唐高祖　起义师　除隋乱　创国基
The first emperor of the T\'ang dynasty
raised volunteer troops.
He put an end to the disorder of the House of Sui,
and established the foundation of his line.
二十传　三百载　梁灭之　国乃改
Twenty times the thrown was transmitted,
in a period of 300 years.
The Liang State destroyed it,
and the dynastic title was changed.
梁唐晋 及汉周 称五代 ?狾野
The Liang, the T\'ang, the Chin
the Han and the Chou
are called the five dynasties,
and there was a reason for the establishment of each.
炎宋兴　受周禅　十八传　南北混
Then the fire-led house of Sung arose,
and received the resignation of the house of Chou.
Eighteen times the throne was transmitted,
and then the north and the south were reunited.
辽与金　皆称帝
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太祖兴　国大明　号洪武　都金陵
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迨成祖　迁燕京 十六世　至崇祯
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阉! 乱後　寇内讧　闯逆变　神器终
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清顺治　据神京　至十传　宣统逊
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举总统　共和成　复汉土　民国兴
此段为宋版所无
廿二史　全在兹　载治乱　知兴衰
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十七史　全在兹　载治乱　知兴衰
The Seventeen Dynastic Histories,
are all embraced in the above.
They contain examples of good and bad government,
whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay.
读史书　考实录　通古今　若亲目
Ye who read history
must study the Annals,
whereby you will understand ancient and modern events,
as though having seen them with your own eyes.
口而诵　心而惟　朝於斯　夕於斯
Recite them with the mouth,
and ponder over them in your hearts.
Do this in the morning;
do this in the evening.
昔仲尼　师项橐　古圣贤　尚勤学
Of old, Confucius,
took Hsiang T\'o for his teacher.
The inspired men and sages of old,
studied diligently nevertheless.