Night on the Great River ［three translations］

    Translated by Gary Snyder， Kenneth Rexroth and William Carlos Williams

    （I）

    Steering¹ my little boat towards a misty² islet，

    I watch the sun descend³ while my sorrows grow：

    In the vast night the sky hangs lower than the treetops，

    But in the blue lake the moon is coming close.

    [translated by William Carlos Williams]

    （II）

    Night on the Great River

    We anchor the boat alongside a hazy⁴ island.

    As the sun sets I am overwhelmed with nostalgia⁵.

    The plain stretches away without limit.

    The sky is just above the tree tops.

    The river flows quietly by.

    The moon comes down amongst men.

    [translated by Kenneth Rexroth]

    （III）

    Mooring⁶ on Chien-te River

    The boat rocks at anchor by the misty island

    Sunset， my loneliness comes again.

    In these vast wilds the sky arches down to the trees.

    In the clear river water， the moon draws near.

    [translated by Gary Snyder]