鹿鸣之什·四牡

四牡騑騑，周道倭迟。岂不怀归？王事靡 盬 gǔ ，我心伤悲。

四牡騑騑， 啴 tān 啴骆马。岂不怀归？王事靡盬，不遑启处。

翩翩者鵻，载飞载下，集于苞栩。王事靡盬，不遑将父。

翩翩者鵻，载飞载止，集于苞杞。王事靡盬，不遑将母。

驾彼四骆，载骤骎 骎 qīn 。岂不怀归？是用作歌，将母来谂。

Loyalty and Filial Piety

Four horses forward go

Along a winding way.

How can my homesickness not grow?

But the king’s affairs bear no delay.

My heart is full of woe.

Four horses forward go;

They pant and snort and neigh.

How can my homesickness not grow?

But the king’s affairs bear no delay.

I can’t rest nor drive slow.

Doves fly from far and near

Up and down on their way.

They may rest on oaks with their peer.

But the king’s affairs bear no delay,

And I can’t serve my father dear.

Doves fly from far and near

High and low on their way.

They may perch on trees with their peer.

But the king’s affairs bear no delay,

And I can’t serve my mother dear.

I drive black-maned white steed

And hurry on my way.

Don’t I wish to go home with speed?

I can’t but sing this lay

Though I have my mother to feed.

四马奔驰，道路曲折漫长。

岂不怀归？公事无休止，我心伤悲。

四马奔驰，白马喘息不已。

岂不怀归？公事无休止，哪有空歇？

斑鸠翩飞，忽下忽上，忽然立于柞树。

公事无休止，我顾不上我的老父。

斑鸠翩飞，忽起忽止，忽然立于杞树。

公事无休止，我顾不上我的老娘。

四匹白马拉着车，马蹄哒哒，车轮飞快。

我何尝不想回到故里，所以写下这首歌，将我的母亲来思念。