1. "Ode of Lime"
Yu Qian of the Ming Dynasty
Original text:
Thousands of hammers were struck out of the mountains,
< p>The fire burns as if it were nothing.Don’t be afraid of your bones being shattered into pieces,
You must remain innocent in this world.
Stay pure in the world.
2. "Early Plum"
Tang Dynasty? Zhang Wei
Original text:
A cold plum tree with white jade strips stands in Linlin Village Next to the river bridge.
I don’t know if the water blooms first, but it is suspected that it has not sold out after the winter snow.
Translation:
There is a tree whose plum blossoms bloomed early in the cold weather, and its branches are as white as jade. It is far away from the village road where people and cars come and go, and is close to the stream bridge. People don't know that the winter plum blossoms bloom early because they are close to the stream, and they think it is the white snow that has not melted through the winter.
3. "Ink Plum Blossom"
Wang Mian of the Yuan Dynasty
Original text:
The tree at the head of the pond where I wash inkstones is full of flowers. Open light ink marks.
Don’t let anyone praise you for your good color, just leave the pure air to fill the universe.
Translation:
There is a plum tree beside the inkstone washing pond in my house, and the blooming plum blossoms show faint traces of ink. There is no need for others to praise its beautiful color. It only needs the fragrance of plum blossoms to permeate the world.
4. "Bamboo and Stone"
Zheng Banqiao, Qing Dynasty
Original text:
Stand firmly on the green mountains and not relax, the roots are still in the broken rocks.
After countless hardships, I am still strong, regardless of the winds from east to west, north and south.
Translation:
I cling tightly to the green mountains and never let go, originally deeply rooted in the crevices of the rocks. My body and bones are still strong despite being hit by countless blows, no matter how strong the wind blows from east to west, north and south.
5. "Cold Chrysanthemum"
Song Dynasty? Zheng Sixiao
Original text:
When flowers bloom, they do not merge into hundreds of flowers, but they are independent and interesting. Not poor.
I would rather die with the fragrance on the branches than blow it down in the north wind.
Translation:
You bloom in autumn and are never among the flowers. Standing alone beside a sparse fence, your sentimental interest has not faded.
I would rather die holding the fragrance on a branch than be blown away by the biting north wind!