■長安即現今的西安，圖為始建於唐朝的大雁塔。 資料圖片孟郊（751 - 814）
往日齷齪不堪誇，
今朝放蕩思無涯。
春風得意馬蹄疾，
一日看盡長安花。
UPON PASSING THE STATE EXAMINATION
Meng Jiao (751 - 814)
My humble past
isn't worth boasting in any way,
But I'm unrestrained
and full of inspiration today.
Riding high in the spring breeze,
off I go at full gallop,
To view all the flowers
of Chang'an1 in one day.
1 The capital in Tang Dynasty. It is now the city of Xi'an.
Background:
This poem was written immediately after the poet knew of his success in the State Examination and was filled with exaltation. He failed twice in the past.
書籍簡介︰首創按原詩韻律押韻，以英語及插畫重塑唐詩之美，有助讀者輕鬆踏出接觸唐詩的第一步。■資料提供︰商務印書館
星期三見報