感遇

感遇
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。
运命唯所遇，循环不可寻。
徒言树桃李，此木岂无阴。


The Oranges

Zhang Jiuling

South of the river grows the orange tree,
Its leaves are green throughout the winter long.
From snow and frost is its warmer soil free?
By nature its fruit is cold-proof and strong.
It is worthy to entertain your guest,
But distance keeps it far away from you.
By fate the east stands far apart from the west,
Oh, how can the old again become new?
You may plant as you like peach or plum trees,
But orange trees may afford shade to please.