Recalling the Past at the Red Cliffs, to the Tune of "Charms of Niannu"
The great river flows east
and its waves have washed away
all the heroes from ancient time.
West of the old fortress
is the Red Cliffs where it is said
Master Zhou won his battle in the Three Kingdoms era.
Wild boulders spear into the sky,
terrible waves beat the bank
and swirl up a thousand snow sprays
and the river and mountains seem a painted landscape
where in old times so many heroes contended.
I imagine that year
when Gongjin had just married Xiao Qiao,
his bearing radiating a gallant spirit.
With a feather fan and silk headband
his talk and laughter
turned strong enemies to ashes. Gone like smoke.
And I, taking this spirit-voyage into the past,
perhaps I am laughable
with my white hairs sprouting so young.
This life is just a dream.
I raise my cup and pour a libation to the river moon.
---Su Dongpo (1036-1101)
I'm not sure who the translator is, I can only credit the anthology: The Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry.