REPLY TO A BANISHED FRIEND

Ouyang Xiu

 (Northern Song Dynasty)

I am afraid the vernal wind here will not blow;

In second moon no hillside flowers have come out.

But oranges grow on trees bowed with lingering snow,

And bamboo shoots startled by frozen thunder sprout.

I am homesick to hear homing wild geese at night;

Though in poor health, I feel the reviving new year.

We had our days in capital of flowers bright.

Why should we lament when 

wild blossoms come late here?

戏答元珍

[北宋]欧阳修

春风疑不到天涯,

二月山城未见花。

残雪压枝犹有橘,

冻雷惊笋欲抽芽。

夜闻归雁生乡思,

病入新年感物华。

曾是洛阳花下客,

野芳虽晚不须嗟。

About the poet 

Ouyang Xiu was a Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) poet who was also known for his talent in politics. He was one of the most important politicians during his time.

About the translator 

Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University.

About the book 

Golden Treasury of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Poetry Translated by Xu Yuanchong & Xu Ming Published by China Intercontinental Press