Peach blossoms bloom early in the mountain cave,
Wine matures in the cave, feasting the true sage.
Red stamens and purple lingzhi are held in hand,
Family apes and cranes also follow by his side.
Gathering and arranging whatever is at hand,
Nothing unrighteous is taken, that is the truth.
Why need Xie An's Shandong singing girls?
Instead, use Tao Qian's cloth for straining wine.
Strain the wine, strain the wine again,
Why need a gold seal as large as a dipper?
One gourd dipper, then another,
Do not distinguish the pure from the corrupt in the world.
Worldly feelings mostly despise poverty and lowliness,
But here is the azure sky and clouds.
Have you not seen the ancients who called themselves worthy and bold,
Some fell into flattery, others into pride?
They only speak of wealth and rank as their desire,
Yet cannot even preserve their own necks and waists.
Kong Guang bowed to serve Dong Xian,
Gu Yong secretly allied with Wang Feng.
Jia Mi's faction spread across the land,
Those who bowed to the dust were especially monstrous.
If momentarily they gain what they crave,
They end up staining axes and blades with their flesh and blood.
Suppose they were fortunate and escaped that day,
How could they flee the ridicule of later ages?
How could they compare to Sun Deng, who only gave a long whistle,
Watching worldly affairs as light as a goose feather?
Ji Kang and Ruan Ji would not speak with them,
Let alone the numerous petty children.