Ouyang Xia 歐陽修 開關早關關遲 聽過客過關出對易 對對難請先生先對 Poem by Frank Yue

Funny Couplet
-(allegedly) by (a youthful)OUYANG XIU (1007-1072)
-Translated by Frank C Yue

Opening early the city gates,
Closing the city gates late -
Awaiting for passers-by to pass by.

Setting the "couplet test" is quite easy,
It's hard to 'answer', for which one would thirst -
You are the "first-born": Would Teacher try first?


叠字妙對宋 • 歐陽修

開關早，關關遲，聽(放)過客過關。
出對易，對對難，請先生先對。


叠字妙對宋 • 欧阳修

开关早，关关迟，放过客过关。
出对易，对对难，请先生先对。