西陆蝉声唱，南冠客思深。

不堪玄鬓影，来对白头吟。

露重飞难进，风多响易沉。

无人信高洁，谁为表予心。

THE CICADA HEARD IN PRISON

Translated by Xu Yuan Chong

Of autumn the cicada sings;

In prison I’m worn out with care.

How can I bear its blue-black which remind me of my grey hair?

Heavy with dew, it can not fly;

Drowned in the wind, its song’s not heard.

Who would believe its spirit high?

Could I express my grief in word?