好了歌

                    曹雪芹

 

世人都晓神仙好，惟有功名忘不了！

古今将相在何方，荒冢一堆草没了。

世人都晓神仙好，只有金银忘不了！

终朝只恨聚无多，及到多时眼闭了。

世人都晓神仙好，只有娇妻忘不了！

君生日日说恩情，君死又随人去了。

世人都晓神仙好，只有儿孙忘不了！

痴心父母古来多，孝顺儿孙谁见了。

 

Won-Done Song

                                         Cao Xue-qin

 

Men all know that salvation should be won,

But with ambition won't have done, have done.

Where are the famous ones of days gone by?

In grassy graves they lie now, every one.

 

Men all know that salvation should be won,

But with their riches won't have done, have done.

Each day they grumble they've not made enough.

When they've enough, it's goodnight everyone!

 

Men all know that salvation should be won,

But with their loving wives they won't have done.

The darlings every day protest their love:

But once you're dead, they're off with another one.

 

Men all know that salvation should be won,

But with their children won't have done, have done.

Yet though of parents fond there is no lack,

Of grateful children saw I ne'er a one.

 

Transalted by David Hawkes

 

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