士卒何草草，  The soldiers were worn out.

筑城潼關道。  busy building walls at Tongguan.

大城鐵不如，  The rampart emulates to iron;

小城萬丈余。  small wall as tall as hills.

借問潼關吏：  I asked an official there.

“修關還備胡？ Is it for defending rebels?

要我下馬行，  He invited me to dismount.

為我指山隅：  and pointed at the hills.

“連云列戰格， "The walls are so high

飛鳥不能逾。    that the birds cannot overfly.

胡來但自守，    Just await the rebels coming,

豈復憂西都。    not worrying about the capital.

丈人視要處，    Look at this pass, Sir.

窄狹容單車。    It allows only a chariot.

艱難奮長戟，    Few soldiers safeguard this area.

萬古用一夫。”   No rebels shall break through."

“哀哉桃林戰，   "Our last loss was terrible,

百萬化為魚。      Thousands of soldiers were killed.

請囑防關將，      Please tell the defending general,

慎勿學哥舒！”     Dont repeat the same mistakes!"