有似赴壑蛇。
As a snake crawls back to its hole.
修鳞半已没，
We see half its body disappear
去意谁能遮？
And soon we'll lose sight of the whole.
况欲系其尾，
If we try to tie down its tail,
虽勤知奈何！
We can't succeed whatever we do.
儿童强不睡，
Children will stay up and regale
相守夜讙哗。
Themselves with feast the whole night through.
晨鸡且勿唱，
Cocks, wake not the dawn with your song;
更鼓畏添挝。
Drums, do not boom out the hour now!
坐久灯烬落，
The wick is burned as I sit long,
起看北斗斜。
I rise to see the slanting Plough.
明年岂无年，
Will there be no New Year's Eve next year?
心事恐蹉跎。
I am afraid time waits for none.
努力尽今夕，
Let us enjoy tonight with cheer
少年犹可夸。
So that childhood will longer run.