A thousand gold for a fine steed I'd pay,
A hundred gold for a beauty's brow so fair.
In a tavern of Chang'an, I'd spend my day,
Writing verses that startle, beyond compare.
Not even the Son of Heaven could make me his minister,
And high officials I'd swallow with a breath.
Looking down upon the common folk, I'd whisper,
To prove myself a man of courage, defying death.
Who would have thought, in Jinling's capital town,
After five long years, I'd return again?
My sable robe grows worn, its glory brown,
Dust has settled, turning my temples to a silvery chain.
Old friends scattered like leaves in wind and rain,
Who is my bosom friend now, I ask in vain?
Lord Guo, a hero from Shanxi's domain,
Bears a stature like a bear or leopard, fierce and plain.
The lofty Western Loyalty Temple stands tall,
With ancient trees that stir men's thoughts in thrall.
Its fragrance reaches clouds, to descendants all,
Great generals in succession heed the call.
Three brothers each hold high command in the guard,
Father and son follow in step, never marred.
A champion marquis with ten thousand households in ward,
Golden seals hang heavy, a glorious award.
Yet though he has strategies to pacify the border,
They remain suppressed, unused, in sad disorder.
Now the northern tribes cause turmoil and slaughter,
It seems their fortune wanes, their power grows shorter.
The Dada army camps to the west,
Soon to meet the Mongol state, put to the test.
Snakes and boars devour each other, never at rest,
Weapons run rampant, putting peace to arrest.
Bandits rise like bristling hedgehogs, far and wide,
Squeezing the people, down to the knife's sharp side.
The elders long for Han officials to preside,
With pots of wine, they await the royal army's tide.
Our sovereign, divine and martial, wise and grand,
Calculates strategies from his tent, across the land.
Gathering talents from all under heaven's hand,
Not a single inch of ability left unmanned.
When the chance arrives, that one awaited day,
The time for restoration will be underway.
Moreover, Lord Guo, in his humble way,
Honors the worthy, with courtesy he'll sway.
If he could join forces like cloud and dragon in play,
Cities would return to his command, without delay.
Who knows if the ancient Central Plains, in disarray,
Might not see us galloping together, come what may?
I, Guo, have long been lost in decline and dismay,
My wild reputation known to lords, they say.
Yet my heart remains bold, my courage holds sway,
I aspire to whip the four barbarians, come what may.
I'd take off boots and call the general, in my way,
Or raise a fan to block a petty ruler's ray.
My voice finds no reward in this world's fray,
So with poetry and wine, I while the time away.
The frosty wind turns ruthless, without a stay,
Overnight, the cold pierces through, to my dismay.
Lying high in a hundred-foot tower, I lay,
With doors closed, no morning meal to start the day.
Rising to look at the sword in its case on display,
Its light still glimmers, brilliant in array.
If there's kindness to repay, I will not stray,
Even death I would not refuse, come what may.