Sighs of Autumn Rain (2)
- Poetry of Du Fu

《秋雨叹三首 (二)》

English Rendering

Ceaseless wind and lengthy rain swirl together this autumn,

The four seas and eight deserts are covered by one cloud.

A horse going, an ox coming, cannot be distinguished,

How now can the muddy Jing and clear Wei be told apart?

The standing grain begins to sprout, the millet's ears turn black,

Farmers and the farmers' wives have no hopeful news.

In the city, a bucket of rice can cost a silken quilt,

And both the buyer and seller have to agree the bargain is fair.

Sighs of Autumn Rain (2) by Du Fu
Sighs of Autumn Rain (2) by Du Fu

Original Text (中文原文)

阑风长雨秋纷纷,四海八荒同一云。

去马来牛不复辨,浊泾清渭何当分。

禾头生耳黍穗黑,农夫田妇无消息。

城中斗米换衾绸,相许宁论两相直。

Analysis & Context

By Du Fu

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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