Tillers by the Weichuan River 渭川

Tillers by the Weichuan River

Wang Wei

by Wang Baotong

A slanting sun on the village shines;

Returning cattle to the lane trail near.

A grandpa, on staff, by his gate of vines

And brambles, wait for his herds-lad dear.

The pheasants call. The wheat-ear grows.

The silkworms sleep, and mulberries are bare.

The ploughmen homeward, carrying hoes,

Enjoy to meet and chat fore'er.

What carefree country folk are they!

They make me sigh, "O show the way!"

Note:

"O Show the Way"(《式微》）, one of the songs in The Book of Poetry(《诗经》), begins with "O show the way!/ Why d'ye stay". Wang Wei makes use of this expression to show his thirst for escaping the troubleful officialdom to the pleasures of nature.

渭川田家

王维

斜阳照墟落，穷巷牛羊归。

野老念牧童，倚杖候荆扉。

雉雊麦苗秀，蚕眠桑叶稀。

田夫荷锄至，相见语依依。

即此羡闲逸，怅然吟《式微》。