“燕子衔泥两度新”——《全唐诗咏燕十六首辑译》

燕子是刻在国人骨血里的温柔意象，寻常百姓皆愿檐下留空，盼春燕衔泥筑巢，年年等候旧燕归梁。双燕翻飞、旧巢重寻，藏着阖家安稳、故人重逢的美好期许。唐人惜这份生灵温情，张九龄、杜甫、白居易、李益等十余位诗人皆落笔咏燕，借燕写身世、抒胸襟、寄相思，十六首诗作各有风骨。今辑录全唐原作，以信达雅押韵英译重塑诗意，留存燕语千载诗情。

以下是《全唐诗》中专门咏燕或题名含"燕"（燕子、咏燕、归燕、新燕等）的完整诗作，共16首，据《全唐诗》原文辑录，一字不差：

1.咏燕

（唐）张九龄

海燕何微眇，乘春亦暂来。

岂知泥滓贱，祗见玉堂开。

绣户时双入，华轩日几回。

无心与物竞，鹰隼莫相猜。

赏析：借燕自喻，虽出身微贱但志向高洁，不与世争，劝诫鹰隼莫猜忌，暗含仕途坦荡之心。

Ode to Swallows

By Zhang Jiuling (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Small sea swallows, frail and slight,

Ride vernal winds to take shortflight.

Men scorn their mud-stained humblebirth,

Yet noble halls unbar their worth.

Through carved doors pairs oft flitand stray,

Round grand pavilions all the day.

No strife with all creation’s breed,

Let hawks no jealous suspicion feed.

Appreciation:The poet compares himself to swallows. Though humble in origin, he holds nobleaspirations, shunning worldly strife, and warns jealous rivals againstsuspicion, implying a peaceful official career.

2.咏燕

（唐）张鷟

化石身犹重，衔泥力尚微。

从来赴甲第，两起一双飞。

赏析：赞燕虽体轻力微，却能衔泥筑巢，年年奔赴豪门，双飞双宿，象征忠贞不渝的情谊。

Ode to Swallows

By Zhang Zhuo (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Though stone-transformed, their framesbear weight,

Bearing mud slow, their strengthabate.

They seek rich mansions year on year,

In twain they rise, in twain theysteer.

Appreciation:It praises swallows that build nests with feeble strength. They visit grandmansions year after year and fly in pairs, a symbol of loyal love.

3.燕

（唐）李峤

天女伺辰至，玄衣澹碧空。

差池沐时雨，颉颃舞春风。

相贺雕阑侧，双飞翠幕中。

勿惊留爪去，犹冀误吴宫。

赏析：将燕比作天女，描绘其雨中飞舞、风中嬉戏的灵动姿态，尾联巧用吴宫燕子留爪典故，希望燕爪留痕，增添历史韵味。

The Swallows

By Li Jiao (Tang Dynasty)
Translated by Wang Yongli
Fair nymphs of heaven come at destined hour,
In raven robes they grace pale azure bower.
As soft spring showers bathe their uneven wings,
They soar and dip to dance where warm wind sings.
By carved rail sides they chirp sweet mutual cheer,
Beneath green silk drapes they fly paired, near.
Start not, though you leave faint claw prints behind;
I hope your trace once graced old Wu’s palace kind.
Appreciation: This poem likens swallows to celestial maidens, depicting their lithe grace bathing in timely rain and frolicking amid spring breezes. The final couplet draws on an ancient allusion of swallow claw marks left in the Wu Palace. The poet yearns for lingering traces of the birds, endowing the lyrical work with profound historical charm.

4. 赋得檐燕

（唐）皇甫冉

拂水竞何忙，傍檐如有意。

翻风去每远，带雨归偏驶。

令君裁杏梁，更欲年年去。

赏析：刻画燕子掠水穿风的忙碌身影，诗人愿为它们裁杏梁筑巢，期盼年年归来，充满人情温暖。

Verses on Eaves Swallows

By Huangfu Ran (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Skimming o’er waves they haste and dart,

By eaves they linger, full of heart.

Against the wind they far away roam,

Through rain they swiftly hasten home.

I’ll carve beamrafters for your nest,

That you may come each springtimeblest.

Appreciation:It depicts busy swallows skimming water and wind. The poet wishes to buildbeams for their nests, longing for their annual return with tender warmth.

5.归燕

（唐）杜甫

不独避霜雪，其如俦侣稀。

四时无失序，八月自知归。

春色岂相访，众雏还识机。

故巢傥未毁，会傍主人飞。

赏析：借燕归巢感叹自身漂泊，叮嘱燕子若旧巢未毁便伴主而飞，寄托了对故园的深切眷恋。

Homecoming Swallows

By Du Fu (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Not frost and snow alone you flee,

Your kin and mates grow thin to see.

You keep the seasons’ ordered way,

Know well to turn when August’s day.

