小石潭记

《御文章》

"Imperial Writings"

从小丘西行百二十步

Walk west from the small hill for one hundred and twenty steps.

隔黄竹 温水深

Between the yellow bamboo, the warm water is deep.

如鸣佩环 兴乐之

Like the sound of bells, joy and happiness.

伐竹取道 下见小潭

Chopping bamboo, I take the path down to see a small pond.

水游清烈

Water flows clear and fierce.

卷石以为底

Roll stones as the foundation.

静暗

Quiet darkness

卷石

Roll stone

底以出

The bottom is out.

为池

For the pool.

为雨

For the rain

为堪

For the sake of endurance.

为盐

For salt

青树脆满

The green trees are full and vibrant.

蒙落摇坠

Falling in shadows and shaking down.

参丝披服

Silk garments draped over.

坛中

In the altar.

鱼壳白许头

Fish shell white promises head.

皆若空游

All seem like empty illusions.

无所依

Without a place to rely on.

日光下彻

Under the sunlight.

永不时尚

Never out of style.

已然不动

Already immobile.

触而远视

Touch and distant vision.

往来稀乎

Sparsely exchanged.

似与游者相乐

Seems to bring joy to the travelers.

谈兮难而忘

Talking is difficult to forget.

斗折蛇行

Winding and turning like a snake.

明灭可见

Flickering and visible.

其暗示犬牙刺户

Its implication is a dog-tooth piercing the door.

不可知其缘

The cause is unknowable.

坐坛上

On the altar.

四面竹树环合

Surrounded by bamboo trees on all sides.

即苗无人

No one is here at the moment.

七神坎谷

Seven Gods Pit Valley

巧创幽随

Cleverly created and subtly followed.

以其境过清

The environment is too clear.

不可久居

Not suitable for long stays.

乃寄之而去

So I sent it away and left.

同游者

Travel companion

无五灵

No Five Spirits

公谷

Public Valley

于地宗玄

The Earth's Zong Xuan.

立而从者

Stand and follow.

催逝二小身

Hasten the departure of the two young ones.

曰数己

Said to count oneself.