In the thirteenth year of the Republic, I went back to my home in Fujian, On my way I passed the White Horse Village in west Zhejiang. During my few days there, I wrote these travel notes. ——Monologue
小路旁 有一棵榕树 茂叶染绿晒网的蜘蛛 By the narrow road, there is a banyan tree. Lush leaves turn green the spider in the web.
农家客 荷锄正起早 路过桥头尝几块豆腐 Farmers rise early, carrying hoes on their shoulders. Passed by the bridge and taste a couple slices of tofu.
小姑娘 卷帘又拉上 着急换上新裁的春装 Young ladies pull down blinds again. And hurry to change into newly-tailored spring outfits.
三五位 攀谈的棋客 树下摊开昨日的阵仗
A couple of schmoozing chess lovers. Come under the tree to reopen yesterday's game.
大白马 铃铛阵阵响 孩童围着讨要马奶喝 The big white horse, its bells tinkling. Children cluster, asking for horse milk.
去去去 老汉执鞭怒 你家大人下楼给钱啦 “Off! Off! Off!” The annoyed old man with a whip in his hand. “Let your parents to come down to pay” he yells.
午后雨 泥地吭哧响 大大的榕树好似一叶华盖 Heavy rain falls in the afternoon, rushing down the muddy ground. The big banyan tree stands like a leaf-made cover.
白头翁 檐下梳毛发 浑身湿透 瑟瑟发抖 A Chinese bulbul, preening under the roof. Soaked with water, it trembled in cold.
日将斜 飞鸟归山林 南风带来邻村的炊烟 The sun is setting, birds back to mountain wood. The south wind brings the smoke of cooking from nearby neighborhood.
夜深沈 江船一盏灯 窗外虫鸣 一宿好梦 Deep into the night, a boat light flashes dimly on the river. Bugs chirp outside the window. Sweet dream and sleep tight.