Passing Mount Hua
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
天外三峰削不成。
武帝祠前云欲散，
仙人掌上雨初晴。
河山北枕秦关险，
驿路西连汉畤平。
借问路旁名利客，
何如此处学长生。
English translation
Towering high, Mount Hua looks down on the capital of Xian, beyond the sky three peaks no chisel could have shaped.
Before the shrine of Emperor Wu the clouds begin to scatter, upon the Immortal's Palm the rain has just cleared.
Northward, river and mountain rest against the steep Qin pass, westward the post road joins the level Han altars.
Let me ask the wayfarers who chase after fame and gain: why not stay here and learn the way of long life?
Meaning
From the lofty Mount Hua I look down upon the capital Chang'an; its three peaks thrust beyond the heavens, not carved by human hand.
Before the shrine of Emperor Wu the dark clouds are about to disperse; the rain has passed and the sky is clear, and the Immortal's Palm Peak is fresh green.
On the north it rests on river and mountain at the Qin Pass, in how perilous a position; the post road runs west past Chang'an to join the altars of Han.
I would ask those along the roadside who chase fame and profit: why not come here to visit the immortals, learn the Way, and seek long life?
Background
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Cui Hao twice entered the capital during the Tianbao era (reign title of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, 742–756). On this journey through Huayin the poet was in truth no different from the other travelers on the road, going no less in quest of fame and profit; yet at the sight of the looming image of the Western Peak and its soaring traces of immortals, he could not help having his nature stirred, and lamented why he should toil along the rough road of an official career.