Bathed and Washed
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

《沐浴子》

English Rendering

‘Bathed in fragrance, do not brush your hat;

Washed in perfume, do not shake your coat:


‘Knowing the world fears what is too pure,

The wisest man prizes and stores light!’


By Bluewater

an old angler stat:

You and I together,

let us go home.

Bathed and Washed by Li Bai (Li Po)
Bathed and Washed by Li Bai (Li Po)

Original Text (中文原文)

沐芳莫弹冠,浴兰莫振衣。

处世忌太洁,至人贵藏晖。

沧浪有钓叟,吾与尔同归。

Analysis & Context

By Li Bai

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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