[updated October 2022]
Capital Insurgent Chaos, Sent This to All of My Relatives
京 师 叛 乱 寄 诸 弟
弱 冠 遭 世 难
二 纪 犹 未 平。
羁 离 官 远 郡
虎 豹 满 西 京。
上 怀 犬 马 恋
下 有 骨 肉 情。
归 去 在 何 时
流 泪 忽 沾 缨。
忧 来 上 北 楼
左 右 但 军 营。
函 谷 行 人 绝
淮 南 春 草 生。
鸟 鸣 田 野 间
思 忆 故 园 行。
何 当 四 海 晏
甘 与 齐 民 耕。
Jing Shi Pan Luan Ji Zhu Di
Ruo guan zao shi nan
Er ji you wei ping.
Ji li guan yuan jun
Hu bao man xi jing.
Shang huai quan ma lian
Xia you gu rou qing.
Gui qu zai he shi
Liu lei hu zhan ying.
You lai shang bei lou
Zuo you dan jun ying.
Han gu xing ren jue
Huai nan chun cao sheng.
Niao ming tian ye jian
Si yi gu yuan xing.
He dang si hai yan
Gan yu qi min geng.
Capital Insurgent Chaos, Sent This to All of My Relatives
Society’s problems grew in my early twenties
By the age of twenty-four things still peaceful.
Departing the palace, had to flee into distant regions
Our western capital is now filled with tigers and panthers.
I still cherish and think of our emperor when we had our hunting dogs and horses
Later have feelings for all the families and relatives.
When can I return and go back
Flowing tears suddenly moisten my hat bands.
With sorrow arrive at the northern towers
First one way, and then another, see only army encampments.
Valleys full, migrants cut-off and stranded
On the Huai River, southern spring grasses sprout.
Birds calling out in between the open fields
Remember and think of the old days traveling, and being inside our gardens.
When should the whole country and the seas stabilize and calm down.
Then willingly join the civilians who have gone home to cultivate the land.
Notes:
Tiger and panthers: The corrupt, criminal and dangerous within the palace.
Western capital: The city of Chang’an (Xi’an).