东临碣石，& East onto Mt. Jie

以观沧海。& To watch the blue sea.

水何澹澹，& The water’s wavy¹,

山岛竦峙。& The isle² hills lofty;

树木丛生，& The trees clump³ thickly,

百草丰茂。& The plants grow lushly;

秋风萧瑟，& The fall-wind sings low,

洪波涌起。& The mounting waves roll.

日月之行，& The sun and the moon

若出其中;& Seem to rise from it;

星汉灿烂，& The bright Milky⁴ Way

若出其里。& Seems to glint in it.

幸甚至哉，& What an utmost scene.

歌以咏志。& To aspire⁵, I sing.