公宴诗

昊天降丰泽，

百卉挺葳蕤。

凉风撤蒸暑，

青云却炎晖。

高会君子堂，

并坐阴华榱。

嘉肴充圆方，

旨酒盈金罍。

管弦发徽音，

曲度清且悲。

合坐同所欢，

但诉杯行迟。

常闻诗人语，

不醉且无归。

今日不极欢，

含情欲待谁？

见眷良不翅，

守分岂能违?

古人有遗言，

君子福所绥。

愿我贤主人，

与天享巍巍。

克符周公业，

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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