Alas, what crime have the people committed, to suffer this dire famine's plight?
At first, they heard of measuring rice to cook; then, they combined days' meals in one.
Grass roots are dug till nearly gone; tree bark, scraped thin, cannot suffice.
The weary old grow stiff and dry; the young and strong become wasted, thin.
From thousands, only tens remain; with beaks like crows and faces sallow.
Morning's worry, evening's fear—they cannot live to see new wheat.
In cities, those who chase the trivial, rush about, distressed by costly grain.
Peeling the bed has reached the skin; nearly half die from rampant plague.
Our emperor, ever kind and merciful, is pained by thought of hunger and drowning.
He issued grain to bridge have and have-not, eased taxes, halted levies.
Yet counties lack in spreading virtue; whips strike till the courtyard's bare and red.
Greedy officials, apes in caps; fierce clerks, tigers with added wings.
Heaven's disaster sometimes joins; human intent cannot be questioned.
Huai and Chu are trapped in war's dust; Jing and Shu fall by spear and arrow.
Xiangtan is troubled with garrison duty; Hong and Gan toil to supply the troops.
Once heard, only the inner lands could be called a joyful realm.
Who'd expect a single year of famine brings such desperate straits?
Ministers are sated with servants; nobles crowd their mansions.
Private wealth enough for bribes; public coffers drained, records bare.
Is it not hard to save the people's lives? How then to prolong the state's own pulse?
Zimou's heart labors in vain; Zhiwu's vigor mourns itself.
If only I could knock at the ninefold gate, the jade steps just a foot away.
Heaven and Earth are fundamentally most kind; ruler and minister wish for one virtue.
If worthy men hold office here, the able each perform their roles.
If prefects strive for goodness and care, inspectors cease indulgence.
The wise then plan for court and country; the brave defend the borders.
Naturally, wind and rain come timely; naturally, crops are planted.
Naturally, utmost harmony arises; naturally, primal energy fills.
Why worry about Huan Dou? Why fear a powerful foe?
Do not blame this wild, rash speech—these words are firm as metal and stone.