The Persian Version by Robert Graves

The Persian Version by Robert Graves
波斯版本
波斯之思？波斯本事？波斯若是？
波斯且釋？波斯見識？波斯破飾？
波斯如是說？

Truth-loving Persians do not dwell upon
波斯人重真相才不惦記
The trivial skirmish fought near Marathon.
馬拉松附近的小小戰役
As for the Greek theatrical tradition
希臘人戲劇性向來好勝
Which represents that summer's expedition
竟稱去夏那場所謂遠征
Not as a mere reconnaisance in force
並非波斯派兵刺探敵情
By three brigades of foot and one of horse
步軍三旅外加馬騎一行
(Their left flank covered by some obsolete
(左翼幾艘破船擔任掩護
Light craft detached from the main Persian fleet)
則是主艦派出輕艇任務)
But as a grandiose, ill-starred attempt
卻說成波斯國大舉進犯
To conquer Greece - they treat it with contempt;
又說它出師就註定完蛋　
And only incidentally refute
波斯人聽了只嗤之以鼻
Major Greek claims, by stressing what repute
並順便駁兩句自家道理
The Persian monarch and the Persian nation
它指出經過這有力展現
Won by this salutary demonstration:
波斯王與國都聲名大顯
Despite a strong defence and adverse weather
儘管守軍強悍天候不利
All arms combined magnificently together.
我軍集結耀武好不神氣

草原民族的歌聲

北朝樂府「敕勒歌」

敕勒川，陰山下。天似穹廬，籠蓋四野。
天蒼蒼，野茫茫，風吹草低見牛羊。

The sky as a domed canopy,
　All around the wild envelops,
On the meadows of Chilechuan,
　At the foot of Yin Mountain Range.

The expanse of blueness above,
　The boundless wilderness across,
Wind blowing by, grass nodding low,
　Herds of cattle and goats emerge.

每句八音節，為將就韻腳，首段兩句前後對調。

from a Khitan Tent

1072年，北宋時期，橫跨人文與科學兩個世界，官至哲宗朝宰相，集多項全能於一身的天文學家、藥物學家、史學家、文學家、政治家、外交家蘇頌出使遼國，寫了五十八首「使遼詩」，其中一首「契丹帳」吟道：

馬牛到處即為家，一卓穹盧數乘車。
千里山川無土著，四時畋獵是生涯。
酪漿羶肉誇稀品，貂錦羊裘擅物華。
種類益繁人自足，天數安逸在幽遐。

試譯為「九音八句」：

　　　　　from a Khitan Tent

Home's where the horses and cattle go,
Under a tent and on a few carts,
Hunting by season the way of life,
Not one towne over a thousand miles.

Delicacies of milk and mutton,
Coats of luxury from furs and hides,
Ease and comfort in the land distant,
Abundance is content to one’s heart’s.