1. Qingpingle·Village
Song Dynasty: Xin Qiji
The eaves are low and the grass is green on the stream. When drunk, Wu Yin is very charming, but who is the old lady with gray hair?
The eldest son is hoeing beans to the east of the stream, while the middle son is weaving a chicken coop. What I like most is when my child dies, lying down at the head of the stream and peeling lotus pods. (Same as deceased: None)
Translation:
The eaves of the thatched cottage are low and small, and the stream is covered with green grass. The drunken local dialect of Wu sounds gentle and beautiful. Whose parents-in-law are those with white hair?
The eldest son is weeding in the bean field east of the stream, and the second son is weaving a chicken coop at home. My favorite naughty little son, he is lying in the grass at Xitou, peeling off the newly picked lotus pods.
2. Yin of the wandering son
Tang Dynasty: Meng Jiao
The thread in the hands of the loving mother, the clothes on the body of the wandering son.
Before leaving, I am worried that I will return later.
Whoever speaks an inch of grass will be rewarded with three rays of spring.
Translation:
The kind mother, with needle and thread in her hand, rushes to make new clothes for her child who is about to travel far away.
Before leaving, I sewed it stitch by stitch, fearing that my son’s clothes would be damaged if he came back late.
Who said that a weak filial piety like Xiaocao can repay the kindness of a loving mother like Chunhui Puze?
3. Crossing the Liao River
Tang Dynasty: Wang Jian
Crossing the Liao River is five thousand miles to Xianyang.
When I arrived, my parents knew that they were going to be separated from each other, so they wore heavy clothes as if they were going to die.
There are also bones returned to Xianyang, and the business families each return to their hometown.
On a day when there should be no return, I stand on horseback and look at the Liao River.
Translation:
Leaving Xianyang, the trip to Liao River is five thousand miles long. Before leaving home, my parents already knew that they would be separated by a vast sea and it would be difficult to get together again in this life. Before I left, my mother made some new clothes for me, as if she was afraid that I would never come back, and if I died on the road, I would not have clean clothes to bury me in. There were also soldiers who sacrificed their lives and were sent back to Xianyang. The military commander petitioned the emperor to let people from the martyrs' hometown serve as soldiers. Thinking about how pitiful I was, as I would never come back when I was away, I felt infinitely sad for this, and stopped at the edge of Liao River in confusion.
4. Jiangcun
Tang Dynasty: Du Fu
The Qingjiang River embraces the village, and the Changxia River Village is quiet.
The swallows in the hall come and go, and the gulls in the water are close to each other. (Part 1: Liang Shang)
The old wife draws paper to make a chess game, and the young boy knocks needles to make fishing hooks.
But if there are old friends offering Lumi, what else can a tiny body ask for?
Translation:
The clear water of Huanhua Creek flows windingly around the village. In the long summer, everything seems quiet and leisurely. The swallows on the beams flew freely, and the white gulls in the water were close to each other, accompanying each other. His wife who has been with him for many years drew a chessboard on paper, and his young son bent a steel needle to make a fishhook. As long as an old friend gives me some money and rice, what else can I ask for?
5. Keeping separate wives
Han Dynasty: Su Wu
They become husband and wife, and there is no doubt about their love. Joy is in this evening, and grace is in good times. On a long journey, what will happen when you look up at night?
The ginseng and dust are all gone. I will say goodbye now. We are on the battlefield, but we haven't seen each other for a long time. Shake hands and let out a long sigh, crying to make a living.
Love Chunhua with all your strength, and don’t forget the happy times. Life is a time to come back, death is a longing for love.
Translation:
As soon as I became husband and wife with you, I never doubted that I would be in love with you until we grow old. Being in love with you and being intoxicated with happiness tonight, what a wonderful time! But tomorrow I am going on a long journey for my country, and I have to get up to see what time it is before dawn.
When the stars disappear in the horizon, I have to say goodbye to you, because I have to go to the battlefield and I don’t know when I will be reunited with you. Holding hands with you reluctantly for a long time is also happiness. We shed tears involuntarily because this may be the last time you and I meet in this life.
I cherish every moment of happiness now. I will never forget such a happy and joyful time falling in love with you. If I am lucky enough to live, I will definitely come back to you.
If I die unfortunately, I will miss you forever...