Progression of the Seasons

I

Pell-mell the seasons revolve

Still and calm is this morning.

I put on my springtime clothes

And set out for the eastern suburbs.

The hills are scoured by last night's clouds

The sky is dimmed by a film of mist.

From the south there blows a breeze

Winging over the new grain.

II

The wide waters of the level lake

I rinse my mouth, I bathe myself;

Endlessly into the distance stretching

I rejoice while I gaze.

Among the people is the saying, 

It's easy to please a contented man.

I raise this cup to my lips

Happy and self-satisfied,

III

Toward midstream I strain my eyes

Yearning for the clear Yi River,

Where youths and men study together

And singing idly go back home.

It's their tranquility I love.

Awake or sleeping I would join them;

But the times alas are diflerent,

Too far away to be revived.

IV

All morning and in evening too

In my house I take my ease.

Herbs and fowers grow in rows,

Trees and bamboo cast their shade

A cither lies across the bench,

Unstrained wine fls halfa jug.

There's no reaching the ancieht ruiers

All I have is melancholy.