In the Capital
- Poetry of Cao Zhi

名都多妖女，京洛出少年。

宝剑直千金，被服丽且鲜。

斗鸡东郊道，走马长楸间。

驰骋未能半，双兔过我前。

揽弓捷鸣镝，长驱上南山。

左挽因右发，一纵两禽连。

余巧未及展，仰手接飞鸢。

观者咸称善，众工归我妍。

归来宴平乐，美酒斗十千。

脍鲤臇胎鰕，寒鳖炙熊蹯。

鸣俦啸匹侣，列坐竟长筵。

连翩击踘壤，巧捷惟万端。

白日西南驰，光景不可攀。

云散还城邑，清晨复来还。

The charming ladies saunter in Luoyang,

The capital where live the rich young men.

My sword is worth a thousand grams of gold;

My dress is fashionably designed and bold.

After I enjoy cock-fights at ease,

I ride along roads with catalpa trees.

I gallop on the way in great delight

When two hares run ahead and come in sight.

I hold my bow and arrow in my hand 

And head for Southern Mount across the land.

With my left hand I shoot toward the right 

And hit both hares with one arrow bite.

To show again my shooting skill and might,

I raise the bow and shoot a flying kite.

Universal praise arises from the crowd 

While other hunters also hail aloud.

Upon our return,in a temple we dine 

And on delicious liquor we all wine.

Served on the table are stewed carps in pairs,

With braised tortoise and roasted paws of bears.

I invite my kith and kin to take a seat,

And everybody sits and starts to eat.

After dinner we play games of different kind,

With manual skills and deftness all combined.

The sun is running out of its timespan 

As time and tide await not any man.

The guests then leave for town when games are done;

Tomorrow morn they'll come again for fun.