Admonishing My Sons
责子
My hair at both my temples have turned grey.
My skin and muscles weaken day by day.
Although I have five sons in my own right.
None of them would like to read or write.
白发被两鬓，肌肤不复实。
虽有五男儿，总不好纸笔。
Although A-shu is sixteen years of age.
He is more lazy than the average.
Although A-xuan will soon come to fifteen.
Fond of pens and books he's never been.
阿舒已二八，懒惰故无匹。
阿宣行志学，而不爱文术。
Yong and Duan, thirteen years old by now.
Cannot tell six from seven anyhow.
What my nine-year-old A-tong now cares
Is no more than to pick the nuts and pears.
雍端年十三，不识六与七。
通子垂九龄，但觅梨与栗。
If this has been the destined fate of mine.
I’d better sit and drain the cup of wine.
天运苟如此，且进杯中物。