Tao Qian wrote this poem probably in the year 417 at the age of 53, after the old cottage he described in Return to Nature was burned up in a fire. Lines 5-6 of this poem are the best-known verse representative of the poet’s love of nature and free dam. The chrysanthemum, the last cold-proof flower-to bloom in autumn, is the symbol of purity in difficult Circumstances and the Southern Mountain or Mount Lu in modern Jiangxi Province, that of tranquility, longevity and eternity. Therefore, the poet’s love of chrysanthemum and mountain reveals his own character, pure and cold-proof as the one and tranquil and lasting as the other.

WHILE DRINKING
Among the haunts of men I build my cot,
There is noise of wheels and hoofs, but I hear not.
How can it leave upon my mind no trace?
Secluded heart creates secluded place.
I pick fence-side chrysanthemums at will,
And leisurely I see the southern hill.
Where mountain air is fresh both day and night,
And where I find home-going birds in flight.
What is the revelation at this view?
Words fail me even if I try to tell you.

饮酒

结庐在人境，而无车马喧。

问君何能尔，心远地自偏。

采菊东篱下，悠然见南山。

山气日夕佳，飞鸟相与还。

此中有真意，欲辩已忘言。

Subscribe to the post comments feeds or Leave a trackback