Read Aloud “ Put the Blame On Me Imperial Edict”: Three Poems (#2)
读 “罪 已 诏”： 三 首
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乱 起 吾 降 日
吾 将 强 仕 年。
中 原 仍 梦 里
南 纪 且 愁 边。
陛 下 非 常 主
群 公 莫 自 贤。
金 台 尚 未 筑
乃 至 羡 强 燕！
Du “Zui Yi Zhao”: San Shou
(2)
Luan qi wu jiang ri
Wu jiang qiang shi nian.
Zhong yuan reng meng li
Nan ji qie chou bian.
Bi xia fei chang zhu
Qun gong mo zi xian.
Jin tai shang wei zhu
Nai zhi xian qiang yan!
Read Aloud “ Put the Blame On Me Imperial Edict”: Three Poems (#2)
(2)
Since my birth year the country has encountered chaos and ruin
At my age I am still strong, more so than my country.
Inside our dreams, we want to retake the lands lost to the invaders
I am in the south now, melancholy for those on the northern borders.
Our palace leaders change their minds too easily
Most all of the imperial elite too arrogant and naturally boss the army generals.
Our Golden Terrace has yet to be constructed
Only then did the Yan reach strength and admiration.
Notes:
[These poems were written in 1163 AD after a new emperor, Song Xiaozong came to the throne. Being inexperienced, his forces lost a major battle against the northern nomads. As a consequence, the empire lost a lot of land, gold, silk, and pretty ladies. The “Zui Yi Zhao” is the emperor’s written apology to the country. Throughout the poem, Wang suggested that it is best not to do things that will require an apology.]
Our Golden Terrace: In ancient times, the Yan nation built a special place of culture and learning in order to attract the most talented and virtuous people to help the country.