A literal translation close to the original text.

On that very day, as I was somehow managing to go out into the town with a cane for some distraction, a Taoist priest with difficulty walking came from the opposite direction. He wore rough sandals and simple clothes, swayed around like he was crazy, and muttered several words in his mouth.

Everyone in the world knows that becoming an immortal is good. However, they cannot let go of their attachment to fame and advancement. Where are the former generals and ministers now? There's only one ruined tomb, buried under grass. Everyone in the world knows that becoming an immortal is good. However, they cannot let go of their attachment to gold and silver. From morning till night, they complain that even after collecting so much, it's still not enough. No matter how much they collect, there will eventually come a time when they close their eyes. Everyone in the world knows that becoming an immortal is good. However, they cannot let go of their attachment to their beloved wives. While you are alive, your wife expresses her love for you every day. But once you die, your wife will move on with someone else. Everyone in the world knows that becoming an immortal is good. However, they cannot let go of their feelings for their children and grandchildren. There have always been many parents who cherish their children deeply, but how many truly filial children or grandchildren are there?

The scholar, upon hearing this, approached with a smile and said, "What are you saying so much? All I hear is the words 'good' and 'finished.' Can you explain what that means?"

The Taoist laughed and said, "If you hear those two words, 'good' and 'finished,' then it's practically understood. In this world, everything is such that if something seems good, it ends; and when it ends, it becomes good. If it doesn't end, it won't be good. If you want to make it good, you must bring it to an end. I will call this song the 'Good-Ending Song.'"

The scholar was originally a quick learner. Upon hearing these words, he immediately understood them from the bottom of his heart and laughed, saying, "Wait, let me annotate your 'Good-Ending Song'."

The Taoist laughed in response and said, "Please do."

Then, the scholar began to sing.

Even a humble house or a spacious room, in the past,

Shita.

shaku

It boasted such splendor that it covered the floor. Even where there were withered grass and dried willow trees, it was once a place for songs and dances. Spiderwebs are thickly spun on the carved beams, and the green gauze is now pasted onto rough windows. Red...

White powder.

oshiroi

Even though it is at its peak, how come?

Both sides of the cheeks.

ryobin

Is there already frost in the air? Yesterday, I buried bones in a mound of yellow earth, and tonight, a couple is embracing under a red silk curtain. A box full of gold, a box full of silver. Soon, they will become beggars and be spoken ill of by everyone. I was lamenting that other people's lives are short. But I never thought I would return home and lose my life. Even if you raise your child well, there is no guarantee that they won't become a rogue in the future. I chose a wealthy house, but...

Flower district.

hanamachi

Who would have thought that I would end up like this? I only disliked the small hats worn by officials, and now I am forced to wear a shackle. Yesterday, I pitied the coldness of the torn padded jacket, but today, I dislike the length of the purple official robes. Amidst all the commotion, you finish singing, and then I go on stage. We mistake foreign lands for our hometowns. How absurd this is. In the end, we are all sewing wedding clothes for others.

The mad, lame Taoist heard this and slapped his hands together in a loud laugh. "That's perfect! A perfectly accurate interpretation!" Shi Yin said, "Let's go," and snatched the bag that was hanging from the Taoist's shoulder, putting it on himself. He didn't return home, but instead left with the mad Taoist, disappearing into thin air.

Readable Version

On that very day, he was using a cane and somehow managed to go out into the town for some relaxation. Then, from the opposite direction, a Taoist with difficulty walking appeared. He wore simple hemp sandals and rough clothes, walked unsteadily, and seemed to be chanting something in his mouth.

Everyone in the world knows that immortals are good. But, they cannot let go of their desires for fame and advancement. Where are the former generals and ministers now? There is only one ruined grave, buried under weeds. Everyone in the world knows that immortals are good. But, they cannot let go of their desire for gold and silver. From morning to night, they lament that even after collecting so much, it's still not enough. By the time they have collected a lot, death is already approaching. Everyone in the world knows that immortals are good. But, they cannot let go of their feelings for their beloved wives. While you are alive, your wife will express her love to you every day. Once you die, your wife will move on with someone else. Everyone in the world knows that immortals are good. But, they cannot let go of their feelings for their children and grandchildren. There have always been many parents who dote too much on their children. Have you ever seen a child or grandchild who is filial?

The soldier listened and, with a smile, approached the Taoist. "What are you saying? I only hear the words 'good' and 'finished.' Please explain what they mean." The Taoist laughed and said, "If you heard the words 'good' and 'finished,' then you understand it already. Everything in the world is such that if it seems good, it is finished; and when it is finished, it is good. If it is not good, it will not end; and if you want to make it good, you must bring it to an end. My song is called the 'Good-Finished Song.'" The soldier was originally quick-witted. Upon hearing these words, he immediately understood and said, "Please wait. May I add some explanation to your song?" The Taoist replied, "Go ahead." The soldier began to sing.

The old government building, with its empty and spacious rooms, used to be a place where officials gathered.

Shita.

shaku

The amount of debris was enough to cover the floor. The grass withered, and even the willows died in places that were once stages for songs and dances. Spiderwebs covered the beams where sculptures used to be, and now green cloth is pasted on the dilapidated windows. Red and...

White powder.

oshiroi

The person who used to decorate beautifully, why is it that now...

Both sides of the cheeks.

ryobin

I wonder if I have white hair. Yesterday, someone was buried in a yellow earth tomb, and tonight, another couple is embracing under the red silk curtain. Even if you gather gold to fill boxes and silver to fill boxes, you will soon become a beggar and be spoken ill of by people. While lamenting that other people's lives are short, I never thought that I would return home and die. Even if you raise your child properly, there is no guarantee that they will not become an evil person in the future. Even if you marry into a wealthy family, it is unexpected that...

Flower district.

hanamachi

I don't think I would ever debase myself to that level. All I wanted was a higher position, but in the end, I ended up wearing shackles. Yesterday, I complained about how cold my padded jacket was because it was torn, and today, I am complaining about how long my purple official robes are. The world is like a noisy stage. When you finish singing, I leave, and then I mistake another place for my hometown. How ridiculous. In the end, I'm just making wedding clothes for other people.

The lame Taoist, upon hearing this, clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Perfect! Perfect!" Shi Yin said, "Let's go," and took the bag from the Taoist's shoulder to carry himself. He did not return home but instead left with the Taoist, disappearing into thin air.