Wen Fu 8 [文赋 八] “Edits” by Lu Ji [陆机] [w/ Audio]

Maybe the first lines constrain the last;
Maybe ends insist on openings;
Maybe some truths escape all words;
Maybe dulcet lines tell no truths.
One may need to keep separated --
Beauty and truth -- to avoid wounds.
Inspect and haggle over each word --
Distinctions maybe finer than a hair;
Weigh each edit upon a scale;
Ensure each cut serves its purpose.

Original poem in Simplified Chinese:

或仰逼于先条,或俯侵于后章。
或辞害而理比,或言顺而义妨。
离之则双美, 合之则两伤。
考殿最于锱铢,定去留于毫芒。
苟铨衡之所裁,固应绳其必当。