【原文】
岳阳楼记
庆历四年春，滕子京谪守巴陵郡。越明年，政通人和，百废具兴。乃重修岳阳楼，增其旧制，刻唐贤今人诗赋于其上，属予作文以记之。
予观夫巴陵胜状，在洞庭一湖。衔远山，吞长江。浩浩汤汤，横无际涯。朝晖夕阳，气象万千，此则岳阳楼之大观也，前人之述备矣。 然则北通巫峡，南极潇湘，迁客骚人，多会于此，览物之情，得无异乎?
若夫淫雨霏霏，连月不开。阴风怒号，浊浪排空，日星隐耀，山岳潜形。商旅不行，樯倾楫摧。薄雾冥冥，虎啸猿啼。登斯楼也，则有去国怀乡，忧谗畏讥，满目萧然，感极而悲者矣。
至若春和景明，波澜不惊。上下天光，一碧万顷。沙鸥翔集，锦鳞游泳。岸芷汀兰，郁郁青青。而或长烟一空，皓月千里。浮光跃金，静影沉璧。渔歌互答，此乐何极。登斯楼也，则有心旷神怡，宠辱皆忘，把酒临风，其喜洋洋者矣。
嗟夫!予尝求古仁人之心，或异二者为之，何哉?不以物喜，不以己悲。居庙堂之高，则忧其民;处江湖之远，则忧其君。是进亦忧、退亦忧。然则何时而乐耶?其必曰：先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐欤?噫!微斯人，吾谁与归!
【译文】
Yueyang Pavilion
In the spring of the fourth year of the Qingli period, Teng Zijing was relegated to the position of the prefect of Baling. The following year witnessed a great change there in terms of the smooth conduct of government and the harmonious human relations as well as the resumption of a great many neglected undertakings. Thus Yueyang Pavilion was rebuilt on a scale larger than before and was graced with the inscriptions of the poems and rhythmic prose of the Tang and contemporary celebrities. I was requested to write something to mark the event.
In my view, the grandeur of Baling lies only in Lake Dongting, which looks as if it were holding in its mouth the distant mountains and gulping down the Yangtse River. Boundless and marvellous, it presents in the morning sunshine and the evening twilight a most gorgeous spectacle. This is the general view from the pavilion, already described in full by our predecessors. However, since the lake connects with the Wu Gorge in the north and ends at the Xiao and Xiang rivers in the south, many demoted or banished officials and literati often gather here. Can there be no shades of difference in their feelings when admiring the scenery?
If the continous drizzle does not let up for several months on end, one can hear the bleak wind howling and see the turbid waves surging to the sky. The brilliance of the sun and the stars are eclipsed and the shapes of the mountains and hills become obscured. The merchants and travellers are stopped on their way, staying in boats with declined masts and broken oars, while the light being so dim at dusk, one can fancy tigers’ roars and monkeys’ gibbers. So the ascent to the pavilion is associated with the nostalgia in exile and the fear of slanders and taunts. Confronted with such disconsolate scenes, one is apt to be moved to the extreme and feel much saddened.
As for the days when spring weather is mile and sunny, nature is lit with a bright smile, and the waves being halcyon, the sky and the lake are tinged with the same hue, making up an infinitely huge canvas of light blue, on which white gulls are hovering in bevies and fish shimmering with silvery scales. And the lake shores adorned with irises and sandbars dotted with orchids are all enshrouded in a sweet and lush green. Sometimes the broad firmament is clear of all mist, a bright moon shines over the vast lake gleaming with a golden glow, and the moon’s reflection in the watery mirror reminds one of a sunken jade. And then the fishmen’s song are heard to be echoing one another. What an unbounded joy! In such a case, ascent to the pavilion gives one a broadened mind and eased heart, with credit and discredit both forgotten. Holding a winecup in the wind, one is overflowing with happiness.
Oh, I have tried to probe the souls of the noble ancients. Their feelings might differ from the above two.Why? Because they were not glad of things adventitious, or sad for the sake of themselves. Positioned high at court, they worried about the people. Banished to remote regions, they worried about their sovereigns. Thus they were carefree in neither case. Then, at what time would they feel happpy? They were sure to say:”Worry before all others have worried, rejoice after all others have rejoiced.” Who should I emulate, if not people of this type?