Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Bamboo and Plum Blossom
Bamboo and Plum Blossom

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Cao Cao (155-220)

《龜雖壽》Though the Tortoise Lives Long
神龜雖壽,猶有竟時。Though the tortoise blessed with magic powers lives long,
Its days have their allotted span;
騰蛇乘霧,終為土灰。Though winged serpents ride high on the mist,
They turn to dust and ashes at the last;
老驥伏櫪,志在千里;An old war-horse may be stabled,
Yet still it longs to gallop a thousand li;
烈士暮年,壯心不已。And a noble-hearted man though advanced in years
Never abandons his proud aspirations.
盈縮之期,不但在天;Man's span of life, whether long or short,
Depends not on Heaven alone;
養怡之福,可得永年。One who eats well and keeps cheerful
Can live to a great old age.
幸甚至哉!歌以咏志。And so, with joy in my heart,
I hum this song.

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