English Rendering
Gone are all my past woes! What more have I to say?
My body and my mind enjoy their fill today.
Successful, faster runs my horse in vernal breeze;
I've seen within one day all flowers on the trees.
Successful at the Civil Service Examinations
- Poetry of Meng Jiao
《登科后》Original Text (中文原文)
昔日龌龊不足夸，今朝放荡思无涯。
春风得意马蹄疾，一日看尽长安花。
Analysis & Context
Meng Jiao struggled in his official career for a long time, only passing the imperial examination at the age of 46. His joy and relief were beyond words, and this poem vividly captures his exhilaration upon achieving success. In just four lines, the poem radiates the liberation and delight of breaking free from hardship, making it a timeless masterpiece.
Reader's Companion
The Essence of the Verse
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Reading Between the Lines
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
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- Leave Me Not
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