Looking for Spring on the West Lake
- Poetry of Xu Zaisi

《蟾宫曲·西湖寻春》

English Rendering

Late spring boasts its charm,

Pleasure boats ripple the lake,

Tourists are strolling here and there.

Colorful flowers everywhere.

Two lines of willow trees,

Boundless is the grass green.

There is no need of delicious delicacy,

Don’t complain about moderate drinking.

Stroll and have a drink at any time,

Don’t miss the beautiful spring prime.

I am back home along the flower path,

My knock on the door is echoed in the moonlight bath.

Looking for Spring on the West Lake by Xu Zaisi
Looking for Spring on the West Lake by Xu Zaisi

Original Text (中文原文)

清明春色三分,湖上行舟,陌上行人。

一片花阴,两行柳影,十里莎裀。

不要多殽排一品,休嫌少酒止三巡。

处处开樽,步步寻春。

花下归来,带月敲门。

Analysis & Context

By Xu Zaisi

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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