[updated September 2022]
Xuzhou City’s West Lake
许 州 西 湖
西 湖 小 雨 晴
滟 滟 春 渠 长。
来 从 古 城 角
夜 半 传 新 响。
使 君 欲 春 游
浚 沼 役 千 掌。
纷 纭 具 畚 锸
闹 若 蚁 远 壤。
夭 桃 弄 春 色
生 意 寒 犹 怏。
谁 有 落 残 梅
标 格 若 矜 爽。
游 人 坌 已 集
挈 榼 三 且 两。
醉 客 卧 道 旁
扶 起 尚 偃 仰。
池 台 信 宏 丽
贵 与 民 同 赏。
但 恐 城 市 欢
不 知 田 野 怆。
颖 川 七 不 登
野 气 长 苍 莽。
谁 知 万 里 客
湖 上 独 长 想。
Xu Zhou Xi Hu
Xi hu xiao you qing
Yan yan chun qu chang.
Lai cong gu cheng jiao
Ye ban chuan xin xiang.
Shi jun you chun you
Xun zhao yi qian zhang.
Fen yun ju ben cha
Nao ruo yi yuan rang.
Yao tao nong chun se
Sheng yi han you yang.
Shei you luo can mei
Biao ge ruo jin shuang.
You ren ben yi ji
Qie ke san qie liang.
Zui ke wo dao pang
Fu qi shang yan yang.
Chi tai xin hong li
Gui yu min tong shang.
Dan kong cheng shi huan
Bu zhi tian ye chuang.
Ying chuan qi bu deng
Ye qi chang cang mang.
Shei zhi wan li ke
Hu shang du chang xiang.
Xuzhou City’s West Lake
West Lake, light rain clearing up
Spring very bright and fresh on the long embankment.
Water comes from the outside corner of the old city wall
At midnight still hear the sounds of the levee’s construction.
City mayor wants to host springtime travelers
One thousand work to dredge the natural ponds.
Numerous bamboo scoops in motion
Noisy like ants moving the soil.
Beautiful peach blossoms display spring colors
Yet the worker’s hope for life cold and unhappy.
Most remaining plum blossoms have been damaged or have fallen down
The few at the tree top fresh, and feel sympathy for the others.
Travelers stop and assemble together
Groups of two and three lift their wine jugs.
Drunk visitors lie down along the side of the road
Needing a helping hand to arise, but fall back down and look up.
Around the pond and terrace the scenery is very beautiful
Rich people and poor can all share and enjoy these views.
People living within the city wall are happy
Those in the open country and fields are full of sorrow.
Ying River area has had seven years of hard times
Open country and atmosphere all appear the same.
This visitor from many miles away
Alone above the lake considers this situation for a long time.
Notes:
Xuzhou: Large city in the province of Jiangsu.
Ying River: Largest tributary to the Huai River.