The full name should be "Happy Rain on a Spring Night". The author is Du Fu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty. He is called the Saint of Poetry by later generations. Li Bai during the same period was called the Immortal of Poetry.
"Spring Night Happy Rain" was written in Chengdu by Du Fu in his later years when he was "wandering in the southwest". It is found in "Du Gongbu Ji" and was written in the spring of the second year of Shangyuan (AD 761). From the poet's description of the spring rain, the joy of the spring rain is revealed. The poem is as follows:
Good rain knows the season, and spring will happen.
Sneak into the night with the wind, moisturizing things silently.
The wild paths are all dark with clouds, but the river boats are only bright with fire.
Looking at the red and wet place at dawn, the flowers are heavy on the official city.
Vernacular translation: Good rain seems to choose the right time to fall in the spring when all things emerge. With the gentle breeze, it quietly enters the night. Finely and densely, it nourishes all things on the earth. Thick dark clouds cover the fields and paths; little lights flicker on the fishing boats on the river. Look at the dewy flowers again tomorrow morning, Chengdu will be full of flowers.
Creative background: This poem was written in the spring of the second year of the Yuan Dynasty (761) by Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty. After a period of wandering life, Du Fu finally settled in Chengdu, Sichuan due to drought in Shaanxi Province, and began a relatively stable life in Shu. When he wrote this poem, he had settled in thatched cottage in Chengdu for two years. He personally farmed, planted vegetables and flowers, and interacted with farmers. He had a deep affection for the spring rain, so he wrote this beautiful poem describing the rain on a spring night and moistening all things.
Appreciation of the work: The poet looks forward to such "good rain" and loves this "good rain". Therefore, although the word "happiness" in the title does not appear in the poem, "the meaning of 'happiness' bursts out from the cracks" (Pu Qilong's "Reading Du Xinjie"). When the poet was looking forward to the spring rain to "moisten things", the rain started to fall, so as soon as it came up, he shouted "good" with joy. What was written in the second couplet was heard by the poet. The poet listened carefully and heard that the rain was falling continuously on the spring night, just to "moisten things" without asking anyone to know, so he was naturally "happy" and unable to sleep. Because the rain "moistened things silently", I couldn't hear it clearly, and I was afraid that it would stop, so I went out to see it. What is written in the third couplet is what the poet saw. Seeing that the rain is getting heavy, I can't help but imagine the beautiful scenery of spring filling the city after dawn. His boundless joy was expressed very vividly.
About the author: Du Fu (AD 712--770), a native of Gongxian County, Henan Province (now Gongyi, Zhengzhou), is known as Du Gongbu and Du Shiyi in the world, and calls himself Shaoling Yelao. He is a great realist in our country. A poet who served the country and the people, he died young, a saint of poetry, a world cultural celebrity, and is also known as the "Big Li Du" together with Li Bai. Du Fu lived during the historical period when the Tang Dynasty was transitioning from prosperity to decline. His poems mostly dealt with social unrest, political darkness, and people's suffering. His poems are known as "the history of poetry." Du Fu was concerned about the country and the people. He had a noble personality and superb poetic skills. He was honored as the "Sage of Poetry" by later generations.