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