「废琴」白居易

丝桐合为琴，中有太古声。古声澹无味，不称今人情。

玉徽光彩灭，朱弦尘土生。废弃来已久，遗音尚泠泠。

不辞为君弹，纵弹人不听。何物使之然，羌笛与秦筝。

THE OLD HARP 

Of cord and cassia-wood is the harp compounded: 

Within it lie ancient melodies. 

Ancient melodies — weak and savourless, 

Not appealing to present men's taste. 

Light and colour are faded from the jade stops : 

Dust has covered the rose-red strings. 

Decay and ruin came to it long ago, 

But the sound that is left is still cold and clear. 

I do not refuse to play it, if you want me to : 

But even if I play, people will not listen. 

How did it come to be neglected so? 

Because of the Ch'iang flute and the Ch'in flageolet.' 

' Barbarous modern instruments.