<Header>
<Author: 韋應物>
<Title: 答暢校書當>
<Format: 五言古詩>
<Year: 2009>
<BookName: In Such Hard Times: The Poetry of Wei Ying-wu>
<Translator: Pine, Red>
<TranslatedTitle: In Reply to Gentleman-in-Attendance Ch'ang Tang>
<BookPage: 152-153>
<UsedPage: 2>
<Feature: 5>
<End Header>
<Poem>
偶然棄官去，
投跡在田中。
日出照茅屋，
園林養愚蒙。
雖雲無一資，
樽酌會不空。
且忻百穀成，
仰嘆造化功。
出入與民伍，
作事靡不同。
時伐南澗竹，
夜還灃水東。
貧蹇自成退，
豈爲高人蹤。
覽君金玉篇，
彩色發我容。
日月欲爲報，
方春已徂冬。
<End Poem>
<Translation>
I just happened to quit my post
and end up in the countryside
where the rising sun lights thatched huts
and gardens and groves support simple folk
though I'd agree I'm without means
my wine cup is rarely empty
I delight in ripening grain
and sigh at the work of creation
in step with villagers dawn to dusk
there's nothing they do I don't
I cut bamboo along the stream to the south
and return at night to the Feng's east shore
I retired because of incompetence
it wasn't to follow a higher path
I read your essay of jade and gold
its beautiful hues lit up my face
day after day I've wanted to reply
that was in spring and now it's winter
<End Translation>