| 英譯： |
There came an officer knocking by night at my door—
In a loud voice demanding grain-tribute.
My house-servants dared not wait till morning,
But brought candles and set them on the farm-yard
Through sifting and winnowing, clean washed as pearls,
A whole cart-load, thirty bushels of grain
But still they cry it is not paid in full:
With whips and curses they goad my servants and boys.
Once, in error, I entered public life;
I am inwardly ashamed that my talents were not sufficient.
In succession, I occupied four official posts;
For doing nothing—ten years' salary!
Often have I heard that saying of ancient men
That "superabundance and scarcity follow each other in a circuit."
And to-day it ought to set my heart at rest
To return to others the corn in my great barn.
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