[updated October 2022]
Naturally Reward Myself
自 贻
杜 陵 萧 次 君
迁 少 去 官 频。
寂 寞 怜 吾 道
依 稀 似 古 人。
饰 心 无 彩 绘
到 骨 是 风 尘。
自 嫌 无 匹 素
刀 尺 不 由 身。
Zi Yi
Du ling xiao ci jun
Qian shao qu guan pin.
Ji mo lian wu dao
Yi xi si gu ren.
Shi xin wu cai hui
Dao gu shi feng chen.
Zi xian wu pi su
Dao chi bu you shen.
Naturally Reward Myself
Xiao Cijun from Duling
Now a frequently demoted government official.
Sympathize with our lonely and quiet roads
We are kind of like old friends.
Our things of the heart painted without colors and shadings
In our bones we were both tossed about by dusty winds.
Naturally dislike those not plain and simple
Government knives double-sided, our position levels and location not in our control.
Notes:
Duling: South of the capital city of Chang’an (Xi’an) and Du’s hometown, it is now known as An Nan.