In youth, with the exam days I did go,
With dark hair passing the frontier, years did flow.
In arts contending, first among the brave,
My fame arose, reaching the distant and grave.
In secret archives, rankings I'd explore,
In private rooms, warmth and advice I'd implore.
Already matching a half-thousand fate,
Still close to the sovereign, the five-foot state.
Imperial incense burned in spring eve's air,
Palace candles deep in night with flame did flare.
At Han Hall, dragon-head brush I did wield,
In Qi's domain,幕下 lotus was revealed.
Like phoenix rare, by all held in esteem,
As orchid sweet, the world's affection did deem.
Following tails, I stared in wonderment,
Wielding the knife alone, with swift intent.
Black bags sealed fine reports with careful hand,
Green slips continued works of ancient land.
The Jasper Palace deep, hard to attain,
The dragon steed, outstanding, leads the train.
The Grand Minister joined in planning state,
The Minister of Rites raised talents great.
The jade pivot moved truly to its place,
The golden bowl was passed with sudden grace.
Two wheels on Tiao's road my carriage bore,
A hundred poles in Shan's streams did tug and roar.
Time passed, Feng Tang now aged and worn,
Jia Yi returned, his journey long and torn.
Stars and frost changed nine times in swift flight,
Golden bamboo moved thrice, day and night.
Drums and pipes beyond Wu's clouds did sound,
Banners by Chu's river banks were found.
Statecraft not yet wearied, still I strove,
But care and hardship once again did wove.
Vile weeds in vain their poison shake,
Slimy snails their filthy drool did make.
Pine and bamboo stood firm, never to sway,
Rain and dew showed no bias, come what may.
Withered and sallow, a thousand orange trees,
Desolate and bleak, two acres' fields at ease.
How oft I wrote to borrow boat's aid,
Repeatedly expanded "Farewell" essays made.
In Chan's praise, Pang Yun was extolled,
In kin's review, Min Ziqian's tale was told.
Laziness reached its peak in leisure's rest,
Joy found its fullness in quietness blessed.
Years and months in yellow dust's domain,
Orioles and flowers before white hair's stain.
The ice terrace's reflection clear and deep,
The jade sea vast, its bounds no one can keep.
Life's course like a swift falcon in flight,
Fame and merit faint as a cicada's slough, slight.
The plantain's heart hard to keep firm and sure,
The paper mulberry leaf, carved in vain, obscure.
Longing to continue the dream of pure capital,
Yet following the ties of this turbid world's call.
The spring dragon long submerged in delay,
The wind-winged bird should now fly away.
I envision the court of dawn's assembly place,
With robes and pins, ten thousand immortals face.