Song of Willow Branch

杨柳枝词

[唐] 白居易（许渊冲译）

A tree of million branches sways in breeze of spring,

More tender, more soft than golden silk string by string.

But in west corner of a garden in decay,

Who would come to admire its beauty all the day?

一树春风千万枝，

嫩于金色软于丝。

永丰西角荒园里，

尽日无人属阿谁？

[词汇] decay

v.（建筑、地方等）破败，衰落；（观念、影响力等）衰败；（使）腐朽，腐烂

n. 腐烂；（观念、机构、制度等）衰退

The place smelled of decay and neglect.

这地方有一股污浊腐朽的气味。