Classic Poem

There was a certain assistant minister
who was in power while I lived in the capital.
When I left my position, his career was at its height;
but he devoted himself to all kinds of schemes and plots.
Late at night, he would go out begging;
he'd take bribes, afraid of future poverty.
In many ways, he took the crooked path,
not caring if people mocked him as he went.
But one day, his actions became public;
he was openly criticized and attacked.
His servants and secretaries ran away;
he was banished to the frontier.
Not only did he lose his salary and position,
but his reputation was ruined.
His mind started to deteriorate, his plans all went awry.
His face grew lined with worry, his speech,
hesitant and slow.
The local people felt, before too long,
he would lose his health
in that distant place.
So they sent letters, pleading with the authorities:
May Heaven's mercy touch him soon!
They dared not hope he would be summoned back,
only that his exile might be closer to the capital,
with some coarse liquid to quench his thirst,
and rough food to fill his stomach.
While the people's request was still in the air,
he managed to pass the capital exam.
But the whole story repeated itself;
he lost his position and got what he deserved!
He returned to his native place, unable to advance;
it was hard to meet old friends again.
Now the actor stepped down from the stage,
and wiped off all his makeup.
For the first time, his true face could be seen:
ashamed, he shaved off all his hair.
His ugly visage remained the same as before;
it was too late for true repentance.
There have always been warnings against illicit deeds:
there cannot be private interests in government.