To the latter-day Chinese tea is a delicious beverage, but not an ideal. The long woes of his country have robbed him of the zest for the meaning of life. He has become modern, that is to say, old and disenchanted. He has lost that sublime faith in illusions which constitutes the eternal youth and vigour of the poets and ancients. He is an eclectic and politely accepts the traditions of the universe. He toys with Nature, but does not condescend to conquer or worship her. His Leaf-tea is often wonderful with its flower-like aroma, but the romance of the Tang and Sung ceremonials are not to be found in his cup.
尽管明清之际的中式茶饮仍能算是一种可口的饮品，但它已失去其原有的理想含义。漫长的苦难已夺去这个国家对生活的激情和兴趣。使这个国度变得现实，也剥夺了他的理想。于是他失去了永葆青春所需的，成为他们的先祖（尤其是诗人）身上体现出的力量之源的崇高信仰。这样的他或许能够兼收并蓄，博采世界各国之长。他或许可以肆意摆弄自然万物，却不能够屈尊与其对话，去真正地尊重她。他的叶片茶中常常会有曼妙的花朵香气，却不会再有唐宋茶礼中所蕴含的浪漫意趣了。
