劇辛樂毅感恩分，
Grateful, Ju Xin and Yue Yi came then
輸肝剖膽效英才。
And served him heart and soul, both full of strategem.
昭王白骨紫蔓草，
The King’s bones were now buried, who would sweep the floor
誰人更掃黃金台？
Of the Gold Terrace any more?
行路難，歸去來！
Hard is the way.
三
Go back without delay!
III
有耳莫洗穎川水，
Don’t wash your ears on hearing something you dislike
有口莫食首陽蕨。
Nor die of hunger like famous hermits on the Pike!
含光混世貴無名，
Living without high fame among the motley crowd,
何用孤高比雲月。
Why should one be as lofty as the moon or cloud?
吾觀自古賢達人，
Of ancient talents who failed to retire there’s none
功成不退皆殞身。
But came to tragic ending after glory’s won.
子胥既棄吳江上，
The head of General Wu was hung o’er city gate;
屈原終投湘水濱。
In the river was drowned the Poet Laureate.
陸機雄才豈自保。
The highly talented scholar wished in vain
李斯稅駕苦不早。
To preserve his life to hear the cry of the crane.
華亭鶴唳詎可聞？
Minister Li regretted not to have retired
上蔡蒼鷹何足道！
To hunt with falcon gray as he had long desired.
君不見，吳中張翰稱達生，
Have you not heard of Zhang Han who resigned, carefree,
秋風忽憶江東行。
To go home to eat his perch with high glee?
且樂生前一杯酒，
Enjoy a cup of wine while you’re alive!
何須身後千載名！
Do not care if your fame will not survive!