In the ancient poem "Grass", there is
a line that reads, "Every year there is a dryness and a glory", in which the words "dryness" and "glory" are a pair of antonyms.
The full name of the poem "Grass" is "Fugue Guyuan Grass Send-off", which is a famous work of poet Bai Juyi in Tang Dynasty. The poem expresses the feelings of farewell when sending off a friend through the depiction of the wild grass on the ancient plains. The full text of the poem is as follows:
The Grass
The grass on the ancient plains, withers and grows every year.
Wild fires cannot be eliminated, but spring breezes blow again.
Far away, the fragrance invades the ancient road, and the clear green sky connects the deserted city.
Sending the king's grandchildren away again, I am full of farewell feelings.
Translation:
The grass grows so luxuriantly on the field that every year, as spring turns to autumn, it has to go through the process of withering and rebirth. Wildfire can only burn off its withered branches and leaves, and it will be reborn again every year when spring arrives. The fragrance of grass spread far and wide in the old stagecoach road, the grassland bright green far extended to your home. I have once again sent away my best friend, the lush weeds on the grassland represent my deep love for you.
Word Notes:
FuDe: Borrowing ancient verses or idioms to compose a poem. The title of the poem is usually preceded by the word "赋得". This is a way for ancient people to learn how to compose poems, or for literati to gather and compose poems on different topics, or to compose poems on topics during the imperial examinations, which is called "fude style".
LiLi: the appearance of lush green grass.
One year, one wither and one glory: wither, wither. Rong, luxuriant. The weeds flourish and wither once a year.
Far-fang invades the ancient road: fang refers to the strong fragrance of the wild grass. Far away fragrance: the fragrance of the grass spreads far and wide. Encroachment, encroachment, full-grown. The fragrant wild grass grows all the way to the old post road.
Ching Cui: the grassland is bright and green.
Wangsun: this refers to the descendants of nobles, but this refers to friends from afar.
Luxurious: describes the appearance of the grass growing luxuriantly.