贼退示官吏-To Officers after the Raiders’ Retreat
贼退示官吏
元结
昔年逢太平，山林二十年。
泉源在庭户，洞壑当门前。
井税有常期，日晏犹得眠。
忽然遭世变，数岁亲戎旃。
今来典斯郡，山夷又纷然。
城小贼不屠，人贫伤可怜。
是以陷邻境，此州独得全。
使臣将王命，岂不如贼焉？
今彼征敛者，迫之如火煎。
谁能绝人命，以作时世贤！
思欲委符节，引竿自刺船。
将家就鱼麦，归老江湖边。
To Officers after the Raiders’ Retreat
Yuan Jie
In the peaceful time of those former days，
I lived twenty years in woods and mountains.
Near my house， the springhead gushed out with sprays；
In front of my gate， were caves and ravines.
We paid regular taxes of our shares
And could sleep well till late in the next day.
Then came a sudden change of world affairs；
In the army some years I had to stay.
Now I’m taking charge of this prefecture；
Mountaineers have risen in rebellion.
Our small city has escaped from slaughter，
For our poverty wins their compassion.
They attacked and seized our neighbouring lands，
Exempting our prefecture from plunder.
Those carriers of the emperor’s commands，
Could they be e’en worse than bandits yonder？
Tax collectors press our people so hard
That they’re just like being cooked in the fire.
Could men to human lives pay no regard
That they might win the favour they desire！
Surely I’ll resign my official post
And with my own hands pole a boat away.
Where there’re fish and wheat， I’ll have my home reposed；
By lake or river， I’ll live to my last day.
