This is the original English translation of the ancient Chinese prose《醉翁亭记》(meaning Pagoda of the Old Drunken Man) by Abby Lu.
Original Chinese:
《醉翁亭记》，歐陽修
環滁皆山也。 其西南諸峰，林壑尤美。望之蔚然而深秀者，琅琊也。山行六七里，漸聞水聲潺潺，而瀉出於兩峰之間者，讓泉也。峰迴路轉，有亭翼然臨於泉上者，醉翁亭也。作亭者誰？山之僧曰智僊也。名之者誰？太守自謂也。太守與客來飲於此，飲少輒醉，而年又最高，故自號曰醉翁也。醉翁之意不在酒，在乎山水之間也。山水之樂，得之心而寓之酒也。
若夫日出而林霏開，雲歸而巖穴暝，晦明變化者，山間之朝暮也。野芳發而幽香，佳木秀而繁陰，風霜高潔，水落而石出者，山間之四時也。朝而往，暮而歸，四時之景不同，而樂亦無窮也。
至於負者歌於途，行者休於樹，前者呼，後者應，傴僂提攜，往來而不絕者，滁人遊也。臨谿而漁，谿深而魚肥；釀泉為酒，泉香而酒洌；山餚野蔌，雜然而前陳者，太守宴也。宴酣之樂，非絲非竹，射者中，弈者勝，觥籌交錯，起坐而諠譁者，眾賓懽也；蒼顏白髮，頹然乎其間者，太守醉也。
已而夕陽在山，人影散亂，太守歸而賓客從也。樹林陰翳，鳴聲上下，遊人去而禽鳥樂也。然而禽鳥知山林之樂，而不知人之樂；人知從太守遊而樂，而不知太守之樂其樂也。醉能同其樂，醒能述以文者，太守也。太守謂誰？廬陵歐陽修也。
English Translation:
“The Pagoda of the Old Drunken Man,” Ouyang Xiu
The Chu island is encircled by countless mountains but the forests of its Southwestern hills are particularly alluring. That lush, deep, and sublime hill is named Lang Ya. After hiking for six to seven Li’s, the sound of running water gradually arises. The cascade rushing down the crevice between two apexes is called the Rang Spring. As the mountain trail meanders, a pagoda with a roof like a bird’s spread wings looms into view, and that is the Pagoda of the Old Drunken Man. Who crafted the pagoda? A mountain monk named Deity of Wisdom. Who named the pagoda? The pagoda is an eponymous structure of the prefecture executive. When revelling in the pagoda with acquaintances, the elderly executive became easily drunk; thus, he was gifted the alias “The Old Drunken Man.” The Old Drunken Man’s true pleasure lies not in wine, but in the mountains and rivers. The pleasure of nature is experienced by the heart but manifested in wine.
During sunrise, the forest fog disperses, the clouds condense, and darkness shrouds the mountain rocks. Ever-changing lights herald the mountain’s dusks and dawns. The mysterious fragrance wafting from blooming wild flowers, the dense canopy casting long shadows, the white frost glistening in a high autumn breeze, and a receding tide uncovering hidden rocks, are all harbingers of the mountain’s four seasons. When arriving with morning and returning by night, the seasons’ changing sceneries unleash infinite joy.
Those with laden backs sing along the trail, the hikers rest at the base of trees, people call out to one another, those strolling with bent backs and lead along by big, strong hands—those who ceaselessly grace the mountain paths—are all adventurous Chu locals. Fishing by a stream, one discovers the stream is deep and its fish are fat. Fermenting water from a running spring into wine, one discovers a fragrant spring makes for pure wine. The mountain’s game and wild vegetables grace the table of the local executive’s feast in a scattered array. The indulgent pleasure of feasts stem not from music. Victories in drinking games and defeats in chess games, the table a mess of wine and wine glasses, and every boisterous soul rising from chairs signified that all was happy. The aged visage with white hair lethargically tucked in the midst of the racket is the drunken local executive.
The setting sun now rested upon the mountain top and the scattered shadows of guests danced on the paths. The local executive was departing the pagoda and his guests followed suit. The lush forest canopy cast a magnificent shade and the songs of birds surrounded the guests. The birds rejoiced in the departure of these sightseers. The birds knew the pleasure of the mountains but not the pleasure of people; the people knew the pleasure of accompanying the local executive, but not the pleasure of the executive. The one capable of cherishing pleasure when drunk and expressing pleasure in words when sober is none other than the local executive. Who is the local executive? He is Ouyang Xiu of the LuLing county.
The Big Duck 