I our youth we served Emperor Wu
and shamelessly presumed on his favor
we acted like local bullies
spoiled brats and lawless jerks
during the day we played games of dice
at night we abducted neighborhood girls
the commandant didn't dare touch us
we stood on alabaster steps
and those snowswept nights on Lishan
and archery hunts at Willow Palace
we couldn't read a word
we drank ourselves silly instead
then our lord joined the immortals
while we suffered disgrace
it was too late for us to study
or to learn how to improvise poems
two prefects finally took me in
then by mistake I was called to South Palace
but lacking talent I could only fail
and was sent to care for widows and orphans
suddenly now I meet Commander Yang
and we talk about the past until we cry
how do you recognize and exile
only an old friend would know