[updated September 2022]
Local Dialects (Casual Talk): Five Poems: No. 1
放 言: 五 首
朝 真 暮 伪 何 人 辨
古 往 今 来 底 事 无？
但 爱 臧 生 能 诈 圣
可 知 宁 子 解 佯 遇？
草 萤 有 耀 终 非 火
荷 露 虽 团 岂 是 珠？
不 取 燔 柴 兼 照 乘
可 怜 光 彩 亦 何 殊？
Fang Yan: Wu Shou
Zhao zhen mu wei he ren bian
Gu wang jin lai di shi wu?
Dan ai zang sheng neng zha sheng
Ke zhi ning zi xie yang yu?
Cao ying you yao zhong fei huo
He lu sui tuan qi shi zhu?
Bu qu fan chai jian zhao cheng
Ke lian guang cai yi he shu?
Local Dialects (Casual Talk): Five Poems: No. 1
Dawns are real–sunsets false, what can people do to make this distinction
From ancient times to today, how can the truth not eventually be revealed?
Still love Zang Sheng being able to pretend loyalty
Can they know Ning Wuzi faked being foolish?
Grass fireflies that shine brightly really have no fire
When the sun is on the dew, where are your pearls?
Take advantage of the dawn’s light to navigate, instead of the fan chai
How different for us to sympathize with and gather to us nocturnal lanterns.
Notes:
Fan chai: Bonfires built inside the palace to burn paper money (not necessarily real) and other messages for those in heaven.