The river under the high beam bridge flows out of the deep canyon in the western hills and flows into the river through here. Like a thousand white ribbons, the breeze blows across the water, like ribbed paper. The riverbank was built in the water and sandwiched between two rivers.
There are four rows of poplars on the embankment, and the trees are covered with ancient branches and leaves. The shade of a big tree can cover several straw mats, and the wicker hanging down from the gap between the leaves is more than ten feet long.
There are many temples in the north of the riverbank, and the Red Gate Hall stretches for dozens of miles. The trees in the distance opposite are tall and short, with paddy fields and western hills in the middle, standing between the trees and the river like people with spiral hair. Gokurakuji is about three miles from the bridge, and the scenery on the road is also very good. The horse moves forward under the green forest tree, just like a shed for a carriage.
There are several "tooth-picking pines" in front of the Buddhist temple. The trunk of the pine tree is green and yellow, mottled and scattered, like the scales of a big fish. Pine trees are about seven or eight yards thick (the length of one person is called a circle).
In my spare time, I often come here to play with Mr. Huang and others. Brother Yuan Zhonglang said, "This place is like Qiantang and Su Causeway". Huang thinks so too.
So I deeply felt the beautiful scenery of the West Lake. I've dreamed about it many times. When can I hang the title of a sage (hanging the title of a sage means resigning from my official position and hanging my official hat to a talented person), be a tourist under the Sixth Bridge of West Lake, but have an affair with mountains and rivers? On that day, everyone made a rhyme and wrote a poem to say goodbye.
Brief introduction of the author
Yuan Zongdao (1560— 1600) was a native of Huguang Public Security (now Hubei Public Security County), whose real name was Boxiu, whose real name was Pan Yu and whose real name was Shipu. I have been smart and studious since I was a child, and I can write poems at the age of ten. 1579 (the seventh year of Wanli) was admitted to Huguang Township to try as a juror. 1586 (14th year of Wanli) won the first place in the examination, and entered imperial academy the following year, where he was awarded a master's degree and edited.
1597 (twenty-five years of Wanli) Bachelor of Hanlin, an official in the East Palace. And his younger brothers Yuan Hongdao and Yuan Zhongdao, also known as "Sanyuan". The former and the latter seven scholars advocated that "poetry must flourish in the Tang Dynasty", advocated true colors and opposed imitation, and were known as the "public security school". I have revered Bai Juyi and Su Shi all my life, and my collection of poems is called Bai Su Zhai Ji.