Dēnɡ yōu zhōu tái ɡē

登幽州台歌

Chén Zǐ ánɡ （ Tánɡ ）

陈子昂（唐）

Qián bú jiàn gǔrén,
前不见古人，
Hòu bú jiàn láizhě.
后不见来者。
Niàn tiāndì zhī yōuyōu,
念天地之悠悠，
Dú chuàngrán ér tì xià!
独怆然而涕下!

Evaluation

“幽州台”也叫“蓟北楼”，遗址在今北京市西南，为战国时期燕国的燕昭王所建，修幽州台的目的是为了招纳贤才。诗中的“古人”和“来者” 都是指那些能够礼贤下士的贤明君主。“怆然”意思是悲伤的样子，“涕”是眼泪。
"幽州台(Yōuzhōutái)"(Youzhou gate-tower) is also called "蓟北楼(Jìběilóu)"(Jibei tower), which is located in the southwest of Beijing. It was built by the King of Zhao in the Yan State during the Warring States Period for the purpose of recruiting talents. “古人(gǔrén)”(the forefathers) and “来者(láizhě)”(the coming generation) all represent the wise emperors who could condescend to the talents. “怆然(chuàngrán)” means being sad and “涕(tì)” refers to tears.

古代的英王，我已遇不到，后世的贤君，也无缘相见。想到天地之长久，宇宙之茫茫，我却感到孤单寂寞，不禁悲从心起，潸然泪下。
I’ve got no chance to meet the ancient wise kings, and fate has decided that I also won’t be able to see the ones to come. The world remains so vast and everlasting, but I, alone in despair, can only shed sorrowful tears on this tower.

诗人用这首诗感慨自己生不逢时，表达了自己胸怀大志、满腹才华，但是又遇不到贤明的君主、报国无门的感慨和寂寞的心情。
In this poem the poet laments that though ambitious and talented as he was, he was unfortunately born in the wrong time since no wise king could appreciate him and provided him opportunity to serve the country.

Explanation

礼贤下士：（lǐxiánxiàshì） be courteous to the wise and condescending to scholars
生不逢时：（shēngbùféngshí）born at a wrong time
宇宙：（yǔzhòu）n. universe
胸怀大志：（xiōnghuáidàzhì） ambitious
满腹才华：（mǎnfùcáihuá） talented
报国无门：（bàoguówúmén）have no opportunity for serving the motherland

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