East of the Town
- Poetry of Wei Yingwu

《东郊》

English Rendering

From office confinement all year long,

I have come out of town to be free this morning

Where willows harmonize the wind

And green hills lighten the cares of the world.

I lean by a tree and rest myself

Or wander up and down a stream.

...Mists have wet the fragrant meadows;

A spring dove calls from some hidden place.

...With quiet surroundings, the mind is at peace,

But beset with affairs, it grows restless again....

Here I shall finally build me a cabin,

As Tao Qian built one long ago.

East of the Town by Wei Yingwu
East of the Town by Wei Yingwu

Original Text (中文原文)

吏舍跼终年,出郊旷清曙。

杨柳散和风,青山澹吾虑。

依丛适自憩,缘涧还复去。

微雨霭芳原,春鸠鸣何处。

乐幽心屡止,遵事迹犹遽。

终罢斯结庐,慕陶直可庶。

Analysis & Context

Five-character-ancient-verse

Composed during a relatively tranquil period of Wei Yingwu's official career, this poem captures a morning escape from bureaucratic confines. Weary of long confinement in government offices, the poet ventures into spring countryside at dawn. Through vivid depictions of gentle breezes, distant mountains and birdsong, Wei expresses yearning for reclusive life while confessing his unresolved conflict between duty and desire. The work stands as his spiritual homage to Tao Yuanming's pastoral ideal.

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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