[updated October 2022]
From Many Small Nation States, Yan Was Convinced to Work for Guo Wei
燕 昭 延 郭 隗
燕 昭 延 郭 隗
遂 筑 黄 金 台。
剧 辛 方 赵 至
邹 衍 复 齐 来。
奈 何 青 云 士
弃 我 如 尘 埃！
珠 玉 买 歌 笑
糟 糠 养 贤 才。
方 知 黄 鹤 举
千 里 独 俳 徊。
Yan Zhao Yan Guo Wei
Yan zhao yan guo wei
Sui zhu huang jin tai.
Ju xin fang zhao zhi
Zou yan fu qi lai.
Nai he qing yun shi
Qi wo ru chen ai !
Zhu yu mai ge xiao
Zao kang yang xian cai.
Fang zhi huang he ju
Qian li du pai huai.
From Many Small Nation States, Yan Was Convinced to Work for Guo Wei
Out of many small nation states, Yan was convinced to join king Guo Wei
The king succeeded in building a golden tower to attract more talented and
virtuous people.
General Ju Xin traveled all the way to southern Hebei
Philosopher Zou Yan also arrived at this place.
However, the offers of high government positions
Have been abandoned like dust thrown into the air.
Some use pearls and jade to buy the songs and laughter of concubines
Often the talented and virtuous eat the grains used to make wine and feed the animals.
Now I know why Tian Yao flew away like a yellow crane
But after flying hundreds of miles, I circle back again and again.
Notes:
General Ju Xin: Perhaps the Li Xin of ancient times (ca. 475 BC).
Philosopher Zou Yan: (305-240 BC) Representative thinker of the Yin-Yang School. Considered the founder of Chinese scientific thought.