[updated September 2022]
Zheng Visiting From Guozhou
郑 果 州 相 过
丽 日 照 残 春
初 晴 草 木 新。
床 前 磨 镜 客
林 里 灌 园 人。
五 马 惊 穷 巷
双 童 逐 老 身。
中 厨 办 粗 饭
当 恕 阮 家 贫。
Zheng Guo Zhou Xiang Guo
Li ri zhao can chun
Chu qing cao mu xin.
Chuang qian mo jing ke
Lin li guan yuan ren.
Wu ma jing qiong xiang
Shuang tong zhu lao shen.
Zhong chu ban cu fan
Dang shu ruan jian pin.
Zheng Visiting From Guozhou
Bright sun shines during the late days of spring
At the beginning of the time for clear skies, fresh grass and trees.
Not needing a bed, you are a polishing mirror visitor
Inside the forest, working in an irrigated garden.
Five horse team startled at the end of a narrow street
Two houseboys wait upon the old man.
In my kitchen, I can make only simple meals
Please pardon my impoverished house, still the friendship between gentlemen is as pure as crystal.
Notes:
Not needing a bed: Like an immortal
Polishing mirror visitor: A heavenly god descended from Heaven, using a special mirror. He was given the ability to diagnose and treat the sick. This was done to pay back a previous kindness. He does this work without recognition, kind of like a bodhisattva .
Irrigated garden: An interior space that requires special and personal attention. A place where one has cleaned off the dust of the world.
Five horse team: Perhaps two horses pull the carriage and three of them ride along side as outriders.