652 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
Always at war with each other in a small land,
Both Pyŏnhan and Chinhan used to be in turmoil.
The wind passing over the ancient garrison sounds sad;
The clear moon on the ruined terrace is cold.
After the two states became one, the people no longer
Have enemies and live together forever.On the Kingdom of Silla
In antiquity when Hyŏkkŏse^23 established the kingdom,
It was the Wufeng era [of the Han dynasty].^24
It survived a thousand years
Until it was reduced to occupy a corner of the kingdom.
After offering the land of Kyerim, the people paid tribute
To the king of Kongnyŏng.^25
The ancestral rites to the three royal clans, which have continued,
Are now stopped forever. What a pity!On T’amna^26
A dark green single dot on the vast ocean is Mt. Halla.
It is far away, floating in the boundless expanse of the sea.
Following the star, people crossed the sea to reach the island
And produced the best horses to fill the emperor’s stable.
Though the island is remote, people make a good living.
When the wind is fair, merchant ships arrive and depart.
You officials who under the sage king make records of ruling districts,
Do not leave this island out, though it may be secluded.On the Taedong River
The old capital of Jizi is now an empty field,
And the great river embraces the lonely fortress, veering to the west.- The first ruler of the Silla Kingdom. His full name was Pak Hyŏkkŏse.
- Wufeng (57 BC –54 b c) is the era name of Emperor Xuan of the Han dynasty.
- Kongnyŏng is another name for Mt. Songak, which stands for Songdo or Kaegyŏng,
the capital of Koryŏ. - Cheju Island.