Vast waves, immense and deep without a floor,
Divide to form the rivers, merge to make the sea.
Since parting, union must have had a source before,
A point of clarity that never ceased to be.
The royal grace runs deep within the people's heart,
Their minds in harmony, heaven's favor plays its part.
Thus born, a true sage aids the flourishing reign,
The Nanfeng brothers, jade and gold, a noble train.
Master Nanfeng, rich in learning, full of lore,
His brush-tip's brilliance interweaves and shines the more.
His royal proclamations match ancient decree's tone,
A fine historian, beyond Sima Qian's throne.
Wenzhao, the Hanlin, learned from his elder kin,
In letters' art, in virtue's work, he's disciplined.
His gentle manner shows a spring day's warming light,
His stern discourse is like autumn frost, clear and bright.
When Duke Lu rose as minister, who'd wield the pen?
The younger drafted, elder set, bright as day then.
A family's glorious event, rare past or present,
For ages, their proud portal stands, firm and pleasant.
Often such auspice splits in three, a common case,
Court talk of tripod standing, lofty in its place.
When heaven-earth's pure breath at times does coalesce,
They join to form a star-official, blue like jade's finesse.
The fifth day of Mid-Autumn, jade sky clear and bright,
Not mist nor smoke, yet fills the morning court with light.
The qilin in the sky appears once in a thousand years,
The toad and cassia on earth mark one year's youthful spheres.
His scope and bearing, especially refined and pure,
All see and know the minister's stature, firm and sure.
Throughout Min, flying reports of merit, more than a year,
The crimson phoenix brings a scroll from ninth heaven near.
I know your writings match Nanfeng's in every way,
I love your virtue, like Wenzhao's, held in high sway.
I wish you'd take Duke Lu's high post again,
To mend creation's work, through vast and primal plain.
To toast your birthday full, with rosy cups we raise,
Your deeds and fame shall watch your temples keep their youthful glaze.
I beg to share the jade steps with orchids fine,
And sing this ode aloud, where purest breezes shine.