The Course of Nature

(With a Preface)

　　The Course of Nature is written when I am on an outing in late spring. In my newly-madespring clothes, I wander lonely across the thriving fields, with a mixed feeling of weal and woe.

Along with nature's changing course

A fair spring day displays its force

In spring attire I leave my home

And to the eastern fields I roam

When clouds o'er hilltops disappear

The dim horizon soon turns clear

 From the south mild breezes blow

 And toss the seedlings to and fro

 Beside the lake as flat as sheet

 I rinse my mouth and wash my feet

 In face of such a stretch of green

 I'm overjoyed at what I've seen

 As the ancient saying goes

A true contentment brings repose

 At this  I drink a cup of wine

 With mind at ease and eyes ashine.

 With running stream in front of me

 I think of lucid River Yi

 The boys and girls on their school day

 Would sing aloud on homeward way

 I love the quiet and peaceful sight

 Which stirs my mind through day and night

 The pity is that good old days

 Are fading with receding rays

 A simple life from day to day

 Inside this but I gladly stay

 I watch long rows of bloom and herb

 Amid bamboo and trees superb

 I play the zither on my knee

 With unstrained wine in front of me

 Gone forever are the days of old

 I'm left alone with woes untold

一世歌

唐寅

人生七十古来少      前除幼年后除老

中间光阴不多时      又有炎霜与烦恼

花前月下得高歌      急需满把金樽倒

世人钱多赚不尽      朝里官多做不了

官大钱多心转忧      落得自家头白早

春夏秋冬捻指间      钟送黄昏鸡报晓

请君细点眼前人      一年一度埋荒草

草里高低多少坟      一年一半无人扫

桃花庵歌

唐寅