[updated October 2022]
Prefecture Building, Rain Outside, Banquet for Various Artists and Intellectuals
郡 斋 雨 中 与 诸 文 士 宴 集
兵 卫 森 画 戟
燕 寝 凝 清 香。
海 上 风 雨 至
逍 遥 池 阁 凉。
煩 疴 近 消 散
嘉 宾 复 满 堂。
自 惭 居 外 祟
未 睹 斯 民 康。
理 会 是 非 遣
性 达 形 迹 忘。
鲜 肥 属 时 禁
蔬 果 幸 见 尝。
俯 饮 一 杯 酒
仰 聆 金 玉 章。
神 欢 体 自 轻
意 欲 凌 风 翔。
吴 中 盛 文 史
群 彦 今 汪 洋。
方 知 大 藩 地
岂 曰 财 赋 疆。
Jun Zhai Yu Zhong Yu Zhu Wen Shi Yan Ji
Bing wei sen hua jian
Yan qin ning qing xiang.
Hai shang feng yu zhi
Xiao yao chi ge liang.
Fan ke jin xiao san
Jia bin fu man tang.
Zi can ju wai sui
Wei du si min kang.
Li hui shi fei qian
Xing da xing ji wang.
Xian fei shu shi jin
Shu guo xing jian chang.
Fu yin yi bei jiu
Yang ling jin yu zhang.
Shen huan ti zi qing
Yi yu ling feng xiang.
Wu zhong cheng wen shi
Qun yan jin wang yang.
Fang zhi da fan di
Qi yue cai fu jiang.
Prefecture Building, Rain Outside, Banquet for Various Artists and Intellectuals
Many guards holding painted and decorated spears
Fancy rooms gain attention with pure fragrances.
Rain and winds from the ocean
Carefree and cool around the ponds and pavilions.
Fatigue and illnesses have scattered and disappeared
Honored guests again fill the main room.
Shamed of myself for living in such luxury
And for not seeing if the people are healthy.
Not a time for me to care about much
We all forget social etiquette, naturally express our temperaments.
At this time the government forbids the eating of newly killed animals
But have the good fortune to have a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Bow and then drink one cup of wine
Look up and listen to gold and jade poems.
Happy souls feel their bodies are light and easy
Wish and hope to ascend in spirals on the thermals.
Wu cultural history filled with these types of activities
Here we have groups of people who are broad-minded, virtuous and able.
I know this city of Suzhou is a large one
Isn’t it said that these citizens not only are wealthy, but can also write poetry.
Notes:
Suzhou: Located in Jiangsu Province. Founded in 514 BC, it has been a major commercial and cultural center for centuries.