Part 8 (1/2)

I cannot sleep, the future weights my mind, The calls of office--cares of every kind Oppress me with a sense of coming woes-- A forlorn hope against unnumbered foes!

I fain would tune my harp and ballads sing, Some comfort to my sinking heart to bring; But such poor solace even is denied-- My hands are nerveless and my tongue is tied.

How can I leave my former happy life To mingle in ambition's worldly strife!

What care I for the spoils of rank and power, The petty triumphs of the pa.s.sing hour!

My office I'll resign and homeward turn To till my farm beside the rippling burn, Where I in happy freedom may once more The Muses and the Book of Nature pore.

There in my rustic lodge in leisure time, I'll cherish every thought and scene sublime, And following still the teachers of my youth A name I'll build upon eternal truth.

_The Fragrant Tree_

BY WEI YING-WUH

T'ANG DYNASTY

In a far-off fragrant garden Grows a tree of beauty rare, Whose reflection on the brooklet Makes a vision fair.

But when now I see this vision, Heart and mind are wrung with grief, Mourning hours of blissful meeting-- Every hour too brief.

Rich as ever is the foliage, Opal clouds the s.h.i.+mmering boughs, And the dewy leaves still glisten While the sun allows.

But, alas, Her presence lacking, What are all such things to me!

She will never more be plucking Blossoms from this tree.

Here beside the brook are traces Of her light and gladsome feet; But again we two shall never In this garden meet.

_A Song of the Snow_

BY LUH FANG-WENG

Three days it snowed on Chang-an[32] plain, With drifts the Pa.s.s[33] was stacked; The iron cows[34] could not be moved, The dew-pans[35] froze and cracked.

A traveller of handsome mien, And clad in white foxskin, With curled moustache and strong of limb, Came to the Pao-chan[36] inn.

At night he supped and drank full well Until he soundly slept; But in the early dawn he woke And on his strong horse leapt.

Then riding through the drifts of snow He reached the South Range bare, And hunted for a tiger fierce Which long had 'scaped the snare.

And when the crafty beast was met, An arrow from his bow Transfixed its bounding body huge, And reddened deep the snow.