University of Virginia Library

樂府 李白 行路難之三

有耳莫洗潁川水, 有口莫食首陽蕨。
含光混世貴無名, 何用孤高比雲月?
吾觀自古賢達人, 功成不退皆殞身。
子胥既棄吳江上, 屈原終投湘水濱。
陸機雄才豈自保? 李斯稅駕苦不早。
華亭鶴唳詎可聞? 上蔡蒼鷹何足道。
君不見, 吳中張翰稱達生,
秋風忽憶江東行。
且樂生前一杯酒, 何須身後千載名?

Folk-song-styled-verse
Li Bai HARD IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD III

Don't wash your ears on hearing something you dislike
Nor die of hunger like famous hermits on the Pike!
Living without a fame among the motley crowd,
Why should one be as lofty as the moon or cloud?
Of ancient talents who failed to retire, there's none
But came to tragic ending after glory's won.
The head of General Wu was hung o'er city gate;
In the river was drowned the poet laureate.
The highly talented scholar wished in vain
To preserve his life to hear the cry of the crane.
Minister Li regretted not to have retired
To hunt with falcon gray as he had long desired.
Have you not heard of Zhang Han who resigned, carefree,
To go home to eat his perch with high glee?
Enjoy a cup of wine while you're alive!
Do not care if your fame will not survive!