In the spring of fourth year of Qingli, TengZijing was exiled toBalingjun , to be the profect there.
In the second year of his office, becauseof his excellent administration,people lived in peaceand
contentment, and all previous neglectedmatters were taken care of. The YueYang tower was
renovated and enlarged, and described onits walls were the poetries and rhymed prose of Tang
and present dynasty. I was invented torecord this restoration effect in writing.
庆历四年春,滕子京谪守巴陵郡。越明年,政通人和,百废具兴,乃重修岳阳楼,增其旧制,
刻唐贤今人诗赋于其上,属予作文以记之。
The beauty of Baling center round theDongting lake, which holds the mountain ranges in the
distance and swallows the water of theyangtz river.It so vast and mighty that it seemsboundness.
dazzling in the morning sun and fading inthe grew evening mist, it offers a myriad scenes , this
is the magnificent view of yueyang towercommanded. Of which many describtions hava been
written. The beauty scenic spot is linkedwith the Wu gorge in the north and Xiao and xiang
rivers in the south. Exiled officials andpoets often gather here, how could there be nodifference
in theirfeelings?
予观夫巴陵胜状,在洞庭一湖。衔远山,吞长江,浩浩汤汤,横无际涯;朝晖夕阴,气象万千;
此则岳阳楼之大观也,前人之述备矣。然则北通巫峡,南极潇湘,迁客骚人,多会于此,
览物之情,得无异乎?
In the rainy season, an unbroken wetweather lasts for months,. Chilly wind howl and turbid
waves surge the s ky high. The sun andstars lose their luster, and the mountain ranges
scarcely visible.. The merchant andtravelers have to put off their voyage.. for the masts
of ships have collapsed and the oarsbroken.. It is dark towards evening mist, and the
roaring of tigers and the cry of monkeyscan be heard. At such a time anyone ascending
the tow will be filled with nostalgia forthe imperial court and his hometown as well as fears
of calumny and derision against him.Around him is a scene of desolation. Emotions
well up him so strongly that he feels painat heart.
若夫淫(霪)雨霏霏,连月不开;阴风怒号,浊浪排空;日星隐曜,山岳潜形;商旅不 行,
樯倾楫摧;薄暮冥冥,虎啸猿啼;登斯楼也,则有去国怀乡,忧谗畏讥,满目萧然,
感极而悲者矣。
In springtime it is warm and the sun isbright, the lake is tranquil and it merges with the
azure sky into a vast expanse of blue. Thewater-bird are playing, some fluttering in the
sky, some gathering together on thesandbars. fishes of varies hues swimming merrily
in the water. Sweet-smell grass by thebanks and the faint scented orchid on the sandy
beaches are rush and green. Sometimes whenthe mist over the lake vanishes. The
glorious moon shines over the vast land.Its brightness glistening with golden light on
the lake. The reflection of the moon islike a piece of jade in the depth of the water.
On ascending the tower at such a time, onewill feel a spiritual uplift , neither glory
nor shame. with a cup of wine in thegentle breeze ,he will enjoy the greatest happiness
in life.
至若春和景明,波澜不惊,上下天光,一碧万顷;沙鸥翔集,锦鳞游泳,岸芷汀兰,
郁郁青青。而或长烟一空,皓月千里,浮光跃金,静影沈璧,渔歌互答,此乐何极!
登斯楼也,则有心旷神怡,宠辱皆忘,把酒临风,其喜洋洋者矣。
Ah! I have tried to study the minds oflofty ideals in ancient times. Perhaps they were
different from the people I motion above.Why is this? The reason is that they were
not thrown into ecstasies over theirsuccess ,nor felt depressed over their failures.
When they were in high postion at court,they concerned about the people, when
they were in remote place, they concernedabout their emperor. They worriedwhen
then got promoted or when they were sentinto exile. then , when they were happy?
they would say :”To be the first to worryabout the affairs of the state and the last to
enjoy oneself!” Oh,who else should I seekcompany with save them.
嗟夫!予尝求古仁人之心,或异二者之为,何哉?不以物喜,不以己悲,居庙堂 之高,
则忧其民;处江湖之远,则忧其君。是进亦忧,退亦忧;然则何时而乐耶?其必曰:
先天下之忧而忧,后天下之乐而乐欤!噫!微斯人,吾谁与归!