How should I understand the next sentence "Nature forswears antiquity" properly？
Well like most poetry, it's up for interpretation. My own view is that it's a reflection on the transience of nature. Nature isn't around for hundreds of years, it is around for a short time and then it goes away. Flowers more so than other nature. In that way, "they foreswear antiquity"
I love the Du Fu poem! I like the first translation yes, but both have their merit.
Great share!
I am so grateful that you helped me figure it out! Thank you for your wonderful explanation. I agree on your opinion completely: a reflection on the transience of nature.
I also love Du Fu poem, especially some of his poems written in Chengdu which was one of the most prosperous areas of China, without being involved in the war at that time. For my part, his poetry has a perfect antithesis in a gorgeous writing style. Due to Du Fu's poems on his daily happy life in Chengdu, it seems that Chengdu has been a holy land in my mind: a peaceful but vibrant place with flowers in bloom and the river, the tower, etc.(Alhough I have never been to Cheng du in reality till now, I know nothing can be more beautiful than Du Fu's poems.)
You're welcome. Poetry is timeless, and I'm sure the beauty he paints of that city can't match the truth. Your comment makes me think of a haiku from Bashō. He wrote. "Even in Kyoto / I long for Kyoto / A cuckoo" (京にても京なつかしやほとゝぎす / kyō nite mo kyō natsukashi ya hototogisu). I think Kyoto held a similar place for Japan, the one area in the country that was constantly peaceful. We could say Kyoto was the heart of Japan (and maybe still is). But our image never matches the reality, so even when we are there, we still long for our image of the place. As Bashō was highly influenced by Du Fu, he may have been thinking of him when he wrote that.
Oh, such a lovely and meaningful haiku from Basho! I love it so much. Maybe the poet thought of the ancient Kyoto while standing in the street lonely and hearing the calling of a cuckoo suddenly in Kyoto. In fact I've ever had the similar experience. I still remember clearly how I was wrapped up in my reveries when visiting Beijing. Even in Beijing/I long for Beijing/Lamb Spine Hot Pot(which I guess should be a traditional food from Mongol nationality or Muslim/Hui nationality; now the majority/92% of Chinese population is Han nationality like me.)
When I saw the huge signs of the "Lamb Spine Hot Pot/羊蝎子" on a row of large stalls in the whole street, I couldn't help relating them to the magnificent Mongolian Empire/Yuan dynasty owning the biggest territory whose capital is also Beijing. At that time those Mongolian nobles in white clothes must be indulging themselves with such food.
Yeah, I have an image of Chengdu in my mind, but I'm sure that it is not the same as the present Chengdu. In my book it is just the charm of visiting the famous historical and cultural city -- how many memories are there in it! Not long ago I have just learnt a new English word: palimpsest. I feel we can say that the scenic historical city is a palimpsest of artistic images from the different generations of poets.
I am really so honored and inspired to talk about such kind of topics with you.