范成大·《催租行》英译

输租得钞官更催，踉蹡里正敲门来。

手持文昼杂嗔喜：“我亦来营醉归尔！”

床头悭囊大如拳，扑破正有三百钱：

不堪与君成一醉，聊复偿君草鞋费。

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Pressing for Tax Payment

Fan Chengda

The farmer has got a receipt, but the yamen still presses for tax payment—

In staggering steps a sheriff comes to knock at the door.

Tax receipt in hand, he mingles joy with resentment:

“I’m here just to ask for a drink before going home.”

“The piggy bank by my bedside is the size of a fist;

Break it and you’ll find there three hundred coins.

This money isn’t enough for you to get drunk,

But it will reimburse you for wearing out your straw sandals.”