ONE GOES A JOURNEY

He is going to the Tung T'ing Lake,My friend whom I have loved so many years.The Spring wind startles the willowsAnd they break into pale leaf.I go with my friendAs far as the river-bank.He is gone—And my mind is filled and overflowingWith the things I did not say.Again the white water flowerIs ripe for plucking.The green, pointed swords of the irisSplinter the brown earth.To the South of the riverAre many sweet-olive trees.I gather branches of them to give to my friendOn his return.

He is going to the Tung T'ing Lake,My friend whom I have loved so many years.The Spring wind startles the willowsAnd they break into pale leaf.I go with my friendAs far as the river-bank.He is gone—And my mind is filled and overflowingWith the things I did not say.Again the white water flowerIs ripe for plucking.The green, pointed swords of the irisSplinter the brown earth.To the South of the riverAre many sweet-olive trees.I gather branches of them to give to my friendOn his return.

He is going to the Tung T'ing Lake,My friend whom I have loved so many years.The Spring wind startles the willowsAnd they break into pale leaf.I go with my friendAs far as the river-bank.He is gone—And my mind is filled and overflowingWith the things I did not say.

He is going to the Tung T'ing Lake,

My friend whom I have loved so many years.

The Spring wind startles the willows

And they break into pale leaf.

I go with my friend

As far as the river-bank.

He is gone—

And my mind is filled and overflowing

With the things I did not say.

Again the white water flowerIs ripe for plucking.The green, pointed swords of the irisSplinter the brown earth.To the South of the riverAre many sweet-olive trees.I gather branches of them to give to my friendOn his return.

Again the white water flower

Is ripe for plucking.

The green, pointed swords of the iris

Splinter the brown earth.

To the South of the river

Are many sweet-olive trees.

I gather branches of them to give to my friend

On his return.

Liu Shih-an, 18th Century


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