Wen Tianxiang

Immense is the universe.

Could dragons be imprisoned in pools so small?

How can we stay in wind and rain,

In grief and pain?

How can we bear

Cold crickets' chirp at the foot of the wall?

Where is the hero, spear in hand, crooning his verse?

And where's the talents' owner? All

Has vanished like snow in the air.

Seeing the river

Running forever,

We need not fear

No hero would appear.

Alas! Like wafting leaves, you and I,

We come again to River Huai,

When the cold breeze begins to blow.

In the mirror we find a face aged in woe,

But still unchanged is our loyal heart.

Now for the northern desert we start;

Turning our head,

We see a hairlike stretch of land outspread.

If my old friend should think of me.

Listen to the wailing cuckoo on the moonlit tree!

Few days' touring north sea with favorable wind,

Back again at the start of great

My loyal heart to His Majesty is like a compass,

It will never stop if not pointing at the south.

If sons should die for filial piety 

And ministers for loyalty,

What matters for us to be dead?

Our sacred land is torn to shred,

No patriot could feel at ease,

No Loyal.subject has done what he ought to do 

What could my righteous wrath appease?

Zhang Xun whom the rebels could not subdue 

And Xu Yuan were loyal to the crown,

They have left an undying renown.

Those who come after them would feel 

The lack of their own loyal zeal

And like them should be hardened into steel.

Life will soon pass away like a flickering flame,

A man should work,come shine or rain,

With all his might and main.

If they had fallen to the foe,

They would have borne the blame

And down in history ne'er their names could go.

Their temple gloomy at the forest's side,

Their statues awe-inspiring,dignified.

How many times have they been worshipped with cold crows 

And ancient trees and setting sun which downwards goes!

Should a traitor pass by

This post-house,let him open wide his eye!

The water's boundless like the skies,

But favourable wind won't rise,

To our regret,to help our heroes on the earth.

The cuckoo cries

Mid Southern flowers in setting sun.

How could I bear to see the ruined town o'errun 

By the Tartarian foe！

The captives have no mirth,

E'en golden statues that should hear 

The story would drop tear on tear.

Who would not strike a vengeful blow?

The sword once shed a vengeful light,

But,swordsman beaten,when would it again shine bright?

Who would believe,confiding our lives to a boat,

Together we could keep afloat

On river and on sea,

Sailing southward for miles,then at last we were free!

We made our plan with our allies 

To wait with drunken eyes

For waves and clouds dark to appear 

And disappear.

Against the chieftain of the foe,

I would fight in weal and in woe.

Wrath sets my hair on end 

And it will never die.

Sleepless at night,you would only have for friend 

The lonely moon on the River Qinhuai.