Wang Wei: Shangping Fields

 

Shangping Fields

上 平 田
朝 耕 上 平 田
暮 耕 上 平 田。
借 问 问 津 者
宁 知 沮 溺 贤?
Shang Ping Tian

Zhao geng shang ping tian
Mu geng shang ping tian.
Jie wen wen jin zhe
Ning zhi ju ni xian ?

 

Shangping Fields

At dawn’s light, cultivate Shangping fields
At sunset, cultivate Shangping fields.
May I ask you, are you not aware of
The serene and virtuous misters Ju and Jie?

 

Notes:

Ju and Jie: These two refused official posts and chose farming instead. When Confucius and his disciples passed their way, they were found to be no ordinary peasants.