Tag Archives: life

A Farm-House on the Wei River - 渭川田家

In the slant of the sun on the country-side, Cattle and sheep trail home along the lane; And a rugged old man in a thatch door Leans on a staff and thinks of his son, the herd-boy.
Posted in Admiration | Also tagged , , | Leave a comment

Goodbye to Meng Haoran - 送别

Dismounted, o’er wine we had said our last say; Then I whisper, “Dear friend, tell me whither away.” “Alas!” He replied, “I am sick of life’s ills “And I long for repose on the slumbering hills. “But oh seek not to pierce where my footsteps may stray: “The white clouds will soothe me for ever and ay.”
Posted in Parting | Also tagged , , | Leave a comment

On the Birth of His Son - 洗儿戏作

Families, when a child is born Want it to be intelligent. I, through intelligence, Having wrecked my whole life, Only hope the baby will prove Ignorant and stupid. Then he will crown a tranquil life By becoming a Cabinet Minister.
Posted in Personification | Also tagged | Leave a comment

Chu-Ch‘ēn Village - 朱陈村

In Hsü-chou, in the District of Ku-fēng There lies a village whose name is Chu-ch‘ēn– A hundred miles away from the county-town, Amid fields of hemp and green of mulberry-trees. Click, click goes the sound of the spinning-wheel; Mules and oxen pack the village-streets. The girls go drawing the water from the brook; The men go gathering fire-wood on the hill. So far [...]
Posted in Sentiment and Reflection | Also tagged , | Leave a comment

Dum Res Et Aetas - 曲江二首

From the court every eve to the pawnshop I pass, To come back from the river the drunkest of men; As often as not I’m in debt for my glass; – Well, few of us live to be threescore and ten. The butterfly flutters from flower to flower, The dragon-fly sips and springs lightly away, Each creature is merry its brief [...]
Posted in Sentiment and Reflection | Also tagged , | Leave a comment