Will spring revisit you once more?

Your young discern the time’s soft lore.

If your old nest still standsunbroken,

By my abode your flight shall token.

Appreciation: Thepoet sighs over his wandering life through homecoming swallows. He bids thebirds stay by his house if their old nest survives, conveying deep longing forhometown.

6.双燕

（唐）杜甫

旅食惊双燕，衔泥入此堂。

应同避燥湿，且复过炎凉。

养子风尘际，来时道路长。

今秋天地在，吾亦离殊方。

赏析：以双燕衔泥入堂与自己避乱他乡对比，同历炎凉，共感飘零，流露出天涯沦落的共鸣。

A Pair of Swallows

By Du Fu (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Wandering, I marvel at your pair,

You carry mud my hall to share.

We both escape cold, damp and heat,

Braving the seasons’ change complete.

You rear your young ‘mid mortal strife,

Your journey stretches long throughlife.

This autumn heaven, earth abide;

I too shall leave this distant side.

Appreciation:The paired swallows entering the hall mirror the poet’s exile. Both endurehardships and wandering, resonating with the sorrow of displaced souls.

7.燕子来舟中作

（唐）杜甫

湖南为客动经春，燕子衔泥两度新。

旧入故园尝识主，如今社日远看人。

可怜处处巢居室，何异飘飘托此身。

暂语船樯还起去，穿花贴水益沾巾。

赏析：最动人的一首。燕子衔泥两度新，诗人却久客湖南，人燕相对，泪湿衣巾，写尽羁旅孤寂。

Swallows Visit My Boat

By Du Fu (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

South Hunan’s guest I’ve stayed through spring,

Twice new mud nests the swallowsbring.

Once in my old home you knew me well,

Now on festival days you gaze anddwell.

Each house you build your wanderingbower,

Like me adrift, no fixed home’s dower.

You chat by masts then take yourflight,

Through blooms and waves my tearsignite.

Appreciation:The most touching poem. Swallows rebuild nests twice while the poet lingers farfrom home in Hunan. Their meeting fills him with lonely wanderlust and tears.

8.村舍燕

（唐）杜牧

汉宫一百四十五，多下珠帘闭琐窗。

何处营巢夏将半，茅檐烟里语双双。

赏析：汉宫华丽却紧闭，燕子偏在茅檐下双双私语，讽刺富贵不如田园之乐，平淡中见真趣。

Swallows at a Rural Cottage

By Du Mu (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Palace halls one hundred andforty-five,

Pearl curtains drawn, locked windowsthrive.

Where shall you build your nestmid-summer’s glow?

By thatched eaves you chatter pair onpair slow.

Appreciation:Luxurious palaces lie empty, yet swallows chat in pairs under thatched eaves.It satirizes vain wealth and celebrates simple rural joy.

9.归燕

（唐）杜牧

画堂歌舞喧喧地，社去社来人不看。

长是江楼使君伴，黄昏犹待倚栏干。

赏析：燕子去来无人关注，唯有诗人倚栏等待，借燕写己，抒发官场冷遇中的孤独与坚守。

Homecoming Swallows

By Du Mu (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Painted halls once filled with songand cheer,

You come and go, yet none draw near.

You stay beside my river tower,

At dusk I lean rail, wait hour onhour.

Appreciation:No one notices the swallows’ comings and goings, only the poet waits by therailing. He uses swallows to express loneliness amid neglected official life.

10. 新燕

（唐）成彦雄

才离海岛宿江滨，应梦笙歌作近邻。

减省雕梁并头语，画堂中有未归人。

赏析：新燕初来，梦中犹闻笙歌，却在画堂中看到未归之人，以燕衬人，含蓄表达思念之情。

New Spring Swallows

By Cheng Yanxiong (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

You leave sea isles to lodge by rivershore,

Dreaming of music near your door.

Speak softer by carved beams apart,

One soul in painted hall waits, tornapart.

Appreciation:Newly arrived swallows dream of music, yet witness a lonely man in the hall.The birds set off hidden longing for an absent loved one.

11. 春来燕

（唐）杜荀鹤

我屋汝嫌低不住，雕梁画阁也知宽。

大须稳择安巢处，莫道巢成却不安。

赏析：劝燕子谨慎择巢，莫贪雕梁而致巢倾，实为讽喻世人勿慕虚荣，应求安稳之道。

Swallows Come with Spring

By Du Xunhe (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

My cottage low you spurn to dwell,

You know carved towers wide and well.

Choose safe ground where your nest mayrest,

Lest built nests crumble, bringunrest.

Appreciation:The poet urges swallows to pick safe nesting spots rather than fancy beams. Itsatirizes vanity and advocates a secure, modest life.

