感遇（其二）

张九龄

江南有丹橘， 经冬犹绿林。

岂伊地气暖， 自有岁寒心。

可以荐嘉客， 奈何阻重深。

运命惟所遇， 循环不可寻。

徒言树桃李， 此木岂无阴。

ORCHID¹ AND ORANGE II

Zhang Jiuling

Here, south of the Yangzi, grows a red orangetree.

All winter long its leaves are green,

Not because of a warmer soil,

But because its' nature is used to the cold.

Though it might serve your honourable² guests,

You leave it here, far below mountain and river.

Circumstance governs destiny.

Cause and effect are an infinite cycle.

You plant your peach-trees and your plums,

You forget the shade from this other tree.