Wealthy farmhouse lad, truly fond of fine things.
Broad sowing on fertile land, house emits blue smoke.
Feeds fat horses at the trough, also buys slaves and maids.
Oxen and sheep form herds, pens full of fattened piglets.
Granaries hold much buried grain, usually hoping rice is dear.
Village head comes chasing taxes, sits in the south hall.
Sets out fine food and drink, much wine to make men drunk.
Chase a cart, give a cart; chase a horse, give a horse.
Need money, give money; official purchases also not avoided.
Noodles sent by donkey, later even pheasants follow.
What officials require, the household fully provides.
County magistrate bestows favor, clerks are all family affairs.
Even with heavy taxes, having money, I fear you not.
Poor farmhouse fellow, hut lonely and desolate.
Both poor from past lives, this life become husband and wife.
Wife works as hired pounder, husband as hired ploughman.
Dusk arrives home, no rice and no firewood.
Children empty and hungry, look like after a fast.
Village head chases for taxes and cloth, village elders urge together.
Hat and headscarf in tatters, shirt torn, belly exposed.
Body lacks trousers, feet also have no shoes.
Ugly wife comes cursing, nagging, grabbing head ashes.
Village head gets kicked, village elder gets punched, dragged to see the bailiff.
Beaten on the back, driven back.
Rent and taxes nowhere to pay, still must have village head cover.
In front sees creditors, inside sees poor wife.
Leaky house, child crying, layer upon layer of misery.
Such are the poorest men, every village one or two.