Enjoying the Cool
Song dynasty・Qin Guan
Classical Chinese-style Ballad
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In bright moonlight, flutes rise from boats at intervals; the wind stills, and pond lotuses freely give their fragrance.
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- 无事小狗仙
- 2026-06-29 18:19
- 79 reads
携扙来追柳外凉，画桥南畔倚胡床。— Carrying my staff, I seek the cool beyond the willows; south of the painted bridge, I recline on a folding chair.
In the bright moonlight, flutes rise here and there from boats; the wind has stilled, and pond lotuses give off their fragrance freely.
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Translation
With my walking stick, I seek cool air beyond the willows, then rest on a folding seat south of the painted bridge. Moonlight shines brightly, and flute notes rise here and there from boats; after the wind stops, the lotuses in the pond still freely release their fragrance.
Annotations
携扙: this page’s original text uses “扙”; in context it is read as “携杖,” meaning “carrying a walking stick.” 追凉: to seek a cool place. 画桥: a bridge with painted or carved decoration.
胡床: an ancient folding seat, similar to a folding chair, rather than a bed. 参差: rising and falling at different intervals; uneven. 风定: the wind stops. 自在香: giving off fragrance naturally, without waiting for the wind.
Introduction
Reading guide: Qin Guan describes going out to enjoy the cool of a summer night, moving from walking to sitting quietly, then to flute music and lotus fragrance. All four lines center on bodily ease and subtle changes in sensation, expressing contentment in a tranquil life.
Commentary
“追” (to pursue) first depicts an active search for coolness, while “倚” (to lean) shows that a place to linger has been found. As the person's movements slow, the surrounding sounds and atmosphere gradually become distinct.
Flute notes at varying distances give the quiet night depth; the wind ceases while fragrance remains, drawing attention back to the pond's lotuses themselves. The closing line does not rush to state a principle, leaving only a moment of unhurried awareness of the world.
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Lotus Breeze Beyond the Willows
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The Uneven Flute
On cool nights by the painted bridge, A-Yu can always recognize Uncle Hong’s old flute: its third hole leaks air, and it cannot reach the high notes. When a grain boat is robbed, the flute’s sound suddenly becomes evidence of collusion with bandits, and a sack of new rice appears beside the old man’s bed. A-Yu remembers that the last note that night was too straight, but everyone else will believe only the rice sack before them. As he questions people door to door, the trail leads ever closer to the sickbed he once repaired for someone.
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