Naming My Son
命子
Tao's house is of long-standing fame
Because Tao Tang is King Yao's name.
His sons assisted the later kings;
The name of Tao for ages rings.
In Xia they left their notable trait:
In Shang they served the sovereign state.
Renowned in ancient times of Zhou,
Their clan continued to grow.
悠悠我祖，爰自陶唐。
邈焉虞宾，历世重光。
御龙勤夏，豕韦翼商。
穆穆司徒，厥族以昌。
When Warring States disturbed the mind.
The powerful Eastern Zhou declined.
The phoenix hid in forest trees:
The hermit dwelt in hills at ease.
The soaring dragons rose into skies:
The floating whales stirred waves hill-size.
The heaven showed its grace to Han
And helped Marquis Min, from Tao's big clan
纷纷战国，漠漠衰周。
凤隐于林，幽人在丘。
逸虬绕云，奔鲸骇流。
天集有汉，眷予愍侯。
Distinguished was Marquis Min.
Who served the king through thick and thin.
He fought with mighty sword and shield And galloped on the battle-field.
To laud him as a brilliant chief.
The kins then granted wealth and fief.
His son. Prime Minister of Han.
Succccded as a worthy man.
放赫愍侯，运当攀龙。
抚剑风迈，显兹武功。
书誓河山，启土开封。
亹亹丞相，允迪前踪。
The river surged to the sea;
Profuse and lavish grew the tree.
Into the river small streams flow;
Out of the tree the branches grow.
The epochs might be blithe or sad.
The fortunes might be good or bad.
In flourishing days of Eastern Jin
Did Duke of Changsha's feat begin.
浑浑长源，蔚蔚洪柯。
群川载导，众条载罗。
时有语默，运因隆寙。
在我中晋，业融长沙。
Majestic was my sire, Duke Tao,
With worthy virtue and solemn vow.
The king gave him fame and great estate
Commanding in the southern state.
The duke retired when feats were done,
To keep the fame and name he won.
Such was the noble mind of Tao;
Can we find people like him now?
桓桓长沙，伊勋伊德。
天子畴我，专征南国。
功遂辞归，临宠不忒。
孰谓斯心，而近可得。
My grandfather was a prudent man，
Discreet all over his life-span.
He held his office fair and square，
And showered favours here and there.
A worthy scion of his sires,
My father fostered few desires.
In ups and downs of his careers,
He kept e’er tranquil all the years.
肃矣我祖，慎终如始。
直方二台，惠和千里。
於皇仁考，淡焉虚止。
寄迹风云，冥兹愠喜。
Less learned was I in my day,
An unworthy son in any way.
I grew in years with greying hair,
Ashamed for having not an heir.
Of penalties in the world.
To have no son was the most absurd.
After years of hope and sigh,
I heard your very first loud cry.
嗟余寡陋，瞻望弗及。
顾惭华鬓，负影隻立。
三千之罪，无後为急。
我诚念哉，呱闻尔泣。
As the fortune-tellers say.
Auspicious is the hour and day.
And so I hereby name you Yan Alias Qiusi, the Seeking Man.
All your life you'll be mild and meek;
That's what you are to ever seek.
Confucius named his grandson Ji;
I hope your names and deeds agree.
卜云嘉日，占亦良时。
名汝曰俨，字汝求思。
温恭朝夕，念兹在兹。
尚想孔伋，庶其企而！
The leper is eager to watch his new-born son.
For fear that he has got an ugly one.
Since all men care for their heir.
Why should I be different there?
Now that my son comes to birth.
I hope he makes success on earth.
The common saying puts it clear:
“Parental feelings are sincere.”
厉夜生子，遂而求火。
凡百有心，奚特于我！
既见其生，实欲其可。
人亦有言，斯情无假。
As time and tide flow on and on.
The youthful days will soon be gone.
Good luck seldom comes on its own
While bad luck never comes alone.
Rise early, go to bed late
And vou can better serve the state.
But if your progress is real slow,
I have to moan with woe!
日居月诸，渐免子孩。
福不虚至，祸亦易来。
夙兴夜寐，愿尔斯才。
尔之不才，亦已焉哉！