李商隐

蝉

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。

Li Shangyin

A CICADA

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