The Indomitable Soul
       ---Chao Cao

Although long lives the tortoise wise,
In the end he cannot but die.
The dragon in the mist may rise,
But in the dust he too shall lie.

Although the stabled steed is old,
He dreams to run a thousand li.
In life's December heroes bold
Indomitable still will be.

It is not up to Heaven alone
To lengthen or shorten our days.
Let's cultivate our minds and live on
Through long years, if we know the ways.

How happy I feel at this thought!
I croon this poem as I ought.

龟虽寿
       ---曹操

神龟虽寿，
猷有竟时。
腾蛇乘雾，
终为土灰。

老骥伏枥，
志在千里；
烈士暮年，
壮心不已。

盈缩之期，
不但在天；
养怡之福，
可得永年。

幸甚至哉！
歌以咏志。