「官牛－讽执政也」白居易

官牛官牛驾官车，浐水岸边般载沙。

一石沙，几斤重，朝载暮载将何用。

载向五门官道西，绿槐阴下铺沙堤。

昨来新拜右丞相，恐怕泥涂污马蹄。

右丞相，马蹄蹋沙虽净洁，牛领牵车欲流血。

右丞相，但能济人治国调阴阳，官牛领穿亦无妨。

THE CHANCELLOR'S GRAVEL-DRIVE 

(A Satire on the Maltreatment of Subordinates) 

A Government-bull yoked to a Government-cart ! 

Moored by the bank of Ch'an River, a barge loaded with gravel. 

A single load of gravel, 

How many pounds it weighs ! 

Carrying at dawn, carrying at dusk, what is it all for? 

They are carrying it towards the Five Gates, 

To the West of the Main Road. 

Under the shadow of green laurels they are making a gravel-drive. 

For yesterday arrived, newly appointed. 

The Assistant Chancellor of the Realm, 

And was terribly afraid that the wet and mud 

Would dirty his horse's hoofs. 

The Chancellor's horse's hoofs 

Stepped on the gravel and remained perfectly clean; 

But the bull employed in dragging the cart 

Was almost sweating blood. 

The Assistant Chancellor's business 

Is to " save men, govern the country 

And harmonize Yin and Yang.'" 

Whether the bull's neck is sore 

Need not trouble him at all. 

' The negative and positive principles in nature.