Snow on New Year’s Day
除夜大雪
I was detained by a heavy snow at Weizhou on New Year's Eve, but on the morning of the first day it cleared and I resumed my journey. Along the way, it started to snow again.
留潍州，元日早晴，遂行，中途雪复作
Detained by snow on New Year's Eve,
On fine New Year’s Day I take leave.
The east wind sobers me, though drunk deep,
My lean horse jerks me out of sleep.
除夜雪相留，
元日晴相送。
东风吹宿酒，
瘦马兀残梦。
Faintly and softly the day breaks,
From branches whirl down last snowflakes
I dismount afield to take wine,
But none partake my drink divine.
葱昽晓光开，
旋转馀花弄。
下马成野酌，
佳哉谁与共！
Suddenly dark clouds gather quick,
And heavy snow falls fast and thick.
Like goose feathers it hangs down my horse’s mane.
Am I on a phoenix without stain?
须臾晚云合，
乱洒无缺空。
鹅毛垂马騣，
自怪骑白凤。
For three years the east saw drought rage
And the poor desert their village,
A peasant lays aside his plow and sighs,
His starving guts ache with tears from his eyes.
三年东方旱，
逃户连欹栋；
老农释耒叹，
泪入饥肠痛。
Although spring snow comes rather late，
Wheat can be sown at any rate.
Of hard journey can I complain?
-----I write this to allay your pain.
春雪虽云晚，
春麦犹可种。
敢怨行役劳，
助尔歌饭瓮。