At the Garden Gate

Introducion:

Because of the host being away, the wattled gate is shut and the poet cannot get in to see his friend.   

 

Text:

游园不值

叶绍翁(宋)

 

yīng lián jī chǐ yìn cāng tái，xiǎo kòu chái fēi jiǔ bù kāi。

应     怜 屐齿  印  苍  苔， 小    扣    柴   扉 久不 开。

chūn sè mǎn yuán guān bú zhù，yī zhī hóng xìng chū qiáng lái。

 春     色   满    园     关   不 住，一枝   红    杏    出     墙   来。

 

At the Garden Gate

Ye Shaoweng (Song)

 

My nailed clogs miserably impair the mosses green,

When I tap long on the wattled gate which opens not.

But the spring tide cannot be shut within the garden,

Over the wall peeps out a crimson spray of apricot.

 

Comment    

Because of the host being away, the wattled gate is shut and the poet cannot get in to see his friend. What' s more, he feels very sorry that he has treaded on the green mosses in front of the gate. Nevertheless he looks around, and to his great surprise he spots a crimson spray of apricot peeping out over the garden wall and drawing the passers-by. Though his friend is out and the gate is closed, the youthful spring scene in the garden cannot be possibly kept from extending over the wall. At this point the poet turns his attention from the blossoming apricot branch to the enchanting spring scene in the garden, glorifying the animation and vitality of spring. Now the last two lines have become most well-known and typical presentation of a spring scene with a philosophical message.