Three Character Classic · Hundred Family Surnames · Thousand Character Classic · Thousand Family Poems · Disciples' Rules

Author: Wang Yinglin et al. (Song Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book collects the essence of ancient Chinese educational texts, including "Three-Character Classic," "Hundred Family Surnames," "One Thousand Characters," "Thousand Poems," and "Disciples' Rules." As times evolve, it has been proven that modern people who adhere to traditional values can become pillars of society. This is also the purpose of compiling this book...
Spring Dawn by Meng Haoran
Spring slumbered unaware of dawn,
Birds chirped everywhere.
Last night’s wind and rain,
How many flowers have fallen?
[Translation]
In spring’s night, one sleeps too soundly,
Unknowingly, the day has broken,
Birds sing melodiously everywhere.
Last night, in a hazy dream,
Wind and rain were heard,
How many flowers have fallen?
[Appreciation]
How lovely to sleep in spring’s night,
Lying in bed, a whole night through.
Had it not been for the birds outside,
The poet would still be unaware of the bright dawn.
Listen, the birds sing so lively,
Chirping and chirping, tapping and trilling,
Various tunes, various pitches,
From near and far, from all directions,
They blend into a beautiful and harmonious melody,
A rich and vibrant morning song.
No need to look, no need to ask,
Just the birds’ clamor hints at a sunny, flower-rich morning.
Suddenly, the poet remembers,
In last night’s dream, the wind and rain were heard,
The whistling wind mixed with the rustling rain,
After all that disturbance,
How many flowers in bloom have been blown down,
Departing too early from their branches?
Alas, hopefully, not too many.
Here, the poet describes two sounds of spring through hearing and recollection:
Morning birdsong and nighttime wind and rain.
The emotions are complex and subtle.
Waking up to a chorus of birds, the poet’s joy is undeniable;
But remembering the nighttime wind and rain, thinking many flowers will wither,
Isn’t that a blemish on the scenery?
Yes, life is never perfect,
The so-called "tenfold spring beauty" is merely an exaggeration,
A wish. Generally speaking, there are both morning birds and wind-blown flowers,
Thus, people both rejoice and cannot help but sigh and grieve.
Yet, spring is still spring. Even if flowers are blown down by the wind,
After the spring rain, it will be a morning of birds singing in joy,
And the flowers on the earth will not be more colorful and vibrant?
Savoring the poetry, we seem to gain new insights into life.
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