Pride of Fishermen
- Poetry of Wang Anshi

《渔家傲·平岸小桥千嶂抱》

中文原文( Chinese )

平岸小桥千嶂抱，柔蓝一水萦花草。

茅屋数间窗窈窕。

尘不到，时时自有春风扫。

午枕觉来闻语鸟，欹眠似听朝鸡早。

忽忆故人今总老。

贪梦好，茫然忘了邯郸道。

English Translation

Surrounded by peaks,a bridge flies from shore to shore;

A soft blue stream flows through flowers before the door.

A few thatched houses with windows I adore.

There comes no dust,

The place is swept by vernal breeze in fitful gusts.

I hear birds twitter when awake from nap at noon;

I wonder in my bed why the cock crows so soon.

Thinking of my friends who have all grown old,

Why indulge in a dream of gold?

Do not forget the way to glory is rough and cold!

The poet describes a rural scene and his rurul life.

- Last updated: 2023-12-16 21:10:13

Why Chinese poems is so special?: The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.

How to read a Chinese poem?: Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

List of Chinese poets