<Header>
<Author: 韋應物>
<Title: 夏至避暑北池>
<Format: 五言絕句>
<Year: 2009>
<BookName: In Such Hard Times: The Poetry of Wei Ying-wu>
<Translator: Pine, Red>
<TranslatedTitle: Escaping the Heat at North Lake at the Beginning of Summer>
<BookPage: 334-335>
<UsedPage: 2>
<Feature: 5>
<End Header>
<Poem>
晝晷已雲極，
宵漏自此長。
未及施政教，
所憂變炎涼。
公門日多暇，
是月農稍忙。
高居念田裏，
苦熱安可當。
亭午息羣物，
獨遊愛方塘。
門閉陰寂寂，
城高樹蒼蒼。
綠筠尚含粉，
圓荷始散芳。
於焉灑煩抱，
可以對華觴。
<End Poem>
<Translation>
The sundial has reached its limit
the waterclock begins dripping longer tonight
my official instructions haven't arrived
I'm more concerned about the change in the weather
through I'm invariably free at the office
farmers this month are busy
living in comfort I think of them toiling
and wonder how they deal with the heat
creatures all rest at midday
I alone love to visit this lake
the gate is closed it's shady and quiet
the walls are high and the trees are dense
the new bamboo looks powdery-green
and lotuses are starting to send forth perfume
but how shall I soothe a troubled heart
perhaps with a jug of good wine
<End Translation>