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On the Orchid Pavilion Gathering..........Wang Xizhi

2023-03-21 15:24Source:Chinese Literature Translation


兰亭集序

王羲之

On the Orchid Pavilion Gathering

Wang Xizhi

永和九年，岁在癸丑，暮春之初，会于会稽山阴之兰亭，修禊事也。群贤毕至，少长咸集。此地有崇山峻岭，茂林修竹；又有清流激湍，映带左右，引以为流觞曲水，列坐其次。虽无丝竹管弦之盛，一觞一咏，亦足以畅叙幽情。

One day in the early phase of late spring in the ninth year of the reign title of Yonghe (353), we gathered at Lanting (Orchid Pavilion) in the Town of Shanyin, Guiji, for a waterside ritual. So many virtuous scholars, old and young, assembled there. There are high ranges and lofty mountains, dense forests and tall bamboos, as well as clear and rushing rapids that flow on the left and right of the place. We chose a circuitous stream that runs around us, by which we were seated and on which we floated our wine glasses. Although we had no musical pomp of the pipe and string instruments, we relished the circumstances that were good enough for us to give a free expression to our innermost feelings while drinking wine and composing poems.

是日也，天朗气清，惠风和畅，仰观宇宙之大，俯察品类之盛，所以游目骋怀，足以极视听之娱，信可乐也。

That was a sunny day, with the sky clear and bright, and the breeze gentle and pleasant. Looking up at the infinitely wide space, and down at the various categories of beings in nature, we were able to have a sweeping view around us and give free play to our feelings, enough to amuse ourselves to our heart’s content. What a real pleasure it was!

夫人之相与，俯仰一世，或取诸怀抱，悟言一室之内；或因寄所托，放浪形骸之外。虽趣舍万殊，静躁不同，当其欣于所遇，暂得于己，快然自足，曾不知老之将至。及其所之既倦，情随事迁，感慨系之矣。向之所欣，俯仰之间，已为陈迹，犹不能不以之兴怀。况修短随化，终期于尽。古人云：“死生亦大矣。”岂不痛哉！

While getting along with each other, people spend their lifetime in whatever way as may happen. Some like to talk of their aspirations indoors, while some like to place their feelings on their favorites, or indulge themselves uninhibited outdoors. Although different people have different interests out of different dispositions, some being quiet and some restless, they feel pleased at what they encounter, self-satisfied and contented for the moment, even without knowing that old age is around the corner. When they are tired of what attracted them before, their moods change accordingly, over which I sigh with deep regret. What they liked in the past becomes a relic in a flash, which cannot but trigger feelings in the heart. Moreover, one’s life span is at the disposal of the Creator, and all men will come to an end without exception. “Death or birth is a great thing indeed,” said the ancients. How can we not feel grievously touched at this!

每览昔人兴感之由，若合一契，未尝不临文嗟悼，不能喻之于怀。固知一死生为虚诞，齐彭殇为妄作。后之视今，亦犹今之视昔。悲夫！故列叙时人，录其所述，虽世殊事异，所以兴怀，其致一也。后之览者，亦将有感于斯文。

Whenever I read about the causes of ancient people’s profound emotions, if theirs are in agreement with mine, I will always become sentimental when reading their essays without being able to give full description of my innermost heart. I know it is pathetically absurd to equate life and death, so is it to equalize longevity and short life. The future generations will look at the present one just as the present one looks at the past ones. How lamentable! That’s why I have listed the participants of this gathering, and recorded what they composed. Even though times may change and events may vary, the causes for people’s feelings and emotions are just the same. Future readers will likewise be impressed by the essays and poetry of this gathering.
译者：金德明Translated by Jin Deming