Approaching sixty, all signs of decline appear,
The water-clock runs dry, the bell tolls, yet I cannot stay.
I pledged my life to the state, its weight is light and clear,
Traveling ten thousand miles, with family in tow, I make my way.
The Minister of Five Rams is used to toil and strain,
The Master of Three Eels laments the evening's wane.
Fated to be an oddity in this life's span,
I've trodden more than half the roads across the land.
In youth, I chanted the Liangfu's mournful air,
Midway, I lost the Handan gait, a heavy care.
Poverty or success, by fate, I'm always glad,
With a clear conscience, in light or dark, I'm never sad.
Reading Shang's decrees, I guard against ten flaws,
Unworried by Han's laws that intertwine three clauses.
Frequently rushing, I startle envoys' light,
Daring to sigh, my scholar's cap may lead me right?
Taking an ox from the cart, let guests suspect what's true,
Seeing a crab in the water, from others' anger, I withdrew.
Grudges or favors, I won't speak like children do,
Upright, I still hope gods and spirits see me through.
My life's work is recorded in the books I keep,
In my old age, my spirit tires, like coins in a heap.
The emperor's virtue, distant as the sun's far side,
A hundred thousand troops beyond the frontier bide.
If the holy grace fails to soak the earth below,
How can our sovereign not look west with woe?
Above, for the court, to spread abundant rain,
Below, to clear the mist from towns, a pure domain.
Riding a carriage, without skill, I idly watch the breeze,
Parting Shan with the worthy, I rely on morning dews.
Once I pierced through the clouds in the azure sky,
Now green water lotuses cling closely, nearby.
In outskirts, small troops follow the rear array,
In quiet chambers, subtle incense burns the same way.
Sparrows can't fly with swans, it's hard to keep the pace,
A nag briefly chases steeds in a fleeting race.
Alas, I'm like Wang Pingzi, lonely and forlorn,
Meeting Huang Shudu, whose depth is newly born.
I only fear warm edicts will urge your return,
Leaving no shelter for my solitary sojourn.