竹竿梁庙前有一棵古柏。它的枝条像青铜;它的根像岩石;在它长达四十英尺的巨大周长周围，它的树皮经受住了雨水的冲刷。它的喷色的顶部高达两千英尺，与天空打招呼。王子和政治家早已偿还了时间的债务;但这棵树仍然受到人们的珍视。当云来的时候，连续的蒸汽将它与长长的巫峡的薄雾联系在一起;当月亮出现的时候，柏树也分享着雪山皑皑的寒意。我记得大约一年以前，在我的锦江阁东行的路上，首君和梁竹子共用一个神社。 There, too, were towering cypresses, on the ancient plain outside the city. The paint- work of the temple's dark interior gleamed dully through derelict doors and windows. But this cypress here, though it holds its ground well, clinging with wide-encompassing, snake-like hold, yet, because of its lonely height rising into the gloom of the sky, meets much of the wind's fierce blast. Nothing but the power of Divine Providence could have kept it standing for so long; its straightness must be the work of the Creator himself! If a great hall had collapsed and beams for it were needed, ten thousand oxen might turn their heads inquiringly to look at such a mountain of a load. But it is already marvel enough to astonish the world, without any need to undergo a craftsman's embellishing. It has never refused the axe: there is simply no one who could carry it away if it were felled. Its bitter heart has not escaped the ants; but there are always phoenixes roosting in its scented leaves. Men of ambition, and you who dwell unseen, do not cry out in despair! From of old the really great has never been found a use for. Another Translation: In front of K'ung-ming Shrine stands an old cypress, With branches like green bronze and roots like granite; Its hoary bark, far round, glistens with raindrops, And blueblack hues, high up, blend in with Heaven's: Long ago Statesman, King kept Time's appointment, But still this standing tree has men's devotion; United with the mists of ghostly gorges, Through which the moon brings cold from snowy mountains. (I recall near my hut on Brocade River Another Shrine is shared by King and Statesman On civil, ancient plains with stately cypress: The paint there now is dim, windows shutterless. . .) Wide, wide though writhing roots maintain its station, Far, far in lonely heights, many's the tempest When its hold is the strength of Divine Wisdom And straightness by the work of the Creator. . . Yet if a crumbling Hall needed a rooftree, Yoked herds would, turning heads, balk at this mountain: By art still unexposed all have admired it; But axe though not refused, who could transport it? How can its bitter core deny ants lodging, All the while scented boughs give Phoenix housing? Oh, ambitious unknowns, sigh no more sadly: Using timber as big was never easy!