举世少复真。
Their simple ways of life no longer last.
汲汲鲁中叟，
Confucius, shuttling from state to state,
弥缝使其淳。
Hoped to bring traditions up to date.
凤鸟虽不至，
Although he failed to save the world from strife,
礼乐暂得新。
He lent rites and music a new lease of life.
洙泗缀微响，
Confucian learning ceased to widely spread;
漂流逮狂秦。
The tyrannous king of Qin made people dread.
诗书复何罪？
For what were poems and classic books to blame
一朝成灰尘！
That they were all committed to the flame?
区区诸老翁，
When Qin was overthrown, some old learned men
为事诚殷勤。
Worked hard to teach Confucian ways again.
如何绝世下，
Because of dynastic failures, chaos and war,
六籍无一亲？
Confucian classic books were read no more.
终日驰车走，
Of all the profit-seekers on the way,
不见所问津。
No one cares about the order of the day.
若复不快饮，
If I do not drink to my heart's content,
空负头上巾。
I, a scholar of no worth, shall lament.
但恨多谬误，
I'm sorry for the rubbish I have said;
君当恕醉人。
Please pardon me, a man with a drunken head.