In the spring of fourth year of Qingli, TengZijing was exiled to Balingjun , to be the profect there.

In the second year of his office, because of his excellent administration,people lived in peace and

contentment, and all previous neglected matters were taken care of. The YueYang tower was

renovated and enlarged, and described on its walls were the poetries and rhymed prose of Tang

and present dynasty. I was invented to record 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 the Dongting lake, which holds the mountain ranges in the

distance and swallows the water of the yangtz river.It so vast and mighty that it seems boundness.

dazzling in the morning sun and fading in the grew evening mist, it offers a myriad scenes , this

is the magnificent view of yueyang tower commanded. Of which many describtions hava been

written. The beauty scenic spot is linked with the Wu gorge in the north and Xiao and xiang

rivers in the south. Exiled officials and poets often gather here, how could there be no difference

 in their feelings?
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 wet weather lasts for months,. Chilly wind howl and turbid

waves surge the sky high. The sun and stars lose their luster, and the mountain ranges

scarcely visible.. The merchant and travelers have to put off their voyage.. for the masts

of ships have collapsed and the oars broken.. It is dark towards evening mist, and the

roaring of tigers and the cry of monkeys can be heard. At such a time anyone ascending

the tow will be filled with nostalgia for the 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 pain at 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 is bright, the lake is tranquil and it merges with the

azure sky into a vast expanse of blue. The water-bird are playing, some fluttering in the

sky, some gathering together on the sandbars. fishes of varies hues swimming merrily

in the water. Sweet-smell grass by the banks and the faint scented orchid on the sandy

beaches are rush and green. Sometimes when the 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 is like a piece of jade in the depth of the water.

On ascending the tower at such a time, one will feel a spiritual uplift , neither glory

nor shame. with a cup of wine in the gentle 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 of lofty 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 their success ,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 concerned about their emperor. They worried when

then got promoted or when they were sent into exile. then , when they were happy?

they would say :”To be the first to worry about the affairs of the state and the last to

enjoy oneself!” Oh,who else should I seek company 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！