Fantasia of Life (Lin Yutang)

Ingredients:

This is an edited version of poems selected and translated from Chinese by Lin Yutang, which all share a certain quality of understanding of life, reminiscent of Fitzgerald’s "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam".

Directions:

Liu Chienfu

O, have you heard of that immortal quest,
Five hundred virgins for a king’s behest,
Where are they? Where the potion Yenti promised?
Their eyes closed, and Laozi’s too like all the rest.


Teng Chingyang

We are but passing guests from who knows where.
Say not thy home is here, thy home is there.
It suits me well wherever I may be;
The flowers bloom here and there and everywhere.


Chuehwen

What rich fields of gold below yonder hill.
A newcomer harvests what others till.
Rejoice not, dear newcomer, at your turn —
There waits behind a new newcomer still.


Shin Yu-An

The one who’s drunk shares liberally his smiles,
He does away with foolish masks and guiles
From him I’ve lately come to realize
Spurn bookish wisdom and ambitious wiles.


Su Tungpo

O speckless the clear moon, silvery the night!
When you fill thy cup, be sure to fill it quite!
Strive not for frothy fame, nor for bubbling wealth:
A passing dream —
A flashing flint —
A shadow’s flight!

O what is knowledge, fine and ultra-fine?
To joys simple and innocent resign!
When I go home, I’ll carry on my back
A pile of clouds —
A sweet-toned lyre —
A pot of wine.


Tung Chungfeng

I love my bamboo hut, by water surrounded,
Reached on either side by stepping stones well-grounded.
A quiet peaceful study, small but fine:
Ensconced so cozy —
So delightful —
So well-rounded.

No marble halls, no tall vermillion towers
Are quite as good as my secluded bowers.
The lawn with buttercups embroidered
Greets me in the cloudy morn —
Or when it shines —
Or when it showers.

A short low wall with windows hid by trees;
A tiny little pond myself to please;
And there upon its shady rocky banks:
A pretty girl —
A pale moon —
A soft breeze.

And how about this quiet life to lead?
A balcony to sit without a need
And earn from moon and flowers a peaceful hour
And have some friendly chats —
Some fine incense —
Some books to read.

For household use, some furniture decrepit.
Suffice with hills and water so exquisite.
When guests arrive, to set the perfect scene:
Put on the kettle —
Brew the tea —
And let us sip it.

O sweep the yard, but spare the mossy spots
Let petals speck thy stones with purple dots
And in a painting, what’s more wonderful:
Some pine trees —
And bamboos —
And apricots.

Let bloom in order pear and peach and cherry!
The morrow lies with God, so pick the berry;
Who knows but what and when the future holds?
But let’s be wise —
Be content —
Be merry!

When a friend arrives whom thou hast long admired,
Since by idle nothings you are both inspired,
Ask them to stay for a good carefree half-day:
And drink when happy —
Sing when drunk —
Sleep when tired.

A quiet home far from the hustling crowds;
Let not the trivial things thy mind becloud.
Be happy and never disenchanted,
Do not be fussy —
Nor selfish —
Nor proud.

Obey God’s will, and wait on Heaven’s pleasure.
Thy purity of heart alone do treasure.
Enough the library and the flowers’ court
For a life of peace —
And contentment —
And leisure.