[updated September 2022]
Reply to Minister Yang, While I Stayed Overnight at the Qin Terrace, At Dawn Arose to the Writing Pavilion to Hastily Meet Him and Present this Poem As a Gift
酬 比 部 杨 员 外 暮 宿 琴 台 朝 跻 书 阁 率 尔 见 赠 之 作
旧 简 拂 尘 看
鸣 琴 候 月 弹。
桃 源 迷 汉 姓
松 树 有 秦 官。
空 谷 归 人 少
青 山 背 日 寒。
羡 君 栖 隐 处
遥 望 白 云 端。
Chou Bi Bu Yang Yuan Wai Mu Su Qin Tai Zhao Ji Shu Ge Shuai Er Jian Zeng Zhi Zuo
Jiu jian fu chen kan
Ming qin hou yue tan.
Tao yuan mi han xing
Song shu you qin guan.
Kong gu gui ren shao
Qing shan bei ri han.
Xian jun qi yin chu
Yao wang bai yun duan.
Reply to Minister Yang, While I Stayed Overnight at the Qin Terrace, At Dawn Arose to the Writing Pavilion to Hastily Meet Him and Present this Poem As a Gift
Ancient bamboo texts with a horsetail whisk seen
Wait for the moon to pluck sounds from the qin.
By the Peach Blossom river source, Han surnames lost
And pine trees have been titled by a Qin government official.
Few people return to the empty valley
Cold green mountains with their backs to the sun.
I admire your dwelling with its secluded location
Where a gaze into the distance one can see the source of white clouds.
Notes:
Qin: An ancient Chinese string instrument
Peach Blossom river source: Literary allusion to a famous poem by Tao Yuanming. It is a description and story of what paradise on earth can be like. Poem and biography can also be found on this website.
Qin official: (link) Qin state (221-206 BC) was in western China.
White clouds: Metaphor for a Buddhist-like mind not distorted by the impurities of this world.
Commentary:
Chinese people love to name rocks, trees, physical landmarks to display and express love of nature. These pines so named by the first emperor of the Qin dynasty.