從軍行五首

其一

從軍有苦樂，

但問所從誰。

所從神且武，

焉得久勞師？

相公征關右，

赫怒震天威。

一舉滅獯虜，

再舉服羌夷。

西收邊地賊，

忽若俯拾遺。

陳賞越丘山，

酒肉逾川坻。

軍中多飫饒，

人馬皆溢肥。

徒行兼乘還，

空出有余資。

拓地三千里，

往返速若飛。

歌舞入鄴城，

所愿獲無違。

晝日處大朝，

日暮薄言歸。

外參時明政，

內不廢家私。

禽獸憚為犧，

良苗實已揮。

竊慕負鼎翁，

愿厲朽鈍姿。

不能效沮溺，

相隨把鋤犁。

孰覽夫子詩，

信知所言非。

Accompanying Military Campaigns: Five Poems

Military campaigns have pains and pleasures,

just ask who is the leader to be followed.

If he is divine and martial,

how can the troops struggle for long?

The Chancellor1 marches to the west of Hangu Pass,

his mighty wrath thunders with heavenly power.

In one stroke he wipes out the Xun rebels,

in another he subdues the Qiang barbarians.

He rounds up the bandits in the west,

swiftly and easily, as if picking up an object.

His awards are piled higher than mountains,

wine and meat stretch far to the rivers and isles.

Bounties of all kinds abound among the troops,

the soldiers and horses are full and robust.

They leave bare-footed, but return on horseback,

departing empty-handed, they come back with surplus supplies.

They take three-thousand li of land,

leaving and returning, as swift as flying.

Singing and dancing we enter Ye City2,

all our wishes met and fulf illed.

We spend our day at our Lord’s grand reception,

at sunset we return to our homes.

Outside we participate in his enlightened rule,

inside we do not neglect our familial duties.

Animals are afraid of being sacrif iced,

f ine crops are loaded with shining grains.

I envy the old man bearing the tripod3,

and would like to sharpen my blunted wit.

I cannot follow the footsteps of Ju and Ni4,

who ploughed the f ield with one another.

I have carefully read Master Confucius’ verses,

and truly believe that his words are mistaken. 5

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其二

涼風厲秋節，

司典告詳刑。

我君順時發，

桓桓東南征。

泛舟蓋長川，

陳卒被隰。

征夫懷親戚，

誰能無戀情？

拊襟倚舟檣，

眷眷思鄴城。

哀彼東山人，

喟然感鸛鳴。

日月不安處。

人誰獲常寧？

昔人從公旦，

一徂輒三齡。

今我神武師，

暫往必速平。

棄余親睦恩，

輸力竭忠貞。

懼無一夫用，

報我素餐誠。

夙夜自恲性，

思逝若抽縈。

將秉先登羽，

豈敢聽金聲？

A cold wind chills in the Autumn season,

the judge announces his prudent punishments. 1

Our Lord2 makes his move at the appropriate time,

in martial array the troops march to the southeast.

Floating boats cover the long river,

lined soldiers spread over the marshes.

Men on the road think of their loved ones,

who can avoid such deep longings?

Holding my lapel I lean against the mast,

my loving thought turns to Ye City.

I pity those soldiers of “Eastern Mountain,”3

sighing I am moved by the crane’s crying.

The sun and moon never stay still,

who among humankind can rest forever?

In ancient times people followed Duke Zhou4,

one campaign took them three years from home.

Today with our divine and martial troops

this momentary departure will bring quick victory.

So I give up my thoughts of family,

and try my utmost to devote my loyalty.

I fear that I will be a man of no use,

unable to repay my undeserved meal.

Night and day I f ind myself greatly stirred,

such thought coils around my heart.

I will hold aloft the banner of vanguard,

how dare I wish to hear the retreating gong?

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其三

從軍征遐路，

討彼東南夷。

方舟順廣川，

薄暮未安坻。

白日半西山，

桑梓有余暉。

蟋蟀夾岸鳴，

孤鳥翩翩飛。

征夫心多懷，

惻愴令吾悲。

下船登高防，

草露沾我衣。

回身赴床寢，

此愁當告誰？

身服干戈事，

豈得念所私？

即戎有授命，

茲理不可違。

3

I follow the troops to distant roads,

to strike those barbarians in the southeast.

Side by side the boats move along the wide river,

when dusk comes we still have not moored.

The white sun has half set below the western mountains,

the afterglow lingers among mulberry and catalpa trees.

Crickets are chirping along the banks,

a lonely bird is flying in the sky.

The heart of a soldier is f illed with longing,

such sorrows make me sad.

I get off the boat to ascend a tall dam,

dew on grass dampens my clothes.

I turn back, and go to sleep in my bed,

in whom can I conf ide this sorrow?

Now that I am shouldering a military task,

how can I worry about personal concerns?

Going to the war I must be ready to sacrif ice my life,

such a principle can never be disobeyed.

其四

朝發鄴都橋，

暮濟白馬津。

逍遙河堤上，

左右望我軍。

連舫逾萬艘，

帶甲千萬人。

率彼東南路，

將定一舉勛。

籌策運帷幄，

一由我圣君。

恨我無時謀，

譬諸具官臣。

鞠躬中堅內，

微畫無所陳。

許歷為完士，

一言猶敗秦。

我有素餐責，

誠愧伐檀人。

雖無鉛刀用，

庶幾奮薄身。

In the morning we left from the bridge at capital Ye,

by the dusk we crossed the White Horse Ford.

I roam along the dike by the river,

and gaze at our troops on both sides.

Ships, one after another, exceed tens of thousands,

soldiers, full armoured, greater in number.

Marching along that southeast road

we would surely strike a complete victory.

Strategies are planned in the command tent

solely and entirely by our Sage Lord.

How I regret I have no timely advice,

like one of those nominal off icials.

I serve devotedly within the central command,

but can’t even offer a trivial strategy.

Xu Li of the Zhao was but a pardoned criminal,

still his words helped defeat the army of Qin.

I bear the blame of taking undeserved meals,

and am ashamed to hold a mere sinecure.

Although I am not as useful as a lead knife,

I would still like to dedicate my humble life.

其五

悠悠涉荒路，

靡靡我心愁。

四望無煙火，

但見林與丘。

城郭生榛棘，

蹊徑無所由。

蒲竟廣澤，

葭葦夾長流。

日夕涼風發，

翩翩漂吾舟。

寒蟬在樹鳴，

鸛鵠摩天游。

客子多悲傷，

淚下不可收。

朝入譙郡界，

曠然消人憂。

雞鳴達四境，

黍稷盈原疇。

館宅充廛里，

士女滿莊馗。

自非圣賢國，

誰能享斯休？

詩人美樂土，

雖客猶愿留。

Endlessly we trudge along the desolate roads,

slowly my heart is full of sorrow.

I look around, no smoke and f ire in sight,

I only see groves and hills.

Thorns and brambles grow all over the city,

paths and lanes are all cut off.

Reeds and rushes cover the broad marsh,

sedges and osiers line along the long river.

By the day’s end a cool wind arises,

gently, gently it wafts my boat.

Cold cicadas sing in the trees,

swans glide up in the sky.

The traveler has many a sadness,

tears stream down without stop.

In the morning we enter the Qiao1 border,

at once my worries are dispelled.

Cockcrow is heard in all four directions,

millet and grain cover the level f ields.

Houses and inns line up along the streets,

men and women throng in the wide avenues.

If this is not a wise and worthy state,

who could enjoy such a bliss?

The poet sings of the Happy Land,

although a guest here, I would like to stay.

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