(20) Song Of Grave-Digging
掘冢歌
Fan Heng (1272-1330)
范 木亨
The old grave dug out yesterday,
昨日旧冢掘，
The new grave is dug right away.
今日新冢成。
Two graveside statues bid adieu
冢前两翁仲，
To the old and welcome the new.
送前还迎新。
The old soul not yet gone, the new one comes in deep;
旧魂未出新魂入，
Before the new comes, the old would bitterly weep.
旧魂还队新魂泣。
The old soul tells the new one again and again:
旧魂丁宁语新魂，
You need not many off springs if graves good remain.
好地不用多子孙。
If your offsprings unceasingly come one by one.
子孙绵绵如不绝。
Your grave will be dug out one day by your grandson.
曾孙不掘玄孙掘。
It is sad for my grave today to be dug out.
我今掘矣良可悲，
I know not when it's your turn to complain about.
不知君掘又何时。