The sun's chariot passes three stars in turn,
Nine leaves of Yao's calendar begin to unfurl.
The celestial path aligns with the virtuous way,
A heavenly steed descends to display its might.
His spirit soars above the Xie poets of old,
His depth of learning surpasses the two Cui's fame.
His brilliance meets the sun and moon in their course,
His rise accords with thunderclouds, a soaring flight.
With swift steps he ascends the literary ranks,
His stern voice chills the cypress court, a solemn might.
His light shines equally on the obscure and low,
His keen insight shatters treacherous plots outright.
The land values the hall of books, a treasured place,
People look up to him, a pillar-stone of grace.
The hall's foundation stands on lofty, clean steps,
The cauldron's flavor relies on salt and plum, its base.
The master's axe now plans to conquer borders far,
The central court rejoices, gaining Pei's embrace.
He went to pacify the dragon's lair of old,
And now returns to Phoenix Pool, to take his place.
Within the weave of heaven's transformative plan,
The true Confucian's work expands, a broadened space.
His awe-inspiring name makes distant lands submit,
His beneficial deeds revive the withered race.
Hidden virtue heaven surely must protect,
Sincere devotion can turn back the sun's own face.
Auspicious light just chanced to match the sage's reign,
The baleful comet brings no harm, leaves not a trace.
Pure as a jade tablet, flawless and complete,
Bright as the Dipper's star, with chief star's shining grace.
The dragon banner rests awhile, a brief repose,
By the wild goose isle he lingers for a space.
Heavily relied on, like Zhou's division of Shan,
His rich achievements rival Ji who founded Tai.
State's physician, he first applies the healing stones,
Temple libation starts with sacred cups we raise.
Urgently summoned to kneel before the throne,
To plan great deeds, his seat by the locust tree stays.
All hearts rejoice, basking in the loving sun,
While treacherous cliques are reduced to ashes, cold blaze.
Royal rites are cultivated, sacrifices made,
Heaven's officer oversees all goods and ways.
He grinds the people smooth as a whetstone's edge,
He molds all things as clay within the potter's phase.
Animals and plants thrive when seasons are right,
Lord and ministers sing 'joyful!' in their praise.
The two capitals rely on his shield and might,
Great governance paused from the Duke's terrace phase.
The sovereign's virtue is proclaimed far and wide,
State's statutes are cut to shape, a single phrase.
People in harmony, like ducks preening on algae,
Soldiers in strict order, like geese holding reeds in maze.
Your birth month sees the monarch's favor deep,
Guests entertained, with horsemen in escort's phase.
The cold blast may blow fierce and piercing sharp,
The lofty peak stands firm, majestic in its gaze.
The golden mirror's light is ever full,
The frost-pine's strength no force can ever raze.
I, a lowly clerk, far from your mat and seat,
Trudge through the wind and dust in weary daze.
Worn out like a fish in a drying pond,
Stranded and lone, a pheasant trapped in haze.
How I wish to serve, ready for your drive,
Still hoping to exhaust my humble horse's phase.
Together we celebrate, singing to the cliff stone,
But no way to offer you a birthday cup's praise.
Moreover, heaven's favor long remains,
Soon we'll hear the imperial summons' phrase.
The embroidered robe honors three entrances grand,
Sweet rain will soak the nine realms in its haze.
If you gather scholars in the eastern lodge,
I wish to join, though with the northern hill's wild greens phase.