I roamed the Immortal's City, gazed upon the Lone Peak,
Though tracks remain, no carriage can pass through.
At Tripod Lake I gaze afar, filled with longing and regret,
Regretting I lack wings to ride the celestial winds.
Now coming to Lecheng, I look upon White Stone,
A jade steamer towering, rubbing against the azure vault.
They say a true man, descendant of Lao Dan,
Hewed open this cave-dwelling, leaving immortal traces.
No one ascends with me the ladder of blue clouds,
My sole companion in climbing is this withered bamboo staff.
Winding roughly for thirty miles,
I tread across myriad layered heights, rugged and steep.
From broken cliffs, the chill drip of lingering rain falls,
Two stones stand austere, a lone pine poised between.
Then from the mountain's crest I descend to the valley's mouth,
Stone railings twist and turn, shielding emerald palms.
I rather suspect the mountain's height congeals the air to chill,
Since ancient times accumulated snow has yet to melt.
Whose jade axe wrought with such marvelous skill?
Twin portals of the immortal cave startle with divine craft.
The cave so deep, daylight remains dim and secluded,
Yet another stone aperture opens heaven's ear.
They say the peak's crest holds a clear pool,
From mossy crevices, a dripping sound, winter's chime.
Summoning strength, I climb further to the empty pavilion,
Mountains and sea stand交错 in misty vastness.
Beneath my feet, a thousand hills like crouching dragons,
Waving my hand as if plucking strings, I gaze down on distant geese.
Frosty woods shed leaves in deep winter's reign,
A long cry, and all phenomena appear empty to my sight.
I shed my robe, lodge in the morning-passing hut,
Even soul and dream descend into an ice-jar's heart.
At dawn I watch the sun rise from the eastern sea,
Like a million wax torches setting the sky aflame.
My eyes hold high, not deigning to count Mount Yandang's might,
Walking the fields, I smile down on Duke Kang Le.
Unable to abstain from grain and follow the immortal sage,
Yet still I cherish thoughts to dwell in jade halls.
The Three Isles feel not so far from mortal men,
Anqi and Xianmen—I should join their company.
To harness phoenixes, ride cranes—too much ado,
I only wish to ride the ether, roam the boundless.