译文及注释:
Translation:
The cool autumn wind of severity has arrived and it is time to carefully consider military expeditions. Our lord should timely set out for battle and our brave army will march to punish Sun Quan. The fleet of expeditionary ships covers the river and the soldiers are deployed throughout the outskirts. The soldiers who go to war miss their loved ones as who can be without feelings of longing? Touching their clothes and leaning against the mast they cannot help but think of the city of Ye. The protagonist of the poem Dongshan evokes sympathy as the cries of the storks bring forth sadness in their hearts. The sun and moon continue to move and people are amidst the chaos of war how can they find peace? In ancient times people followed Duke Zhou in battle and once they left it would be three years. Our lord's mighty army will surely achieve victory quickly. They will sacrifice their deep feelings for their families and contribute their utmost loyalty to this expedition. I am afraid that my weak strength and limited virtue cannot compare to an ordinary person's contribution and I can only repay the grace of receiving a salary without merit with sincerity. I am constantly filled with gratitude and thoughts of repaying kindness linger in my heart. I only wish to make achievements and establish a career as a pioneer and I have no time to stop and listen to the sound of the golden horn.
Annotations:
厉 (lì): to rectify or discipline. 秋节 (qiū jié): autumn season. 厉秋节 refers to the season for military campaigns. According to The Book of Rites - Monthly Ordinances during the month of Mengqiu when the cool wind of autumn arrives it is the beginning of killing and slaughter. The emperor then orders the generals to organize the army and go to war against injustice.
司典 (sī diǎn): the official in charge of criminal law. 详刑 (xiáng xíng): also written as 祥刑 it means that judicial decisions should be cautious and skillful in the use of punishment.
我君 (wǒ jūn): refers to Cao Cao. 顺 (shùn): to adapt or conform. 时 (shí): season or time.
桓桓 (huán huán): the appearance of bravery. 东南征: refers to the expedition against Sun Quan.
泛舟 (fàn zhōu): to sail. 盖长川: to cover the water surface.
陈卒 (chén zú): soldiers lined up. 被 (bèi): covered. 隰 (xí): low-lying place. 埛 (jiōng): distant outskirts.
征夫 (zhēng fū): soldiers going on an expedition. 亲戚 (qīn qi): relatives.
恋情 (liàn qíng): feelings of attachment or longing.
拊 (fǔ): to stroke or caress. 衿 (jīn): collar. 樯 (qiáng): mast.
眷眷 (juàn juàn): the appearance of attachment and reluctance. In the poem Deng Lou Fu there is a line 情眷眷而怀归兮 which has the same meaning as this.
东山: a poem in the Book of Songs - Bin Feng describing the life of ancient warfare and the soldiers' longing for their past hometown and loved ones. 东山人: refers to the author of the poem Dongshan.
喟然 (kuì rán): the appearance of sighing. 鹳 (guàn): a type of bird.