公宴詩

昊天降豐澤，

百卉挺葳蕤。

涼風撤蒸暑，

青云卻炎暉。

高會君子堂，

并坐陰華榱。

嘉肴充圓方，

旨酒盈金罍。

管弦發徽音，

曲度清且悲。

合坐同所歡，

但訴杯行遲。

常聞詩人語，

不醉且無歸。

今日不極歡，

含情欲待誰？

見眷良不翅，

守分豈能違?

古人有遺言，

君子福所綏。

愿我賢主人，

與天享巍巍。

克符周公業，

奕世不可追。

At His Lordship’s Banquet1

The summer sky sends down nourishing rain,

hundreds of plants grow thickly spread.

A cool wind clears the sultry heat,

dark clouds dispel the f iery sunshine.

We gather in grandeur at his lordship’s hall,

and sit together beneath the shady inlaid rafters.

Round and square bowls are f illed with delicious food,

tasty wine overflows the gilded jar.

Instruments give forth beautiful music,

its melodies and rhythms clear and moving.

Everyone shares in the same pleasure,

except that the cups move all too slowly.

Once I heard a poet’s words:

“Never return till you are intoxicated!”2

If we don’t try our best to make ourselves happy today,

who do we wait for, holding back our joy?

Blessed with our Lord’s excessive favor,

how can I ever neglect my duty?

The ancients have left us with these words:

“A gentleman is content with his lot.”

I wish that you, our virtuous host,

share with Heaven its magnif icence;

that you equal Duke Zhou in accomplishments,

and that future generations will never surpass you.

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