提剑出燕京。
索骥鸣广陌,
Jing took his sword and left the state of Yan. White horses neighed upon the open fields;
慷慨送我行。
雄发指危冠,
Men wished him good luck with their swords and shields. His hat appeared to rise with indignation;
猛气冲长缨。
饮饯易水上,
His tassels seemed to quiver with vexation. In the farewell banquet by the Yishui Stream,
四座列群英。
渐离击悲筑,
Sat at table heroes of esteem. Gao Jianli struck up a poignant note;
宋意唱高声。
萧萧哀风逝,
Song Yi sang songs at the top of his throat. High and low, the wind whined sad and bold;
淡淡寒波生。
商音更流涕,
Up and down, the waves sobbed mad and cold. The low-pitch notes moved heroes into tears;
羽奏壮士惊。
心知去不归,
The high-pitch notes freed warriors out of fears. Jing was aware that he could not return
且有后世名。
登车何时顾,
But his fame as a hero he would earn. He ne'er looked back when he stepped on his cart,
飞盖入秦庭。
凌厉越万里,
Riding to the Qin court with a valiant heart. Ten thousand miles were passed without delay;
透迤过千城。
图穷事自至,
A thousand towns were travelled on the way. When the map was unrolled, he thrust his sword
豪主正征营。
惜哉剑术疏,
At the king of Qin, a tyrannous lord. Pity that his thrust had missed the king,
奇功遂不成!
其人虽已没,
A spoiled exploit of which the bards would sing. Although the noble-minded Jing is dead,