3月25日

四時讀書樂
宋 翁森 ( 生卒年不詳 )

山光照檻水繞廊，
舞雩歸詠春風香；
好鳥枝頭亦朋友，
落花水面皆文章。
蹉跎莫遣韶光老，
人生惟有讀書好；
讀書之樂樂何如？
綠滿窗前草不除。

──選自《一瓢稿》

March 25th

The Joy of Reading Throughout the Four Periods
Weng Sen (Years unknown, Song Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang

Scenic mountains shine upon railings
      while water encircles the corridors;
Upon returning from the prayer for rain
      I recite poems as I bathe in the
      fragrant spring breeze.
Birds sitting atop branches are also friends;
      while fallen flowers on the water
      are all literary works.
Waste not the good times of life
      or youth will fade into old age;
The only good thing in life is to read.
How is the joy of reading experienced?
It is as the uncut grass green
      that fills up your window scene.

── from Yipiao Gao (Manuscripts of Yipiao)