The Song of the Righteous Spirit
在齊太史簡 In Qi, it was the Grand Historian’s bamboo slips [that told of Cui Zhu’s assassination of Duke Zhuang];
在晉董狐筆 In Jin, it was the brush of Dong Hu [that attributed blame to Zhao Dun for Duke Ling’s murder].
在秦張良椎 In Qin, it was the hammer of Zhang Liang [with which he attacked Qin Shihuang’s carriage];
在漢蘇武節 In Han, it was the staff of Su Wu [that he carried as envoy].
爲嚴將軍頭 It was General Yan’s head [that refused to bow in submission],
爲嵇侍中血 It was Palace Attendant Ji Shao’s blood [that he spilled defending the Emperor].
爲張睢陽齒 It was the teeth of Zhang Xun at Suiyang [that he ground down while defending the city];
爲顏常山舌 It was the tongue of Yan Gaoqing at Changshan [that was cut out when he insulted An Lushan].
或爲遼東帽 Or, it appeared as the cap in Liaodong [that Guan Ning wore in his reclusion],
清操厲冰雪 Whose purity was more intense than ice and snow.
或爲出師表 Or, it appeared as the “Memorial to Dispatch the Troops” [by Zhuge Liang],
鬼神泣壯烈 Which made even ghosts and spirits cry solemnly.
或爲渡江楫 Or, it appeared as the oar that crossed the river [which Zu Ti beat, vowing to reclaim the north];
慷慨吞胡羯 With righteous determination to vanquish the barbarians.
或爲擊賊笏 Or, it appeared as the tablet that struck the bandit [Zhu Ci];
逆豎頭破裂 Whose traitorous head was split open.
——– Wen Tianxiang quanji 文天祥全集 (Beijing: Zhongguo shudian, 1985), 14.375-76.
The Song of the Spirit of Righteousness
在齊太史簡，在晋董狐筆 During the State of Qi it is the official historian’s bamboo slats; during the State of Jin it is Dong Hu’s pen.
在秦張良椎，在漢蘇武節 During the Qin Dynasty, it is Zhang Liang’s hammer; during the Han Dynasty, it is Su Wu’s ambassadorial staff.
為嚴將軍頭，為嵇侍中血 It is General Yan’s head; it is Imperial Attendant Ji’s blood.
為張睢陽齒，為顏常山舌 It is Zhang’s teeth at Sui Yang; it is Yan’s tongue at Chang Shan.
或為遼東帽，清操厲冰雪 Or it is the Eastern Liao hat, the incorruptibility purer than ice and snow.
或為出師表，鬼神泣壯烈 Or it is the Memorials to Embark on the Campaign – the courage and fierce loyalty make gods and spirits weep.
或為渡江楫，慷慨吞胡羯 Or it is the oar during the River crossing – the fervency swallows up the barbarians.
或為擊賊笏，逆豎頭破裂 Or it is the court tablet striking the villain, breaking the rebel rogue’s head.
——– By Wen Tian-xiang of the Song Dynasty, 馮欣明注譯 Translated and Annotated by Feng Xin-ming 2008