岳阳楼记
范仲淹
The Yueyang Tower
Fan Zhongyan
庆历四年春，滕子京谪守巴陵郡。
In the spring of the fourth year of Qingli, Teng Zijing was exiled to Baling Prefecture to be the governor there.
越明年，政通人和，百废具兴。
In the second year of his office, because of his excellent administration, people lived in peace and contentment, and all previously neglected matters were taken care of.
乃重修岳阳楼，增其旧制，刻唐贤今人诗赋于其上，
The Yueyang Tower was renovated and enlarged, and inscribed on its walls were the poetry and the rhymed prose of learned men of the Tang and the present dynasties.
予观夫巴陵胜状，在洞庭一湖。衔远山，吞长江，
The beauty of Baling centers round the Dongting Lake, which holds the mountain ranges in the distance and swallows the water of the Yangtze River.
浩浩汤汤，横无际涯；朝晖夕阴，气象万千。
It is so vast and mighty that it seems boundless. Dazzling in the morning sun and fading in the gray evening mist, it offers a myriad of scenes.
此则岳阳楼之大观也，前人之述备矣。
This is the magnificent view that the Yueyang Tower commands, of which many descriptions have been written.
然则北通巫峡，南极潇湘，
This beautiful scenic spot is linked with the Wu Gorge in the north and the Xiao and Xiang rivers in the south.
迁客骚人，多会于此，览物之情，得无异乎?
Exiled officials and poets often gather here. How could there be no difference in their feelings?
若夫霪雨霏霏，连月不开，阴风怒号，浊浪排空，日星隐曜，山岳潜形；
In the rainy season, an unbroken spell of wet weather lasts for months. Chilly winds howl and turbid waves surge sky high. The sun and the stars lose their luster, and the mountain ranges are scarcely visible.
商旅不行，樯倾楫摧；薄暮冥冥，虎啸猿啼。
Merchants and travelers have to put off their voyage, for the masts of the ships have collapsed and their oars broken. It is dark towards evening, and the roaring of tigers and the cry of monkeys can be heard.
登斯楼也，则有去国怀乡，忧谗畏讥，满目萧然，感极而悲者矣。
At such a time anyone ascending the Tower will be filled with nostalgia for the imperial court and his home as well as fears of calumny and derision against him. Around him is a scene of desolation. Emotions well up in him so strongly that he feels pain at heart.
至若春和景明，波澜不惊，上下天光，一碧万顷；
In springtime it is warm and the sun is bright. The lake is tranquil and it merges with the azure sky into a vast expanse of blue.
沙鸥翔集，锦鳞游泳，岸芷汀兰，郁郁青青。
The water-birds are playing, some fluttering in the sky, some gathering together on the sandbars. Fishes of varied hues are swimming merrily in the water. The sweet-smelling grass by the banks and the faintly scented orchids on the sandy beaches are lush and green.
而或长烟一空，皓月千里，浮光耀金，静影沉璧；
Sometimes, when the mist over the lake vanishes, the glorious moon shines over the vast land, its brightness glistening with golden light on the lake. The reflection of the moon is like a piece of jade in the depths of the water.
渔歌互答，此乐何极！
The fishermen’s songs chime in with each other. How delightful they are!
登斯楼也，则有心旷神怡，宠辱皆忘，
On ascending the Tower at such a time, one will feel a spiritual uplift, caring for neither glory nor shame.
把酒临风，其喜洋洋者矣。
With a cup of wine in the gentle breeze, he will enjoy the greatest happiness in life!
嗟夫！予尝求古仁人之心，或异二者之为。何哉？
Ah! I have tried to study the minds of people of lofty ideals in ancient times. Perhaps they were different from the people I mentioned above. Why is this?
不以物喜，不以已悲。
The reason is that they were not thrown into ecstasies over their success, nor felt depressed over their failures.
居庙堂之高，则忧其民；处江湖之远，则忧其君：是进亦忧，退亦忧。
When they were in high positions at court, they were concerned about the people. When they were in remote places, they were concerned about their emperor. They worried when they got promoted or when they were sent into exile.
然则何时而乐耶？
Then, when were they happy?
其必曰:「先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐」
They would say, 「To be the first in the country to worry about the affairs of the state and the last in the county to enjoy oneself."
欤！噫！微斯人，吾谁与归?
Alas! Who else should I seek company with save them?
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