Written to Ziyou in Joke
- Poetry of Su Shi

宛邱先生长如丘，宛邱学舍小如舟。

常时低头诵经史，忽然欠伸屋打头。

斜风吹帷雨注面，先生不愧旁人羞。

任从饱死笑方朔，肯为雨立求秦优！

眼前勃蹊何足道，处置六凿须天游。

读书万卷不读律，致君尧舜知无术。

劝农冠盖闹如云，送老藿盐甘似蜜。

门前万事不挂眼，头虽长低气不屈！

My brother's tall as Confucius is said to be, But his room in the schoolhouse looks like a boat small.

He bends his head while reading classics and history, Suddenly he yawns, his head bumps against the wall.

The wind blows screens aside and raindrops into his face, The onlookers feel sorry but he does not care.

The starving may be jeered at by well-fed men base, He won't beg for shelter though rain drenches his hair.

He cares not for the discomforts before the eye, If he can let his six spirits soar in the sky.

He's read ten thousand books without reading the law.

How could he serve a sovereign without a flaw!

The inspectors of agriculture come in throng, Honey-like vegetables are given to the old.

Nothing at the door will remain in his eyes for long, Though his head oft bends low, his spirit is still bold.

Official of Hangzhou,I' ve done no worthy deed, My painted hall is so large that flags can be displayed.

My mansion stands high and from noise of rain is freed