Zuiweng Tingji

Zuiweng Tingji (醉翁亭记 or, The Record of the Pavilion of the Old Drunkard) is a semi-autobiographical poem by Ouyang Xiu. The title "Grand Warden" refers to Ouyang Xiu's position in charge of a Tang Dynasty commandery. Its most famous line is: 醉翁之意不在酒，在乎山水之间也.

Chinese

环滁皆山也。其西南诸峰，林壑尤美。望之蔚然而深秀者，琅琊也。山行六七里，渐闻 水声潺潺，而泄出于两峰之间者，酿泉也。峰回路转，有亭翼然临于泉上者，醉翁亭也。作亭者谁？山之僧智仙也。名之者谁？太守自谓也。太守与客来饮于此，饮少辄醉，而年又最高，故自号曰“醉翁”也。醉翁之意不在酒，在乎山水之间也。山水之乐，得之心而寓之酒也。若夫日出而林霏开，云归而岩穴暝，晦明变化者，山间之朝暮也。野芳发而幽香，佳木秀而繁阴，风霜高洁，水落而石出者，山间之四时也。朝而往，暮而归，四时之景不同，而乐亦无穷也。至于负者歌于塗，行者休于树，前者呼，后者应，伛偻提携，往来而不绝者，滁人游也。临溪而渔，溪深而鱼肥；酿泉为酒，泉香而酒冽；山肴野蔌，杂然而前陈者，太守宴也。宴酣之乐，非丝非竹，射者中，弈者胜，觥筹交错，坐起而喧哗者，众宾欢也。苍然白发，颓乎其中者，太守醉也。已而夕阳在山，人影散乱，太守归而宾客从也。树林阴翳，鸣声上下，游人去而禽鸟乐也。然而禽鸟知山林之乐，而不知人之乐；人知从太守游而乐，而不知太守之乐其乐也。醉能同其乐，醒能述其文者，太守也。太守谓谁？庐陵欧阳修也。

English

Huanchu is mountainous, and as for the peaks in its southwest, their forests and valleys are especially beautiful. Looking toward Langye, one sees that it is lush and deeply flowering. Walking into the mountains six or seven "li", one gradually hears the "chan chan" sound of water flowing, streaming out between two peaks. This is the "Brewer's Spring." Returning to the mountain path, there is a pavilion with outstretched wings, which the spring descends toward. This is the Pavilion of the Old Drunkard. As for who built this pavilion, it was the Buddhist priest of the mountain, Zhi Xian. As for who named it, the Grand Warden named it after himself. The Grand Warden and his guests come here to drink, and drink but a little and are at once intoxicated. As he got up in years, the Grand Warden gave himself the name "Old Drunkard." The Old Drunkard's intention is not in the wine, but lies between the mountains and the streams. The happiness of mountains and streams is obtained in the heart and lodged in wine.

Imagine the rising sun and the parting of the forest mist, the return of clouds and the darkening of cliff-side caves. These changes between darkness and brightness are the sunrise and sunset in the mountains. The country fragrance is faintly redolent; fine trees flower and flourish in the shade; the wind is high and the frost is pure; the water level lowers and the riverbed rocks come forth: these are the four seasons amid the mountains. One goes out at sunrise and returns at sunset. The scenes of the four seasons are not the same, and their pleasures are likewise inexhaustible. Those carrying burdens sing along dirt paths, those walking rest under trees. Those in the front call out, and those at the back respond. Hunched over old folks and those leading children by the hand, coming without stopping, these are the outings of the people of Chu. Fishing just before the brook, the stream is deep and the fish are plump. Brewing the spring water into wine, the spring water is fragrant and the wine is pure.

Mountain game meat and wild vegetables are laid out in an assortment for the Grand Warden's feast. The happiness of the feast and drinking has nothing to do with strings and flutes. The shooters of dice hit their mark, and players of chess are victorious. Wine cups and game tallies cross back and forth, and people sit and stand in an uproar. The multitude of guests is happy. Senile-looking and white-haired, slumped amidst them is the Grand Warden, drunk. Shortly afterwards, the setting sun is behind the mountains and the peoples' shadows scatter disorderly.

The Grand Warden returns and the guests follow. The forest of trees is dark, and the sound of birds is all over: the traveling people have left and the birds are pleased. Naturally, the birds know the pleasures of the mountains and forests, and do not know the happiness of people. People know to take after the happiness of the Warden, but do not know that the happiness of the warden is their own happiness. The Grand Warden is one who can share their happiness when drunk, and can express it in literature when sober. What is the Grand Warden called? He is Ouyang Xiu of Luling.