Mountain Songs

The Monk and the Geisha

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Geisha not welcome to the 凈慈寺 Jingcisi!

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The Monk and the Geisha

----Su Shi

(Every day I've been working on the Qian
river dikes. This cold evening, after a
few drinks!, together with Miaoqi,a young
Singing Girl I called on Chan Master Datong
for a 'chat'. The Master frowned with
distaste. I composed this lyric and
invited Miaoqi to sing it for him.)

What songs do you chant, Master?
Master, what sect do you follow?
Let me borrow your mallet and strike board
And with this young thing twirl on the stage.
Don't put me down!
     Mountain monk don't look so stern.
          You should be so lucky.
                 Steal a glance at this beauty!
Just pity the Future Buddha
     Who may arrive too late to see her!

Nángēzi

(Lěng qí yè huà yún Dōngpō shǒu qián
táng wúrì bù zài hú cháng xié jì yè
Dàtōng Chánshī. Dàtōng yùn xíng wū sè.
Dōngpō zuò chángduǎnjù, Lìng jì gē zhī.)

Shī chàng shuī jiā qū,
Zōng fēng sì a shuí.
Jiè jūn pò bǎn yǔ mén chuí,
Wǒ yě féngchǎng-zuòxì,
Mò xiāng yí.
Xī nǔfāng tōuyǎn,
Shān sēng mò zhǎ méi.
Jié què chóu Mílè xiàshēng chí.
Bùjiàn lǎopo sān wǔ,
Shàonián shí

Translator: Dong Bo東波

Notes:
1.This lighthearted escapade took place at the 凈慈寺 Jingcisi, Complete Compassion Temple on the shore of 西湖 Xihu where the fastidious master Datong (Shanben) was abbot. This is Su Shi at his mischeivious best.

2. Audio is 'Just One Of Those Things' played by Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France Quintet