老驥伏櫪,志在千里; 烈士暮年,壯心不己。
An old steed retired in the stable
Still has the wish to run a thousand miles;
A hero in the late years of his life
Is still ambitious for great deeds.
Late Autumn in the tune of Yuanwangsun
by Li Qingzhao
Winds come on the lake, waves at a stretch.
In late autumn with scarce red and less fragrance.
Hue on water, color of mountains endearing to human.
Speaking no end of infinite good.
Lotus seeds ripe, lotus leaves becoming old.
Clear dews washing apple blossoms and weeds on shoals.
Seagulls sleeping on sands won't turn back their heads,
As if also hating people return so early.
I will go to see the imperial garden tomorrow,
And send this message to Spring right away;
All flowers must be in full bloom overnight,
Don’t wait for morning winds to make them blow.
Just as leaves fall on the Tongting Lake,
I think of you ten thousand miles away.
The dew is dense and the scented quilts are cold;
The moon sets and the brocade screen is empty.
The Premier of Shu Kingdom
by Du Fu of Tang Dynasty
Where to seek for the temple of the premier?
Outside JinGuan Town with cypresses so lush.
Green grass on steps reflects the color of spring;
Orioles beyond leaves have vain sweet warbling.
Three visits to bother him for tactics in affairs under heaven;
Heart of old courtier on starting the dynasty of two generations.
But he died before the army gained victory,
Which makes heroes wet gown fronts with tears.
The willow at Zhang Terrace, the willow at Zhang Terrace,
Is it still there now though it’s green before?
Even if its twigs hang like in the olden time,
It may be snapped by the hand of other people.
Sound of the wind, sound of the rain, sound of the reading, every sound goes into ear;
Affairs of the nation, affairs of the family, affairs of the world, all affairs taken to heart.
遊街等閑事﹐紙帽不嫌高。
It’s nothing to walk in disgrace through crowds;
Even not care about how high the paper hat is.
對酒當歌須盡樂﹐百年彈指亦骷髏。
Sing with wine in front and enjoy all the happiness to the utmost;
A hundred years pass in a flip of fingers and everyone turns to skeleton.