血流芒砀白蛇亡,赤帜纵横游四方。
秦鹿逐翻兴社稷,楚骓推倒立封疆。
天子懦弱奸邪起,气色凋零盗贼狂。
看到两京遭难处,铁人无泪也凄惶!
(1)
Mortally wounded,the serpent poured forth his life blood at Mantang;
Blood—red pennons of war waved then in every quarter,
Chieftain with chieftain strove and raided each other's orders,
Midst the turmoil and strife the Kingship even was threatened.
Wickedness stalks in a country when the King is a weakling,
Brigandage always is rife,when a dynasty's failing,
Had one a heart of iron,wholly devoid of feeling,
Yet would one surely grieve at the sight of such desolation.
(C. H. Brewitt-Taylor)
(2)
Slain by Liu in the Mang—Dang Hills,
The white snake bled;
The fire—red flag triumphant
Toured the realm of Han.
They chased and downed the deer of Qin
To raise a newer shrine;
They brought Chu's warrior steed to earth
To mark the limes of Han.
If the Son of Heaven has no power,
Vice and error rise.
Once his prime is past,
Crime and treason thrive.
Two cities lie in rain,
Luoyang and Chang'an:
Even tearless men of iron
Cannot but despond.
(Moss Roberts)