a rillet sings over winding rocks, the sun is tempered by green pines.
The original poems are wonderfully conceived and exquisitely refined, among which "a rillet sings over winding rocks, the sun is tempered by green pines" has always been regarded as a model of refined words.
The poem comes from Wang Wei's Crossing xiangji temple in the Tang Dynasty:
not knowing the way to the Temple of Heaped Fragrance, under miles of mountain-cloud I have wandered.
through ancient woods without a human track, but now on the height I hear a bell.
a rillet sings over winding rocks, the sun is tempered by green pines.
and at twilight, close to an emptying pool, thought can conquer the Passion-Dragon.
Translation:
I don't know where xiangji temple is. I climbed for several miles and got into the clouds.
The ancient trees are towering into the sky, but there is no pedestrian path. Where did the bell of the ancient temple ring in the deep mountains?
The sound of spring water hitting dangerous rocks in the mountains is muffled, and the sunlight in the pine forest is also cold.
At dusk, I came to a hidden place in an empty pool, and practiced meditation safely to suppress the dragon in my heart.
Appreciation
Wang Wei's poems in his later years often have a calm and quiet atmosphere. This poem depicts the quiet environment of the ancient temple in the mountains with his quiet state of mind of indulging in Buddhism, resulting in a lofty and secluded artistic conception. Wang Guowei said, "I don't know all the scenery, but all the feelings."
The poem is written from far to near, from scenery to emotion, and gradually approaches xiangji temple from "entering Yunfeng" to "empty pool music", and finally reveals the feelings of "thought can conquer the Passion-Dragon". The poet painted the quiet mountain scenery, instead of trying hard from silence, he deliberately wrote faint bells and sobbing springs, which not only did not dilute the peace of the whole environment, but added a sense of seclusion to the deep mountain jungle. This is the realm of "Tonamiyama is more secluded".