Early Crops in the West Fields in Mid-September
庚戌岁九月中于西田获早稻
Of all the concerns in the human race，
Food and clothing take the foremost place.
If I am not engaged in tasks like these，
How am I to rest in peace and ease?
人生归有道，衣食固其端；
孰是都不营，而以求自安。
When spring began, I worked hard in the fields,
I could expect abundant yearly yields.
At sunrise, I began to plough and sow;
At sunset, I came home, shouldering a hoe.
开春理常业，岁功聊可观；
晨出肆微勤，日入负耒还。
Deep in the hills lurks the frost and dew，
In autumn now, the cold wind blows anew.
Although the farmer’s life is really hard.
From this hardship they can ne’er be freed.
山中饶霜露，风气亦先寒，
田家岂不苦？弗获辞此难。
My body suffers from severe fatigue.
But my mind is free from court intrigue.
After I have washed my hands and feet,
I’ll have a sip to give myself a treat.
四体诚乃疲，庶无异患干。
盥濯息簷下，斗酒散襟颜，
The ancient hermits who were free from fears
Were models in my life through all the years.
Oh that my life goes on fore’er like this
Because I take my farmer's life as bliss!
遥遥沮溺心，千载乃相关。
但愿长如此，躬耕非所叹。