12. 燕来

（唐）韦庄

去岁辞巢别近邻，今来空讶草堂新。

花开对语应相问，不是村中旧主人。

赏析：燕子归来惊讶草堂新貌，却不见旧主人，物是人非之感油然而生，沧桑尽在不言中。

Swallows Return

By Wei Zhuang (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Last spring you left your nest, oldneighbors behind,

Now back, amazed my cottage’s new design.

Blooms bloom; you chat and questionmild,

This house’s lord is not the old child.

Appreciation:Swallows return to a renovated cottage, yet their old master is gone. The poemsilently conveys sorrow over changed times and lost acquaintances.

13. 燕子

（唐）秦韬玉

不知大厦许栖无，频已衔泥到座隅。

曾与佳人并头语，几回抛却绣工夫。

赏析：燕子频频衔泥至华堂，曾与佳人并头细语，惹得她放下绣工，画面温馨，充满生活情趣。

The Swallows

By Qin Taoyu (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Will grand mansions grant you place torest?

You bear mud oft to hall’s soft crest.

Once you chattered close to maidensfair,

Made them lay down their embroiderycare.

Appreciation:Swallows build nests in elegant halls and chat closely with maidens,distracting them from embroidery, creating a warm lively domestic scene.

14. 秋燕

（唐）司空图

从扑香尘拂面飞，怜渠只为解相依。

经冬好近深炉暖，何必千岩万水归。

赏析：劝秋燕不必万里南归，近火取暖即可，实则表达隐逸思想，安于现状，随遇而安。

Autumn Swallows

By Sikong Tu (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

You brush fine dust, soft wings sweepo’er my face,

I pity you, who cling in warm embrace.

By warm hearths stay through winter’s cold,

Why cross ten thousand peaks, riversuntold?

Appreciation:The poet tells autumn swallows not to travel far south but stay warm indoors,reflecting his reclusive mindset of accepting one’s lot.

15. 晚燕

（唐）白居易

百鸟乳雏毕，秋燕独蹉跎。

去社日已近，衔泥意如何。

不悟时节晚，徒施工用多。

人间事亦尔，不独燕营巢。

赏析：燕子不知时节已晚，仍徒劳衔泥，诗人借此感叹人事亦如此，徒费心力而不自知。

Late Autumn Swallows

By Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

All birds have reared their fledglingsall,

Autumn swallows linger, slow to fall.

The feast’s departure day draws near,

Why heap mud still, your task unclear?

You fail to see the season’s late hour,

Your fruitless toil brings nought butdour.

Mortal lives bear such tales as well,

Not swallows alone build nests anddwell.

Appreciation:Swallows keep building nests unaware autumn is late. The poet laments thathumans often waste effort on futile things unknowingly.

16. 隋宫燕

（唐）李益

燕语如伤旧国春，宫花一落已成尘。

自从一闭风光后，几度飞来不见人。

赏析：燕子依旧飞来，隋宫却已荒芜无人，以燕语哀悼故国春光，抒发盛衰无常的历史感慨。

Swallows of the Sui Palace

By Li Yi (Tang Dynasty)

Translated by Wang Yongli

Their chirps lament the old realm’s vanished spring,

Palace blooms fade, reduced to dusteach thing.

Since all royal glory shut behindbarred gate,

Oft you return, yet no mortal soulawait.

Appreciation:Swallows still visit the deserted Sui Palace. Theirchirps mourn the vanished glory of the old kingdom, expressing grief overfleeting dynastic prosperity.

英译说明：

人名标题统一规范：唐诗标题采用表意式英文诗题，贴合咏物诗体裁；唐代诗人姓名采用通用现代汉语拼音，标注 Tang Dynasty 清晰区分时代，便于海外读者查阅。

信达雅准则：原文语义完整还原，基本不增删诗意；英文采用传统英诗抑扬格，每首统一尾韵，贴合唐诗对仗、咏物抒情气质；

意象本土化转化：玉堂、雕梁、社日、孀妇等古典意象选用西方读者易懂对应意象，保留东方内核；

体裁适配：五言唐诗统一译为四行 / 八行抒情短诗，节奏贴合原诗长短；

用词打磨：用词古雅隽永，规避现代口语，兼顾诵读韵律与文学收藏价值；

情感统一：全诗紧扣燕子归巢、羁旅、相思、自喻四大核心情志，译笔前后风格统一。

因水平有限，译作仍存在不足，敬请方家不吝赐教。笔者愿尽绵薄之力，为中华文化出海减少“文化折扣”做出些许贡献。

十六首唐燕诗，一纸人间温情。燕子承载古人乡思、身世慨叹与家国兴衰之叹，千年流转依旧动人。此番双语对照英译，以韵文复刻唐人笔意，完整译出诗题与作者，摒弃违和暴戾意象，选用温婉怀古之篇，让东方檐下飞燕之美跨越语言。小小飞燕，藏家国烟火、岁月悲欢，愿这份跨越千年的燕语诗情，长存笔墨，百世流芳海内外。（王永利）