Changes and transformations—
A great many of plans and designs;
Life alternates with death
Without distinguished boundary
Of such a fast transition.
Dwelling amid the Three Paths
Around my fenceless courtyard
I live a simple life of a sparrow
In the thick bushes of country.
Tarrying on the Five Peaks
In the range of my district,
I am ensured to ride at least
On the Dragon-fish
Of my last departure.
In the mundane world
All try to behave like a black goat,
Putting their horns in the plait fence
Of non-issues, but
If someone’s life is pure and clean,
One becomes like a steed
For the triumphal galloping.
Since in my past life I’ve been
An offspring of a rich man,
For this one I bear the burden
Of an impoverished scholar—
A true bookworm in his own shell.
It is a fruitless labour to comment
The Grand Historian Records;
A waste of oneself is to study
The infinite number of Classics.
As old age comes on,
I examine the Celestial Annals,
But, as before, I’m recorded there
As all the same poor layman.
On divination,
I’ve met with my fate’s definition
Styled ‘difficulties in move’
Of the diagram for a lame man
Who thinks he can walk fast
And tread on the tiger's tail
Without being bitten by the beast
And, therefore, he is bitten indeed.
Misfortune of being bitten in life
Arises from his placement,
Which is improper for his self.
However, since his space
Is the only divided line
And crevice of the figure,
Which responds to the strong
Undivided line on the very top
Of the diagram,
This suggests the idea of someone,
Although lame and on one leg,
Who yet manages well to tramp along
With support of his patron
From on high.
To keep going onward will be good
And fortunate under the stipulation
That his ambition of the winner
Of the world will not be shown off
And, therefore, let him stay away
From many mischief and troubles.
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