Seven-character Quatrain: Ode to the Frog

(1910)

Sitting alone by the pond like a tiger crouching,

Under the green shade tree I nourish my spirit.

When spring comes, if I do not first open my mouth,

Which insect would dare make a sound?

[1] Alone, solitary. Sitting alone here carries the meaning of dominating a region. Crouching means squatting or sitting. Tiger crouching refers to the frog crouching like a tiger, with a sense of admiration.

[2] Under the green shade tree I nourish my spirit refers to the frog conserving strength and building up energy, waiting at ease for the weary, biding its time to capture prey.

[3] 来 is an auxiliary word with no substantive meaning. 春来 means spring.