Spring wind delights the young, but not the man of will.
At noon, drowsiness descends, my weary limbs grow still.
Spring birds flit only amidst the flowers, I'm glad their noise does not disturb my hours.
First, I dreamt of Duke of Zhou, laughing and chatting with Yi Yin so.
I asked who are the worthy ones today, why are they cast aside, not taken in?
Ten scrolls of Zhou's rites on paper spread, why keep them, not burn them instead?
Second, I dreamt of Confucius, pointing in anger, eyes ablaze.
All under heaven claim descent from him, hunting rank and wealth to bask in praise.
High officials, ambitions met, forget the Way, led by greed their true selves betray.
Why are those who use me in poverty all around, yet among the rich and noble, none is found?
Third, I dreamt myself transformed into a young phoenix, crying clear.
Soaring high on two feet, swift on six wings, without fear.
Straight up to the highest heaven I flew, but heaven's gate was locked, barring my passage through.
I stayed, refusing to depart, beating my wings to force the gate apart.
The Lord of Heaven sent a jade maid, to ask what brought me here, unafraid.
I bowed twice to Heaven's Lord, saying, 'Your humble servant knows no reward.'
'Lucky to stand before your throne, may I ask who holds the power, alone?'
'I hear Yi Yin served Tang, the Duke of Zhou served the king, bringing peace firm as a hill.'
'Foolish grandsons, silly sons inherit in turn, divined reigns pass, heaven's seat they fill.'
'Since middle ages came to be, each age has had its ministry.'
'Why does chaos shift without a rule, like cutting flesh to heal a wound, so cruel?'
'How can Heaven's Lord bear not to save, as if watching a chess game from the side, so grave?'
'And I hear of mortal men, each with heaven-given fate, again and again.'
'Confucius starved, Mencius retired, Xun and Yang held low, does Heaven not know their worth, their holy state?'
'Yan Hui, called almost perfect, died young, not long in breath.'
'Zixia lost his son, Zuoqiu lost his sight in death.'
'Boniu lay ill by the window, Yuan Xian in poverty and sickness fell.'
'Chao Cuo died by violence, Jia Yi died young, never in office well.'
'Xiao Wangzhi was forced to die, Liu Gengsheng was spared crime's bell.'
'Yang Hu, who served his state, broke tombs in zeal, got broken arms, no part to heal.'
'Even plants, beasts, birds in flight, if reason's pushed, they're shrouded in night.'
'Spring air does not make pines better, autumn wind first withers orchid's letter.'
'Vipers kill men who then are gone, owls eat their mothers, then fly on.'
'I beg bright Heaven to tell me true, to clear the doubts that in me grew.'
Before Heaven's Lord could speak a word, an east wind rose, and I was stirred.
Awake, what metaphor to find? Oppressed, twin streams of tears flow from my mind.