念奴娇·赤壁怀古

大江东去,浪淘尽,千古风流人物。
故垒西边,人道是,三国周郎赤壁。
乱石穿空,惊涛拍岸,卷起千堆雪。
江山如画,一时多少豪杰。
遥想公瑾当年,小乔初嫁了,雄姿英发。
羽扇纶巾,谈笑间,樯橹灰飞烟灭。(樯橹 一作:强虏)
故国神游,多情应笑我,早生华发。
人生如梦,一尊还酹江月。(人生 一作:人间;尊 通:樽)

Reflections on the Ancient Red Cliff--To the tune of Niannujiao

The Great River flows,
Eastward waves sweeping away,
For thousands of years, gallant heroes.
West of the ancient fort, they say, stands
The Red Cliff of the Three-Kingdoms' Duke Zhou.
Rocks pierce the sky, shore-tearing
Waves swirl into piles of snow.
What a glorious sweep of land,
Once a stage for so many a hero!

My thoughts drift to those years when Zhou
Had newly married the beautiful Qiao,
Vigour and valour aglow.
A feather fan and a silken hat,
He masterminded the fire-attack on the foe--
Over a casual chat
To see their fleet perish, blow by blow.
Back from my mental vagrancy in that bygone age,
I must laugh at myself: letting sentiments grow
Into grey hairs, too soon.
But isn't life a dream, after all?
Let me pledge this cup to the River,
To the Moon.