春夜宴桃李园序
夫天地者，万物之逆旅也；光阴者，百代之过客也。而浮生若梦，为欢几何？古人秉烛夜游，良有以也。况阳春召我以烟景，大块假我以文章。会桃花之芳园，序天伦之乐事。群季俊秀，皆为惠连；吾人咏歌，独惭康乐。幽赏未已，高谈转清。开琼筵以坐花，飞羽觞而醉月。不有佳咏，何伸雅怀？如诗不成，罚依金谷酒数。
译文
Entertainment Given in the Peach and PlumGarden on a Spring Evening
As regards heaven and earth, they are nothing but an inn for all living creatures. As regards time, it is nothing but a passerby in the long run of a hundred generations. Since our life is as fleeting as a dream, how long can our joy possibly last? Therefore, there are plenty of reasons for the ancients to amuse themselves at night, holding a candle in their hands. The warm spring attracts us with her resplendent beauty dazzling in haze, and nature provides us with scenery of splendor and charm.Gathered in this fragrant garden full of peach and plum flowers in blossom, we talk to our hearts’ content about family love and happiness. All my cousins are as handsome and talented as Xie Huilian. All of us compose poems and reads them aloud, but I am ashamed of myself for being no match for Duke of Kangle(Xie Lingyun). While we are still quietly enjoying the beauty of the spring evening, the hearty talk shifts from lofty topics to lighter and elegant matters. A sumptuous feast is served in the midst of flowers. Having circulated the wine cups for many around, we get drunk in the moonlight. Without good poems how can we give vent to our jovial feelings? Thus, if one fails to produce good poetry, he deserves to be punished by drinking three cups, as the ancients did in Jingu Garden.
