Wen Fu 4: “Ekstasis” [文赋四] by Lu Ji [陆机]

It's all the amusing matters
That sages admire without bounds.
Writers find their way through the void --
Knock on silence to find its sound.
Silk scroll messages from afar,
The bard's words surge forth from the heart.
Words and ash grow to overflow --
Thoughts transcend depths to become art.
Flowery fragrance pungently sprawls;
Plants shoot forth verdant greenery.
The brush winds swirl to whirlwinds
Clouds climb above the academy.

Note: I previously posted other translators’ (Barnstone and Chou) version of this poem as The Joy of Words @ https://berniegourley.com/2024/12/31/the-joy-of-words-by-lu-ji-w-audio/

Original poem in Simplified Chinese:

伊兹事之可乐,固圣贤之所钦。
课虚无以责有,叩寂寞而求音。
函绵邈于尺素,吐滂沛乎寸心。
言恢之而弥广,思按之而逾深。
播芳蕤之馥馥,发青条之森森。
粲风飞而猋竖,郁云起乎翰林。

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