[updated September 2022]
Send Off Ding Dafeng, Going to the Highest Imperial Examinations, First Needs to Petition Zhang Jiuling
送 丁 大 凤 進 士 赴 举 呈 张 九 龄
吾 观 鷦 鷯 赋
君 负 王 佐 才。
惜 無 金 张 援
十 上 空 归 来。
弃 置 乡 园 老
翻 飞 羽 翼 摧。
故 人 今 在 位
岐 路 莫 迟 回。
Song Ding Da Feng Jin Shi Fue Ju Cheng Zhang Jiu Ling
Wu guan jiao liao fu
Jun fu wang zuo cai.
Xi wu jin zhang yuan
Shi shang kong gui lai.
Qi zhi xiang yuan lao
Fan fei yu yi cui.
Gu ren jin zai wei
Qi lu mo pai hui.
Send Off Ding Dafeng, Going to the Highest Imperial Examinations, First Needs to Petition Zhang Jiuling
I watch Jiao Liaofu
You carry on your shoulders the talents needed to work for the emperor.
Too bad you are without the assistance of Jin and Zhang
Many times you have come back from the capital empty handed.
Thrown aside like this, you will age in the small village gardens
If trying to flap your wings to fly away, you won’t make it.
My old friend Zhang now working in the capital
At this fork in the road, do not hesitate to go and see him.