Ancient poems about welcoming guests
1. Arrival of guests
Tang Dynasty: Du Fu
There is spring water in the south and north of the house, but I see a flock of gulls coming every day.
The flower path has never been swept by visitors, and now the gate is opened for you.
Panxiang City has far less flavor, and the bottle and wine shops are poor and only have old fermented grains.
I am willing to drink with my neighbor and call across the fence to finish the remaining cup.
Translation
The north and south of the thatched cottage were filled with spring water, and gulls were seen flying in groups every day. I have never swept the flower path for guests, so I will sweep it for you today. This wood door has never been opened for guests, but I will open it for you today.
Too far from the city, there is no good food on the plate, and the family is too thin and only old wine can be entertained. If you are willing to invite the old man next door to have a drink with you, call him over the fence to drink the rest of the cup!
2. Guests from Nanming
Tang Dynasty: Du Fu
Guests from Nanming left behind my spring guest pearl.
There are hidden words in the beads, which cannot be written down if I try to identify them.
Keep the box sealed for a long time in case the official needs it.
The sight turns into blood, and the sorrow is gone!
Translation
A guest came from the south and gave me a pearl. There was a vague word in the pearl, but I wanted to identify it but couldn't form the word; I hid it in a bamboo box for a long time. Waiting for officials to come and solicit.
But when I opened the box later, I found that the pearls had turned into blood. What I can think of is that now I have nothing to cope with the government's extortion.
3. Visitors traveling thousands of miles away
Wei and Jin Dynasties: Cao Zhi
Having visitors traveling thousands of miles away, I asked you where you are from.
If you follow it, you will be loved by your heart.
I cried to me while wearing my clothes, and I told myself before I breathed out.
Originally he was an alchemist from Shuo, but now he is a citizen of Wuyue.
The journey is about to resume, and I will go to the Western Qin Dynasty.
Translation
There were guests in front of my door who came from thousands of miles away and asked me where I was from. I picked up my clothes and went to look for him, and sure enough I found the friend I was happy with. He was very excited to see me, holding his clothes and crying to me.
After sighing, he recounted his experience to me. He originally came from Shuofang, but moved from the north to Wuyue in the south, and is now a native of Wuyue. But the days of migration are not over yet. He is still moving, this time to the Qin State in the west.
After moving so frequently, where is my final destination?
4. A metaphor for a husband blocking guests
Tang Dynasty: Wang Yunxiu
Chu Zhuyange animated beams, and changed into dancing clothes at night.
When Gongsun opened a pavilion to invite guests, he knew that the clouds would not last long.
Translation
The sounds of wind instruments from the south and Yange from the north shook the painted beams and carved ridges in the hall. Late at night, the dancers changed into new dance clothes and started the next performance.
Gongsun Hongguang, a famous prime minister in the Han Dynasty, opened the courtyard and welcomed guests from all over. Because he knows that this kind of glory and wealth cannot last forever.
5. Guests in the mountains
Tang Dynasty: Zhang Xu
The light and physical appearance of the mountains bring out the brilliance of spring. Don’t be tempted to return home because of the light shade.
Even if the sky is bright and there is no rain, my clothes will still be stained deep in the clouds.
Translation
Under the illusion of spring, the mountain scenery is full of atmosphere. Why rush home when the clouds first appear? Even if the weather is sunny and there is no hint of rain, walking deep into the mountains will make your clothes wet.