To the Officials, After the Rebels Withdrew
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
西原贼入道县，
焚烧杀掠，
几尽而去。
明年，
贼又攻永破邵，
不犯此州边鄙而退。
岂力能制敌与？
盖蒙其伤怜而已。
诸使何为忍苦征敛，
故作诗一篇以示官吏。
昔岁逢太平，
山林二十年。
泉源在庭户，
洞壑当门前。
井税有常期，
日晏犹得眠。
忽然遭世变，
数岁亲戎旃。
今来典斯郡，
山夷又纷然。
城小贼不屠，
人贫伤可怜。
是以陷邻境，
此州独见全。
使臣将王命，
岂不如贼焉？
今彼征敛者，
迫之如火煎。
谁能绝人命，
以作时世贤！
思欲委符节，
引竿自刺船。
将家就鱼麦，
归老江湖边。
English translation
In the year guimao, bandits from Xiyuan entered Dao county, burning, killing and looting, and left when nearly all was destroyed. The next year the bandits again attacked Yong and broke into Shao, but did not touch the borders of this prefecture and withdrew. Was it that our strength could hold them off? Rather, they took pity on our suffering. Why then do the commissioners bear to press their harsh levies? Therefore I have made this poem to show to the officials.
In former years we met with peace, twenty years among the hills and woods.
Spring sources were at our courtyard doors, caves and ravines before our gates.
The land tax had its appointed season, and late in the day one might still sleep.
Suddenly the world was overthrown, for several years I followed the army's banners.
Now I have come to govern this prefecture, and the mountain tribes are in tumult again.
The city is small, the bandits did not massacre, the people are poor, their suffering invites pity.
Thus, though the neighboring districts fell, this prefecture alone was spared.
The commissioners bear the king's command, are they then worse than bandits?
These levy-collectors of today hound the people as over a fire.
Who can cut off the people's lives to be counted a worthy of the age?
I would lay down my seals of office, take a pole and punt the boat myself,
lead my family to fish and wheat, and grow old beside river and lake.
Meaning
In the year Guimao the Xiyuan bandits broke into the city of Daozhou, burning, slaying and plundering until they had swept it nearly bare before they went away. The following year the bandits attacked Yongzhou and took Shaozhou, yet did not cross the borders of Daozhou, but went off. Is it that the troops of Daozhou are strong enough to subdue them? It is only that the bandits have been moved to pity. Why then must the officers who press for taxes be so hardhearted and so bitterly exacting? Therefore I have made this poem for the officials to read.
In my early years I met with an age of peace, and dwelt hidden in the hills and woods for twenty years.
Clear spring water flowed past my doorway; the valleys and ravines stood before my gate.
There was a fixed season for the land tax, and even when the sun was high I could still sleep soundly.
Then suddenly the age changed, and for several years I myself followed the army to the front.
Now I have come to govern
Background
Read the background
This poem was written in 764, the second year of the Guangde era of Emperor Daizong of Tang, when Yuan Jie was prefect of Daozhou. The poem's short preface sets out the occasion of its composition. The poet held that the commissioners of taxes and labor service sent to the localities showed no sympathy for the people: even when the people of Daozhou had "grass roots for their morning meal and tree bark for their evening meal" (from "Song of Chongling"), the extortion went on relentlessly. Moved by this, he wrote the poem as a warning to the officials levying the taxes.