IN THE CAPITAL

Yang Zai 

(Yuan Dynasty)

When snow begins to melt in town, shepherd's purses grow;

At my side door in narrow lane few come and go.

On willow-tips I hear the golden orioles sing:

This is the first song that announces coming spring.

到京师

[元]杨载

城雪初消荠菜生,角门深巷少人行。

柳梢听得黄鹂语,此是春来第一声。

About the poet 

Yang Zai was a Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) poet who was known for his euphemistic style of writing and vast knowledge.

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