鐔津文集 17.18

17.18

Amidst the clouds I see a pair of birds / Flying high, revealing the sun and moon. / Their plumage is adorned with brilliant patterns; / Soaring aloft, they differ from falcons and hawks. / Unfettered, far across a thousand li, / They never look back at forest or grove. / The spring wind drifts and wafts at will; / Their strong pinions are all the more transcendent. / The wandering swordsmen on the path / Catch sight of you only in a fleeting haste. / Though they have golden pellets, / They squint and dare not fire. / Thus I know that those with singular endowments / Naturally preserve themselves, forever surpassing others. / Looking back at the flocks of yellow sparrows, / Why do they cling to the dusty earth?