Bai Juyi: Seventh Year: Springtime Compose This Poem For My Government Office Building

Seventh Year, Springtime Compose This Poem For My Government Office Building

七 年 春 题 府 厅

潦 倒 守 三 川
因 循 涉 四 年。
推 诚 废 钩 距
示 耻 用 蒲 鞭。

以 此 称 公 事
将 何 销 俸 钱。
虽 非 好 官 职
岁 久 亦 妨 贤。

Qi Nian Chun Ti Fu Ting

Liao dao shou san chuan
Yin xun she si nian.
Tui cheng fei gou ju
Shi chi yong pu bian.

Yi ci chen gong shi
Jiang he xiao feng qian.
Sui fei hao guan zhi
Sui jiu yi fang xian.

Seventh Year, Springtime Compose This Poem For My Government Office Building

Pretend illnesses have arrived at the Three River garrison
For four years here, try to follow and do what is natural and local.
Try to use justice and honesty to judge those in jail
Use light cattail whips to induce shame, and not to injure.

This way of administrating official duties matches my temperament
Maybe this negates my getting a government salary.
Although this is not a favorable position to have
My being so long in it blocks the ladder-climbers from a good stepping-stone.

Notes:

Seventh Year: It is the seventh year of reign for the current emperor.

Three Rivers: During the Qin Dynasty, China was divided into three regions based upon three large rivers.

Commentary:

The humility of Bai shines brightly in this classic poem.