北風吹雪四更初，

Blown by the north wind in the New Year Eve night,  

嘉瑞天教及歲除。

the heaven-sent snowflakes bode well for the harvest.

半盞屠蘇猶未舉，

Yet to toast the propitious sign with my unfinished wine, 

燈前小草寫桃符。

beneath the lamp I am writing spring couplets in cursive script.