Five days of the new year have passed;
My life is drawing near the last.
Can I not free my heart from sorrow?
We make this trip before tomorrow.
Steeped in fresh air and bright sunbeam,
We sit along the rippling stream.
In sparkling waves breams swim with pleasure;
In quiet vales gulls scream at leisure.
The brimming lake arrests the eye;
I muse on the pagoda high.
Though not so high as the Ninth Tier,
It commands a view without peer.
I pass the jar of wine around,
And ask friends in wine to be drowned.
I know not if another day
We can enjoy still in this way.
Half drunk, we may blow hot or cold,
Forgetting the sorrow age-old.
If we can enjoy our fill but now,
Oh, let tomorrow knit its brow!
Original Poem
「游斜川」
陶渊明
开岁倏五日，吾生行归休。
念之动中怀，及辰为兹游。
气和天惟澄，班坐依远流。
弱湍驰文鲂，闲谷矫鸣鸥。
迥泽散游目，缅然睇曾丘。
虽微九重秀，顾瞻无匹俦。
提壶接宾侣，引满更献酬。
未知从今去，当复如此不？
中觞纵遥情，忘彼千载忧。
且极今朝乐，明日非所求。
Interpretation
This poem was composed in the tenth year of the Yixi reign (414 AD) under Emperor An of the Jin Dynasty, when Tao Yuanming was fifty years old. On the fifth day of the first lunar month, under clear skies and amidst serene scenery, the poet visited Xie River with neighbors and friends. Moved by the lake's shimmering waters and mountain vistas, he expressed both lamentations over life's fleeting nature and appreciation for the present beauty. The poem not only depicts Xie River's natural landscapes but also reveals the poet's philosophical reflections and inner serenity.
First Couplet: "开岁倏五日，吾生行归休。"
Kāi suì shū wǔ rì, wú shēng xíng guī xiū.
Five days have swiftly passed since the new year began; my life journeys toward its tranquil end.
The character "倏" (swiftly) emphasizes time's rapid passage. The new year had barely begun, yet five days had already slipped away, prompting the poet to reflect on life's brevity. "归休" (tranquil end) refers not only to aging but also implies contemplation of life's finality, conveying resignation toward human transience.
Second Couplet: "念之动中怀，及辰为兹游。"
Niàn zhī dòng zhōng huái, jí chén wéi zī yóu.
These reflections stir my heart; thus, I embark on this excursion amidst favorable timing.
Moved by thoughts of life's impermanence, the poet seizes the auspicious day for this outing. "及辰" (favorable timing) shows that despite melancholy, he chooses to uplift his spirit through nature, demonstrating his transcendent mindset.
Third Couplet: "气和天惟澄，班坐依远流。"
Qì hé tiān wéi chéng, bān zuò yī yuǎn liú.
Balmy air, crystalline skies; we sit scattered along the distant stream.
This couplet paints the outing's serene environment. "气和" (balmy air) and "天惟澄" (crystalline skies) create a tranquil atmosphere. "班坐" (scattered seating) suggests casual arrangements, reflecting the poet's leisurely state of mind.
Fourth Couplet: "弱湍驰文鲂，闲谷矫鸣鸥。"
Ruò tuān chí wén fáng, xián gǔ jiǎo míng ōu.
Gentle currents carry patterned bream; secluded valleys echo with soaring gulls.
Using dynamic contrasts, the poet portrays Xie River's vitality: fish glide through calm waters while gulls cry in valleys. This serene yet lively imagery reflects Tao's yearning for freedom and simplicity.
Fifth Couplet: "迥泽散游目，缅然睇曾丘。"
Jiǒng zé sàn yóu mù, miǎn rán dì zēng qiū.
My gaze wanders over vast lakes; distantly, I behold Zeng Hill.
"迥泽" (vast lakes) expands the poet's vision, while "缅然" (distantly) conveys deep admiration. Zeng Hill, near Mount Lu, symbolizes reclusion, mirroring Tao's pursuit of spiritual detachment.
