垂老别
四郊未宁静,
垂老不得安。
子孙阵亡尽,
焉用身独完?
投杖出门去,
同行为辛酸。
幸有牙齿存,
所悲骨髓干。
男儿既介胄,
长揖别上官。
老妻卧路啼,
岁暮衣裳单。
孰知是死别,
且复伤其寒。
In four directions, no peace, no safety-how can an old one rest easy?
Sons, grandsons all lost in battle,
what use to keep this one body alive?
He throws his stick aside, goes out the gate,
comrades looking on in pity and concern.
Luckily I still have my teeth,
though alas, little sap left in these bones!
But I'll put on armor like a proper fellow,
give my long salute, take leave of the commander.
His old wife slumps by the roadside weeping,
year-end, in nothing but an unlined robe.
Who knows, perhaps their final parting ,
he thinks how she'll suffer from the cold.