死去元知萬事空
但悲不見九州同
王師北定中原日
家祭無忘告乃翁
To My Son Lu You (1125-1210) 江紹倫譯
I know death negates many a worldly deed
Still I grief to see our country not united
Whence our royal force resumed command of the central plain
Tell me in a special rite so my mind will be in peace again
【示儿】 陆游
死去原知万事空， 但悲不见九州同。
王师北定中原日， 家祭无忘告乃翁。
To My Sons Lu You (Song)
When one dies one finds that all things are Void as it should be;
But I still regret m’dear Motherland is not whole again!
The v’ry day royal troops retake and set the north lands free —
Don’t forget, m’sons, to tell me at my grave the good news then!
(tr. frank c w yue)