Pine Trees
松 树
华 山 高 幢 幢
上 有 高 高 松。
株 株 遥 各 各
叶 叶 相 重 重。
槐 树 夹 道 植
枝 叶 俱 冥 蒙。
既 无 贞 直 榦
复 有 罥 挂 虫。
何 不 种 松 树
使 之 摇 清 风。
秦 时 已 曾 种
憔 悴 种 不 供。
可 怜 孤 松 意
不 与 槐 树 同。
闲 在 高 山 顶
穋 荫 侯 与 公。
不 肯 作 行 伍
俱 在 尘 土 中。
Song Shu
Hua shan gao chuang chuang
Shang you gao gao song.
Zhu zhu yao ge ge
Ye ye xiang chong chong.
Huai shu jia dao zhi
Zhi ye ju ming meng.
Ji wu zhen zhi gan
Fu you juan gua chong.
He bu zhong song shu
Shi zhi yao qing feng.
Qin shi yi ceng zhong
Qiao cui zhong bu gong.
Ke lian gu song yi
Bu yu huai shu tong.
Xian zai gao shan ding
Jiu pan qiu yu long.
Qu wei da sha dong
Bi yin hou yu gong.
Bu ken zuo xing wu
Ju zai chen tu zhong.
Pine Trees
Tall radiant mountains, spaced trees move and reflect each other
They rest upon tall mountain hillsides.
Some trees are separated far enough from each other so to be their own
Layer upon layer of needles touch each other occasionally.
The trees planted along roadsides are a mix of acacia trees
Twigs and leaves too crowded and dark.
Even though their trunks are independent and straight
They hold onto hanging and dangling insects.
Wonder why do we not cultivate more pine trees
In the clear winds their motions please.
During the Qin era they tried to plant pines along their highways
But in time they became ill and emaciated before early deaths.
Pity these noble and solitary pine trees not fit for humanity’s uses
Cannot say the same for the acacia trees.
Some trees and people find joy and leisure near the tall mountain peaks
Some of them have coiled and twisted around like a dragon avoiding obstacles.
My large house instead has a straight and unbent ridgepole
This arrangement suits well the nobles and palace people.
I am not the kind to travel with palace and military formations
Okay without following and swallowing their dust.
Notes:
Qin State era: 897-221 BC