THE BOOK

Zhu Xi 

Southern Song Dynasty

There lies a glassy oblong pool,

Where light and shade pursue their course.

How can it be so clear and cool?

For water fresh comes from its source.

观书有感

[宋]朱熹

半亩方塘一鉴开, 天光云影共徘徊。

问渠哪得清如许？为有源头活水来。

About the poet 

Zhu Xi was a Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) poet and also a Chinese Confucian philosopher who was highly reputed during his time.

About the translator 

Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University.

About the book 

Golden Treasury of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Poetry Translated by Xu Yuanchong & Xu Ming Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2019