空山新雨后⑵，天气晚来秋。

明月松间照，清泉石上流⑶。

竹喧归浣女⑷，莲动下渔舟。

随意春芳歇⑸，王孙自可留⑹。


The mountain is quiet after the rain,

as hints of autumn catch the evening wind.

 

Brilliantly the moon sparkles between tall pines,

clear streaming springs over rocky beds travelling in kind.

 

Through bamboo thickets laughter as women wash their linens,

lotus leaves shivering as fishing boats lower their lines.

 

Let spring flowers fall to rest as they will,

just as I hope to remain here thus in tranquil recline.  

Translated by Chris Pereira

Forever confined in cloistered official quarters, 
I decide to strike out into the country morning freshness.

Poplar and willow trees stroll soft breezes,
while verdant mountains dilute my cares of excess.

I cheerily recline on the greenery in rest,
then follow a ravine and track it back all quite aimless.

The sweet-scented wilderness is enveloped by misty rain,
spring turtledoves cooing from hidden clefts.

I enjoy this peace yet time and again I have pulled myself back,
entangled as I am in worldly obligations and working prowess.

One day I will finally leave all that behind and build a simple home here,
for all I really need is to follow Tao Qian in his simple bliss.

东郊 韦应物
吏舍跼终年，出郊旷清曙。

杨柳散和风，青山澹吾虑。
依丛适自憩，缘涧还复去。
微雨霭芳原，春鸠鸣何处。
乐幽心屡止，遵事迹犹遽。
终罢斯结庐，慕陶直可庶。

Translated by: Chris Pereira

花间一壶酒，独酌无相亲。
举杯邀明月，对影成三人。
月既不解饮，影徒随我身。
暂伴月将影，行乐须及春。
我歌月徘徊，我舞影零乱。
醒时相交欢，醉后各分散。
永结无情游，相期邈云汉。

 

Amidst thick flowers sits a flask of fine liquor,
yet alone I pour my drink.

I raise my cup in invitation to the luminous moon,
then my shadow makes us three.

Alas the moon knows not of drink,
and my shadow follows blindly my every move.

Moon and shadow I briefly join,
making merry in spring night hours.

I make music as the moon meanders on,
and dance as my shadow flutters round.

When sober we make merry as if one,
but head our separate ways as drink takes ground.

I yearn for that everlasting camaraderie,
to meet once more amidst the starry realm.

Translated by Chris Pereira

斜光照墟落，窮巷牛羊歸。
野老念牧童，倚杖候荊扉。
雉雊麥苗秀，蠶眠桑葉稀。
田夫荷鋤至，相見語依依。
即此羨閑逸，悵然吟《式微》。

A slanting setting sun glows through the village,
while returning cows and sheep fill the lanes.

A grizzled old man worries for the shepherd boy,
leaning on a cane as he waits by his gated way.

The wheat seedlings bloom among clucking pheasants,
and silkworms rest among thinned mulberry trees.

Fieldworkers return home with hoes in hand,
striking conversation as they meet cheerily.

I envy this carefree life to no end,
and cannot but recite  “Shiwei” in my melancholy.