall and straight peaks above, and there is mist and mist below.
At night I hear the cry of flying squirrels, and during the day I hear the gurgling sound of mountain springs.
The spring breeze is rippling soothingly, and the white dew is cool and crystal clear.
The mournful sound is as loud as the sound of a bell, and the deep color is moistened by frost and snow.
It is cold in the cold weather, the grass and trees are bitter from frost and snow, and the brilliance of the bamboo trees is still green.
Don’t you feel the freezing cold? Ashamed to compete with the spring trees.
Trees in spring wax and wane, but their joints and stems never wither.
The original intention is to be like gold and stone, and always maintain the steadfastness of nature.
I never thought that Mr. Ling Lun would play it and learn the sound of the phoenix.
So in cooperation with Yunhe Zhise, the music ensemble was set up in the Nine Heavens Courtyard.
The beautiful music is ever-changing, and a piece of Xiao Shao ended with nine pieces.
It really depends on the exquisiteness of the carvings and the willingness to serve the fairies frequently.
The Qinglong chariot is driving at full speed, and the purple luan and sheng are expressing resentment and resentment.
Get acquainted with the Yingtai fairy, ascend to heaven and sing a song together.
Hand in hand, we went straight to the sun, traveled far away and played together, and then arrived at Akagi together.
In the music, black cranes dance gracefully, and colorful clouds fill the sky intermittently.
Follow the immortals forever, traveling through the three mountains to the immortal capital Yujing.