亲友从我游。
中厨办丰膳，
To entertain my kith and kin and all. A festive banquet busies the kitchen house,
烹羊宰肥牛。
秦箏何慷慨，
With cocks killing and boiling sheep and cows. The zheng music excites a frenzied wildness;
齐瑟和且柔。
阳阿奏奇舞，
The se music soothes with gentle mildness. How the dancers dance with pretty poise;
京洛出名讴。
乐饮过三爵，
How the singers sing with a tender voice. In high spirits the guests begin to wine;
缓带倾庶羞。
主称千金寿，
In good appetite the guests begin to dine. I give the guests lots of gold when they part;
宾奉万年酬。
久要不可忘，
They wish me a long life for my good heart. They say that they take me as an eternal friend
薄终义所尤。
谦谦君子德，
And otherwise they’ll come to no good end. I say that I’m just doing what I can
磬折欲何求？
惊风飘白日，
And I’ll not ask favour from any man. With sudden gales, the sun goes past its best;
光景驰西流。
盛时不再来，
With time and tide, the sun runs to the west. The prime of life will by no means return;
百年忽我遒。
The flight of time is my foremost concern.