Boating from the Golden Hill to the Hermit's Hill
- Poetry of Su Shi

金山楼观何耽眈，撞钟击鼓闻淮南。

焦山何有有修竹，采薪汲水僧两三。

云霾浪打人迹绝，时有沙户祈春蚕。

我来金山更留宿，而此不到心怀惭。

同游兴尽决独往，赋命穷薄轻江潭。

清晨无风浪自溺，中流歌啸倚半酣。

老僧下山惊客至，迎笑喜作巴人谈。

自言久客忘乡井，只有弥勒为同龛。

困眠得就纸帐暖，饱食未厌山蔬甘。

山林饥卧古亦有，无田不退宁非贪？

展禽虽未三见黜，叔夜自知七不堪。

行当投劾谢簪组，为我佳处留茅庵。

How gaudy does the Temple of Golden Hill glare!

To Huainan spread its beating drum and ringing bell. 

What has the Hermit's Hill but bamboo here and there And two or three monks drawing water from the well?

On its deserted shore veiled in dim mist waves beat, Only to seek silk-worms in spring will peasants come.

In Golden Hill I stayed o' ernight to rest my feet. Without seeing Hermit's Hill, how sorry I'd become!

My companions were disinclined to come with me.

Disfavored man alone of whirlpool risk make light.

Waves surge although the morning of the wind is free, Half drunken,I sing in mid-stream with sweet delight. 

The old monk comes downhill, surprised to see a guest, And glad to greet his compatriot with a smile.

He says he has forgotten his home-town in the west, Living together with Maitreya on this isle.

He sleeps in a warm paper curtain when tired and cold; Hungry, he likes to eat mountain vegetables sweet.

The mountaineers have suffered hunger since days old; Not greedy, the landless should make good their retreat.

Although I have not been dismissed from office thrice, Yet I know there are seven things I cannot bear.

Soon I will resign for I am not free from vice, I wish to live in thatched temple free from care.