The meaning of this poem is: A group of deers chirped joyfully and ate mugwort leisurely in the wilderness.
Original poem:
Yo yo, the deer roars, eating apples in the wild. I have guests who play the harp and sheng. Playing the sheng, drums and reeds, carrying the basket is the general. When people treat me well, they show me how to behave.
Yo yo, the deer roars, eating the wild wormwood. I have a guest, Deyin Kong Zhao. If a gentleman treats the people with disdain, he will be effective. I have a banquet, and the guests are Yan Yiao.
Yo yo, the deer roars, and the wild herbs are eaten. I have a guest who plays the harp, harp, drums and harp. The drums, harps, drums and harps are harmonious and exquisite. I intend to drink wine with the intention of enjoying the guests.
Translation:
A group of deer chirped joyfully and ate mugwort leisurely in the wilderness. Once talented people from all over come to my house, I will play the harp and the sheng to entertain the guests. Playing the reed of the sheng pipe, holding a basket and offering gifts thoughtfully. People are so kind to me and follow my instructions.
A group of deer chirped joyfully and ate wormwood leisurely in the wilderness. Once talented people from all over come to Shixia, his moral character will be noble and outstanding. Setting an example for others is not frivolous, and gentlemen and wise men will imitate him one after another. I have fine wine that is fragrant and mellow, and I entertain guests at banquets and have fun.
A group of deer chirped joyfully and ate bald grass leisurely in the wilderness. Once talented people from all over come to the house, they will play music on the harp and harp. Play the harp and the harp and invite each other diligently, creating harmony and joy. I have fine wine that is fragrant and mellow, and I entertain guests with great joy.
Source: "The Book of Songs: Deer Ming"
Poem Appreciation
"Deer Ming" is the first chapter of "Xiaoya". "Preface to Mao's Poems" says: ""Lu Ming" is also the guest of Yan (banquet) ministers." "Lu Shi" believes that this poem is that the Zhou minister "was injured when the person in power could not, so he used the qin to stab him. "
From the content of the poem, "Mao Shi" is the correct one. When it was written, some think it was during the reign of King Wen of Zhou, some think it was during the reigns of King Cheng and King Kang, and some think it was "a work by Zhou Shui", but there is no solid evidence, so the second theory is the winner.
The poem consists of three chapters, with eight lines in each chapter. The first chapter of each chapter starts with "Yoyo deer call". Deer eating delicious food is a symbol of the same kind of food, which symbolizes the king's warm hospitality to his ministers at a banquet. The whole poem has smooth syllables and a joyful and harmonious mood, reflecting the situation of the guests at the aristocratic banquet in the Western Zhou Dynasty. Its tune remained unchanged until the early years of the Western Jin Dynasty. In the imperial examination system after the Tang Dynasty, the "Lu Ming Banquet" was held the day after the results of the provincial examination were released. That is to say, it is the legacy of the guests at this poetry banquet.