Three-Character Classic st.79-82, attrib. Wang Yinglin

[lnhammer]

79.
Liu Yan of the Tang
At seven years of age,
Was held a “godly child”
And made Corrector of Texts.

唐刘晏
方七岁
举神童
作正字

80.
Even though still young,
He served as an official—
All of you young students
Strive to do the same:
Those who do the work
Will also be like him.

彼虽幼
身己仕
尔幼学
勉而致
有为者
亦若是

81.
The dog keeps guard at night,
The cock’s in charge of dawn—
If you don’t study, how
Can you become a man?

犬守夜
鸡司晨
苟不学
曷为人

82.
The silkworm spins out silk,
The bee ferments its honey—
Men who do not study
Aren’t equal to such creatures.

蚕吐丝
蜂酿蜜
人不学
不如物

• 79: Liu Yan was actually nine when he was appointed a proofreader of official records by Tang Emperor Xuanzong (a reward for a flattering poem).

(One more installment and we're done!)

---L.