兰亭集序
A Prologue to the Collection of Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion

永和九年，年在癸丑，暮春之初，会于会稽山阴之兰亭，修禊事也。群贤毕至，少长咸集。此地有崇山峻岭，茂林修竹，又有清流激湍，映带左右，引以为流觞曲水。列坐其次。虽无丝竹管弦之盛，一觞一咏，亦足以畅叙幽情。
At the beginning of the late spring int he ninth year of Yonghe[ The ninth year of Yonghe was 353A.D..], that is, the year of Guichou according to the lunar calendar, a group of learned scholars, old and young, are gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in the Shanyin xian of Kuaiji jun[ Shanyin xian of Kuaiji jun is today’s Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province.] to celebrate the festival of Xi[ The festival of Xi started int he Zhou Dynasty. It was the custom of the ancient people to pay homage to the water god and entertain themselves by the water on March the third in the lunar calendar.]. Here are high mountains and lofty ridges which are overgrown with tall bamboo groves and dense forests. A clear stream with a rapidly running current that winds like a belt, shining in the bright sun, is ideal for floating wine vessels[ An elegant way by which the ancients enjoyed themselves. People sat at the lower reach of a stream, composed poems and rank from the wine vessels that were floated down from the upper reach of the stream where the wine was prepared. ]. We sit by the water in proper order, sipping wine and composing poems. Though lacking water in proper order, sipping wine and composing poems. Though lacking musical accompaniment, each of us is inclined to pour forth his innermost feelings.

是日也，天朗气清，惠风和畅。仰观宇宙之大，俯察品类之盛，所以游目骋怀，足以极试听之娱，信可乐也。
It is a fine day. The sky is clear and the breeze is gentle. Looking upward, we see the great expanse of the universe. Looking downward, we see the great variety of living things. Then we look around as far as the eyes can see and feel elated, enjoying ourselves to the utmost both visually and aurally. What a delightful experience it is!

夫人之相与，俯仰一世，或取诸怀抱，晤言一室之内；或因寄所托，放浪形骸之外。虽取舍万殊，静噪不同，当其欣于所遇，咱得于己，快然自足，不知老之将至。及其所之既倦，情随事迁，感慨系之矣。向之所欣，俯仰之间，已为陈迹，犹不能不以之兴怀。况修短随化，终期于尽。古人云：“死生亦大义矣。”岂不痛哉！
When men get together, time passes in the twinkling of an eye. Some engage in intimate conversation in a room, baring their hearts to each other; others identify themselves with what they like and abandon themselves to unrestrained joy. Though people may differ in their choices or temperaments, they invariably find temporary contentment when they come upon something that delight them. They are so happy that they even forget they will old soon. However, one’s taste changes and soon one is bored with what one once liked. Then one cannot help but sign deeply with emotion. It saddens me to think that the happiness we are enjoying at this moment will be a bygone thing at another moment, not to mention that we are subject to the natural law and that we will eventually perish. The wise man[ Here “the wise man” refers to Confucius. ] in ancient times said, “The problem of life and death is a matter of vital importance.” Isn’t it depressing to think of that?

每览昔人兴感之由，若和一契，未尝不临文嗟悼，不能喻之于怀。固知一死生为虚诞，齐彭觞为妄作。后之视今，亦犹今之视昔，悲夫！故列叙时人，录其所述，虽世殊事异，所以兴怀，其致一也。后之览者，亦将有感于斯文。
I have noticed whatever stirred up the emotions and feelings in the ancients also calls forth the same emotions and feelings in me, as if the ancients and I were the two halves of a deed[ In old times, a deed was cut into two halves. The holder of one half could claim his right when the two halves fit together properly.]. I have been perplexed as to why the writings of the ancients always make me sign with grief, though I know that it is absurd to identify life with death and long life with early death[ It was the philosophy of Zhuangtse (369B.C. -296B.C.), who lived during the period of the Warring States, and was known for his nihilistic philosophy. ]. Alas! Our descendants will look upon up just as we look upon our forefathers. So I am listing the names of the people present at this gathering will be different in the future, the cause of their emotions and feelings will be the same as ours. I hope future readers would empathize with this writing of mine.





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