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isolation, are by far the landscape's most distinguishing feature. The following excerpts are some
poignant examples:
雪 中 行 地 角
火 处 宿 天 倪
塞 迥 心 常 怯
55
乡 遥 梦 亦 迷
In the midst of snow travelling to the corner of the earth,
Staying overnight where it is illuminated at the edge of the
the horizon.
The frontier is at such a great distance my heart
often recoils in fright;
My hometown is so far away that even in dreams I lose
my way.
(“Staying the Night at the West Inn of Iron Gate Pass”, lines 3-6)
走 马 西 来 欲 到 天
辞 家 见 月 两 回 圆
今 夜 不 知 何 处 宿
56
平 沙 万 里 绝 人 烟
On horseback riding west nearing the sky,
Since leaving home I have seen two full moons.
Where will I be staying this night?
The broad level desert goes on for ten thousand li
and not a sign of human habitation.
(“Composed in the Desert)
沙 碛 人 愁 月
山 城 犬 吠 云
别 家 逢 逼 岁
57
出 塞 独 离 群
In the desert one looks sorrowfully upon the moon,
The mountain town dogs bark from within the clouds.
Away from home, it's now approaching year's end;
Out on the frontier, alone and separated.
(“At Year's End Beyond the Desert: Sent to Yan Hui”, lines 3-6)
绝 域 地 欲 尽
孤 城 天 遂 穷
弥 年 但 走 马
58
终 日 随 飘 蓬
In this far off land the earth nears its limit;
A solitary town, the sky here finally reaches its end.
For a full year now I've been on horseback,
All day long following the wind like a tumbleweed.
(“At the Anxi Guesthouse and Thinking of Chang'an”, lines 5-8)
55
CSJJZ, p. 81.
56
CSJJZ, p. 82.
57
CSJJZ, p. 82.
58
CSJJZ, p. 84.