双语诗歌翻译|范成大-《催租行》

《催租行》是南宋著名诗人范成大的一首反映地方官吏向农民敲榨勒索的作品。

《催租行》 范成大

输租得钞官更催，踉蹡里正敲门来。
手持文昼杂嗔喜：“我亦来营醉归尔！”
床头悭囊大如拳，扑破正有三百钱：
不堪与君成一醉，聊复偿君草鞋费。

Pressing for Tax Payment
Fan Chengda

The farmer has got a receipt, but the yamen still presses for tax payment—
In staggering steps a sheriff comes to knock at the door.
Tax receipt in hand, he mingles joy with resentment:
"I'm here just to ask for a drink before going home."
"The piggy bank by my bedside is the size of a fist;
Break it and you'll find there three hundred coins.
This money isn't enough for you to get drunk,
But it will reimburse you for wearing out your straw sandals."