Sixth Couplet: "虽微九重秀，顾瞻无匹俦。"
Suī wēi jiǔ chóng xiù, gù zhān wú pǐ chóu.
Though lacking ninefold peaks' grandeur, its beauty remains peerless when contemplated.
"九重秀" refers to mythical Mount Kunlun's majesty. While Zeng Hill is less towering, its unique charm evokes awe. The phrase "无匹俦" (peerless) praises nature's beauty while metaphorically affirming the poet's noble integrity despite his humble status.
Seventh Couplet: "提壶接宾侣，引满更献酬。"
Tí hú jiē bīn lǚ, yǐn mǎn gèng xiàn chóu.
Passing wine jars among friends; filling cups and exchanging toasts.
This lively scene captures convivial drinking. "提壶" (passing jars) and "引满" (filling cups) depict unrestrained merriment, showing the poet's ability to cherish joy despite life's brevity.
Eighth Couplet: "未知从今去，当复如此不？"
Wèi zhī cóng jīn qù, dāng fù rú cǐ fǒu?
Who knows if hereafter, such excursions and reunions will recur?
The poet's lingering sorrow surfaces here. "未知" (who knows) and "当复如此不" (will they recur?) reveal anxiety about future uncertainties, blending nostalgia with existential reflection.
Ninth Couplet: "中觞纵遥情，忘彼千载忧。"
Zhōng shāng zòng yáo qíng, wàng bǐ qiān zǎi yōu.
Mid-cup, my spirit roams free; millennia of worries fade away.
"中觞" (mid-cup) describes mild intoxication, where the poet's thoughts wander freely. "千载忧" (millennia of worries) symbolizes life's burdens, temporarily forgotten through wine, reflecting both liberation and lingering melancholy.
Tenth Couplet: "且极今朝乐，明日非所求。"
Qiě jí jīn zhāo lè, míng rì fēi suǒ qiú.
Let us exhaust this day's delight; tomorrow makes no demands.
The concluding line epitomizes Tao's philosophy. "this day's delight" emphasizes present fulfillment, while "tomorrow makes no demands" advocates embracing the moment. This echoes earlier reflections, showcasing his consistent optimism.
Overall Appreciation
Centered on the Xie River excursion, this poem intertwines natural beauty with existential contemplation. Its plain language belies emotional depth, progressing from initial delight to lingering melancholy, then to serene acceptance. Despite lamenting life's brevity, Tao concludes with carpe diem wisdom, embodying his philosophy of harmonious existence with nature and acceptance of destiny.
Literary Characteristics
- Emotion-Scenery Fusion: Landscapes like clear skies, fish, and gulls convey inner feelings, blending visual beauty with emotional depth.
- Natural Language with Profundity: Simple, unadorned diction carries profound insights into life and nature, achieving artistic spontaneity.
- Layered Emotional Progression: Shifting from joy to melancholy to resolution, the poem creates rhythmic emotional cadence.
- Philosophical Wisdom: While acknowledging life's transience, the poet advocates present-mindedness, elevating the work's intellectual value.
Insights
"A Trip to the Slanting Stream" transcends mere travelogue to embody a worldview. Through this outing, Tao laments life's brevity yet cherishes the present, exemplifying enlightened detachment. The ethos of embracing the present moment while maintaining equanimity about the future remains profoundly relevant, urging modern readers toward mindfulness amid life's uncertainties.
Poem translator
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet
Tao Yuanming(陶渊明), 365–427 CE, was a poet, literary figure, fu writer, and essayist active during the late Eastern Jin and early Liu Song dynasties. Born in Chaisang (near present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province), he pioneered a new genre of pastoral-themed literature, expressing profound philosophical insights through simple language. His poetic style became an enduring aesthetic standard in classical Chinese poetry.
