The Course of Nature
时运
The Course of Nature is written when I am on an outing in late spring. In my newly-made spring clothes, I wander alone across the thriving fields, with a mixed feeling of weal and woe.
时运，游暮春也。春服既成，景物斯和，偶景独游，欣慨交心。
Along with nature's changing course,
A fair spring day displays its force.
In spring attire I leave my home
And to the eastern fields I roam.
其一∶
迈迈时运，穆穆良朝。
袭我春服，薄言东郊。
When clouds o'er hilltops disappear,
The dim horizon soon turns clear.
From the south mild breezes blow
And toss the seedlings to and fro.
山涤馀霭，宇暧微霄。
有风自南，翼彼新苗。
Beside the lake as flat as sheet,
I rinse my mouth and wash my feet.
In face of such vast stretch of green.
I'm overjoyed at what I，ve seen.
其二∶
洋洋平潭，乃漱乃濯。
邈邈遐景，载欣载瞩。
As the ancient saying goes,
“A true contentment brings repose.”
At this, I gulp a cup of wine.
My mind at ease in bright sunshine.
人亦有言，称心易足。
挥兹一觞，陶然自乐。
At sight of torrents in front of me,
I think of lucid River Yi.
The boys and girls on their school day
Would sing aloud on homeward way.
其三∶
延目中流，悠想清沂。
童冠齐业，闲咏以归。
I love the quiet and peaceful sight.
Which stays in mind through day and night
The pity is that good old days
Are fading with receding rays.
我爱其挣，寤寐交挥。
但恨殊世，邈不可追。
A simple life from day to day.
Inside this hut I gladly stay.
I watch long rows of bloom and herb.
Amid bamboo and trees superb.
其四∶
斯晨斯夕，言息其庐。
花药分列，林竹翳如。
I play the zither on my knee,
With unstrained wine in front of me.
Gone forever are the days of old;
I'm left alone with woes untold.
清琴横床，浊酒半壶。
黄唐莫逮，慨独在余。