Chí làm trai
NGUYỄN CÔNG TRỨ
(1778 - 1858)
Vòng trời đất dọc ngang, ngang dọc
Nợ tang bồng vay trả, trả vay
Chí làm trai Nam Bắc Đông Tây
Cho phỉ sức vẫy vùng trong bốn bể
Nhân sinh thế thượng thùy vô nghệ
Lưu đắc đan tâm chiếu hãn thanh
Đã chắc rằng ai nhục ai vinh
Mấy kẻ biết anh hùng thời vị ngộ
Cũng có lúc mây tuôn sóng vỗ
Quyết ra tay buồm lái trận cuồng phong
Chí những toan xẻ núi lấp sông
Làm nên đấng anh hùng đâu đấy tỏ
Đường mây rộng thênh thang cử bộ
Nợ tang bồng trong trắng vỗ tay reo
Thảnh thơi thơ túi rượu bầu
(Trích: Văn hóa Việt Nam - Tổng hợp 1989 - 1995 trang 239)
The young man's will
English version by NGUYEN HUU LY
Within the round of Heaven and Earth far and wide
The young man's will pays his debt of a vicious circle
The young man's will roves everywhere in four direction South, North, East, West
To satisfy the capability of his strength in acting freely in four corners of earth
Since the beginning of time, no one has escaped death
Thus, there is only one's life time in which can leave one's mark in history - a resplendent red heart stamps
Not surely knew enough anyone who is in humiliation or in glory
Few people assess a man of merit on his evil days
There are times he has lived in a life full of vicissitudes
And he should be determined to try to row and punt the mizzen sail in violent whirlwind
The will attempts to cut mountains and fill up rivers
That makes a hero who gives somewhere a clear indication
The spacious way of office and fame is ready to start off
The young man's pure will applauds to the echo with long cheers
That are able to afford leisurely poetic inspiration and alcoholic passion.