英文翻译

版本一

The Yueyang Tower by Fan Zhongyan

In the spring of the fourth year under the reign of the emperor of Qingli, Teng Zijing was relegated from his post in the capital to that of magistrate of Baling. A year later, his enlightened administration has made for peace and harmony among the people as well as the revival of numerous formerly neglected matters. Among these was the renovation and expansion of the Yueyang Tower, on whose walls have been inscribed verses by Tang poets and contemporary men of letters. This done, he bid me compose an essay in its commemoration.

As I see, the tower commands a magnificent view of Lake Dongting, the best scenery of Baling. A vast expanse of water, the lake is bordered by distant mountains and fed by the Yangtze River. From dusk to dawn, it presents an ever-changing gallery of spectacles. All this has been described in great detail in literature by ancient people. What has been left out are poets and relegated officials, who have come in large numbers to this tower through the Wu Gorge to the north or the Xiao and Xiang rivers to the south. As they look at the lake, would the tone of the view not produce a corresponding effect on their mood?

Some may come during a spell of rains, which may drag on from month to month, blocking the rays of the sun and stars, and hiding the mountains from sight. Howling gales hurtle frothing waves toward the sky, breaking masts and oars of passenger boats and merchant vessels. When night falls, they hear tigers roar and apes cry. The forlorn sight will move them to grief, aggravating their homesickness, pain of relegation, and fear of slander or ridicule.

Yet others may come in warm spring, and enjoy a crystal clear view of the unruffled lake, which reflects the sky like a gigantic viridescent mirror. They see seagulls fly over the lake one moment and gather in flocks the next, and fishes swimming about; they smell the aroma of verdant angelicas and orchids growing on the bank and sandy beaches. Or they may see a long wisp of cloud stretching across the sky and the bright moon casting her golden rays far and wide onto the shimmering lake, her reflection white and still like a piece of jade lying at the bottom of water, and hear fishermen’s merry antiphonal songs. Standing in the breeze, goblet in hand, they brim over with ecstasy, free of all thoughts about favors or humiliations.

I have tried to study ancient statesmen’s minds, which might differ from those of the above-mentioned people in that they were unaffected by the state of landscape or vicissitude of life. When serving in court they worry about the people; when among the common people they worry about the monarch. If asked ‘when will you be free of all those worries?’, they would surely answer, ‘One should be the first in his country to worry about state affairs, and the last to enjoy oneself.’ Ah, they are the only congenial companions I may wish to have!

The fifteenth of the ninth month, the sixth year of Qingli.

版本二

The YueYang tower In the spring of fourth year of Qingli, TengZijing was exiled to Balingjun , to be the profect there. In the second year of his office, because of his excellent administration,people lived in peace and contentment, and all previous neglected matters were taken care of. The YueYang tower was renovated and enlarged, and described on its walls were the poetries and rhymed prose of Tang and present dynasty. I was invented to record this restoration effect in writing. The beauty of Baling center round the Dongting lake, which holds the mountain ranges in the distance and swallows the water of the yangtz river.It so vast and mighty that it seems boundness.. dazzling in the morning sun and fading in the grew evening mist, it offers a myriad scenes , this is the magnificent view of yueyang tower commanded. Of which many describtions hava been written. The beauty scenic spot is linked with the Wu gorge in the north and Xiao and xiang rivers in the south. Exiled officials and poets often gather here, how could there be no difference in their feelings? In the rainy season, an unbroken wet weather lasts for months,. Chilly wind howl and turbid waves surge the sky high. The sun and stars lose their luster, and the mountain ranges scarcely visible.. The merchant and travelers have to put off their voyage.. for the masts of ships have collapsed and the oars broken.. It is dark towards evening mist, and the roaring of tigers and the cry of monkeys can be heard. At such a time anyone ascending the tow will be filled with nostalgia for the imperial court and his hometown as well as fears of calumny and derision against him. Around him is a scene of desolation. Emotions well up him so strongly that he feels pain at heart. In springtime it is warm and the sun is bright, the lake is tranquil and it merges with the azure sky into a vast expanse of blue. The water-bird are playing, some fluttering in the sky, some gathering together on the sandbars. fishes of varies hues swimming merrily in the water. Sweet-smell grass by the banks and the faint scented orchid on the sandy beaches are rush and green. Sometimes when the mist over the lake vanishes. The glorious moon shines over the vast land. Its brightness glistening with golden light on the lake. The reflection of the moon is like a piece of jade in the depth of the water. On ascending the tower at such a time, one will feel a spiritual uplift , neither glory nor shame. with a cup of wine in the gentle breeze ,he will enjoy the greatest happiness in life. Ah! I have tried to study the minds of lofty ideals in ancient times. Perhaps they were different from the people I motion above. Why is this? The reason is that they were not thrown into ecstasies over their success ,nor felt depressed over their failures. When they were in high postion at court, they concerned about the people, when they were in remote place, they concerned about their emperor. They worried when then got promoted or when they were sent into exile. then , when they were happy? they would say :”To be the first to worry about the affairs of the state and the last to enjoy oneself!” Oh,who else should I seek company with save them?

