<Header>
<Author: 韋應物>
<Title: 郡齋雨中與諸文士燕集>
<Format: 五言古詩>
<Year: 1944>
<BookName: A FURTHER SELECTION FROM THE THREE HUNDRED POEMS OF THE T'ANG DYNASTY>
<Translator: SOAME JENYNS>
<TranslatedTitle: Feasting a company of Scholars on a Rainy Day at Government House>
<BookPage: 23-24>
<UsedPage: 2>
<Feature: 4>
<End Header>
<Poem>
兵衛森畫戟，
宴寢凝清香。
海上風雨至，
逍遙池閣涼。
煩疴近消散，
嘉賓復滿堂。
自慙居處崇，
未覩斯民康。
理會是非遣，
性達形迹忘。
鮮肥屬時禁，
蔬果幸見嘗。
俯飲一杯酒，
仰聆金玉章。
神歡體自輕，
意欲凌風翔。
吳中盛文史，
羣彥今汪洋。
方知大藩地，
豈曰財賦疆。
<End Poem>
<Translation>
THE well-disciplined guard put up their spears
In the official guest chamber there is a pleasant fragrance (of cooked foods);
Wind and rain drive across the water
But we are at ease in a cool room that overlooks the lake.
Worry and fear have now been banished
My honoured guests once more crowd my hall,
For myself I feel ashamed of living here so extravagantly
While I think of my people in want.
But let us smother these twinges of conscience
And follow our natural bent.
Fresh meats are not in season
But vegetables and fruit are here to be tasted,
Deign to drink a cup of wine
While I will listen attentively to the recitation of poems.
If the spirit is happy the body feels light
I want to mount on the wings of the wind.
Soochow is the home of all the scholars.
A great wave of culture has spread itself here
How can it be said that the confines of this great state
Rest on wealth and might alone.
<End Translation>