Alas, my blunt and clumsy nature, in this world finds no ease.
My heart alone loves hills and streams, no other passion sways.
I was a man born of the mountains, my home touched the green peaks.
For thirty years I served in office, worldly affairs filled my days.
Yet my zest for climbing heights never waned, at lovely spots I'd linger.
Seeking wonders and exploring beauties, often I roamed to the ends.
What I regret is my straitened plight, lacking the coin to buy a hill.
These years have brought enough worry and woe, I shut my door, sever worldly ties.
All thoughts and desires have ceased to stir, this heart of mine is now at rest.
Still I wish to face the landscape, with a thatched hut and short rafters built.
Not for seeking peace and comfort, but to keep the words 'Know Contentment'.
Like me, lacking all worth, self-reflection still finds me wanting.
What fortune in my remaining years, to witness this restoration age!
The worthy and able are given posts, this prosperous era meets a wise ruler.
Considering my own dull nature, in old age it's hard to spur.
Like a useless tree, by chance not yet discarded in the ditch.
How many more winters and summers remain, before white bones lie in yellow earth?
While this body is still healthy, let me eat my fill and sleep drunk.
Wearing coarse cloth, renouncing high rank, leaning on a staff, guarding my garden plot.
At dawn, tread in mountain-climbing clogs; at dusk, board a lake-wandering boat.
Preserving truth, I heed ancient words; delighting in sages, I follow former worthies.
A wife who can tend the cooking fire, a son who can toil in the fields.
All matters of the world I disregard, passing before my eyes like cloud and mist.
No glory and no disgrace either, thus may I keep my heaven-given nature whole.