原文

庆历四年春，滕子京谪守巴陵郡。越明年，政通人和，百废具兴。乃重修岳阳楼，增其旧制，刻唐贤今人诗赋于其上。属予作文以记之。

予观夫巴陵胜状，在洞庭一湖。衔远山，吞长江，浩浩汤汤，横无际涯;朝晖夕阴，气象万千。此则岳阳楼之大观也。前人之述备矣。然则北通巫峡，南极潇湘，迁客骚人，多会于此，览物之情，得无异乎?

若夫霪雨霏霏，连月不开，阴风怒号，浊浪排空;日星隐耀，山岳潜形;商旅不行，樯倾楫摧;薄暮冥冥，虎啸猿啼。登斯楼也，则有去国怀乡，忧谗畏讥，满目萧然，感极而悲者矣。

至若春和景明，波澜不惊，上下天光，一碧万顷;沙鸥翔集，锦鳞游泳;岸芷汀兰，郁郁青青。而或长烟一空，皓月千里，浮光跃金，静影沉璧，渔歌互答，此乐何极!登斯楼也，则有心旷神怡，宠辱偕忘，把酒临风，其喜洋洋者矣。

嗟夫!予尝求古仁人之心，或异二者之为，何哉?不以物喜，不以己悲;居庙堂之高则忧其民;处江湖之远则忧其君。是进亦忧，退亦忧。然则何时而乐耶?其必曰“先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐”乎。噫!微斯人，吾谁与归?

时六年九月十五日。

译文

庆历四年的春天，滕子京被贬为巴陵太守。到了第二年，政事顺利，百姓安居乐业，各种荒废了的事业都兴办起来了。于是重新修建岳阳楼，扩增它旧有的规模，把唐代名家和今人的诗赋刻在上面。嘱托我写一篇文章来记述这件事。

我看那巴陵郡的美好景色，全在洞庭一湖。它连接着远方的山脉，吞吐着长江的水流;浩浩荡荡，宽广无边;早晴晚阴，气象万千。这是岳阳楼盛大壮观的景象。前人的记述(已经)很详尽了。然而北面通向巫峡，南面直到潇湘，被贬的政客和诗人，大多在这里聚会，看了自然景物而触发的感情，大概会有不同吧?

像那阴雨连绵，接连几个月不放晴，阴冷的风怒吼，浑浊的波浪冲向天空;太阳和星辰隐藏起了光辉，山岳也潜伏起了形体;商人和旅客不能前行，桅杆倒下、船桨断折;傍晚的天色暗了下来，虎在咆哮猿在悲啼。(这时)登上这座楼啊，就会产生被贬离京，怀念家乡，担心诽谤、害怕讥讽的情怀，(会觉得)满眼萧条景象，感慨到了极点而悲伤。

到了春风和煦，阳光明媚的时候，湖面平静，没有惊涛骇浪，上下天色湖光相接，一片碧绿广阔无际;沙洲上的白鸥时而飞翔时而停歇，美丽的鱼儿，游来游去;岸边的小草，小洲上的兰花，香气浓郁，颜色青翠。有时大片的烟雾完全消散，皎洁的月光一泻千里，浮动的光闪着的金色，静静的月影像沉下的玉璧，渔夫的歌声一唱一和，这种乐趣哪有穷尽呢!在这时登上岳阳楼，就有心怀开阔，精神愉快;荣耀和屈辱一并忘了，端着酒杯对着风，那心情真是快乐极了。

唉!我曾经探求古代品德高尚的人的思想感情，或许不同于以上两种心情，是什么原因呢?不因为外物的好坏和自己的得失而或喜或悲，在朝廷里做高官就为百姓担忧;不在朝廷上做官就为君主担忧。这样看来是在朝廷做官也担忧，不在朝廷做官也担忧。既然这样，那么什么时候才快乐呢?那一定要说：“在天下人忧愁之前先忧愁，在天下人快乐之后才快乐”吧。唉!如果没有这种人，我同谁一道呢?

写于庆历六年九月十五日(1046年9月1日)