Written in Mid-December for My First Cousin Jingyuan
癸卯岁十二月中作与从弟敬远
To stay secluded in my humble hut.
Far away from outside world I'm shut.
Without a bosom friend here anv more,
I always close my wretched wicker door.
寝迹衡门下，邈与世相绝。
顾盼莫谁知，荆扉昼常闭。
The freezing winds roar at the close of year;
A day's snow makes the weather more severe.
While snowflakes fall without the slightest sound,
The world becomes a stretch of snowy ground.
凄凄岁暮风，翳翳经日雪。
倾耳无希声，在目皓已洁。
When cold winds blow so hard and pierce my dress
With scanty food. I’m often in distress.
The empty rooms present a shabby sight;
There's not a single thing that gives delight.
劲气侵襟袖，箪瓢谢屡设。
萧索空宇中，了无一可悦！
When I peruse the classics now and then,
I always come across the upright men.
As famous sages I can not behave，
But honest poverty has been all I can crave.
历览千载书，时时见遗烈。
高操非所攀，谬得固穷节。
Since I abstain myself from worldly strife,
Who can discredit my reclusive life?
What is between the lines is known to few,
Who else on earth can understand but you!
平津苟不由，栖迟讵为拙！
寄意一言外，兹契谁能别。