中国古诗词英译连载【4】 龟虽寿 曹操 INDOMITABLE SOUL 【Chinese Poem】

  龟虽寿 曹操 

神龟虽寿，尤有竟时。

腾蛇乘雾，终为土灰。

老骥伏枥，志在千里。

 烈士暮年，壮心不已。

盈缩之期，不但在天；

养怡之福，可得永年。 

幸甚至哉，歌以咏志。

 INDOMITABLE SOUL 

 Although long lives the tortoise wise, In the end he can not but die. 

The serpent in the mist may rise, But in the dust he too shall die. 

Although the stabled steed is old, He dreams to run for mile and mile. 

In life’s December heroes bold Won’t change indomitable style.

 It’s not up to Heaven alone To lengthen or shorten our day. 

To a great age we can live on, If we keep it fit, cheerful and gay. 

How happy I feel at this thought! I croon this poem as I ought.