Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion

Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion

       On this late spring day, the ninth year of Yonghe (AD 353), we gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in Shaoxing to observe the Spring Purification Festival. All of the prominent people were there, from old to young. High mountains and luxuriant bamboo groves lie in the back; a limpid, swift stream gurgles around, which reflected the sunlight as it flowed past either side of the pavilion. We sat by the water, sharing wine from a floating goblet while chanting poems, which gave us delight in spite of the absence of musical accompaniment. This is a sunny day with a gentle valley breeze. Spreading before the eye is the beauty of nature, and hanging high is the immeasurable universe. This is perfect for an aspired mind. What a joy.

       Though born with different personalities - some give vent to their sentiment in a quiet chat while others repose their aspiration in Bohemianism - people find pleasure in what they pursue and never feel tired of it. Sometimes they pause to recall the days lapsed away. Realizing that what fascinated yesterday is a mere memory today, not to mention that everyone will return to nothingness, an unsuppressible sorrow would well up. Isn't it sad to think of it?

       I am often moved by ancients' sentimental lines which lamented the swiftness and uncertainty of life. When future generations look back to my time, it will probably be similar to how I now think of the past. What a shame! Therefore, when I list out the people that were here, and record their musings, even though times and circumstances will change, as for the things that we regret, they are the same. For the people who read this in future generations, perhaps you will likewise be moved by my words.

       永和九年，歲在癸丑，暮春之初，會於會稽山陰之蘭亭，修禊事也。群賢畢至，少長咸集。此地有崇山峻領，茂林修竹；又有清流激湍，映帶左右，引以為流觴曲水，列坐其次。雖無絲竹管弦之盛，一觴一詠，亦足以暢敘幽情。是日也，天朗氣清，惠風和暢，仰觀宇宙之大，俯察品類之盛，所以游目騁懷，足以極視聽之娛，信可樂也。 

       夫人之相與，俯仰一世，或取諸懷抱，悟言一室之內；或因寄所托，放浪形骸之外。雖趣舍萬殊，靜躁不同，當其欣於所遇，暫得於己，怏然自足，不知老之將至。及其所之既倦，情隨事遷，感慨系之矣。向之所欣，俯仰之間，以為陳跡，猶不能不以之興懷。況修短隨化，終期於盡。古人雲：“死生亦大矣。” 豈不痛哉！ 

       每覽昔人興感之由，若合一契，未嘗不臨文嗟悼，不能喻之於懷。固知一死生為虛誕，齊彭殤為妄作。後之視今，亦猶今之視昔。悲夫！故列敘時人，錄其所述，雖世殊事異，所以興懷，其致一也。後之攬者，亦將有感於斯文。