孟郊·《落第》英译

晓月难为光，愁人难为肠。

谁言春物荣，独见叶上霜。

雕鹗失势病，鹪鹩假翼翔。

弃置复弃置，情如刀剑伤。

On Failing the Examination

Meng Chiao

The dawn moon struggles to shine its light,

the man of sorrows struggles with his feelings.

Who says in spring things are bound to flourish?

All I see is frost on the leaves.

The eagle sickens, his power vanishes,

while little wrens soar on borrowed wings.

But leave them be, leave them be!—

these thoughts like wounds from a knife!

（Burton Watson 译）