中文原文﹕
將軍魏武之子孫，
於今為庶為清門。
英雄割據雖已矣！
文采風流猶尚存。
學書初學衛夫人，
但恨無過王右軍。
丹青不知老將至，
富貴於我如浮雲。
開元之中常引見，
承恩數上南薰殿。
淩煙功臣少顏色，
將軍下筆開生面。
良相頭上進賢冠，
猛將腰間大羽箭，
褒公鄂公毛髮動，
英姿颯爽來酣戰。
先帝天馬玉花驄，
畫工如山貌不同。
是日牽來赤墀下，
迥立閶闔生長風。
詔謂將軍拂絹素，
意匠慘澹經營中；
斯須九重真龍出，
一洗萬古凡馬空。
玉花卻在御榻上，
榻上庭前屹相向；
至尊含笑催賜金，
圉人太仆皆惆悵。
弟子韓幹早入室，
亦能畫馬窮殊相；
幹惟畫肉不畫骨，
忍使驊騮氣凋喪。
將軍畫善蓋有神，
偶逢佳士亦寫真；
即今漂泊干戈際，
屢貌尋常行路人。
途窮反遭俗眼白，
世上未有如公貧；
但看古來盛名下，
終日坎壈纏其身。
英文翻譯 / English Translation﹕
The general is a descendant of Cao Wu, the Lord of Wei,
But now you have been relegated to the status of a commoner of little means and ways.
Gone are the days of heroic vigour of your antecedents!
Yet there remain with you literary talent, certain elegance and grace.
At first he studied up on the calligraphic style of Lady Wei of Jin dynasty,
Only to realise you would never surpass what Wang Xizhi had achieved.
Then you turned to painting and lost yourself in it as years pass you by,
Meaning nothing more than floating clouds are worldly wealth and prestige.
During the Kaiyuan years you were often summoned into the palace,
You were graced many times and granted presence in the Southern Main Hall.
The painting of Great Statesmen in the Pavilion of Billowing Smoke had faded over time,
It came alive again with your creative and animated brush strokes.
Virtuous premiers were each adorned with a honour crest,
Fierce generals had by their waist giant bows and feathered arrows,
Even the hair and beards of honoured masters were vividly painted,
Bearing themselves ready for a challenge with courage in a glow.
The late Xuanzong had a heavenly steed, a stallion named Jade Flower,
Many artists have depicted it giving different renditions but none its verve recorded.
That day it was led along to the front steps to the Great Hall,
It stood tall by the gate, energetic and strong.
The late emperor ordered the general to portray it on a silk canvas,
Quietly you let your craftsmanship work its role;
Soon enlivened were the dragon of heaven,
Dashing through to make slight of all ordinary horses ever born.
This painting of Jade Flower hung by the emperor's couch,
A veracious comparison to its real self standing in front of the Hall;
His Majesty smilingly ordered for an award of gold,
Leaving stable officers and keepers feeling rather dejected and despondent.
The general had a disciple when he was young,
Who could also paint horses and their various appearance;
Yet he painted only their exterior but not their essence,
Delivering portrayals of thoroughbreds with withered spirit.
The general paints well expressing such imagination,
Occasionally you would also draw portraits for gentlemen;
In this day and age in the tumult of war you wander,
While on the road you'd draw for fellow wayfarers.
At the end of your tether you have come to suffer disdainful looks and cold shoulders,
There is perhaps no other artists quite as down and out as yourself;
It seems that when all the fame and reputation have faded,
There leaves the individual to entangle in poverty and distress.
.