年轻时便已文才显露，
卓荦观群书。
And read all kinds of books within my ken. I follow Jia Yi when I write my prose;
志向高远最爱博览群书。
著论准过秦，
I learn from Xiangru as far as verse goes. When war news arrives from border town,
撰写文章以过秦论为标准，
作赋拟子虚。
The urgent message is brought to the crown. Although I’m not a warrior in the corps,
创作辞赋以子虚赋自期。
边城苦鸣镝，
I’ve studied ancient books on arts of war. I’m strong of will that carries all things through
忽闻边疆正苦于外敌侵犯，
羽檄飞京都。
And from my heart disdain the state of Wu. As the blunest sword may kill the foe,
告急的文书不断飞传京师。
虽非甲胄士，
So I dream to fight the battles to and fro. Looking left, I’ll beat the rebels in the east;
我虽不是保家卫国的武士，
Looking right, I’ll quell the Tartars like a beast.