李商隐： 蝉/ Li Shangyin： A CICADA

李商隐: 蝉/ li shangyin: a cicada
蝉
李商隐
本以高难饱， 徒劳恨费声。
五更疏欲断， 一树碧无情。
薄宦梗犹泛， 故园芜已平。
烦君最相警， 我亦举家清。
a cicada
li shangyin
pure of heart and therefore hungry,
all night long you have sung in vain --
oh, this final broken indrawn breath
among the green indifferent trees!
yes, i have gone like a piece of driftwood,

i have let my garden fill with weeds....
i bless you for your true advice
to live as pure a life as yours.