Inscription
1 colophon and 4 seals of Song Luo 宋犖 (1634-1713):
Who is the foremost art connoisseur of our dynasty?/
Tangcun [Liang Qingbiao, 1620-1691] is dead, so the title passes to Jiangcun [Gao Shiqi]./
Leaving office, you retired for five years in the Lake region./
Fondling handscrolls and hanging scrolls from morning to evening./
You sent me your collection catalogue Xiao Xia Lu last year;/
It is indeed the true equal of [Zhou Mi's] Yun Yan Guo Yan./
This year you returned to the capital by imperial order;/
Your boat with calligraphy and paintings anchored at the river bank in Suzhou./
When we met each other you did not waste any time for conversation by poured out immediately/
From your "coral net" extraordinary treasures./
You produced incomparable scrolls, with gold-inscribed labels and jade rollers,/
Pouring out from bags and trunks, they were spread in disarray./
Without a word, I rolled and unrolled until my fingers were numbed,/
We sat straight, facing each other quietly, and never felt tired./
For three days we forgot about sleeping and food./
And at times we shouted our joy out loud, forgetting who is host or guest./
Your Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains and the Yuansheng manuscript/
These peerless works I myself examined with delight./
As an added pleasure to the farewell dinner under the Maple Bridge,/
You allowed me to hold again this handscroll by Dong Qichang--/
The Misty River and Piled Peaks [by Zhao Mengfu] and this Clear Autumn Day are two extraordinary masterpieces./
In showing such life and spirit with "qi yun." the artists were truly "men of heaven."/
The Clear Autumn Day is not even three feet long,/
Painted on tributary Korean paper, it shines like silver./
Every building up and every turn of the mountains imitates nature,/
Every tree and every rock is removed from the commonplace./
From the beginning, the theory of poetry is the theory of painting,/
Like the lotus and the morning sunshine, they complement and refresh each other./
The artist's inscription regrets that "the Old Masters cannot see my scroll."/
Huang Gongwang would have agreed in his grave./
The vermilion of the seals glitter and dazzles the eyes,/
These added accessories are as valuable as jade./
You are very kind to give it to me,/
The feelings expressed in your inscription are so sincere./
Wanting to refuse, but unable, I accept it to respect your wish,/
And taking off my gown and cap I wrapped it with care./
You asked me to write a long poem in commemoration of this beautiful occasion,/
I am too ashamed that my effort in response is so poor and inadequate./
Returning home, I unrolled it under candlelight, trying to write the colophon,/
The light of the waning moon shines at the foot of the mossy wall./
Earnestly humming and brows knit in deep thought, I try to compose;/
The verses are not outstanding, but the facts are real./
With this poem recorded at the end of the scroll, I mail it to you for approval,/
This poem and this painting shall outlast a thousand springs.
(Translation by LYSL/HK/WKH)
