The district of Chu is entirely surrounded by hills. Among the peaks in the southwest, the forests and valleys are especially beautiful. The one that appears lush, deep, and elegant is Mount Langya. After walking six or seven miles along the mountain path, one gradually hears the gurgling sound of water flowing out between two peaks – that is the Brewer’s Spring. As the path winds around the hill, a pavilion perches by the spring like a bird with spreading wings; this is the Drunken Old Man’s Pavilion. Who built the pavilion? A monk named Zhixian. Who named it? The Governor named it himself. The Governor came here with guests to drink; he would get tipsy after only a little wine, and being the eldest, he gave himself the sobriquet “The Drunken Old Man.” The Drunken Old Man’s interest lies not in wine, but in the mountains and rivers. The joy of nature is felt in the heart and expressed through drinking.
When the sun rises, the mist in the forest clears; when clouds gather, the grottoes grow dim. The changing light and dark are the morning and evening in the mountains. Wild flowers bloom with a subtle fragrance; fine trees grow lush and provide shade; the wind is crisp, the frost is pure, the water recedes and the stones appear – these are the four seasons in the mountains. Going in the morning and returning at dusk, the scenery of the four seasons is different, and the joy is endless.
As for those carrying loads singing on the road, travelers resting under trees, people calling out ahead and answering behind, the old and the young coming and coming without end – these are the people of Chu traveling. Fishing by the stream, the stream is deep and the fish are fat; brewing wine with the spring water, the spring is fragrant and the wine is pure; mountain game and wild vegetables are served in a jumble – this is the Governor’s banquet. The merriment of the banquet, without music, involves archers hitting the target and chess players winning; wine cups and chopsticks cross, people sit up and talk loudly – these are the guests enjoying themselves. Amidst them sits a man with a pale face and white hair, slumped over – this is the Governor drunk.
Soon the sun sets on the mountain, people’s shadows scatter in disorder; the Governor returns while the guests follow. The trees are shady, birds chirp above and below; after the travelers leave, the birds enjoy themselves. However, birds know the joy of the mountains and forests, but do not know human joy; people know to follow the Governor and enjoy themselves, but do not know that the Governor takes pleasure in their pleasure. To be drunk and share their joy, to wake up and write about it in words – that is the Governor. Who is this Governor? Ouyang Xiu of Luling.
醉翁亭记
欧阳修（北宋）
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，而泻出于两峰之间者，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。
至于负者歌于途，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，泉香而酒洌，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，起坐而喧哗者，众宾欢也。苍颜白发，颓然乎其间者，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，醒能述以文者，太守也。太守谓谁？庐陵欧阳修也。
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