黃金散盡交不成，
白首為儒身被輕。
No friendship will be made when I’ve spent all my gold; Though my hair turns white, I receive but glances cold.
一談一笑失顏色，
蒼蠅貝錦喧謗聲。
My face has lost color when I speak in low voice; For slanderers like flies make a deafening noise.
曾參豈是殺人者？
諛言三及慈母驚。
The sage’s a murderer, how could that be believed? The rumor thrice heard, the sage’s mother was deceived
與君論心握君手，
榮辱於余亦何有？
We speak our bosom hand in hand and face to face. What do I care about vain glory or disgrace?
孔聖猶聞傷鳳麟，
董龍更是何雞狗！
Confucius only grieved no phoenix would appear. Why should we hold these lower animals in fear?
一生傲岸苦不諧，
恩疏媒勞志多乖。
Proud all my life long, with them I’m not in accord; In disfavor, I’m aliened from the lord.
嚴陵高揖漢天子，
何必長劍拄頤事玉階！
The hermit said to the emperor goodbye. Why should he serve with his long sword in palace high?
達也不足貴，
窮也不足悲。
The successful are not those we adore, Nor the unsuccessful those we deplore.
韓信羞將絳灌比，
祢衡耻逐屠沽兒。
General Han was ashamed of his compeers; A loyal man dispises one at whom he jeers.
君不見李北海，
英風豪氣今何在？
Have you not seen Li of North Sea? Brave as he was, where now is he?
君不見裴尚書，
土坟三尺蒿棘居？
Have you not seen Secretary Pei Buried among thorns? What to say?
少年早欲五湖去，
見此彌將鐘鼎疏。
While young, I wished to wander on the lake; Now older, from the dreams of glory I’m awake.