Peach-Blossom Springs (With an Essay)
桃花源诗并记
In the years of Taiyuan (376-396) during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu in the Jin Dynasty，there lived in Wuling a man who made his living as a fisherman. Sailing up a stream one day, he forgot how far he had travelled when all at once he saw a grove of peach blossoms stretching hundreds of paces on both banks of the stream. There were no other kinds of trees but verdant grass in full splendour and angry flowers in profusion. Enticed by the sight, the fisherman sailed on to have a complete view of the grove.
晋太元中，武陵人捕鱼为业。缘溪行，忘路之远近。忽逢桃 花林，夹串数百步，中无杂树，芳草鲜美，落英缤纷。渔人甚异 之：复前行，欲穷其林。
The grove stretched as far as the source of the stream, where the fisherman found a hill with an opening that seemed to be lit within. He left his boat and entered the opening. At first the opening was very narrow, barely allowing him to pass，but as he went on some dozens of paces, a wide view suddenly opened before him. There was an expansive plain scattered with orderly houses, lush fields, beautiful ponds and clumps of mulberry and bamboo trees. Footpaths crisscrossed the fields, where the crowing of cocks and the barking of dogs were heard within distance. The men and women working in the fields were attired in the same manner as the people living outside; both old and young enjoyed a happy life.
林尽水源，便潯一山。山有小口，仿佛若有光，便舍船从口 入：初极侠，才通人。复行数十步，豁然开朗。土地平旷，屋舍 俨然，有良田美池桑竹之厲；阡陌交通，鸡犬相闻。其中往来种 怍，男女衣著，悉如外人；黄发垂髫，并怡然自乐。
They were amazed to see the fisherman and asked him where he had come from. When he had answered all the questions, they invited him to their homes, feasting him on wine and chicken. At the news of a stranger coming to their village, all the villagers came to make inquiries. On their part, they told him how their ancestors had arrived at this remote comer of the world together with their wives, children and fellow villagers in order to escape from the tyrannous rule of the Qin Dynasty, and how they had settled down here, cutting themselves off from the rest of the world. When the fisherman asked them what dynasty they were living in, they were ignorant of the Han Dynasty, let alone the Wei and Jin dynasties. When the fisherman told them all he knew, they all sighed, deeply moved by his story. The other villagers invited him to their homes by turns, feasting him on wine and meat. He stayed in the village for several days before he took leave. At his departure，the villagers said to him, “Don’t say anything about this place to the outsiders.”
见渔人，乃大惊，问所从来，具答之。便要还家，设酒，杀 鸡阼食：村中闻有此人，咸来问讯。自云先世避秦时乱，率妻 子邑人来此绝境，不复出焉，遂与外人间隔。问今是何世，乃不知有汉，无论魏晋。此人一一为具言所闻，皆叹惋。馀人各复
延至其家，皆出酒食。停数日，辞去。此中人语云：“不足为外 人道也。”
After he left the place, he found his boat and made markings along the route he made his return trip. As soon as he reached the prefecture, he reported his experience to the magistrate, who immediately sent men to go with him and retrace the markings. However, the fisherman got lost and could not find his way again.
既出，得其船，便扶向路，处处志之。及郡下，诣太守说如 此。太守即遣人随其往，寻向所志，遂迷不复得路。
Liu Ziji，a worthy scholar in Nanyang, heard of the story and was keen on visiting the place，but he died of illness before he could set out. No one has ever cared to make further inquiries since then.
南阳刘子骥，高尚士也。闻之，欣然规往，未果，寻病终。 后遂无问津者。
When the King of Qin transgressed the heavenly law，
The sages left their homes and went ashore.
When hermits Huang and Qi went to Mount Shang,
First settlers in the Springs came in a gang.
嬴氏乱天纪，贤者避其世。
黄绮之商山，伊人亦云逝。
The early footprints are covered now with weeds;
The trodden bypaths are buried now by reeds.
In the fields, each person does his very best;
At sunset they go home and take a rest.
往迹浸复湮，来径遂芜废。
相命肆农耕，日入从所憩。
Bamboos and mulberries grow in such mild clime
While beans and crops are planted in their time.
They raise silkworms and plough the fields in spring;
When they reap crops, they need not pay the king.
桑竹垂馀荫，菽稷随时艺；
春蚕收长丝，秋熟靡王税。
On bushy roads, no men are seen to go,
But dogs are heard to bark and cocks to crow.
They make sacrifices in ancient ways
And wear the clothes they did in ancient days.
荒路暧交通，鸡犬互鸣吠。
俎豆独古法，衣裳无新制。
The children sing their songs with ringing voice;
The grey-hair have pastime of their own choice.
When grass grows lush, they know that spring’s alive
When trees wither, they see autumn arrive.
童孺纵行歌，班白欢游诣。
草荣识节和，木衰知风厉。
Although they do not have an almanac,
The change of seasons helps them mark the track.
Their lives so full of joy and bodies fit,
They have no need to live by their wit.
虽无纪历志，四时自成岁。
怡然有馀乐，于何荣智慧！
This wonder, hidden for five hundred years,
Is opened to the world as unspoiled spheres.
Their simple way of life is worlds apart,
Only known to people at the start.
奇踪隐五百，一朝敞神界。
淳薄既异源，旋复还幽蔽。
How can a person from the madding crowd
Expect to know Utopia ‘neath a shroud!
Oh that I soar to the sky on gentle breeze
And find the men of my ideal like these!
借问游方士，焉测尘嚣外。
愿言蹑清风，高举寻吾契