On the Three Loyal Brothers
咏三良
Embarked on careers in youthful time,
Three noble brothers treasured their youthful prime.
By daily office work they were hard pressed,
With enthusiasm to do their best.
弹冠乘通津，但惧时我遗；
服勤尽岁月，常恐功愈微。
As they showed loyal hearts through thick and thin,
They won the favour from Duke Mu of Qin.
Beside the duke’s coach, they used to ride;
Inside the duke’s room, they stayed aside.
忠情谬获露，遂为君所私。
出则陪文舆，入必侍丹帷；
Their advice went to the duke’s two ears;
The duke accepted their useful ideas.
When the duke was dead and gone one day,
They'd like to go with him without dismay.
箴规响已从，计议初无亏。
一朝长逝後，愿言同此归。
The duke's high favours ne，er would be betrayed;
The duke’s decrees would always be obeyed.
At the vault-side with no hesitations,
The noble deeds conformed to expectations.
厚恩固难忘，君命安可违。
临穴罔惟疑，投义志攸希。
The graveyard mounds are overgrown with thorns;
In deepest woe a siskin sighs and mourns.
Now that Three Loyal Brothers are long dead,
My robe is wet with drops of tear I shed.
荆棘笼高坟，黄鸟声正悲；
良人不可赎，泫然沾我衣。