Yu Qian

除夜宿太原寒甚 [明]于谦 寄语天涯客， 轻寒底用愁？ 春风来不远， 只在屋东头。 On a Cold New Year’s Eve Yu Qian I tell those who roam To make light of cold. Spring wind will soon come Eastwards as foretold[1]. 注释： [1]The last verse may be compared with that of Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind written 400 years later.

石灰吟[1] [明]于谦 千锤万凿[2]出深山， 烈火焚烧若等闲[3]。 粉身碎骨浑不怕， 要留清白[4]在人间。 注释： [1]石灰吟：石灰的赞歌。吟，古代一种诗歌体裁。 [2]千锤万凿：指反复地捶打敲击。 [3]若等闲：好像平常事一样。 [4]清白：高尚节操。 Song of the Lime Yu Qian[1] You come out of deep mountains after hammer blows; Under fire and water tortures you’re not in woes. Though broken into pieces, you will have no fright; You’ll purify the world by washing it e’er white. 注释： [1]Minister