哀王孙
杜甫
长安城头头白乌,夜飞延秋门上呼。
又向人家啄大屋,屋底达官走避胡。
金鞭断折九马死,骨肉不得同驰驱。
腰下宝青珊瑚,可怜王孙泣路隅!
问之不肯道姓名,但道困苦乞为奴。
已经百日窜荆棘,身上无有完肌肤。
高帝子孙尽隆准,龙种自与常人殊。
豺狼在邑龙在野,王孙善保千金躯!
不敢长语临交衢,且为王孙立斯须。
昨夜东风吹血腥,东来橐驼满旧都。
朔方健儿好身手,昔何勇锐今何愚!
窃闻天子已传位,圣德北服南单于。
花门面请雪耻,慎勿出口他人狙。
哀哉王孙慎勿疏,五陵佳气无时无。
Mourning for a Prince
Du Fu
On the walls of Chang’an City,
There crowd white-headed crows many.
At night, they fly to Yanqiu Gate
And in croaking ill ne’er abate.
Then they peck with great diligence
At courtiers’ stately residence
Whose masters are going to flee
From rebels that will soon there be.
As the Emperor’s hurried to fly,
His golden whips break, nine steeds die.
None of his kinsmen run away
With him, when he is on his way.
It grieves me to see a prince bring
With him a penannular jade ring
And a blue coral at his waist,
Weeping in street and much disgraced!
On being asked to tell his name,
He won’t give me answer for shame.
But he begs to be a servant
For he’s in poverty stringent.
He says he has scurried among
The brambles a hundred days long.
His whole body is nearly spread
With cuts and hurts from foot to head.
Emperor Gao’s scions are almost
Without exception high-bridge-nosed.
That is why the royal offsprings
Are not common human beings.
With those jackals and wolves in power,
Dragons are in an evil hour.
Prince, for Your Highness’s welfare
Please of yourself do take good care.
We’re so close to the thoroughfare,
To have a long talk I don’t dare.
Still, Dear Prince, let me stay with you
A while and tell you something new.
Hard blew the east wind yesternight,
Spreading bloody smells with all might,
While camels from the east were found
In the old capital all around.
The northern troops in general
Have martial skill remarkable.
They were once so brave and so keen,
But now why so dull they have been!
It’s said: the Emperor had his throne
Resigned to the heir of his own;
And his saintly morality
Has won the Ouigours’ loyalty.
At Flower Gate they cut their own faces,
And swore to avenge his disgraces.
Be careful to keep the secret
Lest enemy should you outwit!
Oh, Prince, it’s you we grieve about;
Please be always on the lookout.
May you forever benefit
From the Five Tombs’ blessed spirit!