自题竹籁小草

读清人廖燕《二十七松堂集》，遇此文字，绝爱之。其欢欣之意，有言语不能比拟者。唯铺纸于案，执笔信手书数过，书且哦之，彼杳渺之怀，愤慨之意，或能得其一二。渊明逃于酒，皎然逃于禅，石涛逃于楮墨，廖燕其人，逃于竹者乎？日日处其中，闻其声，聆其韵，欣然于其相得，并发于歌诗，命曰《自题竹籁小草》，录如下，并英译之文：

竹圃初葺，微雨一过，苔洁萝鲜，予坐其中。颓如块雪耳，似与笔墨事？而顾相引以深也。蕉纸虫书，似以韵胜，不欲落烟食朵颐。举向花间，倩鸟哦之。公冶子何在？听此泠然。世无忌人，容我仙去。

Notes on My Writings in the Bamboo Garden

Liao Yan

The bamboo garden has just been renovated. After a fine drizzle, the mosses and the vines are washed fresh and clear. Sitting in the garden, I feel as if I were a block of frozen snow. Will my writings and calligraphy I love so much lose appeal? When looking back at the bamboos, I feel that my writings and calligraphy are still of value. Written in palm leaves, they look like small worms, standing out for exotic appeal. I will not allow them to fall into secular hands and be made fun of. I wish to dedicate them to flowers and invite birds to sing for them. Where is Gongye Chang,(1) who can understand birds' words? Upon hearing them, he is sure to be moved to tears. I wish people without jealousy will allow me to fly away like an immortal and live a carefree life.

1. Gongye Chang (519-470BC), son-in-law and disciple of Confucius, as well as one of the 72 sages, known as GOngyezi for his ability to understand birds' words.